Sunnyside Farm moved closer to knowing its fate after a township workshop meeting on June 17.
The township hired a historic architect to evaluate and inspect the property to determine its usefulness. Now the council is reviewing initial options presented by the consultant to determine potential funding sources and uses.
Sunnyside, located on Hooton Road, was built in 1838. At that time, it was the “finest house in the neighborhood.” It was built for Quaker Joseph Hooton on a homestead that may date to 1682. Elisha Roberts expanded the house in 1876. The land features a number of buildings, including a schoolhouse, barn, storage shed and farmhouse. Through the family, the house has a connection to five other historic houses in the region, including Paulsdale, the home of Alice Paul, which is less than a mile away.
The township purchased the historic property in 2002 to preserve the land and prevent further urbanization. But in the 11 years since buying Sunnyside, the property has fallen into disrepair due to neglect, officials said.
Township manager Maureen Mitchell said the township received $12,000 from the state historic preservation trust fund in 2011 to evaluate the property. To be eligible to receive the grant, the municipality provided $4,000. After receiving the grant, the township moved to have the property inspected.
The trust grant funded a feasibility study to determine allowable uses for the property, estimate costs and revenues of identified uses, and propose construction
scopes for recommended uses.
The property’s historic and environmental regulations were also addressed in the study.
The council will review the recommendations from the consultant and provide feedback at the next township council meeting, which was scheduled for June 24.
In other news:
• The town’s solar panel ordinance will have a first reading at the next township council meeting. It will be announced that ground-mounted solar systems will be prohibited in residential areas while roof units will be allowed.
Definitions of each specific system will be added to the ordinance before the reading.
• A revised ordinance to update the existing ordinance in regard to signs throughout the township is also under review by the council. The township hopes to adopt a policy that will allow LED signs with changeable copy for municipal and EMS buildings as well as schools. Currently the township does not permit LED signs unless it is granted by variance through the zoning board. The council has concerns about the size of the signs as well as if the brightness and moving text is a distraction for motorists. The newly written ordinance will be reviewed and researched before being brought for first reading and public comment.
