Expansion proposed for Pennsburg Square Shopping Center

                At its Sept. 6 council meeting, Pennsburg officials announced the results of the bids for solid waste removal in the borough.

                Six bidders are vying for the contract, including Waste Management, Whitetail Disposal, Advanced Disposal, J. P. Mascaro and Sons, A. J. Blosenski and Republic Services.  The bids range from $636,660 to $1,559,240 for a three-year contract.  Bids include curbside recycling.  The cost for trash pickup in the borough for 2016 was $136,000. 

                Councilor Diane Stevens reported that one of the bidders commented that the cost increase was caused, in part, because "you don't have three boroughs anymore" for combined services.

                During Tuesday's meeting, officials also passed a motion to require mandatory recycling.

                Officials and their solicitor will review all bids for compliance with the bid requests and services provided and could make a decision at their next meeting.

                In other business, John Kennedy of Westover Companies presented a conceptual plan of an expansion proposed for the Pennsburg Square Shopping Center.

                According to Kennedy, the properties along Pottstown Avenue (Route 663) from Seminary Street south to the entrance of the shopping center are under agreement of sale to Westover.

                The plan presented to officials proposes three "pads" for businesses along Pottstown Avenue and another entrance to the shopping center east of the current one.  The plan also proposes an entrance to the shopping center off of Seminary Avenue.  Space for three new businesses is also proposed to be constructed to an existing portion of the center.

                While most of the additional property planned for the expansion is already zoned for "Shopping Center" (SC) there is a portion along Seminary Street that is currently zoned "Limited Industrial Commercial" (LIC) that would require a change in zoning to accommodate the proposal.

                Several council members offered comments regarding the proposal, in particular the second entrance off Pottstown Avenue, with some feeling it was too close to Washington Street and area businesses.

                Kennedy said that, as part of the project, "They would be widening Pottstown Avenue from the area already widened at the entrance, to Seminary Avenue" allowing for the possibility of a turning lane.

                In roads action, officials agreed to ban right turns onto Penn Street for trucks traveling south on Quakertown Avenue due to the sharp, dangerous angle of the turn.

                Lastly, Mayor Vicki Lightcap announced that a public safety meeting would be scheduled on either Sept. 15 or 21 to discuss the possibility of expanding community-wide police services.  The final date and place for the meeting will be announced soon.  The meeting is open to the public.