On Tuesday, October 10, 2023 the Planning Commission of the Borough of Hatboro continued its review of the Land Development and Conditional Use applications submitted for the property located at 24-28 S. York Road (also known as the former CVS site).

During this meeting, Borough Land Planner, John Kennedy delivered a brief presentation on the intricacies of an easement from the 1980s that impacts parking spaces on the former CVS Property, Strawberry Nails Property, and the Borough’s Moreland and Orchard Parking Lot. This easement underwent careful reviews by the Borough Solicitor and Planners to determine how each party is impacted. A copy of Planner Kennedy’s presentation can be downloaded below for review. It is important to note that the Planning Commission did not make a determination or recommendation on the parking easement for the project. The parking easement itself will be heavily discussed at a future Council Meeting alongside the Land Development and Conditional Use Applications.

Following Planner Kennedy’s presentation, the Developer for the property presented updated renderings for the project and discussed other elements including:

1. Building Amenities including a white roof (which helps reduce heat island effects) and a rain barrel system that will provide water to the facility’s landscaping
2. Possible Electric Vehicle Chargers (the Planning Commission ultimately made a recommendation in favor of the white roof and the rain barrel system instead of the electric vehicle chargers due to resident feedback)
3. Land Development waiver requests and feedback on review letters from the Borough’s land planner, engineer, and Montgomery County
4. Commercial space

Copies of the renderings can be downloaded below and copies of the developer’s complete application are available for review at Borough Hall (temporarily located at the Pennypack Facility – 130 Spring Avenue, Hatboro, PA 19040)

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Planning Commission ultimately recommended that Borough Council approve the Land Development Application, Conditional Use Application, and Land Development Waiver Requests. These items will be scheduled for an upcoming Council Meeting for discussion. Borough Council will be determining a Conditional Use Hearing Date for the project at their October 23, 2023 Council Meeting. Once this date is determined, the Borough will notify residents and business owners. We strongly encourage residents to attend the Conditional Use Hearing to provide comments and concerns regarding the project. If you have a question, comment, or concern regarding the project but are not able to attend the Conditional Use Hearing or Land Development Discussion at an upcoming Council Meeting, residents are welcome to submit their comments in advance to Borough Manager Diane Hegele to be read into the record. Please make sure to note your name and address along with your comment or concern for minute purposes.

Residents are reminded that the Planning Commission is an advisory board and their recommendation for approval does not mean that the project has been approved. The Commission’s approval means that the project will now be reviewed and discussed at the Borough Council level.