North Manheim Residents Tell Supervisors to Reject Proposed Warehouse Project

About 40 residents filled a meeting of North Manheim Township supervisors Tuesday evening to tell them to reject a proposed warehouse project there.

Supervisors told these residents that there aren’t many details actually known about the project – that it’s in its infancy – and that it would behoove them to at least listen to the proposition instead of just flatly rejecting it.

They said they first met with the developer in May.

From what we’ve learned at Tuesday’s meeting, a Lemoyne-based developer, Crossroads Commercial Development wants to purchase land owned by Biever Farms, according to the Schuylkill County Map Viewer, along Greenview Rd., which has an intersection with Route 61 near the Schuylkill Racquetball Club.

The developer’s plan is to implement a warehouse project, though no one could firmly say exactly how many buildings would be constructed.

North Manheim supervisors did say that at least one proposed building would be taller than the 35-feet restriction currently in place in the township. It’s possible that other buildings – such as medical offices – that could be part of this development.

This proposed project would go in what’s currently zoned as Residential Agricultural land.

Supervisors also told residents in attendance that the developer has presented North Manheim with draft ordinances and regulations that would allow the project it’s proposing to go forward.

Essentially, according to township Solicitor Mark Koch, North Manheim would create an overlay district on its zoning map, if it were to allow the development to go forward. This concept was compared to the overlay zoning district put in place to allow the Geisinger/St. Luke’s Hospital to be built in neighboring West Brunswick Township.

Among the 40 or so people who attended Tuesday’s supervisors meeting, no one seemed to be in favor of the project and wondered why the board was even considering the project.

Residents expressed concerns mostly about increased truck traffic, noise pollution, the impact on local infrastructure, where water would come from to supply whatever is built on the land, and a decline in their property values.

Supervisors said they had a “right to listen” to the developer’s proposal.

Koch said that flatly rejecting the project before it’s even formally proposed – even after it’s proposed – would potentially subject the township to a costly legal challenge by the developer.

He said the township hasn’t decided one way or another at this point.

“All we’re doing is listening,” Koch said. “Right now, we’re going to start to analyze what they gave us. No decisions have been made. Your concerns are what the board wants to hear.”

Supervisors Chairman Wayne Bowen said he believes that North Manheim Township is “very susceptible” to a challenge if they were to reject the proposal right now.

However, he and other supervisors told residents that they haven’t made up their mind on the project proposal.

“I want to see a traffic impact study,” Bowen told residents.

Bowen did say that the township could benefit from the increased tax revenue such a project could generate.

Koch didn’t have specifics on just how much revenue could be generated but did say, “I can’t tell you what it is, but it’s a lot. The tax benefit could be huge.”

North Manheim supervisors said they’ll likely have more information on the proposed development project at their next monthly meeting, which will be held on Nov. 12 at 7 p.m.

SHARE YOUR OPINION: Should North Manheim Township reject the proposed warehouse project? Will this project adversely affect you? Let us know. Email your concerns to newscanary@gmail.com so we can share them with our readers.