During a December 18th meeting of Plymouth Township’s Zoning Hearing Board, the board voted unanimously to grant zoning relief that will allow the expansion of The Metroplex in Plymouth Meeting.

The applicant, The Goldenberg Group, sought two variances. The first involved the gross leasable area allowed in the Mixed-Use Planned Development zoning district. The second involved parking requirements.

The Goldenberg Group’s proposal is to construct 25,000 square foot building between DSW and Barnes & Noble and an 8,000 square foot building near Guitar Center. The two new buildings would increase the gross leasable area to above 750,000 square feet, the current allowable number. In addition, the two buildings would replace what is currently parking, so it would violate current parking requirements.

Members of the zoning hearing board did not express any issues with the plan near DSW and Barnes & Noble, but did have concerns over parking, traffic flow, and pedestrian safety in connection to the smaller building near Guitar Center.

When we first reported on this proposal back in March 2023, it was stated by a representative of The Goldenberg Group that the tenant of the 25,000 square foot building would be Nordstrom Rack. During this meeting, no tenant was named, but it was expressed there was a lot of interest.

It was also stated that the smaller building could be a restaurant or another use. The plans showed to the zoning hearing board included a drive-thru. The representative of The Goldenberg Group stated that the plans were made with a restaurant use because it is the most impactful when it comes to parking and traffic.

While granting the variances the zoning hearing board added conditions to address its concerns for the possible restaurant. These included signage and striping.

Now that the proposal is approved, it will go through the land development process with Plymouth Township.

More to come.

Photo: Google