Horsham OKs New Bank, Improved Intersection

The Horsham Township Council on Wednesday night gave the green light to a development plan that, according to officials, would lend itself to a .

Roughly $800,000 in traffic and aesthetic improvements are planned in conjunction with the construction of an 1,800-square-foot Beneficial Bank at the intersection of Welsh Road and Limekiln Pike in Horsham, according to Horsham Township Manager Bill Walker. 

In addition to intersection improvements, including a driveway for the adjacent CVS, traffic signal upgrades to LED lights, a traffic control box for emergency responders and generator capability in the event of power outages, Beneficial Bank agreed to include a “Welcome to Horsham” sign on the property. Landscaping with additional tree plantings is envisioned, along with better stormwater management controls. 

Designated turn lanes are also planned for Welsh Road and Limekiln Pike, officials said.

The Horsham Township Council reviewed the plans last month, but took no action. At that time, the governing body and the developer were at odds over the $166,000 Horsham officials said was owed in traffic impact fees. Horsham officials arrived at $166,000 based on traffic studies conducted years ago when Commerce Bank had previously planned to construct a branch at the same site.

The governing body's preliminary and final land development approval was granted Wednesday based on traffic impact fees of $61,950, Walker said, adding that the amount reflects an increase in what the bank had hoped to pay.

"They were thinking 30 some thousand," Walker said. The formula for calculating traffic impact fees is based on trips generated by the new development and the addition of more vehicles to the intersection, Walker said. 

Beneficial Bank Senior Vice President Joseph F. Coyle said previously that he hopes to “start as quickly as possible” with the intent of opening by the end of the year.