Plan could bring new homes to Lower Makefield's Torbert Farm off Newtown Bypass

The 106-acre Torbert Farm, one of last large open spaces in Lower Makefield, could be subdivided for 78 single-family homes on acre-sized lots, according to plans presented recently to the Lower Makefield Planning Commission.

The farm at the intersection of Newtown-Yardley Road (Route 332) and Creamery Road sits near where a new Wegman’s supermarket is being built and where Jefferson Health owns land once proposed for a hospital site.  It also offers easy access to Interstate 295.

The farm is zoned R-1 residential for low-density housing, which would allow for the single homes on spacious lots. The application lists the Estate of Harry Torbert as the applicant and Dynamic Engineering as the engineer but does not list a development firm.

For subscribers: Could Jefferson build a hospital in Lower Makefield? There is still time.

Several residents of neighboring communities complained that if the full development of the farm is allowed, traffic on Creamery Road, which leads to both the Afton and Quarry Hill elementary schools, would be “insane.”

Resident Sarah Jones said “there’s a huge amount of people concerned ...The community as a whole is really upset.”

Other residents said they had three major issues with such a large new development: traffic, water drainage into existing neighborhoods and the potential impact for many more children to be enrolled in the Pennsbury School District.

Water and sewer capacity also would need to be addressed, according to letters submitted to the township.

Bucks County real estate: With mortgage rates rising, demand high for fewer homes on the market in Bucks County

Pennsbury considers hike: Pennsbury school district taxes to jump 4 percent next year; what does it mean for you?

Pennsbury plans to build a new high school or enlarge the existing West Campus in Fairless Hills, but it was basing its size on current enrollment or the potential for a merger with the Morrisville School District. An added influx of more children from such a major housing development, along with other new housing developments now underway in the township, could affect enrollment projections.

One resident asked the planners if part of the land could be retained for open space. Township Community Development Director Jim Majewski said that is a consideration.

Lower Makefield preservation: What will become of Lower Makefield's Patterson Farm? Review underway

Township Supervisor Chairman Fred Weiss, who is the supervisors’ liaison to the planning commission, said “every concern will be taken into consideration,” before the supervisors would vote on the plan. He and the planners urged residents with questions or concerns to write to the township at lmt.org/register-request/

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Makefield farm could be developed into homes near new Wegman's