Neighborhoods are flooding, Roads are in disrepair but the C-R zoning amendment is the Newtown Supervisors' priority

While the Supervisors still appear to be intent on having a hearing to amend zoning to change residential areas to C-R Commercial Residential Zoning at their June 24, 2013 meeting, the Newtown Board of Supervisors have not shown the same concern about some other issues.  That means while they are spending time and tax dollars creating zoning for more commercial space, the Supervisors  are not concerned about fixing your roads or adopting stormwater and steep slope ordinances.

At a previous meeting, the Supervisors did not accept any bids to repair township roads because the bids were higher than they expected.  At that same meeting, they proposed to advertise again.  The township leadership has not ensured that they advertise for bids to repair township roads, but the Supervisors are going forward with the C-R amendment hearing.  Unlike other townships where you have already seen roads repaired, no roads have been repaved in Newtown and no contractor bids to repair have been accepted.  If your road is a mess, be prepared to have it remain a mess. 

In April at the Board of Supervisors meetings, it was presented that:

“ACT 167 Crum Creek Ordinance Revisions:  Chapter 143 of the Newtown Township Ordinance requires modification to be compliant with the Crum Creek ACT 167 Plan. The major changes are the thresholds for when stormwater or modified stormwater controls are required.  The existing ordinance requires a stormwater management plan to be prepared for a project exceeding 1,000 square feet or new impervious surface or 5,000 square feet of earth disturbance.  The new regulations will require a plan for any project exceeding 500 square feet of new impervious cover and a modified approach to address water quality requirements for all land disturbances.  The new ordinance will also include Peak Rate Controls for the Crum Creek Watershed that are more restrictive in some storm events and less in others depending upon the location of the project within the watershed.”

Since that meeting, there has been no further public discussion, no advertisement on this ordinance and after the recent rains, tremendous damaging flooding in the Echo Valley neighborhood.  But the Supervisors and township management appear to only have time to create more commercial space.  

In May at the Supervisors meeting,

“Mr. Seligson suggested a proposed change in the disturbance in the very steep slope ordinance from 5% to 0%.  Ms. D’Valeria recommended this amendment due to environmental and health issues.   The increased development in the Township has put more stress on the natural resources.   Other surrounding townships have a 0% disturbance in very steep slopes.  Mr. Sokorai stated this is an engineering issue.  Ms. Nelson identified that the existing steep slope ordinance is very problematic due to the confusing language.  Ms. Nelson will work on the ordinance with the EAC.”

Again, no further public discussion about this proposal, but the Supervisors have ensured that there will be a hearing to create more commercial space.

I’m still trying to figure out the logic of what Township Manager Trio and the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors are doing.  I’m still trying to figure out why they have made the C-R zoning amendment a top priority.  They are not fixing roads and they are not adopting stormwater or steep slope ordinances that would potentially help to mitigate damaging flooding. 

They are, however, going forward with a hearing on the C-R zoning amendment on June 24th at 7:30Pm at the township building.  I urge all residents to attend this meeting and to let the Supervisors know that they want the Supervisors to change their priorities. Tell them that you do not want the to destroy residential neighborhoods by adopting this new zoning amendment.  Demand that the Supervisors spend their time fixing your neighborhood roads and working on stormwater issues.  Let them know that they should be representing the residents of Newtown, not the interests of Commercial Development.