Board restores triplex use at 151 West Harry Street but conditions approval on payment of overdue rental fees

The Norristown Zoning Hearing Board on May 6 approved a variance to restore the nonconforming triplex use at 151 West Harry Street, voting 5‑0 to grant the requested relief conditioned on the owner’s payment of outstanding rental‑license fees and any associated late penalties.

Trustee Jonathan Alejandro testified that the property has functioned as a three‑unit building (one unit per floor) since at least 2019 and submitted floor plans and photographs showing kitchens and bathrooms on each floor. Alejandro said the lapse in the municipality’s rental license occurred because the required license fees were not paid; he told the board that, had he known, he would have paid and that he is prepared to make restitution.

An estimate submitted by the applicant showed it would cost roughly $162,000 to convert the building from a triplex back to a single‑family dwelling; the trustee argued that requirement would create significant financial hardship for the owner and current tenants. The board accepted tenant letters describing potential hardship and approved the triplex use with the explicit condition that the outstanding licensing fees and any late charges be paid before the sale or continued use is finalized.

Motion and condition: the board’s approval is recorded as contingent on payment of all rental fees and late fees; the board noted payment must be made to the municipality to cure the lapse in the rental license.