Norristown board approves church’s request to host weekly farmers market

The Norristown Zoning Hearing Board voted unanimously to approve a variance that will allow the Church of God Seventh Day Reformed Inc. to run a weekly farmers market on church-owned parking at 1300 DeKalb Street.

Counsel for the church told the board the proposal is “community focused” and “low impact,” and said the market would operate April through November on Fridays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. He summarized logistics: vendors will bring temporary tables and awnings, the church will provide on-site oversight for parking and cleanup, a rented dumpster will be placed Friday and removed Sunday, and porta‑potties will be provided per county guidance. “This is going to be limited to the months of April to November and only a Friday … and a Sunday from 10AM to 1PM. Period,” counsel said.

The applicant said they expect about 10–15 vendors and generally 20–40 attendees at a time, and that vendors will be screened for local, primarily Montgomery County, participation. Church member Leroy Bonaparte, sworn as a witness, confirmed the description and measurements of the parking area and said the church will enforce cleanup and safety procedures.

Municipal staff confirmed the lot is in the OCR district and described the proposal as a permitted temporary-use request for the parking area; the applicant said they had consulted the Montgomery County Office of Public Health and an inspector identified as Anita Capone about vendor licensure and mobile-vendor guidelines.

A neighbor, Aretha Phils, testified in support, describing the market as a potential local source of nutritious food in an area she characterized as a “food desert.” After closing public comment the board closed the hearing and voted to grant the requested relief; the board recorded the motion as carried 5–0.

The approval is subject to standard permits and compliance with county health requirements for vendors. The applicant and municipal staff said they will follow applicable licensing rules and that vendors must meet county sanitation and licensure standards.