NEWTOWN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

LUNCHEON MEETING AT GOODNOE FARM DAIRY BAR

THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2001

APPROVAL OF THE MAY MINUTES:  The approval of the June minutes was carried forward to the October meeting.

In attendance:  Steve Sanderlin, Tom Harwood, Belinda Buras, Patricia Bachi, Hal Roberts, Lou Levine, Glenn & Barbara Hains, Miguel Sison, Doug Terry.

CALL TO ORDER:   Chairman Sanderlin called the meeting to order.

PUBLIC COMMENT – None.

CODES DEPARTMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Mr. Harwood distributed and reviewed the report for May 2001.  He noted the following items:

·         the Planning Commission and BOS are looking at the landscaping plan for Bed, Bath & Beyond,

·         the application of Longhorn Steakhouse has been continued; they want to know about the liquor license,

·         the Planning Commission did not recommend approval of the Rimon Jewish Day School,

·         the Council Rock Alternative School is on the BOS agenda for June 13, 2001, and

·         the final plan for minor subdivision for Newtown Swim Club/David Platt is related to a portion of land for Wiltshire Walk.

Mr. Sanderlin said that the Board of Supervisors is reviewing the law regarding legal language:  can they review the number of liquor licenses after the quota has been reached.  Mr. Harwood noted that the present number is based on an older census, not on the 2000 census figure. 

Mr. Harwood said that there have been so many zoning issues that the Zoning Hearing Board has scheduled two meetings for June, on the 7th and 21st.  He said that signage has been a large issue; Mr. Sanderlin added that impervious surface has been at issue in the developments.  Mr. Sanderlin reported that the BOS has viewed an overall signage plan for the Newtown Shopping Center and that they would not oppose the plan if it were brought before the Zoning Hearing Board.

APPROVAL OF THE MAY MINUTES:  The May minutes were approved, on motion by Ms. Buras and second by Mr. Roberts.

LOWER BUCKS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

Lisa Kruse was absent; there was no report.

SIGN ORDINANCE:  The Planning Commission has not yet discussed the ordinance. 

NEW RESIDENT PACKETS

Mr. Roberts and Ms. Buras reported that residents at Chandler Hall, Pickering Manor and D’Aurville are helping with the packet stuffing, and that they will have a better idea of when they hope to be mailed out when all the packets come back to the township building. 

JOINT DOWNTOWN NEWTOWN CORPORATION

The JDNC has requested a joint meeting with the township BOS and Borough Council, to be held at the Council meeting on June 12, 2001 at the Sewer Authority.  The JDNC will be early on the agenda; they will be reporting on the organizational process and presenting an annual report.

SYCAMORE STREET COMMITTEE

Mr. Sanderlin reported that sewer, water, gas and electrical work on Sycamore Street is proceeding and seems to be on schedule. 

TRENTON AIRPORT ISSUE

As a result of discussion at a prior meeting, a memo was sent to the Board of Supervisors on behalf of the Council, reporting the council’s views. 

MEETING SCHEDULE

It was decided that there would be no council meeting in July, and that there will be no meeting in August unless the recording secretary advised members otherwise. 

 The next luncheon meeting is scheduled for September 6, 2001 at the Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar at 12:00 PM. 

ADJOURNMENT:  Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 1:00. 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:                                                                                  
                                                                    Leslie P. Dunleavy, Recording Secretary