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Posted on Thu, Mar 12, 2009 Zoom + | Zoom -

Resident group to watchdog

Sycamore Street development
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Group formed to watchdog Acme plans broadens their focus:
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By Petra Chesner Schlatter
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NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP - A new group wants to have a say in the development of
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Trentonian.com Sycamore Street.
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All Publications Newtown resident Karen Katz announced at a recent Newtown Township
Supervisors meeting that the new group, Newtown 21st Century, was recently
Morrisville, PA formed to participate in the development of Sycamore Street.

CLOUDY
32°F Katz says the group grew out of a meeting at the Newtown Library Company, when
around 30 residents came together to voice concerns over a development proposal
Enter City or ZIP: for the former Acme Supermarket site.

On a broader scale, she said participants are generally concerned with development
in the township and borough.
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Describing the first meeting as Lifestyle Articles
Jobs "a coffee-date," Katz said that
Cars gathering "became a 90-minute Nursing- A Safe Career in a Poor
Real Estate open meeting of 30 people." Economy
Shopping
Place An Ad Katz said opinions were How to Buy a House with a Cash
Classifieds documented and shared with the Bonus
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Supervisors and the developer's
attorney, Ed Murphy. How to Avoid Bankruptcy
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ME MO R I E S
Newtown 21st Century has its
own blog. Katz hopes that technological edge would "raise the level of awareness
Obituaries around issues affecting land development, particularly Sycamore Street. We want to
create a 'buzz' by posting news, background information and opinions.

"The great thing about this 'new-fangled' communication tool is that it allows readers
to respond immediately and publicly," she said.

She said all responses are moderated to avoid inappropriate language and
comments.

Katz said the blog invites users to add comments or e-mail posts to others. To
access the blog, visitwww.newtown21stvoice.b logspot.com.

Initially, the group was just comprised of citizens concerned about the proposed
development of the Acme site on Sycamore Street. However, Katz said the group
has broadened its scope to Sycamore Street as a whole and is especially concerned
about congestion and "excessive commercialization" of New-town Borough and
New-town Township.

Katz said, "the current state of the economy adds another layer of concern. Group
members and residents have informally talked about signs of distress experienced by
current businesses and property owners.

"While the profitability of individual businesses is not the concern of residents, vacant
shops and unsold properties affect the lifestyles and property values of all residents
and business owners," she said.

Katz said that creates a need for resident input on land use and a study to assess
interest in building a community center on Sycamore Street.

Newtown 21st Century members are interested in the creation of a community center

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- particularly for seniors and teenagers, but are not certain that this is the wish of the
majority of residents. "We hope to find out," Katz said.

In the early part of this decade, Goodnoe's was still scooping ice cream, Katz noted.
"There was no mixed-use retail and residential project, now known as Goodnoe's
Corner."

Based on the community's charm and reverence for history, Katz said members of
Newtown 21st Century "believe it is important to ask whether another large
mixed-use project is in-keeping with the culture of the community and its needs."

The group is open to any resident who is "willing to meet two or three times per
month and work collaboratively with neighbors," according to Katz.

Current membership includes community members from Newtown Borough,

Newtown Grant, Colonial Commons, New-town Gate, Tyler Walk, Wilshire Walk and
Clive-den Estates.

Newtown 21st Century will meet next on March 15 at 3 p.m. For information, call Ms.
Miller during work hours at 215-968-8061.

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