NEWTOWN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

LUNCHEON MEETING AT GOODNOE FARM DAIRY BAR

Approval of the Minutes: Mr. Byelich moved to approve the minutes of the January 2005 meeting as presented. Mr. Bishop seconded; the motion carried unanimously.

Present:  Dick Weaver, Hal Roberts, Thomas Harwood, Don Harris, Sue Britsch, Wayne Bishop, Kent Lufkin, Dan McCloskey, Linda Mitchell, Robert Michaud, Stephen Schreiber, Brandon Wind.  

Call to Order:  Mr. Weaver called the meeting to order at 12:01 PM.  

Codes Department Business Development Report

Mr. Harwood distributed and reviewed the report for December 2004.  He noted that Teletronics is a space industry, high tech manufacturing company, Allen Fidler is reapplying for a new zoning classification for his property, and that Slack’s Hoagie Shack and Newtown Rental were both approved on December 13^th. 

Approval of the Minutes

Mr. Schreiber moved to approve the minutes of the December meeting as presented.  Mr. Bishop seconded; the motion carried unanimously.   

OLD BUSINESS

Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce

Ms. Mitchell reported that there would be a Percolator meeting on Thursday, January 13, 2005, and a Business Card Exchange on January 25, 2005 at Genesis Fitness on State Street.   Information about all LBCCC events is available on the website:  www.lbccc.org.    

Joint Downtown Newtown Corporation

Ms. Mitchell said a new Newtown logo is being adopted; there were two logos presented.  She will recommend adoption of the second one by the NBPA.  She said that the NBPA had discussed a business handbook being developed by the Main Streets office and that Paul Salvatore had suggested that the NBPA contribute resources, including funding, for the project.  Ms. Mitchell said NBPA would like to be part of the business handbook project, and suggested that BDC might also wish to become involved. 

Newtown Business and Professional Association

Ms. Mitchell distributed a flyer listing some of the upcoming NBPA events, including Welcome Day, the Antique Car Show, annual golf outing, business education forum in the fall, and Breakfast with Santa (proceeds will be sent to the Bucks County Housing Group).  She said association membership officially closes January 15, 2005; one must join by then to be included in the hard copy directory.  Ms. Mitchell said the Business Card Exchange will be on Tuesday, January 18, 2005, 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the Club Salon and Spa at the Newtown Athletic Club.  There will be mini massages, prizes and more.  The annual NBPA membership meeting will be held Tuesday, January 25, 2005, 7:30-9:00 a.m. in Wrights Meeting Room at Chandler Hall; annual membership dues are $150.  Ms. Mitchell said that a new partnership sponsor opportunity will be announced at the January meeting, in which a business may join for $1500 and be listed in all publicity for meetings and events. 

Economic Development Commission

Mr. Weaver reported that there was a public session where four proposals for development of the Acme site were reviewed.  He said there had been a last minute proposal for more intense development that included garden apartments and the relocation of the Ambulance Squad.  Mr. Weaver said the other proposals involved retail shops on the first level; Elliott Building Group would use the upper floors for their corporate offices.  Mr. Weaver said they received for consideration an additional proposal from Barnes & Noble, to include a bookstore, shops, restaurant, and three tier parking in the rear with at least 200 parking spaces; the BOS will review the proposal.  Mr. Weaver said that Robert White from the Redevelopment Authority had persuaded the Acme Site owners to agree to sell and to reduce their selling price, allowing the Supervisors to move ahead.  He said they want to make sure the project will be completed satisfactorily.   

Mr. Weaver reported that there are two major projects in the Business Commons:  Mr. Terry’s project on Pheasant Drive and Newtown Office Commons on Newtown-Yardley Road.  Mr. McCloskey asked Ms. Mitchell for assistance with publicity about the recent development in the Business Commons and Mr. Weaver’s role, saying it was time to highlight the activity there. 

Mr. Weaver said that there would be request for a zoning change for the Roberts Tract.  He reported it might meet with objection from the Jointure.  He said that the request involves the building of townhouses on the property.  Mr. Weaver reported that the area across from the Municipal Complex originally planned for offices has been sold to new owners who have met with the Newtown Grant Homeowners Association for feedback regarding the development of the property with homes or offices, and have presented a very preliminary sketch plan. 

Mr. Harwood clarified that Brandywine wants to add a new road, to include a bridge, which will need a variance because of the flood plain; they will be going to the Zoning Hearing Board.  Mr. Harwood said that Newtown Rental wants to move the residential building on its property a little to the north and then expand the commercial use.  He said a key consideration would be the preservation of the building, and the agreement for the residences’ new lot would be nullified if the building did not survive the move.  

Community Map

Ms. Mitchell said she sent information to Ms. Kruse, who will assist in ad sales.  There was no further progress to report. 

NEW BUSINESS

None. 

Next Meeting

The next scheduled BDC meeting will be Thursday, February 3, 2005.   

Adjournment

On motion by Mr. Schreiber and without objection, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted,

______________________________
Leslie Dunleavy, Recording Secretary