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Board approves conditional use for 223 N. Highland Avenue with pedestrian‑safety, compliance conditions
Summary
The Board of Commissioners approved a conditional‑use application allowing expanded religious services at 223 N. Highland Ave, adopting amendments that require an independent post‑development pedestrian study, compliance logs, limits on concurrent operation with the co‑located school, and an operations/compliance plan.
The Lower Merion Board of Commissioners on July 15 approved a conditional‑use application for 223 North Highland Avenue that expands permitted religious services and attaches a package of monitoring and safety conditions.
The applicant sought relief to expand Friday and Saturday evening Sabbath services (up to 60 attendees who do not drive), increase Saturday morning services to as many as 200 attendees who do not drive, and increase certain holiday services. The board considered and amended the hearing officer’s recommended order before voting.
Commissioner Kramer moved a set of amendments that removed a one‑year sunset provision and instead required the applicant to submit a post‑development pedestrian study by Aug. 30, 2027 documenting average and special-event attendance and the degree of compliance during the first 12 months. The amendment also required compliance logs upon request and an operations and compliance plan. The applicant’s representative, Kaylee Belcher, told the board the applicant accepted the revised condition.
The board bundled additional amendments to clarify that references to “attendees not driving” include attendees not being driven, required an independent expert to conduct the pedestrian study, prohibited services during the school’s regular instructional hours to avoid double‑loading, and required that current and successor operators conform to the operations and compliance plan submitted with the conditional‑use hearing. Commissioners said those additions give predictability for both the township and the applicant and provide staff a clearer checklist for enforcement.
After discussion, the board voted to approve the conditional use as amended. The motion, including the amended conditions described above, carried unanimously.
What the approval means: the use was approved with added enforceable conditions intended to monitor pedestrian impacts and ensure operations remain consistent with testimony and exhibits entered at the hearing. The board emphasized it will rely on the hearing record and that additional changes must be developed publicly.
Next steps: the applicant must submit the independent post‑development pedestrian study by Aug. 30, 2027, and the board or staff may direct implementation of safety improvements identified in that study.
