Swarthmore Borough Planning and Zoning Committee
Minutes for June 23rd, 2009

1. The Committee convened at 8:10am in Borough Hall. Present were Committee members Elisabeth Knapp (chair), Ralph Jacobs and Melissa Lewicki, Planning Commission Chair Tim Kearney and Borough Manager Jane Billings.

2. There was no public comment.

3. The minutes of the May 26thth Planning & Zoning Committee meeting were approved.

4. Update on Planning Commission discussion relating to Garages/Accessory Buildings and Form-Based Codes. With the Planning Commission’s proposed revision of the ordinance for existing non-conforming accessory structures in the hands of the Delaware County Planning Commission for their review, Swarthmore’s Planning Commission continues to discuss revising our ordinance for new accessory structures. Tim Kearney will encourage the Commission at the upcoming July meeting to focus on coming to a resolution on the topic.

The Planning Commission continues to work on the revision to the Swarthmore Planning and Zoning Code’s overall “Statement of Community Development Objectives” (paragraph 1240.02). In reviewing the current proposed draft revision, Planning and Zoning Committee members commented that the words “shared civic and cultural” needs to be made clearer in their intent, and that the revised wording on ethnic diversity was good, since the town has become more and more diverse every year. The Planning Commission also continues to discuss revision to the fence ordinance.

5. Two new applications for variance have been filed, and will be heard by the Zoning Hearing Board in their July meeting.

6. There have been some new building permits issued.

7. There was no new business.

8. The meeting was adjourned at 8:55am.