Board to oppose variance for storage activities in FEMA floodplain at 575 Langhorne‑Newtown Road

MIDDLETOWN — The Milltown Township Board voted unanimously to send the township solicitor to oppose a Zoning Hearing Board application (02/2017) for property at 575 Langhorne‑Newtown Road after staff reported the applicant seeks zoning relief that would permit storage and construction‑related activities within a FEMA map floodplain.

Mr. Ennis raised the application to the board and explained that the property currently stores construction equipment, vehicles and debris and that such materials "are activities that are not allowed at that property because they're fully within a FEMA map floodplain." He warned that during a flood event stored materials can become buoyant and travel downstream, creating safety and environmental risks. The chair moved to both add the item to the agenda and send township solicitor Mister Esposito to the hearing in opposition; the motion was seconded and carried 5–0.

The board did not adopt formal language for opposition in open session beyond authorizing the solicitor to represent the township at the hearing. The solicitor and staff will appear at the May 25 Zoning Hearing Board proceeding to present the township's concerns about floodplain use and public‑safety risks.

What happens next: the solicitor will attend Zoning Hearing Board application 02/2017 on behalf of the township; the board's authorization does not bind the solicitor's legal strategy, which will be based on zoning law and floodplain protections.