Towamencin Supervisors Hear Affordability Options for Housing

“We don’t need more housing,” an older resident named Barry Kenyon said as I left the Towamencin Supervisors meeting last week. 

On a night when the Montgomery County Planning Commission presented potential strategies to increase the local availability of workforce housing in this community of roughly 18,000 people, it’s fair to say the county visitors were not warmly greeted. 

During public comment, one resident described MCPC as an “outside agency with a regional agenda,” while another accused the board of “not listening.” 

It is worth noting that Towamencin Township has experienced a decent amount of change over the last year, and in my experience as a housing advocate, change scares some people. The supervisors’ board now has a Democratic majority, thanks to the election of newcomers Vanessa Gaynor and Courtney Morgan last November. On top of that political shift, the township’s central “third space” where people of all ages gathered – Freddy Hill – closed last year and is now the focal point of a large-scale residential development. 

At the June 10 meeting, several residents questioned where the county analysis came from. It’s quite simple: the supervisors asked for a Housing Attainability Zoing Audit last summer, at no cost to taxpayers. The end of this article contains screenshots from that presentation. 

“I do care about affordability and it’s something worth pursuing,” Supervisor Kofi Osei said, adding that it is clear to him that residents do not want the pursuit of more attainable housing to come at the expense of current residents’ quality of life. 

Both Osei and Gaynor made it clear to the assembled skeptics that they do not endorse one policy option outlined by MCPC staff members Ann Leavitt-Gruberger and David Greenberg:  Inclusionary Zoning. This policy tool compels developers to offer a set percentage of apartments at below-market rates. 

Gaynor was the first to offer supervisor comment after the presentation. 

“This is just a dicussion. These are some recommendations of things that could possibly be considered,” she said. “That does not mean they will all be taken by the board. I know that housing affordability is a really challenging problem.” 

Gaynor continued, “It’s not something that Towamencin itself will be able to address. I do think that some of these options will help us meet other goals that we have. “ (citing the recently adopted fair housing ordinance and possible minimum lot size changes to preserve open space). Osei also endorsed taking a look at parking minimums, residential setback requirements, and lot sizes. All three could contribute to the future preservation of more open space, he said. 

Bruce Bailey spoke during public comment and encouraged residents to attend the Environmental Advisory Council meetings. While he was speaking about a landscape ordinance amendment, his message rings true on housing affordability. 

“I know as an American, we feel like we bought a quarter acre and that land is our land all the way down to the center of the planet. We own that triangle,” Bailey said. “I also know that I’m just another species on the planet. If I don’t take care of the planet, my kids, my grandkids won’t be able to enjoy the planet.” 

I agree, Bruce, we can make room for all on this planet, especially the essential workers that power our local economy like teachers, service workers, public safety, and much more.