Lower Alsace Township and Mount Penn Borough
Joint Planning and Zoning Assessment Project (2025)
Workshop Meeting 2: October 8, 2025 6:00 pm

(1) The Principal or Underlying Zoning Districts

(a) Confirm the Limits of the Underlying Zoning Districts on the Joint Zoning Map
 Rural Residential (R-1) Zoning District
 Low Density Residential (R-2) Zoning District
 Medium Density Residential (R-3) Zoning District
 High Density Residential (R-4) Zoning District
 Urban Residential (R-5) Zoning District
 Local Commercial (C-1) Zoning District
 General Commercial (C-2) Zoning District
 Industrial (I-1) Zoning District

(b) Discussion on the Permitted Uses within the Underlying Zoning Districts

(2) The Overlay Zoning Districts

(a) Confirm the Limits of the Overlay Districts on the Joint Zoning Map
 Carsonia Avenue Overlay District
 Floodplain Overlay District
 Historic Preservation Overlay District
 Perkiomen Avenue Overlay District
 Riparian Buffer Overlay District
 Spook Lane Overlay District
 Steep Slope Overlay District
 Wetlands Overlay District
 Woodlands Overlay District

(b) Discussion on the Permitted Uses within the Overlay Zoning Districts

(3) Workshop Meetings and Project Schedule
 Workshop Meeting 3: Monday, October 20, 2025 @ 6:00 pm (LAT)
 Workshop Meeting 4: Wednesday, November 5, 22, 2025 @ 6:00 pm (MPB)
 Workshop Meeting 5: Monday, November 17, 2025 @ 6:00 pm (LAT)
 Workshop Meeting 6: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 @ 6:00 pm (MPB)
 Berks County Planning Commission Review (TBA)
 Planning Commission Public Meetings (TBA)
 Governing Body Public Hearings (TBA)

ATTENTION - Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors' Meeting - Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:30 P.M.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE
SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AGENDA
October 9, 2025

John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair
Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair
Ann Sellers, Supervisor
Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer
Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor

I. CALL TO ORDER- 6:30 P.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

II. PRESENTATIONS

A. No presentations are scheduled at this time.

III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

A. None scheduled.

IV. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

A. Motion to approve the minutes of September 11, 2025, Lower Alsace Township Supervisors’ meeting.

V. ROAD CREW FOREMAN REPORT

A. Update on assessing repair work on Township roadways for potential crack sealing and potential for future Road Project additions, including improvements to road shoulders on rural roadways.

B. Update on 2025 Road Crew work. Road Foreman to speak on 2025 Road Paving Projects as part of the Engineer’s report.

VI. SUPERVISOR LIAISON REPORTS

A. Central Berks Regional Police Commission – Supervisor Theodossiou.

B. Lower Alsace Fire Company – Supervisor Weikel.

C. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association – Supervisor Weikel.

D. Antietam Valley Recreation and Community Center – Supervisor Sellers.

E. Antietam School District – Supervisor Sellers.

VII. SOLICITOR’S REPORT

A. Solicitor’s report to be presented. Review list of open items related to township property issues.

B. Discussion on research on traffic & truck ordinance. To be included in Joint Zoning Ordinance review process.

C. Discussion on research on the existing amendment to the traffic ordinance regarding electric scooters and other motorized devices. To be included in Joint Zoning Ordinance review process.

VIII. ENGINEER’S REPORT

A. Engineer’s report to be presented.

B. Update on the progress of the 2025 Road Paving project.

C. Update on the progress of the Carsonia Avenue Multimodal Grant and project.

D. Update on the status of the Butter Lane headwall repair or replacement project., and the status of road repair work conversations with PA American Water Company.

E. Township Manager to discuss a letter requesting lowering the speed limit on Oak Lane.

IX. BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS REPORTS

A. Planning Hearing Board:

1) The most recent meeting of the Planning Commission was held on August 6, 2025.

No future meetings have been scheduled at this time.

B. Zoning Hearing Board:

1) The most recent meeting of the Zoning Hearing Board was held on July 16, 2025.

No future meetings have been scheduled at this time.

C. Antietam Valley Recreation & Community Center – report has been provided.

D. Recreation Commission of Antietam Valley – no report.

X. TREASURER’S REPORT / LIST OF BILLS

A. Motion to accept the Treasurer’s reports for September 30, 2025.

B. Motion to approve the payment of the list of bills as presented.

C. The external audit of the Township for the year ended December 31, 2024 is being finalized. We should have a presentation next month.

D. The Township Manager is working on the first draft of the 2026 Lower Alsace Township budget.

XI. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS SUBMITTED FOR APPROVAL

A. Central Berks Police Department

1. September 2025 reports.

B. Central Berks Regional Codes Enforcement Department

1. September 2025 reports.

C. Sewage Enforcement Officer

1. September 2025 reports.

D. Zoning and Building Code Officer

1. September 2025 reports.

E. Lower Alsace Township Fire Company

1. September 2025 reports.

F. Lower Alsace Ambulance Association

1. September 2025 reports.

XII. OLD BUSINESS

A. Update on the status of the review and update to the Joint Zoning Ordinance with the assistance of Hawk Valley Associates,

B. Update on the status of the streetlight repair project and discuss the proposal for 2 streetlights to be installed on Prospect Avenue.

C. Update on the status of the application for a Pennsylvania Small Water and Sewer Program Grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for storm sewer repairs to Crystal / Carsonia Lake.

D. Discussion on fence concerns at property in 600 block of Penndale Avenue. Township Manager is working on the resolution of this issue.

E. Township Manager to provide an update on the status of LSA grant applications for the Lower Alsace Ambulance Association. Letters of Support have been submitted from State Senator Judy Schwank and State Representative Jacklyn Rusnock.

F. Update on the status of consideration of merger with Mount Penn Borough.

XIII. NEW BUSINESS

A. Discussion of feral and stray cat issues.

B. Presentation and motion to approve Ordinance 2025-3 amending the existing Traffic Ordinance to approve placement of No Parking Signs along the length of Old Angora Road on both sides. The Ordinance was properly authorized for advertisement at the September 11, 2025, Supervisors’ meeting.

C. Presentation and motion to approve Ordinance 2025-4 allowing the Township to govern and regulate noxious and / or invasive plant species which can damage roadways and resident’s properties. The Ordinance was properly authorized for advertisement at the September 11, 2025, Supervisors’ meeting.

XIV. FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT

XV. EXECUTIVE SESSION

Executive session if necessary.

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on November 13, 2025.

TOWNSHIP OF LOWER ALSACE

SUPERVISORS’ MEETING AGENDA

October 3, 2025

 John Theodossiou, Supervisor, Chair

Todd Weikel, Supervisor, Vice Chair

Ann Sellers, Supervisor

Don Pottiger, Manager/Secretary-Treasurer

Kelsey Frankowski, Esq., Township Solicitor

CALL TO ORDER- 9:00 A.M.

Pledge of Allegiance to the flag

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS

None scheduled.

NEW BUSINESS

Discussion and approval of the change order from H & K Group related to the 2025 Road Paving contract to approve necessary additional work to be performed in order to allow for additional unforeseen work to the base of the road.

FINAL PUBLIC COMMENT 

 ADJOURNMENT

The next monthly meeting of the Lower Alsace Township Board of Supervisors will be held on October 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM.

PUBLIC MEETING OF THE LOWER ALSACE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS AND THE MOUNT PENN BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Board of Supervisors of Lower Alsace Township and the Borough Council of Mount Penn Borough will hold a public meeting on September 23, 2025 at 7;00 P.M. at the Mount Penn Borough Hall, 200 North 25^th Street, Reading, PA 19606. The meeting shall occur during the Borough’s regularly scheduled workshop meeting to discuss a merger of both municipalities. The Township and the Borough may consider other business at that meeting.

All residents are encouraged to attend.

Lower Alsace Township & Mount Penn Borough

The Board of Supervisors, Borough Council, Planning Commissions, and Zoning Hearing Boards of Lower Alsace Township and Mount Penn Borough have agreed to hold public meetings to consider changes and take potential action to amend the Joint Zoning Ordinance, Joint Comprehensive Plan, and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The following sessions will be held at Borough Hall, located at 200 N. 25^th Street, Reading, PA 19606, beginning at 6:00 PM: September 10, 2025; October 8, 2025; November 5, 2025; and December 3, 2025. The following sessions will be held at the Lower Alsace Township Building, located at 1200 Carsonia Avenue, Reading, PA, 19606, beginning at 6:00 PM: September 22, 2025; October 20, 2025; and November 17, 2025.

MEETING AGENDA
September 4, 2025 6:30PM
CENTRAL BERKS REGIONAL POLICE COMMISSION
1. Meeting Called to Order
2. Pledge of Allegiance
3. Audience Participation
4. Roll Call Central Berks Police Commission
5. Approval of Minutes
a. August 7, 2025
6. Approval of Accounts Payable & Payroll Invoices from General Fund as of August 31, 2025
a. $236,769.24
7. Treasurer’s Report for August 31, 2025
a. $324,730.43
8. Solicitor’s Report
9. Administration/Personnel Committee Report
a. Resolution 14-25 Fee schedule for Body Worn Camera footage
10. Finance Committee Report
a. Discuss the renewal of the CD at Tompkins
11. Insurance/Pension Committee Report
12. Building/Equipment Committee Report
a. Discuss hiring a roof cleaning company, re-hiring Wolfe, or having trees cut back.
13. Chief of Police Report
a. August Chief Report
14. Secretary Report
15. Municipality Updates
16. Police Association Report
17. Codes Report
a. Discussion of in-house zoning
18. Old Business
19. New Business
20. Executive Session
21. Next Commission Meeting- Meeting dates will continue to be the first Thursday of the month at 6:30PM
22. Adjourn

The Township officials want to inform all property owners along Friedensburg Road that the Township road crew is performing its 2nd mowing cycle (as per the contact the Township has entered into with PennDOT) this week. The road crew will be trimming vegetation which impedes on the roadway. Notification was previously sent alerting all residents in the area of the mowing dates and informing them that they can perform the trimming as long at it meets PennDOT and the road crew's specifications.  The Township performs this work to provide better visibility for drivers and pedestrians, to make the roadway more visually appealing by reducing unwanted weeds, and also improving stormwater runoff by clearing the gutters which run to storm drains. The Township performs this work to have more control over how this work is performed. The Township believes we can work better with the residents in this area by being more sensitive to your concerns, as well as being timely and cautious with the work being done. The Township appreciates your cooperation in working with us to make Friedensburg Road as safe as possible. Feel free to contact the Township office at 610-779-6400 if you have any questions.