anti single-useThe applicant is seeking conditional use approval to open a seafood restaurant (Blue Point Grill aka BPG) at 3 West Road in the Newtown Shopping Center. This is the former location of the Corner Bakery, which is no longer in business at that location. The hours of operation will be 4 PM to 11 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 10 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Jack Morrison, the owner of BPG, confirmed that he is seeking approval for 145 indoor seats. Also, there are an additional 36 seats in an existing outdoor seating area, which will be used on a seasonal basis. Some PC members were concerned about the parking and traffic problems this number of seats would cause. 

There was also crosswalk safety concerns as many patrons would have to cross West Road to get to and from their cars parked in Gap/ACME lot. It was agreed that these crossings would be made safer by repainting the bars to make the crossings more visible to motorists.

Liquor License

The floor plan includes an “Raw Bar” that seats 6 people and a regular "Bar" that seats 9 people. Recall that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) denied BPG’s application to transfer a liquor license from an East Rockhill Township tavern primarily because supervisors felt the Newtown was already over quota for liquor licenses (read “Blue Point Grill's Liquor License Transfer Not Approved”). Mr. Morrison informed the NTPC that BPG signed a contract to obtain a Newtown liquor license from Dolce Carini (Friends Bar & Grill), which has gone out of business.

Potential Environmental Impact

Recall that Newtown recently passed an anti-single use plastics resolution that urges the business community and residents to consider alternatives to single-use plastics (read “Newtown Township Anti Single-Use Plastic Resolution Makes Local News”). I asked in Mr. Morrison if BPG would comply with that resolution when packaging “doggie bags” for patrons to take home. He said he would have no problem with that.

Although some members were concerned about parking, the PC agreed that it will advise the NT Board of Supervisors to approve this conditional use application.

More details...

New 24-Hour Agenda Posting Requirement

Beginning August 29, Act 65 of 2021 will require all township boards and commissions to post agendas on a website, if they have one, and at the township building and meeting place at least 24 hours before the meeting. Action items may still be added to the agenda at the meeting by majority vote after first stating the reason for the change. An amended agenda will need to be posted on the website, if the township has one, and at the township building and meeting place on the first business day after the meeting.

Click here for a new Pennsylvania Association of Township Supervisors Fact Sheet with the details. 

Suppose you wish to attend an upcoming public meeting such as the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors. But you want to make sure you know what’s on the agenda so that you don’t waste your time going to a meeting that won’t cover any issue you care about. This video-enhanced step-by-step lesson tells you how to do that. I included some useful "secrets" to make your life less of a hassle when using the website.

View the video with detailed instructions...