Marc D. Jonas, Esquire Obtains Land Development Approval for Penn State Student Apartments in Abington
Only three months after obtaining unanimous approval of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners of a zoning ordinance amendment that would permit construction of a multi-story apartment building for 400 Penn State University students, Marc D. Jonas, Esq. obtained approval of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners of a combined preliminary and final land development plan application.
Typically, land development applications require separate submittals of first, preliminary plans and then final plans. The approval timeline can take six months or more for each of the two stages of applications. The township’s land development approval reflected the support and cooperation of the Abington Township Board of Commissioners and the township staff, in recognition of the University’s long-standing contributions to the Abington Township community.
Earlier this year, Mr. Jonas successfully represented Penn State University and Turner Construction Company before the Abington Township Board of Commissioners. The township board unanimously passed a zoning ordinance amendment creating a new student housing apartment use in the township Planned Business District to permit the development of the former Saturn car dealership located at 1001 Old York Road into a student apartment building for 390 Penn State Abington students. This is the first development of student apartments to be owned and operated by Penn State Abington.
The proposed ordinance received the support and endorsement of the Montgomery County Planning Commission, the Abington Township Planning Commission, the Abington Township Economic Development Committee, as well as that of residential, business, and institutional neighbors. The enactment of the ordinance paves the way for the submittal of land development plans detailing the proposed construction of the apartment building which will seek LEED certification.
Established in 1950, Penn State Abington offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programs in the heart of Montgomery County. On average, 500 students graduate from this campus each year. The development of an on campus housing community will provide endless opportunities for its students while simultaneously enhancing Abington Township.
Mr. Jonas has been named a Leader in Real Estate/Land Use law by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. His peers have recognized him as a Pennsylvania “Super Lawyer,” and he has been selected repeatedly by U.S. News as a “Best Lawyer” in both Land Use and Zoning Law and Land Use and Zoning litigation for the Philadelphia Metropolitan area.
