A new church on Game Farm Road received unanimous preliminary plan approval from the Limerick Board of Supervisors on Thursday night, but several people with first-hand knowledge of the process declined to speak about a possible federal inquiry into the deal.
NorthPointe Community Church was or still is on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s radar screen. The church appeared on an un-redacted copy of a township legal bill.
Pastor Randy Johnson was asked by a reporter after the vote if he has been questioned by any federal agents about his land development application.
“I’m not sure I can answer that,” Johnson said, indicating he would need his attorney present.
He later said that no agent questioned him about land development. Johnson declined to say if federal agents interviewed him, or NorthPointe representatives, about the sewer connection approved by the supervisors for his property.
Township Solicitor Joe McGrory, who sat in the audience for the duration of Thursday’s meeting, also declined to comment on the matter.
Asked if it was prudent of the supervisors to approve the application from a legal standpoint, McGrory stated: “No comment on that.”
He did say the supervisors looked at the application on its merits.
John Iannozzi sat in as the township solicitor Thursday night. McGrory said he had a meeting in another municipality.
Skippack Supervisor Mark Marino, a one-time business partner of former Limerick Supervisor David Kane, had a financial stake in the sale of NorthPointe’s ground.
According to his State Ethics Commission filings, Marino received income from White Paws LLC, which sold the 13 acres to NorthPointe.
The development waivers requested by the Crossroads Group, and granted by the supervisors, include:
- Two changes to tree buffer requirements
- Reduction of curb radii
- Elimination of curbing around plant islands
- A deferral of sidewalks on Game Farm Road
Supervisors’ Chairwoman Elaine DeWan said sidewalks would not be beneficial.
“Sidewalks could be more of a problem because of the configurement of Game Farm Road,” she said.
The Limerick Planning Commission had brought forth the idea of a 5-foot-wide bicycle shoulder on Game Farm as well as “Share the Road” signs. While DeWan said this would be a hazard, Supervisor Kara Shuler said cyclists already use the road.
“Personally, I’m not for it or against it,” Shuler said.
Jeremy Hoagland, of Crossroads, represented NorthPointe during the hearing. He said they would look into the bike shoulder concept.
Stay tuned for a full recap of Thursday’s meeting, including the final approval of Costco and a contract extension for Township Manager Dan Kerr.
In the last meeting of her term, Supervisor Renee Chesler was not present. She will be replaced by fellow Republican Tom Neafcy next month.
December 14th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Boy everyone is quiet about this one.