Ambler Residents Block Construction of New Ambler Savings Bank With Appeal

Ambler Savings Bank was poised and ready to begin demolition of its existing building at Lindenwold Avenue and Butler Pike in Ambler Borough and begin construction of a new, three-story, 28,000-square-foot building that takes it out of a floodplain, provides no basement, and relocates an existing freestanding gateway sign at the intersection flush to an exterior wall.
In its progress toward the development, the bank had to receive approval from the planning commission and zoning hearing board. The latter commission approved numerous variances and exemptions from borough ordinances for the construction, including allowing a height of 51.5 feet, per the Ambler Gazette.
Ambler Savings Bank is increasing its size, and, per the borough ordinance, not required to reciprocally increase its number of parking spaces.
The bank originally planned to have 91 spaces, but it had misinterpreted the borough code. 
Ambler Borough code requires three parking spaces per teller—and that takes into account the teller, the employees, and the customers. At six tellers, that is 18 parking spaces. However, according to Ambler Savings Bank representing attorney Kate Harper, the bank will be providing 39 spaces. Harper also said there would be a total of 35 employees when said and done.
"The purpose (of the project) is not to add; it's to get the employees out of the basement," Harper said. "They are in a floodplain and it floods out."
Residents also spoke up in opposition of the development. Two such residents were Bob and Donna Kreamer, who live behind the bank on Race Street.
Now, the Kreamers have appealed the decision of the borough zoning hearing board to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, per the Gazette.
The Kreamers argue that the height is detrimental to their own well-being and to the aesthetics of Ambler Borough. The couple also argue that the parking is insufficient for the development and would affect Race Street, according to the appeal.
Per the article, Harper said the Kreamer's privacy will not be affected, as their home is separated by a parking lot and street.
Read more here.