A revised plan for the project slated for the former Acme site on Sycamore Street will be reviewed next week by the Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the township building.
In August, the developers of The Promenade came before the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors with an urgent plea to expedite the approval of revised plans for the mixed-use project.
However, the revised plan needs a Zoning Hearing Board variance for parking, Board Chair Rob Ciervo told the applicant in August. The new plan has 116 spaces, which is 36 shy of what is required by township rules.
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, McGrath Homes, the market has changed, causing them to amend their plans for financial reasons.
The revised plan presented in August is a scaled-back version of the development that's 20,000 square feet smaller than the original 83,000-square-foot plan. The new plan reduces retail space by about 3,000 square feet down to about 20,000 square feet.
Additionally, the revised plan seeks to build smaller residential units, but more of them. The former plan called for 23 resident condominiums. The plan presented in August calls for 26 apartment-style units.
According to the applicant, Anthropologie is expected to be the anchor tenant at The Promenade.
Newtown Borough Council member Mike Sellers on Wednesday expressed his concerns about the proposed revisions to the plan. He asked that Council discuss the option of sending representation from the borough to the Zoning Hearing Board.
Council will discuss the issue at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Chancellor Center.
A beneficial bank is going through the " legal "process of moving to the Chrysler site ! The old Acme building already has a plan approved, is just trying to scale it down ! Lisa, if U like New York so much, leave this great town and go home !
Would love have the Amish move into the old Acme and out of the shopping center.
Hey I wouldn't mind the McDonalds on that corner, it would be away from shopping center. Some type of bakery/bread store is moving into the old Blockbuster. A steak house is moving into the empty doctor offices near the ambulance hq. The Jake's eatery is expanding to diner menu. Can we support another eating establishment? Still open retail spots in the different shopping centers. Genuardi's is closing and Whole Foods maybe the new tenant but the store maybe to small for them.
I am not big fan of our township supervisors. "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." The supervisor would read your note that would be about it.
I do agree that the old Acme is such an eye sore and the township and their committees need to get things moving and help a business get in there. It may not be exactly what the township wants but there has to be some give and realize sooner or later that site is going to be a total eye sore that nobody wants. And I agree with you guys, we def don't need another bank! How about a public library? I know there's one in Richboro, Langhorne and the one by the Grange Fair (can't remember the name). But we are a pretty big borough, why not push for a local library! That would be a great addition to this town and benefit MANY members of the community. Not to mention that it would be a short walk from our house instead of a drive to Richboro.
If the builder/company has enough money to buy or build, meets the requirements or gets exceptions, there is nothing the common citizen or politician can do ! Money talks and B S walks. I do not like many things that go on in Newtown, but without proper funding, can do nothing about it !
Hey Kim you forgot the boro has a very nice Library. You find it on Centre and Congress sts. My kids love it, my two oldest hop on their bikes to return and pick up books. In regards to fast food, the parents control the diets of the children. It is a special night to have Chick Fila or pizza in our house. The Acme at one time was to be a community center, that was shot down. I am just tried of here what next to be built on the site. A book store, then a clothing store, then small group of stores. I know the the Newtown Farmers market would love to have it but......that the not what the township wants. The part time supervisors are really removed from what in the community. Like the time the Acme would become a book store chain was to come and one the supervisors said just what the township needed a book store. Sorry we have one in the Genuardi's south center and a used book store in the boro.
Remember if it wasn't for the TWP. going to bucks county redevelopment authority there might not be any plans for that lot yet. It is nice to want to see something built there, but the owner controls the piece of land.
Ken = super hearing ! come on, say something interesting, instead of spelling and caps !