Policy and Procedures Francisville NDC Executive
Committee and Community Voting Meetings For
Developers
Francisville NDC subscribe to the Housing Association of Delaware Valley to receive the zoning hearing listing for zone 7. We monitor this list weekly for zoning hearings for projects in Francisville. If a hearing is listed and the applicant has not allowed the community to review the project, our Zoning Committee Chair contacts the applicant (By Mail) with a request that he or she meet with our Executive Committee. If the zoning hearing is too close to schedule a community meeting we send a letter to the ZBA requesting a continuance. Once the applicant has met with our Executive Committee we then schedule a date for a Community Voting Meeting. We make a flyer and give a copy to the applicant instructing them to make copies and distribute to residents within one block radius of the proposed project. This must be done not less than one week before the scheduled community meeting. Our organization then notifies the community about the meeting using the Francisville Information Network or FIN. In addition to facilitating a community meeting, developer may be instructed to meet with other stakeholders in the community.
At the Community Voting Meeting, the meeting coordinator makes all relevant announcements and introductions. Attendees at the meeting are informed that all Francisville NDC meetings are audio, and, or video taped for the purpose of keeping minutes. Residents are then instructed to read the voting meeting rules and asked if they understand the procedure. The meeting chair then gives a brief explanation of the project being proposed and whether the applicant is seeking a variance. The applicant is given 10-15 minutes to make a presentation and the discussion is then opened for questions and comments with due consideration given, first, to residents within one block radius, as they will be most affected by the project. This segment is limited to about 20 minutes.
Developers should review the Developers Requirements For Community Meeting.
Francisville NDC Voting Instructions: Only Francisville residents or property owners within the Francisville boundaries can vote. After satisfactory review of the project in question by the meeting attendees, the voting coordinator will decide whether the project should be put to a vote or whether to differ voting until certain other conditions are met. A decision to differ voting may be necessary in situations when additional information is necessary for attendees to make a decision about the project. If a vote is not in order, the developer will be instructed on what additional information is needed. The developer may request another hearing when they have the additional information.
After all questions and concerns have been thoroughly addressed a vote is taken first from the residents within one block radius followed by the general Francisville Community. Residents are instructed to raise their hand and signify by saying (I) if they support the project being presented. The result of the vote is verbally stated by the meeting chair for the record and to allow residents to oppose the result if they feel the result is not accurate. The information below more fully described the Francisville Community voting policy regarding Zoning hearings.
The following method of community voting was adopted at the June 13, 2005 community meeting.
- Voting of any project will be done in a two tier policy.
- The first vote will include only the residents that live within one block radius of the proposed project and the second vote will include the entire Francisville community.
- In the event of a split decision between the one block residence and the entire community, it was decided by a majority that all projects consisting of more than four dwelling units for a residential project or over 1,500 SF for a commercial project will be decided upon by a majority vote of the attendees – to represent the ultimate decision.
- Residential projects containing four or less dwelling units and commercial projects containing 1,500 SF or less (Except on Ridge Ave.) will be in favor of the one block residence vote.
- The only exception to this rule pertains to Ridge Avenue. Because Ridge Avenue is the designated commercial corridor, all development along the corridor will be in favor of the entire community vote.
- Reason; Every completed project along this corridor will have cumulative effect on the entire community. Therefore all residents shall have the right to review and vote on all Ridge Ave. development projects being considered for approval.
- The coordinator will count the number of votes in each case, and announce the results. These results and other information relevant to the project will be provided in writing to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Updated 01.06.08