The developer proposing a trailer park in Newtown has not yet responded to the township's request to consider replacing the current plans with townhomes, Solicitor Jeffrey Garton said Wednesday.

County Builders in December filed an application with Newtown Township to construct a 56-pad trailer park at the current Newtown Swim Club site. The proposal was met with resistance from neighboring communities.

In response to the public outcry, township officials in January directed its solicitor to reach out to County Builders and see if it would instead consider a townhome plan for the 16-acre site.

During Wednesday's Board of Supervisors meeting, board member Phil Calabro asked Garton about the status of the discussions with County Builders regarding the trailer park proposal.

"I wouldn’t characterize them as plural," Garton responded. He said he has notified the builder's lawyer about the Board of Supervisors' wish for them to reconsider the plans. Garton said he has followed up recently but has not received a response.

"I expect to have something back shortly," he said.

The trailer park application was initially on the township's Planning Commission agenda for Feb. 5. That review was postponed due to a scheduling conflict on the part of the applicant and a continuance was requested. 

Meanwhile, some residents have taken to Facebook to mobilize their opposition to the trailer park proposal, which they say will jeopardize property values and taint the gateway to a historic community.

The application for a mobile home park was submitted in December after the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors voted to send its solicitor to the Zoning Hearing Board to defend the township's zoning regulations with regards to County Builders' 52-townhome proposal.

The townhome proposal required a variance because it exceeded the housing density permitted in that zoning district.

Board members Rob Ciervo, Matt Benchener and Phil Calabro voted in favor of sending the solicitor to represent the township. Since then, in response to the community’s outrage over the trailer park proposal, board member Matt Benchener said he would now support townhomes.