Roxborough could be adding 32 new homeowners soon.

The Wissahickon Neighbors Civic Association approved a development project Monday night to transform a vacant assisted living facility into twin homes on a cul-de-sac.

Five months after developer Stephen Goldner approached the civic about creating Kingsley Court at the abandoned and problematic Ivy Ridge Assisted Living, neighbors greenlit the project in a 23-1 vote.

"I think he's designed it in a way that will have the least amount of impact as possible on the neighbors," Walnut Lane resident Merle Bergman said.

The project will transform 5627 Ridge Ave. into a housing development next to Stanley's Hardware. It creates a new city street. Goldner previously said the project which will include:

• Twin four-bedroom, three-story, 3.5 bath homes;
• A price point around $320,000;
• Basement garages with an additional driveway parking space.

Negotiated Concerns

Civic President Andrew Bantly resisted holding a vote until plans were finalized—with City Planning approval—and neighboring residents had a chance to discuss their differences with Goldner.

First, Goldner met with neighboring property owners and verbally promised screenings and vegetative buffers along the rear border. The civic included that proviso in its "Yes" vote Monday. Bantly also said the Stanley's property and Goldner came to an agreement involving any border disputes.

Next, the Roxborough Development Corporation weighed in and negotiated an agreement for shrubbery along Ridge Avenue. Buildings facing the main street will have a brick facade.

Last, the City Planning Commission approved the plans in April with several residents in attendance. The main discussion involved making a Kingsley Street a through-street from Ridge to Houghton streets. Both the developer and property owners rejected that, and the city went along with it.

Another concern involved traffic. The development will prohibit left-hand turns onto Ridge Avenue from the court.

What's to Come

Now that Goldner has City Planning and the local civic association's backing, he will have a Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing at a yet-to-be determined date.

For the civic, Bantly said he was encouraged by the neighbors' involvement.

"This whole process really demonstrates that the people here care about what's going on in the neighborhood," he said.

Bergman said she's happy with how the process went, but would prefer that her backyard was left undisturbed.

"It's really a paradise back there. But this is private property, and you have the right to do something with it," she said.