Doylestown Supervisors To Consider Zoning Change For Hart Property

DOYLESTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — The Doylestown Township Board of Supervisors on Tuesday is expected to consider a motion to change the zoning of the 24-acre Hart property at 2250 South Easton Road across the Route 202 Bypass from the Wawa.

Zaveta Custom Homes of Buckingham will be asking to change the zoning from I-2 (Institutional) to R4 (residential), which would allow the company to redevelop the property with 36 luxury homes.

The current zoning limits the redevelopment of the site to agriculture, horticulture, nursery or farm uses, and the raising of livestock, horses, and poultry. Residential uses are not permitted in the I-2 zone.

The property was gifted to the Bucks County Historical Society by George Hart. The society is now looking to sell the land for redevelopment to support maintenance and upkeep of its existing museums - the 69-acre Fonthill Castle site and the seven-acre Mercer Museum and property, both entrusted to the society by Henry Mercer.

Zaveta is envisioning a development similar to its Town’s Edge community on Lower State Road across from the YMCA. Its plan envisions the demolition of a storage building at the site and the construction of three new buildings, each housing 12 units. The majority of the land, including the house and barn, would be preserved as open space.

The Hart property barn would be saved under plans to redevelop the property.

“The overall proposal that we have come up with respects the neighbors, does something that does not detract from the value of their homes, does something that does not interfere with the enjoyment of their backyards, meets the criteria of the Bucks County Historical Society and does something that preserves these iconic buildings," said Rich Zaveta, founder of Zaveta Custom Homes. “It’s our goal to hit all those markers while providing the society with the funds they need for projects that will benefit the whole community.”

There are some in the community who would like to see the property preserved and are encouraging residents to attend the meeting to voice opposition to the zoning change.

“The 24-acre parcel is at risk of a zoning change and destruction of this historic landmark property,” wrote one opponent on Facebook. “A zoning change would be horrific. Please attend the Doylestown Township meeting and show your support to preserve this 24-acre property as a historic landmark. It's urgent.”