'Time To Think Outside the Box': Supervisors Weigh In On Threatened Farmhouse

The following opinion piece was submitted by Newtown Township Supervisors Jen Dix and Phil Calabro regarding McGrath Homes’ request to tear down a 1840s farmhouse and replace it with a dozen villas at the Villas at Newtown development on Upper Silver Lake Rd. Restoration of the farmhouse was a condition of approval when McGrath received the go-ahead to construct the 172-unit development back in 2006.

The issue will be discussed next at a meeting on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at the Newtown Township Building.

We are opposed to the demolition of an historic farmhouse and opposed to any new buildings for McGrath. We feel that the preservation of historic properties and open space are high priorities for the township as stated in our Comprehensive Plan as well as part of our campaign promises.

• It permanently takes away a piece of history and open space.
• It weakens the Township’s position with future developers.
• It detracts from the quality of life of neighboring residents.

Other farmhouses have been restored in many other neighborhoods in Newtown Township—some for private use and others as common buildings used by the HOA—because prior Supervisors ensured preservation. This will be the first time, to the best of our knowledge, that a farmhouse is allowed to be demolished instead. The farmhouse is still in salvageable condition and is not termite infested, according to experts.

The Joint Historic Commission voted 7-0 to deny the demolition permit because the home is considered an “historic gem”—a rare example of wood frame farmhouse from that time period with unique architecture. The JHC reviews 6-12 demolition applications each year for the Township and Borough combined. Going back at least four years, this is the only recommendation by the JHC to deny a demolition permit for a Township building.

We understand the residents of The Villas of Newtown plea to see the “eyesore” removed from the entrance to their neighborhood. We also know that McGrath has not taken basic measures to prevent deterioration of the home since taking ownership of it 8 years ago. We don’t believe this is the right solution to improve these three acres.

Instead we think it’s time to think outside the box to save one of the few remaining pieces of Newtown history. We favor creative solutions for adaptive re-use of the renovated farmhouse that will meet our zoning standards and satisfy some of the concerns of neighboring residents. The current plan calls for the home to be renovated and sold as a single-family dwelling that is not part of the Villas of Newtown.

Other options we support that would preserve the home and open space include but are not limited to:

1. Making the farmhouse part of The Villas of Newtown and age restricted
2. Allowing the use of the renovated home for a small office, with access from the lower portion of Upper Silver Lake Road.

Renovation of the historic farmhouse at its current location is our first choice, but we also would permit moving the home to another one acre parcel within the Villas of Newtown tract or moving it off site. In either case we feel the remaining three acre parcel should then be deed restricted open space.

We feel these options should be explored further with all stakeholders. In no case would we support McGrath building more new homes. A façade easement that was supposed to be executed in 2006, but never was, should be put in place without further delay. In order to ensure the renovation of the historic farmhouse, we would not approve the release of all of McGrath’s escrowed funds held by the township until the renovation of the home is complete—whether it is moved or not.

We hope that at least one of our fellow Supervisors will also support our position to make certain that we are working for the residents’ best interest and not the builder’s.

Jen Dix and Phil Calbro