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I hope you find the following short summaries of local topics and issues of interest. The insights, notes, and opinions expressed here are solely mine and do not represent the opinions of any other person.
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Sycamore Window Zoning Variance Denied
The Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) at the 4 Sept 2025 meeting, denied he application by Mélange on Sycamore for six window signs, each 5.6 feet in size, which significantly exceeded the permitted two square feet per sign and were not allowed under previous grants of relief. The windows are already in place leading to my comment that this is a classic case of "asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission." Listen to this short "Deep Dive" podcast based on my recording of the decision and public comments.
Bucks County continues to face a shortage of affordable housing. With median home prices now topping $500,000, essential workers and middle-income families are being priced out. Officials warn that without zoning changes to allow denser more affordable housing, the crisis will worsen.
Meanwhile, speaking of being "priced out" of the market, that is essentially what is happening in Newtown Township where super expensive single family homes and apartments are being built and proposed such as the $1.5 million homes being built by Toll Bros and the "Goodnoe Homestead" project proposed by Jim Worthington and his partner John Cordisco.
Read more...
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Further Notes:
Speaking of being "priced out" of the market, that is essentially what is happening in Newtown Township where super expensive single family homes and apartments are being built and proposed such as the $1.5 million homes being built by Toll Bros and the "Goodnoe Homestead" proposed project.
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Holy Family University officials want to construct 12 buildings at its Newtown Township East Campus to house students of the growing institution. The Sketch Plan calls for 288 “Garden Style Walk-Up Units.” The sketch also includes a 5,300-square-foot activity center.
But the plan would need a zoning variance to allow residential development in the OR (Office Research) District.
Read more...
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Further Notes:
Holy Family University submitted a request for 290 EDU’s for the property on Campus Drive. An equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) is a unit of measure for the sewage generated from particular buildings, structures or uses. EDUs are currently is short supply (see NBCJMA discussion link below).
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At its Aug. 20, 2025 meeting, the Newtown Borough Council tabled a decision on the permit for this year’s Holiday Parade, citing concerns about its expanded size and scope.
The event, organized by the Newtown Business Association and sponsored by the Newtown Athletic Club and Jim Worthington, is being promoted as “the biggest small town holiday parade in the country.” Organizer expects 100+ parade units, nearly double last year’s 52!
Council Concerns:
- Road Closures: Requested from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Council questioned whether this was excessive.
- Infrastructure/Capacity: Concerns about whether borough parking and streets can handle a much larger crowd, especially if a celebrity (i.e., the Philly Fanatic) draws regional visitors
- Content Standards & Transparency: Council asked about policies to ensure no objectionable acts, especially considering that organizers had not provided a complete list of acts.
Read more...
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Further Notes:
Council had intended to revisit the application at its 3 Sept 2025 Work Session. That meeting was unexpectedly canceled. Note that this parade also runs through the township on North Sycamore St. Perhaps the Newtown Twp BOS needs to review it before issuing a permit.
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The session underscored ongoing debates about development, infrastructure, and the township’s ability to preserve its historic district.
Key Takeaways
- Public safety concerns (crosswalks, baseball fields) dominated public comment.
- Historic preservation enforcement became a major issue with Mélange’s violations.
- Infrastructure projects (sidewalks, grants) are progressing but face challenges.
Read more...
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Plans to redevelop the Goodnoe Homestead have met stiff resistance from Newtown Township residents. My survey of local area residents collected 402 responses!
To make a long story short, the overwhelming majority of responses (74%) are STRONGLY OPPOSED to the plan and an additional 10% are SOMEWHAT OPPOSED. Opponents cite traffic, density, and preservation concerns, arguing the project could alter the character of the community.
Top Concerns:
- Traffic & Parking: Added congestion, too few spaces
- Overdevelopment: “City-style” density not fitting for Newtown
- Historic Character: Loss of Goodnoe heritage and small-town feel
- Environment & Infrastructure: Stormwater, flooding, tree loss, sewer strain
- Housing: Apartments seen as too costly, not affordable for most
More, including ALL comments...
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Further Notes:
This project - like all such projects - if approved by the Newtown Board of Supervisors, would require that the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) allocate what are called EDUs (Equivalent Dwelling Units; see definition with video of Discussion of EDUs at 12 Aug 2025 NBCJMA Meeting).
You should know that John Cordisco - a partner on this project - is the Chair of BCWSA! Clearly, there is a conflict of interest here. Just sayin'
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At the 13 August 2025 Newtown Township Supervisors meeting, the spotlight fell on Mélange on Sycamore after the business replaced historic double-hung windows with single-pane picture windows and added etched glass signage without proper approvals. Residents and officials clashed over whether the design respects Newtown’s historic district or threatens its character..
You can see a window with the sycamore tree etching in the photo above. The more contentious windows are located at the front of the property along North Sycamore Street.
Planning Commission Chair Peggy Driscoll reported that the applicant was approved only for etched designs on existing historic windows, but instead installed non-compliant replacements. Craig Deutsch, vice chair of the commission and a member of the Historical Architecture Review Board (HARB), called the move a disregard for the process and urged the supervisors to act quickly to protect the township’s historic character.
UPDATE (4 Sept 2025): The Zoning Hearing Board denied Mélange's application for variances to allow these windows, which are already in place! Listen to this short "Deep Dive" podcast based on my recording of the decision.
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Further Notes:
Our historic district is one of the treasures that gives Newtown its character. When businesses make changes without following the rules, it undermines that character and sets a dangerous precedent.
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On 19 August 2025, I saw this Brixmor sign while having a beer at Iron Hill Brewery. It is located on Durham Rd just outside the Brixmor property line. As such, it violates the new "billboard" ordinance, which defines "Off-Premises Sign (Billboard)" as: Advertising a business, product, or event not located on the same property.
After I informed the Township Manager that this sign was “illegal,” I was told that Brixmor was "notified of the illegal sign” and that it must be removed. Brixmor would then have the option of filing an appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB).
On August 30, 2025, I drove by the site and noticed that the illegal sign was removed.
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Back in November, 2024, I pulled the plug on X! It wasn't doing me much good. Please tell your friends - especially #NewtownPA residents - to join me here on Threads.
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