Planning commission unanimously recommends recodified, policy‑neutral zoning code to borough council

The Montgomery County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend that borough council adopt a reorganized, policy‑neutral version of the zoning code, the commission chair said after calling for a motion and a vote.

The recommendation directs staff to present the draft to council pending final formatting corrections, inclusion of existing graphics and any legal edits the borough solicitor requires. The chair moved the motion and a commissioner seconded; the motion carried on a unanimous voice vote of commissioners present.

Why it matters: the recodification does not change what is legally allowed to be developed in Narberth; instead, staff told the commission the draft reorganizes and clarifies existing rules so residents and applicants can locate standards more easily. Staff and commissioners said the draft standardizes definitions, consolidates building‑type rules, populates missing site‑planning standards, and improves cross‑references and e‑code hyperlinks.

Key changes in the draft include clarified definitions for use types (library, park, drive‑thru), reclassification of building types (multifamily house defined as 3–5 units; detached house 1–2 units), added first‑floor height and other site standards for the 5B district, updated accessory‑building rules, and technical corrections to ensure tables have corresponding text. Staff also said they corrected a misapplied provision that had, in error, permitted marijuana dispensaries in a 5A multifamily building type and limited dispensaries to 5B as intended.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that the project is policy‑neutral: it reorganizes and clarifies the code without expanding or narrowing development rights. Todd, one of the staff presenters, told the commission the goal was to ‘‘make the code easier to use whether it be for residents, for developers, really for anybody,’’ and to separate conditional uses and special exceptions into clearly cross‑referenced sections.

Legal and next steps: staff said the recodified text will be converted into ordinance format by the solicitor and published on the borough’s e‑code platform; hyperlinked cross‑references and diagrams will be updated before adoption. Commissioners asked that the packet to council note that the solicitor may request limited legal edits; the motion as adopted included that qualification.

Separately, commissioners expressed support for bringing supplemental amendments (principally clarifications about civic/institutional buildings and where religious uses are permitted) to council as a standalone recommendation rather than folded into the recodification ordinance. That supplemental package will be drafted and submitted to council for separate consideration.

The commission made the recommendation during its regular meeting after a staff presentation and public comment; the commission adjourned after completing its agenda.