Pottstown Zoning Board Approves Variance For iCreate Cafe

Front row: Left, Peter Dolan, Esquire, Right, Ashraf Khalil

POTTSTOWN, PA – Wednesday evening the Pottstown Zoning Board heard testimony from iCreate Cafe owner, Ashraf Khalil, regarding his request for a zoning variance to operate a cafe and computer training center at 130 King Street, Pottstown. The neighborhood is zoned TTN or Traditional Town Neighborhood.  After receiving a violation notice from the Pottstown Codes Department in August, a hearing was originally scheduled for September 17th.  However, Mr. Khalil’s attorney, Peter Dolan, requested a continuance to adequately prepare his case. The hearing was rescheduled for October 15th.

A large group of supporters gathered in the 3rd floor council chambers to hear the evidence be presented. After Mr. Khalil’s sworn testimony and some clarification questions from the board, the meeting was opened to public comment. More than a dozen people were allowed to speak in favor of iCreate Cafe and Mr. Khalil.

After the public testimony, the board met in Executive Session.  After a short recess, the board returned to the council chamber and rendered their verdict for Mr. Khalil and iCreate Cafe by allowing the variance.

First of all, we thank the Pottstown Zoning Board for being open-minded and seeing the value of this niche market small business that draws customers from all over the Delaware Valley and beyond.   Based on the passionate testimony made during the public comments, it’s obvious this is a very special place.

Secondly, we feel now that Pottstown is getting serious about economic development and tourism (by developing a Tourism District and leveraging all the attractions that surround Memorial Park and the Western Gateway) having a highly rated locally owned restaurant within walking distance is a win-win.  If you want people to come to Pottstown and “spend the day” they will need to eat.  They are not going to want fast food or chain restaurants.  They are going to want something they cannot get at home.  iCreate Cafe is the total package when it comes to something you cannot get just anywhere.  From the unique decor to the vegan/vegetarian food with a Middle Eastern flair, it’s far from ordinary.  Add a chef/owner with the gift of hospitality and you have a winning trifecta.

This was a great victory for small business and for Pottstown.  If Pottstown could attract more unique restaurants like iCreate and some funky boutiques so people could do some shopping while they are visiting, you would have yourself a destination.

Congratulations to Ashraf Khalil and iCreate Cafe.  We wish you much success.

Website: http://www.icreatecafe.org/

iCreate Cafe Needs Your Help Raising Money For A Zoning Variance

Pottstown‘s most unique and healthy restaurant/computer training center needs our help or they will have to close their doors.  We certainly don’t want that!  To that end, please read below and if you want to keep this amazing cafe in Pottstown, click on the link provided and donate whatever you are comfortable contributing to the cause!  

Ash writes,

We NEED to raise money ASAP to pay for THE ZONING VARIANCE application to be able to stay in our location in the historical district of our beautiful Pottstown, and to keep providing services to our local customers and students.

 If we don’t apply for the zoning variance then we will have to CLOSE OUR DOORS.

Your contribution to our fundraising is truly appreciated.

Thank you 

To contribute, please click on this link: http://www.gofundme.com/Saving-iCreate-Cafe

Former Stanley Flagg Site Eyed For Green Development

Developer David Mermelstein owns the site of the former Stanley Flagg company.  David would like to develop 29 acres in POTTSTOWN BOROUGH into a green energy business.  If you read today’s Our View in the Mercury it goes into detail about the business Mr. Mermelstein would like to create in Pottstown. 

If you read my post about the Logan Triangle area of Philadelphia, that site is 35 acres.  The City of York is developing a massive brownfield site which is also 29 acres.  You can read about that on here as well.  This Stanley Flagg proposal represents a HUGE investment and should be taken very seriously!

Pottstown’s Keystone Opportunity Zone has been created for a while now and as far as I know only one business is located there??  The Flagg site is industrial and not close to a lot of residential areas.  David appears willing to make many concessions to ensure this plant will not negatively impact the quality of life here in Pottstown.  This would create jobs and generate revenue for Pottstown Borough.

Mr. Mermelstein said the reception he received was “positive, but not glowing.”  Let us hope this proposal is seriously considered.  If other investors see Pottstown as easy to work with, more investment will be forthcoming into the borough instead of all around it ala Upland Square and Commerce Corner for starters.

This is a golden opportunity to start the ball rolling.  Let’s remove the stone wall as depicted in today’s Mercury cartoon so the development train doesn’t once again skirt Pottstown for a more business-friendly suburb.

Pottstown Speaks With Forked Tongue

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!