Limerick Township supervisors gave final approval Wednesday, August 19, to the Emerald Crossing development, clearing the way for a 67-townhome community planned behind commercial space along West Ridge Pike.
The board approved two resolutions for the project at 142 West Ridge Pike: a preliminary/final subdivision resolution dividing the property into three lots and a final land development resolution covering the residential development.
Three supervisors voted in favor of the final land development resolution. Supervisor Cheryl Walraven abstained, while Supervisor Linda Irwin was absent.
Supervisor Patrick Morroney, who voted against advancing the plan earlier this month over concerns about gaps in the development's sidewalk network, voted in favor Wednesday after the applicant agreed to a sidewalk deferral that would allow the township to require additional sidewalks later. He thanked the applicant’s team for making the adjustment.
Sidewalks Could Be Required Later
Township Engineer Khal Hassan clarified Wednesday that the latest arrangement is a deferral rather than a waiver of the additional sidewalk requirement.
Under the resolution, the locations of the deferred sidewalks must be designed and shown on the recorded plan. If the township later determines that the sidewalks are needed, the homeowners association would receive notice and have one year to install them. Hassan said that decision would remain at the township's discretion after the development is built.
The development already calls for sidewalks along portions of the internal road network and a pedestrian trail connecting into the sidewalk system.
The board also discussed a separate sidewalk waiver along the frontage of Lot 3, where an existing apartment building is expected to remain. A representative for the applicant said the sidewalk would extend across much of the Ridge Pike frontage but that installing it near the apartment building's retaining wall presents complications. He explained the sidewalk would end near a driveway to the apartment building.
Walraven Abstains
Although Walraven supported the separate subdivision resolution, she abstained from the vote on the final development plan.
"My overall comment is I think we have enough townhomes in Limerick, and here's another set," Walraven said, adding that she was not comfortable with the prospect of additional townhomes along Ridge Pike.
Emerald Crossing, proposed by Pulte Homes, is located in Limerick's Main Street District. Plans place office or commercial space along West Ridge Pike with 67 townhomes farther back from the roadway.
The project also includes the realignment of its access with Royersford Road and a new traffic signal at West Ridge Pike. Those changes resulted from discussions with PennDOT following preliminary approval of the development in 2024.
The Limerick Township Planning Commission recommended approval of the residential phase earlier this month, and supervisors voted 4-1 on August 4 to direct the township solicitor to prepare the resolutions approved Wednesday.
