Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Caretaker Dwelling topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission backs zoning change to allow caretaker dwellings on 12+ acre RA parcels, but wants conditional use and safeguards
Summary
Warrington Township Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors amend the RA zoning district to allow one accessory caretaker dwelling on parcels of 12 acres or larger enrolled in Act 319, with conditions including conditional‑use review, employee‑housing limits (not for rent), Act 319 enrollment, and reversion on termination.
The Warrington Township Planning Commission voted to recommend a zoning text amendment to permit accessory caretaker dwellings on agricultural (RA) parcels of at least 12 acres and enrolled in Act 319, with the recommendation including four changes requested by commissioners: make the use a conditional accessory (conditional use) so nearby residents receive notice; clarify the dwelling is employee housing and not rentable; explicitly reference Act 319 requirements; and add language that upon termination of the agricultural use the structure may not be used for dwelling purposes and shall revert to a permitted accessory use.
Julie Bont Sprackleson (speaker 13), the applicant’s attorney, said the amendment would let David and Barbara Rogers continue operating Brookview Farm (279 Folly Road), a 13+‑acre boarding and retirement facility for horses, and allow aging owners to ‘age in place’ with on‑site caretaking. Land planner John Kennedy (speaker 15) reviewed the draft ordinance’s 14 requirements: minimum lot area (12 acres), Act 319 enrollment, owner‑occupancy of the principal dwelling, a maximum of two occupants in the caretaker unit, minimum unit size (500 sq ft), maximum unit size (not to exceed 1,500 sq ft and not more than 65% of the principal dwelling), separate permitting and annual licensing, and required building‑ and health‑department approvals.
Supporters — including Barbara Rogers (speaker 16) and on‑site groundskeeper Scott Gardo (speaker 17) — described on‑the‑ground safety and 24/7 care needs for horses and urged the commission to adopt the ordinance to preserve agricultural operations. Opponents, including adjacent property owner Eric Thompson (speaker 12), said the Rogers’ 2020 zoning hearing board application had been denied and worried that changing the ordinance would circumvent that decision; he also argued a 12‑acre threshold discriminates against owners of slightly smaller parcels.
The chair emphasized that the Planning Commission’s role is to recommend public policy and zoning text changes; compliance with other zoning provisions and building permits would be evaluated at the permit stage. After debate, a motion to recommend the amendment to the Board of Supervisors with the four changes passed by voice vote.
