Supervisors Meeting: Applications For Conditional Use and Lot Line Change Approved

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Two planning applications went before the on the May 23 supervisors meeting. Both applications received a recommended approval by the town's Planning Commission and sought approval from the supervisors on Monday evening.

The supervisors unanimously approved the application for a preliminary final plan approval to the lot line change on 3535 Caley Road. It is currently in a R-2 residential zone and the lot line change occurs between two existing tax parcels. The application calls to convey 33,119-square-feet of land from property owned by Peter Hurley to property owned by Stephen and Janet Howarth.

A second application was set forth on the table for the supervsiors' approval. A conditional use application was submitted by Matthew and Lori Espe for their property located on 48 Farrier Lane. The homeowners plans to construct an addition to their existing home, part of which will be located in steep slopes.

Although the application was also unanimously approved by the board, several members from the public voiced some concerns with the application, especially involving stormwater management in the Echo Valley section of the township.

John Murray of Meadow Lane, a resident representing homeowners of Lewis Run, said he previously went to a supervisors meeting last October to discuss the "horrific flooding" in that area.

"Any further disturbance along headwaters of Lewis Run is going to be just another addition to what was already a serious problem," said Murray. "On behalf of those residents and myself, I request that the board not approve this and any further disturbance of the headwaters of Lewis Run."

A member of the town's Environmental Advisory Committee David Allen of 3rd Avenue also shared the same sentiments with a possible overflow in the stream below Lewis Run.

"I have a house across the street...I'm not sure as well where this water goes down this driveway," said Allen referring to the applicant's home. "I think we would create a hardship for those already in the floodplain, increasing their potential liability."

However, according to Planning Commission member Shimon Guy, the commission saw that the application will not interfere or add on to the already existing stormwater issue.

"We reviewed the application at the Planning Commission and we believe it corresponds with the requirements," said Guy. "The addition that was proposed does not constitute disturbance of areas that have not been disturbed before. Yes, there is a problem with Lewis Run but this house addition would not make it any worse than what it is already."

According to  township engineer David Pennoni, a series of stormwater management basins are located at the bottom of the development in which the stormwater is collected and conveyed to those basins.

Supervisors Declare June 4th Historic Newtown Square Day

Sitting in his first meeting as a supervisor, as the , Edward Partridge read his first resolution to the public, declaring June 4th as Historic Newtown Square Day.

"Whereas, the Newtown Historic Preservation Society will hold its 16th Annual Historic Newtown Square Day on Saturday, June 4, 2011. And, whereas, the Historic Newtown Square Day has increased the appreciation and awareness of Newtown Township's rich heritage and historical heritage," proclaimed Partridge.

The supervisors wished the historic society "great success" in this year's annual event.

Residents Can Donate Blood on July 7 at the Municipal Building

A representative of the American Red Cross shared that the winter months in January and February of this year brought blood donations down due to many canceled blood drives from schools and companies because of snow days.

The annual blood drive for Newtown Township will be held on July 7th within the township building. For those interested in donating, residents may call the township building for more information or going online to their website.