Hilltown Farmland Preservation

Supervisors approve sewer accord that settles lawsuit | 19 July 2007 | Intelligencer

Chris Boese — 2007-07-19T07:41:00-04:00

Editor's Note: It seems that Hilltown is not the only township that has disagreements about public sewer delivery. Supervisors approve sewer accord that settles lawsuit By RILEY YATES The Intelligencer A divided board of supervisors early Wednesday approved settling a lawsuit with the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority, in a vote held after hours of acrimonious debate. With a few amendments, the 3-2 decision came about 2:10 a.m. and could end a fight that has raged since April. The agreement would establish a Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority district that includes the stretch between routes 413 and 611....

Residents say they were kept in the dark about sewer plan | 18 July 2007 | Intelligencer

Chris Boese — 2007-07-18T07:54:00-04:00

Editor's Note: Portents of things to come in Hilltown...? Residents say they were kept in the dark about sewer plan By CHRISTINA KRISTOFIC The Intelligencer David Murray had heard for years that public sewers would come to Doylestown Township, but he didn't know it would come to his Buck Road house until an acquaintance sent him an e-mail telling him a legal advertisement had appeared in the newspaper. He remembered seeing an article in the township's spring newsletter about the proposed $59 million sewer expansion project, which identified the neighborhoods in need of sewers as Dell Haven, Pebble Ridge, Woodridge,...

Sewer hookups to cost plenty | 18 July 2007 | Intelligencer

Chris Boese — 2007-07-18T07:49:00-04:00

Editor's Note: The saga continues for Doylestown...Will we be ready when Hilltown sewer projects are extended to our homes? Sewer hookups to cost plenty By CHRISTINA KRISTOFIC The Intelligencer Doylestown Township officials are considering a sewer project that could cost 1,300 homeowners more than $20,000 each. The proposed $59 million sewer system expansion focuses on several areas: Dell Haven, Furlong, Pebble Hill, Pebble Ridge, Pheasant Run, Sugar Bottom, Tabor Tower Hill, Woodridge and a few properties along Turk Road. "There are a lot of failing systems over there," Supervisor Barb Eisenhardt said. "There are a lot of people who have...

Hilltown's Planning Commission reviews the new AQRC Ordinance | 21 May 2007

Chris Boese — 2007-07-16T06:34:23-04:00

* Chairman Kulesza called for a short recess at 9:55PM.The regularly scheduled meeting of the Hilltown Township Planning Commission reconvened at 10:00PM. E.OLD BUSINESS: 1.Review of proposed AQRC Ordinance (Continued) – The Planning Commission continued review of the proposed AQRC Ordinance, which had begun during their special meeting from 6:30PM to 7:30PM prior to this meeting. For clarification purposes, Mrs. Hermany asked if two types of housing units would be permitted in the proposed Age-Qualified Residential Zoning District with both a B1 single family detached dwelling, as well as a quadruplex unit.Mr. Wynn explained that once the Township establishes an...

Hilltown OKs zoning change for builder | 26 June 2007 | Morning Call

Chris Boese — 2007-07-02T07:37:31-04:00

Editor's Note: We are crying. Hilltown OKs zoning change for builder But plans for 55-and-over development expected to draw scrutiny. By Patrick Lester Of The Morning Call June 26, 2007 Hilltown Township supervisors have approved a zoning change that would allow a Bucks County builder to turn 183 acres of farmland into as many as 268 homes -- more than double the amount it could have built before the change. McGrath Homes, following three years of lobbying, convinced supervisors that its plan for a 55-and-older community at Route 313 and Minsi Trail was more appealing than a plan for 95...

Hilltown OKs ordinance for use of barns | 27 June 2007 | News Herald

Chris Boese — 2007-07-02T07:26:10-04:00

Editor's Note: Hilltown continues its longings to shed its rural history and become a bonafide city. Notable is the increase permitted in impervious surfaces in the Rural Residential zonings, a pretty-please request from Toll Brothers - now up from 9 to 15 percent. At Tussock Sedge Farm, we look forward to the increased flooding and erosion we will enjoy due to this visionary edict... Hilltown OKs ordinance for use of barns By: Emily Morris, Staff writer 06/27/2007 Hilltown Board of Supervisors passed five new ordinances in rapid succession at the board's June 25 meeting, mostly designed to help improve the...

Resident's response to McGrath's AQRC

Chris Boese — 2007-06-26T07:50:00-04:00

Hilltown to vote on age qualified community ordinance | 13 June 2007 | News Herald

Chris Boese — 2007-06-17T11:12:13-04:00

Hilltown to vote on age qualified community ordinance By: Emily Morris, Staff writer 06/13/2007 In response to comments from the Hilltown and Bucks County planning commissions, Hilltown Township Supervisors made the final round of adjustments and approved advertisement of an ordinance that would create an Age Qualified Residential Community (AQRC) zoning district in the township at the board of supervisors' May 31 meeting. It is one of the final steps before the ordinance could be voted on for approval - something supervisors said they expect could happen as early as the board's June 25 meeting or possibly in July. The...

McGrath a Copycat +55 Builder

Chris Boese — 2007-06-04T21:29:38-04:00

McGrath is known for forcing +55 developments on townships. This is what we hear on the grapevine: On McGrath's first development he had RYAN homes as his partner. He got the supervisors to rezone industrial land -- the Buel Airfield -- for a shopping center and more than three hundred 55+ homes. The second one in Middletown is similar to what he is now proposing in Hilltown - basically a devil's bargain - take single family homes or very high density 55+ homes. In Middletown, McGrath promised some neighbors some buffering if they didn't oppose the rezoning. In the end...

Is Supervisor McIlhinny the cause of Planning Board Members resigning?

Chris Boese — 2007-06-04T21:01:00-04:00

Excerpt from Supervisor's Minutes - Is Mrs. Kachline correct??? Supervisor's Reorganization January 2, 2007 U.PUBLIC COMMENT: 1.Mrs. Alice Kachline of Mill Road commented that both Mr. and Mrs. Antunes, along with herself, were the oldest members of the Hilltown Civic Association. Mrs. Kachline was confused by the nomination process and the lone appointment to the Planning Commission.She was surprised and disappointed that Nancy Boice, who is very knowledgeable and attends every Planning Commission meeting, was overlooked for that particular appointment.Further, it is Mrs. Kachline's personal opinion that Supervisor McIlhinney, in one year's time as chairman of the Supervisors, was responsible...

County preserves 138 acres of livestock farm | 24 May 2007 | Courier Times

Chris Boese — 2007-06-04T20:49:29-04:00

Editor's note: We applaud the Keller families for their bold and visionary actions - and their contributions in perpetuity to Bucks County! County preserves 138 acres of livestock farm May 24, 2007 By JENNA PORTNOY phillyBurbs.com Bucks County moved closer to its goal of preserving 10,000 acres of farmland Wednesday with the purchase of development rights for 138 acres in Springfield Township. Preservation of the working livestock farm cost taxpayers about $1.7 million with the county paying 40 percent of costs, or $660,000. Funds allocated through the state's agriculture preservation program covered the rest. The land belongs to John and...

Blooming Glen supporters hope to see village on national register

Chris Boese — 2007-05-30T20:36:00-04:00

Blooming Glen supporters hope to see village on national register By: Emily Morris, Staff writer 05/30/2007 A trip through the village of Blooming Glen can be like a trip back in time. Historic brick homes and converted barns line the street, with the occasional white picket fence surrounding a well-manicured lawn. But with traffic flying past on Route 113, some residents are ready to take action to help preserve the village's unique character. Approximately 40 residents of the village joined together May 26 to discuss the possibility of putting the village on the National Register of Historic Places and what...

Blooming Glen and the National Registry of Historic Places

Chris Boese — 2007-05-11T19:41:29-04:00

Please join us for a discussion with Kathryn Auerbach, Preservation Consultant, on the facts about the National Register of Historic Places and the placement of the Village of Blooming Glen on the National Register of Historic Places Village of Blooming Glen Time: 12:00 - 2:00 Saturday, May 26, 2007 Hosted by: Charlotte & Henry Rosenberger Lawrence & Cindy Owen Victoria & David Halliday 12:00 - 12:30 Food & Refreshments (courtesy of Tussock Sedge Farm) 12:30 - 1:00 Presentation by Kathryn Auerbach 1:00 - 2:00 Questions and discussion

Morris Run Stone Arch Bridge - 1 of 5 Remaining!

Chris Boese — 2007-04-22T20:33:23-04:00

MORRIS RUN STONE ARCH BRIDGE Here's more photos of our super cool stone arch bridge at Route 113 and Minsi Trail. It would be a real SHAME to lose this lovely bridge in the name of 'progress'. Sadly, it's in need of a little TLC - your letters can change this!!!!! REMEMBER TO WRITE to PENNDOT BEFORE APRIL 27TH TO SAY YOU THINK THE BRIDGE SHOULD BE SAVED!!!!! We provide a few hints on things you can say here. You can send email directly to these two addresses: (1) stonebridge "at" skellyloy "dot" com (2) stonearchbridges "at" skellyloy "dot" com....

Morris Run Stone Arch Bridge - Preserve it or Lose it!

Chris Boese — 2007-04-21T21:13:39-04:00

THE FUTURE OF THE MORRIS RUN STONE ARCH BRIDGE DEPENDS ON YOUR LETTERS! The People of Hilltown have a chance to offer their suggestions and comments by letter to save one of the last 5 stone arch bridges in Hilltown Township - by April 27, 2007! You can send your comments at the Pennsylvania's Project Keystone "Send a Comment" , or send your letter directly to Gerald Kunico, and send a second copy to PennDot District 6-0: (1) Gerald Kunico Shelly and Loy, Inc. 2500 Eldo Road, Suite 2 Monroeville, PA 15146-1456 (2) Penndot District 6-0 Project Keystone - Bridge...