Agenda
Roll Call – Joe, Sean, Sid, Andrew, Stephen, Scott (Andrea also participated to facilitate the handoff to Andrew)
Minutes – December Meeting Notes approvedPlanning Commission Seats and Roles
- Sean and Andrew were appointed/approved by Borough Council to fill the two Council positions on the PC for the next 2-year (2026-2027) term
- Prior to the PC meeting, Sean shared that Council voted unanimously to appoint Sid and Joe back to the PC, noting the caveats in their letters (Joe noted his interest in a 2-year term; Sid is tracking the formation of a Rutledge EAC and has noted his interest in being part of leading that, at which point he may step away from the PC)
- Open seats (1) to be continued to be advertised, no interest to date
- PC Chair and Secretary Roles: after some discussion about the these roles, there was agreement for Joe to continue in the Chair role and Sid to step into the Secretary role
Planning Commission 2026 FocusPartnerships & Gathering more information – PC members reported out on their investigation into the following neighboring boroughs in terms of their current focus (looking to identify synergies and partnering opportunties):
- Stephen – Swarthmore and Rose Valley: Rose Valley focus on walking path along Rose Valley Road and stormwater issues; Swarthmore 2025 Comp Plan update focus on borough character, walkability, density; sustainability (e.g. tree coverage); retail uses
- Sean will check on County Planning criteria for multi-municipal plans remaining valid if some of the other municipalities adopt their own individual plans
- Scott – Ridley: regular activity/focus on typical residential variances; their current Comp Plan is dated 2011 and includes Eddystone (so they appear open to partnering); Scott did not review Comp Plan in detail to understand their focus
- PC comments were made whether trash or sewer are partnering opportunities
- Sid – Morton and Secane: Sid was only able to review limited information, noting that Secane is an unincorporated residential community and census-designated place located within Upper Darby and Ridley Townships, which may indicate an openness to partnering
- Sean – Springfield: their current Comp Plan is dated 2006 and still current; areas of focus include land use, economic development, traffic; their PC focus includes land development, some reactive, and some historic issues
- Andrea – Nether Providence: noted that the information on their website is outdated; their PC focus includes subdivision plans and ordinances
- Joe – ‘clean up hitter’: Joe noted that he researched and identified some resources from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) on Vulnerability Assessment steps, matrix template, workbook, report template, and resources that can be scaled to a Borough or Building asset (like Borough Hall) which he will share with the PC
The PC report out identified a large variability across the Boroughs. There was some discussion about the presumed benefits of partnering with surrounding boroughs like added value and lower cost. Sean noted that the PC might consider other frameworks to decide on targeted multi-municipal partnerships, like risk and ROI.
Infrastructure/Utilities
- Sid reiterated the need for a Triangle Park maintenance program (which may be covered for a limited period under the construction contract)
Comp Plan & LCAP Tracking
- PC representatives to participate in the Feb-16 Council Work Session, in terms of 2026 priorities
- discussed an annual PC Report to Borough Council for tracking and budgeting purposes
- Steve suggested providing concise reference materials to Borough Committees so they can keep Comp Plan and LCAP priorities in focus
Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) – referenced in LCAP and Comp Plan but called three different things, so will need clarification moving forwardNew Business: None
Public Comment: None
Adjourn