Church Members Oppose Neighboring Zoning Change

Despite a number of members from a local church voicing opposition to a zoning change for a neighboring property, Bensalem Township Council granted the change unanimously Monday night.

The estate of Edwin Ziemba wanted to change the zoning for a two-acre property located at 4350 Hulmeville Road from R-11 (Residential) to BP (Business & Professional). The property is adjacent to the and its Bensalem Christian Day School.

The applicant’s attorney Stephen Goldstein told council that his client wants to change the zoning so the property can be sold to a local professional.

Goldstein added that BP is the most restrictive non-residential zone. It would only allow for professional offices for doctors, dentists, lawyers and the like, which would “preclude a significant traffic impact for the area,” he said.

“No retail, no showrooms,” he added.

Despite these assurances from the applicant’s attorney, about 20 congregation members from Bensalem United Methodist Church attended the meeting in opposition to the plan.

Jim Cielinski, a member of the church’s board, told council members that the congregation strongly objected to the zoning change.

Cielinski said the church was concerned with the safety of its congregation as well as the Day School’s 180 students. He said any business would likely bring greater traffic than a residential property.

Cielinski also noted that the business space isn’t needed.

“There is already enough office buildings in Bensalem,” he said.

David Oettinger, another church member, asked if it would be more beneficial for the township to allow the applicant to build 10 residential properties rather than one business property.

Councilman Tony Belfield explained that residential properties pay taxes but use more township services such as police and trash collection. Commercial properties pay taxes, but don’t utilize as many of those services, he said.

Council President Ed Kisselback, who also serves as chairman of the Bucks County Planning Commission, said that panel had already recommended this zoning change.

He told Cielinski and the other church members that while he understood their concerns, he doesn’t share them. He said he thinks the professional office could be an asset for the community.

In the end, council approved the zoning change unanimously 4-0. Councilman Joseph Pillieri was absent.

Following the meeting, Cielinski told Bensalem Patch that he was “disappointed but not surprised.” The group had followed the application through zoning and felt the council’s approval was inevitable, he explained.