Douglass poised to move 241-home project forward.
DOUGLASS (MONT.) >> A 241unit townhouse development that has been in the pipeline for years will be on the table for a vote at the next supervisors meeting on Feb. 6.
Known as “the Zern tract,” the Danny Jake Corp. has been proposing a development of one kind or another on the 285 acres between Jackson Road and Route 100 for years.
At the Jan. 17 meeting, the board of supervisors authorized Township Solicitor Robert Brant to put together a resolution for consideration at the next meeting.
The resolution, if approved, will provide a preliminary, not final, approval for the plan, explained Josh Hagadorn, engineer for the township’s engineering firm Gilmore and Assoc.
There are still a number of major issues for the development that need to be worked out before the bulldozers can start rolling.
Because of the development’s location, the developers can seek public water from either Aqua Pennsylvania or the Boyertown municipal water supply.
Arrangements must also be finalized with the Berks-Montgomery Municipal Authority for sewage disposal.
The project will also require permits from PennDOT and a stream discharge permit for the additional stormwater generated by the buildings and parking services.
Integral to the plan for this project is the construction of a new road called Market Street that is planned to run between the Zern tract and Route 100.
However, the developer will not build this road, although a contribution of $506,875 will be made toward the cost of its construction, said Township Manager Peter Hiryak.
In all likelihood, it will be some years before that road is built.
In the meantime, access to the Zern tract will bee off two inroads connected to Jackson Street, although Hagadorn said a temporary road my be connected to East Philadelphia Avenue for use by emergency vehicles only until Market Street is constructed.
The resolution, if approved, will provide a preliminary, not final, approval for the plan