[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6618750,"mediaKeyId","3031522-91d94ada5f865cd1b8b5c92a642212d7","parentId",3031522,"title","Votes at a glance: Lansdale Borough Council actions, March 19, 2025","audioSeconds",2234,"startMs",3008000,"endMs",5242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031522-91d94ada5f865cd1b8b5c92a642212d7&start=3008&end=5242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031522-91d94ada5f865cd1b8b5c92a642212d7/thumbnail_3008000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6618750/Lansdale/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Lansdale-Borough-Council-actions-March-19-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618750-00c16fe732e235eff80a2aab98844cd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204452&Signature=gi-kaFinvZzO31BtwW2tKbeOXwmbtVCFdsp4fv~GLoQT-m9Lxb43C6j2iDcn-ygPFiOBmiYOdw18f5pE6sxkU14XvpyJu5q-OV9dx2t3UZCv6kF-hj7hbw5cr93yKxEi4z3c72sxxx4XgZfKHTmnIvVLCAINAy7fgdhnpmUNba2DN-Y~I4rzPtJM1m9jmX~~P9xI-rz7Qizt5Nvv82boAfvqRTnPIlbNrkW1WWASltRhN2G~VW2NcfxQgdQbKuk4gXQl5WKup4FI7aFJ8dkVW4opmH0nNwn31AJPeeWpS843aUcPrleg7Hw91RXa3jsHsT1VKmwoua8rFaApXDo2tA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lansdale Borough, PA","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","The following is a concise summary of formal actions taken by Lansdale Borough Council on March 19, 2025. Items appear in the order introduced at the business meeting. Where the transcript did not record a roll-call tally, the outcome language reflects the council's oral announcements.

• Motion A — Treasurer's report for February 2025 (approve expenditures listed on attachment): Approved (motion carries).

• Motion B — Bills to be paid in March 2025 (as per attachment): Amended to read that borough council retroactively approve the bills to be paid in March 2025; amended motion carried (retroactive approval).

• Motion C — Approve meeting minutes (Work session 02/05/2025; Business meeting 02/19/2025): Approved (motion carries).

• Motion D — Adopt Resolution 25-05 (reimbursement resolution tied to proposed debt issuance): Motion to table passed; item tabled.

• Motion E — Authorize borough manager to advertise RFP to replace/upgrade boroughwide VoIP phone system: Approved (motion carries).

• Motion F — Adopt Ordinance 1982 (new Chapter 308: registration of foreclosing mortgages and vacant property): Motion to table passed; item tabled pending further committee review.

• Motion G — Authorize borough manager to enact purchase power cost adjustment under electric code provisions: Approved (motion carries).

• Motion H — Authorize aquatic facility design to prepare and advertise bid specs for Whites Road intermediate and baby pools: Approved (motion carries).

• Motion I — Adopt Resolution 25-06 authorizing North Penn Water Authority access and use easement for water line installation at a portion of Wissahickon Park (near 765 East Main Street): Approved (motion carries).

• Motion J — Adopt Resolution 25-07 authorizing submission of DCNR C2P2 grant application for Fourth Street pool rehabilitation: Approved (motion carries).

• Motion K — Award contract for Whites Road Park restroom facility to Wexcon Inc., lowest responsible bidder (grant-funded): Approved (motion carries).

• Motion L — Adopt Ordinance 1983 to add handicap parking at 823 West Third Street and 325 Columbia Avenue: Approved (motion carries).

• Motion M — Authorize solicitor to prepare and borough manager to advertise ordinance to establish handicap parking at 434 Walnut Street: Approved (motion carries).

• Motion N — Approve Change Order No. 3 ($28,591.17) for East Main Street streetscape project (adjust quantities and additional PennDOT inlet work and striping): Approved (motion carries).

• Motion O — Award contract for Edgemont Avenue sanitary/storm rehabilitation ($359,359 to Dully Construction Corp.): Motion to table passed; item tabled (bond-related timing concerns).

• Motion P — Award contract for West Third Street sanitary sewer rehabilitation (base + alternate $552,772.25 to TD Construction Company): Motion to table passed; item tabled (bond-related timing concerns).

Notes: Several items related to capital projects and bond borrowing were tabled while council delayed bond issuance; council discussed financial timing and due diligence with contractors. Where motions were routine, the meeting record shows a voice vote with no roll-call; the transcript records the chair asking \"All those in favor? Aye.\" No roll-call tallies were provided in the meeting transcript.

For follow-up: Tabled items (D, F, O, P) were sent to committee or postponed pending finalization of bond borrowing and additional review; contract awards remain recommended by engineering or staff pending final contract completion and bond resolution.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business Meeting - March 19, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Summary of motions and outcomes at the March 19 Lansdale Borough Council meeting, including approvals of routine financial items, capital projects, grant applications and several tabled bond-related and ordinance items.","taxTitle","Lansdale, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",54238,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6618755,"Residents press Lansdale council on downtown parking limits, permit rules and enforcement",4705,959000,5664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031522-91d94ada5f865cd1b8b5c92a642212d7&start=959&end=5664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031522-91d94ada5f865cd1b8b5c92a642212d7/thumbnail_959000.jpg","/articles/6618755/Lansdale/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-Lansdale-council-on-downtown-parking-limits-permit-rules-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618755-9e9fe380e6b49280f51dfef0e8a4b8c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204452&Signature=h987LVlkIowBU7bG~9ftyv4U5QPpUJY5jqNxvJsIuaoTjm04C-yKwD5WqsONphZSCZUYsyLrre6nrb27bH6voGuuk4p9XATiDQQ-WDWhPxpI3jRzyCYwPEri3Gt2vNYqogGnJmujmIjwSZcltX0Z3QwaVRuSRSyGqkeBRdFC~LTDOyQI~SYGeEzgOlBdOyvWkoLoqz08HzPDRCFOOaYX7JZTSGXj~3~TOY60Mz3N5NLhXlN-WM01u2suFkTCyrOyOhEhsAAnKBafk0z9Wmy-qNcR452zu25zc7O9Vo4EMOcixlklcuCg7~4F2eR~Iyh5zsLeJt9xbAtIca6MKU9j0w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents who live and work in downtown Lansdale used public comment at Wednesday's council meeting to describe limited parking, new fees and permit restrictions that they say hamper daily life and local businesses.

Kathleen Burke, who identified herself as living at 311 West Main Street, said the SEPTA lot that had been free is now charging and the authority will not sell commuter passes to noncommuters. “We're unable to get more than one parking pass for the apartment,” Burke said. She described one of the two lots she was allowed to use as having only 33 spaces and said those spaces are not guaranteed.

Ashley, a downtown resident, said permit enforcement at Madison Street Apartments sometimes does not prevent nonpermit parking by guests, and that the one-per-residence permit rule can be impractical when multiple adults live in a single apartment. “It can be rather frustrating to be able to support [downtown businesses] because then you have to basically plan your day about, well, when can I go to support them because of that?” Ashley said.

Elizabeth Patchall, a resident who urged parking passes for borough employees, said hourly parking costs are a heavy burden for municipal workers who earn modest wages. Patchall proposed an annual colored permit system similar to systems used on local campuses to ease daily expenses for workers who rely on downtown parking.

Several speakers asked for clearer lines of communication with the borough's parking authority; Kathleen Burke said the parking authority meeting that had been scheduled was canceled and not yet rescheduled, leaving residents without a clear contact or forum until May.

Council members acknowledged the concern and pointed to ongoing committee work. Councilman BJ Breisch said the economic development committee had reviewed a parking study with recommendations and that those materials will move through committee channels for further consideration. Council members encouraged residents to attend committee meetings, where many parking policy discussions occur.

No formal parking policy changes were enacted at the meeting. Council members and staff said they would assist residents with contact information and that the Economic Development Committee and other committees will continue work on parking policy options, including permit structures and enforcement timing.

Background: Speakers referenced multiple localized issues: new charges at the SEPTA commuter lot, a one-per-residence permit limit for apartments, limited resident-designated spaces near West Main/Madison Street, and a canceled parking authority meeting that left questions outstanding.

Next steps: Residents were invited to provide contact information to borough staff. Council members said committee review of the parking study will inform potential changes to permits or enforcement practices; an updated schedule from the parking authority was not available at the meeting.

","Multiple downtown residents told Lansdale Borough Council that recent parking changes and permit limits are making daily life and business support harder; council members said a parking study recommendation is proceeding through committee review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6618760,"Lansdale council tables vacant-property registration ordinance after public pushback",4206,449000,4655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3031522-91d94ada5f865cd1b8b5c92a642212d7&start=449&end=4655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3031522-91d94ada5f865cd1b8b5c92a642212d7/thumbnail_449000.jpg","/articles/6618760/Lansdale/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Lansdale-council-tables-vacant-property-registration-ordinance-after-public-pushback","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6618760-b85c45f387e0d5c482c03bc13df8fee2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771204452&Signature=AjccnXWttkOYqQQvUvnu1Y73UMQS0WWv3jV7jwSQxhdd5oE7lg5E8oOehhcNXmlGM8MiSL90r2abJlSB7ucs4p4obGCi6YRP2kOz1cbhGVDYiW65E5BrUM2bSuPvSzDdDHEfsdVnqeQhOrjOErhfZSKJc53Yh8aTPxdgKmv0tI3g-xc8mTO~G9HD5kaY8CkcKZgFN-yO6WNKjwNY3v0s7h1~uBZDBMjJrYmY5eHvHlvGyHWrCuNMG11y8UtyBqnVammXC3ceaJDvLx9HlQUSyQg5W60qLXIqCLvAIbWIVjmCjrWAMUvK2ZvNz~I64KfSPY-yae9fTZjMLKvf350tNw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lansdale Borough Council on Wednesday voted to table Ordinance 1982, a proposed chapter to register foreclosing mortgages and vacant property, after extended public comment and council discussion highlighted concerns about enforcement language and effects on local landlords and businesses.

Supporters of reviewing vacancy and foreclosure issues say the goal is to address blighted storefronts and neighborhood decline; critics argued the draft ordinance, including rules about covered windows and registration, would create burdens and discourage investment.

Richard Strom, owner and principal broker of American Forester Realty, told the council the draft ordinance appeared to be “cut and paste legislation” from other municipalities and not tailored to Lansdale. “If you’re doing this to protect the declining value of our real estate, guess what, people? It’s not declining,” Strom said, citing borough median sales prices and low foreclosure counts. “Please don’t make them cover the windows.”

Strom gave figures saying the borough’s median residential sale price rose from about $189,900 in 2015 to $240,000 in 2020 and to about $380,000 in 2024. He also said there has been “virtually no foreclosures in Lansdale Borough over the last four years” and that, at the time, “there is only one residential foreclosure sale” and three commercial foreclosures in the borough.

Other downtown business owners and residents echoed concerns that the ordinance could impose aesthetic requirements and registration duties that would be onerous or counterproductive. Chip Panico, a Main Street business owner who has spoken at prior meetings about the draft, said additional regulatory obstacles could discourage investors at a time when landlords are already struggling to lease space. “Putting any sort of obstacles in front of people that are looking to invest isn’t conducive to people looking to invest,” Panico said.

Council members acknowledged the ordinance grew out of long-running committee work. Councilwoman Rafia Razak introduced the ordinance at the business meeting, describing it as adding a new Chapter 308 requiring registration and maintenance by mortgagees and owners. Multiple council members, including Councilman BJ Breisch and others, said the measure needed further refinement, particularly around privacy and contractual language tied to a vendor contract referenced in committee work.

Council discussion also raised the separate question of incentives versus penalties. Councilman Breisch said he supported the ordinance’s intent to address vacancy, but that the language and an associated contract needed review to safeguard personal information and ensure the borough wasn’t overreaching on aesthetic controls such as window coverings.

After discussion, a motion to table Ordinance 1982 for further committee review passed; no ordinance provisions were adopted at the meeting. The council asked that the code committee revisit the draft, examine the related contract language, and consider incentive approaches alongside enforcement tools.

Background: The draft ordinance would create a registration requirement for certain foreclosing mortgages and vacant properties, provide penalties and enforcement mechanisms, and set rules intended to limit and reduce registrable properties. Council members and members of the public urged clearer definitions of applicability — for example, how the ordinance would treat large parcels with multiple storefronts — and more precise safeguards on enforcement authority.

Council next steps: The ordinance was sent back to the code committee for redrafting. Council members asked staff to bring revised language and any related contract documents back to committee for additional public review and to consider incentives to encourage occupancy.

Votes and action: The motion to table Ordinance 1982 passed (motion F).","Lansdale Borough Council voted to table Ordinance 1982, a proposed vacant-property and foreclosing-mortgage registration requirement, after multiple residents and business owners raised concerns about unintended consequences, enforcement language and property-owner burdens.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Lansdale Borough Council actions, March 19, 2025

Residents press Lansdale council on downtown parking limits, permit rules and enforcement

Lansdale council tables vacant-property registration ordinance after public pushback