Category: Zoning
Newtown Planning Commission vs. Jointure Regarding Maximum Allowable E-30 "Fuel Pumps"
In a first-ever virtual Zoom meeting of the Newtown Township Planning Commission (PC) on April 21, 2020, the members discussed the latest version of the E-30 Ordinance - Convenience Store/Fueling Station - submitted by the Joint Zoning Council (JZC, Definition). For background read "Newtown Passes Joint Municipal Curative Amendment."
In the 9-minute audio snippet below, the PC members discuss their consensus as to the maximum number of allowable fueling "pumps" and "stations". The Commission members answered questions sent via email by resident Michael Horbal:
It seems that the term "fuel pumps" is used by the town, but that proposed developments have used multiproduct fuel dispensers (MPD, Definition) with their terminology and there seems to be some confusion as to what is being proposed.
As a comparison, I looked at gas stations in the nearby area and saw that:
- Lukoil is 4 MPD's = 8 fueling stations
- Burns Shell is 2 MPD's = 4 fueling stations
- Kerrigan's Sunocco is 4 MPD's = 8 fueling stations
- Rick Steeles is 4 MPD's = 8 fueling stations
- Village Market is 2 MPD's = 4 fueling stations
- Citgo on State Street = 2 MPD's = 4 fueling stations
- Shell on Rt 413 Wrightstown is 4 MPD's = 8 fueling stations
- BP on Rt 413 Wrightstown is 4 MPD's = 8 fueling stations
- Richboro Wawa is 6 MPD's = 12 fueling stations
My questions are:
Q1. Does "fuel pumps" have the same meaning as multiproduct fuel dispenser (MPD)?
Q2. How many fuel pumps are being proposed by the planning commission?
Q3. How many vehicles will be able to receive gas at the same time under the planning commission proposal?
Q4. Does the proposal put our existing local gas stations at a competitive disadvantage if new stations will allow more fuel pumps than what currently exists?
[You can view the entire 1-hour streaming video of the April 22, 2020, meeting here.]
Jointure's Views on "Fuel Pumps" for Proposed E30 Amendment
At the February 6, 2020, meeting of the Joint Zoning Council, representatives of Newtown, Wrightstown, and Upper Makefield township – the “Jointure” - discussed the E-30 amendment to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance that was drafted by Newtown Township.
The following is an edited excerpt of that discussion focused specifically on the number of fueling pumps that would be allowed. This issue was raised by the Newtown Planning Commission, which suggested among other things that the maximum number of gas pumps should be eight with allowances for an additional four electric charging stations.
Meanwhile, Here's Wawa's View on Maximum Allowable "Fuel Pumps"
Posted on 24 Apr 2020, 11:26 - Category: Zoning
Are Tiny Houses Allowed in Newtown?
A Newtown resident contacted me because she was interested in knowing if there were any restrictions on the types of property in Newtown that a tiny house can be placed or built on. She also wanted to know if it was allowable to place a tiny house on another person’s private property with that person’s permission.
It just so happened that I was planning to attend the monthly meeting of the Joint Zoning Council (JZC) Definition that night, so I decided to email members and experts associated with the Council to see if they had the answers. The JZC establishes policy on matters of importance to the Newtown Area Jointure Definition, which consists of Newtown, Upper Makefield, and Wrightstown townships. It specifically reviews and suggests updates and revisions to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance Definition.
After some back and forth via email, the topic of tiny houses was added to the January 9, 2020, JZC agenda. The following is an excerpt from the discussion. Participating in the discussion were Chester Pogonwski (Wrightstown Supervisor), Chair, Tom Cino (Upper Makefield Supervisor), Vice Chair, Phil Calabro (Newtown Supervisor), Lisa M. Wolff, Bucks County Planning Commission, myself and others.
Evan J. Stone, PLA, Executive Director, Bucks County Planning Commission, provided the following information:
“Dear team, this is indeed a potentially complex and multi-faceted topic/issue.
“Yes, a tiny home, is a single family home just as a mobile home is a single family home however there can be distinctions depending on whether it’s on wheels and treated as a “recreational vehicle” versus one on a foundation (see first link below)
“This subject is a kin to “granny pods” and the issues of principal use, accessory use, number of principal uses on a lot etc.
“Pennsylvania is one of the friendlier tiny house states to date. A community in Elizabethtown also claims to be the largest tiny house community in the United States - an impressive title to say the least! Rural areas of Pennsylvania will likely be the easiest when it comes to finding a place to park your tiny. Be sure to check with the local municipalities for specifics.”
Here are some links to explore on the subject:
- Tiny Houses - Understanding and Overcoming Zoning Obstacles
- Tiny House Laws in the United States
- Tiny house zoning regulations: What you need to know
- How to Live in a Tiny House Without Breaking the Law
- Zoning tiny houses just became a little easier with help of new planning tool
Posted on 10 Jan 2020, 10:19 - Category: Zoning
It’s Time for Newtown Township to Update Its Comprehensive Plan!
A Guest Opinion (see end of this post) on the role of zoning in community planning published in the August 4, 2019, edition of Bucks Courier Times, is very relevant to Newtown Township as it begins the process of updating the Newtown Area Joint Comprehensive Plan Definition.
Newtown Township is a member of the Newtown Area Joint Zoning Council (JZC Definition) Other members include Upper Makefield and Wrightstown Townships. At the June meeting of the JZC, Lisa Wolff, Senior Planner at the Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC), presented a proposal to update the Newtown Area Joint Comprehensive Plan, which was adopted in 2009 (listen to her presentation below). [Download the proposal here.]
The Municipalities Planning Code (MPC Definition) recommends that Comprehensive Plans be updated every 10 years. Components of the Plan should include:
- Objectives
- Land use plan (including preservation areas and development areas)
- Housing
- Transportation
- Community facilities and utilities
- Protection of natural and historic resources
- Protection of water resources and water supply
- Energy conservation
- Implementation strategies
- Interrelationships among the plan components
- Relationship of the plan to surrounding communities
- Hazard Mitigation (BCPC recommendation, supported by the state)
The JZC is recommending that the proposal be accepted by each of the member municipalities. The Proposal must be considered by each Planning Commission Definition and by each Board of Supervisors with the Board of Supervisors adopting a Resolution that: authorizes the Proposal; authorizes the preparation of the Comprehensive Plan Update; agrees to splitting the cost in accordance with the Jointure Agreement; and authorizes the Chair of the JZC to apply for any grants that may be available to offset the cost.
Lisa Wolff has offered to attend each Municipality’s Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings to explain the Proposal and to answer any questions that members may have.
Newtown Township is in receipt of the BCPC proposal, which will likely be moved forward for review by the Township Planning Commission to evaluate and advise the Board of Supervisors.
Read More...
Posted on 04 Aug 2019, 01:58 - Category: Zoning
Is a DAS Antenna Coming to a Pole Near You?
UPDATE: The JZC has distributed a draft Wireless Facilities Ordinance to the Jointure townships for review by their Planning Commissions (PCs). The Newtown Township PC will review the ordinance at its January 18, 2022, meeting. The meeting will take place at 7:30 PM. Location: Public Meeting Room, 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown, PA 18940.
At the August 2, 2018, Newtown, Upper Makefield, and Wrightstown Zoning Council (JZC) meeting, solicitor Vicki Kushto reviewed the current court rulings regarding small wireless cells [aka Distributed Antenna Systems or DAS].
At the present time, DAS providers are considered Public Utilities and not subject to local zoning requirements. This means that DAS services could be installed in any public right of way (ROW) for which the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission (PUC) provides approval.
There is new legislation (HB2564) being introduced by Rep. Frank Farry that would severely limit local municipalities ability to regulate this use or to seek reimbursement for the use of its public ROWs.
The JZC opposes this legislation, which is being driven by DAS providers to install 5G services (see article embedded below).
The Council was concerned that HB2564 legislation could result in DAS poles/structures being installed in developments, which are now served by underground utilities.
According to a memo (here) written by Farry to all PA House members, the proposed legislation is needed “because decisions are made on a municipal level, wireless providers are faced with varying fees and different procedures that may slow and, in some cases, deter their ability to deploy this new and modern infrastructure. With an array of municipal ordinances governing wireless infrastructure, compliance could be burdensome, time consuming, and costly. This results in less robust services for your constituents.”
Upper Makefield Supervisor, Tom Cino suggested the Jointure work together to oppose this legislation. JZC Chair, Chester Pogonowski was in agreement but felt it might be more impactful if the Council raises this issue with the Bucks County Association of Township Officials (BCATO) Boad of Directors, which is already working on this issue and has previously met with Representative Farry to express concern.
Read More...Posted on 27 Aug 2018, 01:58 - Category: Zoning
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