Told to stop construction, Durham Springs owners to meet with township officials

An attorney representing Landmark Developers, the new owners of Durham Springs, a proposed wedding venue in the township, has requested a meeting with township officials.
Supervisor Chairman Bartley E. Millett said at the supervisors’ January meeting that Edward Child, Durham’s zoning officer, and Peter Nelson, the township’s attorney, will be meeting with Paul Cohen, the attorney, to discuss construction activity at the site.
The meeting is the result of a letter the supervisors sent to Landmark, based in Plainfield, N.J., after residents expressed concerns about ongoing work at the unoccupied site on Lehnenberg Road, according to Millett. The letter ordered Landmark to stop construction and comply with township regulations.
“So far,” Millett said, “Landmark has not applied for anything.”
Both Supervisor Kathleen M. Gentner and Supervisor Richard Johnson outlined the regulatory hoops the time-consuming process Landmark must pass through before it is approved. “Nothing is going to happen overnight,” agreed Millett.
Lack of business during the pandemic forced the former owners into bankruptcy and Landmark paid $2.4 million for the 17-acre property last year.
Construction work at the site was brought to the supervisors’ attention by concerned neighbors in December. In addition, an article in a Philadelphia newspaper claimed the developers had already spent $100,000 for renovations and planned to build about 30 cottages for overnight guests.

Landmark has a portfolio of 20 hospitality venues, including Logan Inn, Mansion Inn, Hotel du Village and The Landing, all in New Hope, and several in Montgomery County, including the Elkins Estate and Chelten House.
In other business, the supervisors approved a stormwater application for the Smith property on Funks Mill Road. The property owner plans to build a pole barn and a swimming pool and make changes to the driveway.
Answering residents’ concerns about frequent power outages, the supervisors agreed to send a letter to MetEd to request “an expedited upgrade.”
The supervisors also approved a change in meeting times for both their own sessions and those of the planning commission. Both groups, starting in February, will meet at 7 p.m. instead of 7:30.
David Juall, chairman of the Durham Environmental Advisory Council, told the supervisors he had been keeping in contact with Bucks County over its plans to restore county-owned Bridge 226, which crosses Cooks Creek at Red Bridge and Stouts Valley roads.
The flash flood caused by Tropical Storm Ida Sept.1, 2021 changed the course of the creek and caused further damage to the bridge which was already compromised. Juall said he suspects work will not begin until spring or summer and that the job will require road closures.
During the township’s reorganization meeting Jan. 3, few changes were made. Most township officials were either maintained or reappointed. Only two new appointments were made: Charlie Orecchio to a four-year term on the planning commission, and Anne Salva as deputy tax collector.

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