Zoning board rejects plan for Oscar Hammerstein museum

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. -- The grandson of Oscar Hammerstein has lost his bid to create a museum and educational theater honoring the Broadway lyricist.

Doylestown Township's zoning board voted Monday night to deny variances Will Hammerstein needed to build the project at his grandfather's former Pennsylvania farm.

The plan included construction of a 400-seat theater.

Neighbors and township supervisors had opposed the proposal at Highland Farm, saying they didn't want to deal with the noise, traffic or safety issues they feared it would bring.

Hammerstein tells The (Doylestown) Intelligencer he was anticipating the decision. He hasn't decided whether he'll appeal but says it'd be tough to overturn the three-member board's unanimous decision.

Highland Farm was Oscar Hammerstein's primary residence during his musical partnership with Richard Rodgers. Hammerstein died there in 1960.