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Council to consider Beacon of Hope elevations, subdivisions and conditional-use orders; zoning officer to be replaced after retirement
Summary
Borough Solicitor Charles Garner reviewed multiple land-use items and asked council to place Beacon of Hope elevations, a South Street subdivision, two conditional-use orders and a zoning appointment on the next council agenda.
Borough Solicitor Charles Garner reviewed multiple zoning and land-development matters on June 4 and asked council to place actions on the Monday agenda for formal consideration.
Beacon of Hope: Garner said staff, the zoning officer, Montgomery County Planning Commission, the borough manager and engineer reviewed the architectural elevations submitted for the Beacon of Hope project at 601–619 West High Street and concluded the design meets the zoning ordinance and Gateway District guidance. Staff recommended council approve the elevations; a motion will be listed for Monday.
South Street subdivision: Garner reported the Planning Commission reviewed a minor two-lot subdivision for an infill lot on South Street and recommended approval after the developer agreed to add a brick facade on the first floor. The plan includes standard engineering comments and a few minor waivers; council will be asked to act Monday.
Conditional uses — 894 North Charlotte and 404 Charlotte: Two conditional-use hearings held previously are scheduled for council action Monday. For 894 North Charlotte — a former gas station proposed to become a convenience store with outdoor gasoline pumps — Garner outlined suggested conditions if council is inclined to grant the use: prohibit skill games at the facility, add up to seven parking spaces, limit tobacco sales as a percentage of gross convenience-store sales, and require buffering/fencing to address resident concerns. For 404 Charlotte, the request would convert first-floor commercial space into two apartments; staff will prepare orders granting or denying the conditional use for council action.
Appointment and retirement: Council read a resolution recognizing Winter L. Stokes for roughly eight years of service as zoning and planning administrator. Garner asked council’s permission to list on Monday a motion to appoint Patricia Kaufman temporarily as assistant zoning officer and, upon Stokes’s retirement, as zoning officer.
Other land-use notices: Developer representative Richard Umquist told council an application for a waiver of land development for a 4-unit condominium at 944 Chestnut Street is forthcoming and will be brought to staff and planning commission review. Garner said the borough is working toward settlement with Habitat for Humanity on a separate Land Bank property at 633 Walnut.
No final land-development votes were taken on June 4; staff will present prepared orders and appointments for council action at the next regular meeting.
