18 New Homes Coming To Former Garden Center In Churchville

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP, PA — Eighteen new homes are coming to the Churchville section of the township under preliminary/final plans approved by the supervisors on Jan. 28.

The single family homes will be built on 14.5 acres at the former Russell Gardens Center on New Road.

The owners of the family-owned garden center announced their retirement and closed the center in 2025 after more than 50 years in business. The center was started by Alfred Russell

“The entire site of Russell Gardens is planned to be redeveloped as part of this project,” said Supervisor Barry Moore, noting that it will be serviced by a new interior road - Founders Court - that will make connections to New Road.

Moore added that the plan has been recommended for approval by the planning commission with conditions and granted relief by the zoning hearing board.

The plan includes the construction of a new sidewalk along New Road that will connect the development to Maureen Welsh Elementary School and Northampton Township's Municipal Park via the township’s existing trail system.

As part of the approval, the developer will also pay a fee in lieu of $133,403 for recreation open space, a fee and lieu of $15,200 for sidewalks and a fee in lieu of $73,200 for tree replacement.

18 single family homes have been approved for the former Russell Gardens Center site on New Road.

“I personally recommend this development,” said Moore, who lives nearby. “This will be a very good addition to the town. These are going to be lovely houses that will be built here. And the builder has come forth with really good plan meeting all the requirements of zoning and planning.

“There will also be added value from a public safety standpoint with a new sidewalk put in along New Road. I strongly favor this. It will be a good addition to the town. It is 18 more houses, but it will fit well in that neighborhood.”

During public comment, a Frog Hollow resident sought assurances that headlights would not be shining into the back of his house as vehicles enter the new development from New Road. “Is there anything that can be done to mitigate that?”

The project’s engineer said the new development “meets all the requirements from a buffering and landscape perspective. There will also be additional trees planted,” he said. “Any of those concerns will be addressed.”

The resident also raised concern over the traffic generated by the new development, questioning the township’s engineer statement that there would be reduced traffic impact.

“Even in the springtime when everyone is buying their annuals there are 10 or 12 cars maybe,” he said. “And you’re talking about 35 cars and 18 houses.”

Earlier in the meeting, the township’s traffic engineer said “there will actually be a reduction in traffic with the new development from what was produced by Russell Gardens.”

Supervisor Paula Gasper dismissed concerns over traffic, joining the board in unanimously approving the development.

“It’s going to be a great addition. I’m glad we are doing something with it,” she said of the property.