Plans for old Acme site unveiled last night - will be voted on April 22

[Jenn Dix]

Hi all,

 

McGrath did present plans last night for the old Acme site - see meeting notes below. The plan is an improvement over the one presented in January but is still 15 feet over the height ordinance.

 

Make your voice heard!

Plan to attend the April 22 Board of Supervisors meeting:

7:30 p.m., 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown PA

Admin building, Lower Level Meeting Room

 

Arrive on time in order to get a seat. This impacts future development along Sycamore Street.

Hope to see many people there!

 

Jen

 

Board of Supervisors Meeting, April 13, 2009:

 

Attorney Ed Murphy and the head architect for McGrath presented a revised Concept Plan for the former Acme site on Sycamore Street.  The next formal presentation will be on 4/21 - Planning Commission; 4/22 - Board of Supervisors.

 

Important points:

• Structure is now 3 stories (instead of 4) with retail on the first floor, 27 condos on 2nd and 3rd floors (down from 31).
• Square footage in total is 83,054
• A lease has been signed by Anthropologie  for about half of the retail space on the first floor. The goal is to deliver it in June 2010 so the tenant can open in September 2010; this will require Zoning Hearing Board approval during the summer of 2009.
• Three variances are needed from the ZHB for increase in height (see more below), condo use as only apartments and single homes are permitted used in that zoning district and allowance for one retailer (Anthropologie) to have more than 10,000 square feet of space.
• The monolithic appearance has been broken up with Mansard roof, awnings, balconies, etc.
• Parking would remain as required by ordinance
• The most glaring point of contention has been and continues to be the height - both the highest peak and the average height. Average roof height is about 45 feet with a peak of about 50 feet. The current ordinance allows an average roof height of 30 feet, with a highest peak of 32 feet. From conception to the current plan, here are the proposed highest peaks:
• October 2008 59 feet
• January 2009 55 feet
• April 2009 ~50 feet

Residents interested in design, offered several ideas regarding architecture and style: the materials used for the facade are not Newtown style, e.g. brownstone, Victorian; Perhaps shingling and clapboards can be used. They pointed-out that only the facade would need this look. Also mentioned was the closeness to Sycamore Street - an appearance of a stone fortress - lack of perferations.

 

An item that was not discussed during public comment was traffic and public safety. This is a huge area of concern for Township and Borough residents who live nearby, and for all who drive on Washington Ave, Jefferson St., and Sycamore St. (Route 532).