What’s the 422?

At this point last year, plans for a Home Depot next to the Acme along Ridge Pike were rolling along. The building supply center has since pulled out of Limerick, yet the property next to the empty field – Epps Beverage – is still moving across the street to 84 W. Ridge Pike.

Carol and Robert Ganovsky, owners of the beer and soda center at 79 W. Ridge Pike, appeared before the Limerick Board of Supervisors last Thursday with their attorney, Tom Smith.

Smith asked for a reconsideration of the $55,770 traffic impact fee being charged to his client. He argued that since Epps is moving from one side of Ridge Pike to the other, “we should have gotten credit for any traffic impact.”

Supervisors’ Chairwoman Elaine DeWan was not willing to withdraw the fee, which is levied against any new development.

Limerick’s Solicitor Joe McGrory explained to Smith that since traffic counts “run with the land,” the Ganovskys would not be eligible for a credit.

“I know you’re under trying considerations,” McGrory said.

In the coming weeks, Smith will meet with the township’s traffic engineer, Traffic Planning & Design Inc. Although the preliminary resolution approved by a 3-0 vote last week contains the $55,770 traffic fee, McGrory said the township would be willing to accept a lesser amount.

“If you are persuasive in your arguments with our traffic consultant,” McGrory said.

The new Epps Beverage will utilize a 2,400-square-foot old trucking terminal near Majestic Flooring, according to testimony Smith gave in April. Additionally, the Ganovskys propose an extra 5,400 square feet of new construction and a covered loading dock.

“Where Epps Beverage sits now will be nothing but a parking lot,” Ernest Schmitt said at the April 9 meeting.

Schmitt is Carol Ganovsky’s brother-in-law and helped her through the land development process. Epps’s current location at 79 W. Ridge Pike is near the proposed main entrance for Home Depot. In a previous interview, Supervisor Renee Chesler said she anticipates the development of this lot at some point.

Prior to Home Depot abandoning plans for a new store next to Limerick Crossing, the developer was involved in legal negotiations with several businesses over the right-of-way along Ridge Pike, according to attorney Rob Lewis. He represents Limerick Partners I LP, the developer.

Chesler and fellow Supervisor Joe St. Pedro did not attend last Thursday’s meeting.