In February 2013, the Newtown Board of Supervisors authorized the advertisement for the hearing for an amendment to Newtown’s Zoning Code. Now, months and many meetings later where hundreds of Newtown residents have signed petitions, hundreds of residents have attended many meetings and countless residents have made it clear to Township leadership that the zoning amendment should not be enacted, it is back on the agenda for deliberation and possible voting motion on Monday, September 9, 2013. The meeting is at the Newtown Township Building at 7:30 PM.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS MEETING IS CLEAR. THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MAY VOTE TO CHANGE THE ZONING IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHICH WILL FOREVER NEGATIVELY CHANGE THE CHARACTER AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN NEWTOWN HEIGHTS, THE RHOADS AVENUE AREA AND WINDING WAY AREA.
THE MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE AT 7:30PM ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 AT THE TOWNSHIP BUILDING.
This proposed amendment, creates C-R(Commercial-Residential)as a zoning designation and, as proposed, will negatively impact existing residential neighborhoods in Newtown Township. Specifically, this amendment proposes to rezone residential areas in the Newtown Heights, Rhoads Avenue and Winding Way neighborhoods to Commercial-Residential proposing three story buildings in and adjacent to residential neighborhoods where the first floor is commercial and the upper floors are residential or office. This new zoning allows restaurants in residential neighborhoods.
The Delaware County Planning Commission recommended that the Township not adopt this amendment as currently proposed. They confirmed what the residents have been saying all along. Commercial/Residential does not belong in these neighborhoods.
Why are we still deliberating and discussing this amendment? Recently, it was called to my attention that one of the properties included has advertised their property which is for sale as Commercial Residential. This property,noted in the tax record as owned by 3810 West Chester Pike, Inc c/o Rocco Imperatrice Esq. Why would Attorney Imperatrice allow this false representation to stand? Does he know something that the rest Newtown's residents don't know?
Additionally, when I wrote about this proposed amendment previously, I noted that one of the properties included was the home of Supervisor John Nawn. A number of the properties are owned by Khoury entities. Mr. Khoury, owner of the Upper Crust Restaurant, had previously proposed a restaurant for these properties. Current zoning does not allow a restaurant on this property.
Newtown residents attended the hearing on this proposed zoning amendment on July 31, 2013. Many residents gave up their vacation time to make clear to their elected officials that this proposed zoning amendment should not be adopted as written. Monday night's meeting will determine if these elected officials will make the right choice to abandon this proposal. Monday night's meeting will determine if these elected officials represent the residents of Newtown or do they represent the special interests of Mr. Imperatrice, the Khourys, Mr. Nawn and others.
PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETING AT THE NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP BUILDING ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 AT 7:30PM!!!!!
