Newtown Supervisors' hearing on the C-R Commercial Residential District Zoning Change is June 24, 2013 at 7:30 PM

In February 2013, the Newtown Board of Supervisors authorized the advertisement for the hearing for an amendment to Newtown’s Zoning Code. The advertisement appeared today. This proposed change rezones certain land in the C-1 Commercial, O Office and R3 Residence Districts to a new zoning classification, C-R Commercial Residential District.  On June 3, 2013, a legal notice appeared in the Delaware County Daily Times announcing a hearing at the Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting on June 24, 2013.  The Supervisors waited over 3 months to advertise this hearing but now the public has less than thirty days to get to the township building to review the proposed ordinance.  This proposal will undoubtedly have an effect on the Newtown Heights neighborhood, Bishop Hollow Road as well as Rhoads Avenue and St. Albans Circle neighborhoods and the neighborhoods surrounding these areas.  

As stated in the legal notice published in the Delaware County Daily Times, “This is an amended version of the ordinance related to C-R District zoning and mapping that was advertised in October of 2012, in that among other things, it makes changes the area to be re-zoned, allows office space over other commercial uses, and makes corresponding changes to parking requirements. “

The list of properties which would be rezoned if this ordinance change is adopted would include residences on West Chester Pike, Main Street, College Avenue, St. Albans Avenue, Wooded Way, Rhoads Avenue, Bishop Hollow Road among others.  It rezones the Spruce Street Baptist Church and the St. Albans Episcopal Church and Parsonage.  It even rezone Supervisor John Nawn’s home.  I wonder if he is happy about this proposal?  Or will he recuse himself from the discussion?

This is a significant change to Newtown Township’s zoning code.  I urge all members of the public to consider examining this proposal which can be accomplished by visiting the Newtown Township Municipal Building during business hours.  The Township building is located at 209 Bishop Hollow Road, Newtown Square.  I hope all residents will contact the Township Manager at 610-356-0200 as well as the Supervisors to let them know how they feel about this change. Additionally, all residents of Newtown will, I hope, attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on June 24, 2013 at 7:30PM at the township building.