Restricted Hours Recommended for Wynnewood Restaurant

Lower Merion's Planning Commission on Monday night voted to recommend more restrictive hours of operation and outside-music policies at a Wynnewood property where Federal Realty wants to open a restaurant.

The applicants are looking to attract a restaurateur to the space and had been hoping to have permits in place to allow hours of operation as late as 2 a.m. However, residents of the Shortridge and Wynnewood civic associations have objected to the prospect of late night visitors to the Wynnewood Shopping Center and of outdoor music in the evenings.

Previously: (Feb. 1, 2013)

The Planning Commission voted to send the preliminary land development plan along to the Board of Commissioners with a recommendation that any restaurant close by 11 p.m. weeknights, midnight Friday and Saturday nights and 10 p.m. Sunday and holiday nights. In addition, outdoor music would be permitted only by special township permit.

It was not immediately clear how these restrictions would affect Federal Realty's search for a tenant for their 6,500-square-foot property. The matter now goes to the BOC next Wednesday, Feb. 13.

Planning Commission Endorses School District Plan

Also at the meeting, the commission endorsed Lower Merion School District's plans to expand Gladwyne Elementary School and install temporary modular classrooms during construction.

Modular installation would begin this summer, with the permanent classrooms meant to be finished in time for the 2013-14 school year.

Gladwyne ES is one of four buildings, out of 10 in the district, that school administration officials hope to expand in response to a recent study projecting increased enrollment.