Douglass Planning Agency forwards zoning updates to supervisors, schedules revitalization workshop; several subdivisions moving forward

DOUGLASS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — At its Aug. 14 meeting the Douglass Township Planning Agency recommended proposed zoning ordinance updates to the Board of Supervisors for review and scheduled a workshop to discuss revitalization work along E. Philadelphia Avenue.

Agency members noted that the zoning changes will be sent to the Board of Supervisors with a public hearing set for Sept. 15, 2025. Naomi Crimm of MCPC said she will provide a summary comparing Douglass’s revitalization proposals — including a potential mailbox project on E. Philadelphia Avenue — to approaches taken by other municipalities. The agency scheduled a revitalization workshop for Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.; Ms. Carpenter urged a phased approach to improvements and funding, and Mr. Richardson recommended a site walk along E. Philadelphia Avenue before the workshop.

At the regional planning update, Ms. Crimm said the Pottstown Metro Regional Planning Commission discussed zoning changes in neighboring New Hanover and reported the Wynstone Project is restarting: the developer has purchased more land, which will require a new plan submittal and a traffic study.

Manager Andrew Duncan updated the agency on several subdivision deadline statuses: Holly Road’s preliminary approval (2/27/2022) remains pending final revisions; Madison Walk/650 Englesville Road (prelim approved 4/13/2023) is awaiting final submittal; 749 Congo Road (prelim approved 9/23/2024) and 115 W. Moyer Road (prelim approved 3/03/2025) were reported as moving quickly. No public comments were offered at the meeting.

The items discussed will be revisited at the Sept. 11 workshop and in subsequent Planning Agency meetings; the agency forwarded the zoning updates to the Board of Supervisors for their review and the Sept. 15 public hearing.