Credit: Erich Martin/NewtownPANow.com
Newtown Borough Council held a public hearing regarding the future of the Steeple View development project along South State Street Thursday evening.
The meeting started with presentations by Allan Smith, the developer behind the Steeple View vision, and executives from LCB Senior Living, LLC were present to tell council and the general public how the assisted living facility would help the economic weight of Newtown.
In recent months, Smith has proposed replacing three planned residential condominium buildings in the rear of the nine-acre former Stockburger property with an assisted living facility.
According to the presentations given at the meeting, money from LCB for the facility would provide an immediate cash infusion to the borough and would allow Smith to begin the final phase of development, including a parking garage and public piazza.
“The market for Senior Living is far more certain than introducing 110 condominium units and assures the true purpose of the project will be realized,” says Ted Doyle, vice president of LCB, in a press release. “Instead of being exposed to fluctuations in condominium demand and interest rates, we create needed senior housing at a perfect location in the back section of the site, which is well off Centre Street.
The public commentary was mostly from residents living in Newtown Borough and Newtown Township. The overwhelming majority of commentary came from residents who wanted to see the revised plan accommodating assisted living axed and returned to the original vision of a mixed-use development with condominiums.
“My experience is that there are not a lot of adult children visiting their parents in memory care facilities,” said Newtown Borough resident Emily Ricketts. Part of the argument presented by LCB regarded the money families would spend in the community while visiting their loved ones in the facilities.
LCB also argued that the more able bodied residents of the community would venture out to utilize the various businesses and services in the greater community. However, many of those who spoke were worried about this engagement with the community.
“The assistance living people I have been exposed to mostly seem to stay within their own community,” said Tony Godwin, a borough resident and owner of a commercial building near the development.
Those who were for the change of the development plans from $800,000 condos to assisted living facilities cited the influx of money LCB would provide for the development.
“When I found out Allan Smith was going to be doing this project, I was even more amped up about moving into the borough,” said Rob Wagner, a resident of Newtown who just recently moved into the borough after years of looking for a home to open up. “For me, it’s a no brainer because I want to see this [development] happen sooner rather than later.”
“I think it is important to draw a line between assisted living and nursing home care,” said Robert Weiss, a 12-year resident of the borough. Weiss said that he believes the diversified economics would be good for the overall economy of the borough.
Economic stimulation was one of the biggest pieces of LCB’s presentation. According to their math, the facility would create $1.8 million in income and about 75 full and part time jobs.
In addition to the packed Chancellor Center where Thursday night’s meeting was held. Council members said they also received a number of letters containing testimony from residents who were unable to attend the meeting.
Council President Bob Walker told NewtownPANow.com he was happy with the turnout of the hearing.
The Council will be discussing the testimony they received at their next work session meeting, according to Walker.
