Phoenixville council approves settlement on Bridge Street properties, adopts regulations, and conditionally approves Chipotle site

Phoenixville Borough Council on Feb. 10 approved a series of routine and development measures, including personnel contracts, a property‑maintenance settlement, ordinance and resolution updates, and conditional land‑development approval for a new restaurant pad site.

Council first approved, by voice vote, an independent contractor agreement to appoint Dr. Kevin J. Duffy as medical director overseeing the Quick Response Service (QRS) program and EMS education for the Phoenixville Fire Department. The motion was moved by Miss Berkley and seconded by Mister Weiss and carried 7–0.

Solicitor Graff summarized an ongoing enforcement matter related to properties on the 500 block of Bridge Street. To avoid protracted litigation the borough reached a settlement with Steel Works Acquisition LP that requires the landowner to demolish or remediate multiple Bridge Street properties on a specified timeline. Council authorized the borough council president, borough manager, and borough solicitor to execute the settlement documents; the motion passed unanimously.

Council moved and adopted an ordinance amending Chapter 13 (licenses, permits and general business regulations) and approved a resolution establishing conditions for Phoenixville "inside/out" special events pursuant to section 13‑13‑o‑4 of the borough code; both passed 7–0.

The Historic Architectural Review Board’s recommendation to approve a Certificate of Appropriateness for renovations and additions at 184 Bridge Street was accepted unanimously; planning staff noted additional planning review may be required for technical items.

On land development, the council conditionally approved the preliminary/final subdivision and land development plan for a Chipotle pad site at 1000 Nutt Road (property owned by Nut Road LP). The applicant requested three waivers (plan scale, five‑foot internal sidewalks versus the 10‑foot standard, and limited grading within three feet of a property line to accommodate a unique parcel finger and easement). Planning commission members and the borough engineer reviewed traffic circulation concerns, and the applicant described app‑order operations intended to avoid drive‑through backups. Council granted conditional approval and the motion carried seven‑zero.

Council also adopted a resolution to appoint Clementina Budnick to the vacant North Ward borough council seat (term expiring Jan. 3, 2028); staff and the solicitor’s office will complete the formal swearing‑in steps.

Votes at a glance: • Independent contractor agreement — Dr. Kevin J. Duffy (medical director): approved, 7–0 (Mover: Miss Berkley; Second: Mister Weiss). • Settlement agreement — Steel Works Acquisition LP (Bridge Street demolition/remediation): approved, 7–0 (Mover: Mister White; Second: Mister Moore). • Ordinance — Chapter 13 updates (licenses/permits): adopted, 7–0. • Resolution — Phoenixville inside/out special event conditions: adopted, 7–0. • HARB Certificate — 184 Bridge Street renovations: approved, 7–0. • Land development — 1000 Nutt Road (Chipotle pad site), conditional approval and three waivers: approved, 7–0. • Appointment — North Ward council vacancy: Clementina Budnick appointed, 7–0.

Why it matters: The approved settlement clarifies next steps for properties that were the subject of code enforcement and avoids protracted litigation; the land‑development approval moves a commercial project forward while specifying waivers and traffic measures. The meeting also underscored the borough’s near‑term policy workload on public‑safety and immigration concerns raised by residents.

What’s next: Staff and the solicitor will finalize the settlement documentation and the Budnick appointment; planning staff will continue technical review of the 1000 Nutt Road land‑development conditions.