Politics & Government

Residents Oppose Rezoning and Townhomes

Residents voiced their opposition to rezoning the corner of Philmont and Street Road in Feasterville.

The Lower Southampton Board of Supervisors held a public hearing June 8 to hear arguments to rezone the corner of Philmont Avenue and Street Road from a R2 zone to a R4 zone.

John VanLuvanee, the attorney representing County Builders, Inc., said that the R4 zoning classification permits only residential purposes whereas the R2 zoning classification does not guarantee only residential purposes.

VanLuvanee said that a church or school are permitted under the R2 zoning classification.

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According to township zoning code, the R2 zoning code refers to "only one single-family detached dwelling or one building for a principal use permitted in this district shall be permitted on any single lot."

The R4 zoning code refers to allowing "residential development, in cluster fashion, providing a cluster development with a broader spectrum of architectural designs and dwelling types development, in cluster fashion, providing a cluster development with a broader spectrum of architectural designs and dwelling types," as stated in township zoning codes.

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"This change is appropriate," VanLuvanee said of rezoning to R4.

The developer VanLuvanee represents has expressed the desire to build a townhome community at this location; the land would have to be rezoned to a R4 zoning classification in order for this to occur.

If permitted and rezoned, VanLuvanee said the developer projects that a maximum of 100 townhouse units would be constructed. VanLuvanee also said that the quarry portion of the land would not be developed; licensed,professional engineer Kevin O'Reilly said that the developer would "be staying out of the quarry for the most part."

"I had not heard any reason tonight that townhouses were beneficial to residents of Feasterville," resident Janet Schanley said to the board. She also said that the development of townhouses would only increase that already problematic traffic, pollution and density in the area.

"To continue to take our tax dollars in our little neighborhood and give us absolutely nothing for it but more houses and traffic congestion...it’s not right. We’re never going to get anything out of it," resident Pat Horan said.

Resident Barbara Kochanowicz asked for those in attendance that wanted to keep the R2 zoning classification at the corner of Philmont Avenue and Street Road to raise their hands; just about everyone in the audience raised their hands.

"We don't want these things here," resident John Dempsey said. He said that right now it is not possible to come out onto Philmont and Street, which would only be worsened by a townhome development.

"This is just a money making scheme to take over that section," he said.

The board did not vote to change the zoning last night; they only voted to draft an ordinance to vote for or against to rezone, which solicitor Michael Savona is the next step in the process.


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