Plans for a new 55-and-older independent living facility and a hookah lounge are moving forward in Quakertown.  On Nov. 4, council granted conditional use approvals for both uses.

A large crowd of residents were in attendance and officials said the hearings came at a time when revitalization and economic development are key components to the growth of the community.

                Ken Bessenger, developer from Renew Design Group of Souderton, said the independent living facility is slated for 105 E. Mill Street.  The project will house 22 rental units of approximately 800 sq. ft., each featuring one or two bedrooms with access to a courtyard and community center.  Each unit also includes two parking spaces and driveway access to the facility, he said.

                The courtyard-style layout was created in order to provide residents with a clear visual on who is entering each unit, said Bessenger.

                Common concerns residents near the proposed facility consisted of adequate parking, storm water management and use of the access road.

                "There are already speeding problems in the alleyway which is right behind my property. There are a lot of small children and too much traffic on that roadway. How do you plan to slow traffic down when the road will have more traffic after your facility is built?" said East Mill Street resident Shana Bishop.

                Bessenger explained the road will be owned by the independent living facility and be paved with plans for sidewalks to be added as an alternative to driving.

                Bessenger added, "We are invested in the neighborhood with you. This will be quite a nice community, should you decide to move there in the future."

                 Another alternative to cut down on speeding would be speed humps which council president Jim Roberts said will be addressed in the near future.

                East Mill Street residents Monica Heffner and Eric Bruch brought their concerns regarding storm water management to an area already afflicted with flooding.

                "The storm water management system for this project is elaborate. There are plans for water gardens and a drainage system that will cutoff water runoff before even coming close to the backyards of the properties on Mill Street. We will be diverting the runoff so it won't come close to any of the existing properties," Bessenger said.

                Roberts reiterated, "This project has already been approved by the Bucks County Planning Commission, just for the record."

                The main concern amongst council members was that under the current project there is an assumption of it being an age-restricted living facility.

                Council Vice President Don Rosenberger said, "This is considered a rental unit but my concern is could that change in the future to ownership? And if it did change down the road to ownership instead of rentals will there be a home owner's association that could change everything including an age restriction?"

                Bessenger noted, although he has not asked for the facility to be specifically age restricted, it is his intention.

                The decision made by council members is to have the borough's solicitor review any requirements that may be in place for an age-restricted community and follow-up with the developer. This will allow for proper documentation and reassurance for council members to make a final decision on the plan during the Nov. 23 meeting.

                In other business, the second conditional use hearing presented to borough residents was regarding a hookah lounge to be opened at 132 E. Broad Street.

                As avid users of hookah, Caine Lihn and Josh Heidecker, are proposing a full retail store and lounge that supplies vapor products including e-cigarettes and e-juices as well as shisha which is a leaf tobacco used in a water pipe device.

                The lounge will allow patrons to purchase and use either vapor products or rent use of a traditional shisha hookah. Lihn and Heidecker are also planning to offer a full selection of teas, coffees, and juices as well as prepackaged snacks.

                "There will be eight tables with seating for four each. Couches and chairs. It'll be a coffee shop atmosphere for people to comfortably gather and socialize, and listen to acoustic music. Nothing like a bar scene, it will be an alternative for night life," Lihn explained.

                The owners also explained no alcohol will be permitted on the premises but identification is required to use the smoke and vapor products as there is an age restriction of 18 years or older.

                East Broad Street resident Matthew Pearson said, "I really don't want this type of business across the street from my house."

                The concern from residents near the proposed location is mainly that of school children walking past the establishment and looking in the windows at all the smoking paraphernalia.

                Connie Heuckeroth of Richlandtown Pike noted, "I don't think it's good for that area of town. The Moose Lodge is near there. It is empty and not lit at night, this could bring problems late at night."

                Lihn and Heidecker also reviewed their planned hours of operation which are typically evenings: Wednesday and Thursday 4-10 p.m., Friday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday noon to 1 a.m., and Sunday 4-10 p.m.

                Council members agreed to amend the original motion up for approval to include a statement which does not permit alcohol on the property and a cut in hours on Fridays and Saturdays to 12:30 a.m.

                Roberts noted, within six months of the opening of the establishment, the owners can approach council for a change in hours back to the original 1 a.m. closing time.

                A vote was taken with only one disapproval from Councilman Dave Erwin. No further comments were made on the matter.

                During the meeting, council officials also approved the designation of the Highland Trail route through the borough from Mill Street across Route 309 which was discussed at length during the last council meeting.