WEST NORRITON — Talks are ongoing about a proposed state institution overlay district at the Norristown State Hospital grounds. The state institution overlay district is being discussed for the grounds of Norristown State Hospital. The discussion is expected to continue at an upcoming West Norriton Township Board of Commissioners meeting next week.
The zoning change would allow several “permitted uses” on the state-owned property in West Norriton Township, with renovating an existing forensic unit being a top priority.
West Norriton Township Manager Jason Bobst discussed the minimal nature of the overlay in terms of zoning, but emphasized the importance of the township having control and a say in the process.
If approved, the proposed state institution overlay district would be an “overlay to the underlying rural residence district,” with boundaries located near Norristown Farm Park and the Municipality of Norristown.
According to Bobst, the current state-run psychiatric facility has a 100-bed occupancy, and officials are expecting demolition due to aging infrastructure and a 2017 settlement agreement with the ACLU. A rendering shown in March 2024 depicts the Norristown State Hospital grounds. Bobst mentioned that state officials presented a “sketch” for the Southeastern PA Psychiatric Treatment Center about 18 months ago, and plans for the new 420-bed facility would require a phased approach.
Bobst explained that any action from the board would involve a 30-day advertisement, additional notification, and a public hearing. He anticipated a motion to advertise the ordinance in May and a hearing and vote to adopt in June.
According to Bobst, the state is willing to work with the neighbors and solicit public input in the design and operation process for the new facility.
Aside from planned demolition, construction may not begin immediately due to the need for approvals such as preliminary land development and zoning considerations. Bobst predicted that construction might not start until early 2025.
The main focus is the 420-bed forensic unit, with other proposed uses including hospitals, mental health facilities, practitioner offices, county and state offices, police offices, nonprofit entities, and a homeless shelter or short-term residential space.
West Norriton has been mentioned in reports of the
county homelessness task force.
A report revealed plans to partner with Lansdale, as well as Lower Merion, Upper Moreland and West Norriton townships to further efforts to assist the homeless. Recommendations for a 30-to-35-bed shelter potentially within the township’s section of Norristown State Hospital land were suggested in West Norriton Township to help “those living in encampments,” according to county documents. Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center
was located on the Norristown State Hospital grounds in Norristown. The facility effectively closed when the lease expired in June 2022, and no new facility has been built.
The No formal plans have been presented to West Norriton Township officials at this time. Bobst said state or county funding would be crucial for development. “With the conditional use process, we can control the hours of operation, level of security, and the types of services offered,” he said. “We don’t want this to simply be a homeless shelter or transitional housing, we want it to be like a triage center where people can access services, assistance with job searches, and help with finding housing.”
“It’s more than just a shelter,” he continued. “It’s a service center in a way, and we have not had any conversations on who would operate this, or where it would be on the property, but we have the ability to plan for it. So that’s why we want to try to do it now.”
A similar project was previously on the docket before the Lower Providence Township officials, but elected officials paused proceedings last week on zoning considerations related to the short term housing facility in Eagleville after the proposal was met with staunch opposition from area residents.
But Bobst said he doesn’t necessarily expect the same in his township due to the original framework of the Norristown State Hospital as West Norriton Township houses “the active remaining side of the hospital property.”
“This is an active hospital that had a homeless shelter on it previously,” he said. “So I don’t think the use is going to scare anyone, so to speak. But again, we want to put the guardrails in place (so) that we can address those concerns now with the zoning we’re going to put in place to say this is not just something that can come in here. We’re going to have a review process. There’s still land development. There’s a lot of things where the community will still have a say.”
The next West Norriton Township Board of Commissioners work session is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 7. Visit westnorritontwp.org for more information.
“I think the overlay it’s very minimal in the grand scheme of things when it comes to a zoning overlay, but it at least puts the township in the driver’s seat when it comes to control and having a say in the process. We’re at least protecting our voice in that process,” says West Norriton Township Manager Jason Bobst
The next West Norriton Township Board of Commissioners work session is scheduled for 7 p.m. on May 7. Visit westnorritontwp.org for more information.
