New Hope public meetings in 2022
24 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The New Hope Shade Tree Commission will review the status of bare root tree plantings, including 30 trees planted in Riverwoods, near the Community Room, and at Ferry Landing. They will also discuss potential grant opportunities, an Arbor Day partnership with the Historical Society, and long-term planning for a street tree replacement program. No new applications are on the agenda.
- Bare root tree pickup and planting status: 30 trees planted in Riverwoods, Community Room, and Ferry Landing
- Potential grant opportunities and TCUSA Growth Award applications submitted
- Arbor Day partnership with the Historical Society
- Bucks Beautiful fall bulb plantings
- Long-term street tree replacement plan with risk management and tree inventory data
New Hope Borough Council
The Council approved the 2023 budget and tax millage rate. They also authorized a two-year contract for the Borough Police Union and approved several sign installations. The Council voted to remain neutral regarding zoning variance requests for the Bucks County Playhouse.
- Approved 2023 budget and tax millage rate
- Approved two-year Borough Police Union contract
- Approved reduction in police officers' 2023 pension contributions
- Approved parking lot agreement for Old Stone Church
- Adopted Swimming Pools and Hot Tubs Ordinance Amendment
- Approved IT services proposal with IntegraONE pending legal review
- Appointed John Williams and Jay Freeo to the HARB Board
- Approved sign Certificates of Appropriateness for 17 Ferry St, 129 S. Main St, and 110 S. Main St
New Hope Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB)
The Board approved demolition permits for 8 and 10 Waterloo Street, provided that the original 1890s structures are preserved and rehabilitated according to Secretary of the Interior standards. Demolition of additions is permitted only after the applicant receives a Certificate of Appropriateness for the replacement project and all necessary zoning and building permits. The Board also approved a project to combine townhouse units at 14 and 16 East Mechanic Street.
- Approved demolition permit for 8 Waterloo Street conditioned on preservation of the 1890 structure and future COA (4-0)
- Approved demolition permit for 10 Waterloo Street conditioned on preservation of the 1890 structure and future COA (4-0)
- Approved combination of townhouse units and installation of a chimney flue at 14 and 16 East Mechanic Street (4-0)
- Approved August, September, and October meeting minutes (4-0)
New Hope Borough Council
Council discussed a new fee schedule for the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) to recoup costs for professional reviews. They agreed to move forward with a $1,000 fee for additions, demolitions, and new construction, while removing proposed fees for fences, sheds, and porches. The updated schedule will be presented for formal approval in January 2023.
- Proposed $1,000 application fee for additions, demolition, and new construction
- Removed proposed fees for fences, sheds, and porches from the HARB schedule
- Agreed to move general public comment to the beginning of meetings starting January
- Agreed to change regular meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. starting January
- Approved further research into a potential ban or limit on gas-powered leaf blowers
New Hope Parks & Recreation Board
The Board approved the October meeting minutes and coordinated a town-wide decorating schedule starting at Lenape Park and Bridge Street. Members discussed pending bids for landscaping, lighting, and gazebo painting at Lenape Park. The Board decided to cancel the December meeting.
- Approved October minutes
- Decided to cancel December meeting
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The New Hope Shade Tree Commission will review minutes, discuss pending items including grant opportunities, report on completed tree pits and bare root tree pickup, and plan for Arbor Day, partnerships, and a long-range street tree replacement plan.
- Eleven tree pits completed this month using Porous Pave material
- Bare root tree pickup from PHS for Riverwoods Home Owners Association
- Discussion of Arbor Day partnership with Historical Society
- Fall bulb plantings with Bucks Beautiful
- Long-term plan for street tree replacement with risk management and TCUSA Growth Award outline
The commission approved the minutes from the October 16th meeting. Members discussed plans for 2023 tree pit installations, Arbor Day collaborations, and the development of a long-range street tree replacement plan.
- Approved October 16th meeting minutes
New Hope Borough Council
Borough Council rejected a proposal to replace three cottages with a single-family residence at 28 South Main Street. The board also authorized the 2023 proposed budget and approved a low bid for the Mechanic Street bridge project.
- Rejected zoning application for 28 South Main Street (6-0, 1 recusal)
- Approved authorization to advertise 2023 proposed budget (6-0)
- Approved advertisement for swimming pool and hot tub ordinance amendment (6-0)
- Approved advertisement for RB Residential District ordinance amendment (6-0)
- Approved low bid from T Schiefer for Mechanic Street bridge project (6-0)
- Approved hiring Tyler Peschin as Public Works laborer (6-0)
- Approved October 18th and workshop meeting minutes (6-0)
- Approved accounts payable and payroll totaling $227,741.56 (6-0)
New Hope Borough Council
Council held a workshop to discuss proposed ordinance amendments regarding residential district dimensions and swimming pool/hot tub restrictions. The 2023 proposed budget was reviewed, with officials noting there are no tax increases. No formal votes were taken; items will be placed on a future agenda for advertisement.
- Discussed proposed amendment to Chapter 275-29 to create RB-1 and RB-2 districts for greater dimensional flexibility
- Discussed proposed ordinance Chapter 275-22 C4 regarding restrictions on swimming pools and hot tubs on upper levels
- Reviewed 2023 proposed budget with no tax increases
New Hope Parks & Recreation Board
The board reviewed and approved the financial report and set 2023 goals focusing on rehabbing Lenape Park (estimated $20,000–$25,000) and the Visitors' Center (estimated $4,000). All work will go out to bid after Borough Council approval in January. Public Works will handle watering of new plants. No formal votes were recorded on these items.
- Approved financial report
- Set 2023 goals: Lenape Park and Visitors' Center rehab
- Committee to prepare bid specs for Council review in January
- Public Works to water new plants in Lenape Park and planters
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The New Hope Shade Tree Commission will review recent activities and discuss ongoing items including tree pit installations, grant opportunities, and a collaboration with Parks & Rec. No new applications are pending. The commission will also consider a long-term street tree replacement plan and participation in the TCUSA Growth Award program.
New Hope Planning Commission
The New Hope Planning Commission will consider an ordinance amendment for hot tubs and swimming pools, discuss protection of historic resources, and review the sign ordinance. Public comment and approval of prior minutes are also on the agenda.
- Ordinance amendment for hot tubs and swimming pools
- Discussion on protection of historic resources
- Review of the sign ordinance
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The Commission is reviewing pending grant opportunities and tree removal/replacement applications for New Street. Members are also discussing long-term planning for street tree replacement and potential collaborations with Parks & Recreation.
- Tree Application 118: Callery Pear
- Tree Application 122: Norway Maple and Hackberry on New Street
- Porous Pave tree pits on Main and Bridge Streets
- PHS bare root tree offer to Home Owners Association of Riverwoods
New Hope Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will meet to discuss the protection of historic resources and review the local sign ordinance. The meeting also includes a period for public comment and the approval of previous minutes.
- Review of Sign Ordinance
- Discussion on Protection of Historic Resources
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The commission is reviewing pending action steps regarding grant opportunities and tree review letters. Discussion includes tree pit projects on Main and Bridge Streets and various future planting initiatives.
- Tree trimming application for 9 W. Mechanic St.
- Eleven potential tree pits on Main and Bridge Streets
- Extension of bare root tree offers to Home Owners Association of Riverwoods
- Establishment of a long-range street tree replacement plan
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The commission is reviewing pending action steps regarding grant opportunities and tree letters. Discussion includes potential tree pits on Main and Bridge Streets and establishing a long-range street tree replacement plan.
- Tree removal at 137 S. Main
- Thirty-two potential tree pits on Main and Bridge Streets
- Extension of PHS bare root tree offer to Home Owners Association of Riverwoods
- Development of a long-range street tree replacement plan
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The commission is reviewing pending grant opportunities and a tree review. Discussion includes potential tree pits on Main and Bridge Streets and future planting strategies.
- Thirty-two potential tree pits on Main and Bridge Streets
- Extension of PHS bare root tree offer to Home Owners Association of Riverwoods
- Establishment of a long-range street tree replacement plan
New Hope Planning Commission
The Planning Commission will review a draft of the Short Term Rental Ordinance and discuss items regarding 125 North Main Street. The agenda also includes discussions on the protection of historic resources and the CC Central Commercial District.
- Short Term Rental Ordinance Draft
- 125 North Main Street
- Protection of Historic Resources
- CC Central Commercial District
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The commission is reviewing pending grant opportunities and tree review letters. Members are planning an Arbor Day event for April 22 and discussing future tree planting strategies.
- April 22 Arbor Day Event planning
- Bucks Beautiful fall bulb plantings
- Proposal to extend PHS bare root tree offer to Home Owners Association of Riverwoods
- Establishment of a long-range street tree replacement plan
New Hope Planning Commission
The New Hope Planning Commission will meet to review the protection of historic resources and the CC Central Commercial District. The body will also vote on the March 21, 2022 meeting minutes.
- Protection of Historic Resources
- CC Central Commercial District
New Hope Planning Commission
The New Hope Planning Commission will meet to review the protection of historic resources and the CC Central Commercial District. The body will also vote on the approval of minutes from February 24 and March 10, 2022.
- Protection of Historic Resources
- CC Central Commercial District
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The commission is reviewing pending grant opportunities and a proposal for a 2022 inventory update. Members are also discussing plans for an April 22 Arbor Day event and long-term street tree replacement strategies.
- Tree removal/replacement application for 27 W. Mechanic (Honeylocust #188)
- 2022 Inventory Update Proposal by SavATree
- April 22 Arbor Day event planning
- Proposal to extend bare root tree offers to Riverwoods Home Owners Association
- Establishment of a long-range street tree replacement plan
New Hope Planning Commission
The New Hope Planning Commission will meet to discuss a proposed RB-1 RB-2 ordinance. This item is being reviewed for subsequent consideration by the Borough Council.
- Discussion on Proposed RB-1 RB-2 Ordinance
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The New Hope Borough Shade Tree Commission is meeting to discuss event planning and long-range tree management. The body is reviewing potential grant opportunities and coordinating an Arbor Day event for April 22.
- Arbor Day event planning for April 22
- Tree review and letters to property owners regarding Dead Treat Village 2 entrance
- Proposal to extend PHS bare root tree offer to Home Owners Association of Riverwoods
- Discussion of a long-range street tree replacement plan
- Fall bulb plantings via Bucks Beautiful
New Hope Shade Tree Commission
The New Hope Borough Shade Tree Commission is meeting to review a tree application and discuss long-term street tree replacement plans. The body is also coordinating ideas for the 2022 Arbor Day event.
- Tree application for 11 W. Bridge St.
- Tree review letters to property owners regarding Dead treat Village 2 entrance
- Discussion of 2022 Arbor Day event coordination with Historical Society
- Development of a long-range street tree replacement plan
- Review of potential grant opportunities