Developer outlines 50-unit ‘Juniper Flats’ proposal for 240 W. Johnson Highway

Developer Josh Matthews presented early plans on July 15 for Juniper Flats, a 50-unit apartment building proposed for 240 West Johnson Highway, saying the site is roughly 1.5 acres and the project would include about 50,000 square feet, 68 parking spaces and a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio units. Matthews said one-bedroom rents are currently estimated around $1,500, two-bedrooms $1,800–$2,000 and studios $1,100–$1,300, and that the building would include an elevator, gym, roof deck, package room and balconies for every unit.

Why it matters: Matthews and his partner said the project aims to add market-rate housing and “ratables” to an area they described as underinvested compared with surrounding Montgomery County suburbs, and they asked council and neighbors for early feedback before zoning or land‑development filings.

Matthews said the L‑shaped building is oriented to limit light intrusion into nearby homes and that the team proposes an Arborvitae buffer along Pine Tree to screen adjacent backyards. Design partner Fatim Abazi described exterior materials as fiber‑cement board with brick and stone accents, luxury vinyl plank flooring and porcelain tile in kitchens; she said balconies would have paver systems and the roof deck would use composite decking.

Council members and residents pressed for additional details. Council asked whether units would include in‑unit laundry (Matthews said yes) and whether the project included commercial space; Matthews said the lot’s limited frontage makes ground‑floor commercial difficult but that a gym could be a mixed‑use amenity, and that he had obtained letters of support from neighboring businesses and Pine Tree residents. Councilwoman Robinson and other members asked the developers to address how the project would balance bringing new residents with needs of existing Norristown households — including seniors on fixed incomes — and requested more data on area median income and the project’s projected economic impacts.

Matthews said the team carried out outreach during earlier work on the Norristown State Hospital opportunity and that their market analysis indicates Norristown has comparatively more affordable housing than surrounding communities. He said approvals could take roughly a year and construction about 18 months after approvals.

Next steps: Planning staff reminded council the site is in a commercial‑retail (CR) zoning district and the applicant will be notified when they file with the zoning hearing board for any variances. The developer acknowledged design review board and other public processes remain before any building permit is issued.