Newtown Rite Aid Proposal Moves Ahead, Talks of Township Comprehensive Plan Continues

NEWTOWN SQUARE–At a regular Planning Commission meeting Thursday night, the board heard presentations on a pair of items from the June 23 agenda that went unresolved and continued their discussion of a comprehensive development plan for Newtown.

Dixon homes properties readdressed

The first item addressed was the resubmission of an application for conditional use on a pair of Philips Lane properties by Dixon Homes LLC.

Dixon had originally proposed to turn the two lots into two separate homes, but altered the application. Under the new proposal, the two lots would be consolidated to build a single family home.

Also, in response to concern about the length of the driveway and the severity of the slopes involved, the home was moved to an area of the lot where there is less slope disturbance. In response to a concern raised about the proximity of the home's septic field to a nearby creek, the Dixon representative said there would be 125 feet between the two.

The board voted to recommend the approval, and stressed that there was a deed restriction to prevent any further subdivision of the lot.

Revisions made on proposed Rite Aid application

Item number two on the agenda regarded the proposed construction of a Rite Aid pharmacy on the northeast corner of West Chester Pike and St. Albans Circle. After hearing a lengthy presentation from representatives of Rite Aid, the board and the pharmacy representatives agreed on a handful of revisions to the plan to take back to Rite Aid.

The revisions to the proposed pharmacy, which would be modeled after the Rite Aid on Route 113 in Lionville, were as follows:

1. The removal of two parking spaces in the rear of the lot.
2. The replacement a fence along Rhoads Avenue with shrubbery.
3.  Moving the parking spaces further back from bordering roads.
4.  Concrete aprons on both driveways.
5. A sign discouraging left-hand turns from the parking lot onto St. Albans between the hours of 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
6. An evaluation of the traffic impact of the pharmacy.
7. Adjustments to do with the waiver of 25- and 50-foot buffers on the rear of the property.

Talks about township's comprehensive plan continues

In the last order of old Business, the board continued discussing the creation of the township's comprehensive plan.

To that end, board member John Cellucci said he knows a township manager with "reams of experience" in the design of such plans and recommended the board have an audience with him.

Township Manager Mike Trio suggested the board take a "field trip" to a municipality like Phoenixville or Haddonfield, NJ–both nearby towns with sound comprehensive plans–and learn what they can.

All members agreed that synergy between the township and the businesses within is integral to the success of any comprehensive plan.

"You don't want to be like Oaks, or Exton, or Cherry Hill [NJ], where they imploded," said Cellucci.

"No synergy," added Trio.

The next Planning Commission meeting will be held on Sept. 8 at 7:30 p.m.