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Swarthmore Borough Planning and Zoning Committee
Minutes for March 22 , 2006
1. The Committee convened at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall. Present were Committee members Mary Lou Parker (chair), Susan Smythe and Geoff Semenuk, Borough Manager Jane Billings, Council President Peg Hebner, Planning Commission Chair Tim Kearney and Community Members Doug Bender and Susan Wright.
2. Public Comment: Susan Wright recommended additional language for amendments to Accessory Structures and Use ordinance. Doug Bender asked about the number of people who have home businesses, how many accessory buildings are rented now, potential use and the process for the school district reassessing these uses.
3. The minutes from February 22, 2006 meeting were approved.
4. Comments are expected from the Delaware County Planning Commission on modifications to the Cell Tower ordinance on April 3rd.
5. The committee asked Mary Lou Parker to contact Bob Scott, our solicitor about excluding PODS (temporary structures) from the pending ordinance, which allows the use of accessory structures for 1) storage of personal property, 2) non-commercial activities, solely for the use of the owner and 3) home based businesses.
6. Tim Kearney wrote a letter to the Swarthmorean, urging public input to the Planning Commission on the residential use (mother-in-law quarters) of accessory buildings. Susan Smythe will write an additional letter, in layman’s language, on behalf of Planning & Zoning
7. The solicitor will incorporate the Delaware County Planning Commission comments on parking spaces, recommended in their recent review, in an upcoming ordinance revision.
8. All are urged to attend the Multi Municipal Plan Open House at the High School on March 29th
9. Mary Lou Parker will speak to Tom Kelly, solicitor for the Zoning Hearing Board, requesting that decisions contain more specific language;
10. After a spirited discussion on the Demolition Delay ordinance, the Planning & Zoning Committee voted to send the ordinance to the Historic Task Force, asking for their recommendations. There was input at our meeting that the 10 day notice may be too short, that the historic survey does not include all historic homes in town and that without the ordinance Michael’s could be torn down without notice. The Planning Commission will then be asked to review the ordinance, before bringing to council
11. Mary Lou reported that Mr. DeBotton (545 Riverview Rd and Baltimore Pike) has appealed the case to Commonwealth Court and a decision is expected in May. The cost of the most recent appeal has been detailed to council members. According to Tom Kelly, the prognosis is good. Mr. DeBotton can appeal again to the PA Supreme Court, but the appeal is not automatic… the Supreme Court will decide whether to take on the case.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Planning & Zoning will be on April 26, 2006
Swarthmore Borough Planning and Zoning Committee
Minutes for March 22 , 2006
1. The Committee convened at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall. Present were Committee members Mary Lou Parker (chair), Susan Smythe and Geoff Semenuk, Borough Manager Jane Billings, Council President Peg Hebner, Planning Commission Chair Tim Kearney and Community Members Doug Bender and Susan Wright.
2. Public Comment: Susan Wright recommended additional language for amendments to Accessory Structures and Use ordinance. Doug Bender asked about the number of people who have home businesses, how many accessory buildings are rented now, potential use and the process for the school district reassessing these uses.
3. The minutes from February 22, 2006 meeting were approved.
4. Comments are expected from the Delaware County Planning Commission on modifications to the Cell Tower ordinance on April 3rd.
5. The committee asked Mary Lou Parker to contact Bob Scott, our solicitor about excluding PODS (temporary structures) from the pending ordinance, which allows the use of accessory structures for 1) storage of personal property, 2) non-commercial activities, solely for the use of the owner and 3) home based businesses.
6. Tim Kearney wrote a letter to the Swarthmorean, urging public input to the Planning Commission on the residential use (mother-in-law quarters) of accessory buildings. Susan Smythe will write an additional letter, in layman’s language, on behalf of Planning & Zoning
7. The solicitor will incorporate the Delaware County Planning Commission comments on parking spaces, recommended in their recent review, in an upcoming ordinance revision.
8. All are urged to attend the Multi Municipal Plan Open House at the High School on March 29th
9. Mary Lou Parker will speak to Tom Kelly, solicitor for the Zoning Hearing Board, requesting that decisions contain more specific language;
10. After a spirited discussion on the Demolition Delay ordinance, the Planning & Zoning Committee voted to send the ordinance to the Historic Task Force, asking for their recommendations. There was input at our meeting that the 10 day notice may be too short, that the historic survey does not include all historic homes in town and that without the ordinance Michael’s could be torn down without notice. The Planning Commission will then be asked to review the ordinance, before bringing to council
11. Mary Lou reported that Mr. DeBotton (545 Riverview Rd and Baltimore Pike) has appealed the case to Commonwealth Court and a decision is expected in May. The cost of the most recent appeal has been detailed to council members. According to Tom Kelly, the prognosis is good. Mr. DeBotton can appeal again to the PA Supreme Court, but the appeal is not automatic… the Supreme Court will decide whether to take on the case.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Planning & Zoning will be on April 26, 2006
Swarthmore Borough Planning and Zoning Committee
Minutes for March 22 , 2006
1. The Committee convened at 7:30 pm in Borough Hall. Present were Committee members Mary Lou Parker (chair), Susan Smythe and Geoff Semenuk, Borough Manager Jane Billings, Council President Peg Hebner, Planning Commission Chair Tim Kearney and Community Members Doug Bender and Susan Wright.
2. Public Comment: Susan Wright recommended additional language for amendments to Accessory Structures and Use ordinance. Doug Bender asked about the number of people who have home businesses, how many accessory buildings are rented now, potential use and the process for the school district reassessing these uses.
3. The minutes from February 22, 2006 meeting were approved.
4. Comments are expected from the Delaware County Planning Commission on modifications to the Cell Tower ordinance on April 3rd.
5. The committee asked Mary Lou Parker to contact Bob Scott, our solicitor about excluding PODS (temporary structures) from the pending ordinance, which allows the use of accessory structures for 1) storage of personal property, 2) non-commercial activities, solely for the use of the owner and 3) home based businesses.
6. Tim Kearney wrote a letter to the Swarthmorean, urging public input to the Planning Commission on the residential use (mother-in-law quarters) of accessory buildings. Susan Smythe will write an additional letter, in layman’s language, on behalf of Planning & Zoning
7. The solicitor will incorporate the Delaware County Planning Commission comments on parking spaces, recommended in their recent review, in an upcoming ordinance revision.
8. All are urged to attend the Multi Municipal Plan Open House at the High School on March 29th
9. Mary Lou Parker will speak to Tom Kelly, solicitor for the Zoning Hearing Board, requesting that decisions contain more specific language;
10. After a spirited discussion on the Demolition Delay ordinance, the Planning & Zoning Committee voted to send the ordinance to the Historic Task Force, asking for their recommendations. There was input at our meeting that the 10 day notice may be too short, that the historic survey does not include all historic homes in town and that without the ordinance Michael’s could be torn down without notice. The Planning Commission will then be asked to review the ordinance, before bringing to council
11. Mary Lou reported that Mr. DeBotton (545 Riverview Rd and Baltimore Pike) has appealed the case to Commonwealth Court and a decision is expected in May. The cost of the most recent appeal has been detailed to council members. According to Tom Kelly, the prognosis is good. Mr. DeBotton can appeal again to the PA Supreme Court, but the appeal is not automatic… the Supreme Court will decide whether to take on the case.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of Planning & Zoning will be on April 26, 2006
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