Narberth planners begin formal review of transit‑oriented development, zoning and the Elmwood parcel after hours of public comment

Narberth, Pa. — The Narberth Planning Commission on May 5 opened an extended community review of transit‑oriented development and possible zoning adjustments around the borough’s train station, focusing public attention on a vacant Elmwood Avenue parcel where a church was recently torn down.

The discussion, which stretched through a lengthy public‑comment period, centered on whether the borough should encourage more housing near the train station by adjusting setback, height and parking rules — and whether any such changes could or should be tied to legally defined affordable units.

The issue matters because the downtown’s future character, parking and the viability of small businesses could be affected if the borough enables developers to build denser, mixed‑use housing near the station. Commissioners described the work as advisory: planning commission recommendations would go to borough council, which has the legal authority to change zoning.

"We are not actually here trying to propose seven‑story buildings in Narberth," said Adam Prado, chair of the Narberth Planning Commission, framing the discussion at the start of public comment. "The only thing on our…