Resident Petitions Newtown Supervisors To Oppose Chick-Fil-A Plans

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA - A resident from the Wiltshire Walk development on Wednesday delivered a petition to the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors opposing plans for a Chick-Fil-A fast food restaurantat the eastern end of the township.

During public comment, Donna Serdula presented an online petition signed by close to 800 of her Newtown neighbors raising “deep concerns”over a zoning application from Newtown Equities LLC seeking variance relief for a new fast food restaurant at Upper Silver Lake Road and the
Newtown-Yardley Road.

Newtown Equities, LLC, filed an application earlier this year with the township seeking zoning relief to build a 6,100-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru at the former site of the TD Bank at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road near its intersection with Newtown-Yardley Road and the Newtown Bypass.

They had been scheduled to appear before the zoning board this month, but asked the township instead for an indefinite continuance, which the zoning board has granted.

According to township manager Micah Lewis, "the applicant will notify the township if it wishes to re-impose the time limits.”

In its application, Newtown Equities is seeking a use variance to allow drive-thru service; dimensional variances for setbacks, drive aisle width, and to allow the use within 300 feet of Newtown-Yardley Road and the Newtown Bypass; and relief to allow additional signage for the property, including signage facing the bypass.

“While the application has been granted an indefinite extension, this does not mean the issue is resolved,” said Serdula. “It has simply paused the process.”

To date, Serdula told the supervisors that she has collected more than 791 signatures, the majority of which come from the immediate neighborhoods surrounding the site.

“Our community has expressed strong opposition to this development for several reasons,” said Serdula. “First, increased traffic and safety risks. The current infrastructure on the Newtown-Yardley Road heading toward the bypass is already inadequate to handle the existing traffic. Adding in a high trafficked drive through and a fast food restaurant would lead to unbearable congestion and potential safety hazards, including blocked emergency access."

Serdula continued, “Second is the impact on the character of the neighborhood. The introduction of Chick-Fil-A so close to residential areas will fundamentally alter the character of our neighborhood," she said. "We moved to this community for peace and tranquility. And this will be disrupted by increased traffic along with noise, smells and light pollution.

“The third is the precedent for future development," added Serdula. "Approving these variances sets a dangerous precedent for future commercial developments in Newtown, specifically along the bypass. First Wawa and now a high trafficked establishment like Chick-Fil-A. This risks turning the bypass into a congested area undermining its purpose and transforming our area into a truck stop.

"We urge you to reject any zoning changes and variances for this development," Serdula told the supervisors. "While the indefinite extension provides a temporary pause we will remain vigilant. The continued collection of signatures is ongoing and growing. I ask you to consider the voices of your constituents who have spoken clearly through this petition. Please help us preserve the character, the safety and our quality of life.”

Supervisor Elen Snyder, who chaired Wednesday night's meeting in the absence of Dennis Fisher, said nothing will be happening with Chick-Fil-A's application in the immediate future. "We know how people are feeling so thank you for this. This will help," she said of the petition.