Politics & Government
Upper Saucon Approves Old Saucon Development Plan
Development of the 71-acre mixed use neighborhood will begin next fall, says Owner John Blair.
approved an age qualified residential community and village center on Monday.
Old Saucon will be located on Route 378 near Center Valley Parkway. The development will be built on 71 acres and have 56 single and 24 twin homes. Prices for the homes are estimated to cost $500,000 to $1,000,000.
Building plans for Old Saucon feature a “New Urbanism” approach. “It’s a lifestyle within a mile or walking distance,” says John Blair, President of Blair Custom Homes.
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Blair Custom Homes’ website defines New Urbanism as "an alternative to a spread out suburbia." The accessibility of the and aided the "new urbanist" approach, says Blair.
The plans allows for commercial use of the property but no fast-food restaurants, says Blair. “It lends itself better to pharmacies, restaurants, and banks,” he added.
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This is will be the first mixed use development Blair Custom Homes will undertake, says Blair.
Old Saucon will be an age restricted community, serving residents 55 and older. PA guidelines state that 20% of the population can be under 55.
Blair did not prefer age restriction in Old Saucon but said it was the only way to get the zoning changes.
The Board, unanimously approved Blair’s plan. “I think you’ve hit a home run,” said Supervisor Miro Gutzmirtl.
In the initial stages, an unofficial challenge was put to Blair to get endorsements from adjoining property owners, says Supervisor Stephen Wagner.
“I met people at work, I met people at dinner,” said Blair of getting the endorsements.
Of the 92 owners he spoke with 90 signed endorsements with the other two not opposing, says Blair. “Unless I had [signed endorsements] at the zoning meetings, I would have gotten blasted,” he added.
Blair’s other property, a 3-acre tract at Route 378 and Colesville Road, was changed into a Village Overlay Zone. The property sits next to the Old Saucon site and shares the same designation.
An engineer for Blair has mentioned there will be plans presented for the property in January, says Director of Community Development Sharyn Heater.
Construction for Old Saucon is expected to begin next fall, says Blair.