Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Phoenixville public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
36 issues
315 Gay Street Zoning Application (Masons Lodge)
The Masons want to convert the former church on Gay Street to a private club with event space and rentable basement offices. Council stayed out of it, leaving the decision to the Zoning Hearing Board on Nov. 18.
Firefighter hiring pipeline begins
Council authorized a federal grant application for five firefighters — 75% reimbursed for two years, then 35%, with the borough picking up the full cost by year four. Council Member Dugan warned the tax impact must go through Finance before any hiring.
2027 Budget and 10.5-Mill Tax Levy
The 2027 draft budget totals $39.1 million with a proposed 10.5-mil combined property tax rate — the high end, with staff aiming to lower it before December adoption. About half of general fund spending goes to emergency services, and the budget funds five new firefighters via a SAFER grant, park improvements, police equipment, and a $5,200 library contribution bump.
Water and Sewer Rates for 2027
Water rates rise to $10.80 per thousand gallons while sewer stays at $7.15; both bonds will be paid off early in 2027, saving taxpayers roughly $22,000 and $80,000 in interest.
374 Church Street Workforce Housing Project
A 48-unit condo building — half market-rate, half Habitat for Humanity workforce housing — cleared its historic design review. It's an experiment in building affordable housing without subsidies, with land costs offset by the market-rate units.
Metered parking lot ordinance amendment
Council adopted an amendment to the metered parking rules in Chapter 15 of the borough code.
Water meter replacement funded
A $38,000 budget transfer moved money within the water fund to keep the capital meter replacement program on track.
EMS agreement renewed — no surprise ambulance bills
The renewed TowerDIRECT contract keeps a resident-friendly rule: no balance billing. If you call 911 in Phoenixville, the ambulance provider can't chase you for deductibles or copays beyond what the borough pays.
Honky Tonk liquor license transfer approved with conditions
The Phoenixville Honky Tonk at 130 Bridge Street got its liquor license transfer approved, but the borough attached real conditions: soundproofing to protect residents living above, and a patio easement before any permits are issued.
Solid waste hauler reporting dates amendment coming
Council voted to advertise an amendment to the solid waste hauler reporting dates ordinance — the actual adoption is expected at a future meeting.
Downtown 2027 event calendar locked in
Council approved a full slate of 2027 street events — First Fridays monthly, Art Street Festival, Juneteenth, Pride Fest, Blobfest and VegFest — meaning regular Bridge Street closures and parking lot shutdowns next year.
Liquor license transfer to 130 Bridge Street
A Jersey Shore hospitality group wants to open a country-themed Honky Tonk with BBQ, an arcade, and live music at the old Iron Hill Brewery site. Council heard the case but tabled the license-transfer vote to October after the solicitor questioned the applicant's documentation and standing.
Bridge Street Sanitary Sewer Improvement rebid
Every bid for the sewer improvement project came in too high, so Council rejected them all and will recalibrate and rebid. The manager said there's no urgency.
Phoenixville Library funding shortfall
The library lost about $200,000 a year when it could no longer process passports. It's asking the Borough (and other municipalities and the school district) to raise funding to $2 per resident over four years — or it will cut hours from 51 to 45 a week and leave staff positions unfilled.
Vanderslice Street traffic and parking
A resident described bottlenecks, gridlock with trucks, and dangerous conditions for kids and pedestrians on Vanderslice Street — and warned that 12 new driveways from the Station Hill development would make it far worse.
Station Hill Development opposition
Residents are sounding the alarm on Audubon Land Development's plan for 12 HOA townhomes on the steep, wooded slope right over the Gay Street Bridge at 501 Gay Street. They worry about clear-cutting trees, a 20-foot retaining wall an HOA can't afford to maintain, dangerous driveway placements on congested Vanderslice Street, and steep-slope waivers shifting risk onto taxpayers.
Old Kindergarten Center property conditions
A next-door neighbor says weeds are seven feet tall in violation of borough code, and he suspects asbestos-caulked windows remain on the property ahead of possible demolition. He's asking the Borough to verify the remediation plan protects the neighborhood.
Civil War Centennial Memorial revitalization
The little-known 1963 Civil War memorial in Reeves Park is getting a rethink: new juried artwork, signage that tells the full story — including Black Phoenixville Union veterans — and a welcoming gathering space, all funded by Diversity In Action Phoenixville.
Emergency water main break costs
This winter caused a record year of water main breaks, including three on 18-inch lines, forcing the borough to spend nearly $280,000 extra on repairs and outside contractors across two budget actions.
Parking signage confusion on Second Avenue
Resident Robin Fetter says a 33-year-old 'no parking to corner' sign near Second and Buchanan is written tickets for legally parked cars, and officers interpret it differently. Staff suggested a sign or curb-painting fix may be simple.
False alarm ordinance update
A long-planned update to the borough's false alarm rules is moving forward — it will be advertised before a final council vote.
395 Bridge Street Parking Lot design
The Paradise Street lot across from the fire station is now officially a municipal lot, along with trailhead lots at 198 Mowere Road and Ashland Street; coin payment is gone since the kiosks no longer take it.
Police hiring and ride-along outreach
The police department restarted its officer hiring process, and several council members did 9-hour ride-alongs to better understand the job as veteran officers near retirement.
Borough Manager Jean Krack retirement
After 18 years, the borough's longtime manager is retiring in spring 2027. He's been central to downtown revitalization and the borough's financial health, and Council will soon outline how they'll pick his successor.
15 Water Street acquisition
The Borough is buying the only house on Water Street, between its own parcels, to connect its water treatment plant campus — negotiated as a sale instead of condemnation.
Fire hydrant inspection easements
Some fire hydrants sit on private property — at the Hospital, ACME, and HOA streets — so the Borough will negotiate easements to keep inspecting them for fire emergencies.
Retail sale of dogs ordinance
A new ordinance makes clear Pennsylvania's dog law applies to retail dog sales within the Borough, since the state preempts most local regulation in this area.
Pension ordinance amendment advertisement
Council will advertise an amendment adding the firefighter pension to the Borough's pension provisions, with a vote expected next month.
Sidewalk cafe and outdoor business rules
The updated ordinance now covers all outdoor businesses, not just sidewalk cafes, adds permits and operating hours, and requires ADA-compliant walkways during open streets weekends.
French Creek Trail extension easement
The Borough accepted an easement over about 13 acres along French Creek behind the Giant and Tommy's Car Wash — the first big step toward extending the French Creek Trail and possibly bridging it to Veterans Park. Grants will be needed for bridges, but this shows other landowners the trail connection is serious.
Odessa Development major amendment
The 382-unit Odessa project got a major plan amendment: eight fewer townhouse units, a resident gathering plaza, a new sidewalk on Road D and grading for a possible future road connection. Dugan cast the lone no vote.
Truist banking rate increase
Staff renegotiated the borough's bank rate from 1.75% to 3%, which President Ewald pegged at roughly $700,000 more in interest income — a win for taxpayers without a tax hike.
101 High Street development
A vacant five-parcel corner at High and Dayton will get a four-story, 14-unit apartment building with an ADA-accessible ground-floor unit — new housing on a long-empty north-side block.
Board and commission appointments
Council interviewed three Tree Advisory Commission candidates — James Carminito, Andrew Dunn and Sharon Pronchik — and HRC candidate Zakkiyyah Barron, with appointments set for July 14.
Immigration enforcement limits on borough property
Council finished the job it started last month, formally barring ICE from using borough property as a staging area or processing location. It adds definitions and enforcement language to the borough code.
Urban canopy: arborist, tree assessment and public trust
After months of tension over tree removals, Council hired Gilmore & Associates as arborist and awarded ArborPro a $29,960 assessment contract, deliberately separating assessment from decision-making. Residents asked for TAC involvement in interviews and raised nesting-season and PECO removal concerns.