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This presentation focuses on #NewtownPA Supervisor John Mack's review the 2024 DRAFT budget. Topics include:
* Highlights
* Tax Millage Rate
* 2024 Road Program
* Fire Protection
* Debt Service – LED Street Lights, Pedestrian Crossings
* Need for Future Tax Increases
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Newtown News of Interest
These Scoops are excerpts from articles published in local newspapers and other sources that may be of interest to Newtown area residents. Please click on the "From" link to access the full original article. Any opinions and "insights" appended to these article summaries are solely those of John Mack and do not represent the opinions of any other person or entity. Curated by johnmacknewtown |
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SPOILER ALERT: The developer was granted an “indefinite extension” for its zoning hearing.
It’s been a real roller coaster ride for those of us interested in Chick-fil-A’s plans to open a second drive-thru restaurant in #NewtownPA Township. See the Timeline below for details.
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Chick-fil-A developer Newtown Equities LLC has requested an indefinite extension of its zoning hearing application, meaning the controversial application has been withdrawn and will not be scheduled for review unless the developers decide to proceed.
Concerned residents, who blasted the plan to build the fast food eatery at the former TD Bank site on the Newtown Bypass, see it as good news but not a clear win.
“While this is a positive step, it is a conditional and temporary halt, not a definitive victory,” said Donna Serdula, the township resident who has spearheaded opposition to the plan. “The application could be resubmitted in the future, possibly in a different form or location. We must stay vigilant and prepared to mobilize again if necessary.”
The developer’s zoning application shows the restaurant facing Newtown-Yardley Road and Upper Silver Lake Road, with waiver requests submitted that ask the township to allow Chick-fil-A to place signage for its store on the Newtown Bypass.
[Read more about the plan here… “Chick-fil-A Wants to Set Up Shop at Intersection of NT-Yardley Rd and #NewtownPA Bypass”; https://sco.lt/5L9k7U].
Serdula, a Wiltshire Walk resident, said the variances would disrupt the peaceful neighborhood and environment.
“If the supervisors approve the zoning changes and variances, it will be a turning point for Newtown’s future,” she said. “We face a choice: Do we want the Newtown Bypass to remain a bypass, or do we want it to turn into a congested and commercialized business route like Route 1?”
Serdula went on to detail several concerns she and the community have with the proposed development, including increased traffic and safety risks, environmental impacts and emergency access issues.
A petition Serdula started entitled “Stop Zoning Changes Allowing Chick-fil-A Construction in Newtown” garnered more than 700 signatures as of May 12.
“After living in New Jersey for eight years, surrounded by retail stores and fast food restaurants that populate Route 130 in Delran, my family decided to move back to Bucks County. We sought the peace and quiet away from commercial hustle, aiming to return to a quieter area reminiscent of my childhood. I am not against Chick-fil-A as a business.”
“But I firmly believe that a fast food restaurant known for creating insane traffic backups does not belong in our small residential neighborhood, disrupting the tranquil life we chose to return to. The site, previously a quiet TD Bank, is simply unsuitable for such a high-traffic business.
Serdula said the 2025 local elections will be crucial in the fight against overdevelopment.
“The candidates we choose will significantly influence our community’s future,” said Serdula. “Please remain engaged and ready to act. Your continued support is crucial as we strive to preserve the charm and safety of Newtown.”
Speaking of electing supervisors, my term ends December 31, 2025. I shall not seek, and I will not accept, any nomination for another term as Supervisor. Dennis Fisher's term is also up in 2025. Consequently, there may be a possibility to elect up to 2 new supervisors in the 2025 election. IMHO, I think Ms. Serdula should be a candidate to continue the fight against over development in Newtown.
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At the 8 May 2024 Board of Supervisors meeting, Newtown Walk resident Charlie Feuer asked why there is a delay in moving forward on the Newtown-Yardley Rd/Tara Blvd crosswalk improvement plan.
Mr. Feuer noted that improvements were first approved in 2022. The township engineer noted that PennDOT suggested a revised plan that included a "Refuge" island with pedestrian crosswalk buttons rather than an overhead flashing beacon as in the original plan submitted to PennDOT.
Mr. Feuer asked 3 specific questions:
When did the township engineer come to the determination that PennDOT is requiring a refuge Island on this mid-block crosswalk?
When will the second plan with revisions be submitted to PennDOT for approval? Will it include the refuge Island which has become obviously a requirement?
What is the specific timeline of events from today? What is the expected time of approval for that [plan] to get the permit? RVE has already told us that there's 30 days for a development of an estimate or bid process then there's 60 days for the bids to be replied to and then there's another 60-90 days until construction can begin.
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This is my personal summary of the May 8, 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.
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BREAKING NEWS (5/10/2024; 9:04 AM): The Twp Mgr just notified supervisors: "The Township has been granted an indefinite extension for the Chick Fil A zoning hearing application. The application will not be scheduled for review unless the applicant notifies the Township of its intent to proceed with the application."
Lots of people love Chick-Fil-A, but some aren't loving its proposed location in Newtown Township.
A petition opposing construction of the popular eatery at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road, near Newtown-Yardley Road, was launched on April 30, and has gotten [more than] 600 signatures, most from local residents.
"As residents living within 500 feet of the proposed construction site ... we are deeply concerned about the potential negative impacts on our community," states the petition, started by resident Donna Serdula.
Serdula, who lives about 1,200 feet from the proposed 6,000-square-foot Chick-Fil-A, said it will be a traffic nightmare for her neighborhood, Wiltshire Walk, and for surrounding residents, too.
"It’s going to be huge. It’s bigger than the Wawa that’s going to be building near it,” she said.
“Why are they building this here? I mean, they already have a Chick-Fil-A that's a seven minute drive away,” she said. “They aren’t building it for the community. They’re building it to draw traffic from (I-295). They’re building it because the Wawa is going to draw traffic for everyone who wants hoagies and gas.
“Essentially, they’re turning Newtown into a truck stop,” she said.
“I opposed the Wawa for several reasons," said township Supervisor John Mack, "but primarily because there’s a lot of issues with the traffic at that intersection. It already backs up from Newtown-Yardley Road,” he said.
Chick-Fil-A has been scheduled to make its first case for variances for setbacks and signage before the township Planning Commission on April 16, but canceled three hours before the meeting, Mack said. [Many] residents had planned to attend. "Chick-Fil-A chickened out," Mack said.
What's Next?
???? The application will not be scheduled for review unless the applicant notifies the Township of its intent to proceed with the application
Related Content:
“Proposed Chick-Fil-A on Newtown bypass now in limbo. Here's why”; https://rebrand.ly/ChickfilAplan-on-hold
“#NewtownPA Twp Chick-fil-A Plan Withdrawn, For Now”; https://sco.lt/8kFNLM|
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According to a recent email from the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority to Newtown Twp: “Based on the provided information, we believe NBCJMA [Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipality Authority] has presented enough evidence to allow the “AOP” project [Toll Brothers Twining Bridge/Durham Rd Housing Plan] for 45 EDUs to be added to the NICMP [Neshaminy Interceptor Connection Management Plan], and moved immediately to the released column.”
In summary, the Toll project can proceed, other EDU's/connections (e.g., Wawa?) will be processed on a case by case basis.
The Neshaminy Interceptor is a large sewer main that takes sewage from Bucks County to a Philadelphia treatment facility. When there is a major storm, the interceptor becomes filled with storm water that takes up much of its sewage capacity.
NBCJMA Executive Director Warren Gormley points to the Neshaminy Interceptor problem as a big reason why the authority is looking into the feasibility of acquiring a 17.5-acre tract on Lower Silver Lake Road for the construction of a state-of-the-art treatment facility to serve the authority’s 9,000 customers in Newtown Township and Newtown Borough. It would bypass the need for sending sewage to Philadelphia for treatment.
Scarcity of EDU’s is a major factor delaying projects such as Toll Bros and Wawa. Once the NBCJMA acquires the land and builds a new sewage treatment plant there no longer will be a limited number of sewage connections/EDUs that will be needed for new development projects in Newtown. If you think there is “over development” now, you ain’t nothin’ seen anything!
Related Content:
“Sewer Authority Representatives Discuss Proposed Sewage Treatment Plant at #NewtownPA BOS Meeting”; https://sco.lt/7OkpCC
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This Zoom meeting focused on Chick-fil-A on the Bypass, Plastic Bag Ban, Corners at Newtown Development, Washington Xing Bridge Replacement, and more...
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BREAKING NEWS (5/10/2024; 9:04 AM): The Twp Mgr just notified supervisors: "The Township has been granted an indefinite extension for the Chick Fil A zoning hearing application. The application will not be scheduled for review unless the applicant notifies the Township of its intent to proceed with the application."
UPDATE (5/9/2024): I was just informed that the ZHB has granted Chick-fil-A an EXTENSION until July (when many residents will be away) - cheap move on their part - although typical of developers trying to sneak by public opposition!
A Newtown Township resident has launched an online petition drive against a proposal to build a Chick-Fil-A restaurant on the east side of the township.
Newtown Equities, LLC, has filed a zoning application with the township to build a 6,000-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru at the former site of the TD Bank at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road near its intersection with Newtown-Yardley Road.
[Read “Chick-fil-A Wants to Set Up Shop at Intersection of NT-Yardley Rd and #NewtownPA Bypass”; https://sco.lt/5L9k7U]
The property is diagonally across the Newtown Bypass from the site of the new Wawa convenience store and gas station approved by the township last year through a settlement agreement.
Newtown Equities has not formally presented its plan at a township meeting. It had been scheduled to appear before the planning commission on April 16, but several hours before the meeting asked to be removed from the agenda.
[Read “Chick-fil-A CANCELS presentation before the #NewtownPA Planning Commission Meeting”; https://sco.lt/6k72zw]
Donna Serdula, a resident of the 50-home Wiltshire Walk development, which is located within 500 feet of the site of the proposed restaurant, said she's "deeply concerned" by the proposal.
So much so that she launched an online petition drive this week and said she's working to organize her neighbors in opposition to the plan.
“STOP Zoning Changes Allowing Chick-fil-A Construction in Newtown” petition.
As of 5/10/2024, over 659 people have signed the petition!
"What people don't realize is that this proposed Chick-Fil-A is not on the Newtown Bypass. It's on Newtown-Yardley Road and Upper Silver Lake Road. And Newtown-Yardley Road can't handle the existing traffic. In the morning, you're already sitting through two or three lights to get to the bypass. If there's a Chick-Fil-A there, you're not even going to be able to make a left onto the bypass. It's going to become impossible.
"And we don't even have the Wawa yet," added Serdula. "On top of that, the township is working to change the zoning of the Newtown Business Commons to bring in different types of uses to support the local businesses. That's going to bring in traffic.
"Chick-Fil-A doesn't want to build there because they want to support the community," Serdula said. "They already have a Chick-Fil-A a few miles away. They're building there because they want to pull in business from I-295 and from the drivers getting gas at the Wawa," she said.
Serdula said the township and its residents need to start thinking seriously about what they'd like Newtown to be - a quiet, residential community or a traffic nightmare.
Some comments I received from residents:
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This is my personal summary of the April 24, 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.
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Washington Crossing residents fight bridge replacement. They say history is on their side...
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission met Monday and heard from residents near the Washington Crossing bridge, officials announced in February that they were considering replacing due to age, function and condition.
The proposal was immediately met with protest from residents, who live near the site of the historic Revolutionary War crossing and the bridge over the Delaware. On Monday, Washington Crossing residents crammed into the commission meeting, telling officials that replacing the narrow, metal bridge with a bigger span would destroy the bucolic setting of one of America's most historic and sacred historic sites.
"Word on the street — and the word on the street is usually pretty good — it's already approved. It's going to be done," he told the bridge commissioners, citing unnamed "politicians" from New Jersey.
"The reality is this bridge is historic. It's a historic symbol. We need to maintain Washington Crossing for Washington Crossing. Not for transporting cars, all kinds of cars, across a bridge," he said.
Commission Chairman Aladar G. Komjathy, who lives in Lambertville, dismissed the allegation that the bridge replacement is a done deal. From the time of the announcement, the commission has stated it is only in the preliminary stages of evaluating a replacement plan and that it could take years before a decision is made.
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At the April 24, 2024, #NewtownPA BOS meeting, Peggy Driscoll, Chair of the Planning Commission, expressed surprise that a potential historic structure - the Twining farmhouse - was demolished without input or approval by the Joint Historic Commission an the supervisors. The farmhouse was located on property owned by Toll Brothers, which plans to build a housing development at that location at the intersection of Twining Bridge Rd and Durham Rd.
Supervisor Mack informed her that the demolition was sanctioned by the BOS within the settlement agreement that allowed Toll to development the property.
Specifically, the settlement agreement specified that “Prior to offering the Township dedication of the Open Space Parcel, the Developer shall demolish the existing house on the Open Space Parcel, remove it from the Property, and grade the Property to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer.”
For more details, read "A “Major” Historic Resource Re-Discovered!"; https://johnmacknewtown.info/blog/?viewDetailed=202212161011
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[Photo of outdoor dining area taken on 4/28/24.]
At the April 24, 2024, BOS meeting, #NewtownPA Supervisors approved the transfer of a liquor license to Piccolo Trattoria, which will allow the restaurant to begin serving alcohol as a complement to its food at its newly expanded restaurant.
The expansion of the restaurant into the former Dogs and Cats Rule store next door has allowed Elabed to change to a full-service concept offering lunch, brunch and dinner seven days a week with a menu featuring Italian, Mediterranean, American, and fusion dishes. He's also planning on operating a small catering area inside the restaurant that will serve up to 100 private guests.
As part of the expansion, the eatery is constructing an 80-seat covered outdoor dining area at the far western end of the shopping center. A knee-high wall will surround the patio area to protect diners from the parking area and access road.
The supervisors made their approval of the license transfer contingent upon the restaurant not allowing music of any type to be player via loudspeakers on its outdoor patio.
"At other restaurants, we have prohibited outdoor speakers, basically including Starbucks, Iron Hill, and Ardana. All of those have complied with not having outdoor speakers," said Supervisor John Mack.
Supervisor Chairman Dennis Fisher said he wouldn't have a problem with live music inside being audible on the patio, but he'd be against any kind of speakers on the patio.
I noted that the menu is relatively inexpensive as opposed to other restaurants such as Blue Point Grille and Capital Grill. I therefore felt it would not be a financial burden on patrons NOT to be able to bring their own alcohol as previously. Therefore, I voted to approve the transfer, whereas in the past I was against bringing in new liquor licenses (read “Blue Point Grill's Liquor License Transfer Not Approved”).
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Recall that #NewtownPA's plastic bag ban recently went into effect. Unless a temporary exemption is granted, retail stores must stop supplying customers with non-recyclabe plastic bags and offer paper bags instead for which they can charge a fee of up to 10 cents per bag.
This past Monday I stopped by McCaffrey's in #NewtownPA and had a paper bag issue. As I explained on FB:
"I got this recyclable paper bag from McCaffery's yesterday for 10 cents. Wanting to save 10 cents, I put all my 3 small items in the bag - including a cardboard container in the bottom containing Swedish meatballs and gravy. Unfortunately, the gravy leaked through the cardboard box AND the bag. Next time I am going to have go to the produce department and put the hot food box in a plastic bag, which are still available!"
Now, I know you are going to tell me to have bags in my car and me of all people should know that.
The McCaffrey's paper bags meet these requirements.
Will Retail Establishments be able to charge a fee for their bags?
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This is my personal summary of the April 10, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
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BREAKING NEWS (5/10/2024; 9:04 AM): The Twp Mgr just notified supervisors: "The Township has been granted an indefinite extension for the Chick Fil A zoning hearing application. The application will not be scheduled for review unless the applicant notifies the Township of its intent to proceed with the application."
Just 3 hours before the April 16, 2024, Planning Commission meeting, lawyers representing Newtown Equities LLC/Chick-fil-A, CANCELED their planned presentation before the Commission. I think they were not prepared to be confronted by the angry residents expected to show up.
When the meeting ended, I spoke to about 6 residents who were still in the parking lot wondering what the next step was. I suggested that they contact their representatives on the Board of Supervisors.
In case you wish to do the same, here’s the names and official email addresses of Supervisors: https://johnmacknewtown.info/contactnt.html
I'm quoted in Phillyburbs.com article:
“There’s a line already to get onto the bypass in the morning from Newtown-Yardley Road. That intersection is going to be quite busy and it’s an important intersection. And obviously I guess it’s going to be developed more like an urban type of intersection,” Mack said.
“I think a lot of people are concerned about the urbanization of Newtown, how it’s changing from when they first came here when it was more of rural atmosphere. Those are some of the comments I’ve been getting.”
Related Content:
“#NewtownPA Resident Launches Petition Opposing New Chick-Fil-A Off The Bypass”; https://sco.lt/8EZWJE
“Proposed Chick-Fil-A on Newtown bypass now in limbo. Here's why”; https://rebrand.ly/ChickfilAplan-on-hold
“#NewtownPA Twp Chick-fil-A Plan Withdrawn, For Now”; https://sco.lt/8kFNLM|
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The following is a summary of the activities of the Newtown Fire Rescue for the week ending 11 April 2024.
Emergency Calls:
Fire Calls – 9 Township (3) Borough (3) Mutual Aid (3)
EMS Calls – 15 Township (15) Borough (0 ) Mutual Aid (0)
Weekly Highlights
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BREAKING NEWS (5/10/2024; 9:04 AM): The Twp Mgr just notified supervisors: "The Township has been granted an indefinite extension for the Chick Fil A zoning hearing application. The application will not be scheduled for review unless the applicant notifies the Township of its intent to proceed with the application."
Have you seen this somewhat vague item on the agenda for the 16 April 2024 Newtown Township Planning Commission (PC) meeting?: “Newtown Equities, LLC., 98 Upper Silver Lake Road” (Variance Request #1213-24) under Zoning Hearing Board applications for review by the Commission.
When I saw that, I like many others shrugged, thinking it was just another citizen wanting to build a swimming pool. The "LLC," however, should have tipped me off to the fact that LLC's are usually created by developers to hide exactly who they represent.
So who is "Newtown Equities, LLC" and who do they represent?
It’s a New Jersey Domestic Limited-Liability Company created on June 22, 2021. That tells me nothing, but luckily the Variance Request Document that was distributed to all Commission members revealed that Newtown Equities, LLC is seeking variances for a proposed 6,110sq.ft. drive thru Chick-fil-A restaurant.
Related Content:
“Proposed Chick-Fil-A on Newtown bypass now in limbo. Here's why”; https://rebrand.ly/ChickfilAplan-on-hold
“#NewtownPA Twp Chick-fil-A Plan Withdrawn, For Now”; https://sco.lt/8kFNLM
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Discover the Latest #NewtownPA information about Roadwork, Fate of the Washington Crossing Bridge, Planning for Future Housing Projects, and More…
Read the online version: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/noiapr24.html
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Resistance to a potential project that could see the Washington Crossing Toll-Supported Bridge transformed into a bigger, broader span is growing.
In an effort to protect the 119-year-old span, the Upper Makefield Board of Supervisors is spearheading an effort to get the bridge placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The board also recently passed a resolution that raises concerns that a major bridge overhaul — creating a much wider modern span — would wreak havoc on the historic character of Washington Crossing Village and the National Park of the same name, exacerbate flooding, send traffic problems soaring and have hazardous impacts on the environment, including threatening endangered species.
Now, Wrightstown is rallying to Upper Makefield’s cause.
At a public meeting on Monday, the Wrightstown Board of Supervisors authorized signing a companion resolution to Upper Makefield’s.
The Wrightstown resolution raises the same worries about traffic, the environment and the destruction of historical character. It also says that less costly and impactful alternatives to bridge replacement should be considered, including making the span a one-way bridge controlled by traffic signals.
Wrightstown Supervisor Chairman Chester Pogonowski noted that Wrightstown, Upper Makefield and Newtown Township collaborate through a local zoning jointure to control development and ensure quality of life for residents.
“The three neighboring municipalities have worked hard to preserve open space and historic resources,” Pogonowski said. “It is important to ensure that these are not compromised by another agency’s desire to increase the movement of traffic back and forth across the Delaware River.”
What About Newtown Township?
At its 10 April 2024 meeting, the Board of Supervisors was supposed to authorize the Township Solicitor to draft a Resolution opposing removal and replacement of the bridge, but that item was removed from the agenda at the last minute.
For background, listen to the discussion at the 25 March 2024 Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting.
UPDATE (4/24/24): Newtown BOS consensus supports Upper Makefield's opposition to this proposed project. More...
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The inaugural Bucks Culture Fest — an event intended to unite the community, while showcasing a myriad of cultures through live entertainment and interactive learning — will be held at Bucks County Community College Newtown Campus at 275 Swamp Road on Sunday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE (IT'S FREE)
Arya Haridas is one of the featured performers at Bucks Culture Fest, presenting Bharatnatyam, a classical dance form that originated in southern India. Bharatnatyam requires years of training, which Haridas completed in 2022 with a 3-hour solo stage performance called Arangetram.
The idea came about last summer, when Angela Nutter, director of Doylestown Juneteenth, approached Jean Dolan, the college’s coordinator of DEI and community engagement, about collaborating on a free family-friendly event.
“I see the changing face of Bucks County and I really wanted to highlight some of those people in our community that maybe don’t feel represented. I also wanted to highlight those who have helped to build our community,” Nutter said.
It is with great excitement that we present the inaugural Bucks Culture Fest at the Newtown campus of Bucks County Community College on Sunday, April 28!
This is a grassroots effort started by ordinary community members to showcase, educate, and honor the many people who have built our rich Bucks County community.
The event will be FREE to all community members. We hope that you will be able to join us to be part of Bucks Culture Fest featuring local vendors, artisans, service groups and non-profit organizations. We are grateful to Bucks County Community College for hosting us this year. The school has been wonderful to work with in coordinating this event that can be uplifting to all.
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On April 4, 2024, the #NewtownPA Zoning Hearing Board granted Appeal 1210-24: i.e., Newtown Artesian Water Company (NAWC), requested variances from and a special exception pursuant to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance of 2006, as amended, specifically Section 404(C) to permit a rear yard setback of 36.46 feet where a minimum of 50 feet is required; Section 404(C) to permit a building height of 40 feet where a maximum of 35 feet is permitted; to permit the construction of a PFAS filtration plant.
Supervisor Mack - a "party to the case" requested that a tree barrier be installed on the border with the Country Bend common ground to mitigate any noise generated by the facility.
For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency has established national limits for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water.
The EPA announced Wednesday that levels of PFOA and PFOS — two types of PFAS commonly used in nonstick or stain-resistant products such as food packaging and firefighting foam — can’t exceed 4 parts per trillion in public drinking water.
As of Wednesday, public water systems that don’t monitor for PFAS have three years to start. If they detect PFAS at levels above the EPA limits, they will have two more years to purchase and install new technologies to reduce PFAS in their drinking water.
Read “EPA imposes first national limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water”
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This is my personal summary of the March 27, 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.
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Managing Growth and Development: Housing Projections Analysis
The 109-page FINAL DRAFT of the 2024 Newtown Area Comprehensive Plan (“the Plan”; LINK: https://tinyurl.com/FinalDraftCompPlan) was approved for advertising by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors at its March 27, 2024, meeting. Other members of the Jointure – Wrightstown and Upper Makefield – are expected to do the same, if they have not done so already.
The Plan was developed by the Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC), and current version dated 2/27/24 is the result of several years of back and forth deliberations among Jointure members. Its purpose is to address the challenges faced by the members. The Plan, which contains nine guiding principles for the future, is a blueprint for the future.
Each Jointure municipality will hold a public meeting to answer questions and hear comments from residents. Newtown Township’s plans to include this at its May 22. 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting.
In order to help Newtown Township residents prepare for the scheduled May 22, 2024, meeting, I hope to prepare several short synopses of major sections of the Plan. This first synopsis focuses on:
Principle #1 - PROMOTE SMART GROWTH
Read the analysis in Newtown Patch...
The goal of the Plan developers with regard to housing, as it was explained to me at a Jointure meeting, was to determine if the Jointure had enough open space where housing is permitted to accommodate the projected population growth. The answer was yes. They used a figure of 224 new residents for Newtown by 2030. This number was from DVRPC; Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and is based on 2020 Census data analysis. However, what comes first? The chicken (people) or the eggs (developers getting their way)? That is, if you build it, people will come. Although the planners (BCPC) think there is enough available space WITHOUT changing the zoning, they also suggest that zoning be changed to allow more housing (e.g., in the OR and OLI/LI districts which ONLY exist in Newtown). How can this be a plan to promote "smart growth?"
Perhaps the "Smart Growth" section needs an update...
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Seven #NewtownPA Twp residents and one Middletown resident attended this Zoom meeting, which focused on License Plate Reader cameras, removing PFAS from drinking water, Roberts Ridge Park meadow plan, Comprehensive Plan, LDR Trail guiderail problems, and more...
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Welcome to the March 25, 2024, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting presentation! I’m John Mack, your host and a Newtown Township Supervisor.
The goal of Meet Mack Monday Zoom meetings is to inform residents of township issues that impact them and to get feedback and comments from residents about such issues. This helps me keep better informed of residents’ concerns when I vote on the issues at Board of Supervisors meetings.
TOPICS COVERED:
• License Plate Reader Cameras Approved
• Newtown Artesian Water PFAS Filtration Plan
• Roberts Ridge Park Lawn to Meadow Conversion
• Proposed Durham Rd Day Care & Medical Buildings
• Dealing with Trash on the Trail
• Comprehensive Plan Update
• Washington Crossing Bridge Replacement Plan
• Problems with the LDR Trail Guiderail
Download the PPT Notes: https://rebrand.ly/25mar24mmmNotes
See a summary of the meeting that includes audio clips of discussions with attendees on these subjects: LDR Trail Guiderail Problem, Roberts Ridge Park Lawn to Meadow Conversion, Washington Crossing Bridge Replacement, Nixle Alert Application
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