What will become of Lower Makefield's Patterson Farm? Review underway
By the fall harvest, an architectural firm will recommend what becomes of one of Bucks County’s most beautiful farms, including razing some old buildings that have fallen into disrepair due to lack of maintenance.
The Lower Makefield supervisors approved $114,000 for Seiler + Drury Architecture of Norristown to complete a comprehensive review of the old Patterson farm off Mirror Lake Road.
“Right now there are no plans for the property,” said Jim Majewski, the township’s director of planning and zoning.
However, the building least likely to be razed is Tom Patterson’s farmhouse, an old stone structure, which is leased by the Artists of Yardley. But one that might not escape the demo crew is the faded but still beautiful Satterthwaite house, which dates to pre-Revolution. The house has sat vacant since 2005, and is in poor condition.
One estimate to restore it came close to $1 million.
The township, lacking funds, has not had a dedicated, comprehensive maintenance program for any of the buildings on the preserved farm, which consists of more than 200 acres and purchased with county, township and state open space fund in 1998. About 170 acres is still farmed, and still productive due to its soil, some of the richest in Pennsylvania, according to a Penn State study.
“What we’re trying to do is find out the most compatible uses for the property,” Majewski said, “to try to do somethings that’s sustainable for the future."
It will come down to money, something the township doesn’t have to refurbish and maintain the farm as is.
“A lot of people have ideas that we can do this or that, or that these buildings should stay. What’s the cost? What’s the maintenance? And how do you put all of it into effect?” Majewski said.
The architectural consultants will determine which building stay and which are demolished, said David Kratzer, township manager.
“It depends on the condition of the structures,” he said, “and an evaluation of the historic natures of each building.”
Donna Doan, whose father worked the farm for Tom Patterson, wants the place to stay agricultural. She’s worried that’s not the direction the board of supervisors will take.
“Once they push the farmers out of the buildings on the farm, as they’ve already done, that’s the beginning of the end,” said Doan, a member of the citizens advocacy group Patterson Farm Preservation Inc.
History of PattersonMullane: Patterson Farmstead needs some TLC from Lower Makefield to survive
“We’ve been told by people in the township that ‘We hope that it can be successfully farmed.’ But ‘hope’ is not a succession plan,” she said “They seem headed toward using it as some sort of performing arts center. I’m not opposed to the arts. But a farm is what it is. We need a plan that guarantees farming is the primary use of that property. It’s our heritage.”
While most of the land is shielded from development by a conservation easement, her organization is concerned about some 38 acres that isn’t, and can be rezoned to suit the plans of the township’s elected leaders.
“When you add non-agricultural uses to a farm, it kills the farming,” she said.
Said Kratzer: “I doubt we’re going to end up with a use that’s not consistent with agricultural use.”
Doan is skeptical.
“Isn’t it interesting how for 315 years farmers kept the farm viable, but now after 25 years of government ownership the municipality has to pay a consulting firm over $100,000 to help them figure out how to monetize it,” she said.
But there are no doomsday plans for the gentle, rolling acreage, such as McMansions, age-restricted condos, or commercial businesses that draw traffic at all hours.
“I can tell you that it’s not going to be a Wawa,” Majewski said.
JD Mullane can be reached at 215-949-5745 or at jmullane@couriertimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Makefield's Patterson farm review to determine future of buildings
