It’s been a long time coming – roughly three years – but the Solebury Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave owners of the long-vacant Carversville Inn its go-ahead to renovate the historic building.
On the recommendation of the Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB), the supervisors unanimously approved the project, which includes renovations, an addition, and demolition of a portion of the structure.
Approval, however, did come with a list of 17 conditions and clarifications, including that the owners agree to repair and/or restore windows, doors and shutters before replacing them.
Other requirements mandated the types wood, paint, siding, colors, gutters and downspouts to be used at the 6205 Fleecydale Road inn.
The owners must still obtain all permits before any work can begin as well as any land development approvals since the plan approved by HARB is not identical to the plan previously approved by the board of supervisors.
“I hope I live long enough to have dinner there one night,” said resident Ed McGahan.
In other business, Supervisors Kevin Morrissey and Hanna Howe presented the results of a township survey on what activities residents favor for the 13-acre tract the township bought along Route 202 between Logan Square and Reeder Road.
Howe said 27.9% of township households responded to the survey conducted between March 29 and April 24.
The top five suggestions, she said, starting with the most popular, was passive park-open space, followed by a farmers market, active outdoor recreation, an environmental center, and on outdoor amphitheater.
Morrissey said he hopes to form a 202 Advisory Committee and apply for funding grants.
The supervisors also unanimously adopted an Energy Transition Plan.
Supervisor John Francis labeled it as a road map to cleaner energy in the township. Among its proposals are:
– an Energy Efficiency Audit of township buildings;
– increase walkways and bike trails connecting residences with commercial establishments;
– encourage conversion of large lawns to low-mow or no-mow meadowland;
– revisit proposals for roof-top solar on Solebury public buildings;
– offer incentives for builders of electric-only construction;
– encourage replacement of removed trees and the planting of additional tree cover to shade buildings;
– Audit the use of LEDs in all parking lot street lamps and assist businesses in replacing any non-LEDs;
– promote the free PECO energy assessments to help residents increase their efficiency and reduce energy cost.
The supervisors also agreed to request PennDOT to install a flashing warning light at Route 202 and Silver Lane, the site of a recent accident.
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