There are several apartment projects in various stages of the approval process (or just waiting for an application to be submitted) in the Ambler area. Overall, it involves a range of 750 to 1,000 units (an educated estimate).
All are within the Borough of Ambler, except for the proposal involving Ambler Yards, which has an Ambler address within Lower Gwynedd Township.
Ambler Flats at 100-112 West Butler Pike, and 19, 23, 27 Chestnut Street, Ambler
During an October 28th meeting, Ambler’s Planning Commission voted to recommend to Ambler’s borough council that it should amend the zoning code to permit the redevelopment of the properties to allow BET Investments to construct a 243-unit apartment building named Ambler Flats. In addition to the apartments, the project includes new office space for Hatch, which currently has an office at 100 West Butler Pike, along with retail, public parking (mainly after-hours and weekends), and a public space called Arts Walk, which would feature local artists.
The October 28th meeting was the second review of the proposal. During this second review, the developer addressed issues previously raised by the planning commission, such as the height of the buildings, parking, public space, and retail. Regarding the height of the buildings, the zoning code permits 65 feet. The developer sought 80 feet and responded with a proposal to have the two buildings average 67 and 64 feet in height.
The proposal will now move to a staff review, and then the council will decide whether to consider amending the code to allow the proposed changes. This issue has not yet appeared on a council agenda.
A rendering of Ambler Flats is pictured at the top of the article.
SEPTA Parking Lot – SEPTA and Developer TBD
During a September 17, 2024, meeting, Ambler’s borough council voted to adopt a proposed ordinance that allows SEPTA to redevelop a significant portion of its parking lot adjacent to the Ambler Train Station and other developers on nearby properties.
The proposal to amend the zoning code originated with SEPTA (along with Montgomery County) and is meant to create density around transportation hubs. The unofficial proposal for this property is up to 170 apartments with some retail on the ground floor. SEPTA is currently in the developer selection process, and no official application to move forward has been submitted.
Ambler Yards – 300 Brookside in the Ambler section of Lower Gwynedd Township
In Lower Gwynedd, a proposed zoning text & map amendment would, if adopted, permit the redevelopment of a portion of the Ambler Yards property with an apartment building and the addition of a self-storage facility. You can view this proposed amendment here. The township’s planning commission voted to recommend that the board of supervisors adopt this amendment. It is likely to go before the supervisors on December 9th.
Ambler Lakeview – 9 North Maple Street
Ambler Lakeview is an approved 92-unit apartment development at 9 North Maple Street that has not yet started construction. Summit Reality Advisors is the developer. Summit was also behind the redevelopment of the Ambler Boiler House and The Crossing at Ambler Station.
The Crossings at Ambler Station – 2nd Phase (adjacent to 250 South Maple Street)
There is a second portion of this project that is unbuilt. The first phase had 114 units and opened in 2022.
Disclosure – BET Investments is an advertiser with Burb Media, the parent company of AroundAmbler.com
Image – BET Investments