The Sanatoga Post

POTTSTOWN PA – Business owners who have been forced to cut training resources from their budgets due to the tight economy get an opportunity Friday (Sept. 24, 2010) to send their employees to an afternoon of personal and professional enrichment sponsored by the TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber foundation’s Leadership Tri-County Class is presenting an “Emerging Leaders Conference” on Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Pottstown (West) campus of Montgomery County Community College, College Drive, Pottstown PA. Tickets cost $25 per person, and participants can register by calling 610-326-5158 or online at the chamber website, here.

The afternoon development session “is a win-win for both businesses and employees,” chamber representatives say.  Three different break-out groups will cover topics intended to help employees work together and businesses to grow, while discussing community needs as well. Lunch and refreshments are included in the event.

Sponsors of the conference include the college, Exelon, Susquehanna Bank, and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

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SANATOGA PA – The proposed Bella Italia Pizza restaurant that owners hope to have built at 2209 E. High St., Pottstown PA, just west of the now-closed Rite-Aid store at East High and North Pleasant View Road, received preliminary land development approval Monday (Sept. 20, 2010) from the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Planning Commission. However, it’s unlikely to move off the drawing board for awhile yet, everyone involved agrees.

Use of this alley, seen from its east end and looking west toward Sunnyside Avenue, must be resolved before an Italian restaurant facing East High Street, proposed by Cilluffo Property Holdings LLC, can receive final approval.

The project probably won’t be a candidate for final approval – the step that takes it to construction – until Cilluffo Property Holdings LLC signs an agreement with at least three neighboring property owners over the restaurant’s use for exiting traffic of an alley that runs west to Sunnyside Avenue.

In plans that commissioners have seen over several months, Cilluffo hopes to build a 4,500-square-foot building on the property, facing East High Street and with both entrances and exits to East High. The building would contain the restaurant, of 2,500-square-feet, and two smaller offices available for lease. A 900-square-foot patio, complete with water fountain, would be located outside the restaurant for diners to enjoy at adjacent tables.

Planners have said they are happy with the design. The township’s engineers, Bursich Associates, indicates it is satisfied with many structural changes Cilluffo made at its request. Zoning variances have been approved, and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation permits for highway access are expected.

“The elephant in the room,” commissioner Chairman Geoffrey Dailey noted, “is still the alley.”

Because neither the developer or any of the adjoining property owners holds title to the alley, all of them can claim rights to its use up to its center, Cilluffo attorney Amee Farrell of Blue Bell PA explained. She said the company is negotiating with its neighbors for a “restrictions and covenants easement” that would allow the restaurant to use the alley as a secondary exit way for vehicular traffic.

That document, once signed, should allay township concerns over the potential for disputes regarding or blockages in the alley, Farrell added. “The prudent approach will be to come to an agreement with those who have equal access,” she noted. The alley itself also would be improved to meet Lower Pottsgrove road construction standards.

Planners decided to offer preliminary approval to, as Farrell put it, “give the agreement some momentum” and “help move the process along with our neighbors.”

“That’s fine,” Dailey responded, “but just so we’re clear, the alley’s still on the table. You’re going to find it difficult to win final approval without it.”

Related:

• Alley To Sunnyside Ave. ‘Elephant’ In Restaurant Plans
• Restaurant, Doctors’ Office Return To Planning Board
• Owners Ask For Restaurant Variance Extensions
• Planners Hear More About Proposed Pizza Restaurant
• Pizzeria Owner Has History Of Restaurant Development
• Restaurant, Ringing Projects Win Conditional Uses
• Ringing Rocks, Restaurant Hearing Topics Tonight
• Pizzeria Planned Next To Sanatoga Rite-Aid

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Planning Commission meeting of Sept. 20):

• Alley To Sunnyside Ave. ‘Elephant’ In Restaurant Plans
• Restaurant, Doctors’ Office Return To Planning Board

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RELOCATING PIPELINE AT SANATOGA GATEWAY PROJECT – As part of the groundwork for construction of the new Costco Wholesale retail store at the Gateway At Sanatoga shopping center, on the Limerick (PA) Township (east) side of Evergreen Road, crews this week and last have been busy laying new pipeline to divert an existing main for products of Sunoco Petroleum. The pipeline previously crossed a portion of the property where Costco intends to create a parking lot. It reached agreement with Sunoco – as part of its planning process with Limerick – to move the pipe further west toward Evergreen Road.

Related (to the Gateway At Sanatoga project):

• Pipeline Being Moved At Sanatoga Gateway
• What Gateway At Sanatoga Marketing Says About Us
• Before Demise, Limerick Homes Get Firefighters’ Farewell
• Ground Clearing Begins At Sanatoga “Gateway”
• Developer Sets New Costco Date: Spring 2011
• New Activity Stirs For Gateway At Sanatoga Project
• Costco Approved Without Traffic Improvements (WhatsThe422.com)
• Sanatoga Gateway Endorsed By Limerick Planners (WhatsThe422.com)
• Sanatoga Project Faces Limerick Zoning Decisions
• Sanatoga Shopping Project On Limerick Zoning Agenda
• More Web Searches Seek ‘Sanatoga Springs’
• Board Approves Interchange Mapping Costs
• Sanatoga Springs Promotion In Flux
• Townships Agree To Interchange Planning
• Township Interviews For ‘Bigger Picture’
• Missing Walks Latest Bridge Complaint
• Trying, Trying Again At The Interchange
• Just One Speaker At Sanatoga Springs Hearing
• The Overlooked Users Of Sanatoga Springs
• County Suggests Cooperation On Sanatoga Springs
• Improving The Odds At The Interchange
• More About … Sanatoga Springs (No. 1 In A Series)
• Trial Balloon: An Inter-Municipal Agreement
• Lobbyists Court Lower Pottsgrove
• A New Arrival In “Sanatoga Springs”

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Members of the Pottsgroves American Legion Post served Sept. 11 in a color guard for the Open Doors community day event in Pottstown.

STOWE PA -There’s plenty to be talked about Thursday (Sept. 23, 2010) at 7:30 p.m., when members of the Sanatoga-based Brig. Gen. Elmer S. Friedberg American Legion Post 244 gather for their September meeting in St. Gabriel Lodge, at the corner of Jefferson Street and Grosstown Road, Stowe PA. Veterans of the Legion so far have had a very busy month.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

Post members Commander Ed Clark, Adjutant Billy Worrell, Larry McCann and Chuck Kropp (in photos above and below) were on hand to serve as one of two color guards available for the Open Doors community day event Sept. 11 (2010) in Pottstown PA. It included a solemn ceremony commemorating those who lost their lives during terrorist attacks in New York City.

Paying homage to the fallen of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Then on Sunday (Sept. 19), Post members were again in attendance for the annual POW-MIA Recognition Day ceremonies held at the Vietnam War memorial in Memorial Park, West King Street, Pottstown, by the Friends of The Forgotten.

And as they do six times a year, Post members were busy during August (photo at bottom) conducting Bingo games for residents of the Southeastern Veterans Center in Spring City PA. The bi-monthly games are organized, operated, and supplied with prizes by the Post at no cost to the center or participants. The next games are scheduled for Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. in the center.

Photos supplied by American Legion Post Adjutant Billy Worrell

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SANATOGA PA – A well child clinic conducted by staff members of the Visiting Nurse Association of Pottstown will be held Thursday (Sept. 23) from 8:30-10:15 a.m. at the VNA Building, 1963 E. High St., Pottstown PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

VNA programs receive annual financial support from Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township.

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An artist's rendering of the facade for Bella Italia Pizza that will face East High Street in Sanatoga. The proposal is back to the Planning Commission.

SANATOGA PA – Some familiar projects for new business locations – specifically, for a restaurant on East High Street and for a physician’s office building on Medical Drive – both reappear on the agenda of tonight’s (Monday, Sept. 20, 2010) Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Planning Commission meeting. The board’s discussions, which are open to the public, start at 6:30 p.m. in the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Pottstown PA.

Planners are expected to again review a proposal to build a 2,500-square-foot Italian foods restaurant with a 900-square-foot outdoor patio, and two adjacent 1,000-square-foot offices, at 2209 E. High St. The Bella Italia Restaurant plans have been before the planners, then the Board of Commissioners, then the Zoning Hearing Board, and are now back to the planners for preliminary land development acceptance.

If the Planning Commission likes what it sees, the project goes back to the Board of Commissioners for final approval, and then, maybe, construction will get under way.

Planners also are scheduled to review a minor land development plan submitted for the Women’s Medical Center, 1597 Medical Dr. It proposes to demolish the existing 5,025-square-foot building there and construct a two-story, 10,212-square-foot medical office building. Minor improvements also would be made to the parking lot and driveway. Far less detailed plans were first brought to the board a few months ago.

With the impending departure from the board of Chairman Geoffrey Dailey, commissioners also plan to elect a new chairman and vice chairman.

Related:

• Restaurant, Doctors’ Office Return To Planning Board
• Owners Ask For Restaurant Variance Extensions
• Planners Hear More About Proposed Pizza Restaurant
• Pizzeria Owner Has History Of Restaurant Development
• Restaurant, Ringing Projects Win Conditional Uses
• Ringing Rocks, Restaurant Hearing Topics Tonight
• Pizzeria Planned Next To Sanatoga Rite-Aid

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Planning Commission meeting of Sept. 20):

• Restaurant, Doctors’ Office Return To Planning Board

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They paid how much?

POTTSTOWN PA – The top price paid for real estate within Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township from March 22-June 9, 2010, was $410,000, the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reports. The property is located at 982 Ivy Ln.

Also listed was 7 Augusta Dr., $265,000.

This week’s top reported prices were listed Sunday (Sept. 19, 2010) in “The Top 50,” the newspaper’s weekly review of highest prices paid for real estate sold within the city of Philadelphia and townships in its surrounding counties.

By contrast, during the same period, the top real estate sales price in Pottstown PA Borough, immediately to the west was $235,000; Limerick PA Township, east, $340,000; New Hanover PA Township, northeast, $308,609; Upper Pottsgrove PA Township, west, $194,900; and in North Coventry PA Township, south, none listed.

Across all of Montgomery County, the highest-priced property sold during the period went for $1,775,000, at 144 Knightsbridge, Lower Merion PA.

Related:

• What They Sold For, March 22-June 9, 2010
• What They Sold For, March 15-June 4, 2010
• What They Sold For, March 1-May 19, 2010
• What They Sold For, April 8-May 15, 2010
• What They Sold For, April 5-May 12, 2010
• What They Sold For, March 29-May 7, 2010
• What They Sold For, March 22-April 30, 2010
• What They Sold For, March 8-April 16, 2010
• What They Sold For, Feb. 8-March 24, 2010
• What They Sold For, Feb. 1-March 19 2010
• What They Sold For, Dec. 28, 2009-Feb. 5, 2010
• What They Sold For, Dec. 21, 2009-Jan. 29, 2010
• What They Sold For, Dec. 7, 2009-Jan. 15, 2010
• What They Sold For, Nov. 28, 2009-Jan. 8, 2010
• What They Sold For, Nov. 23-Dec. 31, 2009
• What They Sold For, Nov. 16-Dec. 25, 2009
• What They Sold For, Nov. 9-Dec. 18, 2009
• What They Sold For, Nov. 5-Dec. 9, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 26-Dec. 3, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 20-Nov. 27, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 15-Nov. 24, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 8-Nov. 18, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 7-Nov. 11, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 1-Nov. 4, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 26-28, 2009
• What They Sold For, Sept. 27-Oct. 23, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 12-16, 2009
• What They Sold For, Oct. 5-9, 2009
• What They Sold For, Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 2009
• What They Sold For, Sept. 14-18, 2009
• What They Sold For, Aug. 26-31, 2009
• What They Sold For, Aug. 20-25, 2009
• What They Sold For, Aug. 13-19, 2009
• What They Sold For, Aug. 5-12, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 29-Aug. 4, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 24-28, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 20-23, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 13-17, 2009
• What They Sold For, July 6-10, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 29-July 3, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 22-26, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 15-19, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 8-12, 2009
• What They Sold For, June 1-5, 2009

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GVFTMA Assistant Director Maureen Farrell presents a Platinum-level Sustainability Award to Don Jacobs, representing Traffic Planning and Design.

SANATOGA PA – Platinum-level recognition, the highest in the first annual sustainability awards recently presented by the Greater Valley Forge Transportation Management Association to companies that provide and promote commuting alternatives for their employees and community, has been won by Traffic Planning and Design Inc. of Sanatoga PA.

Among others receiving the award was the Valley Forge National Historical Park in King of Prussia PA.

GVFTMA is a not-for-profit transportation management association dedicated to reducing congestion and enhancing mobility in the region. The awards were presented during a breakfast at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in King of Prussia, and featured area Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz as its guest speaker.

• Watch a video of the congresswoman’s remarks at GVFTMA’s YouTube account, here.

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POTTSTOWN PA – On the Pottsgrove School District sports schedule for today (Monday, Sept. 20, 2010) through next Monday (Sept. 27):

Today (Monday, Sept. 20)

• Girls Varsity Tennis @ Lansdale Catholic, 3:30 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Tennis @ Lansdale Catholic, 3:30 p.m.
• Boys Junior Varsity Football vs. Boyertown, 3:45 p.m.
• Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Spring-Ford HS, 4 p.m.
• Boys Junior Varsity Soccer vs. Spring-Ford HS, 4 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey vs. Spring-Ford HS, 5 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Soccer @ Spring-Ford HS, 5:30 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Soccer @ Spring-Ford HS, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 21

• Boys Varsity Golf vs. Upper Perkiomen, 3 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Tennis vs. Perkiomen Valley, 3:30 p.m.
• Boys 8th Football vs. Owen J Roberts, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Soccer @ Mount St. Joseph Academy, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls Freshman Field Hockey @ Perkiomen Valley, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Soccer @ Mount St. Joseph Academy, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey vs. Spring-Ford HS, 4 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Field Hockey vs. Spring-Ford HS, 5:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 22

• Boys 8th Soccer vs. Boyertown West, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls 8th Soccer @ Boyertown West, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Field Hockey @ Boyertown, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls 8th Field Hockey @ Boyertown West, 3:45 p.m.
• Coed Varsity Cross Country vs. Upper Perkiomen, 4 p.m.
• Coed Varsity Cross Country vs. Pope John Paul ll High School, 4 p.m.
• Boys 7th Soccer vs. Boyertown West, 4:45 p.m.
• Girls 7th Soccer @ Boyertown West, 4:45 p.m.
• Girls 7th Field Hockey @ Boyertown West, 4:45 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey @ Boyertown, 5 p.m.
• Boys Junior Varsity Soccer @ Boyertown, 5:30 p.m.
• Boys Varsity Soccer @ Boyertown, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 23

• Boys Varsity Golf @ Owen J Roberts, 3 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Tennis @ Pope John Paul ll High School, 3:30 p.m.
• Boys Freshman Football @ Methacton High School, 3:45 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 24

• Boys Varsity Soccer @ Perkiomen Valley, 4 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Perkiomen Valley, 4 p.m.
• Boys Junior Varsity Soccer @ Perkiomen Valley, 4 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Soccer vs. Perkiomen Valley, 4 p.m.
• Girls 7th Field Hockey vs. Boyertown East, 4:45 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey @ Perkiomen Valley, 5 p.m.
• Boys Varsity Football vs. Perkiomen Valley, 7 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Field Hockey @ Perkiomen Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 25

• Coed Varsity Cross Country @ Wild Safari Invitational at Great Adventure, 8 a.m.

Sunday, Sept. 26

• None scheduled

Monday, Sept. 27

• Boys Junior Varsity Football @ Perkiomen Valley, 3:45 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Field Hockey vs. Owen J Roberts, 3:45 p.m.
• Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Owen J Roberts, 4 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Field Hockey vs. Owen J Roberts, 5 p.m.
• Boys Junior Varsity Soccer vs. Owen J Roberts, 5:30 p.m.
• Girls Junior Varsity Soccer @ Owen J Roberts, 5:30 p.m.
• Girls Varsity Soccer @ Owen J Roberts, 7 p.m.

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KING OF PRUSSIA PA – A 7-hour fair intended to introduce PECO energy customers – which include many Lower Pottsgrove, Limerick and Pottstown PA area residents – to new and existing electric generation suppliers will be held Wednesday (Sept. 22, 2010) from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel, 1160 First Ave., King of Prussia PA.

• This event has been added to The Post calendar.

The fair is free, open to the public, and is designed to familiarize consumers with their options in choosing electrical energy suppliers after Jan. 1 (2011) when utility deregulation takes effect in Pennsylvania. Visitors can meet supplier representatives, review their energy needs, and learn about competitive offers. Those attending may find it helpful to bring a copy of a recent utility bill for use during discussions with suppliers.

In addition, two presentations will be offered to explain the basics of electric choice. An explanation of “PECO Default Service Options” will be held at 8:30 a.m., followed at 9 a.m. by “Customer Experience Choosing A Competitive Supplier.”

Advance registration is not necessary but would be appreciated, PECO said. Registration can be for any one of three time frames: 7-9 a.m,9-11 a.m., or 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration can be entered online here.

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