Supervisors to Fight Swim Club Townhome Plans
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors recently approved a motion that will oppose plans to build more than 60 townhomes at the site of the Newtown Swim Club.
What will happen to the site of the Newtown Swim Club when it closes next summer is unknown. If the Newtown Board of Supervisors have their say, it won't be the site of 64 townhomes.
The board unanimously approved a motion at last week's meeting to publicly oppose swim club owners David and Geraldine Platt’s requested zoning change that would allow townhomes to built at the site, BucksLocalNews.com reports.
The zoning change request "allows more units per acre adjoining the borough because it is more consistent with the borough’s higher housing density," the article states. The change would require a variance due to the fact that the club's property is close but does not touch the borough border.
At an upcoming Newtown Township Zoning Board meeting, the Platt's plan to present their request for the zoning change. The Board of Supervisor's solicitor, Jeffrey Garton, will be their to officially present the board's disapproval, the article said.
The website reports that several of the board members felt the 64 units was just too many for the size of property and would have adverse effects on traffic.
Swim club owner David Platt announced to members in early July that the club is expected to close next summer due to the fact that he is battling melanoma.
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Tom Sofield
2:50 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
The following comment about this topic was posted on our Facebook page (http://newtown-pa.patch.com):
"Does that mean they will approve 59 townhouses? What are the other options for the property? Residents should be made aware of this. Traffic has increased much in the borough and township. The shopping centers need more room for residents to navigate."
Newtown Resident
5:46 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Wow - Listen to the attorney for the swim club...He is looking for a variance to allow him to build according to B19 use rules...higher density, but continuously makes veiled comments that if he is not given this, he can develop mobile homes instead....Link below is from Newtown Supervisors...start watching at the 129 minute mark and you will see for yourself...
http://newtownpa.swagit.com/play/07272012-523/#27
Pat
1:00 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Mobile homes in Newtown, could you imagine! The board would rather build a Walmart than let that happen.
Mrs G
6:00 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
Newtown is Living in the past--- they oppose everything unless you have friends on the board. Traffic is an issue everywhere --- maybe we should outlaw cars ! They are fighting McDonald's and let the corner bakery in almost overnite. Check out their food---- more calories than most fast foods . Soon you will have nothing but vacant buildings and empty store !
Newtown Resident
10:57 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
McDonalds could not meet the zoning regulations, that's why they withdrew their application...The Corner Bakery was able to meet the regulations, that's why they are there.
gayle roseman
6:47 pm on Monday, July 30, 2012
I think the swim club should remain open. They have an amazing camp, My kids love it there and I was so disappointed to hear it will no longer exist. :(
The Illuminati
2:13 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
With the economy the way it is, this is hardly the time to be turning away a project like this! This will help the tax base and create construction jobs. Traffic is a problem everywhere.. maybe people are the problem? This board would be comfortable in communist china...maybe they will enact a one child per household law in newtown so we don't over populate the area? These guys really need to wake up and join the 21st century.
Newtown Resident
10:56 am on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The town is not turning away development, far from it...The swim club owners are allowed to develop their property.....what they are asking to do is have more homes built on the site than the zoning regulations allow....if the changes are allowed, they would be allowed to provide less open space and more homes!
Grace Jones
9:16 am on Thursday, August 2, 2012
SELLOUTS!