MONTGOMERY COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

MINUTES: Regular Monthly Board Meeting Wednesday, March 11, 2015 Approved: April 8, 2015

BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDING: Steven Kline, Chair; Dulcie Flaharty, V-Chair; Scott Exley; Rev. John West; Charles Tornetta; David Cohen

STAFF ATTENDING: Jody Holton; Matthew Edmond; John Cover; Marley Bice; Margaret Dobbs; Michael Narcowich; Robin McLean

PRESS: None

GUESTS: Robert Loeper, Planner, Upper Merion Township; Eric Goldstein, Executive Director, King of Prussia Business Improvement District (KOP-BID); Liz Smith, Manager, Long Range Planning, SEPTA; Rob Henry, Executive Director, GVFTMA; Byron Comati, Strategic Planning Director, SEPTA

I. Call to Order/Board Comments Ms. Flaharty called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone.

II. Minutes of February 11, 2015 The minutes from the February 11, 2015 regular Board meeting were approved by the Board as presented.

Motion: To approve the February 11, 2015 Board minutes, by Mr. Exley, seconded by Mr. Tornetta, and approved by all present, except Mr. Cohen who abstained.

III. Public Comment None

IV. Introduction of New Board Member David L. Cohen Ms. Flaharty introduced and welcomed the newest Board member, David Cohen. Mr. Cohen lives in Cheltenham and chairs a committee that is working on the Township’s draft zoning code. He works for Ben Franklin Technology Partners, where he specializes in economic development by investing in technology firms as well as data and policy analysis.

V. Reorganization/Election of Officers: Recommendation Mr. Exley reported that the committee, consisting of himself, Mr. Tornetta and Ms. Blumhardt, are nominating Steven Kline to be Chair, Dulcie Flaharty to be Vice-Chair, and Jody Holton to be Secretary of the MCPC Board. Motion: To accept the nominations for Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary for the Board, by Mr. Tornetta, seconded by Ms. Flaharty, and approved by all present.

MCPC Board Minutes -2- March 11, 2015

VI. Montco 2040: Vibrant Economy – King of Prussia BID and Upper Merion Township: New Mixed Use Zoning and Development Trends Guests: Robert Loeper, Planner, Upper Merion Township; Eric Goldstein, Executive Director, King of Prussia Business Improvement District (KOP-BID) Ms. Holton introduced the guests and explained that King of Prussia is an important economic engine, containing 10 percent of the jobs in the county. KOP-BID and Upper Merion Township have a great partnership and are equally committed to championing long-term public improvements (Turnpike interchange expansion, King of Prussia rail, etc.). She also thanked Mr. Goldstein for his participation on the Montco 2040 Steering Committee.

Mr. Loeper began the presentation with a brief background on the municipality’s zoning code, explaining how it is outdated, lacks definitions, is difficult to read, places more emphasis on vehicles than people, and wastes land and the natural environment. He talked in detail about each of the zoning districts (open space and recreation; residential; non-residential; and overlay/special districts) as well as the municipality’s intention to update and streamline it. He showed a map of the King of Prussia business park and the First Avenue corridor, which includes the casino. The township adopted a new mixed use zoning ordinance that would encourage adding multifamily and compatible retail uses to the business park.. Other planning efforts include adding linear parks, street medians, pedestrian-friendly cross walks, landscaping efforts at gateways, and height bonuses that incorporate LEED standards. Mr. Loeper also talked about adding new provisions for age-restricted uses (adult communities, personal care facilities, and continuing care facilities) in the township.

Mr. Goldstein, from the KOP-BID continued the presentation explaining they are a non-profit organization. This organization has a working relationship with the municipality, who created the BID boundaries and program plan. Zoning is a major initiative of the BID because it is holding back economic growth in King of Prussia (KOP). He talked about the importance of their marketing efforts, which include holding civic events and making public improvements. For example, the BID helped to create attractive gateways and landscaped corridors around the casino and along First Avenue. They also work on providing multimodal transportation opportunities (i.e. connect to regional rail, advertising, help with corporate retention and attraction, as well as launching the online connectME tracker feature). They are building support for the Norristown High Speed Line extension to KOP, securing funding for improving the road diet, and championing the creation of new Turnpike interchanges in the area. These efforts are being done to benefit both businesses and residents of the township. Mr. Goldstein mentioned the importance of tax policy and announced the BID has a study on the topic that is due to be released in spring 2015. He also discussed some of this year’s other initiatives, including a marketing brochure about the business park and events such as Rock Your Lunch and Healthy Happy Hour Yoga.

VII. Montco 2040: Vibrant Economy / Connected Communities – SEPTA KOP Rail Project Update Presenter: Matthew Edmond Guests: Liz Smith, Manager, Long Range Planning, SEPTA; Rob Henry, Executive Director, GVFTMA; Byron Comati, Strategic Planning Director, SEPTA

Mr. Edmond gave an introduction about the extension of the Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) to King of Prussia that would provide an economic advantage to KOP. He then introduced Liz Smith, Long Range Planning Manager with SEPTA.

Ms. Smith started the presentation with a schedule of the planning process that showed SEPTA is two years into an Alternatives Analysis / Draft Environmental Impact Study (AA / DEIS). The AA / DEIS is a required planning tool required to seek federal New Starts funding. She explained that bus service is the only mass transit serving King of Prussia, which can be unreliable because of road congestion on the Schuylkill Expressway and local roads. Ms. Smith provided statistics showing that KOP is one of the largest employment centers and is growing, making it a high priority for reliable rail investment. The study process is expected to be complete in late 2016, followed by 6 years of engineering and construction. The earliest date for operation of the service to begin is 2023. The next major milestones for the plan process are the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) to the public in late 2015 and the adoption of the Locally Preferred Alternatives (LPA) in 2016. Ms. Smith showed the build alternatives for the area and where the possible rail

MCPC Board Minutes -3- March 11, 2015

stations would be for the mall and business park. The next step for the project will include environmental studies, refined ridership, conceptual engineering, detailed cost estimates, drafting an environmental impact statement, and selecting the LPA. The Economy League of Greater is also preparing an Economic Impact Report. Ms. Smith showed similar projects from around the country and described how the system they are envisioning is modern and nothing like the old elevated systems most area residents are familiar with. She turned over the presentation to Rob Henry from Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association (GVFTMA).

Mr. Henry gave a brief background on the TMA. He explained why this project would be good for the area including access to the mall for jobs and shopping, and how it is supported by our neighbors in , Chester, and Philadelphia counties. This project also has the support of DVRPC and elected officials at all levels. He presented other projects throughout the nation and how they have greatly improved development activity. GVFTMA is working to form the KOP Rail Coalition that will advocate for the project. It will be comprised of local businesses, chambers, and other organizations to champion the project.

VIII. 2014 Annual Summary of Development Activity Presenter: Scott France

Mr. France presented the 2014 Development Activity Report. The total number of submissions was 452. The submissions seemed to center more on the eastern side of the county with Lower Merion reporting the most submissions. This total was slightly less than 474 in 2013. Under residential development, single-family attached housing gained since the year before, while single-family detached and multifamily both dropped. Age-restricted housing also showed a rise in units submitted. Some of the largest submissions included: Bridgeview (566 units) in Bridgeport Borough, Zern Tract (250 units), 601 & 615 Righters Ferry Road (237 units) in Lower Merion Township. Nonresidential development proposals were close to the same figures reported in 2013 with a slight difference in industrial and institutional usages. Most of the square footage submitted came from Upper Merion Township, which included the largest submission of the FedEx Ground Distribution Center (315,897 SF). Mr. France pointed out that not all proposals will be built, but growth is still outpacing the post-recession years. He also reported that 2015 is off to an active start.

IX. Planning Assistance Contracts

A. Jenkintown Borough Planning Assistance Contract Presenters: Marley Bice and Margaret Dobbs

Ms. Bice introduced the Jenkintown Borough contract. She noted that the borough was once a high-end shopping district in the 50s and 60s before there were regional shopping malls (e.g. Mall). She described the demographics, landmarks such as the Strawbridge & Clothier building which is converted to offices, existing land use, and regional context of the borough. The Jenkintown/Wyncote train station has very high ridership because four different train lines stop there. The primary element of the scope in this contract is to work with a steering committee and municipal staff to write a new comprehensive plan to take the place of the outdated 1962 version. This three-year contract consists of 2.5 planner days a month with 12 night meetings per year, and the municipal share of $34,506.

B. Narberth Borough Planning Assistance Contract Presenters: John Cover and Margaret Dobbs

Mr. Cover introduced the Narberth Borough contract. He talked about the demographics noting the median household income and median sale price for housing was above the county’s median figures. One of the work items completed was the Draft Form Based Zoning Code. He described the different aspects of form based zoning as well as a map of this zoning. The new contract work items will consist of adoption and implementation support for the Form Based Zoning Code, FEMA Floodplain Ordinance, and a Downtown Parking Study. This three-year contract consists of 2 planner days a month with 12 night meetings per year, and the municipal share of $28,755.

MCPC Board Minutes -4- March 11, 2015

C. Upper Moreland Township Planning Assistance Contract Presenter: Michael Narcowich

Mr. Narcowich introduced the Upper Moreland Township contract. He noted the major projects that were completed in the last contract were the Upper Moreland Revitalization Plan and the Willow Grove Redevelopment Plan (“Expansion Area, Phase 1”). Trail planning assistance was also initiated. Mr. Narcowich gave a brief description of each project. The new contract will focus on zoning ordinance adoption (selected chapters), the comprehensive plan, redevelopment planning for a new expansion area, trail planning, and/or the Subdivision/Land Development Ordinance. This three-year contract consists of 3 planner days a month with 12 night meetings per year; the municipal share of $40,257.

Motion: To approve the Planning Assistance Contracts for Jenkintown Borough, Narberth Borough and Upper Moreland Township, by Mr. Tornetta, seconded by Mr. Exley, and approved by all present.

X. Director’s Report A. Ms. Holton introduced a new community planner, Margaret Dobbs. Ms. Dobbs introduced herself and said her educational background was from Temple University. She will be the planner for four boroughs, including Jenkintown, Narberth, Red Hill and Rockledge.

B. The Montgomery Awards call for entries was released this week. The entry forms can be found online and entries for consideration will conclude at the end of April.

C. A Consistency letter form is online to assist municipalities who are applying for grants that require a letter from the planning commission. The form is designed to help municipalities submit all the information we need to write the letter and expedite sending the letters.

D. Ms. Holton introduced one of the interns, Lauren Van Dyke. She attends Temple School of Planning and will be working on the Eat Local Montco initiative with the Farm Board, Commissioners Office and Health Department. The Planning Events calendar for March 11-April 7, 2015 has been updated and handed out.

The meeting adjourned at 12 noon.

The next Board meeting will be April 8, 2015 at 9:00 AM at One Montgomery Plaza, Suite 201.