In a closely watched meeting on Monday evening, the Langhorne Borough Zoning Hearing Board delivered a blow to Toll Brothers’ plan to construct 60 townhomes.
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The denial decision followed considerable turnout and debate at meetings in the borough of 1,600 residents.
The development was proposed for the Woods Services’ property along Bellevue Avenue, Flowers Avenue, and Pine Street (Route 413).
The developer can appeal the zoning hearing board’s decision.
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Toll Brothers had asked for several zoning variances for the townhome development, including lawn grading, fence placement, deck and patio construction, lot size, and exceeding the permissible impervious surface area.
The developer’s vision for the site included not only the new townhomes but also the retention of existing homes, addition of a public walking trail, a flagpole, a residential mail kiosk, and various decorative features.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
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Plans also featured a privately maintained neighborhood road, a homeowners’ association, and access points from Bellevue Avenue and South Pine Street, and an emergency route along Flowers Avenue.
Residents spoke out at a series of hearings and expressed concerns over the project’s scale, potential traffic increases, and stormwater management.
In response, Toll Brothers’ Senior Vice President Brian Thierrin had addressed concerns last year by noting the current inadequate stormwater controls and pledging the company’s commitment to infrastructure enhancements.
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Nathan D. Fox, the attorney representing Toll Brothers, said at s previous meeting that under the existing zoning, the site could accommodate multiple houses or a retirement community linked to Flowers Avenue.
According to Fox, the Toll Brothers’ plan was more aligned with the borough’s character.
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