West Pottsgrove Township plans to use eminent domain to acquire a small strip of land located within the township but owned by Pottstown Borough. The township is planning to construct a small park on land adjacent to the Pottstown Municipal Airport, converting a former township pool property into a park with a Veterans Memorial, pickleball court, inclusive playground, walking trail and additional parking. To further the plan, West Pottsgrove officials asked Pottstown Borough to sell them a sliver of land at the airport. Pottstown Borough officials refused, saying the land is planned for additional hangars at the airport. West Pottsgrove Township Manager Deborah Roesner said the borough’s plans for the airport are almost 16 years old and the township is asking Pottstown to consider “minor modifications” that would “accommodate both plans.” During a Nov. 20 work session, West Pottsgrove Township commissioners voted unanimously to use eminent domain to take a parcel that is 33,336 square feet — or 0.765 acres — for the park expansion. Township solicitor Jamie Ottaviano explained that the parcel is less than the original 40,130 square feet sought from the borough because the law no longer allows a municipality to take property located in another municipality. He said although the borough owns the property the township intends to take, the 33,336 square feet are located in West Pottsgrove, allowing eminent domain to be used. The vote by West Pottsgrove is just the first step, and Ottaviano said the next is filing a Declaration of Taking at the Montgomery County courthouse.
Source: Pottstown Mercury; 11/22/2024