Supervisors Express Support for DeLorenzo's Plans

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors will not oppose De Lorzeno’s Tomato Pies when it comes before the Zoning Hearing Board for variances needed to open a 4,500 square-foot restaurant on Newtown-Yardley Road.

Representatives from the famous pizzeria came before the board Wednesday to present plans for a one-story restaurant at the former Newtown Veterinary Hospital site. De Lorenzo's wants to demolish the former animal hospital and construct a new, one-story brick building where it will serve its famous tomato pies.

The board voted 3-2 to not send the township solicitor in opposition to the application when it comes before the Zoning Hearing Board during an upcoming meeting. De Lorenzo’s will need zoning permission to construct a restaurant in the “Office/Light Industrial” zone. An eating place is a permitted use by condition in that zoning area.

Supervisors Chairman Mike Gallagher said he believes the construction of a restaurant on that property would be useful to the 13,000 people who work in the Newtown Business Commons. Those employees are limited when it comes to nearby dining options, Gallagher said. If De Lorzeno’s opened, those employees would not have to drive across town for lunches and business meals.  

In addition to conditional use approval, variances for parking and buffers will also be needed to construct the restaurant. Current plans call for 75 off-street parking spaces.

If approved, the restaurant will be open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. for dinner.

De Lorenzo’s tomato pies are famous throughout the region. The pizzeria, which first opened in Trenton in 1947, last year closed its restaurant in the city’s Chambersburg section. 

It currently operates a restaurant in Robbinsville, N.J.