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Residents press township on Sanatoga Village appearance, traffic sightline and police staffing during public comment
Summary
During public comment residents raised concerns about the paint and historic character of the former Cutillos Restaurant under Ordinance 199; Manager Wagner said the work was done without permits and the township is pursuing court action. Other commenters asked about police staffing (21 patrol officers) and a sightline issue at North Adams and Buchert involving a utility pole.
Several residents used the public-comment period at the March 3 Lower Pottsgrove meeting to press officials on local concerns ranging from historic-character enforcement to traffic safety.
Tom Troutman told the board he was speaking for himself and said he was displeased with the appearance of the former Cutillos Restaurant, adding it appears the rules to retain the historic character in the Sanatoga Village District "have been abandoned." He said he held a copy of Ordinance 199 and asked whether buildings can be painted any color. Manager Edward C. Wagner said the work was done without any permits and the township is in the process of going to court with the property owner; Wagner invited Troutman to testify at the hearing and said he will keep him informed when a date is set.
Tony Doyle asked how many patrol officers the department currently has; Lt. William James said Lower Pottsgrove has 21 patrol officers and about 12–13 police vehicles. Doyle also asked the final purchase price for the Pleasantview Road/High Street property; Wagner said the township paid $750,000, including demolition.
Resident Mike Shearer raised a safety concern at North Adams Street and Buchert Road, saying a utility pole blocks the sightline when turning left onto Buchert. Wagner said utility poles are typically placed in the legal right-of-way and that moving a pole could place it on private property; he offered to check the right-of-way and follow up with PECO and his government contacts.
Wagner told residents the township will pursue code-enforcement remedies through the courts for the painting/permit issue and will relay information about hearings and next steps.
