Pleased with redevelopment near the biotech center off Route 611, environmentally as well as commercially, Buckingham is now considering further redevelopment there.
At its Sept. 27 public meeting, the board of supervisors accepted an offer of an extension of allowable review time to Feb. 2 for a 9-acre subdivision that would include a biotechnology research lab and a car dealership.
Neighboring property owners have already been notified of the intent.
Land development engineer Gilmore & Associates Inc., of New Britain Borough, has described a preliminary plan “to reconfigure the Anthony-Sylvan Pools property into one lot, fronting North Easton Road (Route 611) for a Hyundai car dealership (via the Fred Beans organization), and a second lot, fronting on Old Easton Road, for a new biotechnology research lab (as part of the Pennsylvania Biotechnology Center of Bucks County).”
All of the buildings, as well as paved and gravel areas, relating to the existing commercial use are to be demolished as part of the proposed redevelopment, with the proposed site to have “more aesthetically pleasing view sheds,” while significantly “reducing existing impervious cover.”
In discussion after the meeting, supervisors and staff noted the latter as an extension of similar results from the already-completed redevelopment in the vicinity, with the new Wawa and other projects praised for their contribution to overall environmental improvement, including ending some stormwater runoff flooding problems.
The further redevelopment via the subdivision is to “include associated parking, landscaping, and utilities for each lot, with public sewer and water connections.” The new stormwater management system “may include vegetated surface applications,” while overall providing “peak rate and volume control for the site, meeting the pre-development ‘meadow’ conditions.”
Also at the Sept. 27 meeting, supervisors received news from the township finance director and treasurer Jill G. Pistory regarding Buckingham’s expected financial obligation for the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan and Police Pension Plan for 2024, with about 1% coming from the township budget and the rest from state funding.
Supervisors noted their pension plans were fully funded, contributing to the township being one of seven in the state with a AAA bond rating.
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