Commission Advises Against Demolition Permit for Historic Farmhouse

The Newtown Joint Historic Commission has unanimously voted to recommend Newtown Township deny a demolition permit requested by a developer to tear down a historic farmhouse on Upper Silver Lake Road.

McGrath Homes is seeking permission from Newtown Township to tear down a historic farmhouse and instead replace it with a dozen villas at its 55-plus development under construction on Upper Silver Lake Road.

Members of the Joint Historic Commission, after conducting a site investigation, said the building is structurally sound and have recommended the township deny the permit. The matter will now go before the Newtown Township Planning Commission and then to the Board of Supervisors.

Restoration of the farmhouse, which is estimated to date back to circa 1840, was a condition of approval when McGrath received the go-ahead to construct the development back in 2006.

The farmhouse was in good condition when McGrath acquired it eight years ago, supervisor Jen Dix told Patch last month. Since then, it has deteriorated due to neglect, Dix noted.

In its recent review of the home, the Joint Historic Commission noted numerous exterior wall penetrations but said there was no visible evidence of water damage to the house. There was some graffiti and peeling paint but wood trim was intact and in “excellent” condition, the report said.

The Board of Supervisors review will likely be sometime in September, Dix said.