Abington considers zoning change to allow private museum on 10‑acre R‑1 parcels

Summary

At an April 10 working session the Abington Township Board of Commissioners discussed a draft ordinance to permit a G‑3 museum use in the R‑1 low‑density residential district with restrictions including a 10‑acre minimum, limited hours and parking controls. No vote was taken; the ordinance may be advertised for public hearing at the May meeting.

Abington Township commissioners discussed a proposed amendment that would allow a museum use in the R‑1 low‑density residential zoning district during their April 10 working session.

The draft ordinance would add the G‑3 art gallery/museum use to the R‑1 use matrix and create new regulations including a minimum lot size of 10 acres, public hours limited to 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and a 1 parking space per 350 square feet exhibit-area standard that the Board may reduce if the applicant demonstrates reduced need and environmental benefit.

Township solicitor Julie Von Sprekelsen, of Eastburn and Gray, explained the draft and the limits placed on the museum use. She said the existing code separates an art gallery (which can include retail sales) from a museum and that the museum definition “does not have a retail component.” She described the proposed R‑1 limitations, adding that the ordinance text currently treats the museum as a conditional use but…

Abington considers zoning change to allow private museum on 10‑acre R‑1 parcels

Summary

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