Planning
Land Preservation
Solebury’s Land Preservation Program is an excellent example of the desire of the residents of Solebury Township to preserve the character of Solebury. In four (4) separate referendums, the residents of Solebury have authorized up to $44 million in debt to preserve the landscape of Solebury Township. The first of three (3) referendums were approved more than 90% of voters, the fourth was approved by 87% of voters.
Roeser Tract
The planning process for the Roeser Tract will be underway for the next several months. This is the next step in what has been one of the Township's longest and most complicated land preservation efforts. In the years that Solebury has worked to preserve the hundred-acre property, the Township has long expressed an intent to sell a 20-acre parcel, with a conservation easement in place, at auction to help fund the Land Preservation Fund.
To encourage continued citizen participation and awareness through the months of planning ahead, we have posted a Frequently Asked Questions section on the website along with technical documents and plans for public review and comment.
Planning
The conflicting goals of sustainability and rights of property owners are usually reflected through the planning process. These goals are often reflected in the Zoning Ordinance. Over time, the balance between these goals changes, what was appropriate for one (1) generation, may be less appropriate for subsequent generations. Yet in the long term, the goal of sustainability remains.
The TNC District
The proposed TNC Zoning District has three (3) primary goals, increase local shopping opportunities, reduce traffic on Route 202, reduce or minimize water usage and improve stormwater management. The Board of Supervisors has authorized the ordinances to be advertised for consideration.
Addressing Non-Conformities
The language in the Zoning Ordinance that regulates non-conformities is outdated. The proposed language greatly clarifies the issues, but more importantly reduces the probability that Township residents with non-conforming lots or houses, will need to appear before the Zoning Hearing Board.
The Board of Supervisors has authorized the Solebury Township Planning Commission and the Bucks County Planning Commission to prepare amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that will address the non-conformities.
Aquetong Village
Solebury Township began looking at the Route 202 corridor several years ago. Stretching from the New Hope border to Street Road at the Buckingham border, this road has a distinctive character that helps to define Solebury as a rural community. Many nice communities have major thoroughfares that are not community assets, and one has to get off the beaten path to appreciate history, architecture, and community-based businesses. Not so with Solebury, where the stretch of Route 202 is a mix of antiques shops, small offices, a winery, and residences.
The goals of the proposed zoning for the village of Aquetong are to reflect the historic crossroads settlement and the types of activities located there, to develop a new zoning district on the map (the map is available here, and an aerial view here) and defining uses permitted, and to design land use regulations that preserve the character and appearance of the Route 202 corridor in the area of Aquetong Village.
This updated draft amendment will be discussed by the Township Planning Commission at their meeting on Monday, April 14th. The meeting will be held in the Solebury Township Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The Village Commercial District
An analysis conducted by the Bucks County Planning Commission, of several villages in Solebury Township indicates a wide discrepancy between the Zoning Ordinance requirements and the physical layout of the villages. In one village, fifty-three (53) of fifty-nine (59) lots are non-conforming. This places an unnecessary hardship on the residents of the villages.
Route 202 from Lahaska to Logan Square, represents the essential Solebury, an eclectic mix of successful commercial businesses.
The zoning along the corridor is residential, meaning that all of the businesses are non-conforming as well as many of the buildings.
The Bucks County Planning Commission undertook a study of the corridor and recommended that an overlay district be created that would be designed to ensure that the businesses have the protections and opportunities they need to continue to be successful businesses in Solebury Township.
In addition to the proposed overlay district, the Bucks County Planning Commission recommended the establishment of a Village Commercial District at the intersection of Aquetong Road and Route 202.
The Solebury Township Planning Commission will be meeting with property owners during the upcoming months to refine the concepts before recommending the changes to the Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.
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