Events - Candidates Forum

Kevin Byrne

How well do you think the current mix of businesses in Narberth is serving the community? If necessary, how might you improve it?

One of the impediments to having another restaurant in the Borough is the parking requirement. Would you be in favor of changing the parking ordinance to allow more flexibility in the uses of Narberth’s commercial properties?

Would you support a smoking ban in public places and businesses in the Borough?

Do you think Narberth's taxes are too high? If so, what programs and services you would reduce or eliminate in order toreduce property taxes?

Can you tell us about a specific personal experience that you believe will help you be an effective member of Borough Council, if elected?

Would you be in favor of selling permits to park on residential streets to commuters as means of generating additional income for the Borough and encouraging commuting?

Taxes are always a subject of great concern. Rather than addressing general thoughts on spending and tax levels, can you name one significant change you would propose and what effect would it have on the Borough's current taxes?

The residents in the Iona and Woodbine neighborhood have expressed several concerns about traffic. Several studies have been done yet nothing has changed. How do you propose we move from a problem to a solution?

Would you support a dedicated Environmental Committee on Borough Council like the Property and Health and Welfare committees?

What do you feel is the greatest challenge facing Narberth over the next three years?

Are you in favor of reconstructing the Rockland Avenue bridge to make it accessible to pedestrians?

Given the increased demand for property in the Borough and the aging of the housing stock, the likelihood of “teardowns” -- an older home sitting on a multi-lot property, torn down and replaced by two or more homes -- has increased. Do you see this as a problem, and, if so, what steps would you take to solve it?

Would you support a zoning overlay for the Haverford Avenue and Montgomery Avenue business districts similar to the Philadelphia’s Center City District? If so, why, and what elements would you see as forming part of that overlay? If no, why not?

Do you think the Borough Council minutes should be posted online to help keep residents better informed of the Council’s actions?

How do you think the Borough Council could better communicate with the residents about the issues it deals with and the decisions it has made?

Do you think that voters, by electing you to Borough Council, have entrusted you to make decisions without community input or do you think that community input is necessary before rendering major decisions?

Are you aware of the Mayor’s community policing initiative? If so, how do you think it is going?

What do you think is the biggest problem posed by the likely development of the Merriam Estate?

The Narberth Avenue Bridge is slated for repair or replacement within the next several years. The Borough of Narberth will be responsible for paying approximately five percent (5 %) of the gross cost of the multi-million dollar project. How do you think the Borough should handle funding this major one-time capital expenditure?

Given that Lower Merion Township surrounds the Borough, what is your philosophy in dealing with the Township’s elected officials?

The repair/replacement of the Narberth Avenue Bridge will have a major effect on traffic in the Borough and will greatly inconvenience Narberth residents and businesses. What ideas can you offer to make this major capital project go more smoothly from a traffic standpoint?

Narberth businesses have been lobbying for several years now for signage directing traffic from Montgomery Avenue and Lancaster Avenue toward our business districts. The Council allocated funds for gateway signage earlier this year but to date no signage has been installed. Should the installation of this signage be a priority for the Borough?

What attribute do you possess that will best assist you in being a member of Borough Council?

Do you think the Borough can make any improvement in the services it provides?

Do you think storm water management is an important issue for the Borough? Why or why not?

Narberth’s Open Space Plan was approved in March of 2006. Montgomery County allocated approximately $745,000 for purposes of the plan. If these funds are not used by 2010, the county may reallocate the funds to other jurisdictions as part of a second round of funding. What progress has the Borough made to date on the projects outlined in the Open Space Plan and how do you see these projects being funded over the next three years?

Do you have any ideas for increasing the Borough’s revenue without increasing property taxes?

Would you be in favor of a special and targeted tax on all property owners in the Borough directed to support our volunteer fire department?

The Borough’s zoning code, which governs land use, is currently under review. What changes to the code would you support and why?

Under the current version of Narberth Zoning Code, car-sharing services such as PhillyCarShare are considered commercial uses and, as such, are not permitted in residential districts. This means that PhillyCarShare cars cannot be parked outside the various apartment buildings in Narberth. Would you be in favor of revising the Zoning Code to allow car-sharing-service vehicles to be parked in residential districts?