At Monday night's meeting of the Quakertown Borough Council, officials discussed a conditional use request that included parking for a proposed Main Street apartment building.

            Council members will consider the conditional use application of 103 Quaker Safety, LLC, at a hearing to be held on November 1 at the borough building. 

            The applicant is seeking conditional use approval in accordance with section 319.1.A of the borough zoning ordinance. The building is located at 103 S. Main Street and is listed in the historical building inventory. Section 319.1.A. of the borough ordinance requires conditional use approval prior to the demolition of a building identified in the historical building inventory.  

            During an October meeting, the zoning hearing board considered the request to demolish a building in order to provide more parking for an apartment building project. The project is unusual because it's a demolition under a conditional use request.

            During the zoning hearing, residents in the neighborhood supported the project if the apartments included limited parking. In addition, approximately 16 variances were awarded to the project from the zoning hearing board.

            The demolition is of a building located on the back of the property. The apartment complex includes 22 proposed units. Twenty-eight parking spaces are needed for the proposed units. There are currently 18 parking spaces available.

            "This discussion is counseling ourselves on presuppositions or no suppositions," said Vice President James Roberts, Jr.

            During the future conditional use hearing, an appointed attorney will represent the borough council. Until then, the council will review the transcripts from the zoning board hearing and prepare to discuss the topic at a future council meeting.

            In other news relating to the work session, a bid was awarded to Twinning Construction Company, Inc. for pre-construction site work and land development for the Anaerobic Digestion and Co-Generation Facility Project. The company was the only bidder for the project. The amount came in for the expected amount for the 2023 engineering estimate.

            An update was given for the Cedar Grove Park project. The supplier of the playground equipment and surfacing material gave the borough an end-of-year discount that resulted in a $50,000 savings for the borough. Further details will be provided at the November 1st council meeting.