Township, Bank Continue Battle Over Sycamore Street Location

Beneficial Bank hit another roadblock in its effort to open a branch on Sycamore Street when the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors rejected its plans during a meeting earlier this month.

Now, representatives from the business want the board to reconsider its decision. If not, they say they plan to take legal action against the township.  

The 3-2 vote to reject development plans for the 3,200-square-foot branch at the former Stockburger car dealership came after a court-approved agreement in May.

In a letter to the township, Beneficial Bank’s Attorney John VanLuvanee said if the board doesn’t change its vote at the next meeting, he plans to file a motion to have the township held in contempt of court. 

VanLuvanee said he will seek monetary sanctions against the township for its “willful, bad faith refusal to abide by the terms of the court order,” Van Luvanee wrote.

In 2011, Newtown Township denied Beneficial Bank’s conditional use request for the Sycamore Street location.

After the court order, the bank made changes to its plan, including rotating the building toward Sycamore Street. Additionally, a drive through lane was eliminated and some parking spots reconfigured.

However, those changes weren’t enough to sway a majority of board members to vote for the proposal. Concerns about traffic still lingered for board member Rob Ciervo, who took issue with the entrance and exit proposed for Richboro Road.

“In the long term, it’s going to pose a problem,” he said, adding traffic already backs up in that area.   

The reconsideration of Beneficial Bank’s plans is included on the agenda for Wednesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at the township Municipal Building.