Board Member Now Supports Townhomes in Light of Trailer Park Plan

At least one member of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors said he would support a proposal for townhomes at the Newtown Swim Club if it meant a trailer park is off the table.

Supervisor Matt Benchener said when he cast the deciding vote on Nov. 28 to oppose a variance for 52 townhomes at the swim club, he believed it was a decision between single-family homes and townhomes.

The property is currently zoned for single-family housing. Higher density townhomes require zoning relief from the township.

However, he told Patch he has since reconsidered his position now that it’s evident the decision is between townhomes or a mobile home park. Since the original vote to oppose the plan was 3-2, Benchener’s reconsideration could be instrumental in changing the outcome of what will be developed on the property.

Swim Club owner David Platt is working with County Builders to create a residential development on the 16-acre property on Newtown-Yardley Road once the club closes after this summer.

After the supervisors voted to oppose the application for townhomes in front of the Zoning Hearing Board, County Builders decided to move forward with an alternative plan for the site – a 56-pad trailer park.

And surrounding residents are less than enthused about the prospect.

Residents of Headley and Wiltshire Walk, which directly abut the Swim Club property, along with homeowners in nearby Newtown Walk, held a strategy meeting on Saturday, Headley Community Homeowners Association board member David Wagner said.

Given Benchener’s change of heart, “the hope is that County Builders will withdraw the mobile home plans and resubmit the townhome plan," Wagner said.

But the likelihood of that happening is unknown. County Builders didn’t immediately return a request for comment from Patch. And Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Gallagher said Monday morning that he has not had discussions with them directly.

“As far as I know, they're still in progress with the trailer park.” Gallagher said.

Wagner said he is asking Headley homeowners to attend two upcoming meetings: a Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 23 and a Planning Commissioning meeting on Feb. 5.

Wagner predicted “a huge crowd” would attend the Feb. 5 meeting.

Both meetings will be held at the township Administration Building and start at 7:30 p.m.

For instant updates, follow Newtown Patch on Facebook and Twitter.

Related links:

• Plans for Newtown Trailer Park 'Full Steam Ahead'
• Residents Plan Strategy Meeting to Stop Proposed Trailer Park
• Trailer Park Plans Likely to be Reviewed by Township at Feb. 5 Meeting
• Neighbors Mobilizing Against Mobile Home Park