Planning Commission Recommends to Save Historic Farmhouse

An historic farmhouse on Upper Silver Lake Road in Newtown may be preserved after all.

The Newtown Township Planning Commission voted unanimously on Tuesday night to recommend to the Board of Supervisors to uphold the original agreement with a developer to preserve the 1840s farmhouse, according to an email from Township Supervisor Jennifer Dix.

On Monday night, the Langhorne-based McGrath Homes withdrew its amended plan for the Villas of Newtown development that included the demolition of the farmhouse to build a dozen more villas. According to the email, Ed Murphy, a lawyer for McGrath Homes, submitted a letter to the Township, stating that the developer is, “evaluating other possible development scenarios.”

McGrath has yet to submit an official amended plan to the Township, but according to Dix, the developer’s new plan calls for eight new villas, demolishing the farmhouse, and building a replica in its place that would also be used for housing.

“Building a replica is not preservation,” Dix said in an e-mail. “(Township Supervisor) Phil Calabro and I continue to oppose any new villas and remain committed to bringing closure to this issue as quickly as possible. We also continue to support alternative re-use ideas for the farmhouse that adhere to our zoning and don’t require any full or partial demolition. The bullying by the developer needs to stop.”

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for April 22.

The future of the farmhouse has been uncertain since October of last year when the Board of Supervisors voted, 3-2, in favor of sending the amended final plan back to the Planning Commission for further review.

More Patch articles on the historic farmhouse:

Commission Advises Against Demolition Permit for Historic Farmhouse

‘Historic Gem’ at Risk as Developer Seeks to Backpedal on Restoration Agreement

Developer Proposes Moving Newtown Farmhouse, Making It An Office Building