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Current Newsletter: September 2024
View From the Porch
“Designed to blend with the historic past, new construction in this area harmonizes beautifully with charming and stately colonial and Victorian architecture along tree-lined streets that are graced by an occasional cobblestone sidewalk.” [A description of Moorestown; Weichert Real Estate Moorestown; weichert.com website]
If Weichert Development gets its way there will be two less “charming” and “stately” Victorian buildings along our tree-lined streets. Their plan, which was presented
to the town’s Appearance Committee on August 21st, requires the demolition of the two Victorian buildings the company owns at 202 West Main Street and 210 West Main Street and replaces them with a sixteen-unit apartment building with retail space on the lower level.
The Historical Society has sent a letter of opposition to Weichert Development as well as to the various town departments being asked to approve the plan. In our letter we called everyone’s attention to the importance of the buildings to our community, citing their architecture as well as the history of the buildings with respect to the important Moorestown residents who have occupied these homes over the years.
One of the letter’s recipients, which will have a major say in whether or not this plan comes to fruition, is the Township’s Zoning Board of Adjustment, which will have to rule on two variance requests that Weichert is seeking. The Zoning Board expects to take this up at their meeting on September 17th.
In recent months, members of the Historical Society have found themselves front and center in the fight to preserve the historic character of our town. Trustee Julie Maravich formed the group Saving Historic Moorestown, which has on its board a number of Historical Society members. They have successfully helped save the building located at 334 Chester Ave., which was scheduled to be demolished. Other members are circulating a petition asking that the West Main Street properties be saved — it currently has nearly 1,200 signatures.
Historical Society members are also supporting the Historic Preservation Ordinance being developed under the leadership of Town Councilwomen Sue Mammarella. Passage of the ordinance would create a historic commercial district along Main Street and up Chester Ave. that would protect historic buildings in the area. The ordinance would also create an Historic Preservation Commission that would oversee the implementation of the act’s guidelines.
If you want to help in this effort there are a number of things that you can do. First, make it a point to attend the Zoning Board meeting in September. There will be opportunities to express your feelings about Weichert Development’s plan. In addition, you can come out and support the proposed Historic Preservation ordinance when it shows up on the Town Council’s agenda.
Lenny Wagner, President
Lwagner559@comcast.net
To view a color PDF of this September 2024 Newsletter click here.
Top right: Model of Smith-Cadbury Mansion, built by Bill Rose. Image shows north side of the house with the restored side porch.
