Abington Township · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Abington public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Accessory Dwelling Unit and Residential Zoning Variances
Several property owners are seeking special exceptions and variances to construct accessory dwelling units, outbuildings, and new homes that depart from standard setbacks and lot coverage rules. These requests could influence neighborhood density and stormwater management across multiple wards.
1209 Rydal Road Conditional Use Denial
Residents strongly opposed a conditional use application for 1209 Rydal Road, leading the board to follow the hearing officer's recommendation and deny the request.
Sewer Connection and Right-of-Way Dispute at 1368 Valley Road
Homeowners on Stockton Road fought an indemnity agreement allowing a new Valley Road development to tie into their local sewer line, raising concerns about capacity and disruption.
Zoning Map Corrections Across 13 Wards
The township's zoning map has errors dating back years — homes zoned as parks, split-zoned lots, and mislabeled civic sites. Fixing the map should make permit applications less confusing for homeowners, without changing taxes or allowing new commercial uses on residential streets.
Ordinance revision discussions with Tri-State
The commission plans to invite Liz from Tri-State to a future meeting to discuss ordinance revisions — a step that could shape local human relations enforcement.
HRC Ordinance Refinement
After the Tri-State HRC coalition meeting, the commission plans training and a review of its own enabling ordinance with expert Liz Bradbury.
Vacant Property Registry and Ordinance Expansion
The town is keeping tabs on 17 vacant properties and exploring whether to expand vacant property rules to include residential homes. Officials want to address resident complaints about property upkeep and streamline waiver requests.