Former Knights Of Columbus Property Eyed For Housing Development With Affordable Units

The former Knights of Columbus building along Woodbourne Road. Credit: Google Maps

The former Knights of Columbus property along Woodbourne Road in the Levittown section of Middletown Township could be developed into a mix of market-rate and attainable housing units

At the Monday evening Middletown Township Board of Supervisors meeting, WB Homes and Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County presented a proposal to develop the former Knights of Columbus property into a mix of market-rate and attainable housing units, with 20 percent designated as attainable housing.

Officials from WB Homes and Habitat for Humanity said the proposal aims to address the need for workforce housing in the township by adding housing that can be afforded by workers, like medical staff and emergency responders.

Chris Canavan, president of WB Homes, introduced the proposal to the supervisors and the public.

“The goal behind this is … looking at an underdeveloped property, which is the Knights of Columbus location at 1492 Woodburn Road. And what do you do with a site like that that’s on in your P Professional, but is an area of mixed use,” Canavan said.

The project would require an amendment to the PE Professional zoning district to allow for townhomes to be constructed on the 4.3-acre site.

Canavan explained that the development would target households with incomes below 100 percent of Bucks County’s average median income (AMI).

“To sell these townhomes at market rate, we probably will be selling to people in the 120 to 150 percent of the AMI,” he said. “So how do we get some units that would be available for … people have used the term workforce housing for the people who provide the services for this community, whether it’s firefighters or the young police officer who just got sworn in.”

WB Homes would work with the nonprofit Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County on the project.

Florence Kawoczka, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, explained the organization’s land trust model, which ensures the long-term affordability of the attainable units.

“From now on, any home that is sold by Habitat is sold under this model. Which means, first of all, Habitat retains ownership of the land,” Kawoczka explained. “The family, the household, when the time comes to sell, has to sell to another income qualified household.”

The proposed development would include 33 to 34 total units, with six designated as attainable housing.

WB Homes would build all units to maintain consistency throughout the development, Canavan said.

The proposal aligns with ideas outlined in Middletown Township’s comprehensive plan that calls for zoning changes to facilitate infill development. It also comes at a time when affordable housing is becoming harder to find in Bucks County.

Supervisors expressed interest in the proposal.

“I know a lot of people grew up in Middletown and want to stay part of the community, but just can’t financially afford any housing here. I would like to see some attainable housing for younger generation to be able to start living in our community and staying here,” Supervisor Dawn Quirple said.

Supervisor Chairperson Mike Ksiazek said the project has the potential to address multiple community needs.

“There’s a couple things about this that are interesting to me,” he said. “The Professional Zoning District is becoming obsolete as commercial office space is obviously not attractive right now.”

Ksiazek said the mix of market-rate and affordable housing units in one neighborhood is a “creative idea on how to do something with the space.”

The supervisor chairperson said attainable housing has been an issue the township has been looking at in recent years.

The proposal is still in its early stages, and the land development process has not yet begun.

The supervisors plan to review the full ordinance amendment at the February meeting, which will include a public hearing. Residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the project before any decisions are made, said Township Manager Stephanie Teoli Kuhls.

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