Politics & Government

Fifth Time's a Charm?

The Horsham Land Reuse Authority approved the fifth version of a redevelopment plan for NASJRB Willow Grove.

The Horsham Land Reuse Authority moved closer to an approved redevelopment plan for 862 acres of shuttered Wednesday by giving the green light to the fifth version of the conceptual color-coded map.

With the approval of the so-called “option E,” the board directed its consultant, RKG Associates, to provide more specific financial data, as well as a breakdown of the number of the various types of housing units. . On Wednesday, HLRA Executive Director Mike McGee estimated that the total housing units would be in the 1,400 to 1,500 range.

The HLRA is slated to introduce a final draft at its Feb. 15 meeting. Following the introduction, the public can comment for a period of 30 days, prior to the HLRA adopting the final redevelopment plan on March 21. The final approved plan is due to the federal government by March 31.

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Once the HLRA and the federal government approve the plan, McGee said the development would be carried out in phases.

“The market will dictate what gets built first,” McGee said, adding that he believes large lot singles and small lot singles would be constructed first.

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But, just because the board made headway Wednesday, did not mean everyone was happy with the latest plan. Board member Steven Nelson, prior to the vote being taken, asked the board to “remain open” to providing a hangar, as well as more than the 13 acres allotted for the s . He also requested that there be further discussion at the HLRA’s February meeting.

“My fear is that if we lock them into too small of an area it’s just going to be a prescription for them to fail,” Nelson said.

McGee reiterated his sentiment that earmarking the hangar for DVHAA would set the “tone” for the development and would be a "negative" for the overall build-out.

DVHAA volunteer, Mark Hurwitz, who was in attendance, said the organization would like more space and could spruce up the hangar to make it more attractive.

“It’s our responsibility to maintain the history of what’s gone on here for almost the last 100 years,” Hurwitz said of the site’s aviation history prior to its conversion in the 1940s to a military base. “If there’s an opportunity for us to sit down, all of us here and discuss what flexibilities there might be to increase the footprint, to include the hangar, we very much welcome that.”

But, Vice Chairwoman Joanna Furia said the board had heard enough dialogue regarding DVHAA’s handful of applications and was ready to move on.

If the federal government transfers the land directly to the HLRA – as part of an economic development conveyance – the board would have greater flexibility in potentially adjusting acreage allotments later, officials said.

“But, understand it’s got to come from someplace else,” McGee said. “What are you prepared to have less of?”

Someone in the audience of several dozen offered a chip and putt as a possible entity to receive less land.

A handful of residents who spoke during public comment voiced concerns on everything from the need for 40 acres earmarked for another school for Hatboro-Horsham; issues over Bucks County Housing Group’s intent to provide housing on a roughly seven-acre portion of the base; to plans to have Privet Road pass through the base.

One man said that in light of the birth rate declining and the schools being in better shape than those in Philadelphia, Hatboro-Horsham did not need to build another school. Instead, he suggested fixing up existing schools.

Superintendent Curtis Griffin, who sits on the HLRA board, was absent Wednesday. However, McGee argued that the base property presents a rare opportunity for the school district to acquire land for free, or at very low cost.

“This is a long-term plan, 10, 15 years out,” McGee said. “ is, by all counts, at the end of its life expectancy.”

A woman questioned why the board would allow Bucks County Housing Group to build homes in Horsham – which she pointed out is in Montgomery County – as opposed to in Bucks County.

“The federal government said we had to,” McGee responded, adding that he envisioned 30 permanent supportive housing units, as compared to the 105 that Bucks County Housing Group had proposed. “We need to address the needs of the homeless in the region, our region.”

Horsham resident Mike Fitzpatrick said he would like further studies of Privet Road, and said he opposed the road going through the base as he said it dumps out onto an already too-narrow Jarrett Road.

“If you don’t have that road going through you’re just dead,” resident Gary Conner fired back.

Upcoming meetings

The HLRA will meet on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. in the 1025 Horsham Road and on March 21 at 3 p.m. in the Horsham Township municipal building at the same address.


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