Last week’s meeting of the Millbrook Civic Association was dominated by discussion of two ongoing and controversial projects not far from each other on Woodhaven Road.
There was a lengthy conversation about a planned hotel at the Knights Road Shopping Center, 4000 Woodhaven Road, as well as talk about a proposed apartment complex at 4301 Woodhaven Road near Philadelphia Mills mall.
MCA President John Kradzinski didn’t have much news to provide to residents. He said he hasn’t heard from those involved in either project recently.
Last month, the Department of Licenses & Inspections ruled that the developer of the planned 138-room extended stay hotel had to meet with the city’s Civic Design Review committee before moving forward.
L&I had initially granted the permit to build the hotel, but later revoked it after an appeal from 10th District Councilman Brian O’Neill’s office. The department reissued a “conditional zoning permit” pending the public meeting.
Kradzinski said the hotel developer also has to meet with the MCA, though they have not reached out to the civic’s board.
“As of now, it’s not happening,” he said.
Residents at the April 30 meeting expressed concern about the hotel, specifically about parking. They said there would not be enough spots for the hotel and shopping center.
A CDR meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, and 4000 Woodhaven Road was not on the agenda. The committee meets monthly.
The hotel’s developer, Posh Properties, of Bethlehem, declined to comment when reached by the Northeast Times.
As for the apartment complex near Philadelphia Mills, Kradzinski said the MCA board hasn’t heard from developer M&M Management since a contentious meeting in January when more than 70 residents voted to oppose a variance for the project.
During that meeting, M&M partner Michael Gordon said he wanted to build 520 units at 4301 Woodhaven Road. He later told the Times he had cut the proposal down to about 300 units.
Gordon, in an interview, said the project is currently on hold. He said he is waiting to see if O’Neill is re-elected in November. The councilman has been vocal in his opposition to the proposed apartment complex.
In the meantime, the 14.5-acre strip of land, which is east of the mall on the border with Bensalem, is still being marketed and could be sold for another purpose, Gordon said.
The next meeting of the Millbrook Civic Association will be held Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. at the Calvary Athletic Association Gym, 4330 Deerpath Lane. ••
Jack Tomczuk can be reached at [email protected]
