Board, Community Remain Divided on Fate of Newtown Farmhouse

After nearly three hours of debate Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors made no final decision regarding the fate of a historic farmhouse that a developer is seeking to demolish on Upper Silver Lake Road.

McGrath Homes, which is nearing completion of its Villas at Newtown development, is seeking permission to tear down a 1840s farmhouse and replace it with a dozen villas. Restoration of the farmhouse was a condition of approval when McGrath received the go-ahead to construct the 172-unit development back in 2006.

The proposal, which is supported by a majority of residents in the 55-plus community, was met with resistance from others in in the township, who feared destroying the building would chip away at the town’s heritage and set a dangerous precedent for land development applications going forward.

The board was split on the matter, with members Jen Dix and Phil Calabro clear about their opposition to the developer’s hopes of creating more density on the site.

Supervisors Ryan Gallagher and Mike Gallagher said they didn’t want to deny the application for fear that it would stop a conversation on the issue. And supervisor Kyle Davis, who expressed his opposition to demolishing the house, ultimately would not vote against the application because he said he wanted to compromise.

So with no action taken, the board indicated it plans to hold a work session meeting with the developer to consider other alternatives, including moving the home. That option was raised by Supervisor Ryan Gallagher, however, no specifics, like who would pay for the home to be moved or where it would go, were provided.

It was not only the board, but also the public who was largely polarized on the issue.

Dozens of Villas at Newtown residents implored the board to allow McGrath to tear down the house, which they contend is an eyesore that is burdening property values in their development. Many of the speakers questioned the historical value of the building in the first place, saying it was not listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

“That property is a hole in our community and we want to see it closed,” said Villas at Newtown homeowner’s association president Charlie Behl. “Some things need to be thrown out with the trash,” he said, noting the house was one of those things.

But experts don’t agree.

Newtown’s Joint Historic Commission recommended the township deny the demolition permit after its members said they completed extensive research.

Preservation experts in the audience, including Jeff Marshall, president of the Heritage Conservancy, said the building has “special character” that is worthy of saving. “A well restored house helps define our community,” Marshall said, noting a property does not have to be included on a register to be historically significant.

Representatives from adjacent neighborhoods, including Wiltshire Walk and Kirkwood, spoke during public comment to express their community’s opposition to the home’s demolition.

Discussion of the issue is expected to be continued at a work session meeting in October. A date for that meeting was not announced Tuesday.

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