HLRA Approves Transfer of Military Equipment

Compared with the previous two Horsham Land Reuse Authority meetings in which the board ended the and , virtually nothing happened at Wednesday’s HLRA meeting.

Since the board is still accepting feedback on the three proposed redevelopment options, no action, or discussion on those plans, was taken Wednesday. At its Oct. 19 meeting, a joint meeting with the Horsham Township Council and the Horsham Planning Commission, the HLRA is expected to discuss with officials the plans before opening it up for public discussion.

Calling it a “live discussion,” HLRA Vice Chairwoman Joanna Furia said the board would “hone in on the plan progressing” during the Oct. 19 meeting.

Depending on the direction next month’s meeting takes, the HLRA’s consultant could have the information it needs to craft the feedback and suggestions into a final redevelopment plan. If not, HLRA Executive Director Mike McGee said Wednesday that an extension of the goverment's December deadline might be needed.

And while transfer of the government-owned 860 acres available for redevelopment awaits acceptance of a final reuse plan, the HLRA did vote Wednesday to transfer grass cutting equipment, tractors, as well as snow blowers, previously owned by the Navy.

“It’s actually pretty decent equipment,” McGee said, noting it is likely valued at $35,000 to $50,000.

The government will carry out only limited snow removal on the base, McGee said. Since contractors will clear snow and cut grass, the equipment is not needed, he said.

In other business, McGee said the Navy is in the process of preparing an environmental assessment for , a separate redevelopment plan moving forward in Warminster Township. The plan, which calls for the former 199-unit military homes to be converted to 113 single and twin homes, 25 acres of woodlands for Warminster and a headquarters for the Bucks County Housing Group, won approval this summer from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

McGee said he expects the assessment to be complete before year’s end. Following the assessment, McGee said the Navy and the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority – the entity heading up the project – would enter into a “negotiated sale,” which he said would wrap up in early 2012.

, McGee said the land that currently houses the shuttered Horsham Memorial Army Reserve Center, which is located across the street from the main air base property on Easton Road, would be transferred to next year. McGee said the land would be added to and would be used for play fields and an extension of the district’s bus garage.