Developer Abrams Realty to Pursue Lawsuit Over Rejected Exton Square Mall Project
A plan to transform the struggling Exton Square Mall into a residential community and retail center has hit a roadblock, with West Whiteland Township's board of supervisors rejecting the proposal in a 2-0 vote last week. Developer Abrams Realty & Development, which purchased the 75-acre property for $34.25 million in March, had spent months pitching its redevelopment plan to the township's planning commission.
The project, which aimed to add 718 homes at the busy intersection of Routes 30 and 100, was met with community pushback over concerns about increased traffic. Despite making revisions to the proposal, including removing 73 townhomes, West Whiteland's planning commission had recommended approval in August. However, Supervisors Rajesh Kumbhardare and Brian Dunn voted against the plan, citing complaints from residents and doubts about the township's sewer capacity.
According to John Weller, director of planning and zoning for West Whiteland Township, the board's action brings an end to the review process, leaving it up to Abrams Realty to decide its next course of action. The developer has announced plans to file a lawsuit in response to the rejection, stating that it is "surprised too but confident in our game plan to get it back on track quickly."
The proposal had called for 381 apartments, 172 townhomes, and 165 units for older adults, with significant commercial and office space. Most of the existing mall would be demolished, with the Main Line Health facility relocated to a new building.
The rejection may have been influenced by West Whiteland's revised zoning regulations, which limit residential density to six dwellings per acre. If Abrams Realty submits a new master plan for the property, it will be subject to these updated regulations, potentially requiring further scaling back of the number of homes included in the project.
With the board's rejection, any hopes of breaking ground on the project this spring appear to have been dashed. Demolition of the mall was not expected until 2027.
A plan to transform the struggling Exton Square Mall into a residential community and retail center has hit a roadblock, with West Whiteland Township's board of supervisors rejecting the proposal in a 2-0 vote last week. Developer Abrams Realty & Development, which purchased the 75-acre property for $34.25 million in March, had spent months pitching its redevelopment plan to the township's planning commission.
The project, which aimed to add 718 homes at the busy intersection of Routes 30 and 100, was met with community pushback over concerns about increased traffic. Despite making revisions to the proposal, including removing 73 townhomes, West Whiteland's planning commission had recommended approval in August. However, Supervisors Rajesh Kumbhardare and Brian Dunn voted against the plan, citing complaints from residents and doubts about the township's sewer capacity.
According to John Weller, director of planning and zoning for West Whiteland Township, the board's action brings an end to the review process, leaving it up to Abrams Realty to decide its next course of action. The developer has announced plans to file a lawsuit in response to the rejection, stating that it is "surprised too but confident in our game plan to get it back on track quickly."
The proposal had called for 381 apartments, 172 townhomes, and 165 units for older adults, with significant commercial and office space. Most of the existing mall would be demolished, with the Main Line Health facility relocated to a new building.
The rejection may have been influenced by West Whiteland's revised zoning regulations, which limit residential density to six dwellings per acre. If Abrams Realty submits a new master plan for the property, it will be subject to these updated regulations, potentially requiring further scaling back of the number of homes included in the project.
With the board's rejection, any hopes of breaking ground on the project this spring appear to have been dashed. Demolition of the mall was not expected until 2027.
! Can't these developers just listen to what people want? Community pushback over increased traffic is legit concern, and yet they still pushed through. I feel bad for Abrams Realty, but seriously who tries to get a 75-acre mall turned into residential & retail without even testing the waters with the community first? 
This lawsuit thingy might not change anything, but at least it's gonna be entertaining to watch 
it makes so much sense though - all that traffic congestion was a major concern and i mean who wants to mess with their sewer system? 
also, 718 homes is already kinda a lot for one spot... maybe the 73 fewer townhomes would've been enough to make it work tho 
idk about abrams realty's decision to file a lawsuit though... they're like "oh we'll just get this back on track in no time"... 
I gotta feel for Abrams Realty here... they just poured their heart and soul into this Exton Square Mall redevelopment plan, only to get shot down by the township's board 
. I mean, can't we just support innovation and progress around here? 
. The community was worried about traffic, but I think that could've been worked out with some creative planning 
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. What's frustrating is that Abrams Realty has already invested so much time and money into this plan 
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. The traffic concerns must have been a major issue, but it's crazy that even with revised plans, the supervisors still voted against it 
. I guess we'll just have to wait and see how they proceed with filing a lawsuit...it'll be interesting to follow their next steps 
I'm all for Abrams Realty pushing back with a lawsuit, but can't they just try to work with the township to find a solution that works for everyone? It's not like they didn't make concessions on the townhomes already 
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. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I GET WHY THE TOWNSHIP WANTED TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THEIR SEWER CAPACITY BEFORE MOVING FORWARD 
. IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY HANDLE THE SITUATION NOW THAT THEY'VE ANNOUNCED PLANS TO FILE A LAWSUIT 
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. I mean, the whole town was against it, and now the developer's gonna have to spend even more money on lawyers to fight it. It's all about finding that sweet spot between progress and community needs, you know? The Exton Square Mall project had some good stuff going for it – apartments for young folks, a Main Line Health facility... but hey, sometimes progress comes with costs 
. Maybe Abrams Realty can take this as an opportunity to rethink the whole plan and make something even better 
. Guess only time will tell if they'll come out on top 
, I cant believe the township rejected this project already! 
This could potentially lead to further scaling back of the project, which might be a better outcome for the community in the long run 
. Plus, 718 homes could bring in so much life and energy to that area 
. Who knows what's next? Maybe this is just a minor setback on their journey 
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. The big question is how much the project will change because of the new zoning regulations