PRESENT – Chairman McMenamin, Vice Chair Kline, Member Smith, Member Hibbs, Manager Hegele, Assistant Secretary Derenzis, Borough Planner Kennedy, and County Planner Miklos were present.
CALL TO ORDER – Chairman McMenamin called the June 11, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting to order at 7:08 P.M.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – Chaiman McMenamin led the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVAL OF MAY 14, 2024, MEETING MINUTES – Member Smith made a motion to approve the May 14, 2024, meeting minutes. Motion was seconded by Member Hibbs, all ayes. Motion carried 4-0.
NEW BUSINESS
RESIDENTIAL ZONING REWRITE DISCUSSION
Chairman McMenamin stated that tonight they will be discussing the Residential Zoning Rewrite which is the first step of several to cover. He stated in 2021, the Borough of Hatboro created a Zoning Sub-Committee comprised of residents, business owners, staff, and professional land planners. This Sub-Committee was tasked with developing an amendment to the Borough’s Zoning Ordinance which has not seen any large updates since the 1980s. The new ordinance will not only modernize the existing zoning regulations but will help shape the future landscape of Hatboro.
County Planner Miklos gave a presentation focusing on proposed changes to residential districts within the Borough. He stated this creates new standards which zoning districts can refer to. Merrie Keller, 110 W. Monument Avenue, asked where there were multi plex (3+ units) because she never notice and Chairman McMenamin stated that there are a few especially on Byberry Road and that unless you were looking for multiple mailboxes, you wouldn’t notice as they look like single family dwellings. Mrs. Keller questioned/asked for clarification regarding the 50% building coverage to be allowed because of storm water and Planner Miklos stated currently the zoning permits up to a certain size of building coverage therefore the footprint of the building is regulated and there that are no limits on impervious coverage
in the residential zones. He stated they are proposing replacing building coverage with a larger figure which is impervious coverage and instead of working with just building coverage (25%), you would be able to work with possibly 40% with a village house at 50% with a minimum lot size of 7000 square feet.
County Planner Miklos stated that another new concept is the Accessory Dwelling Unit ADU, which can also be known as a guest house, in law sweet, or granny flat, and is considered another independent unit to the main house. He stated that the language needs to be updated and more specific in the ordinance.
Vice Chair Kline clarified that it is allowing people to build an ADU if they currently live in one side of their duplex then rent it for income if they meet the impervious coverage, and the Borough couldn’t do anything about it. Manager Hegele stated that an example of this is 50 E. Moreland Avenue as it was a triplex then they built a smaller house at the back of the lot where the owner resides but at that time it wasn’t called an ADU. Manager Hegele asked County Planner Miklos where else he has seen
this in the County. Planner Miklos stated they are seeing them in other Boroughs, so they are starting with similar standards and used North Wales as an example. Vice Chair Kline stated that just because other municipalities have them doesn’t mean that Hatboro should, and she just sees the properties with a bunch of ADU’s. Manager Hegele stated that she would like to see examples and what they look like in North Wales. Planner Kennedy stated that everyone needs to keep in mind that the purpose of the ADU’s is to generate more housing, however you need to be careful as to where they are allowed.
Merrie Keller, 110 W. Monument Avenue, stated that she is unsure how viable this is as there aren’t many buildable lots left in Hatboro. Planner Miklos stated that this is part of the reason why these are accessories to existing buildings, and these are not tiny houses as they would not meet these standards.
Vice Chair Kline stated she would like more information presented from other Boroughs in Montgomery County where this has already been implemented and then make decisions. Planner Miklos stated any questions or issues can be tabled until the next meeting and will be addressed.
Manager Hegele stated that this is Chairman McMenamin’s last meeting and Member Farnen submitted her resignation letter so there are two vacant spots on the Planning Commission, and anyone interested should send their letter of interest to her. She also stated that this is where it all begins if you want to see what the future of Hatboro looks like and even though Council has the final say, they rely on the Planning Commission’s recommendations and therefore it is important to get as much as the community engaged in these propped changed as it affects everyone. She stated that staff will create a webpage for this which
will include all the information that has been presented and will be updated after each meeting, especially for those who are not able to attend meetings.
PUBLIC COMENT – There was no public comment.
ADJOURNMENT – Member Smith made a motion to adjourn the June 11, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting. Motion was seconded by Vice Chair Kline, all ayes. Motion carried 4-0. Chairman McMenamin adjourned the June 11, 2024, Planning Commission meeting at 8:55 P.M.
Respectfully Submitted by:
Diane C. Hegele, Borough Manager/Zoning Officer/ Open Records Officer
Transcribed by Cindy Bollendorf, Recording Secretary