Middletown Approves Plan For 34 Townhomes At Former Knights Of Columbus Site

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

Middletown Township will add 34 townhomes at the former Knights of Columbus property in the Levittown section of the township, with seven units designated as affordable housing.

The supervisors approved W.B. Homes’ plan for 1492 Woodbourne Road. Bucks County property records show that a subsidiary of W.B. Homes acquired the 4.1-acre tract for $2.1 million in June.

Chris Canavan, president of W.B. Homes, reviewed the plan for six multi-unit buildings on Woodbourne, four with six homes, two with five for the 34 total.

The township cleared the way for the development in February, when it passed a zoning amendment to allow townhomes in the Professional Zoning District when 20 percent of the proposed homes are deemed “attainable” (affordable). The W.B. Homes development is the first to be approved in the township under the amended ordinance.

Canavan said the housing, to be called “Thatcher Square Townhomes,” will improve a blighted property.

The market value of the homes to be built is estimated at more than $500,000, but W.B. Homes will sell seven to Habitat for Humanity for about $365,000 each.

Florence Kawozcka, chief executive of Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County, said the non-profit group’s program is not a giveaway. It is designed to give people who can afford a mortgage of perhaps $180,000 or so a chance to buy a home in Bucks County. Prices will be based on buyers’ income.

Habitat for Humanity will administer the sale of the seven units, and the homes will remain attainable in the future.

“When they go up for sale again, they will be attainable to the next group of buyers,” Canavan said Monday.

Habitat for Humanity said earlier that buyers of its seven units will have to meet certain requirements, including living or working in Bucks County and showing financial need.

Canavan said the old Knights of Columbus property included a banquet hall and restaurant, which he said generated more traffic than 34 townhouses. Canavan added that a Home Owners Association consisting of residents will own and maintain common areas within Thatcher Square.