Neighborhood Outreach Efforts
While the Township approval process for zoning and land use are very public processes, Saint Joseph’s University has also worked proactively and very closely with Lower Merion Township, neighbors surrounding the Campus, civic groups and elected officials on our proposal to enhance academic buildings and athletic fields on the Maguire campus. We will continue that approach.
The following is a listing of group meetings and communications with the community in 2008 and 2009.
| Date | Meeting or Decision |
|---|---|
| March 16, 2006 | Approval secured from Lower Merion Township Zoning Hearing Board for use of campus facilities, including all athletic fields |
| April 17, 2006 | Zoning approval appealed by two families on Latch’s Lane |
| July 31, 2006 | Agreement reached with Latch’s Lane Neighbors terminating the zoning appeal |
| January 14, 2008 | Maguire Campus plans shared with Merion Civic Association Ad Hoc Group |
| February 5, 2008 | Maguire Campus plans shared with Merion Civic Association Ad Hoc Group and Latch's Lane neighbors |
| February 5, 2008 | Tentative Sketch Plan submitted by SJU |
| April 15, 2008 | Revised Tentative Sketch Plan submitted by SJU |
| April 24, 2008 | Maguire Campus plans shared with York Lynne Condominium Association; discussion of historic storm water drainage problems and other requests |
| May 5, 2008 | Planning Commission reviewed and recommended approval of the Tentative Sketch Plan for Maguire Campus |
| May 7, 2008 | Building and Planning Committee reviewed and recommended approval of the Tentative Sketch Plan with conditions to be complied with on the preliminary plan for Maguire Campu |
| May 14, 2008 | Board of Commissioners voted to approve the Tentative Sketch Plan |
| May 19, 2008 | Merion Civic Association Ad Hoc Group and Latches Lane neighbors |
| June 3, 2008 |
Community meeting with Latch’s Lane, Berwick Road, Raynham Road, Greystone Road and Highland Ave. neighbors in cooperation with Lower Merion Commissioner Brian Gordon; full presentation of plans |
| June 26, 2008 | Dinner hosted by Fr. Timothy Lannon with local neighbors |
| July 1, 2008 | Community meeting with Latch’s Lane, Berwick Road, Raynham Road and Highland Ave. neighbors in cooperation with Lower Merion Commissioner Brian Gordon |
| July 11, 2008 | Meeting with select neighbors in cooperation with Lower Merion Commissioner Brian Gordon |
| July 29, 2008 | Community meeting with Latch’s Lane, Berwick Road, Raynham Road and Highland Ave. neighbors |
| August 8, 2008 | Saint Joseph’s University completed acquisition of Maguire campus |
| August 8, 2008 |
Community Update newsletter (link) sent to all neighbors and made available at meetings. Background on closing on property and information on upcoming activity |
| August 15, 2008 |
Community Update newsletter (link) sent to all neighbors with information on changes made at the request of neighbors and notice of September 4 meeting |
| August 26, 2008 |
Following the August 8 closing on the property, MCC's attorneys send a letter to Township Zoning Officer arguing that notwithstanding the Board of Commissioners' tentative sketch plan approval, additional zoning relief from the Zoning Hearing Board is required to permit any improvements whatsoever on the Maguire Campus |
| September 1, 2008 | Maguire Campus presentation at Latch’s Lane Labor Day pool party |
| September 4, 2008 |
Community meeting with Latch’s Lane, Berwick Road, Raynham Road and Highland Ave. neighbors. |
| September 10, 2008 | MCC's attorneys send a follow-up letter to Township Zoning Officer urging that he require further zoning approval from the Zoning Hearing Board |
| September 16, 2008 | Letter from Michael Wiley, Zoning Officer, that certain aspects of land development require a special exception for “Expanded Use” |
| September 17, 2008 | Without contacting the University, MCC's attorneys appear at meeting of the Board of Commissioners to petition that the Township requires further zoning approval from the Zoning Hearing Board |
| September 23, 2008 |
Maguire Campus presentation to Merion Civic Association |
| September 26, 2008 |
Merion Community Coalition, York Lynne Condo Assoc, Merion Civic Assoc. (absent) Community meeting with SJU President and several administrators facilitated by State Representative Michael Gerber and Commissioner Brian Gordon |
| October 15, 2008 |
University appeals Township Zoning Officer's determination to the Zoning Hearing Board |
| October 16, 2008 |
MCC appeals Township Zoning Officer's determination to the Zoning Hearing Board |
| December 8, 2008 |
Zoning Hearing Board holds a hearing on both appeals |
| December 15, 2008 |
Letter (link) sent to all neighbors in Merion and Bala Cynwyd with information on the zoning appeal in Lower Merion Township and background on plans |
| January 13, 2009 | Maguire Campus presentation to Bala Neighborhood Club |
| March 26, 2009 | Decision by the Zoning Board to require special exception for planned renovations previously approved by the Planning Commission; rejects the SJU appeal, partially accepts and partially rejects the MCC appeal. Decision re-affirms the collegiate use of the campus. |
