A development firm has withdrawn its application for a set of controversial proposed borough zoning rules, which, if approved, would serve as a regulatory mechanism for the firm to then seek Borough Zoning Commission (BZC) approval to construct a rental apartment complex at 19 Main Street at the site of the vacant former Inn at Newtown.

In a January 13 e-mail to BZC Chairman Douglas Nelson, attorney Peter Olson, representing development firm 19 Main Street, LLC, withdrew the application, which would create the proposed Borough Residential Overlay District (BROD) zoning regulations, and also would modify the borough zoning map to apply those rules to the 3.002-acre lot at 19 Main Street.

“It is our intention to review the comments of the members of the (BZC), staff, and the public, and incorporate those comments into a revised draft of the proposed (BROD regulations) and into the proposed conceptual plan. We continue to look forward to presenting our project to the (BZC),” Mr Olson wrote.

The developer’s “conceptual plan” for the property, which involved the construction of 40 dwellings within three buildings, drew stiff opposition from the public at November and December public hearings. Opponents have charged that such a project would not be architecturally compatible within the historic district where the site lies, among other complaints.

See the January 17, 2020 edition of The Newtown Bee for complete coverage of this issue.