To the Editor:

There is a meeting of the Newtown Planning and Zoning Commission Thursday night [November 7] at the Municipal Center at 7:30 pm. One of the items on the agenda is a planning referral from the Borough of Newtown Zoning Commission regarding two proposed amendments to the Borough Zoning Regulations, which would permit multifamily residential buildings at 19 Main Street, site of the defunct Inn at Newtown property.

The primary subject of the referral is whether or not the proposed amendments permitting apartment buildings on Main Street are consistent with Newtown’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD). In my opinion, these amendments are not consistent with the POCD and are directly contrary to it.

In discussing the importance of the Borough to the Town on page 132 of the POCD, it states: “It is important to note that the consistency of the approach for the 1993 POCD and the 2004 POCD underscores the fact that Newtown is proud of its central non-commercial Main Street and will keep it preserved.” Preservation starts with a P&Z disapproval of the amendment proposals.

I fail to see how anyone can contend that two three-story multifamily buildings and one four-story building, three stories of which are residential units and one a garage under, are consistent with Main Street being a “central non-commercial” street. This is true whether the units are going to be rental or condominiums.

Although no one can speak at the meeting, for persons concerned about preserving the character of Main Street it would be worth attending to hear the discussion among and vote of the P&Z members. If the P&Z disapproves the referral because it is not consistent with the POCD, then approval of the amendments by the Borough Zoning Commission requires a four-vote super-majority rather than a simple majority.

Sincerely,

Robert H. Hall

5 Nettleton Avenue, Newtown November 6, 2019