Royersford Council Passes Four Ordinances

The Royersford Borough Council met on Tuesday night and approved four ordinances into the borough code, categorized as zoning, civil service, storm water and outdoor lighting. Solicitor Todd Silbergeld was on hand to explain the ordinances for purposes of a public hearing.

The first and lengthiest discussion was the R-5 District Ordinance, which had to do with a proposed change in zoning districts to the 800 and 900 blocks of Main Street. The ordinance, according to Silbergeld, would allow limited commercial uses of parcels on those blocks.

"The intent is to continue to promote the benefits of low density single family residential development," Silbergeld said. "It would allow certain professional offices and uses in this area."

Permitted uses for the 800 and 900 blocks are now: single family detached dwellings, home occupations and accessory uses on same lot. Conditional uses for the 800 and 900 blocks are now: professional business offices, provided that the owner petitions council as conditional use and complies with the requirements of the code. Development regulations set forth in the ordinance also deal with height of structures, size, parking and signage.

Silbergeld said the ordinance reclassifies 20 parcels at issue from the R1 Resident Zoning to the new class called R5. Over the course of the time this ordinance was drafted, multiple discussions were held at the county, council and local levels, with input from local residents and committee members.

"This is a fully vetted idea," said Silbergeld. "We’re pleased with the result."

As the solicitor mentioned, the residents spearheaded the campaign for the new zoning district. Councilman Bruce Buckwalter asked what would stop residents from the next block from doing the same thing?

"Us," said Councilman John Kring. "You can take it and destroy the whole map. It is not open enough. Just as we did adaptive reuse, this is for a specific need, location and plan that is involved."

President Tom Weikel agreed that the R5 would probably not work in other areas of the borough. There was no public comment and the ordinance was approved unanimously as Ordinance 852.

The outdoor lighting and storm water ordinances (853 and 854 respectively) were also approved unanimously. Both, according to the solicitor are consistent with similar ordinances in other munipalities.

The outdoor lighting ordinance would control lighting as to not affect motor vehicle traffic or disrupt the peace of the residents in surrounding areas.

The storm water ordinance was drafted to comply with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection requirements, with careful mangement of storm water runoff to not adversely affect drinking and ground water.

The Civil Service ordinance (855) pertained to personnel conduct with respect to hiring decisions for police officers in compliance with Act 90 legislation. That ordinance was also approved unanimously.

"It’s been a process to get all this to come together," Weikel said after all public hearings were complete.

It was noted that Councilman Charles Bowers was absent from the meeting and did not vote.

In Other News

• May Borough Council Meeting minutes were approved unanimously
• Bills were approved to be paid in the amount of $88,055.35, with $329 taken out of the Special Payables for Revitalization account, and the remaining balance paid from the General Fund
• June 24 - Concert at Victory Park
• Police Report, May 2012: 274 incidents, 14 accidents, 16 thefts, 3 criminal mischiefs, 3 criminal arrests, 6 juvenile arrests, 51 motor vehicle traffic citations, 4 written traffic citations, 2 DUIs, 13 parking tickets issued, 13 parking tickets paid, 5 assists by department. Outside assists requested: Limerick – 6, Upper Providence – 4, Other – 2; Money collected – $1,139.15. Land miles traveled – 3,601, Gas used – 452 gallons.
• Fire Marshal Report, May 2012 – 3 investigations, 2 building fires, 1 trash fire. Time of service: 22.5 hours. Knox boxes installed - 1, Knox Box time - 1 hr. Total time of service: 23.5 hours
• Mayor John Guest's office hours for June are June 16 from 10 a.m. to noon and June 20 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.