Phoenixville council approves three land‑development plans; Knott Road plan draws public concern

Phoenixville Borough Council on Feb. 11 approved three separate subdivision and land‑development plans, voting to move forward with an Oakwood Apartments expansion, a Christman Street subdivision and a four‑story, 16‑unit building at 224–226 Knott Road.

The Oakwood Apartments expansion, which adds two apartment buildings and 32 units to an existing complex and includes parking, stormwater and sidewalk work, was approved by motion of Mr. Moore with a second; the motion carried 7–1. The planning commission had recommended conditional approval after the applicant satisfied required conditions.

Council also unanimously approved the Christman Street subdivision, a five‑lot subdivision that preserves an existing single‑family house and adds four duplexes, with conditions addressing tree preservation and street trees. The council vote on Christman Street was 8–0.

The Knott Road plan, proposing demolition of two semi‑detached houses and construction of a four‑story building with 16 apartments and 20 parking spaces (including two EV stalls, and some stacked parking), was approved with conditions after public comment. Councilor Kirchner recused himself from that item; the motion passed with six votes in favor, one opposed and one abstention (recorded as an abstention). The solicitor and staff noted the project meets the borough’s subdivision and zoning ordinances.

Residents at the Knott Road public comment period repeatedly raised concerns about building height, loss of privacy, traffic impacts on narrow Milligan Street, construction impacts and whether the borough’s sewer lines could handle another multi‑unit building. Florence Manno of 320 Milligan Street said the four‑story proposal “is overbearing” and raised specific worries about basement flooding and existing pump activity in the neighborhood. Greg Schreiner and other neighbors also questioned trash/truck access, emergency access, and long‑term parking impacts.

Council members and staff responded that engineers and borough staff had reviewed capacity and conveyed that sewer conveyance and treatment capacity are sufficient; the manager noted the developer must obtain required permits and will provide off‑site improvements (for example, milling/overlay and some Milligan Street turning‑radius work). Several council members said they were sympathetic to neighbors but constrained by existing zoning and subdivision regulations; one member urged citizens to engage in the ongoing zoning‑task‑force process if they want different rules for future projects.

Votes at a glance

- Oakwood Apartments expansion (prelim/final): motion by Mr. Moore; second Mr. Weiss; outcome: approved, 7–1. Key items: 32 new units, parking re‑striping to 149 spaces, stormwater improvements; planning commission recommended approval after conditions were met.

- Christman Street subdivision (prelim/final): motion by Mr. Moore; second Mr. Weiss; outcome: approved, 8–0. Key items: five lots (one preserved house, four duplexes), three waivers conditioned on tree preservation and curb/driveway treatments.

- 224–226 Knott Road (prelim/final): motion by Mr. Moore; second not specified on record; outcome: conditionally approved, 6–1 with 1 abstention (Councilor Kirchner recused). Key items: 4‑story, 16‑unit building; 20 parking spaces (including 2 EV and some stacked parking); off‑site Milligan Street improvements required.

Why it matters: These approvals add more multifamily housing within the borough’s existing zoning framework and illustrate tensions between resident concerns about neighborhood scale and the limits of local discretion under current zoning/land‑development rules. Several council members urged residents to participate in the zoning task force that will consider ordinance changes.

What’s next: Each approval is conditional on satisfying the plan resolution terms and required permits; the Knott Road developer must complete off‑site improvements and obtain required utility and building permits before construction.