One bagel place wants to replace another in Middletown Township, but the transition – if it happens – might not be smooth.
At its May 1 meeting, the township board of supervisors voted unanimously to oppose variances requested by Manhattan Bagel as part of its bid to move into the former Einstein Bros. Bagels at the Summit Square Shopping Center, just off the Newtown Bypass and close to Middletown’s border with Newtown Township.
The vote to send Middletown Solicitor Jim Esposito to an upcoming township zoning hearing board meeting to speak in opposition to the variances, which include one that would allow a drive-through and another that would remove some parking spaces to make way for the drive-through, came on the recommendation of Esposito.
After discussions with township Building and Zoning Director Jim Ennis, Esposito said he and Ennis believe that granting the variances for the drive-through might cause traffic flow and parking problems at the location.
The variances are scheduled to be considered by the ZHB at its meeting on Wednesday.
In other news from the May 1 meeting, the supervisors voted to approve a $7,500 contract with Exact Solar of Newtown to conduct a solar feasibility study of the municipal center and other township-owned properties to see if solar power would be possible there.
Assistant Township Manager Nick Valla said Middletown has $76,530 in grant money available for the possible installation of solar power technology. If the study finds that such installation is feasible to power or partially power some township-owned facilities, Middletown officials would explore more grants or other funding sources, he added.
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