To the Board of Trustees of the Bucks County Historical Society and Local Elected Officials:

We, the residents, neighbors, and stakeholders of Bucks County, stand in united opposition to the proposed sale and subsequent commercial/residential redevelopment of the historic George Hart property. We urge the Bucks County Historical Society (BCHS) to honor its core mission of preservation, and we call upon our local officials to protect our community from the severe impacts of this reckless development plan.

The George Hart property is not just a tract of land; it is a vital piece of our shared heritage, a sanctuary for local history, and a cornerstone of our community’s character. Selling this land to private developers breaks a sacred trust and introduces substantial threats to our safety, infrastructure, and quality of life.

Why We Oppose the Sale & Development:

• A Betrayal of George Hart’s Legacy and Intent When George Hart entrusted this property to the Bucks County Historical Society, he did so with a clear, noble vision: to preserve Bucks County’s rich history and natural landscape for generations to come. He did not donate this land to be turned into a corporate commodity or a suburban subdivision. To sell this property to the highest bidder is a direct violation of the donor’s intent and an alarming precedent for the future of historical preservation in our region.
• The Danger of "Spot Zoning" To accommodate high-density or commercial development on this historic tract, local officials would have to resort to "spot zoning”, arbitrarily changing the zoning laws for a single parcel of land to benefit a private developer. This practice undermines the integrity of our township’s comprehensive master plan, treats the neighborhood unfairly, and sets the precedence for unrestricted, piecemeal development across other historic Bucks County properties.
• Unmanageable Traffic Congestion Our local roads are already strained. Introducing a major new development on the Hart property will inject hundreds of additional daily vehicular trips into an already overburdened traffic ecosystem. The resulting congestion will lead to gridlock at key intersections, increased commute times, and more importantly delayed response times for emergency vehicles.
• Destruction of Community Infrastructure The heavy construction vehicles, dump trucks, and earth-movers required for a project of this scale will wreak havoc on our neighborhood roads. These quiet, residential streets were never designed to withstand the weight and frequency of industrial construction traffic. The resulting potholes, structural pavement failures, and debris will cost taxpayers thousands in repairs and create immediate safety hazards for pedestrians, cyclists, and families.  

Our Demands:

Halt the Sale:

We demand that the Bucks County Historical Society immediately terminate any pending sale or negotiations regarding the George Hart property to private developers.

Uphold the Zoning:

We call upon our local zoning board and supervisors to reject any requests for variances, overlays, or spot zoning on this parcel.

Commit to True Preservation:

We request that BCHS engage with community stakeholders, local conservationists, and historical advocates to find an alternative solution that honors George Hart’s original intent—keeping this land preserved, intact, and protected.

Once our historic lands are paved over, they are gone forever. We refuse to sit idly by while a cornerstone of Bucks County history is sacrificed for short-term financial gain. We, the undersigned, demand accountability, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to preserving the George Hart property.