About

Project Overview 

The zoning ordinance update includes several major steps, including reviewing, updating, and reorganizing the ordinance for clarity, identifying missing or outdated standards, and introducing new provisions to address priorities outlined in the Comprehensive Plan (Haverford 2035), such as mixed-use development, sustainability, and preserving neighborhood character.

Leadership and Purpose 

The zoning ordinance is one of a municipality’s most important tools, ensuring that its land-use regulations reflect the values, priorities, and long-term vision of the community as reflected in Haverford 2035.

The Haverford Township Board of Commissioners initiated this update in early 2025 to:

• Modernize the ordinance to reflect current-day needs and standards.

• Align residential and business development standards with the goals established in Haverford 2035.

• Clarify and streamline the requirements for residents, institutions, and businesses so that they are more user-friendly.

• Provide updated requirements to guide the Township’s Zoning Hearing Board’s decision-making.

The last full update of the zoning ordinance was more than three decades ago, though incremental changes have been made. This effort represents a major opportunity to create a zoning ordinance that truly supports the Township’s future.

Rezoning Process 

The zoning update will go through a structured two-phase process; the Township will first improve the document's usability before moving on to substantive policy updates based on direct public feedback. The Township is currently working on Phase 1:Reformatting & Initial Updates. Those interested in receiving email updates, can sign up by adding their email to Subscribe at the bottom of the contact page or home page.

Phase 1: Reformatting & Initial Updates (Complete): The Township is undertaking a structured two-phase zoning update designed to modernize its regulatory framework and align it with long-term policy goals. Phase 1 is complete and focused on technical reformatting and improving document usability. This initial stage involved reorganizing the existing ordinance to be more user-friendly through updated definitions, new illustrations, and clearer tables. While this phase did not involve major policy shifts, it established a consistent foundation for future revisions.

Phase 2: Substantive Updates (In Progress): Phase 2 will shift toward substantive ordinance changes that directly advance the goals of the Township’s Comprehensive Plan. This stage will involve a deep dive into commercial and mixed-use districts, evaluating current land-use standards to ensure they support the community's vision for growth and development. More information about what will be address in Phase 2 is available here. To ensure these changes reflect local needs, the Township has planned an extensive engagement strategy including interactive public workshops, guided walking tours of key commercial areas, and an interactive, online survey (more here). This collaborative approach allows residents to provide feedback on specific standards, such as building heights and permitted uses, before the final draft moves toward formal adoption.

Engagement

The substantive updates will be accompanied by a public engagement process. The following outlines the current engagement plan. However, the Township may adjust its engagement strategy in response to the technical work as well as community needs.

Public Workshops

The Township has contracted for three public meetings related to the substantive updates. The first meeting will focus on gathering community input and presenting key findings from the technical analysis. A second meeting will focus on a framework of proposed zoning changes. The third meeting will focus on presenting proposed changes.

Meetings will be interactive sessions that will explore different technical zoning questions, including adjustments to permitted uses, bulk and height standards, as well as supplemental uses.

Walking Tours

The Township will host a limited set of guided tours of specific areas in the Township to assess current conditions and discuss future possibilities. The walking tours will focus on the commercial and mixed-use zones that are identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Space for the walking tours will be limited and those interested in participating should make sure to sign up for project updates so they are notified when those tours will be conducted.

Online Survey

While public meetings are excellent ways of gathering in-person feedback, not everyone has time to attend a meeting. The Township will release a survey that will allow those unable to attend the first workshop the opportunity to provide their input.

Email Comments

Throughout the process, you should feel free to send the project team emails at info@haverfordzoning.com. You can also use the form on the contact page. While we cannot promise to questions directly, we will take any suggestions or questions under advisement. If you have specific comments about the ordinance, we strongly encourage you to reference section numbers so we can review your comment in context.

Planning and Commissioner Meetings

Once the Township has a draft of the ordinance, it will begin the adoption process. As part of that process, the Township will host Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners meetings during which time the public will have an opportunity to provide comment and feedback.

Steering Committee and Project Team

To guide the process, the Board has appointed a Steering Committee to serve as the link between our technical experts and the community, ensuring the project remains inclusive, transparent, and accountable.

In January 2025, the Board of Commissioners engaged FHI Studio (now part of IMEG) to handle the technical work and guide the process. Their responsibilities include reorganizing and clarifying the existing ordinance, correcting errors and inconsistencies, introducing new standards where needed, and managing a comprehensive public engagement process. That process will include surveys, workshops, and walking tours so that residents and stakeholders have a direct voice in shaping the final product.

Ultimately, the Steering Committee and Project Team will present their recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for final review and consideration.