Welcome to the May 12, 2018, issue of "Newtown News Update." The opinions expressed here are solely the personal opinions of John Mack and do not reflect the opinions of any other person or entity. If you are not a subscriber, please subscribe here. If you are a subscriber and do not wish to receive further updates, please use the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this email.

Newtown Board of Supervisors Shoots Down Drive-thru Starbucks

Despite a recommendation for approval of a “conditional use” application for a drive-thru Starbucks cafe by the Newtown Planning Commission, the Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) voted 5-0 against the application at the May 9, 2018, public meeting. The cafe is proposed to be located in the Village at Newtown West at 2896 South Eagle Road - in the entrance to the McCaffrey Supermarket parking lot.

I've indicated the path that traffic to and from South Eagle Road would have to take to get in line for a Triple Mocha Frappuccino® or just a plain old Cold Foam Cascara Cold Brew. No wonder Starbucks is "slower than its major competitors in the drive-thru lane" - it takes on average 4.4 minutes to get your order.

The Starbucks building is shown as "Cafe" and the drive through lane is between the "Cafe" and South Eagle.

Chairman Calabro commented on the potential traffic problem and Supervisor Kyle Davis said the developer is trying to stuff too many stores into the space. 

What About WaWa on the ByPass?

WaWa on Newtown Bypass - in SilverLake Park - was discussed at a Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting one year ago (view the video here). Nothing came of it.

But WaWa may yet be coming to Newtown. According to the Codes Department Weekly Report for Apr 23-27, 2018, the proposed location is the southeast corner of Lower Silver Lake Road & Newtown Bypass, across the street from the Crossing Community Church.

The site is located within an OR (Office Research District) that does not allow such use - specifically no sales of gasoline or motor vehicle fuel in any retail store. Thus, some kind of zoning relief is necessary. In fact, a whole litany of zoning variances would be required. 

In any case, this will be discussed at the May 14, 2018, Working Session of the Board of Supervisors. The meeting will be at the Newtown Township Public Meeting Room, 100 Municipal Dr, Newtown, PA from at 7 PM - 9 PM. The public may attend and submit comments. 

Supervisors Pass PA Congressional Redistricting Resolution

At the May 9, 2018, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) public meeting, an anti-gerrymandering, PA Congressional Redistricting Resolution proposed by Fair Districts PA was passed by a 4 to 1 vote. Supervisor Kyle Davis cast the one "No" vote (see below for the entire Resolution).

One issue that was discussed extensively was the creation of a "truly independent citizens redistricting commission devoid of political motivation or partisanship." Mr. Davis was "not clear" on how this commission would be set up. In comments before the BOS, Mare Kremser, who works for Fair Districts PA, explained how members of the commission would chosen (view the video here).