Hatboro Residents Petition Against Wawa

All has been quiet since which drew throngs of Hatboro residents adamantly opposed to the idea of a Wawa bulldozing in favor of modern-day convenience. 

Since that meeting at , Wawa officials have remained mum on if - and when - plans would be submitted for the .

While the future of that development is yet to be determined, the newly formed , a civic group started in the wake of Wawa's proposal, has been busy collecting signatures from borough residents and "friends" of Hatboro who do not want to see the former White Billet nursing home, or the building which houses destroyed and traffic and flooding potentially worsened by the addition at the log-jammed intersection.

As of Monday, Hatboro Residents' Association President Leslie Jones said 850 residents, as well as about 275 Horsham and Upper Moreland residents had lent their signatures of anti-Wawa support. She presented the petition to the Hatboro Borough Council during Monday night's meeting and asked the governing body to "Reject any changes in zoning to accommodate Wawa’s proposal."

Because the area along Horsham and York roads where Wawa is considering is in a residential zone, building the store, as outlined during previous meetings, would require zoning relief from either the zoning hearing board, or in the form of a zoning change by the borough council. 

To date, Wawa has not submitted plans, according to acting borough manager, Fred Zollers. 

John Zaharchuk of Summit Realty Advisors, the developer heading up the project, told Patch that the plans for a Wawa are still in the mix, but that he did not know when land development plans would be submitted.

"It’s not a front burner project," Zaharchuk said.

He acknowledged in February that opposition could impact the eventual outcome.

“We don’t even have the property under agreement right now,” Zaharchuk had said. “That does weigh into the decision.”

Even if the 20 to 30 people who regularly attend the Hatboro Residents' Association's monthly meetings and the 340 on their mailing list are successful in thwarting Wawa's development, Jones said that, "Development of the property is not the job of our association."

"We just take our cue from residents and their feelings," Jones said. "We would have to see what would be proposed."

Jones said the association has received its articles of incorporation and is awaiting its nonprofit status.

Since forming earlier this year, the association has launched a shop local initiative encouraging its members to and is looking to carry out a membership drive, according to Jones. 

An election is planned for November, at which time members would select board members, she said.

"We don’t really have a lot of other irons in the fire," Jones said. "We're really just messengers for people."

To get involved

the at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month (except August and December) at . Those interested in learning more, or joining the association, are encouraged to turn out. You can connect with Hatboro Life through its Facebook page, or by emailing President Leslie Jones at hra19040@gmail.com