SANATOGA PA – Sanatoga developer J. Wilmer “Wil” Hallman is scheduled to return next week (Monday, March 28, 2011) to continue a Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Zoning Board public hearing on his plans to build garden-style apartments on Buchert Road. Although the future of the project itself hasn’t been decided, one of its necessary components is now in place.

Hallman’s proposal for his Buchert Ridge Community Phase 2, to be built on the north side of Buchert – just east of Kepler Road and across the street from the Walnut Ridge townhome complex – received approval earlier this month from both Montgomery County and the township Board of Commissioners for the sewer capacity needed to make its construction possible.

The number of apartments available exclusively to senior citizens was expanded in the last version of Hallman’s plans. Eight additional equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) of capacity represented by the expansion were approved by the township Sewer Authority last December (2010), and were later also accepted by the county. Commissioners were the third and last group to make it official, with a unanimous vote during their March 7 (2011) meeting.

Board President Jonathan Spadt was absent and did not vote.

The sewer capacity gives Hallman the opportunity to add the extra apartments if he either wins zoning board approval for variances needed to bring his existing plans to fruition, or if he determines how to build the project within the scope of earlier plan approvals without requiring variances.

“If the zoning’s not approved, then maybe these EDUs go nowhere,” township Manager Rodney Hawthorne told commissioners.

Hallman’s project has run into opposition, primarily from Kepler Road residents, who object to its building height and other features. During the last Zoning Board meeting on Feb. 28, Hallman attorney Charles Garner Jr. said the developer’s request for a height variance was being withdrawn. It means that, if the project is allowed to proceed, it must be built within the height limitations of township law.

Related (to Buchert Ridge Community):

• Buchert Ridge Added Sewer Capacity Gets Board OK
• PART Buses Play A Part In Buchert Ridge Building Plans
• Surprise: Height No Longer Zoning Issue At Buchert Ridge
• Over Objections, Commissioners Endorse Buchert Apartments
• Two Expansions Considered On Lower Pottsgrove Agenda
• Accusations Fly At Planners’ Meeting Over Buchert Ridge
• Applications Withdrawn; Township Cancels Zoning Hearings
• Lower Pottsgrove Hearings Set For Apartments, Lighting
• Walk Through These Rooms Without Moving
• Commissioners Warm To Energy-Saving Apartments
• Commissioners Get An Early Start Tonight
• Meeting Moved Up For Buchert Ridge Presentation
• Buchert Ridge Unveiling Final Phase

Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ March 7 meeting):

• Buchert Ridge Added Sewer Capacity Gets Board OK
• Proof Lower Pottsgrove Loves You: Tax Bills In Mail
• Emergency Team Took What February Threw At It
• Board Orders Long-Delayed Drain Repairs … Or Else
• Commissioners Again Reject Boulevard Name Change
• To Those Who Dug Out, Lower Pottsgrove Salutes You
• Commissioners Approve Park Trail Bid Advertising
• Sprogels Run Park Project On Commissioners’ Agenda