At its November meeting, Newtown supervisors unanimously approved the preliminary final plan for 45 single-family homes located at 435 Durham Road and 107 Twining Bridge Road.
Newtown AOP (Toll Brothers) settled with the township earlier this year after the company brought litigation when the board of supervisors denied their original plan back in 2019.
“The plan has not changed in its layout, it’s consistent with what this board had approved back in February, and we’re seeking approval pursuant to the settlement agreement,” said Toll attorney Gregg Adelman. As part of the agreement, only 22 acres of the approximately 158-acre All Saints Cemetery property would be developed. In addition, 98 acres directly adjacent to the township municipal complex will be donated to the township to preserve as open space.
The development will have access to Durham Road directly across from the North Drive entry point to Newtown Grant. No access will be provided onto Twining Bridge Road. There will also be emergency access only from a cul de sac located in the northeastern corner of the property as well as one in the south-central corner.
The plan includes substantial berming and buffering throughout the perimeter of the property as well as connection to the township’s MI-6 Trail. The four-bedroom homes planned for the property will be between 3,000 and 4,000 square feet. Lots in the new development will be about 20,000 square feet and clustered closely together as negotiated in the settlement agreement, which cut down the overall space Toll Brothers agreed to build on.
The homes will be valued at roughly $1 million each while the 98 acres of land the township is receiving has a value of $10 million. The plan will generate around $10,000 per house in tax revenue for the township.
The board confirmed some minor details regarding outstanding approvals needed by the developer and the old farmhouse currently located on the township side of the property. Supervisor John Mack stated that the township historical commission wishes to survey the house to see if it is worth preserving before demolition takes place.
Before voting on the plan, the board heard from two residents who expressed concerns regarding the new development. “The board of directors (Homeowners Association) has asked to not have through traffic from this new development into Newtown Grant,” said resident John D’April. “Just a few months ago, we had a pedestrian and her dog hit right on the drive. With this extra traffic where they’re coming in, it’s probably the most densely populated part right at the traffic light.”
Resident Bradley Cooper added, “I thought we were supposed to be preserving open space, the land, the history of Newtown. ... I think we need to start changing and working with the zoning board and changing our zoning laws that a lot of townships have that are outdated.”
After hearing from the public, all five Supervisors voted to approve the plan. Toward the end of the meeting, the board also discussed the proposed 2023 township budget, but after failing to come to a consensus on a number to raise taxes by or reallocate funds, no action was taken. The matter will now be considered at an upcoming meeting.
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