Trailer Park Plans Likely to be Reviewed by Township at Feb. 5 Meeting

Plans for a mobile home park at the Newtown Swim Club site will likely come before the Newtown Township Planning Commission on Feb. 5, officials announced at Wednesday's Board of Supervisors meeting.

The Planning Commission, an advisory board, meets at 7:30 p.m. at the township Administration Building.

Swim Club owner David Platt is working with County Builders to create a residential development on the 16.6-acre property on Newtown-Yardley Road once the club closes after this summer.

According to Newtown Township Manager Kurt Ferguson, the application to create a 56-pad mobile home park will go through the typical development process.   

That process begins with a review by the Planning Commission, which will make recommendations on the application to share with the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission’s review may take more than one meeting, officials noted.

Township solicitor Jeffrey Garton said it is not yet known if the applicant is seeking any waivers or variances from the township. However, he added, a mobile home park is a “right by use” on that property – meaning the applicant would not have to appear before the township’s Zoning Hearing Board.

The application for a mobile home park was submitted after the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors shot down a plan for townhomes because it exceeded the housing density permitted in that zoning district.

A handful of residents attended the Board of Supervisors meeting to weigh in on the proposal. Borough resident Paul Salvatore, who is also a Newtown Township property owner, asked if the township could do anything to stop the trailer park from coming to fruition.

“The law is if an application meets all the requirements, they are entitled to an approval,” Garton replied.

He noted township staff and the Planning Commission will carefully review the application to ensure it complies with township ordinances.

David Wagner, Headley Community Homeowners Association board member, asked the supervisors to go back to the table with Platt and County Builders and work out an arrangement that doesn’t include a trailer park.

“The situation that we’re in now is a result of the inability of the township supervisors to come to an agreement with Mr. Platt and County Builders,” Wagner said. “We are extremely concerned about the effect of putting in 56 trailer park slabs right next door to us.”

Wagner said the Headley Community Homeowners Association is “unified and unanimous with our dislike” of the proposal.

In the meantime, Wagner said his neighborhood hopes to coordinate efforts with other nearby communities who also oppose the project.