Conditional Use Hearing On Bank Proposal Continued

A Conditional Use hearing on an application to put a Beneficial Bank on Sycamore Street was continued tonight by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors.

At the suggestion of board member Mike Gallagher, the hearing was continued until Monday so that the township’s traffic engineer could be present for the duration of the testimony.

John VanLuvanee, the attorney representing Beneficial Bank, was not pleased that the hearing was continued. He objected to the idea, however, township solicitor Jeffrey Garton said the matter was up to the board.

The board then unanimously voted to continue the hearing.

The bank is seeking to construct a branch with three drive-through windows at the site of the former Stockburger showroom. The applicant has proposed facing the bank towards Richboro Road and 7-11. That positioning has irked some township officials, who say the plan as proposed is contrary to the vision for that part of town.

On Tuesday, Newtown Township’s Planning Commission The commission took the stance based on issues with the site configuration and the fact that it is inconsistent with the township’s vision for that portion of town.