It has been more than two years since a fire leveled the two-story building owned by Tony Randazzo at 369 Main Street.  Now Randazzo is finally ready to move on.

                After countless setbacks, the owner of Riviera’s Spaghetti House submitted plans for preliminary and final approval at Tuesday night’s Pennsburg borough meeting.  He received unanimous approval.

                “I’m glad to see Tony back in business and everything looking better up there,” said Council President John Lear of the planned construction.

                The plans for the site include the construction of a 26-space parking lot which will not only serve Riviera’s, but the adjoining establishments which reportedly suffered after on-street parking was banned on the block.  Randazzo owns and rents out several buildings there. The site currently has 12 parking spaces.

                A municipal parking lot was installed next to Rite Aid, at 350 Main Street, but patrons have to cross the always-bustling roadway to access the shops.

                In addition to added parking space, the site will be finished with a pervious type of asphalt which should help stormwater runoff at the location, which currently has no management devices.  The installation of an underground storage facility for runoff will also facilitate better drainage by releasing water slowly back into the environment.

                “Overall it’s an improvement to the site and to the borough,” said borough engineer John Katsaros of Czop/Spector of the plan.

                The restaurant itself will be rebuilt in the same footprint of the former eatery.

                Council approved four waivers, all pertaining to parking lot and parking space allowances and providing open space, before final approval was granted.

                Randazzo could not be reached for comment on details concerning the restaurant rebuild or a timeline for the work to be completed.

                In other news, Councilwoman Joan Wieder was sworn into office to fill a seat vacated by Ethel Ritchey, who is serving as mayor.  Wieder, a 40-year resident of the borough, will also serve on the solid waste/recycling committee.  Her term expires on Jan. 1, 2012.

                Two other vacant seats were also taken by Fred Conti, who was appointed to a three-year term on the zoning hearing board, and Felicia Iski, who was appointed to the planning commission.  Iski’s term of service has yet to be determined.

                Council also continued discussion on the proposed BYOB ordinance, which they directed Solicitor Chuck Garner to amend to include language stating the ordinance only pertained to restaurants which advertised BYOB, not those who simply allowed customers to bring their own alcoholic beverages.

                “The objective is to have some teeth behind it,” Lear said.  “To control the BYOBs if they became a nuisance.”

                The draft ordinance, which was given to Upper Perk Police Chief Michael Devlin for his input, is expected to be finalized in March and voted on in April.