"Supervisors quash developer's request"

By Bill Devlin, PhillyBurbs.com, November 5, 2009.

Plumstead supervisors gave a prominent Bucks County developer only a little of what he wanted Wednesday night.

Richard Zaveta, president of Zaveta Construction Co. of Buckingham, had asked the supervisors to extend the five-year limit for beginning work on the project already approved by the township.

Zaveta has yet to start construction on a development, which would create a "village" mix of single homes, townhouses and stores in Gardenville.

The board's approval of the plans, which have drawn praise because of the architectural design, expires Dec. 10.

Supervisors Chairman Vince Formica told the board that he was not in favor of granting the extension, noting that since the Zaveta plans were approved, the township had made changes to its zoning and land development regulations.

Supervisor Housley Carr said he would only approve an extension if the plans were changed to conform to the new zoning and land development regulations. Carr also wanted Zaveta to reduce the number of units in project.

When Supervisor Stacey Mulholland's motion to grant the extension did not receive a second, Zaveta expressed his surprise.

"I am astonished that this (the extension) is not being approved," he told the board.

However, Supervisor Frank Froio suggested giving Zaveta some time to make the changes that would satisfy the board. Froio proposed a 6-month extension because it would allow Formica and Carr, who will be leaving office in January, to be involved in plan as well as giving Republicans Daniel Hilferty and Wayne Stork, who were elected Tuesday night, to have a say when they take their seats in January.

Froio also suggested to Zaveta that he reduce the scope of the development from 52 units to 40 units.

Froio's motion for the six-month extension was approved 3-1, with Formica dissenting. Supervisor Tom Alvare was not present.