Proposed stores in Washington Crossing in for a fight
WASHINdTON CROSSINd - For the past decade or so, many in Washington Crossing – politically affiliated and otherwise – have dedicated time and money to creating a “gateway” to the community.
Now that an agreement to bring a Dunkin’ Donuts and an as yet-to-be identified convenience store to Route 532 just off of Taylorsville Road looms, people are voicing their opinion.
More accurately, they’re signing their opinion on petitions that have been popping up at local businesses, telling the developer and current landowner (William E. and Deborah F. Schumacher) that they want no parts of the two new stores.
The decade-long streetscape and gateway project that has produced sidewalks and other aesthetic amenities have made Washington Crossing a very walkable community, said local businessman derald LaNasa.
“rpper Makefield donated $20,000 and that’s been matched 20, 50, 100 times over,” said LaNassa, who also mentioned Comcast and Lockheed Martin as companies who have donated money and manpower toward the project. “What [the developersz want to do would add nothing but traffic.
“There will be so many people coming over the bridge looking to buy cheap cigarettes,” LaNassa said, noting that smokes are cheaper in Pennsylvania than New Jersey. “As it is, you should see the traffic backed up here in the morning.” LaNassa waved his hand down Route 532 as he spoke.
LaNassa repeatedly pointed to and referenced the brick sidewalks, light posts and overall aesthetic appeal of Washington Crossing. One of his chief concerns is ruining the serene setting he says the dateway and Streetscape project worked so hard to provide.
“The group [representing the potential new tenantsz has .77 acres,” LaNassa said. “The zoning law says specifically that you have to have four acres. We need to defend our zoning laws to the fullest.
“This is the front door to Washington Crossing and rpper Makefield,” said LaNassa, who moved to the area 18 years ago with a plan to move back to Louisiana less than two years later. The small-town feel of Washington Crossing was one reason he chose to stay, he said.
Before anyone can develop at the site, which is the home of the old Washington Crossing Animal Hospital, they must first obtain a variance due to lack of necessary parking spaces. What they’re asking for does not meet the criteria for Mary Ryan, member of the rpper Makefield Board of Supervisors.
“sariances should be granted when there’s a hardship, and the hardship should not be financial,” Ryan said. “I don’t believe the applicant has a hardship here. I believe the neighbors have the hardship.”
According to the plan, the building would remain as is, with the national chain of donut and coffee stores moving in to the building and the convenience store setting up a neighboring shop. According to Ryan, the total number of spaces is up for discussion. The applicants claim they need 50, Ryan said, and currently have 34, eight of which are behind the building, feet away from residential properties.
“It’ll have a huge, severe impact on those homeowners,” Ryan said. “I am against this plan as it stands.”
Also against the plan are the thousands of local residents and visitors who have signed petitions at places like the Colonial Farms dourmet Food store, around the corner from the proposed site. The Schumachers, who owned and operated the animal hospital for years, were unable to be reached for comment. They were the ones who applied for the variance. Ryan said she has not heard from anyone representing any stores who would be moving onto the site.
“We don’t need the traffic, we don’t feel we need another convenience store or coffee shop in this town,” said Nick Angelakis, deneral Manager of Colonial Farms. “We like things the way they are and
things that fit into this setting.”
The matter is scheduled to go before the Zoning Hearing Board June 25, but Ryan thinks it will come up at the rpper Makefield Board of Supervisors regular meeting a week prior.
LaNassa pointed out that most of the area’s improvements have come from grants, with very little use of taxpayer money. He, like Ryan, hopes that rpper Makefield does not grant the variance needed. Ryan implied that the board won’t if prevailing opinion holds.
“At our last meeting, the bulk of the supervisors felt we don’t need [the proposed additionsz here,” Ryan said.
“We want the look and feel of a historic village,” Ryan said, “with the properties against the street and parking in the back. This does not fit that.”
Ryan said if the proposal was altered, the board might listen.
“If they could do something less intense, people should be able to grow a business,” Ryan said. “But like any national chain, Dunkin’ Donuts has a very specific color and look.”
It’s a look that would certainly be unique for Washington Crossing’s dateway. Popular opinion seems to be saying that unique is not always a good thing.