Revitalization of Newtown Township's Business Commons District

Mack's Newtown Voice

Township Planner Michele Fountain was a guest speaker at the May 4, 2021, Newtown Planning Commission (PC) Zoom meeting. The topic was "LI & OLI Zoning District Land Use." At the end of the presentation PC Chair Allen Fidler led a discussion on the possibility of rezoning these districts - especially the Newtown Business Commons Industrial zone - to allow specific new uses. Several suggestions for new uses were put forward including allowing more restaurants, hydroponic crop growing (e.g., marijuana), etc. The goal is to "revitalize" the district in order to attract new businesses to the area and maintain the current businesses. But what about residents? Will the new uses benefit them (other than the possibility of a new increase in real estate taxes)?