Public Hearing Planned On U.S. Navy Base Official Map In Horsham

HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA — After approving an ordinance to rezone the former U.S. Navy base, the property will be back before the Horsham Township Council again on Monday.

On its agenda at Monday night's meeting, the Horsham Council will hold a public hearing to establish an official map for the area of the former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Willow Grove for public lands and facilities.

The public hearing will take place at 7 p.m. Monday at the Horsham Township Building, 1025 Horsham Road.

In late June, the council unanimously adopted an ordinance to rezone the base from industrial to residential.

Since the closure of the base in 2011, the township has been proactive with the future redevelopment by expanding the sewer treatment plant, planning for public water, planning and implementing traffic improvements.

The township sees the 862-acre base off Route 611 and Horsham Road as a mixed-use development that would include a town center, office park, and regional recreation center, along with some housing.

The rezoning allows for R1 and R2 zoning for woodlands, parks, single-family homes, schools, retail, restaurants, and professional office buildings similar to the Pennsylvania Lifestyle Campus on the other side of town.

The redevelopment plan was prepared with months of public input in large meetings and in small groups. It was approved by the federal government.

The township's timeline for the former U.S. Navy base:

• 2005 — The base was listed for closure.
• 2011 — The base closed.
• 2012 — The base plan was finalized
• 2014 — PFAS contamination was detected
• 2024 — An agreement of sale reached with the Navy
• 2025 — Council approves rezoning of the base