Zoning

The Zoning Board last night formally approved a preliminary site plan and two zoning variances for Gloucester Point Inc., the proposed $5 million marina and restaurant planned for the Delaware River waterfront. Last night's action formalized the language of a resolution that was approved, in concept, at a board meeting last month. Among other things, the developers needed permission to exceed certain height limits, as well as to operate a marina. The restaurant and marina, consisting of a "dry rack" storage warehouse where boats would be taken to and from the water by forklift, are vital to the city's plan to develop its waterfront property, city officials say. With the latest approval in hand, the project's investors can seek permission from the state Historic Preservation Office to demolish an 83-year- old vacant building on the property at King and Monmouth Streets, said Robert Bevan, a former Gloucester City mayor and a spokesman for Gloucester Point.

After listening to eight hours of testimony on three separate nights, the Upper Southampton Zoning Hearing Board has concluded its hearing of an appeal by a Second Street Pike business that is seeking approval for a partially built, unauthorized addition. The five-member board, which has 45 days to render a decision, will consider whether the business, Wards Rents of 816 Second Street Pike, can finish the 15-foot addition. In his closing argument, John Gonzales, representing the township Board of Supervisors, said John Ward, the owner of the property, had no right to expand the equipment-rental firm.

The Haverford Planning Commission discussed several applications for zoning changes at its Wednesday night workshop session, but no decisions were made on any project. An application from Michael McGee, who is proposing a change in use from residential to highway commercial for his property's rear lot, was questioned by some commission members. "Most of the surrounding properties are zoned C-4 (highway commercial) anyway," said Charles T. Held, director of Codes and Enforcement.

Questions raised about several Charlestown Township zoning laws were ironed out at a session of the Planning Commission Tuesday night. While no major changes took place, the commission discussed possibilities for future revision and went over small clarifications concerning restrictions on slope heights and driveways. The final draft of the ordinances will be voted on by the Board of Supervisors at the February meeting. The session, also attended by John Garvin, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, focused on clarifying sections that seemed unclear to the commission or that were questioned by Realty Engineering Co., a prospective developer.

A proposed "life-care" zoning ordinance in Cheltenham Township has been met with scrutiny by its Planning Commission. "I have some major problems - both specific and theoretical problems - with this ordinance," said commission President Richard N. Sundheim before members launched into a lengthy discussion about the plan Monday night. The ordinance, if approved by the township Board of Commissioners, would designate certain areas in the township where developers could build apartment communities providing retired residents facilities that would meet their personal and nursing needs as they grow older.

The Upper Merion Planning Commission considered a request Wednesday from the owner of Today's Man stores to rezone 4.4 acres on DeKalb Pike and South Henderson Road to allow a retail store. Paul Callahan, an attorney representing owner David Feld, asked the commission at a work session to change the zoning from a commercial classification of CO to C-1, which is less restrictive and would allow more leeway in developing the property. The Montgomery County Planning Commission had recommended that the application be denied based on the amount of traffic that the store would generate.

The revised master plan adopted by the Pemberton Township Planning Board last week recommends increasing the amount of commercial highway frontage in the township. The board, however, deleted a portion that recommended changing the zoning of Browns Mills, the township's largest residential section. The master plan, which is a long-range plan for the development of the township, does not change the township's zoning ordinance. It is an advisory document for the Township Committee, which will decide whether to adopt any recommendations.

Archbishop Anthony J. Bevilacqua has transferred the pastor of a Montgomery County parish who became involved in a dispute with some of his parishioners that erupted into public view at a zoning hearing in March. The Rev. H. Thornton Kelly was transferred from Epiphany of Our Lord parish in Plymouth Township to St. Barnabas parish in Southwest Philadelphia, where he will serve as acting pastor with the title of administrator pro tem. The transfer was one of several announced in the Sept.

The East Goshen Township Board of Supervisors has adopted a zoning ordinance amendment permitting automobile repair and service shops in a commercial district. The amendment was adopted at a special meeting after the supervisors' regular meeting Tuesday night. Automobile service and repair shops would be allowed in C-4 districts as a conditional use, requiring a public hearing before approval. The amendment prohibits truck repair shops and restricts automobile repair and storage to enclosed buildings.

Concerned about the rapid pace of development in the township, a standing- room-only crowd of London Grove residents braved bad weather this week to voice their concerns at the Board of Supervisors meeting. At the heart of Monday night's discussion was a proposal from the London Grove Planning Commission to change some zoning ordinances, including replacing the planned residential development (PRD) rule with a lower-density, cluster-development ordinance. "From everything we've heard and seen, most of the community would like to see density changed, to see it lowered," said Duane Eastburn, who represented the Planning Commission.