Plan For Controversial Farmhouse To Be Considered Wednesday

Another proposal for the controversial farmhouse at the Villas at Newtown development will be up for consideration tonight (Wednesday, March 23) at the Board of Supervisors meeting.

This time, developer McGrath Homes is seeking approval to renovate the existing farmhouse with modern materials, add a two-car garage and install a new kitchen. The proposal also includes the construction of three new buildings near the farmhouse. Each new building would have two residential units.

The proposal, which follows nearly two years of controversy over the fate of the building, was turned down earlier this month by the township's Planning Commission.

The controversy began in 2014, when McGrath requested a demolition permit to remove the home and replace it with 12 units, despite its restoration being a condition of approval in 2006.

The township Board of Supervisors did not approve that request and instead asked McGrath to come forward with an alternative plan. The alternative plan proposed by McGrath was to move the farmhouse and add eight new units to the community, a proposition that was also rejected.

Now, McGrath has offered his third proposal — and so far it does not have the support of all of the township supervisors.

"There is no logical reason to support this plan since there is no benefit to the Township. We are giving McGrath more density and profit at the expense of our zoning, open space and true historical preservation," supervisor Jen Dix said.

The supervisors meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. at the township building. Click here to view the full agenda.