A three-story, 20-unit apartment complex will replace a Narberth church that was built in 1891.

Narberth Borough's council approved Wednesday plans to redevelop the site of the vacant Baptist Church of the Evangel, located at 198 Elmwood Ave. – across from a SEPTA Regional Rail station, according to Main Line Media News.

The gray stone church is more than a century old.

The project was originally expected to preserve the church structure, gutting the interior to make way for a unique mixed-use property. That plan, however, required an amendment to existing provisions– which did not make it past the borough's mayor.

In the mean time, other adjustments made to Narberth's zoning code allowed owner Jason Gordon to shift plans entirely. A proposal for an 18-unit apartment building was considered with the council approving the latest iteration – which has 20 apartments, including five studio – with a 5-1 vote, Main Line Media News reported.

Ten parking spaces are to be provided in a garage under the building, with six more surface spaces planned on-site. Also under the zoning code, Gordon can count two on-street spaces on Elmwood Avenue to meet the parking requirement.

Parking prompted some concerns from the council, but the latest codes allow for what's planned. In the months leading up to the Wednesday vote, the church redevelopment led some community members and Narberth officials to revisit the idea of creating a historic preservation program.

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal