Joe Zlomek, Managing Editor
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LIMERICK PA – A Costco Wholesale Corp. requirement to own the land on which its new warehouse store would be built within the O’Neill Properties GroupGateway At Sanatoga” project, and its insistence on relocating a petroleum pipeline now buried beneath the land’s surface, are expected to receive attention this week from the Limerick (PA) Township Zoning Hearing Board.

The most recent layout available for The Gateway At Sanatoga proposed by O'Neill Properties. In addition to Costco as a tenant at top left, the drawing specifies a Hampton Inn and Red Robin Retaurant as having committed to the project.

The most recent layout available for The Gateway At Sanatoga. The Costco portion was the subject of an Oct. 28 Limerick zoning hearing.

The project, formerly known as “Sanatoga Springs,” is immediately adjacent to the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township southeastern boundary line, and within the U.S. Route 422 interchange district at Sanatoga PA on which both townships have agreed to coordinate future planning and zoning efforts.

Limerick’s zoning board normally meets only on the fourth Wednesday of every month. But at its last meeting, on Oct. 28 (2009), Chairman Mark John said he expected his board’s decision on the Costco issues, which require zoning approval, possibly could be issued this week in advance of Thursday’s (Nov. 12, 2009) meeting of the Limerick Board of Supervisors.

The supervisors made an unusual move on behalf of Costco during the retailer’s Oct. 28 zoning hearing. They sent township Solicitor Joseph McGrory to both represent them and advocate for a Costco-favorable ruling from the zoners. McGrory’s appearance so surprised John that he made a special note to ensure it was entered into the hearing’s minutes as authorized by the supervisors.

“This is a project the township wants,” McGrory acknowledged. “The Board of Supervisors believes it would be beneficial, and we are here in support of zoning relief” for Costco, the attorney said.

Costco proposes to build a 140,000-square-foot open-to-the-public warehouse store, and an accompanying members-only gas station, on a portion of 65 acres presented as the first phase of the O’Neill development. The complex would sit just west of the Philadelphia Premium Outlets on West Lightcap Road, and would front Evergreen Road at the Sanatoga interchange entrance to 422’s eastbound lanes.

A pipeline owned by petroleum refiner Sunoco Inc. currently crosses a portion of the property.

O’Neill’s initial plans called for Costco to be part of a condominium ownership agreement for The Gateway At Sanatoga. The retailer now wants to own and be responsible for its property, according to Heidi Macomber, Costco regional director of development. The company also doesn’t want to accept a risk of problems with the pipeline, and so is insisting it be relocated. Technical matters to be decided by the zoning board primarily revolve around both issues.

The zoning decision takes on added urgency this week because Limerick supervisors, during their Thursday meeting, apparently want to decide on a request to grant “blanket cross-easements” that would subject Costco to requirements similar to those of other companies still participating in the condominium agreement. Supervisors can’t act, however, McGrory said, until the zoning board issues its rulings.

O’Neill is “basically on the same page” and in agreement with the supervisors’ plans, its attorney, also at the hearing, agreed.

During the hearing, zoning board member questions focused on a proposal by O’Neill engineers to move the 10-inch plastic pipeline from crossing the parking lot in front of Costco to a path that roughly follows the project property line and then reconnects to the original pipe near the interchange’s eastbound entrance. Civil engineer Tim Stout of Langan Engineering and Environmental Services testified the proposed changes would have “no adverse effect on traffic, safety, or the public health or welfare.”

The zoning board met briefly and privately following the Oct. 28 hearing, and then returned to have John announce it would be unable to make a ruling that night. It could, John added, have a decision by Tuesday (Nov. 10, 2009).

Related (to Sanatoga interchange development):

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They paid how much?

They paid how much?

POTTSTOWN PA – The top price paid for real estate within the township from Aug. 20-25, 2009, was $250,000, the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper reports. The property is located at 2276 Bradley Way.

This week’s top reported prices were listed Sunday (Nov. 8, 2009) in “The Top 50,” the newspaper’s weekly review of highest prices paid for real estate sold within the city of Philadelphia and townships in its surrounding counties.

By contrast, during the same period, the top real estate sales price in Pottstown PA Borough, immediately to the west was $215,000; Limerick PA Township, east, $284,000; New Hanover PA Township, northeast, $229,000; Upper Pottsgrove PA Township, west, $322,195; and in North Coventry PA Township, south, none listed.

Related:

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20081030-GasPumpEdit-Zlomek

You'll need to be a member, and no cash is allowed.

LIMERICK PA – Two cards: one membership, one credit or debit. That’s what drivers would need if, after construction is finished – maybe in 2010 or beyond – they want to buy gasoline at Costco Wholesale Corp.’s proposed fueling station in The Gateway At Sanatoga shopping complex.

The retail center, still only in the planning stages, is proposed for West Evergreen Road, just east of the Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township border. In considering potential traffic flow there, the Limerick (PA) Township Zoning Hearing Board has taken particular interest in how the gas station, which Costco would install and own next to a warehouse store it also wants to build on the site, will operate.

Only Costco store members could access its pumps, and they would be authorized by using a membership card, the company’s regional director of development, Heidi Macomber, explained to the Limerick board during an Oct. 28 (2009) hearing. Moreover, no cash transactions would be possible, she said; purchases would be by credit or debit card only.

Limerick zoners also learned the pumps would open about two hours before the store did, and close about one hour later. Macomber said the fueling station’s hours were tentatively set at  8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Mondays though Fridays; 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sundays.

Costco documents distributed to investors have indicated that adding fueling stations at store sites tend to increase their profitability. Costco operates a store without a fueling station in King of Prussia PA, 18 miles east of the proposed new construction. The Costco closest to Limerick with a fueling station is in Lancaster PA, according to company information.

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Veterans Day is Nov. 11.

Veterans Day 2009.

POTTSTOWN PA – The Home Depot home improvement retail store in Lower Pottsgrove (PA) Township will continue that company’s annual tradition of honoring U.S. armed services veterans, active duty military personnel and their families by offering them a 10-percent discount on all purchases of up to $2,000 made today through Veterans’ Day (Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009), corporate spokeswoman Jean Niemi said.

To qualify, individuals must present a valid military identification when checking out. Discounts will be taken at the register. The Lower Pottsgrove store is located at 295 Armand Hammer Blvd., Pottstown PA.

Home Depot also makes similar discount offers annually on Memorial Day and Independence Day, Niemi said.

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Saturday, Nov. 7

Friday, Nov. 6

Thursday, Nov. 5

Wednesday, Nov. 4

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Monday, Nov. 2

Sunday, Nov. 1

POTTSTOWN PA – A shortage of seasonal flu vaccine, caused by the combination of a delay in shipments and heightened public demand, has caused the Montgomery County (PA) Health Department to cancel flu vaccination programs it originally scheduled for next week (Nov. 9 and 13, 2009; Monday and Friday) in Trappe and Pottstown, respectively.

20091107-FluShotCanceled-ClipartCom

“Seasonal flu clinics have been canceled until further notice,” the county announced Thursday (Nov. 5, 2009) on its website, because the department said it “has exhausted its available supply of the injectable vaccine and has not received additional … vaccine from our supplier at this time. We have administered seasonal vaccine more quickly this year than in the past.”

Clinics would be re-scheduled, the department said, if more vaccine arrived.

The canceled clinics were scheduled for Monday (Nov. 9, 2009) at St. Luke’s United Church of Christ, 200 W. Main St., Trappe PA, and Friday (Nov. 13, 2009) at Pottstown Health Center, King Street, Pottstown PA. They will NOT be held.

At its most recent free public flu shot clinic, the county said it administered more than 700 doses of vaccine  in both injectable and nasal spray form. Since clinics began in early October, the department added, more than 4,000 vaccines have been administered.

Seasonal flu is not yet known to be circulating in Montgomery County, the department’s announcement noted. Most flu cases currently being reported, it added, were of the H1N1 (swine flu) variety.

Consequently, the department said, seasonal flu is unlikely likely to be a widespread problem until after the start of the new year. “Individuals are advised to continue checking with their personal health care providers,” its announcement said, “as well as community retail partners regarding availability of seasonal vaccine and scheduled community clinics.”

Editor’s note: This article updates an earlier story by The Post about the former availability of seasonal flu clinics. Although that story is archived on the web, its content is no longer accurate.

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20091107-MendingCloth-ZlomekSxcWORCESTER PA – Different types of Colonial hand sewing, typical of the late 18th through early 19th centuries, will be demonstrated by local living history specialists Nov. 14 (2009; Saturday) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in a program being conducted at Montgomery County’s historic Peter Wentz Farmstead, 2100 Shearer Rd., Worcester PA, 16 miles southeast of Sanatoga village center.

Visitors can try their hand at basic sewing stitches, fancy needlework, and quilting techniques demonstrated by costumed interpreters located throughout the Wentz farmhouse. Each trained craftsperson will also discuss traditional uses of the needlework techniques that date from the late 1700- early 1800s.

“Many museum collections showcase the beautiful needlework commonly performed by colonial woman. We hope visitors will take the opportunity to see women actually using these techniques to reproduce similar items,” Wentz educator Kimberly Boice said.

On exhibit at the house also will be vintage samplers, quilts, and everyday textiles from the museum’s collection. The restored 18th century Pennsylvania German historic site is owned and operated by the county and receives support from the Peter Wentz Farmstead Society.

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SANATOGA PA – Disc Jockey “Enchanted Midnight” will play recorded hits from the 1960s through the ’80s during an adult dance and mixer scheduled next Friday (Nov. 13, 2009) from 7-11 p.m. in Sunnybrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Sanatoga PA.

A happy hour event and karaoke entertainment will be held from 7-8 p.m. A $5 admission fee will be charged at the door. Proceeds benefit the Sunnybrook restoration fund.

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