Narberth Coffee-Shop Supporters Bring Boilerplate to Council

Narberth's Borough Council was visited Monday night by several residents who support creating a zoning exception that would allow a traditional coffee shop to join the business district.

"We feel at present (Narberth) really lacks the kind of hangout space that would be offered by a coffee shop," said Miriam Shakow, the de facto leader of a movement she said has garnered more than 70 petition signatures.

Shakow brought a sample ordinance cobbled together from similar zoning exceptions found online. Though retail vacancies exist in Narberth, zoning rules demand restaurants have a certain amount of dedicated parking nearby, something that isn't feasible now.

And though a county planner is helping Narberth reconfigure its entire zoning code, those changes "wouldn't necessarily solve this particular issue," said Shakow, who began approaching the borough about this issue last year.

Council President Sam Quinn said he would pass the sample language to the Building and Zoning Committee for inspection.

"I know there's a lot of interest (in a coffee shop) in the town—there has been for years, to varying degrees," Quinn said. "If you feel like we’re not moving fast enough, you do what you did tonight. We know that there’s a segment that’s really looking forward to this, and let’s look at it."

Bob Weisbord, a newcomer to council leading its zoning panel, told residents there is much to consider.

"I don't know that the Building and Zoning Committee alone have the expertise to deal with this issue," Weisbord said. "You can get many good cups of coffee in Narberth, I think it's important to say. From what I can tell, there's a difference between a place that serves a cup of coffee and an item of food and what you're asking about; it's like a unique kind of establishment. I'm wondering if you could provide descriptions ... what makes those places different from any place you would buy a cup of coffee?"

The next Building and Zoning Committee meeting is tentatively scheduled for 6:45 p.m. April 2.