Royersford Borough Council Approves 400 Green Street Project

The Royersford Borough Council voted unanimously to approve the final subdivision and land development plan for a property located at 400 Green St.

Several months ago, the same developers were , but in the intervening months have redeveloped the plan several times. The plan approved at Tuesday’s meeting is substantially different from the previous plan.

The proposed twin is now a duplex and the lot sizes have been readjusted. Attorney Joseph McGrory, representing the applicants, said that the new plan falls completely within the parameters of the borough code and requires no waivers.

Vicki Keil of 420 Green St. was the only member of the audience to publically comment during the open hearing.

"Before [the last hearing] we got a copy of the plans," Keil said. "This time we didn’t get anything except a letter in the mail that there would be a hearing. I don’t feel this duplex has any intrinsic value to the neighrborhood or will enhance the look of the neighborhood."

Resident Mike Bullick of 830 Washington St. read a statement regarding issues that Washington Street residents had during the recent .

Bullick said that Washington Street was turned into a one-way street during the fair without any notice to the residents, and that he and several other residents were turned away at 9th Avenue and Walnut Street. They had to take a lengthy detour to return to their homes.

Bullick  said council president Thomas Weikel and Mayor David Urner looked into the issue right away when he called and should be commended for "their fairness, kindness and dedication to the community."

Bullick also said he believes the problem was miscommunication between the church fair committee, the borough and the fire police, and that this was the first year there had been any real issue with the fair.

The council unanimously passed Resolution 2011-05, stating that it does not support Montgomery County’s plans to upgrade the police radio system because the cost represents a financial burden on the borough.

Weikel said that the refusal doesn't commit the borough to anything now, although overall support from other municipalities may obligate Royersford to participate in the upgrade later. The county needs support from 50% of the municipalities plus one additional municipality in order to make the radio upgrade required for all.

In other council business, borough manager Michael Leonard requested and received approval to bid out four projects for the borough. Two involve windows and asbestos abatement at borough hall; the other two are paving projects.