The Comissioners listen

At Monday nights general meeting a special meeting was held to discuss rezoning of 2 parcels on Moreland Rd. The article from the Inteligencer details what took place and what action was taken on this request. Feel free to comment on this!


Board says no to zoning change
By HILARY BENTMAN The Intelligencer
One by one they rose to speak out against turning a residential property on Moreland Road into a professional office.
Neighbors voiced concern about traffic on the already busy thoroughfare and side streets, feared that commercialism was creeping into their neighborhood, and noted there are already several vacant office buildings nearby.
In the end, Upper Moreland commissioners heard their pleas and agreed, voting not to rezone two properties on Moreland Road.
About 35 people attended the commissioners meeting Monday to oppose the plan, which called for converting 501 and 517 Moreland Road from a residential- to professional-zoned property in the hope it would be easier for the owners to sell.
Professional properties allow for small office-like businesses, such as insurance agencies and accountants.
The zoning change was requested by Guiseppe and Eleanora Pescatore, the longtime owners of both properties, who tried unsuccessfully for eight months to sell their home as a residence for nearly $400,000.
Their real estate broker, Henry Jacquelin, a former Upper Moreland commissioner, said the only interest was from people who wanted a professional space and the Pescatores signed a contract with an insurance company to buy it.
But the property needed to be rezoned and the commissioners ultimately said no.
“I've spoken to residents in the neighborhood and no one is in favor of it,” said Commissioner Joseph Lavalle, who represents that area. “I really don't see the need with the amount of vacant space that this would be a necessity.”
There are currently at least four vacant office properties along Moreland Road.
After the vote, Jacquelin declined to comment on what he and his clients planned to do next.
Residents who live on nearby Cameron Road were concerned mainly about the traffic, which is already high with people cutting through their neighborhood. Cameron Road connects Route 611 to Moreland Road near the Willow Grove Park mall.
“Cameron Road has become a speedway,” said resident Frank Delaurentis.
Echoing his sentiments was his neighbor John Luecke, who said: “There are enough idiots flying down the streets now. I feel bad that (the Pescatores) can't sell their home. But I don't want Upper Moreland to become Oxford Circle or Mayfair (sections of Philadelphia).”
Jacquelin argued there are already 18,000 to 20,000 cars a day driving by the properties on Moreland Road and putting in an insurance business would not increase traffic by any significant amount. Moreland Road is no longer the two-lane quiet thoroughfare it once was, he said.
“Moreland Road is going to change whether we like it or not. We're hurting for business in this town,” he argued.
The Montgomery County Planning Commission reviewed the zoning change request and recommended the board take no action.
The reasoning was that both Upper Moreland and neighboring Abington are in the process of comprehensive revisions to their zoning regulations. The properties in question sit on the border of the two municipalities and the planning commission recommended that both towns work together on this issue, as well as the evaluation of the entire Moreland Road corridor.
Jacquelin sits on the Montgomery County Planning Commission board, but said he is only an advisory member and is not part of the professional staff that reviewed the rezoning plans.