Developer seeks R2 text amendment to allow 48‑unit townhouse plan at 600 East Fornance

A developer seeking to build 48 townhomes at 600 East Fornance asked Norristown council on Aug. 18 to let staff draft a zoning text amendment for the R2 district to allow townhouse and planned community forms using Pennsylvania's Uniform Planned Community frameworks.

Sarah Pek of Progressive New Homes described a three‑bedroom product with two‑car, side‑by‑side garages targeted at first‑time buyers and families and argued the current R2 rules (which allow narrow 18‑ft row homes and require lotting each house separately) produce plans that are inefficient and environmentally intrusive on slopes. Pek said her concept preserves steep slopes and creates shared open space by using the Uniform Planned Community Act and by allowing townhouse forms and common‑area open space rather than individually lotting each unit.

Pek said the product could deliver new‑home inventory at price points that attracted a mix of buyers, adding local tax revenue and buyers who would not otherwise move to Norristown. She asked council for a sign of support to authorize staff and the solicitor to prepare an ordinance; council voted to direct staff to draft the proposed text amendment for consideration, noting that adoption would be district‑wide rather than site‑specific and would require the usual public process. Council and staff discussed parking, visitor spaces and deed restrictions to prevent garages being used as living space.

Council's authorization lets staff draft the amendment for future consideration; it does not change zoning yet. Any final adoption would require public notice and a vote after hearings.