Stone Harbor council introduces ordinance to allow residential conversions in business zone

The Borough of Stone Harbor Mayor and Council introduced an ordinance Feb. 18 that would amend the borough zoning code to create residential standards in the business zone, Councilmember Bunny Parzych said.

Parzych told the council the ordinance was placed on the meeting agenda for introduction and will return for a second reading and public hearing on March 18, 2025. She said the proposal responds to petitions from property owners in the business district who have asked to change the classification of their properties from business to residential use. The Planning Board has formed a subcommittee to study the issue, Parzych said, and the board has notified property owners who would be directly affected. Parzych described the ordinance as a stop-gap measure to address petitions now pending while a longer-term solution is developed.

The ordinance would be an amendment to Chapters 345 and 560 of the borough code, which govern zoning. Parzych said the council expects written reports from the Planning Board subcommittee before the March 18 public hearing; the ordinance will not be final until the second reading and any public comment are completed.

If the second reading results in adoption, affected owners and the public will have clarity on any new residential standards for the business zone. The council did not take a final vote on Feb. 18; the next formal opportunity for public comment and action is the March 18 meeting.