Mayor Breaks Tie Vote To Deny Approval Of Canopy At New Brick Hotel Restaurant

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA —In a rare tie vote, broken by the mayor, the Newtown Borough Council on Wednesday denied a certificate of appropriateness for a canopy at the new Donetelli's Italian Steakhouse, which is opening soon at the Brick Hotel.

The council deadlocked 3-3 on a recommendation by the town's Historic Architecture Review Board (HARB) to deny approval of the canopy, which has been up for weeks on the Washington Avenue side of the building.

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Citing HARB's unanimous vote, Mayor Tara Grunde McLaughlin cast her vote against the canopy, breaking the tie and denying the canopy, which will now have to be removed or be modified with HARB approval.

HARB chairman Jim McAuliffe said the board felt the canopy takes away from the historic structure, which sits in the heart of town at North State Street and Washington Avenue.

"We considered the shape of the canopy, the extension of it," said McAuliffe. "One member said it dominates rather than being subservient to the main structure. And everyone thought it was inappropriate for the standards. That's why we recommended an awning be put back, similar to what was there before, to maintain the rhythm of the openings."

The opinion was not shared by Councilor Kris Bauman, who felt the canopy doesn't detract from the building's appearance.

"There were no such things as canopies back at the time this building was built. That's why HARB felt it might be more appropriate to have an awning instead of a canopy, but there were probably no awnings either," he said.

This shows the improved patio area and the new awnings. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

This shows what the entrance would look like with an awning, which is what HARB is recommending instead of the canopy entrance. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

"To my mind, this canopy, while it is attached to the building, does not detract from the building itself and it does not impact or affect the structure of the historic building in any way, shape, or form," said Bauman. "For those reasons, I feel that the canopy, no matter what anyone thinks of it, should be approved."

Councilor Josh Phillips disagreed. "It creates a different line of sight," he said. "It also changes the streetscape and the historic nature of the town."

It's a sentiment shared by Councilor Julia Woldorf.

"I, for one, was quite shocked to see the canopy in place," she said. "I do not like it, and I agree with the comments from HARB as to why they voted to deny it."

The restaurant owner told council that the canopy was less about the historical look, and more about giving his clients a place to wait comfortably outside for a table or while entering the restaurant in the rain. "It was done out of respect for our clients just to be comfortable as they are coming into the building."

The council also heard from several members of the public who said they supported the canopy and the upgrades being made at the hotel.

Resident Rose Wuenschel said the canopy has been a nice addition to the property.

"I do like the continuance of the awnings onto the canopy," she said. "It is such a world of difference from the tent that was there with plastic walls for five years. I really, really appreciate that is no longer there and we have something there that looks like the original Brick Hotel."

Resident David Oxley told council that what has been taking place at the Brick has been a "massive improvement" over what was there before.

"A lot of what has been done has been tremendous for our community," he said "We need to remember9 that and how we are friendly to people who want to invest in our communities."