Brittingham’s Renovations Approved by Whitemarsh Township [PHOTOS]

The Whitemarsh Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a conditional use permit and a land development waiver for Randy Feinberg and David Eckelmeyer, the new owners of Brittingham’s Irish Pub and Restaurant, located a 640 Germantown Pike in Lafayette Hill.

The duo’s attorney, Joe Kuhls, presented renderings by Morrissey Design, of Flourtown, which includes a new design with an expansive outdoor seating area, a revised traffic flow through the parking lot, additional parking, and improved landscape.

The supervisors thanked the owners for being so willing to comply with the requests of the township.

Kuhls, who called the plan a 'superb realization of a village commercial planning concept,' said that the township planning commission reviewed the plans, and the owners have worked to correct any issues, mostly concerning parking, which has been a long-standing issue with the property.

According to Kuhls, 73 spaces are needed to conform with zoning, and there are roughly 40 available currently. The owners have worked out agreements with Barren Hill Fire Company, Northwestern Human Services, and a nearby church to allocate 185 available parking spaces.

The spaces across the street, including Barren Hill Fire Company, may require valet parking to reduce risk, according to township staff.

Kuhls said that there would be no conditional use signage requests, and that the plan, as it stands, works in conjunction with the Germantown Pike Improvement Plan.

Timothy Woodrow, engineer for the owners, referred to the business’s current “wide and uncontrolled” entrance, that will be remedied by enhanced paving and a removal of several parking spots near Germantown Pike.

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“It looks fabulous,” said supervisor Amy Grossman.

Supervisor Chairman Robert Hart echoed the sentiment, adding that the new restaurant will help to rejuvenate the lower portion of Germantown Pike.

“It’s going to improve an area of our township that has become tired, a bit worn,” Hart said.

The only thing left to be approved by the township is the business's lighting plan.

According to Feinberg, the business will remain open through St. Patrick’s Day. Demolition is expected to being in early April, with an anticipated re-open date in mid-August.

Eckelmeyer is a current owner of CJ & Ecks in Manayunk.