The powers that be in this town need to make up their collective mind exactly what direction we are heading and stick to the plan. We keep promoting ourselves as “the place to be”, “up and coming”, business friendly, family friendly, home-owner friendly and I have even read several times about trying to start and art community here.
These are all wonderful things but do we really mean it?
Case in point…a young couple want to buy a property which has been vacant and for sale for ONE YEAR! Vacant properties steadily decrease in value and are susceptible to vagrants and ne’er-do-wells.
This young couple wants to keep the property a single family dwelling but have a retail business on the first floor. This requires a zoning variance because they should have 1500 square feet to qualify and the first floor is just shy of 1200 square feet. The young man is a tattoo artist and also wants to use a small space in the house to do by appointment only tattooing. They were flatly denied a variance so they are not interested in the property. Evidently only 5 people have even looked at the property in question and this young couple are the only people who showed any interest.
Eventually, some slum lord will buy this property for below market value and turn it into Section 8 rentals. Is that preferable? Mark my words, that will happen and has happened over and over in this community.
This town needs to rebuild its tax base. Home ownership and business will help Pottstown rebound.
Don’t say one thing and do another!
Roy's Rants - For Your Information 
Right on & amen!!!!!
I thought the exact same thing when I read that article!
The leaders of this town need to do SOMETHING & not say “no” to everything.
I fail to see the wisdom in this decision.
Realizing that this was the first ‘hurdle’ in making this venture everything this couple wanted should’ve spoken volumes on their behalf. They were willing to do the right thing to find a workable solution for both Borough and business (& let’s not forget residence). I have to conclude they would be eager to compromise to realize their vision and Pottstown would benefit.
Funny, when the leaders say “NO” to something like this, they always manage to say “YES” to something else which completely confounds us all.
Crazy, mixed-up and ‘old-school’ way of doing things will never help the town to revitalize, huh?
In order to REvitalize don’t you need to bring life back – isn’t that what this represented? What knid of message is this sending beyond the Borough boundary? Aren’t these things to consider in the decision-maling process?
This is about as confusing as the up and coming carousel project…