Ordinance Supporting Senior Housing Development Gets Green Light from Plum Council

Plum Borough officials are hoping to developers.

On Monday, council voted 5-1-1 to approve an ordinance amendment to the unified development ordinance that would expand the areas where senior housing is allowed. Councilman Mike Doyle dissented and Councilman Keith Nowalk abstained.

In 2009, Nowalk's plans to he owns off Leroy Street was rejected. He abstained because his property would be affected by the new ordinance.

According to the new rule, elderly housing in the residential R-1 and R-2 zoning districts would be required to sit on a minimum 10-acre lot and would be permitted to stand up to three stories high.

Prior to the passage of the ordinance, elderly housing only was permitted in the residential R-3 zoning district as a conditional use.

A previous version of the ordinance required a minimum of 10 acres in the R-1 zoming district and five acres in the R-2 zoning district. By requiring a minimum of 10 acres in both zoning districts, the number of eligible parcels  in R-2 was reduced from 44 to 15.

Residents previously about the addition of senior housing, saying it would reduce their propertly values and be an eyesore in residential neighborhoods.

Doyle said he voted against the new ordinance because he supported it the way it stood before the changes were made.

"I didn't think limiting the number of properties was the right thing to do," he said.

A handful of residents attended Monday's meeting in opposition of the new ordinance. Though they appreciated the reduction in available parcels for development, they said they don't see a need for senior housing in the borough.

Resident Kevin Reiter said the ordinance could be changed at any time, so it doesn't make any sense to have one in place.

Assistant borough manager Greg Bachy said a developer has expressed an interest in pursuing a project in Plum.

Councilman Steven "Skip" Taylor said he was against the preliminary plan. However, he said there is a need for senior housing in the borough, and the new plan caters to all citizens.

Councilman Charles McMeekin agreed. He, too, said he was opposed to the original draft. The new requirements would take the strain off of the residential roads and neighborhoods while allowing development near the main thoroughfares, he said.