Little did I understand that Wawa's "Substantive Validity Challenge" to Newtown's zoning (read "Wawa Resurrects Its “Substantive Validity Challenge” to #NewtownPA’s Zoning") would be the beginning of what I call “Newtown Zoning Armageddon™” – an epic series of battles between developers and the township.

You might say it’s a “slippery slope” or a “domino effect,” but I prefer the term “Armageddon” because, for me, it’s a “call-to-arms” for residents who moved to Newtown to escape overdevelopment and crime. It’s not about whether Wawa is a good thing or not. It’s about Wawa weaponizing our zoning law, a tactic now being copied by other developers (read "Are You Ready for Newtown Zoning Armageddon™?").

These battles, I fear, will eventually lead to developers rewriting zoning ordinances (laws) meant to protect the promise of Newtown as “A Great Place to Live, Work, and Worship” as well as enjoy open, undeveloped space.

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