No Decision Yet On Newtown Wawa Zoning Proposal

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — There was no consensus reached Tuesday on a zoning amendment needed in order for a Wawa to be considered in Newtown Township. The Planning Commission reviewed a zoning amendment that would revise the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO) to allow for a gas station use in the township's Office Research district.

The chain is proposing to construct a gas station and 5,585 square-foot convenience store on a privately owned parcel along the Bypass at Lower Silver Lake Road, across the street from Crossing Community Church.

The Planning Commission had concerns with the use, and no formal recommendation has been made yet to the Board of Supervisors, explained Interim Township Manager Micah Lewis.

A timeline for when the issue will be revisited was not immediately available.

The parcel is currently zoned office research. Since the proposed use is retail store with service station, a zoning change is needed.

Officials have said this zoning change would be the "first step" in the Wawa approval process. The proposal will go on to the Newtown Area Jointure for adoption into the JMZO. If adopted into the JMZO, gas stations would be permitted by "conditional use" in the Office Research District.

During an informal review of the plans in July, several issues and concerns were raised by members of the Planning Commission.

The "informal consensus" at the time was that the commission is not currently in favor of using the parcel for that particular project at this time, Planning Commission Chairman Allen Fidler said after the meeting.
Issues and concerns include traffic patterns, pedestrian safety, and the possibility of future development along the Bypass.

Other issues include the affect on neighboring communities, signage, and lighting.

Image by Kara Seymour