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Jeff Boeh, LBS
A little less than two years in the making, the Morrisville Borough Council will vote on a measure to amend and revise to the C-1 commercials zoning district.
The changes to the zoning ordinance are seen as a key element to future development of the district which has been assisted by the Bucks County Planning Commission.
In 2017 borough and county officials held an open house at the municipal building in an effort to answer questions and educate the public on what was then an idea yet to be brought forth.
At the open house, borough residents and businesses came out to offer input on amenities and issues they wanted for the downtown district, county and borough officials said.
In the last year Director of Planning Services for the commission Mike Roedig said the commission worked closely with the borough to bring the current proposal to fruition.
Roedig made a 25- minute presentation to borough officials last Tuesday unveiling the proposal at last week’s agenda meeting.
Roedig said of the process revising the c1 main commercial district ordinances was the low hanging fruit of the process because the uses and dimensional standards that weren’t going to be useful to revitalizing the downtown commercial district.
“We’re putting forward an ordinance for council’s consideration that is a good ordinance…and everything you would want to address in a zoning ordinance for a downtown area,” Roedig said.
Highlight’s of the proposed Amendment:
Restricting industrial uses in the Downtown area.
Live-work units were added as a use.
Mixed use structures
Brewery, winery, distillery was added as zoned uses.
A Market use was added in which for example vendors could sell items at a community event.
Additionally, commercial downtown retail and downtown personal service uses were added limiting square footage to 2500 feet and tobacco sales at those locations.
Of note businesses that won’t be permitted in the C 1 plan are tattoo parlors, psychic reading businesses, and massage parlors.
Council will also vote to approve the 2020 proposed budget, fee schedule, a new police department internal affairs police policy, and new a new five-year collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME among the items listed on Monday nights agenda which can be found on the borough website.
Council President Debbie Smith said Sunday afternoon, she’s voting for the zoning amendment proposal.
“Its one of the tools,” if approved, “Morrisville will now have to use for its future development” Smith said.
Council has worked tirelessly on this issue and moving forward I hope the new council when it takes over in January uses this tool as a way to improve Morrisville for today and the future”
Councilmen Mike Yager, also contacted Sunday said he’s voting yes on the ordinance, saying he hopes the future council will follow up on all the work done towards getting the ordinance finished and ready for approval.
Council members Ted Parker, Davuid Nay, and Corryn Kronnagel didn’t respond to requests for comment on Sunday.
The entire proposed amendment can be viewed on the borough website.
The video of the presentation to council can be viewed by clicking the link below.
The video of the budget discussion and proposal can be found on the official Morrisville Borough You Tube page.
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