Action On Wawa Development Plan Postponed In Newtown Township

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A review of land development plans for a proposed Wawa on the Newtown Bypass has been postponed until September.

The township asked for and received an extension of time from Provco Pinegood Ltd. until September 30, according to township manager Micah Lewis.

The plan had originally been scheduled to expire on August 15 and Provco had been planning to appear before the supervisors at its August 10 meeting seeking final land development approvals.

At the board’s last meeting in early July, the supervisors said they would ask Provco for an extension to September to avoid the summer vacation season when many residents are away.

“August 10th is a particular high point in the vacation season,” said Supervisor John Mack. “I’d like to see this meeting happen when more of the public can be present.”

Chairman Dennis Fisher agreed. “I would like to see this go into September so that people can be informed and not have to worry about being on vacation.”

If no further extension is granted, Provco would need to secure approvals from the township prior to its plan expiration date of September 30.

The five member board of supervisors was poised to vote in May on preliminary as final plans for a Wawa convenience store and gas station at Lower Silver Lake Road when the agenda item was pulled from consideration by Provco.

In April, the township’s planning commission had recommended denial of the preliminary as final land development plans for the 5,585 square foot convenience store and gas station.

After several hours of review, the commission couldn’t muster enough votes for a recommendation to approve, deadlocking at three votes in favor and three votes against. The tie vote resulted in a de facto recommendation of denial, according to solicitor Jerry Schenkman.

Provco’s plan for the nearly five acre site depicts a 5,585-square-foot food market with six fuel dispensers.

Plans show the convenience store facing the Bypass with front and rear store access, pedestrian walkways, bike racks, one electric vehicle charging station, two air pump stations and 60 parking spaces, including three designated for ADA.

Access to the store would be off of Lower Silver Lake Road via a right in entrance only and a full intersection at the entrance to the store across from Crossing Community Church.

If the supervisors approve the plan, Provco would be cleared to break ground on the project. If the board denies the plan, the township and Wawa will end up in court delaying the construction of the project until the litigation is resolved.

In September 2020, the supervisors opened the door to the Wawa project when they voted 3-2 to pass a municipal curative amendment that added a combination gas station and convenience store as a special exception in its office/research zoning district.

Voting in favor of the ordinance were chairman Phil Calabro and board members Dennis Fisher and David Oxley. Supervisor John Mack joined Kyle Davis in voting against the amendment. Mack said he felt an in-person meeting of the supervisors should have been held prior to a vote.

Passage of the E30 Ordinance allowed Provco to request a special exception from the township for the development of a Wawa and gas station across from Crossing Community Church at Lower Silver Lake Road and the Newtown Bypass.

The zoning board approved the special exception in March.