The opposition of the Supervisors who voted to have the Solicitor attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting is not in the style of housing, but in the number of units allowed. The variance would grant a 72% increase for the number of homes allowed; from 30 to 52. I believe that all of the supervisors would support a Townhouse community with something in the 36-40 unit range. That said, I also live in an adjacent community and would love to see this project completed. I hope that the builder can ammend his plans to reduce the number of units!

Thank you Supervisors Benchener, Calabro and Ciervo for upholding our zoning which in this case is clearly in the best interests of not just Newtown but the Jointure as well. The number of homes should be limited to what the zoning allows. With the large size of the town homes it really doesn't matter to me if they are single detached homes or not. They would be about the same size (3 bedroom, 3000 sq ft).

I agree with Mr. Mahler and thank Mr. Ciervo, Benchner, and Calabro for standing up and defending our zoning ordinances.

It should be no surprise the Gallaghers rolled over, Mr. Platt has been a long time Republican supporter. It is unfortunate when decisions are being made that do not take into account the best interest of the community.

Am I the only one on here who sees a problem when the government steps in and tells a property owner what they can and cannot build? To whom they can and cannot sell to? So much for our "free" country. Then again we voted for a president who now mandates that we buy health insurance or else...welcome to the future, USSA. Wake up sheeple!

What health insurance has to do with zoning escapes me. I do wonder if the vote would be the same if J. Worthington was proposing that development...

Government overstepping its authority... boro biz owner.

Good for them. It's not overstepping their boundaries if they're simply enforcing existing laws. Platt knew the zoning when he discussed selling the property. It's not like he's not going to make money off it -- he just wants to make MORE money off it at the expense of the residents of Newtown.

Mike, "The Illuminati" enjoys playing devil's advocate on here. Every single comment he/she writes is negative, sarcastic, and usually filled with incorrect information. Best to just ignore it.

Again, I'll say that I've lived in Newtown for over 35 years and I've watched it go from a sleepy, lovely town into a traffic snarled, over-populated yuppie haven. If the "government had overstepped it's authority" 30 years ago maybe this area would have remained as beautiful as it once was. We need another housing development like a hole in the head but....................

Bravo to Mr. Platt for wanting to "support his family", whole speech well done! Boy, do I feel bad for the "3 supervisors" that won't allow Mr. Platts wishes for the townhomes. The people who live in Wiltshire Walk are now gonna have MOBLIE HOMES as neighbors! Are you going to be clapping for those supervisors then? Just askin'

Uh HEY Voice..not quite!! Im NOT the builder or friend/relative. Ya think their bluffing? Enjoy your new neighbors.

LOL, Rhon, are you new here? They tried for the mobile home park over ten years ago and it was vetoed right off the planet. Why must we cram as many houses onto an acre of land as is possible? Are the builder and owners REALLY that greedy? Come on folks, let's try to preserve at least a smidgeon of the beauty of this area.

@Becky...there is nothing negative or sarcastic about my comments. I am throwing out a simple question. Why do we allow local government to tell what we can and cannot build on our own properties? Its a simple question. Do we own our properties or do we rent them from the municipality we live in. We accept zoning ordinances as law, but why? What if the municipality passed an ordinance that said that people who lived in Tyler Walk could only own red cars? Sounds ridiculous, but is it any different than telling a property owner what they can or cannot build on their own land? Again, please tell me how I am being sarcastic or negative. I am simply asking why I need permission from the government to develop my land the way I see fit.

Illuminati...zoning laws are part of sensible planning. It's how you get a community with balanced attractive development that meets the needs of residents. Heck, if your philosophy is correct we should abandon all laws. Forget stop signs and speed limits, right? I mean who should tell you how to drive?

it's ashame. I feel bad that Mr. Platt is sick. Bravo for him wanting to take care of his family. My daughter goes to newtown swim club for camp and it's the first camp we found that she loves. I wish someone would just buy it and keep it a swim club! The last thing we need in Newtown is townhomes!

Why don't politicans and Zoning Board members stop trying to line their pockets? Use the Bucks County available open spaces fund that it seems Townships don't want to take advantage of because they have to put up 25% to Buy the Swim Club.WE DON'T NEED MORE HOUSING we need to Down Size Government and School Districts.

Who does Mike Meister think he is fooling??? He wants more homes in the plan than zoning allows so he can make more profit from building...While mobile homes are allowed according to zoning, Meister is not going to go through with mobile home park because he would miss out on the profits from building homes. Newtown supervisors called your bluff...good for them.

Contact the developer directly and let them know how you feel.

Contact County Builders, Inc.
Contact County Builders, Inc.

New Britain Developers

Residential • Industrial • Commercial

76 Griffith Miles Circle
P.O. Box 2579
Warminster, PA 18974

Phone: 215-675-3141 • Fax: 215-675-3880

Email: info@countybuildersinc.com

Mike Meister - Southampton Development, old article
http://articles.philly.com/1993-12-26/news/25942278_1_new-plan-approval-single-family-homes

I don't know if 52 townhouses are too many for the swim club property, but I do know that I don't want 64 trailer homes there. Will these homes be for low income people ? Will we have a permanent underclass in Newtown ? How will it affect the schools ? Property values ?

Mike Meister - Ashley Property Management & Maple Property Management
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/business/sonic-closes-in-lower-southampton/article_aa292b16-99b5-5acd-a1a7-5ddca149d9bf.html

We need retail high end shopping to attract a smarter and wealthier demographic.

Furthermore in this economy we have people standing in line to give us money as long as we develop the right way. Driving into Newtown from I 95 is embarrasing, shanty houses and houses piled under power lines. People WANT to live here and give to our tax base. Lets let them do it. For those whom love the "sleepy town" I walk through the town frequently and see closed store fronts since there is no demand as we do not have a town square or center as a anchor. Lets develop and also call out those whom have vested interests in other competitive businesses and sit on the local zoning boards. It is nice in this economic toilet we live in that people are standing in line to give us money. Other school systems are closing and shutting down and we are turning away investment. Lets not stop them.

@Karen; You keep on mentioning FARMS, Who but the builders had the Money to buy the Farms ? The farmers were getting old, thier families did not to keep farming.
There was not much money to keep up the farms, too much Hard work. they sold because the money was right at the right time !
@ becky, I have been here more than the 15 years you mentioned, and You allways cry about the way it used to be ! Well time marches on, things never stay the same !