Steeple View Vote Set for Thursday

Newtown Borough Council is expected to vote on a conditional use request for the proposed Steeple View redevelopment project during a special meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at Borough Hall, 23 N. State St.

Developer Allan Smith is proposing a development that would feature retail, residential and office uses along with a town square in the area behind Starbucks and the Newtown Hardware House on South State Street.

A conditional use hearing for the project was held on Nov. 18.

Smith has already received approval to develop the former Stockburger site on South State Street into a mixed-use development with a parking garage. But he’s still hoping his initial concept of a town square can fit in with the borough’s vision for the future.

If granted conditional use approval, Smith plans to demolish the existing State Store building and construct two new office and retail buildings that overlook a public square. A creek walk is also part of the plans.

The project that included the vision of a town square and creek walk was first presented to council in 2011. It halted due to a sewer moratorium, which has since been lifted.

Smith is planning to work with architect Robert Hillier, who designed Palmer Square in Princeton, N.J.