Upper Providence Township’s review of the Parkhouse development has entered a new phase, with a preliminary plan now under review showing 549 housing units — down from the 585 units associated with an earlier sketch plan.
The proposal was discussed at the Planning Commission’s March 18 meeting, where township staff said the developer’s submission had been deemed administratively complete, formally beginning the township’s review process. The plan, along with traffic and stormwater materials, has been distributed to township consultants for evaluation.
Officials emphasized that this step is procedural and marks the start of a technical review, not a decision on whether the project will ultimately be approved.
The project stems from a 2024 zoning amendment affecting the 176-acre Parkhouse property, one of the largest remaining undeveloped tracts in the township. Under that amendment, township supervisors selected a development approach expected to yield hundreds of mixed housing units rather than more than 1,200 age-restricted units that could have been built under prior zoning, according to a 2024 report by The Pottstown Mercury.
The property sits between Route 113, 2nd Avenue, and Old State Road, next to the Parkhouse Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.
Township to Post Plans Online
Township officials said the Parkhouse information page on the township website will be updated to include the newly submitted plans and supporting materials, allowing residents to review them as the process moves forward.
Officials noted that making the documents available online is intended to provide broader access without requiring individual Right-to-Know requests.
Public Comment Centers on Traffic, Access
Residents raised a range of concerns during public comment, with much of the discussion focused on traffic, circulation, and site access.
Speakers asked how vehicles would move through the development and how emergency responders, delivery vehicles, and trash collection would operate on-site. They also questioned how proposed access points and internal road layouts could affect traffic flow and response times.
A resident living on 2nd Avenue said he is seeking clarity on how potential road changes shown on concept-level plans could affect his property, adding that the uncertainty makes it difficult to plan future improvements.
Questions Remain on Intersection
Discussion also touched on a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Route 113, 2nd Avenue, and Black Rock Road.
Township officials said the roundabout remains under consideration as part of broader planning efforts supported by PennDOT. Officials indicated that exact details — including timing and whether nearby development could be required to contribute to improvements — have not yet been determined and would be addressed as planning and review continue.
Stormwater Concerns Raised
One resident, Susan Denby, also urged township officials to closely review stormwater management, particularly given the site’s slope toward the river and existing flooding concerns in nearby areas. She emphasized the importance of drainage design and site layout in preventing additional impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
Review Process Just Beginning
Township staff reiterated that the preliminary submission marks the beginning of the review process and that plans often change between preliminary and final stages.
The Planning Commission did not take action on the substance of the development at the meeting.
