Update: William Penn Inn in Wynnewood Plans Get Conditional Hearing

William Penn Inn c. 1875 | Image courtesy of the Lower Merion Historical Society

So what ever happened to the William Penn Inn in Wynnewood? Last we heard, it had been saved from the clasps of demolition thanks to an agreement of sale between Rayer Builders and William Inn Partners LLC, a partnership that ensured the new development proposal for the parcel it sits on would, unlike the first one, preserve the historic structure.

Well, readers, we got an update. According to the Main Line Times’ Cheryl Alison, attorneys for the dual developers had a conditional use hearing earlier this week. They presented the developers’ project as having crucial “need for setback and impervious surface relief” if the building is to be preserved. Plans include converting it into three condos, as well as adding new homes on three new lots. More from the Main Line Times:

The 1.7-acre parcel includes 533 E. Lancaster Ave. and 1024 Cedar Grove Road. Located at the intersection with Clover Hill Road, it sits between Lancaster Avenue and Cedar Grove Road.

Regarding the proposed Lot 1 — the inn itself — Broseman said relief to reduce the setback from the new property line with Lot 2 is triggered by the placement of new free-standing two-car garages for two of the condo units. A garage for the third unit is to be attached to the inn’s rear addition.

The garages are deemed necessary because the target demographic “for such units tends to be ‘older, looking to downsize’ from a larger home, but still requiring a garage.” Alison adds that project architect Jeff Martin said the goal is to “maximize visibility of the inn,” while leaving the Clover Hill portion of the development as open space.

The findings on the conditional use approval are expected April 8th.

Developers seek relief to save Wynnewood’s William Penn Inn [Main Line Times]