{"id":222119,"date":"2026-06-18T10:03:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:03:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/222119\/"},"modified":"2026-06-18T10:03:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T10:03:08","slug":"narberth-residents-are-divided-on-proposed-housing-density-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/222119\/","title":{"rendered":"Narberth residents are divided on proposed housing density changes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hi, Lower Merion<\/a>! \ud83d\udc4b<\/p>\n

As Narberth weighs zoning changes to up housing density, residents are divided on the pros and cons. Here\u2019s what to know<\/a>. Also this week, we get to know the local dads and granddads gaining internet fame for their a cappella stylings<\/a>, a Villanova estate gets preserved<\/a>, plus the iconic local sip<\/a> you can find nearby. <\/p>\n

Have a question about town? Submit it to Curious Lower Merion<\/a> and one of our reporters might track down the answer.<\/p>\n

\"Inquirer<\/p>\n

Inquirer Lower Merion<\/p>\n

A Weekly Newsletter<\/p>\n

Want to get Inquirer Lower Merion straight to your inbox every week? Sign up here for our guide to the news, stories, and events shaping life in your community.<\/p>\n

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As housing costs continue to outpace affordability, a debate has sparked in Narberth about what, if anything, the borough should do to help combat the crisis. <\/p>\n

Narberth has become increasingly expensive, recording the highest median housing sales price in Montgomery County in 2024. <\/p>\n

Last year, borough council asked its planning commission to study possible zoning changes to increase affordable housing, and the commission came back with several suggestions. While nothing has been decided, and likely won\u2019t be for months, residents have decidedly mixed feelings. <\/p>\n

Some say increasing housing density and incentivizing developers to include affordable units would help ease the burden on those otherwise priced out. Others worry it\u2019s a misguided effort that could exacerbate parking woes and reshape the community\u2019s identity without really addressing the problem. <\/p>\n

The Inquirer\u2019s Denali Sagner spoke with residents about both the positives and negatives<\/a>. <\/p>\n

A group of mostly middle-aged Main Line fathers and grandfathers are going viral for their harmonizing. <\/p>\n

Known as the Tonics, the a capella group has gained a global audience thanks to videos of their riffs circulating online. The group has even caught the attention of some big names, including Gigi Hadid and Michael Bubl\u00e9. <\/p>\n

Most of the group\u2019s 19 members hail from around the Main Line, including Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Wayne. <\/p>\n

The Inquirer\u2019s Dugan Arnett delves into their history and how they\u2019ve charmed audiences worldwide<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udca1 Community News<\/p>\n

Reminder for residents: There will be no trash or recycling pickup and the township offices will be closed<\/a> tomorrow for Juneteenth. See how your pickup could be impacted here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The township is hosting a capital improvement plan workshop<\/a> Wednesday at 6 p.m. The meeting will also be streamed live and is accessible via Zoom.<\/p>\n

The 13-acre Oakwell estate in Villanova is officially preserved after two nonprofits, Natural Lands and the Wyncote Foundation, purchased it in two parcels for a combined $13 million. Situated adjacent to Stoneleigh, the property will now be incorporated into the 42-acre public garden<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The average starter home in Villanova clocks in with a value of $1 million or more, according to new data from Zillow \u2014 about five times the national average. Villanova is the only community in the state to carry the distinction of having starter home pricing that high. The Inquirer\u2019s Michaelle Bond explains the uptick<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The community is mourning the death of Bryn Mawr resident Bennett L. Aaron<\/a>, who died earlier this month at the age of 92. Aaron was a longtime lawyer, honorary trustee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, and former president of the Federation of Jewish Agencies of Greater Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

Gladwyne Fire Company is hosting a free car seat safety check event<\/a> Tuesday from 9 a.m. to noon at the fire house. Advanced registration is required. <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfeb Schools Briefing<\/p>\n

The district\u2019s school board voted to repeal its existing technology policy earlier this week, to the frustration of parents who don\u2019t want their kids on district-issued devices. The move could mean the district is no longer required to accommodate families who don\u2019t sign electronic device use agreements as many are pushing to limit school-related screen time for their kids<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf7d\ufe0f On our Plate<\/p>\n

Last week, The Inquirer dropped its list of the 76 most iconic dishes in the region<\/a> and there\u2019s a local tie among them. Ranking at No. 15 is La Colombe\u2019s draft latte, a portable version of the \u201cfrothy, stylish cold coffee,\u201d reporter Michael Klein says. You can get it in many area stores, as well as at La Colombe\u2019s Bryn Mawr cafe. <\/p>\n

After much anticipation, The Buttery<\/a> is opening its newest outpost in Bryn Mawr this weekend. Located at 836 Lancaster Ave. in the former Kindred Collective space, The Buttery will host a grand opening Saturday complete with giveaways and a special pastry. The new location has seating for 82 people and will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfb3 Things to Do<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfb6 Bryn Mawr Twilight Concerts<\/a>: There are two shows this weekend, starting with indie pop singer\/songwriter Marielle Kraft and songwriter Kevin Walkman on Friday<\/a>. On Saturday, Livingston Taylor<\/a>, who wrote Top-40 hits for his brother James Taylor, takes the stage. \u23f0 Friday, June 19, 7 p.m., and Saturday, June 20, 7 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $25.88, free for kids 12 and under \ud83d\udccd Bryn Mawr Gazebo<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf66 Father\u2019s Day Ice Cream Social<\/a>: Celebrate dad at Harriton House\u2019s annual event, which includes yard games, crafts, and, of course, ice cream. \u23f0 Sunday, June 21, 1-4 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 $6.98-$12.16, free for dads \ud83d\udccd Harriton House<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udf5b Coconut and Turmeric Chickpea Curry with Mrs. Mayuri<\/a>: Learn to the make this dish and then sample it. Registration is required. \u23f0 Wednesday, June 24, 5-6:30 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free \ud83d\udccd Ardmore Library<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfb5 Music in the Park<\/a>: The next concert features country singer\/songwriter Craig Bickhardt. \u23f0 Wednesday, June 24, 7 p.m. \ud83d\udcb5 Free \ud83d\udccd Narberth Park gazebo <\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfe1 On the Market<\/p>\n

A four-bedroom Penn Valley home with a basketball hoop<\/a><\/p>\n

Built in 1948, this home gives a nod to the past thanks to its classic stone exterior, while the interior is contemporary. It has formal living and dining rooms, the latter with a cool chandelier, a den, a family room, a bonus room, and an eat-in kitchen. There are four bedrooms upstairs and additional living space in the finished basement. Outside, there\u2019s a patio and a basketball hoop.<\/p>\n

See more photos of the home here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Price: $1.199M | Size: 3,074 SF | Acreage: 0.65<\/p>\n

\ud83d\uddde\ufe0f What other Lower Merion residents are reading this week:<\/p>\n

By submitting your written, visual, and\/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer\u2019s Terms of Use<\/a>, including the grant of rights in Section 10.<\/p>\n

This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirer\u2019s high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com\/donate<\/a>. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org\/supporters<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Hi, Lower Merion! \ud83d\udc4b As Narberth weighs zoning changes to up housing density, residents are divided on the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":222120,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[183,185,184,186,96669],"class_list":["post-222119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-lower-merion","tag-lower-merion","tag-lower-merion-headlines","tag-lower-merion-news","tag-lower-merion-township","tag-narberth-housing-zoning-debate-the-tonics-a-cappella"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=222119"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/222119\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/222120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=222119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=222119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=222119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}