Borough residents want the council to "cool off" and see the developer’s plans before making a final decision.
By: Linda Seida
NEW HOPE A developer who wants to put condos on the site of the New Hope Inn on West Mechanic Street received approval from New Hope Borough Council to demolish most of the inn, contingent on his development plans.
But opponents say the developer and council members are putting the cart before the horse, and Borough Council should have waited to see exactly what he plans to build before giving the OK for any demolition.
The council approved the demolition on the recommendation of the borough’s Historic Architecture Review Board. HARB gave its OK to the demolition plan last month after developer George Michael agreed to preserve a stone portion of the inn HARB deemed historically significant.
After word began to spread in the borough a piece of its history might be torn down, residents turned out Tuesday to try to dissuade council members from approving any demolition. In the spacious cafeteria of the New Hope-Solebury Middle School, where the council holds its monthly meetings, only a handful of seats remained empty in the back of the room. Residents, one by one, led by Robert Gerenser, asked the council to wait at least 60 days before giving its approval until the developer’s plans for future construction were made public.
Mr. Michael’s attorney, G. Michael Carr of the Doylestown firm Eastburn and Gray, said later a number of plans have been considered so far, ranging from about 60 condos down to about 40,with the height of buildings varied. Another plan may need to be developed before his client receives approval, he said.
Mr. Michael "proposed no demolition until there is an approved plan," Council President Richard Hirschfield said. "This is voluntary. A person is entitled, if they follow the rules, to do what they want with their property."
The council stipulated other conditions also must be met. These include required environmental impact studies, the notification of neighbors and providing proper documentation.
The area of documentation might be where Mr. Michael’s plans hit a potential snag. William Kerr, an attorney for Moonlight owner Andrew Abruzzese, said a portion of the site slated for demolition is under lease to Mr. Abruzzese.
"George Michael is proposing to demolish things he does not own," Mr. Kerr said.
Mr. Michael owns the land on which Moonlight sits, but Mr. Abruzzese holds a 99-year lease on his restaurant and nightclub as well as a portion of the New Hope Inn compound in question. He has 94 years remaining on the lease, Mr. Kerr said.
"We’re not judges. I don’t know how we could possibly adjudicate that," said Councilman Randy Flager, who is an attorney.
He advised handling the matter in court.
Mr. Kerr also said his client was not aware Mr. Michael’s proposal was going before HARB until after the fact. He argued the demolition would have an impact on the historical character of the area.
"All of this is public information," Mr. Hirschfield said. "People have to pay attention."
Mr. Flager pointed out all meetings are posted in Borough Hall, on the borough’s Web site and advertised in newspapers.
One resident responded that not everyone has access to the Internet. Another said, "I just want you to know, we’re all watching you because we care what happens."
Mr. Gerenser equated the demolition of the inn and the loss of one of the borough’s historic structures to the "financial greed of industrialism."
Mr. Gerenser said he is aware of several parties interested in buying the inn from the developer with the intent of preserving it.
"I believe Mr. Michael is an excellent asset to the town. I actually want to work with Mr. Michael for the benefit of the town," Mr. Gerenser said.
As others did, he proposed a 60-day period of "cooling off."
"You want 60 days? It’s going to take more than 60 days," Mr. Hirschfield said for the developer to present plans and receive approval from all governing bodies involved.
He tried several times to reassure residents no demolition would occur before that time.
"Absolutely nothing is going to happen until everybody has their say," he said. "It’s one of the more important spaces or properties in the borough, and we will be very careful."
"I guarantee you’ll all have the chance to come back again and again and again," Mr. Flager said. "Nothing is going to be developed on this property for months and months and months and possibly years."
Their arguments failed to persuade some members of the audience. One man, clearly disappointed in the council’s action, said as he left the meeting, "I wonder when the election is?"
The argument also failed to win over Councilwoman Geri Delevich, the only council member to vote against approving the demolition. Her statement that she agreed with the protesters met with applause.
"This is a critical building," she said, adding that she also is worried about the impact of 60 new condos on the area’s traffic.