Plan for Cheltenham

By Mary Beth Carroll

Cheltenham is undergoing an extraordinary amount of housing development, which has been met with some surprise from the residents. To help the residents, commissioners, and staff move through his process more smoothly, I intend to:

· Consider amending the age restrictive housing ordinance to reduce density and preserve open space. · Increase the notification requirements of Zoning Hearing application notifications from 500 ft to 1000 ft. · Amend the code to make it the responsibility of the applicant to notify the public regarding Zoning applications. · Create a different fee schedule for commercial vs. residential zoning and permit appeal applications and residential notifications. · Televise all public meetings. · Notify the residents via email and web postings, as to the content of upcoming meetings. · Expand the duties of the Cheltenham Township Economic Development Task Force to include recruiting businesses and commercial development in some of our under-developed areas. · Work closely with the newly named Montgomery County Economic Development Director to successfully take advantage of any stimulus monies that are being funneled via the County, to help Cheltenham increase its commercial tax base. · Encourage the Commissioners to be more proactive in amending current ordinances and creating new ordinances that would more closely regulate the practices of commercial entities. · Create a capital expenditure for web site creation, and ongoing upgrades as technology warrants. There are no funds in the operating budget to enhance our web site to become more user friendly.

Constituent Communication:

Cheltenham is not an apathetic community. Through conversations that I have had with many residents, it is clear the people would like a forum that their concerns are not only heard but also acted upon. As Township Commissioner I intend to: · Create a means of electronic communication including online chat rooms, blogs, and discussion boards. · Hold community meetings in each area of the 4th Ward. The citizens could then help determine the policies that will be enacted. · Create a sense of urgency at the onset of a project. Many development plans take years to come to fruition. Public input is necessary from the beginning. It can be difficult to make changes in a plan after it has been in the works for several years.

Community Revitalization: The Cheltenham Township Administration has identified the Lamott district as a viable applicant for Montgomery County Revitalization funding. Through much effort the administration has written for and received grants from many different entities to promote this area. As commissioner of the 4th Ward I will work with the administration to:

· Continually inform the residents of the Lamott and Homes of Elkins Park neighborhoods as to the plans for their neighborhoods. · Encourage community participation in enacting the Community Revitalization plan. · Review and consider amending the revitalization plan when necessary. · Consider the impact that impending changes will have on the neighborhood. · Enlist the help of the Montgomery County Economic Development task force, to augment the existing plans with any economic stimulus monies that may be available. · Enlist the help of the Cheltenham Township Economic Development Task Force to assist the administration in finding developers that will bring innovative ideas to the community regarding the property development along Ashbourne Rd.