Supervisors Discuss Limited Conversion Of Office Space To Residential Use

At Tuesday’s Board meeting, Township staff offered a presentation to the Board of Supervisors to begin consideration of the limited conversion of existing but vacant office space to residential uses. This subject was initially reviewed and addressed in the Township’s Comprehensive Plan Update in 2024. 

It is important to note that no decisions have been made and the presentation on Tuesday was to make the Board and the public aware of the highlights of a possible draft ordinance that would be in accordance with the vision adopted as part of the Comprehensive Plan Update.

The presentation, which can be found in full detail here, discusses the creation of a zoning overlay district in the southeast corner of the Township where office parks are located. A cap of no more than 1,000 new dwelling units would be permitted in the overlay district. All residential projects in the overlay district would have to meet requirements for parking, green space, buffering, outdoor recreation and other features. 

Additionally, Whitpain will consider if it makes sense that projects within the overlay district be subject to an attainable housing component that would mandate 10 percent of total dwelling units be set aside for those making between 80 percent to 120 percent of the household median income in Montgomery County, which would equate to $75,000 to $112,000.

“In the coming weeks and months, the Board will carefully digest and review the presentation and seek the best path forward for our community,” said Board Chair Scott Badami. “A key part of this process is obtaining input from our community, and I look forward to hearing from neighbors at future Board meetings on this topic. We want to get this important issue right and the more participation we get, the better the outcome will be.”