NEWTOWN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

LUNCHEON MEETING AT GOODNOE FARM DAIRY BAR

Present: Richard Weaver, Chairman; Belinda Buras, Marge Frederick, Skip Goodnoe,  Don Harris, Tom Harwood, Hal Roberts,  Paul Salvatore and Judy Setar. 

CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Weaver called the meeting to order at 12:00PM.

PUBLIC COMMENT – None

CODES DEPARTMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT:

Mr. Harwood distributed and reviewed the report for June 2003. 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: Mr. Salvatore moved to accept the minutes of June 5, 2003. Ms. Frederick seconded and the motion passed 9-0. 

JOINT DOWNTOWN NEWTOWN CORPORATION: 

Mr. Salvatore reported that JDNC was currently working on its Web site. He said that they hope to provide a listing of all owners and tenants in both Newtown Borough and Township, with instructions for owners to update any vacancies, noting whether such vacancies are office, warehouse, flex or retail. He said that JDNC would like to work with the Economic Development Committee and the Newtown Borough Retailers Association to include all information in one Web site. 

Mr. Goodnoe reported that JDNC hopes to have a response to their Main Street Manager grant application shortly. He said that the Main Street Manager job description has been prepared and that they hope to have someone in the position within 90 days of receipt of funding.

NEWTOWN BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION: 

Mr. Salvatore reported that a golf outing is planned for August 19, 2003 at Middletown Country Club. Funds raised from the outing will be donated to the Neighborhood Outreach Foundation for their Holiday distributions. 

Mr. Salvatore said that the Association is also working with the Newtown Borough Retailers Association to plan their holiday events, and to prepare a directory of their 140 members. He said that they have been discussing a joint Welcome Wagon. 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE:

Mr. Weaver reported that the Economic Development Committee (EDC) was involved in preparing an inventory of all the property owners, tenants and available spaces in the Industrial Commons. They have discussed addressing possible changes in the Ordinance to allow more impervious surface. They have also been discussing changes to the conditional use process, possibly expanding some of the uses by right. 

The EDC has discussed changing the name of the Industrial Commons to Newtown Business Commons, and placing signs at the entrance on the by-pass and at entrances along Newtown Yardley Road. 

NEW BUSINESS:

Mr. Roberts moved to cancel the August meeting. Ms. Buras seconded and the motion passed 9-0. 

Mr. Salvatore suggested inviting a guest speaker that he had recently heard. He said that Mr. Gorsky is a contractor who spoke about working with municipalities. 

MEMBER COMMENTS:

Mr. Salvatore commented that he was encouraged that the EDC is looking into addressing the Industrial Commons. He said that many of his clients have expressed interest in available properties in the Commons, but back away when they realize that the conditional use process can take a long time. 

Mr. Roberts agreed that the process can be lengthy, and some streamlining is called for, although he said that he would like Newtown to remain thorough and careful.

Mr. Goodnoe said that he would like to see the impervious surface ratio increased by about 15%, still retaining a green and open feeling. He also thought that the issue of medical uses within the Commons should be re-examined.

Mr. Weaver moved to adjourn at 1:00 PM. Mr. Salvatore seconded and the motion passed 9-0.

NEXT MEETING:

The next luncheon meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2003 at the Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar at 12:00PM. The cost is $10.00; please RSVP by August 30, 2003 to the recording secretary (contact information is included on the attached agenda)

Respectfully submitted:

______________________________
Mary Donaldson, Recording Secretary