HBA Newswatch
April 1, 2008
AN UPDATE ON DEVELOPMENT IN OTHER PARTS OF DELCO
Charrette Planning Suggested For Franklin Mint Site In Middletown
By Bette Alburger
Residents attending Monday's Middletown Council meeting were enlightened about a word many probably had not heard before - charrette - and how the Charrette Planning Process could apply to the Franklin Mint property. Thomas J. Comitta of Comitta Associates, the township's land planning consultant since 1979, explained through a Power-Point presentation and handouts just what a charrette (pronounced "sharet") is and how it could benefit the township. Comitta explained that "charrette" is French for "cart" or "wagon." It's a word used throughout the world by architects and other design professionals to describe the ordeal of a crash effort to meet a deadline. It also has been adapted to mean an intensive planning and design process and plan-making initiative. More...
RECORD 24TH STRAIGHT DROP IN HOUSING PUSHES OVERALL CONSTRUCTION DOWN IN FEBRUARY
WASHINGTON (AP) --- Construction spending fell again in February as home building tumbled for a record 24th straight month.
The Commerce Department reported Tuesday that overall construction activity dropped 0.3 percent in February, reflecting weakness not only in home building but also in nonresidential activity. Only government building projects showed a gain in February.
Residential construction fell by 0.9 percent in February. Residential activity has fallen every month since March 2006, a record period of declines that underscored the severe downturn going on in housing.
More...
DEVELOPER PLANS TO BUILD HUGE SHOPPING CENTER IN W. SADSBURY
By Tara Pugh
The proposed 296-unit town-house development planned for West Sadsbury Township has been put on the backburner, while preliminary plans for a shopping center have been brought to center stage.Instead of presenting his plans at a conditional use hearing scheduled for March 6, Mark Bedwell, principal owner of the property and project applicant, requested a continuance.
During the last couple of work sessions, the supervisors of West Sadsbury Township were introduced to a new set of plans.
Bedwell submitted a rough sketch encompassing around 74 acres that includes two major anchor stores, one including an outdoor area, six big-box retail stores that include several popular chain restaurants, a hotel, grocery store, pharmacy, and a strip of smaller stores.
More...
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