Public Hearing Wednesday to Consider Rezoning Corner of Philmont Avenue, Street Road

The Lower Southampton Board of Supervisors will hold a  to consider adopting an ordinance to amend the zoning of the property at the corner of Philmont Avenue and Street Road from a R2 zone to a R4 zone.

Residents are invited to attend the 7:30 p.m. meeting at the and be heard by the board.

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.

A public hearing was held on this same issue due to the possibility of increasing traffic in an already congested location as well as increasing pollution and density.

John VanLuvanee, the attorney representing County Builders, Inc., said June 8 that the R4 zoning classification permits only residential purposes whereas the R2 zoning classification does not guarantee only residential purposes. He also said that the change would be "appropriate."

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.

The board did not vote to change the zoning June 8; they only voted to draft an ordinance to vote for or against to rezone, which solicitor Michael Savona said was the next step in the process. Wednesday's meeting will be held for the board to vote for or against rezoning this area.