Planning commission-approved Woodward site plan for 48 affordable units moves to council after developer outreach

Council reviewed Resolution 8-2024, a preliminary/final lot consolidation and land development plan submitted by Amber Borelli, representing the Latino Connection Foundation (LCF), to consolidate three parcels at the former Woodward School site and develop a four-story, 48-unit residential building with site and access improvements.

Jeffrey Knight, the city’s planning director, summarized the project history: the site has been vacant since the school’s demolition (circa 2011); similar proposals were previously approved but lapsed for lack of a filed land development plan. The current application was filed Oct. 3, 2024 and approved by the Planning Commission on Nov. 6, 2024. Planning recommended council approval with conditions, including: obtaining an affordable‑housing certificate of qualification (chapter 12, 101 of title 12) before recording the consolidation and land‑development plan; providing an economic‑impact summary (construction value, tax effects, jobs generated); coordinating with the City Engineer on restricting on‑street parking along the north side of Boas Street to improve access to the accessory parking lot; reconstructing full‑width sidewalks along North 18th Street (and recommending Bow Street sidewalk reconstruction); using vertically differentiated façade treatments to better fit the neighborhood; and coordinating with the city arborist on native trees and pollinator plantings.

Developer Amber Borelli (Latino Connection Foundation) and Matt Witter of Eustis Engineering described the proposal as a four‑story building with 48 affordable units (targeted for seniors, 62+), a 47‑space accessory parking lot, a small fenced dog‑park limited to residents, an underground stormwater basin beneath the parking area, enclosed off‑street trash and recycling, and a small gardening area. Borelli said the development has been awarded low‑income housing tax credits and other PHFA (Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency) support; she described the total development budget at about $18 million, including roughly $12–13 million for construction. She said the project anticipates producing four to five permanent on‑site jobs (maintenance/property management and supportive services) and 40+ construction/trade jobs during the build.

Borelli and Witter described multiple rounds of neighborhood outreach in 2023–2024, including community meetings, door‑to‑door outreach and a recent meeting at Bethesda Mission. Councilmembers who spoke expressed support for continued community engagement and asked several follow‑ups: provide a lighting plan that addresses neighborhood concerns, consider traffic/parking changes in the corridor, reserve space for a police substation or community safety use (developers said space is available), and ensure contractor outreach to prioritize local tradespeople during bidding.

Councilwoman Daniels moved to add the lot consolidation and land‑development plan to the next legislative session for formal council consideration, and the committee recommended placement on the legislative agenda with the planning conditions to be satisfied prior to recording and construction.