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North Annville Township supervisors on Monday provided updates on several recent projects, including the Clear Spring Road traffic study.
In April 2021, Pennsylvania’s Multimodal Transportation Fund awarded DHL subsidiary Excel Inc. a $3 million grant for road improvements related to its South Annville Township industrial park construction. Because of the potential onslaught of traffic following the completion of the industrial park, the intersection of Clear Spring Road and Route 934 has been the subject of a traffic study over the past two months.
Read More: Roundabout plan for Route 934 & Clear Spring Road under review by PennDOT
Board president Randy Leisure said that resident safety and road longevity are the primary concerns to be addressed by the traffic study. A report detailing the study results and necessary road improvements will be released at the beginning of September.
North Annville Township solicitor Paul Bametzreider gave an update on the recent Lebanon Solar I LLC conditional-use appeal.
In May 2022, Lebanon Solar I’s application for conditional use of agricultural zones for construction of 484 acres of solar panels was rejected by North Annville Township after the board heard the overwhelmingly negative opinions of township residents. The board decided the proposed plans failed to meet six of eight guidelines for conditional use.
Lebanon Solar I then appealed the rejection of its application to the Lebanon County Court of Common Pleas, where Judge Bradford H. Charles has yet to set a date for an argument. Both parties have filed briefs relating to the appeal, and Charles’ decision is forthcoming.
Read More: Decision on proposed North Annville Township solar farm may be near
Following the judge’s opinion, either party may further appeal to the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court.
The supervisors also heard public comments about the Hill Farm estate property, north of Lebanon Valley College.
The property has previously housed Hill Farm Estate Senior Living, and has been on the market for three months.
Read More: 23.8-acre “Hill Farm” estate in North Annville Twp. available for $2.5 million
Township residents expressed concerns about Hill Farm estate’s possible usage, such as warehouse development or use for Jubliee Ministries’ new headquarters.
Jubilee Ministries originally considered a property on East Kercher Avenue in North Lebanon Township for their headquarters and home base for their aftercare program. Following a neighbor’s meeting in May where Jubilee proposed their plans for the land, many North Lebanon Township residents voiced their concerns at the June board of supervisors meeting.
Read More: North Lebanon residents overflow township meeting with Jubilee concerns
North Annville Township residents had similar concerns about Jubilee’s headquarters, but Bametzreider said the Hill Farm property is zoned R-2, meaning it can only be used for medium-density residential housing.
Additionally, warehouse development is not permitted for the Hill Farm estate property.
The supervisors also facilitated a discussion about improvement options for the intersection of Hill Church Road and Thompson Avenue.
The intersection’s limited sightlines and frequent speeders passing through gave the township reason to reevaluate the intersection’s set up.
Leisure presented three possible options for the intersection: a 2-way stop, 4-way stop or the implementation of a roundabout. The 2-way and 4-way stop options would likely cost about $2 million, while a roundabout would cost more than $3 million.
Residents disapproved of the roundabout option due to the space constraints and cost.
Leisure also stated that cost-benefit analysis favored the 2-way stop and roundabout options, which led to most residents preferring the 2-way stop.
No official decision was made, but the supervisors said the residents’ opinions will be taken into consideration. After a decision is made, the board will move forward with a timeline and plan for construction.
The supervisors then facilitated a discussion about a levy of a fire real estate tax, which was originally proposed in January 2020.
This $3 million tax would produce $600,000 in revenue for the merged fire company and would be based on property value. The proceeds would then go to the fire companies to update and maintain their firefighting equipment.
The Emergency Services Advisory Committee previously reported that Bellegrove and Water Works fire companies intend to merge. Supervisors will consider implementing the tax once the merger is confirmed by the two fire companies.
The board also discussed the following issues:
- A zoning officer assessed 1742A Thompson Ave. following a nuisance violation, and the property has been partially corrected to comply with the nuisance ordinance.
- Comcast will submit an application to expand broadband internet to North Annville Township.
- The Farmland Preservation Association sent a thank you letter for the township’s donation.
- Cleona Borough Police Chief Jeffrey J. Farneski reported that there were 43 incidents in North Annville Township in July. Farneski also said the department is set to hire new part-time, full-time and school resource officers, after which the number of officers patrolling North Annville Township will increase.
- The planning commission is still working on gun range plans.
- Annual road projects such as tar and chipping, paving, line painting and tree trimming are in the process of being completed.
- Motions to approve the July meeting minutes and treasurer’s report were unanimously approved.
- A motion to review and pay the township bills was unanimously approved.
The Board of Supervisors of North Annville Township meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Meetings are held in the Union Water Works Social Hall at 2875 Waterworks Way and are open to the public. Next month’s meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 11.
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