Sketch Plan Proposes Conversion of Wynnewood Gas Station Into Bank

A sketch plan submitted for informal review to the township proposes new plans for Riggins gas station, converting the site into a bank.

The plan is for review purposes only, and may never be acted on, according to township staff.

Located on the corner of Lancaster Avenue and East Wynnewood Road in Wynnewood, Riggins currently holds a self-service pump station and auto repair shop. The sketch plan would be the first informal step before submitting a building and planning application to the township for the conversion of the site, if the owners of the property choose to pursue that option.

Riggins is located just about 90 feet away from Nova Bank, and across the street from Cumberland Farms. The lot is zoned as a C-2 commercial district, which allows for a number of commercial uses, including banks.

The sketch plan was drawn up by Yerkes Associates in Bryn Mawr, and proposed a 3000-square foot bank on the corner of the property nearest the intersection of Lancaster Avenue and Wynnewood Road. Behind the building, and along Lancaster Avenue the bank would have a parking lot, a landscaped area and a drive-thru banking area at the back of the property.

As currently designed, two entrances and exits would be located on Lancaster Avenue and Wynnewood Road respectively, as well as a third exit onto Morris Avenue behind the lot. 

Eric Lowry, chair of the Environmental Advisory Council said at the Sept. 28 council meeting that the proposal would be a great opportunity add green features to the area if it moves to the application process. The sketch plan includes landscaped areas around the bank, parking lot and edges of the property, while the current site is completely paved.

Lower Merion Planning Technician Jillian Puleo said that the owners submitted the plan to get initial feedback from the township, and it is up to them to decide if they want to move forward with a formal plan.

"This is not a formal application and may or may not ever be submitted for approval," Director of Building and Planning Bob Duncan said. "This plan was submitted to obtain feedback and suggestions from our staff."

If submitted in a formal application, the plan would move to the Planning Commission, Building and Planning Committee and finally to the Board of Commissioners before meeting final approval or denial.