Summary of 22 May 2024 BOS Meeting
This is my personal summary of the May 22, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2024 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2024 BOS meetings to date. Also, access the (UNOFFICIAL) 2024 BOS Voting Record.
Agenda Items, Discussions, Decisions, and More
- Public Comment
- Public Hearing
- New Business
- Other Items of Interest
Petition Opposing Chick-fil-A ZHB Application
Wilshire Walk resident Donna Serdula submitted copies of her petition (“STOP Zoning Changes Allowing Chick-fil-A Construction in Newtown”), to the supervisors.
“I am [speaking] on behalf of nearly 800 Newtown area residents who have expressed deep concerns via a petition regarding the proposed Chick-fil-A on Newtown-Yardley Road and Upper Silver Lake Road. This development, alarmingly close to residential areas, requires several variances that we believe are not in the best interest of our community. Listen to her comments:
Ms. Serdula noted that Section 910.2 of the PA Municipal Planning Code mandates that variances should not “alter the essential character of the neighborhood or district.” She urged the Newtown Board of Supervisors to oppose the requested zoning changes and variances. “Our community’s character, safety, and quality of life are at stake,” she said,
Resolution Adopting Updated Newtown Area Joint Comprehensive Plan
COMMENT: This plan is 5 years out of date especially as regards “Principle 1: Promote Smart Growth”
The Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC), which drafted the 2024 Newtown Area Comprehensive Plan, did a projection of the future needs for housing in the Jointure primarily to determine if current zoning will need to be changed to accommodate the estimated increase in population.
Whereas the Plan’s projections for housing units in Newtown Township between 2020 and 2030 is 96 (to allow for a projected population increase of 224 people with 2.4 persons per housing unit), the number of housing units already approved, built or proposed since 2020 in Newtown is much larger. AND developers are challenging the current zoning to allow a sizable portion of these units to be built in Newtown Township.
My REVISED estimate, based on number of housing units already approved, built or proposed since 2020, is 406-746 population increase by 2030. This is 2-3 times the estimate assumed by the Plan.
For more details, read: “The 2024 #NewtownPA Area Comprehensive Plan: Housing”
COMMENT: I still have issues with the cover design. In a recap of the May 1, 2024, JZC meeting, Chester Pogonowski mentioned “Working on redesigning the cover.” I suggest including images that are more indicative of the special nature of Newtown.
Meanwhile, the BOS approved this resolution 3-0.
Wildflower Garden in Robert’s Ridge Park
According to the 5/17/24 Manager’s Report, “The EAC has been working with a designer to develop plans for a wildflower garden at Robert’s Ridge Park. Payment for the materials will be made from the deferred revenue account which was donated by the NAC as part of a prior settlement*. The total amount in the account is $9,200.”
Estimated cost = $8,600.00 + $580.00 for for 4 YDS Root Mulch spread
My Detailed Notes
The following notes were prepared prior to the meeting. View the notes embedded below or download the pdf document.
Official Video
Transcript
Download the unedited time-stamped transcript of this meeting prepared by Youtube from the video: download PDF document.
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