Council committee forwards zoning-change request for 73-townhome plan at 864 W. Fifth St. to full council

The Lansdale Code Enforcement and Land Planning Committee voted May 7 to forward a developer's request to rezone 864 West Fifth Street from industrial to Residential C so the applicant can seek a full rezoning hearing before borough council.

Councilwoman Rafia Razak told the work session that the applicant presented concept plans for a proposed development of 73 townhomes on the site. The committee's action was limited to forwarding the rezoning request; final project details — including street layout, road widths and number of units — remain subject to later land development submissions and review.

Razak said committee members and public safety staff raised several preliminary concerns during the informational presentation, including whether additional pedestrian crossings would be provided for children likely to walk to Oak Elementary and whether access roads would be sized for emergency vehicles. "Chief Trail was there, and he was mentioning that was there going to be extra crossing trail added for this kids from this 73 homes because they're all going to be walkers to Oak Elementary," Razak said.

Councilman Michael Yetter noted the applicant showed concept art but said the final number of units, road widths and other engineering details will be confirmed during the land development review: "I think all of the final number and layout and width of roads and everything was pending, sort of the final design planning coming forward."

The committee also reported other code items: continued work on a foreclosure registry ordinance and separation of a previously proposed vacancy ordinance into a new "unoccupied residence" ordinance to be considered under the borough's public-safety code. Patrick (staff) is drafting language and the committee expects to review drafts at a future work session before forwarding them to full council.

The committee additionally noted a small strip of borough-owned land has been advertised for sale, with bids due at noon on May 13; the committee expects a recommendation at an upcoming business meeting if bids are received. The zoning hearing board meeting for May 20 currently shows no applicants and may be canceled if no applications are submitted.

The rezoning for 864 West Fifth Street will now be scheduled for a council hearing; residents and council members will have the opportunity to ask detailed questions about stormwater, access, emergency vehicle access and pedestrian accommodations during the public hearing and subsequent land development review.