Upper Merion supervisors review draft Comprehensive Plan and schedule another open house

Township Planner Jarrett Lash told the Board the draft Comprehensive Plan, which staff have worked on since January 2024, introduces updated community demographics and contains an Economic Stability section and a Safety section that is still being finalized. He said the draft follows the Municipalities Planning Code by addressing Housing, Movement, Land Use, Community Resources and Facilities, and Natural Resources, and it includes a dedicated Historical Resources component.

Lash asked the Board to review the meeting packet before the next session and recommended hosting one more open house so residents can review key actions for each Plan component before the Board’s final vote. Supervisor Greg Philips suggested holding that open house in late August or early September so more residents are available; Vice‑chair Bill Jenaway said he will supply material he has prepared for the Safety Section to help staff finalize that chapter. Jarrett Lash said once the Board finalizes the draft it will go to the County for review and then the Board can advertise and adopt the plan.

The discussion also included scope of the Safety Section: Supervisor Greg Waks urged that public safety not be limited to Police, Fire and EMS but should include environmental protection, parks and trails and protections for minority groups, and Chairperson Tina Garzillo noted Public Works items such as sidewalks, pothole repair and lighting affect community safety. The Board did not take a final vote on the Plan at this meeting and directed staff to schedule the additional public open house and return with any edits based on Board feedback.