Council committee backs waiver for 217 West Main mixed‑use conversion and advances "Lead Safe" resolution

The Lansdale code enforcement and land planning committee reported committee support for a land‑development waiver for 217 West Main Street that would convert the property to mixed use — an event space on the first floor and five residential units above (three one‑bedroom units, one studio, and one two‑bedroom unit), Vice President Raffia Raza said. The waiver will be presented to the full council for a vote at a future meeting.

Raza also described work on a proposed "Lead Safe" resolution. The draft, prepared with borough staff and the solicitor, encourages property owners to test older homes (those built before 1978), follow EPA lead‑safe renovation practices and use county and state remediation resources. The resolution calls for the borough to coordinate outreach with Montgomery County public health, school officials and community organizations, and to provide educational materials to prospective homebuyers and landlords rather than pursue enforcement actions.

The committee discussed a proposed update to the borough’s fee schedule — staff compared fees with 8–10 nearby municipalities and will share a draft in OneDrive for council review ahead of a vote at the next business meeting. Raza said there remain about 200 rental units that have not renewed licenses after the notice sent last November; staff are developing wording and a late fee (proposed at $5 per day) for future notices.