Developer Proposes Moving Newtown Farmhouse 50 Feet

A new plan that seeks to move a farmhouse at the Villas at Newtown 50 feet will come before the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors next week, officials told Patch.

The sketch plan, which was reviewed by the township’s Planning Commission last month, also seeks to add eight new units to the community, which is nearing construction, according to Planning Commission minutes.

No formal vote was taken when the township’s Planning Commission reviewed the plan last month but, according to the minutes, Planning Commission members did not feel that the house should or could safely be moved without significant damage.

Supervisor Jen Dix said the Board of Supervisors will review the sketch plan at its meeting on Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The issue has been controversial since last summer when McGrath Homes originally asked to tear down the 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. However, the board and the community were split on what should happen to the farmhouse. The board suggested the developer come forward with an alternative plan.

That alternative plan, submitted as a sketch, has been revised so that the farmhouse is moved 50 feet and the house’s lot would be absorbed into the development, Planning Commission minutes state.

“Two new quads would be added near the entrance, creating a symmetrical approach. The farmhouse would be dismantled and reconstructed on a new foundation and made into an age restricted single family home. The Villas Homeowners Association has agreed to take the house into the development, maintain the exterior and offer the residents HOA membership,” aacording to Planning Commission meeting minutes.

According to the meeting minutes, Planning Commission members were reluctant to support the concept of moving the house. “They also did not agree that the development should have increased density at the expense of preserved open space. They questioned how the large center hall farmhouse could be renovated as age qualified housing suitable for aging in place without a main floor master suite,” the minutes said.

Reconstruction and renovation would be supervised and approved by the Joint Historic Commission and the Heritage Conservancy, Villas representatives said during the Planning Commission meeting. 

The issue will be addressed at next week’s Supervisors meeting.