Category: Development
Newtown Crossing vs. Arcadia: Residents Speak Out
Residents of Newtown Crossing and neighboring Eagle Ridge crammed into the Public Meeting Room at the Newtown Township Municipal Center last night (October 11, 2017) to voice their opposition to Arcadia Green’s latest proposal to build 85 single-family homes adjacent to these developments. This proposal would destroy a home on High Street (#295) to make way for an egress road. Traffic would then pass through other roads in the Newtown Crossing development to access Newtown Bypass – a limited access road. Such an egress road was necessary because a previous plan was rejected because of problems exiting the development onto Bucks Road to gain access to the Bypass.
The meeting was the beginning of a quasi-judicial hearing before the Board of Supervisors (BOS). At least a dozen residents, including Bucks County Controller and former Newtown BOS member, Mike Gallagher, who lives on High Street, stood up and obtained “party status” in the hearing, which means they can give testimony for the record and be cross-examined by council to Arcadia.
However, they will have to wait until AFTER the elections to testify – the hearing was “tabled” until November 8, 2017.
Mike Gallagher reminded the audience that “it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon” and urged people to attend future meetings, including a Planning Commission meeting later in the month (perhaps Oct 24) where Arcadia will be available to answer other questions.
Nevertheless, many other residents made comments before the board about their personal issues regarding this proposed development. At one point, council for Arcadia tried to shut down the comments but her request was denied. The audience broke into cheers and applause when the commenter said “we want to speak truth to power!”
One resident requested a map be made available to better understand what’s being discussed. I was able to take a photo of the PRD plan (see it here).
Several people complained about the traffic through their development via the egress road, which would endanger children and pets who are used to play and roam on quiet streets such as High Street. School buses would also be affected, noted another resident.
One person said she moved to Newtown because it was because she was “reaching to part of America that almost doesn’t exist anymore. Newtown,” she said, is “so ‘Norman-Rockwellesque’.” She lamented the possible loss of open space next to her development where her children go and play. Another resident defended the open space as a haven for wild animals including, she said, coyotes and bald eagles!
The most heart-wrenching comments came from a elder retired police sergeant whose wife died last year. He told a story of living in motels for years after he had to abandon his home do to a fuel spill many years ago. When he found a new home in Newtown Crossing he and his wife were happy at last. Now, however, he faces the loss of that happiness on top of the sorrow of missing his wife.
Read More...Posted on 14 Oct 2017, 01:48 - Category: Development
Newtown Residents Concerned About Overdevelopment
Read More...Posted on 12 Jul 2023, 9:42 - Category: Development
Newtown Wins $873,000 Multimodal Transportation Grant
Newtown Township will receive $873,000 to construct sidewalk connections in the township’s Business Commons area to close existing trail and sidewalk gaps.
The project includes construction of 0.5 mile of five-foot wide concrete sidewalks, stormwater management improvements, construction of ADA curb ramps, improved striping and signage, installation of benches, and landscaping.
The money comes from the PA Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) and was announced by Gov. Wolf on April 21. 2022.
The Newtown Business Commons is home to more than 200 companies, including aeronautical, biomed, biotech, engineering, medical and general office organizations. It also includes a hotel and conference center, the Newtown Post office, and restaurants.
"This project will help the Newtown Business Commons close existing trail and sidewalk gaps and improve pedestrian access while better connecting the Business Commons to the community," said State Senator Steve Santarsiero.
At the March 9, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting, a resolution was passed to authorize a request for “a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant [see the grant application] of $994,920.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for design and construction of the Business Commons Sidewalk Connections project." For background, read "Revitalization of Newtown Township's Business Commons District".
Comments from EDC
"I'm extremely happy to announce that one of our suggestions is coming to fruition in the Business Commons! $873,000 has been allotted for sidewalk and infrastructure improvements in the Business Commons!," said Matt Peters, Chair of the Newtown Economic Development Committee (EDC), which has been working on plans to revitalize the Business Commons (op cit).
Address members of the EDC, Peters said "This is all thanks to YOU! This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for YOU all taking the time out of your days & I appreciate you all so much for devoting your valuable time to this noble mission to improve Newtown!"
Connection to Lower Dolington Road Trail
One notable gap exists between the end of the Lower Dolington Road Trail at Yorkshire Drive and Upper Silver Lake Road where the trail was supposed to end in the original proposal. The township did not have enough money to continue the trail as planned (the trail was to cross over to the Hill Haven development side of LDR (see image below). Some residents of Hill Haven told me they were disappointed.
"I’m very excited to see it happening but also a bit disappointed to see that it appears to end at the Woods of Saxony development," said a resident of Devon Rd in the Hill Haven development, which is a neighborhood of 50 families. "As a New Haven resident," said the resident, "I feel strongly that it is unfair that we're the ONLY existing neighborhood on Lower Dolington Road that has been excluded from the current construction plan."
The grant application includes a short sidewalk on the west side of LDR that would connect with an existing sidewalk that goes further north (see image below). This would solve the problem mentioned by the New Haven resident.
But, Is There Enough Money To Do It All?
The grant award of $873,000 is $121,920 short of $994,920.00, which was originally requested. Thus, either additional money must be found or the plan would need some adjustment; i.e., downsizing. The LDR sidewalk might end up on the cutting floor: the estimated cost of this short sidewalk connection is $76,400, which is a sizable portion of the deficit (see table below).
Read More...
Posted on 22 Apr 2022, 7:44 - Category: Development
Newtown Wins $873,000 Multimodal Transportation Grant
Newtown Township will receive $873,000 to construct sidewalk connections in the township’s Business Commons area to close existing trail and sidewalk gaps.
The project includes construction of 0.5 mile of five-foot wide concrete sidewalks, stormwater management improvements, construction of ADA curb ramps, improved striping and signage, installation of benches, and landscaping.
The money comes from the PA Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) and was announced by Gov. Wolf on April 21. 2022.
The Newtown Business Commons is home to more than 200 companies, including aeronautical, biomed, biotech, engineering, medical and general office organizations. It also includes a hotel and conference center, the Newtown Post office, and restaurants.
"This project will help the Newtown Business Commons close existing trail and sidewalk gaps and improve pedestrian access while better connecting the Business Commons to the community," said State Senator Steve Santarsiero.
At the March 9, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting, a resolution was passed to authorize a request for “a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant [see the grant application] of $994,920.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for design and construction of the Business Commons Sidewalk Connections project." For background, read "Revitalization of Newtown Township's Business Commons District".
Comments from EDC
"I'm extremely happy to announce that one of our suggestions is coming to fruition in the Business Commons! $873,000 has been allotted for sidewalk and infrastructure improvements in the Business Commons!," said Matt Peters, Chair of the Newtown Economic Development Committee (EDC), which has been working on plans to revitalize the Business Commons (op cit).
Address members of the EDC, Peters said "This is all thanks to YOU! This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for YOU all taking the time out of your days & I appreciate you all so much for devoting your valuable time to this noble mission to improve Newtown!"
Connection to Lower Dolington Road Trail
One notable gap exists between the end of the Lower Dolington Road Trail at Yorkshire Drive and Upper Silver Lake Road where the trail was supposed to end in the original proposal. The township did not have enough money to continue the trail as planned (the trail was to cross over to the Hill Haven development side of LDR (see image below). Some residents of Hill Haven told me they were disappointed.
"I’m very excited to see it happening but also a bit disappointed to see that it appears to end at the Woods of Saxony development," said a resident of Devon Rd in the Hill Haven development, which is a neighborhood of 50 families. "As a New Haven resident," said the resident, "I feel strongly that it is unfair that we're the ONLY existing neighborhood on Lower Dolington Road that has been excluded from the current construction plan."
The grant application includes a short sidewalk on the west side of LDR that would connect with an existing sidewalk that goes further north (see image below). This would solve the problem mentioned by the New Haven resident.
But, Is There Enough Money To Do It All?
The grant award of $873,000 is $121,920 short of $994,920.00, which was originally requested. Thus, either additional money must be found or the plan would need some adjustment; i.e., downsizing. The LDR sidewalk might end up on the cutting floor: the estimated cost of this short sidewalk connection is $76,400, which is a sizeable portion of the deficit (see table below).
Read More...
Posted on 22 Apr 2022, 7:43 - Category: Development
Newtown Wins $873,000 Multimodal Transportation Grant
Newtown Township will receive $873,000 to construct sidewalk connections in the township’s Business Commons area to close existing trail and sidewalk gaps.
The project includes construction of 0.5 mile of five-foot wide concrete sidewalks, stormwater management improvements, construction of ADA curb ramps, improved striping and signage, installation of benches, and landscaping.
The money comes from the PA Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) and was announced by Gov. Wolf on April 21. 2022.
The Newtown Business Commons is home to more than 200 companies, including aeronautical, biomed, biotech, engineering, medical and general office organizations. It also includes a hotel and conference center, the Newtown Post office, and restaurants.
"This project will help the Newtown Business Commons close existing trail and sidewalk gaps and improve pedestrian access while better connecting the Business Commons to the community," said State Senator Steve Santarsiero.
At the March 9, 2022, Board of Supervisors meeting, a resolution was passed to authorize a request for “a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant [see the grant application] of $994,920.00 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for design and construction of the Business Commons Sidewalk Connections project." For background, read "Revitalization of Newtown Township's Business Commons District".
Comments from EDC
"I'm extremely happy to announce that one of our suggestions is coming to fruition in the Business Commons! $873,000 has been allotted for sidewalk and infrastructure improvements in the Business Commons!," said Matt Peters, Chair of the Newtown Economic Development Committee (EDC), which has been working on plans to revitalize the Business Commons (op cit).
Address members of the EDC, Peters said "This is all thanks to YOU! This wouldn't have happened if it weren't for YOU all taking the time out of your days & I appreciate you all so much for devoting your valuable time to this noble mission to improve Newtown!"
Connection to Lower Dolington Road Trail
One notable gap exists between the end of the Lower Dolington Road Trail at Yorkshire Drive and Upper Silver Lake Road where the trail was supposed to end in the original proposal. The township did not have enough money to continue the trail as planned (the trail was to cross over to the Hill Haven development side of LDR (see image below). Some residents of Hill Haven told me they were disappointed.
"I’m very excited to see it happening but also a bit disappointed to see that it appears to end at the Woods of Saxony development," said a resident of Devon Rd in the Hill Haven development, which is a neighborhood of 50 families. "As a New Haven resident," said the resident, "I feel strongly that it is unfair that we're the ONLY existing neighborhood on Lower Dolington Road that has been excluded from the current construction plan."
The grant application includes a short sidewalk on the west side of LDR that would connect with an existing sidewalk that goes further north (see image below). This would solve the problem mentioned by the New Haven resident.
But, Is There Enough Money To Do It All?
The grant award of $873,000 is $121,920 short of $994,920.00, which was originally requested. Thus, either additional money must be found or the plan would need some adjustment; i.e., downsizing. The LDR sidewalk might end up on the cutting floor: the estimated cost of this short sidewalk connection is $76,400, which is a sizeable portion of the deficit (see table below).
Read More...
Posted on 22 Apr 2022, 6:00 - Category: Development
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