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Commission begins review of Ordinance 2025-3 to return warehouse uses in I-2 to conditional use
Summary
Silver Spring Township staff presented Ordinance 2025-3 proposing to change warehouse zoning in the I-2 district from by-right back to conditional use. The commission flagged potential nonconforming-property issues and directed the item to appear on next month's agenda for Board consideration and a vote in April.
Scott Maldonado, the township’s lead land specialist, told the Planning Commission that Ordinance 2025-3 would change the municipality’s rules so that warehouse development in the I-2 zone would require conditional-use review rather than being allowed by right. Maldonado said the Board of Supervisors will place the ordinance on next month’s agenda and that a vote is expected in April.
Chairman Ray Brown and commissioners raised concerns about possible unintended consequences, including creating a class of nonconforming properties if the rules change. Commissioner Steve Hoffman asked whether adjacent property owners would be notified for conditional-use proceedings; Maldonado cautioned that expanding notification could become burdensome and noted the township currently has only two undeveloped parcels in the I-2 zone. Public commenter Clarence Bouchat recommended the township consult the PennFuture model ordinance to tailor conditional-use standards to facility size. Laura Brown, who served on the Zoning Ordinance Committee, said she did not recall the committee explicitly recommending this change.
The ordinance discussion was introductory; no final action was taken by the Planning Commission on March 6. The item will return to the Board of Supervisors for consideration after the Planning Commission and staff provide review and recommendations.
