Creek-side Development Postponed on Technicality

A planned four-home development on Bridgewater Road near the Neshaminy Creek was pushed back Monday night because neighbors in the area weren’t notified properly.

Developer William Anderson, of North Wales, told Bensalem Township Council that he sent letters announcing his plans to all the residents that he was required to notify.

Township Solicitor Joseph Pizzo, however, explained that the letters provided by Anderson were not sufficient.

“I’ve opened four letters and they don’t comply with the township’s ordinance,” Pizzo said.

He said Anderson appeared to have just photocopied letters sent to him by the township and forwarded them to the list of residents to be notified. The letters did not inform residents of the Monday meeting date.

On council’s request, Pizzo agreed to speak with Anderson after the meeting to inform him what information is required in the notification letters.

Council President Joseph Szafran told Anderson his hearing would be scheduled for council’s next meeting date on April 25. Anderson said he would send appropriate letters right away.

Anderson’s plan for the 4-acre property in the 700 block of Bridgewater Road is to knock down an existing, vacant house and build four new single-family homes.

Project engineer John Leapson said that under Bensalem zoning regulations Anderson could build more than 10 homes on the site, but wanted to keep the impact to the neighborhood minimal.

When this project was before the Planning Commission recently a couple residents from the neighborhood vocally opposed the project. None spoke at Monday’s council meeting.

It is unclear whether they would have attended if Anderson had sent proper notification. Anderson and council members will likely find out at the next meeting.