[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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",6477132,"mediaKeyId","5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5","parentId",5713170,"title","Pottstown police to step up enforcement of e-bike and e-scooter rules after rise in crashes","audioSeconds",2866,"startMs",1714735,"endMs",4580910,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5&start=1714&end=4580","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5/thumbnail_1714735.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6477132/Pottstown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Pottstown-police-to-step-up-enforcement-of-e-bike-and-e-scooter-rules-after-rise-in-crashes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477132-1cd5d0369b24193aae52303fa97d7ecd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861455&Signature=arhGQ1ytzM1gy4RpMzwjcHFcKNkDWl34dyLaHkalSJ2EFMYDk9bWgnKHR9NxIVFaHyXXPwR8~bdgB3XVs~2Ob9gWrK2Elv5jg9XsX5fkMCtVss4eWgfPk2ZBkk~fy4v10VGvGe19HTgQc~Kljre~7WDuJ99Z5tXUvx8gTHtBnf3th~~dLD~12xsKPdDzc6RTBvE8fJxbmoSXYNXKFmAniKcJBje0JjavaijuGxrMGHiKhlKR7GUdV~YdjgucMO1GckShGchXGXWf~1CWpr1~ojsjXhRsfo7akfYS-G~y~wHrCjAO1KpPIQRY5iGnjiNVhssB1B4~bjvcMFpuKKeh-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pottstown, PA","date","2025-09-04T03:52:24.107Z","article","Pottstown officials said Sept. 3 the police department will increase enforcement of traffic laws for users of e-bikes, e-scooters and other micro-mobility devices following a rise in crashes and injuries.

Borough staff told council that recent police data shows riders on many occasions were at fault because they disobeyed traffic laws, including riding against the direction of traffic and ignoring stop signs and red lights. \"In most of these cases, the person operating the motor vehicle was not at fault, but rather the person operating the micro mobility device such as the e bike or the scooter was at fault because they were not properly following traffic laws,\" Borough Manager said.

The borough said enforcement over the next few months will include warnings and citations for moving violations when riders break traffic laws. Officials encouraged residents using micro-mobility devices to follow the vehicle code when operating on roadways.

Other related items: Staff announced the \"Walk and Thrive\" sidewalk repair pilot grant application will be posted on the borough website on Monday, Sept. 8. The program will provide financial assistance to eligible owner-occupied households with extremely low to moderate incomes to repair sidewalks damaged by street trees while prioritizing tree canopy preservation. The application period will run through Oct. 10.

Public comment mirrored concerns observed by staff. Jared Herring of 144 King Street said he sees riders using sidewalks and ramps to bypass traffic and urged better public education and enforcement.

Ending: Police and borough staff urged safe operation of micro-mobility devices and said enforcement will begin in coming months alongside public outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pottstown Committee of The Whole Sept. 3rd, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The borough manager and police reported a marked increase in accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters; the police department will increase enforcement and issue warnings or moving violations for traffic-law violations. Staff also announced a sidewalk repair grant application opening Sept. 8.","taxTitle","Pottstown, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania","taxId",4189,"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},6477137,"Council to consider additional zoning applications Monday; 17 Rosedale and 379 Cherry noted",441,2881480,3323120,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5&start=2881&end=3323","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5/thumbnail_2881480.jpg","/articles/6477137/Pottstown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Council-to-consider-additional-zoning-applications-Monday-17-Rosedale-and-379-Cherry-noted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477137-acf951611b66b4da6bf2bada7c60203d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861455&Signature=cqSOOQi7Fb7lEmIosyucZLhGKHVuTcuTJLPwY32VCbDi6wPiUxem3BzW8d2XRxAEmnWClTyl44YtRiS0FlzMc8~gQ1trPdGlntcPHCUMzsKbs0v0kA~znTFiXs8RC1bXFh9YCpQNl8pmgRCuNnquGsPOWU6o4QTRpV4XotxAxolatsveqWN7hcM1xw2cjWjg0827lF~nKU7-VpXrDd9O6kLgXnK9rYhS9TRM5XzK8iksqhi4pYDqYlf04kOBg1t-tEHn2Xf-Fu8Xj8t~M8PM-c1PPu9ZF6YrIFBlD7lCEffjrajhYdyFwrALjnHkuA4Bcoh95LJg30KvYXZKmmCYbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pottstown Borough Council was notified Sept. 3 of two zoning applications that arrived after the packet deadline and will be added to the agenda for Monday's meeting.

The first application seeks dimensional relief for a storage shed at 17 Rosedale Avenue; council staff described it as a neighborhood issue and recommended review by council prior to the zoning hearing process.

The second application concerns 379 Cherry Street (the former Maria Sonsa building). Attorney Mister Murray said earlier doggy-daycare approvals for the building did not include overnight boarding; the current applicant seeks to add overnight boarding and to obtain zoning relief to permit community uses of the building's second-floor auditorium/gymnasium (meetings, practices, assemblies, recitals and similar activities). \"The property owner has been approached by several local youth organizations, non profit organizations, other organizations that want to utilize either the space for meetings, practices, basketball games,\" Murray said.

Why it matters: Both filings require council review to determine whether council wishes to take a formal position for the Zoning Hearing Board process. The 379 Cherry Street building has appeared before the Zoning Hearing Board on multiple occasions because the building's nonresidential character sits in a residential zoning district.

Next steps: Council staff said both applications will be included in Monday's agenda packet and invited councilors to decide whether to take any action on the appeals.","Council received two zoning applications too late for the agenda and will add them to the packet for Monday: dimensional relief for an oversized storage shed at 17 Rosedale Avenue and zoning relief requests for 379 Cherry Street, including doggy daycare with overnight boarding and use of an auditorium/gymnasium for community rentals.",{"_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},6477142,"Pottstown parks staff propose removing one ballfield, converting another to reduce flood damage",878,3193785,4072255,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5&start=3193&end=4072","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5/thumbnail_3193785.jpg","/articles/6477142/Pottstown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Pottstown-parks-staff-propose-removing-one-ballfield-converting-another-to-reduce-flood-damage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477142-2901103fed5f1f19a3e93436537847b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861455&Signature=kDnPhAIhqlyYZ8blSkZbbnnDPc5eoBCJ7EnxwP04-tX4nAxSbUDb4BlNO34vBb~OSgvTLHnjA-MhU~4wMIIYokYJj~NgtALqxO-L0FPODQxx0PE5wtM5WD8hQN9rNkQRvA~t-2g3trKeE7lDlydY80g3UPpERd~bxKTV2VGzV60tstM2ZCkMLGBXY6bOSBzRevssfKRZxt3xgV0t1rLO55b8Tvc1m6yoLgwP4t7E22qMsUOeXcJQrM3tuMW0gbkTP5qGHc43~FRg31wraUY43W5TkxITzJ6YEwG-jTiB-M5w8-cMjrz12ZC8x-xeI-S2mgcw6bA35zsErTUHioIUeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pottstown parks staff told Council Sept. 3 they plan to reconfigure Memorial Park to reduce recurring flood damage and lower repair costs.

The proposal would remove Field No. 2 (a 90-foot field that has repeatedly lost infield mix and clay during floods), expand Field No. 3 (currently a 60-foot Little League field known as Ron Rocket Road's field) to a 90-foot field, and convert the existing Field No. 2 area into a multi-use rectangular field suitable for sports such as lacrosse, rugby and soccer.

\"This is an athletic oriented park... the heart of this athletic area is the ball fields,\" Parks Director Michael said during the presentation, explaining the fields' construction (sub-base aggregate, clay/sand infield mixes, anchored bases and a pitching mound). He outlined repeated flood damage that in some cases removed a foot to a foot-and-a-half of infield material and left standing water where pitching mounds once were.

Why it matters: Flooding along the Manitowoc/Manitowney Creek has repeatedly damaged infield mixes and sub-base materials, making repairs expensive and unsustainable. Staff estimated previous field repairs ranged from $8,000 to $18,000 per repair. Parks staff said demand for 90-foot fields has declined and that moving one 90-foot field to a less flood-prone location would keep tournament-capable fields while reducing maintenance costs.

Implementation and timeline: Staff said much of the work can be performed in-house and proposed proceeding this fall; crews have already begun removing silt and deposited materials from Field No. 2. The plan would preserve two 90-foot fields in Memorial Park and create a flexible open area for rectangular sports, aligning with suggestions received from Arcadis during a summer review.

Council and community context: Staff emphasized outreach and said an Aug. 14 community meeting was well attended. Council members thanked staff for proactively proposing a longer-term solution rather than consistently repairing the same damage.

Limits and caveats: Staff acknowledged the new configuration will not eliminate all flood impacts; alluvial deposits will still affect turf and infields. The proposal aims to reduce repeated heavy repairs and expand the park's range of uses.

Ending: Parks staff requested direction to proceed this fall with in-house regrading and reconfiguration work and said they would return with updates as the project advances.","After repeated flooding damaged Memorial Park's infields, borough staff proposed removing Field No. 2, converting Field No. 3 from 60 to 90 feet, and creating a multi-use rectangular field to reduce recurring repair costs and expand resilient uses.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6477147,"Developer proposes 24-unit conversion at 504–512 Chestnut; zoning hearing set for Oct. 1",1138,1918535,3056975,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5&start=1918&end=3056","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5713170-a5f0b057b76b8ca56d99c06e995f9fa5/thumbnail_1918535.jpg","/articles/6477147/Pottstown/Montgomery-County/Pennsylvania/Developer-proposes-24-unit-conversion-at-504512-Chestnut-zoning-hearing-set-for-Oct-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6477147-a62283871d466baed6f8fc4cfd312040/orig.mp4?Expires=1770861455&Signature=SoyE6cpkVT-F3kRq0R~C1zkMskmO3MLaWZk~pDk2YKGPrsYd34wHu8Qc0-wWplYK9Sbrw5q4bhyPS71rrk-wBAnm~qpISkwnRESaPTbl6szwtg2lymloZua0XSlHe9~d3-2Evx8cGc9j2px9nLPqnwsxxlWo9T-Tp3BM8TTpkrQE8mLDiNjvzg~SWaszNNUTnRYlBgKC0VczE3OguqvItdFuBYiDrcFEtctGtLgIgajj2D~-vN0YQSDzavpkjjyUXSYj-hMdJ43P8~~0ohbyET-SBfzZXOdNX9mQDGZop8ck-TLPAb-vSJg6bwcwyb4X3JBBtg~kebZtvydI59cLaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A developer planning to convert a long-troubled property at 504–512 Chestnut Street into apartments asked Pottstown Borough Council for its support as he moves through the zoning review process.

The proposal, presented Sept. 3 by the applicant team, calls for demolishing an on-site single-family structure and rehabilitating existing factory buildings to create 24 apartment units with 36 parking spaces. \"Their plan is to demolish the residential structure and then totally rehabilitate the existing property to make a 24 apartment units with 36 parking spaces in the parking lot,\" said the applicant's attorney, Mr. Murray, during the presentation.

The developer, Elon Sherman, described his approach as focused on converting dilapidated buildings into two-bedroom apartments with premium finishes. \"I'm a local developer... I've been at this for about 12 years,\" Sherman said, adding that units typically are 750 to 900 square feet with hardwood flooring and stainless-steel appliances.

Why it matters: The Chestnut Street property has been identified by staff as a longstanding blight and a target for neighborhood stabilization. Council members and local development representatives said the conversion could increase the borough tax base and encourage further investment in the area.

Key details and next steps: The applicant filed a zoning review application and a conditional-use application; the Zoning Hearing Board is scheduled to hear the variances Oct. 1. The team said they also have submitted the conditional-use application, which will be heard at the borough's October meeting. The applicants seek multiple variances tied to the existing building footprints, including relief from the ordinance requirement of two parking spaces per unit (they propose 36 spaces for 24 units).

Council response and community input: Councilor Proskal said the presentation showed visible improvement from earlier photos and voiced support, while noting concerns about the proposed rooftop addition and building height. \"I'm much in support of it,\" Proskal said, while adding that the height increase for a rooftop amenity is a concern. In public comment, Peggy Lee Clark, representing PAID's economic development interests, said the organization will support the project at the zoning hearing and encouraged council backing, calling the project \"a property that would stabilize and also encourage further development.\"

Affordability question: A council member asked whether the developer would consider reserving one unit at 30% of adjusted gross income to address local housing needs; the developer and attorney said they were willing to discuss such options but that no agreement had been reached.

Limits of action tonight: No land-development approvals were granted at this meeting; the applicant confirmed the sale is \"under agreement of sale\" and said the project is contingent on obtaining the required zoning approvals. The solicitor noted that if zoning approvals are not secured, the project could be delayed or cancelled.

What’s next: Council was asked to consider taking a position and to include the item on the agenda for Monday's meeting so members can decide whether to send a support letter to the Zoning Hearing Board.

Ending: The applicant said the team will return with more detailed materials at the October meeting and requested council consideration of a formal support position before the Oct. 1 hearing.","A developer seeking to convert a former dairy/warehouse at 504–512 Chestnut Street into 24 apartments presented designs to Pottstown Borough Council; zoning variances and conditional-use review are pending, with a Zoning Hearing Board date set for Oct. 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pottstown police to step up enforcement of e-bike and e-scooter rules after rise in crashes

Council to consider additional zoning applications Monday; 17 Rosedale and 379 Cherry noted

Pottstown parks staff propose removing one ballfield, converting another to reduce flood damage

Developer proposes 24-unit conversion at 504–512 Chestnut; zoning hearing set for Oct. 1