Politics & Government

Township Takes Interest in Borough Development Project

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to have its solicitor gain "party status" during the future conditional use process for the Stocking Works II mixed-use project.

The ink may not be dry on the conditional use application, but Newtown Township officials say they want to be involved in the process to develop a mixed-use project in Newtown Borough.

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors on Wednesday voted 3-2 to direct its solicitor to gain party status in the upcoming conditional use hearing process for the Stocking Works II project.

Board chairman Robert Ciervo, who raised the issue and voted in favor of the measure, said the mixed-use development proposed for the former Stockburger Chevrolet site off State Street will likely be the single biggest development project in the area since Newtown Grant.

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“Redevelopment of that site is going to change the traffic flow from Newtown Township to Newtown Borough forever,” Ciervo said. He suggested the township gain “party status” in the conditional use proceedings so it could have the ability to appeal if necessary.

Newtown Borough Solicitor Paul Cohen, who is also a member of the Newtown Township Planning Commission, announced Tuesday that Allan Smith had formally submitted to the borough two conditional use applications for the mixed-use project. Under the current borough ordinance, mixed use is allowed but requires conditional approval.

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A conditional use hearing in front of Borough Council has not yet been scheduled. Borough officials said Tuesday they intend to schedule the hearing next time they meet on Oct. 27.

The supervisors were split on the necessity of getting involved in the process. Democrats Jerry Schenkman and Phil Calabro voted against the measure.

Supervisor Jerry Schenkman said he believes it’s premature for the board to decide at this point that it wants party status in the future conditional use proceedings. “I don’t quite understand what the rush is,” Schenkman said. “I think it’s an overreaction and a waste of our money."

With a contentious election for Borough Council approaching, the township deliberating on the borough project “sounds very political to me,” Schenkman said. “The tone of the conversation is just short of hysterical. They are our neighbors, we can talk to them.”

Stocking Works II developer Allan Smith said he submitted two plans so the borough could decide the fate of the State Store property and adjacent parking lot. One plan is for a six-acre development that would feature residential, retail and a two-deck parking structure.

The other plan includes development of two additional acres -- the State Store property plus the adjacent municipal lot – and features additional civic amenities such as a creek walk, a public gathering space and an amphitheatre.

But in order to carry out that vision, Smith needs permission from the borough to utilize the approximately one-acre municipal parking lot site. The borough currently owns the lot.  Smith, who owns the State Store property, was the former owner of the municipal lot property but donated it to the borough several years ago. Spots in the parking structure would make up for the loss of the lot, Smith said.

Ciervo said it’s important that the township keep its options open in this case. He said the project will likely have significant traffic impacts that will stem beyond the borough.

“If the plan is bad, we’re out of luck. We can’t appeal if we don’t have party status,” Ciervo said.

“At a minimum, it makes a statement that we want to be involved in this,” Supervisor Matt Benchener said. By gaining party status, “it gives us options on something that could affect our residents.”

But Calabro said if the township makes a move now, it will appear as if it’s trying to dictate what another municipality should do in its community.

“We’re trying to play God with someone else’s government. I kind of have faith in common sense and hopefully common sense will prevail before we have to get involved,” Calabro said.


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