Narberth building and zoning will take up coffee shop issue
A week after resident Miriam Shakow brought the issue to our attention, the Vanderbilt University professor attends a Narberth Borough Council meeting with a plea for an ordinance to remedy zoning obstacles in the coffee shop push.
Last week, Neighbors posted about reenergized efforts to have a locally owned coffee shop in Narberth, which has been difficult to come by as a result of zoning regulations and parking requirements.
At the March 12 Narberth Borough Council meeting, resident and Vanderbilt University social anthropology professor Miriam Shakow decided to move the issue along when she spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Shakow, a visible proponent in the push for a downtown coffee shop, asked council to consider the adoption of an ordinance to define a coffee shop or tea room in the zoning code in order to remedy the parking requirements stalling a coffee business from setting up shop.
"I felt encouraged by the meeting last night, much more confident something will happen this time around," Shakow said in a phone interview.
The Main Line Times reported that Council President Sam Quinn said the council is aware that a portion of the borough's population really wants a coffee shop downtown, and that there could be opportunities with the new building and zoning committee, chaired by Councilman Bob Weisbord, and the focus on new zoning.
Quinn asked the committee to look into the matter and get the planning commission involved.
Main Line Times reported that Weisbord said the borough solicitor and Montgomery County planning officials would also need to be involved.
Weisbord further suggested involvement from Shakow and the residents who want a coffee shop downtown, particularly in defining a coffee shop, since places in Narberth such as Narberth Café and The Cheese Company sell coffee, but don't have the space coffee goers seek.
Shakow said that those interested in helping move the issue along should attend the committee's meeting on April 2 at 6:45 p.m.
"There are coffee shop owners out there who saw Narberth as a good option because of it's demographics, the relatively high incomes, stay-at-home parents, telecommuters, academics, and zoning has been unmovable until now," Shakow said. "If zoning were to change, I feel confident these people or someone else will want to open up shop."