Hatfield Borough Council approves text amendment allowing townhomes in core commercial district

Hatfield Borough Council voted on June 17, 2026 to adopt a text amendment that allows townhomes by right in the borough’s core commercial district under certain conditions. The motion to consider adoption was made by Council Person Burns and seconded by Council Person Weiss; one member voiced opposition but the chair declared the motion carried.

The change was proposed in an application by WB Homes Land Acquisitions LP for 41 North Market Street. Applicant Chris Canavan said the amendment would add a townhouse use to the core commercial district but would not itself approve a site plan: "It is to add a use, a town home use to your core commercial zoning district," he told council. He described a concept plan for three sets of five townhome units (15 units total) and said the project would convey parking to benefit the adjacent Hatfield Volunteer Fire Company via an easement: "the plan... would provide... 20 parking spaces for the first responders at the fire company," Canavan said.

Why it matters: supporters said owner‑occupied townhomes could increase downtown foot traffic for retail, while opponents warned the amendment could permit demolition of historic buildings and reduce commercial space. Lawrence G. Stevens, speaking for the Hatfield Museum and History Society, urged rejection and emphasized the community’s interest in preserving the George E. Snider hardware store (built in 1939): "We encourage you to reject this text amendment application that is before you," he said, citing historic character and community survey results that prioritized preservation.

Residents raised parking and traffic concerns at length. Multiple speakers questioned whether the on‑site and easement parking would be adequate on event or election days. Susan Gratz and other neighbors said experience with recent townhouse developments showed persistent overflow parking into adjacent streets. Council members and the applicant responded that detailed traffic and stormwater work would be required during any future land development review and that final circulation and PennDOT coordination would occur at that stage.

The solicitor and staff marked exhibits into the record (B1–B9), including the draft ordinance (the transcript refers to ordinance number 561 when describing the item; an exhibit reference to 569 also appears in the record), the applicant’s concept materials, an annotated zoning map, and a Montgomery County Planning Commission letter that generally supported the proposal while flagging dimensional and parking issues. Planning commission minutes and a borough planner memo also were included in the record.

Council action: the council moved to consider adoption of the ordinance and, after public comment and applicant rebuttal, approved the measure. The amendment establishes conditions and architectural standards that the applicant said were designed to align townhouse form with the borough’s downtown character. The change applies to qualifying parcels meeting the draft ordinance’s acreage and dimensional thresholds; it does not itself authorize construction.

Next steps: if the zoning change remains in effect, WB Homes (or any future developer) would still need to submit land development plans for site‑specific review addressing traffic, stormwater, landscaping, buffers, utilities, and final parking arrangements before building permits could be issued. Council closed the hearing and proceeded to subsequent agenda items.