The Falls Township Board of Supervisors has granted conditional use approval for an over-55 community planned for a portion of the former St. Joseph the Worker parish property.
The project, called St. Joseph’s Court, would sit on 18 acres the developer purchased from Archdiocese of Philadelphia and is zoned institutional, but the conditional use approval allows for “some control as a community,” a press release from the township states.
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The plan by developer McGrath Homes outlines the construction of 62 townhouses, a 2-story apartment building with 24 units, as well as 14 one-story flats for residents who are age 55 and older. The plan includes garages for the townhomes and an additional 132 parking spaces. Developer John McGrath spoke to the board of supervisors earlier this week and said the roughly 1,200-square-foot flats would be owned by the residents and the apartments would be rented.
The project would encompass the portion of the property currently occupied by the closed church and school.
The development is proposed to have two main entrances with a third entrance that will only be open to emergency vehicles.
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St. Joseph’s Court, which would feature plenty of brick in its design, would be maintained by a private association that is funded by resident fees. The township would be responsible for maintenance of the property and roads in it.
Board Chairman Bob Harvie raised concerns about creek flooding behind the St. Joseph the Worker property and impacts it may have on the development.
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The engineer for St. Joseph’s Court said he will work with the township engineer to reduce flooding risks.
Supervisor Jeff Boraski, who lives nearby the property, said he was concerned about traffic problems connected to the development. He said there is “no way that intersection can handle one more car.”
Land development attorney Tom Hecker, who is representing McGrath, replied that concerns over traffic would be looked into and said road upgrades would be needed.
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“Everyone can feel good about the way this is going to look,” Hecker said. “We think it’s a good fit for the community.”
Township officials said in a statement that conditional use approval is only one step in the development process. McGarth homes will return at their Monday, October 17 meeting for land development review and consideration.
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The St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church held its last regular mass in June 2014 and remained opened as a worship site until last summer. The archdiocese closed the parish as part of an effort to consolidate and save money.
