Politics & Government

Developers Present Scaled-Back Plans For Acme Site

Plans previously approved by the township for The Promenade include a mixed-use development with both retail and residential units. But according to the applicant, the market has changed, causing them to amend their plans for financial reasons.

The developers of the former Acme site on Sycamore Street came before the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Monday with an urgent plea to expedite the approval of revised plans for the project known as The Promenade.

Plans previously approved by the township for The Promenade include a mixed-use development with both retail and residential units. But according to the applicant, the market has changed, causing them to amend their plans for financial reasons.

The applicant, McGrath Homes, is proposing a scaled-back version of the development that's 20,000 square feet smaller than the original 83,000-square-foot plan.

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“If we can’t make it happen quick, we can’t make it happen,” said Jim Worthington, a project investor.  That’s because the anchor tenant, Anthropologie, needs reassurance that the amended plans will move forward – and fast.

The new plan reduces retail space by about 3,000 square feet down to about 20,000 square feet.

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Additionally, the revised plan seeks to build smaller residential units, but more of them. The former plan called for 23 resident condominiums. Now, the developer is seeking to construct 26 apartment-style units. The residential units will range from 1,220 square feet up to 1,670 square feet, the applicant said Monday.

However, parking may pose a problem. The new plan calls for 116 spaces, which is 36 shy of what is required by township rules. Board of Supervisors Chairman Rob Ciervo said while he’s comfortable that parking on the street may make the situation manageable, there’s nothing his board could do to bypass the Zoning Hearing Board.

The applicant needs to get a Zoning Hearing Board variance for parking, as well as approval to construct the additional residential unit, Ciervo explained. If and when that happens, they will then come back before the Board of Supervisors for approval.

The earliest the matter could come before the Zoning Hearing Board would be September.

Worthington said time is of the essence because Anthropologie may walk away if plans are not finalized soon. “If Anthropologie walks, there’s no bank financing. We’re done,” Worthington said.

Worthington added that if the amended plans are approved quickly, construction could begin as early as October or November.

The supervisors expressed support for the project as amended.

“To me this project is a better fit than the original,” Vice Chairman Matt Benchener said. “This seems like a solid plan for the property.”

Board member Phillip Calabro said redevelopment of that site is key to the future of the township. “It’s our missing piece on Sycamore Street that needs to be completed,” he said. “Hopefully this does go forward.”

Sycamore Street business owner Shawn Ward applauded the project. Ward, one of the owners of the Green Parrot and the president of the Sycamore Street Community Association, said he supports the project “wholeheartedly.”


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