SANATOGA PA – A well-known area consultant will be jointly hired by Lower Pottsgrove and Limerick (PA) townships to work on attracting new businesses to properties surrounding the Sanatoga interchange of U.S. Route 422, Lower Pottsgrove commissioners announced with certainty Thursday night (March 18, 2010).

The Sanatoga interchange at Route 422, as seen from overhead.

They were less specific, though, on exactly what types of firms they hoped to attract.

The Board of Commissioners, meeting in the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Pottstown PA, for the second time this month, unanimously agreed to spend $2,500 as its half of a $5,000 fee to be paid to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corp. (MCEDC) as a retainer to begin searching for what Commissioner James Phillips characterized as “the type of businesses that will best fit us.”

The start-up cost is so low, Phillips added, “that I think it’s a no-brainer for us to do it.” The agreement itself will be subject to review by township Solicitor R. Kurtz Holloway before being authorized.

Conversations about retaining MCEDC, headquartered outside Norristown, were said to be an outgrowth of the continuing working arrangement between the townships to determine the future of the interchange divided by their common boundary line. Development within Limerick’s portion has happened much more quickly, as evidenced by the Philadelphia Premium Outlets and the proposed Gateway At Sanatoga shopping center projects.

Lower Pottsgrove 18 months ago had almost finalized plans that detailed what kinds of development would be permissible or sought, and where it could be located, in what is commonly referred to as “the interchange district.” Their adoption has been delayed, however, as the two townships collaborate on what they hope will be a common goal, vision, and regulations for the surrounding acreage.

When pressed after the meeting to expand on that vision and identify what specific businesses he hoped to attract, Phillips first deferred the question to township Manager Rodney Hawthorne; then said, “what we know we don’t want there is more residential stuff;” and finally pointed to the Gateway project and its Costco wholesale store as suitable selections.

The township’s documented vision for the Sanatoga village district won it acclaim and awards in 2002, and set the stage for what past and present commissioners generally agree has become an attractive and well-organized business center lining both sides of East High Street. Residents who live in areas at the edge of the interchange have said they want something similar to guide development there.

Commision President Jonathan Spadt was absent from the meeting and did not vote.

Editor’s note: In the interest of full disclosure it should be noted that Post Managing Editor Joe Zlomek worked for several years during the 1990s as an independent contractor for the Montgomery County Industrial Development Corp., the predecessor to MCEDC.

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