Landmark Levittown Lanes could be replaced with apartments. Here's the plan

Peg Quann, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·2 min read

A 24-unit apartment building may rise from the ashes of the Levittown Lanes bowling alley that was destroyed in a three-alarm fire almost two years ago.

Al and Mary Episcopo, who own three parcels of land at 8815 New Falls Road and on adjacent Orchard Drive in Falls are applying for zoning variances to build the apartments.

The hearing before the township Zoning Hearing Board, originally scheduled for Tuesday, is now rescheduled for 7 p.m. April 9, in the Middletown Municipal Building, 3 Municipal Way.

But more than 330 people have signed a Change.org petition opposing the proposed apartments. Jarrie Mullen, who organized the petition drive, stated on the site that "many feel the size of the property is not adequate for this proposal, and have concerns regarding privacy issues, traffic congestion, unsupervised children, vandalism, noise considerations and the impact this will have on property values."

Allen Episcopo, owner of Levittown Lanes, speaks with Falls Township Fire Marshal Rich Dippolito, as crews work on the scene of a three-alarm fire that destroyed his Falls bowling alley in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 30, 2022.
Allen Episcopo, owner of Levittown Lanes, speaks with Falls Township Fire Marshal Rich Dippolito, as crews work on the scene of a three-alarm fire that destroyed his Falls bowling alley in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 30, 2022.

More: 'Landmark' Levittown Lanes bowling alley destroyed in early morning fire

Michael Meginniss, attorney for the Episcopos, is requesting zoning variances to permit the residential use in an area partially zoned for neighborhood commercial use, and to permit a three-story building.

The Episcopos plan to build the apartments on the one parcel where the bowling alley had been located and use the other two parcels for parking.

More: Fire Marshal: Cause of blaze that destroyed Levittown Lanes bowling alley undetermined

Meginniss said in the application for the variances that the "applicants' hardship in this matter is clear. In addition to the personal financial hardship incurred as a result of the destruction of Levittown Lanes, the property (three parcels aggregated) is undoubtedly unique."

Another developer, Oak Village at New Falls Road LLC, received an extension at Tuesday's meeting to zoning approvals granted last March for a separate multi-family development to be built at 9175 New Falls Road. Zoning for that 41-unit condominium complex has already been approved but because the project has not gone through land development approvals in the past year, the zoning approvals were due to expire and an extension was sought, said Diane Beri of the Falls Planning and Zoning Department.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Levittown Lanes will not be rebuilt after fire; apartments planned