Newtown News Update www newtownnewsupdate com Welcome to the November 2019 issue of Newtown News Update Back issues and subscribing information can be found here The opinions expressed here are solely the those of John Mack and do not reflect the opinions of any other person or entity Supervisors Oppose Variances for 27 Townhouses on Durham Road For the first time in a long time maybe the first time ever the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors BOS voted to send the Township Solicitor to a Zoning Hearing Board ZHB Definition meeting to oppose the awarding of variances to a developer In question is an application by Durham Partners Group LLC for 7 variances in order to build twenty seven townhouses on a 5 acre parcel of land located at 413 Durham Road in the PS 2 Professional Service Zoning District Such a use is not allowed in the PS 2 District either as a Use By Right Definition by Conditional Use Definition and or by a Special Exception Definition The Plan
Strike One BOS Chair Phil Calabro categorized the proposed development as super dense and said If you were to only build single family homes with a front yard back yard and two side yards I believe you could get only one and ahalf homes on that particular property Calabro was citing what would be allowed as a use by right In comments before the BOS resident Mike Horbal agreed and said to propose twenty seven townhomes on a 5 acre property makes very little sense except for the developer Mr Horbal said that if the town is really against overdevelopment this would be a perfect example to oppose Don t come to town said Mr Horbal if you can t propose a project that meets the requirements of the zoning regulations Resident Joyann Charlton echoed Mr Horbal s comments and implored the BOS to take a position against the development Ms Charlton mentioned the strain on already overcrowded schools and busing View the Video of the Q A and Comments from Supervisors Strike Two Heath Dumack the engineer hired by the developer appeared before the Newtown Planning Commission Definition at its November 19 2019 public meeting as a courtesy Mr Dumack responded to questions by the members of the Commission and commented that You re being much nicer than the reception I received last Wednesday he was referring to the reception by the Board of Supervisors But the niceties did not last long PC member Paul Cohen said I don t want to be too impolite about it but this is crazy This is just a blatant effort to squeeze as much as possible out of this To come in and propose where there s supposed to be one home twenty seven is incredibly bold Listen to the Q A and Comments from the Planning Commission Strike Three The next step for Durham Partners Group is to appear before the Zoning Hearing Board Will the third time be the charm or will it be strike three and yer out With the Township Solicitor there to oppose awarding variances for this plan it is my hope that the ZHB denies the application
Would it have been possible to save the township some money and just send a letter to the ZHB I don t think so It is my experience that developers will never give up and they are willing to spend the money on lawyers You can t fight that with a letter I find discussions with residents very helpful Therefore I d like to make it a regular thing to meet with residents to discuss issues that are on the agenda of upcoming Board of Supervisors meetings Why the second Monday of the month The 1st Board of Supervisors meeting is usually the second Wednesday of the month I get to see the agenda and have access to documents for that meeting after 5 PM on the previous Friday This gives me an opportunity to discuss the agenda with residents before the meeting and get their input Not all residents can attend the Wednesday night meetings Some may not be able to meet me Monday afternoon either but perhaps the two groups do not coincide We ll see how this works out
If you can t meet me respond to my survey Issues of Importance to Newtown Township Residents which asks respondents to rate the importance of several issues impacting the quality of life in Newtown Township including Bringing New Business to the Township Communications Between Residents HOAs Board of Supervisors Condition of Roads Keeping Taxes Among Lowest in Bucks County Prescription Illegal Drug Abuse Preservation of Open Space Curb Overdevelopment Quality of Drinking Water School Safety Snow Removal Plowing Speeding and or ignoring Stop Signs in Residential Areas Support for Youth Activities Programs Other issue NOTE THIS IS NOT A NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP APPROVED SURVEY IT IS SOLELY A SURVEY BY JOHN MACK ACTING AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN YOU MAY REMAIN ANONYMOUS YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS NEVER REVEALED WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION Take the Survey Now John Mack john johnmacknewtown info 215 808 0859 www johnmacknewtown info Unsubscribe
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NTNU November 2019
John Mack
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