Citizens committee will look at downtown plan

BORDENTOWN CITY — The City Commission has formed a citizens advisory committee to review a new zoning ordinance that could change the appearance of the city's downtown.

When the commission held a public hearing on the ordinance in May, hundreds of residents turned out, and many of them spoke up against the measure. As a result, the commission decided to send the ordinance back to the Planning Board for revisions.

The commissioners also formed a citizens committee to give recommendations to the board.

“There was so much smoke and fire generated by the proposed zoning ordinance that the commissioners felt that they wanted to have the general public more involved,” Mayor John Collom said during an interview last month.

The ordinance would allow for up to 100 additional dwellings downtown by permitting developers to put apartments or condominiums above storefronts and by increasing the allowable height for buildings. Currently, developers have to obtain variances to put dwellings over storefronts or to exceed the height limit.

The ordinance also would make it easier for homeowners to convert their properties into bed-and-breakfasts or child-care centers.

Collom has said the ordinance would enable the city to expand its population and tax base. But some residents have concerns that the ordinance would damage the character of their quaint city. They said an influx of new residents would be a burden on the city's police and fire departments and code enforcement staff, and added traffic would worsen parking problems.

The new panel, officially called the Land Development Ordinance and Master Plan Citizens Advisory Committee, is authorized to function until October. Collom said he hopes the committee will complete its review by that time.

Members of the committee are: Don Burns, Nick Casey, Kathy Finch, Sue Gerike, Crayle Green, Charles Pesce, Jack Sade, Cathy Shaw, Pat Skelly, Patricia Light-Tolomeo and Carl Zeitz.

The group is holding public meetings at various locations in the city. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall.

Light-Tolomeo said residents have different views about the zoning ordinance and about how the city should grow.

“The idea is to get as many voices heard and come to a consensus,” she said. “What we are essentially doing is trying to work as a voice for the residents of the town, to convey to the Planning Board some of the concerns.”

Contact Lauri Sheibley at lsheibley@phillyburbs.com