KRE Sketch Plan Q&A at the December 20, 2022, Newtown Planning Commission Meeting

On December 20, 2022, the KRE Group presented to the Newtown Planning Commission a plan for development of 17.87 acre parcel in the OR, Office Research, Zoning District to construct a luxury rental apartment building with 225 units, 244 surface parking spaces and 232 garage parking spaces. Synopsis by PC Chair Peggy Driscoll: The Jointure does not permit such a residential use in any of our zoning districts. Attorney Ed Murphy indicated that the plan would require a zoning amendment, which the applicant preferred over a use variance. The Commission members had many concerns about the size and intensity of the project and had many questions about traffic, economic impact, and preservation of wetlands and woodlands. We discussed the impact of such a large building on the school district. The sketch plan seemed to indicate that the appearance from the bypass would be relatively unchanged. The applicants presented a series of photographs of a similar project in Bedminster, New Jersey, which seemed to feature some commercial components but there are no plans for commercial uses, like a coffee shop of café at this development. As this was a very preliminary presentation, the applicants plan to take the Commission’s comments and questions and attempt to address them, providing some additional information of traffic studies and demographics of prospective tenants. The Commission members were generally hesitant to support such a complete change in existing zoning, however we are willing to continue to work with the applicant and learn more about their plans and their successes in other municipalities. Other issues/comments: • Building Height Some of the sketch plan documents refer to a five story apartment complex, which is strictly prohibited in Newtown Township because of fire department ladder limitations. The proposed apartment complex is actually 4 stories although the height of the building – 51 feet – was of some concern to PC members. • Traffic and Access to Newtown Amenities There was much discussion about traffic issues. The developer said that a Traffic Impact Study (TIS) would be made and that the May 12, 2022, TIS by TPD (which prepared the Provco/Wawa TIS) was not applicable. It was suggested than many millennials (potential renters) do no own cars and perhaps there should be amenities (e.g., coffee shop) on site. I suggested that many tenants would be into biking and that perhaps a bike lane would be needed on Lower Silver Lake Rd to allow access to Wawa, which is sure to be coming down the road. Also, mentioned was the problem of crossing the Bypass by bike to Newtown-Yardley Rd (NTYR). That would mean that residents with cars would drive into town via NTYR exacerbating the pedestrian crosswalk problem at Newtown Walk – we all know millennials tend to speed when driving! • Environment I expressed concern about the watershed and basin currently located on the site. The plan seems to cover over the basin. I also mentioned that many trees would have to be removed and suggested that the developer offer to contribute money to the Newtown “Tree Bank” to plant replacement trees in public areas. This was something the NAC had promised some time ago when it removed trees from its property. NOTE: THE PLANNING COMMISSION DID NOT VOTE TO MAKE AN OFFICIAL RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.