SANATOGA PA – Distressed Kepler Road residents, who on Monday night (Feb. 7, 2011) told the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Board of Commissioners that a four-story apartment building proposed to be built near them was too high and inappropriate for the neighborhood, were disappointed when commissioners decided to recommend the project for approval by the township Zoning Hearing Board.
During a meeting that was unusual for both its length (2 hours) and crowd size (the Buchert Road municipal building conference room was nearly filled), commissioners who voted – President Jonathan Spadt, Vice President Bruce Foltz, and Michael McGroarty – were unanimous in their decision to recommend to the Zoning Board that it grant variances for an expansion of Buchert Ridge Community, 2011 Buchert Rd.
The endorsement is not binding, and can be ignored by Zoning Board members if they so choose, Spadt noted. Commissioner James Phillips announced in advance he would recuse himself from voting due to what he described as a “financial relationship” between his employer, The Victory Bank of Limerick PA, and Buchert Ridge developer J. Wilmer “Wil” Hallman. Commissioner James Kaiser was absent.
Hallman’s plans to build a 48-foot-high, 39-unit building of “garden suite” apartments, to be marketed as environmentally friendly to age 55-and-older buyers, are scheduled to appear Feb. 28 (Monday) before the Zoning Board. Before his project proceeds to final land development, Hallman hopes to obtain several variances and exceptions that address, in part, its non-conforming height and parking requirements.
Although Hallman’s construction quality, and the current appearance of Buchert Ridge Community in general, were uniformly praised by audience members, dissenters made it known they weren’t happy with the apartment plans. Hallman earlier received permission for a three-story building; a fourth story, several in attendance said, was excessive.
“I’ll be able to see that building from my house,” said home owner Matt Cappelletti, 1215 Kepler Rd. “It doesn’t fit in with the character of the neighborhood. You need to consider its impact on surrounding residents,” he told commissioners.
“From an aesthetic standpoint, it’s not pleasing in any way, shape or form,” added Scott Aston, 1236 Kepler Rd. “I object to waking up every day to look at this. It’s not something that feels like it fits in with the community whatsoever.”
Even two former commissioners, both of whom served when Hallman’s three-story proposal was accepted, raised concerns. Previous board member Anthony Doyle of 1745 Kepler Rd. claimed the building’s fourth floor “was a bit much.” His colleague, previous board member Stephen Klotz, rhetorically asked, “If this were next to your home, would you approve it?”
All had legitimate comments, Spadt replied. Hallman, however, particularly during the past two weeks, had cooperated with the township staff to overcome its objections, he said. Township engineering representative Scott Exley of Bursich Associates Inc. agreed the project had changed enough to reduce some of its Zoning Board requests.
The commissioners’ endorsement is accompanied by about a dozen conditions they asked the Zoning Board to include as requirements if it grants the variances and exceptions sought. Hallman’s attorney, Charles Garner, said the developer would meet with Cappelletti, Aston and others to discuss how landscaping or other items might improve the project’s appearance.
Other than that, Spadt said, “we’ll leave it to the Zoning Hearing Board to do the right thing.”
Related (to Buchert Ridge Community):
Related (to the Lower Pottsgrove Board of Commissioners’ Feb. 7 meeting):
SANATOGA PA – Sanatoga developer J. Wilmer “Wil” Hallman is scheduled to return next week (Monday, March 28, 2011) to continue a 
