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Board narrowly approves preliminary plan for Sanatoga mixed‑use development after 3‑2 vote
Summary
The Board approved Preliminary Plan Approval and eight waivers for Sanatoga Land Holdings to build a 125‑room hotel, two restaurants and 200 apartments in the GMU district; the vote was 3‑2 amid commissioner concerns about future waivers and partnership tone.
Lower Pottsgrove commissioners on Dec. 2 approved Preliminary Plan Approval and eight associated waivers for Sanatoga Land Holdings LP, clearing the way for a proposed mixed‑use development that would include a 125‑room hotel, two restaurants and 200 apartments in the GMU district.
Attorney Julie Von Spreckelsen spoke for the applicant and told the Board the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval of the requested waivers and that the applicant agreed to the resolution's conditions. Fire Marshal Lew Babel said the original plan showed a six‑inch supply line off the main twelve‑inch line; he requested an eight‑inch line for fire protection. Engineer Eric Britz of Bohler Engineering said the applicant would provide the requested eight‑inch supply line in revised plans.
Commissioner William Keohane said he appreciated a letter from Paul Tornetta acknowledging a traffic impact fee but added that he felt "the tone of the letter contradicted that sentiment," expressing concern about the applicant's approach to partnership. Commissioner Michael McGroarty praised the economic development team's engagement with the applicant but questioned how many future text amendments and waivers the Township would grant. Commissioner Robert Mohollen moved to approve Resolution 1359‑24; the motion passed 3‑2.
Why it matters The approval advances a large private development in a mixed‑use zone that will change land use, traffic and service demands in the Sanatoga area. The Board attached conditions and secured a commitment to increase the water‑supply main for fire protection; other site conditions and final engineering will be resolved before land development and construction permits are issued.
What happens next The project moves into the land‑development and permitting phase where revised engineering plans, permitting, traffic impact mitigation and any remaining conditions must be satisfied before building permits are issued.
Provenance This article is based on remarks and motions recorded in SEG 004–SEG 005, including the applicant presentation, Fire Marshal Babel’s request for an 8‑inch supply line, Bohler engineer Eric Britz’s commitment to make that change, and the Board’s recorded 3‑2 vote on Resolution 1359‑24.
