HUD Approves Shenandoah Woods Plan

After rejecting the original proposal, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has granted final approval for the Horsham Land Reuse Authority's recently revised redevelopment plan for Shenandoah Woods.

Now that the plan has been accepted, an environmental assessment plan needs to be performed on the site, said HLRA Executive Director Mike McGee.

While it is too soon to give an exact timeline, McGee predicted it will take a couple months for the assessment, after which the Navy will be cleared to sell the property to the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority (BCRDA).

"They have to analyze the environmental impact of the plan," said McGee. "Since we are turning a residential area into another residential area, it shouldn't take long to complete the study."

Based in Warminster, the 199 military housing units are tied to the closing of the . According to the Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act of 1994, when military property is closed, certain considerations must be made to accommodate the needs of the homeless in the vicinity.

The first proposal was rejected in November 2010 because it did not successfully meet HUD's homeless requirements. It called for developer The Reinvestment Fund and Bucks County Housing Group to receive the land and sell it to create a $6 million homeless fund.

The new plan replaces The Reinvestment Fund with the BCRDA, which will execute the redevelopment plan. Besides 113 single and twin homes, the plan accommodates the notices of interest for other areas of the property. 

Warminster Township will acquire 25 acres of woodlands along the eastern and southern borders of the site, part of which will be used for a new stormwater retention facility.

The Bucks County Housing Group will take possession of six homes in Ivyland that will be demolished and replaced by its administration headquarters.

Finally, Aldie Counseling Centers will be given 20 units, then sell them to the redevelopment authority and use the money for operational purposes.