Fate of Laverock property unclear
The architecturally significant property known as Laverock Hill faces an uncertain future as developers discuss plans for an age-restricted, multidwelling facility on the property.
About a quarter of the 42-acre estate lies in Cheltenham Township, while the rest is in Springfield Township. However, the proposed construction will take place mostly in the Cheltenham section of the estate, which is listed as a significant cultural resource in Cheltenham's "2002 Township Comprehensive Plan" and the "2005 Township Open Space Plan."
The initial plans presented to the Cheltenham Building and Zoning Committee March 3 indicated that the developers will have to raze the mansion, carriage houses and gardens that stand on the property.
In a letter to Cheltenham Township Manager David Kraynik, the Montgomery County Planning Commission said, "The house and gardens are also listed in the Athenaeum of Philadelphia's inventory, and are mentioned in several books regarding history, architecture and landscape architecture. Demolition of these structures would be inconsistent with the township's official goals and plans."
The plans submitted to the county and to Cheltenham Township by Hansen Properties are only tentative sketch plans. The sketch calls for eight four-story buildings and a separate clubhouse, totaling 216 high-rise housing units. The housing will be either for residents 55 years and older or 62 years and older, depending on compliance with Cheltenham's Age-Restricted Overlay District.
Because the drawings are only a tentative sketch plan, they may be revised numerous times before any official decisions are made, according to Ross Weiss, an attorney representing Hansen Properties.
"Saving the buildings on the property was something that came up in the discussions," Weiss said. "This is the earliest stage in the development process. There's a possibility that we could save one or all of the [existing] structures depending on what we can submit to the two municipalities."
Of the proposed 10.97-acre development, a majority would fall in Cheltenham Township. The initial sketch shows 9.8 acres in Cheltenham, with the remainder in Springfield Township.
Members of the Cheltenham Township Planning Commission met with several Springfield officials Monday to discuss how they will coordinate with Hansen Properties over zoning restrictions and how the townships will rule on matters regarding a development built on either side of the township line.
"The developer has not asked for anything from Springfield except cooperation," Springfield Commissioner Doug Heller said. "My understanding is that cooperation from Springfield would be helpful in preserving the historic mansion and gardens."
The estate, which was laid out originally in 1890, is the site of the Charles Platt mansion, built in 1915. The grounds also include gardens and greenhouses that are nearly a century old.
The gardens were designed by Ellen Biddle Shipman, a celebrated architectural florist. Of the more than 600 gardens designed by Shipman, few remain in existence. The proposed plan for the Laverock Hill estate would require the demolition of both the mansion and the gardens.
Because of the historic nature of the property, and the density of the proposed structures, a neighborhood initiative was started in Laverock by J. Scott Laughlin, who also developed the corresponding Web site, savelaverockhill.com.
Laughlin said the community is coming together to decide what it wants to do to preserve the historic estate.
"An effective development should really be integrated. It depends on what the community wants, and this is the first time we've all gotten together on any matter," Laughlin said.
The neighborhood group is meeting for its first strategy session to discuss how to address the plans to raze the historic buildings, what kind of development it will accept in the community and how to work with the planning commission and the developers to find a fair compromise.
The meeting will take place March 30, 7 p.m., at Glenside Hall.
Heller said the Springfield commissioners are watching the neighborhood initiative to see what constituents want and waiting for further plans from the developer before deciding how to proceed.
"My hope is that at that meeting they can come to a consensus about what their position is; if not on Monday, then at a subsequent meeting," he said. "From a commissioner's viewpoint, it's much easier when a neighbors group has a consensus on what they're seeking."