A developer is seeking zoning approval to build a 6,540-square-foot flex and storage building on a vacant lot at the corner of West Pothouse Road and Charlestown Road in Schuylkill Township, a proposal that came before the board of supervisors on Monday, July 13.
The application for 418 West Pothouse Road calls for five separately leased tenant spaces intended to accommodate a mix of office, indoor warehouse and storage, and vehicle repair uses. Township Engineer Paul Boettinger of T&M Associates said the proposal shows four structures measuring 30 by 50 feet and a smaller unit of 18 by 30 feet. He said no specific tenants have been identified.
The applicant is scheduled to appear before the zoning hearing board on August 12. Township Manager Laurie Getz said she placed the item on the July agenda so supervisors would have time to review it, noting they would otherwise have only two days between their August 10 meeting and the hearing to decide whether to take a position. The applicant was not present Monday but intends to appear before the board August 10, according to Getz.
The application requests a special exception under Section 370-869(G) to permit a wholesale establishment, lumberyard, building and plumbing supply business, indoor storage warehousing, and incidental trucking. It also seeks a variance under Section 370-79 to allow a 10-foot minimum side yard setback where 25 feet is required, and a variance under Section 370-181(b) to allow 26 off-street parking spaces where 30 are required.
Boettinger said the applicant did not submit a sketch plan application and has not paid for a full engineering review. He said the current plan shows no ADA-compliant spaces and that at least one, possibly two, would be required depending on the tenant uses. He also said parking shown within the rear setback, near a former rail line owned by Norfolk Southern, may require additional relief the applicant has not requested.
Board member Danielle Jouenne noted the property sits near a rail line that could become part of a future trail and questioned whether the setback relief would affect that potential use. Boettinger said the rail property appears to be adjacent to, not part of, the parcel and that he did not expect an impact because work would remain on the applicant's land.
Supervisors agreed to take no action. Jouenne said she would not favor opposing the application if it did not affect the potential future trail, and the board expects the applicant to explain the project at its August 10 meeting.
