Planners Reject Controversial 178-Unit Townhouse Proposal at Heated Meeting

At the conclusion of an approximate two-hour hearing Wednesday night, the Bensalem Planning Commission unanimously rejected a proposal for 178 townhouses on a 45-acre tract at Somerton and Carter Mill roads.

The decision drew applause from 20 to 30 residents of the adjacent Lin-Park section of Trevose, several of whom came to the commission meeting carrying protest signs.

But the development team still plans to head to the Township Council, which has the ultimate say.

The concerns of the neighbors and board centered on the density of the project and the potential impact on traffic and storm water drainage.

Project attorney Doug Maloney explained that the township in 2006 approved a plan for the land to be home to 78 single-family homes but they were never built. His client, Somerton Valley Homes LP, has an agreement of sale with development company K. Hovnanian Homes, he explained.

That explained the residents' big yellow signs that read, “Stop K Hovnanian Homes. Don't Disturb The Wetlands. We Don't Want Flooding.”

Eleven residents testified, with nine voicing strong opposition.

Before they spoke, Maloney attempted a pre-emptive strike, addressing concerns he was already aware of.

He said the price of the three-bedroom units would range from the upper-$200,000s to the mid-$300,000s, which should quash worries there would be subsidized housing. He also said the development would decrease storm water runoff, and the state approval of the plan requires the developer to create more wetlands than are disturbed.

Project engineer Vince Fioravanti explained that the tract, which abuts the Poquessing Creek, would include two detention basins and a series of rain gardens that would trap water. He also said 25 of the 45 acres would be left as open space.

Reading from a list of township engineering recommendations, Maloney said several times the developer would comply.

That didn't satisfy Frederick James, president of the Lin-Park Civic Association.

“All these 'will complies' sound to us like 'we'll get back to it later,'” he said.

“This isn't a small project. This is not four or five houses we're talking about,” he added. “We're talking about a major impact on a neighborhood. The way we live. The way we operate. So all we can ask is that all these deficiencies mentioned by the township engineer be taken care of and addressed now. Why is there such a rush?”

Maloney also claimed the project would not worsen traffic in the nearby Lin-Park community. And he said the developer is willing to eliminate one of two entrances, with the one on Master Avenue only being used for emergencies, if that is what the township wants.

But the latest traffic study was only completed in the last couple days and attorney Howard Soffer, who is representing the civic association and some individual neighbors, said that hasn't given the township traffic engineer time to comment on it. Soffer also criticized the study for being conducted just before Labor Day, when school hadn't started yet and many folks were away on vacation.

Structural engineer Heith Dumack also testified on behalf of the residents, saying he had several concerns including flooding.

“I would be concerned if they have basements,” he said.

Fioravanti said such claims are “just conjecture.”

The meeting took an ugly turn after resident Ion Talica supported the plan, saying the price of the homes would bring “good people.” He claimed the Lin-Brook neighborhood has serious crime problems.

That drew much criticism including one resident calling him a “redneck racist” and walking toward him while others asked him to calm down.

Another Lin-Park resident expressed the opposite view from Talica.

“This project doesn't fit in with the culture of the neighborhood,” she said. “This is a single-family community.”

After the testimony, board attorney Ron Gans recommended the township take the time to review the latest traffic study. Board chairman Thomas Risich suggested the board just give a preliminary approval, which would require the development team to return to the board.

But his colleagues said they weren't even comfortable with that.

“I was expecting a lot of answers,” said Marc Bourne. “I think we were left with even more questions.”

Ed Tockmajian said he saw “a lot of unresolved issues” and believes there are too many townhouses planned.

In the end, the board rejected the plan 5-0. Members John Bik and Mike Brill were absent.

After the hearing, Maloney said the development consultants will now tweak the plan to address some concerns and bring it to the Township Council. He said he did not know how long that might take.