Norristown Council Faced Data Center Zoning, Police Hiring, and Bridge Repairs; State Hospital Redevelopment Reviews Ahead
Norristown's Municipal Council had a busy late July, with agendas covering data center zoning, police staffing, tax appeal settlements, and bridge repairs. Minutes for all three recent meetings have not yet been published, so the items below reflect what was scheduled for consideration — not confirmed outcomes.
Municipal Council — July 21
The July 21 council agenda included several items with budget and land-use implications:
- **Ordinance 26-04:** A proposed ordinance to permit data centers and accessory uses in the Heavy Industrial District. A public hearing was scheduled.
- **Resolution 26-55:** A request to hire five entry-level police officers.
- **Resolution 26-62:** Land development for the 1520 Arch Street Extension, related to Hancock Elementary School.
- **Microsoft licensing subscription** in the amount of $47,480.40.
- **$50,000 escrow** for PRDC Properties' land development review fees for the State Hospital Project.
Because minutes are not yet available, it is not confirmed which of these items passed.
Municipal Council — July 23
The July 23 agenda focused on tax appeals, infrastructure, and grants:
- **Tax assessment appeal settlements** for two properties: 1500 Dekalb Street and 1430 Dekalb Street.
- **Ratification of an emergency contract** for repairs to the Marshall Street & Arch Street Bridge.
- **Contract with Cosimo Riccioli & Sons** for $23,985.00 for fitness court installation.
- **Authorization to apply for a $1.5 million DCED Multimodal Grant.**
Again, no minutes have been published, so outcomes are not confirmed.
Zoning Hearing Board — July 28
The Zoning Hearing Board scheduled a public hearing at 7:00 PM in the Council Chambers to review variance requests for several residential properties. Five items were listed:
- **John Brodeur** — variance to restore an abandoned triplex at 1733 Willow St. (R-2 Residence District).
- **Richard Gallo** — variance to allow two houses on one parcel at 524 Moore St. (R-2 Residence District).
- **Andrew & Margaret Horvath** — variance to convert a patio to a sunroom at 1307 W. Oak St. (R-2 Residence District).
- **Sharif T. Dawson** — variance to install a wall sign at 617 Swede St. (R-2 Residence District).
- **Bar Holdings, LLC** — variance to use an abandoned duplex at 39 E. Jacoby St. (R-2 Residence District).
Each applicant was required to be present to be heard. Minutes are not yet published.
Coming Up
Three meetings in the next two weeks are worth noting:
- **August 5 — Municipal Council:** Agenda includes authorizing purchase of a water rescue boat trailer (Resolution 26-64), a police command vehicle and outfitting costs (Resolution 26-54), a three-year contract with Synario for financial modeling software (Resolution 26-67), adoption of the 2026–2030 Capital Improvements Plan Revision (Resolution 26-68), and conditional reappointment offers to three former police officers (Resolution 26-69).
- **August 11 — Planning Commission:** Review of a preliminary land development plan for "The Preserve at Stony Creek" at 1001 Sterigere Street, the former Norristown State Hospital site. Applicant Pinnacle Realty Development Company proposes 424 townhouses, 258 apartments, 74,000 sq ft of retail, and 228,750 sq ft of industrial/office/tech space.
- **August 12 — Design Review Board:** Procedural review of the same "The Preserve at Stony Creek" preliminary land development plans, with one substantive item under new business.
The State Hospital site redevelopment is the largest upcoming item by scale and will be reviewed by two separate bodies in consecutive days.