Click here to download or view the PRIET Presentation to New Garden Township (PDF file)

Click here to view or download Thomas Committa Associates review Comments (PFD FIle)

Click here to see a list of interested parties

Traffic Engineering Review - New Garden Town Center

Fiscal Impact Assesment Report to New Garden Township

Effects of Shopping Centers on Housing Prices

Residents of New Garden

From The Board of Supervisors

The New Garden Center project proposed by Pennsylvania Real Estate Trust has been around for more that 6 years. It is not a new initiative; in fact the level of scrutiny to this project surpasses that of any other land development application made to New Garden Township. The data and analysis could fill file cabinets and the number of public hearings to address the project’s impacts and proposed mitigation far exceeds that of other projects.

The project is now the subject of litigation between New Garden Township and PREIT. The present Board of Supervisor (the fourth Board to consider the project) and Township staff have worked tirelessly with the Developer to prevent the outcome of the project to be determined by the Court system. We would much prefer to be part of the decision than to turn it over to a judge who probably knows very little about New Garden to decide.

The data and analysis for the project, the impacts and proposed mitigation, was not presented at the Hearing on Tuesday, March 13 th because it has already been demonstrated once before during the Conditional Use Hearings that such an undertaking requires dozens of hearings. The law does not require a Developer to endure such a process on multiple occasions. Neither is it in the interest of the Township to unduly delay land development applications, thereby wasting Township funds.

It is however, in the Township’s interest to amicably settle the litigation with the Developer, provided that the outcome achieved is preferable to the likely outcome of a court ordered development and one that we as a Board are comfortable that our–and your—key concerns and needs are addressed.

With that in mind, the Board has successfully negotiated the following significant items which the Township will receive if settlement is achieved and which will not be part of a court ordered development.

• Town Center- pedestrian friendly, mixed-use village style development will replace a single family home development
• Upgrade architecture, landscaping, and overall enhanced design
• Solution to existing sewer capacity and compliance issues
• Transportation improvements that are more extensive that court mandated transportation mitigation measures

But please know, we are still in a very active negotiation with PREIT to address many of the questions and concerns that were brought up at the previous 2 public meetings.

PREIT has property rights like all of us who reside in New Garden Township. Their use of the property is permissible and approved. Therefore the development will occur. The Board is encouraged that PREIT is willing to settle the litigation in a manner that is more beneficial to the Township than the likely outcome of the litigation process. Moreover, that Township has had a relationship with PREIT for more than 6 years now. Make no mistake; this has been a painful and arduous process for PREIT to endure and yet they have always conducted themselves in a cooperative and professional manner. The Board has every expectation that PREIT will prove to be a strong partner in the realization of such an important project to the Township.

We want to ensure you that this is an ongoing discussion and will keep you informed and involved in the process.

Sincerely yours,

New Garden Board of Supervisors

Chairman, Robert Perrotti

Vice-Chairman Bob Norris

Steve Allaband

Barclay Hoopes

James Neal