Hulmeville Hill Development Vote Expected Wednesday

HULMEVILLE, PA —After months of meetings for more than a year, a decision to develop Hulmeville Hill is expected Wednesday.

The Hulmeville Conservation Committee is asking residents to attend the Borough Council meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the William Penn Fire Station at 123 Main St. regarding an expected vote on a conditional land use application by Superior Holdings, LLC.

The application is to build 121 housing units consisting of apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes at 150 Trenton Ave. The applicant also intends to tear down a 1700s homestead consisting of a historically important house and barn, the conservation committee said.

The committee said that for more than six meetings, it has laid out "clearly and concisely" why the application should be denied.

"Has the council seriously considered the impacts and safety issues this would have on our small town?" the committee asks. "Have they taken into consideration the destructive effects on our homes and lives? How will your elected council members vote? Will they vote in the best interest of the citizens of Hulmeville?"

HCC is a group of concerned citizens organized to preserve the natural beauty and limit development of the property formerly identified as Harriet Black’s Farm and Langhorne Wood Products Co., including the surrounding woods and the hill bordering the William Penn Fire House.

"Not only is this a decision that will affect everyone who calls Hulmeville home, it will have far-reaching implications to all surrounding areas," the committee said. "Undeniably there are sentimental issues, but the larger issues of safety, quality of life, and property value are ones that are of utmost concern. These are what has been tasked to the council to protect under the ordinances of the borough. Will they follow what is law?"

The organization said the development would impact the environment and wildlife, especially a meadow that provides a feeding ground for birds of prey and many other animals. Flying squirrels, fox, owls, deer, and eagles consider the meadow and adjoining woods their home.

"We as a community have spoken," HHC said. "Come and see if our elected council has listened to us."