For detailed information on the work of the WCGN Zoning and Land Use Planning Committee, download our Zoning Committee Info pdf.

WCGN’s Zoning and Land Use Planning Committee (the “Committee”) has been active in zoning matters affecting this cherished area for decades, and has continued in that capacity as an approved “Registered Community Organization” (RCO) since implementation of the new zoning regulations in 2013.

As an RCO, WCGN is notified by the City’s Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) of all applications for relief from City zoning regulations (i.e. for zoning “variances” or “special exceptions”) pertaining to properties in our area. We then arrange an RCO meeting time suitable to the applicant, to WCGN, and to WCGN’s fellow-RCOs with overlapping coverage.

After that, the applicant (normally either a homeowner or a developer) seeking the variance is required to notify “near neighbors”—owners of properties within 250 feet of the property in question—of the time and place of the RCO meeting. Meanwhile, WCGN notifies its constituency by sending a Newsletter or Newsflash to the community and by posting an announcement on this website. And we try to ascertain that the paper notices mailed by the applicant do not inadvertently exclude any near neighbors.

The RCO/applicant meetings begin with a presentation of plans by the applicant(s), followed by questions from the committee and neighbors in attendance. The applicant and their representative(s) are then asked to leave the meeting, whereupon the committee and neighbors have a further opportunity to discuss the matter, and then vote by secret ballot. WCGN communicates the outcome of the vote to the ZBA in writing, and impacted neighbors are encouraged to do the same.

West Central Germantown Neighbors (WCGN) represents approximately 1,000 households in the area bounded by the north side of Chelten Avenue, the west side of Germantown Avenue, the south side of Washington Lane, and the east side of the Chestnut Hill West railroad line, with the addition of Four Freedoms House on Morris Street on the west side of the railroad line.

Our zoning-specific public meetings are held on an ad hoc basis as zoning matters arise, typically the evening of the first Wednesday of every month, at the Germantown Community Presbyterian Church at the corner of Greene and Tulpehocken Streets. The zoning committee may schedule other meetings as needed. If you wish to receive notice of such meetings, please sign up for the WCGN newsletter and/or check this website.

WCGN has adopted general protocols for how it conducts RCO meetings, which can be found here. There are additional instructions for virtual RCO meetings, which can be found here.

WCGN has established “Guidelines of Development”, outlining WCGN’s vision for development, which can be found here. This document should give prospective developers a sense of what choices WCGN is likely to support and what sorts of plans it is likely to oppose.

If you have questions about a possible zoning variance or special exception, or would like to volunteer for the zoning committee, please email Bob Lane at: wcgnboard@gmail.com.