Collegeville-area Planning Group Looks at Housing Needs

The Indian Valley and Central Perkiomen regions of Montgomery County are not immune from the housing market pressures faced elsewhere. 

This spring, two regional planning groups are accepting public feedback on their 10-year plans, which include sections on open space, housing, transportation, and more. 

“Housing has just gone through the roof,” said Eric Jarrell of the Montgomery County Planning Commission during a recent public meeting. 

Made up of municipal representatives from Perkiomen, Collegeville, Lower Frederick, Upper Frederick, Trappe, and Schwenksville, on May 20 from 7-9 p.m., the Central Perkiomen Valley Regional Planning Commission will discuss its housing component of the larger comprehensive plan. An “affordability analysis” will be part of the update, Jarrell said. 

With regional planning, the participating municipalities can meet their regulatory obligations as a group. Jarrell explained that townships and boroughs must zone at least 2.8 to 3.2 percent of land areas for apartments and other multi-family uses. But under regional planning, the “fair share” principle allows the region to meet these obligations, instead of individually. 

Elsewhere in the county 

At Montco 30%, we welcome the news that Montgomery County has approved a $970,000 loan to help build more multi-family, affordable housing. 

Upper Gwynedd's Cornerstone at Pennbrook development still requires final land development approvals, likely this summer. Mike shared his thoughts on the news with a Patch reporter in this article. 

In New Hanover Township, a developer has sued the township, alleging bias and obstructions during the review of a plan that included dense housing, according to the Mercury.

Upcoming events and meetings 

• On Saturday, March 30, bring work gloves and aspirin to the Pottstown tent encampment near the community college for a trash clean-up. The event, organized by the Deviators, runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Thursday, April 4, is an important supervisors' meeting in Lower Providence concerning proposed supportive housing on the Eagleville Hospital grounds. 

• Food distribution event at MCCC Blue Bell, April 9, from 3:30 to 5:30