178 Units + Retail Proposed in Roxborough

5001 Umbria rendering
5001 Umbria St. rendering – from Umbria St.

Developers are aiming to consolidate 3 industrial parcels surrounding Paoli Ave. and Umbria St. in Roxborough in order to build a mixed-use project. The properties include 5001 Umbria St., which currently holds a small diner, and 115-121 Paoli Ave., which is the home to an industrial business. Combined, the lots total 85,856 square feet (nearly 2 acres).

5001 Umbria project site
5001 Umbria St. project site

The development team is proposing the construction of 178 residential units plus a retail space within 2 buildings with 110 parking spaces, a green roof, and a roof deck. The top building, accessed from Paoli Ave. would rise 6 stories, and would include 125 units throughout 21,887 square feet of interior space. The lower building, accessed from Umbria St., would rise 5 stories, and would include 53 units and a commercial space throughout 11,152 square feet of interior space.

The buildings’ facades will be constructed out of two types of brick, corrugated metal panels, pac-clad metal, and hardie plank siding. The parking on the lower building would be within a garage accessed on Umbria St. Surface parking for the upper building would be accessed by a drive aisle on Paoli Ave.

5001 Umbria rendering
Aerial rendering of 5001 Umbria St.
5001 Umbria rendering
5001 Umbria St. rendering – entrance on Paoli St.

In order to proceed, this project will need a zoning variance as residential uses are not allowed by-right on Industrial Commercial Mixed-Use (ICMX) parcels.

The property is only a 900 foot walk to the Ivy Ridge Train Station and is across the street from a bus station. We think a dense residential project fits well here since it is so close to public transportation. It is also nice to see a commercial space included in the project since the diner will be eliminated if this proposal is approved.

How do you feel about this project?

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