Lansdale council recap
October 18
Mardi Gras Parade
Approved: Council unanimously approved the 67th annual Lansdale Mardi Gras parade, to be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. The parade route will run along Main Street from Mitchell Avenue to Park Drive at Memorial Park, with local schools, businesses, and other groups taking part. For more information or to volunteer, contact the Lansdale Mardi Gras committee by emailing organizer Leigh Ann Tursi at leighanntursi@gmail.com.
Fourth Street Park
Cleanup: Council also unanimously approved the acquisition through eminent domain of several paper streets in the area of Fourth Street Park. According to borough officials, several streets are identified on old maps and documents that are within the footprint of the park itself, and the proposed skate park to be built near a parking area there. The paper streets are identified as Vermont Avenue, Pacific Avenue and East Fifth Street on borough documents, and the resolution passed by council states council will “acquire, by condemnation, the portions of those paper streets on which it will provide a recreation place, in order to establish clear title to those portions of the paper streets.” The borough will host a public forum to discuss the skate park plans, and hear feedback from neighbors and skaters, at 7 p.m. on Nov. 8 at the borough municipal building.
Insurance savings
Award: Borough Manager Jake Ziegler announced that Lansdale has earned a recognition from the Delaware Valley Insurance Trust, for minimizing workplace injuries and illnesses during 2016. According to Ziegler, Lansdale was in the top 25 percent of members in the large member category, with total payroll greater than $5 million, which reduced insurance claims and illnesses over the years 2014-16. “This is due to our ongoing safety programs, and risk awareness through all borough departments,” Ziegler said, and should result in a lower insurance premium paid by the borough.
Knapp Road
Discussions: Ziegler also announced that Lansdale has contacted Montgomery Township to discuss the possibility of pedestrian safety improvements along Knapp Road. In recent weeks, council members had asked staff to look into the possibility of adding a pedestrian bridge near a bend in Knapp Road, where residents have raised concerns about a lack of sidewalk and tight turns in the road. Ziegler said he and staff have met with their Montgomery Township counterparts, and Montgomery has indicated they are not interested in proceeding with any upgrades for now.
Liquor license transfer
Hearing: Ziegler and Solicitor Sean Kilkenny announced the borough intends to hold a public hearing on a liquor license transfer request from the new owners of the former Masonic Temple and arts center at 311 W. Main St. After several years of debate and discussion, the building was sold in early 2017 to the investment group behind the nearby Stove and Tap restaurant, and the new owners said they intend to convert the building into a restaurant use on the first floor and apartments above. More information could be available when the liquor license transfer is discussed during council’s Nov. 15 business meeting.