An artist's rendering of the facade for Bella Italia Pizza

SANATOGA PA – One by one, hurdles are falling for Cilluffo Property Holdings LLC, the Blue Bell PA-based company that has been working since November 2009 to build an Italian-style restaurant on East High Street in Sanatoga village. The latest came down Monday (June 20, 2011), as Cilluffo won final approval from the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township Planning Commission.

Commissioners, during their monthly meeting in the municipal building, 2199 Buchert Rd., Pottstown PA, unanimously accepted a final land development plan for the proposed Bella Italia Pizzeria. It would be built on a vacant lot at 2209 E. High St., Pottstown, just west of the former Rite-Aid pharmacy at the corner of East High and North Pleasant View Road.

A prior review by staff and representatives of Bursich Associates, the township’s engineers, found no remaining problems with or recommendations for the building or its owners. Both have appeared before the commission several times during the 19-month planning and approval process.

Monday’s session with Cilluffo lasted only seven minutes. “It’s the last time we hope to see you,” company attorney Amee S. Farrell cheerily told board members. “It took you longer to get here than to get out,” Commissioner Ronald Dinnocenti noted.

Cilluffo hopes to build a 4,500-square-foot, one-story 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.

The last hurdle before construction can begin is to receive approval for the same final land development plan from the Board of Commissioners. That is expected before Aug. 1, and board members have given every indication they are anxious to see the restaurant get under way after its long delay.

Related:

• One Down, One To Go For Township Italian Restaurant
• Watch Your Speedometer! Sanatoga Street Slows 5 Mph
• Commissioners OK Italian Restaurant’s Plans, Without Alley
• It Could Be Awhile Before Sanatoga Pizza Oven Fires Up
• 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 June 20):

• One Down, One To Go For Township Italian Restaurant