High Density Apartment Zoning: Germantown Pike Corridor
In the summer of 2021, the Worcester Supervisors amended existing Multi-Residential Zoning in Fairview Village to expand the number of allowable apartments that can be built along Germantown Pike.
Why Was This Done:
In Pennsylvania, communities like Worcester located near large population centers are required to provide zoning for a variety of residential housing types - including a certain minimum number of multifamily units.
This requirement is known as “Fair Share”, under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
If a community’s zoning does not meet “Fair Share”, it can open the door to lawsuits from developers.
The MPC allows municipalities to conduct a review to see if there are “Fair Share” deficiencies in their zoning ordinances.
To prevent a suspected potential “Fair Share” challenge from a developer over apartments, the Worcester Supervisors authorized a six month review study of Worcester’s Zoning in January 2021.
The study determined there was an inadequate number of apartment units allowed under the existing zoning, prompting the BOS to make changes to the residential code in the Fairview Village area.
What Changed? New Apartment Allowances
Increased density from 4 units per acre to 12 units per acre.
If Transfer of Development Rights (TDR’s) are used, then up to 15 units per acre would be allowed. A developer would preserve land elsewhere in the township to increase density in the Multi-Residential Overlay District.
Height limit was raised from 30 feet to 45 feet, not to exceed 4 stories.
Included the rezoning of a 15 acre property located at 1035 North Trooper Road across from the East Norriton Presbyterian Church.
This property expands the Multi-Residential Overlay District to allow apartments on both sides of Germantown Pike at its intersection with Trooper Road, a very historic intersection in Worcester where it borders East Norriton Township.