NORTH MANHEIM TWP. – If there had been any doubt, a standing-room-only crowd told township supervisors on Tuesday exactly where they were standing on the warehouses – they don’t want them in the township.
During a nearly 90-minute public comment session, speakers in the crowd of about 100 people peppered the supervisors again and again with questions about where they stood on an apparent move by a developer to put warehouses in the township.
In a shrill tone, a speaker threatened to sue the municipality if the supervisors did not lock out the warehouses. Another hinted that the supervisors could be voted out if they did not heed residents’ calls to vote down the proposed ordinance.
Wayne Bowen, chairman, William Webber and William Searle III serve six-year terms. Searle’s term ends next year.
The supervisors, who receive $1,875 a year, have rejected a proposed pay increase in the coming year, City Clerk Tami Stump said.
Megan Meisner turned to the board, looked at the crowd and asked if there was anyone in the audience who favored the overlay district.
“Not one,” she said, turning to the supervisors.
The public outcry follows the filing several months ago of a draft Enterprise Opportunity Overlay District ordinance by Crossroads Commercial Development Corporation, a warehouse developer in Cumberland County.
If approved, the ordinance would create a special district where warehouses could be built on land zoned agricultural/residential. Typically, developers attempt to create an overlay district when they believe a municipality’s zoning ordinance does not provide sufficient space for warehouses.
Under Pennsylvania law, municipalities are required to zone space for all possible uses, including warehouses.
At an earlier meeting, Bowen said he believed the township’s zoning ordinance was “vulnerable to challenge” because it did not allow enough space for warehouses.
City officials tried to explain that failure to adequately enforce the proposed ordinance could result in the city being sued.
Attorney Mark Koch said the draft overlay district ordinance is currently under review by the council. He did not foresee any action from regulators this year.
Action on the proposed ordinance, officials said, would be taken at a duly announced public meeting. Affected property owners would be notified in advance of the meeting.
At an earlier meeting, residents reported that property owners had been contacted by Crossroads in an area bounded by Adamsdale and Greenview roads, west of Route 61.
In other business, supervisors announced the completion of part of the North Manheim Recreation Area, a 20-acre complex behind Hoss’s Steak & Sea House near Cressona.
A public hearing on a request by Redner’s Market to transfer ownership of a liquor license from a Mahanoy City fire company is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. at the municipal building. This takes place prior to the monthly meeting of the municipal supervisors.
Approval of the council’s proposed 2025 budget is on the agenda for next month’s meeting. As proposed, Stump says, it doesn’t call for a tax increase. The budget document is available to the public at the town hall on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
