Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
At a special meeting on Wednesday, Newtown Borough Council greenlit a conditional use application that will push forward the next phase of the Steeple View development.
The council’s decision, made in a 5-1 vote with Council Member Bob Szwajkos opposing, permits the developer to fulfill its parking requirements via a shared parking agreement between the Steeple View project and the adjacent Stocking Works office complex, according to Newtown Patch.
The council put 16 conditions in place with the approval, including completing a parking study, improve sidewalks and crosswalks, and mark the reserved parking spots at Stocking Works, the news organization reported.
Credit: Google Maps
The parking issue had become contentious and a failure to obtain conditional use could have derailed the second phase of developer Allan Smith’s plan.
Smith will next bring the land development proposal before council at a future meeting.
The first phase of the Steeple View development on South State Street is finished.
The project’s second phase will feature a three-story building with retail on the ground floor and 12 units above. Initially, developers intended this building solely for retail.
Another building will include ground-floor retail and 14 residential units on the two floors above.
A third building is planned with a ground-floor restaurant and 14 residential units on the upper floors.
Four additional buildings, each with 12 residences, are planned for construction. Previously, these were set to have 16 units each, but recent plans have changed that.
Smith also plans to add a plaza, green space, and a bridge over Newtown Creek. However, the bridge might see delays due to its estimated cost of $300,000 to $400,000.
Steeple View aims to revitalize the old Stockburger dealership.
