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Council approves mixed‑use overlay for former state hospital site; several appointments and permits also pass
Summary
After a public hearing, council adopted Ordinances 2503 and 2504 creating a mixed‑use overlay for the institutional zoning district to enable redevelopment of the former state hospital property. Council also approved HARB certificates, a property vacation and multiple appointments by roll call.
Norristown council on June 17 adopted two ordinances to create a mixed‑use overlay for the institutional zoning district covering portions of the former state hospital site, a step the presenters and staff said is necessary to allow the proposed redevelopment concept to proceed.
The council approved Ordinance 2503 (zoning text amendment) and Ordinance 2504 (zoning map amendment) after a public hearing and a staff presentation. Tony Maris, who identified himself as the principal for the applicant, said the ordinance is written “to facilitate that development” and reported that geotechnical and other site work is under way.
Nut graf: the overlay narrows what uses and development patterns can apply to the property so the master‑planning and a developer response to the municipality's prior RFP can move forward; council approved both ordinances by roll call.
Council president opened and then closed the public hearing after staff marked exhibits and the planning commission recommended approval. The council vote on ordinance 2503 to amend the zoning text carried by roll call; the meeting record shows the motion passed with all present voting aye. The council likewise approved ordinance 2504 to amend the zoning map by roll call; the meeting record shows it passed with the ayes prevailing.
Also during the meeting council approved a set of administrative and land‑use actions by roll call: HARB certificates of appropriateness for 1126 West Derry Street, 1230 West Derry Street, 1337 DeKalb Street, 503 West Marshall and 531 Stamford Street were approved; Ordinance 2502, the vacation of Leitenberger Alley at the request of Ebenezer Church, was approved after staff noted there were no objections; and the council confirmed two appointments — Nadine Hitch to the Civil Service Commission and Chris Lattimore as Zoning Enforcement Inspector.
The council also administered oaths of office for two probationary police officers, Jacob Drummer and Alexander Wharton, and for newly seated council members Natalie Colson and Jasmine Griffin.
Ending: proponents and the applicant said surveys, site investigations and a forthcoming master plan will guide next steps; staff and the applicant said they expect more detailed plans later this summer.
