Majority at Newtown Meeting Against CR Rezoning

Newtown Township Board of Supervisors held a public hearing about the proposed rezoning of three areas to Commercial-Residential (CR) or mixed use on Wednesday.

Following a presentation on the benefits of the proposed rezoning and details of which three areas are being considered, Newtown Township residents voiced their opinions and concerns.

Board of Supervisors President Joseph Catania concluded the four-hour meeting by closing the public hearing on the issue and said the board would publicly discuss and likely vote on the issue at the township's Sept. 9 meeting. 

The Proposal

• Area 1—West Chester Pike (near the area of Chicago Grill restaurant)—Parts currently zoned Commercial-Office, Commercial-Retail, Institutional, Single-Family Residential
• Area 2—Winding Way—Parts currently zoned both Commercial-Office and Multi-Family Residential
• Area 3—Rhoads Avenue—Parts currently zoned both Commercial-Office and Multi-Family Residential 
• (See attached photos)

• Create a more mixed use opportunity in the township over a sole C-1 Commercial District, which many of the areas are currently zoned as.
• Better building design and aesthetic
• Bring buildings closer to the street and put parking in the rear making for a more attractive streetscape and more pedestrian friendly
• Tighter zoning control over setbacks and buffers
• Prevent under-developed areas and vacant store fronts or lots
• Increase tax base by mixing commercial and residential use by requiring apartments or condominiums above store fronts 
• Reduce lawsuits, where the court systems decide on zoning or development, not the township

Opinions Against CR

• Will destroy residential neighborhoods
• Reduce property values
• Increased traffic
• Vacant store fronts already exist, why allow more commercial property
• Noise and smells will come from possible restaurants or bars
• Who will live in apartments or condominiums above restaurants or stores
• Fire dangers with the possibility of residents living above restaurants
• If the township must change to CR, make an amendment to the ordinance saying no restaurants or bars are permitted in those areas
• Not enough parking or parking will disrupt residential areas
• Keep the zoning as is
• Change to all Residential zoning
• Zone for Office rather than Retail
• The township's Comprehensive Plan needs to be updated before rezoning can be done.
• Not enough sewer capacity 
• More resident protection is needed
• CR zoning is not a bad idea, but not in the areas where it is proposed
• Utilize what Newtown Township has to offer and don't try to make it like Wayne, West Chester or Media

Opinions in Favor of CR

• Young residents, just starting out, want to stay in the township and affordable apartments or condominiums would allow for that.
• First-time home buyers are going to other towns, buying condominiums above restaurants and businesses.
• Change and development is coming, so its best to stay ahead of the curve and not end up in court battles later
• Add a parking structure to the plan
• Better land use overall
• Preventing rezoning now will be regretted in the future
• The "center" of town is "ugly" and needs a better aesthetic 
• The ordinance protects residents from poor development planning
• Don't zone for Office, there are enough office buildings in the township
• Will bring new businesses and better tax base to residents
• Businesses want to establish in the township and can do so with long-term leases however many of the current vacant store fronts offer only short-term leases, which is not appealing to a business owner