Newtown Supervisors Send Farmhouse Issue Back to Planning Commission

What will become of a historic farmhouse on Upper Silver Lake Road has yet to be decided, despite numerous meetings in Newtown Township.

Developer McGrath Homes is seeking permission from Newtown Township to tear down a 1840s farmhouse and replace it with a dozen villas at its 55-plus development under construction on Upper Silver Lake Road. Restoration of the farmhouse was a condition of approval when McGrath received the go-ahead to construct the development back in 2006.

The Newtown Joint Historic Commission has recommended the township deny the demolition permit. In September, the Planning Commission forwarded the issue to the supervisors.

Well now the Planning Commission will have the chance to take another stab at appropriate options for the farmhouse, after the Board of Supervisors on Wednesday voted to send the matter back to that commission.

Over the course of two months, numerous discussions have been held to decide what should happen to the farmhouse but the board and the community remain split on the issue.

Supervisors Jen Dix and Phil Calabro have consistently expressed their opposition to tearing down the house. Supervisor Kyle Davis has said he does not support its demolition but has failed to back that position up with a vote at two separate meetings.

A majority of residents in the 55-plus Villas at Newtown community support tearing down or moving the farmhouse. However, other township residents have come forward with strong opposition to demolishing it.