A draft of the Ardmore master plan is going back to the township’s planning staff to make revisions before it is put forward for approval later this year. Paul Schwedelson reported the status in the Philadelphia Business Journal.

Lower Merion’s commissioners met last week to discuss a draft of the plan that would allow the construction of taller buildings, as well as higher densities within the borough.

To achieve that, however, an additional step needs to be taken of implementing more specific zoning changes. Planners and commissioners all agreed that the potential zoning changes create a distraction from other ideas in the plan that have the goal of creating a more walkable, vibrant downtown.

Such ideas center around:

• Traffic-calming strategies
• Attractive public spaces
• Affordability
• The continual promotion of the township as a shopping and leisure destination

“Improving the built environment at the streetscape and adding affordability — those were what we heard from the community,” said Lower Merion Director of Building and Planning Chris Leswing.

And while the township’s staff has specified several locations that have the potential for redevelopment, planners believe that nothing can happen without a zoning change.

Read more about the Ardmore master plan in the Philadelphia Business Journal.

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A vlog tour of Ardmore.