Heidelberg Township supervisors approve poultry house plan

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The Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a plan for a poultry house at 760 N. Market St. at its monthly meeting Tuesday, June 24.

The 60,000-square-foot poultry barn is expected to house 80,000 chickens in a 100-foot by 600-foot space. Chickens will be cage-free, but not free-range, a representative of the Nathan Zimmerman property said.

Supervisors confirmed the site, expected to be a one-man operation, will include a refrigeration unit for eggs and no bathroom facilities.

The board also unanimously agreed to defer a statement of deed restrictions and covenants, as a separate driveway to the facility goes through private land in a separate lot, though still owned by the Zimmermans. The surrounding area will continue to be used as farmland.

Supervisors approved the plan, stormwater facilities, and other documents for the development. Conditional use for the plan was previously granted by supervisors following a public hearing.

Several residents alleged Tuesday that they were not properly informed when developments or zoning changes were proposed for adjacent properties.

Kathy Smith of Distillery Road said that though the zoning hearing board (ZHB) recently convened to hear a variance request from the owners of the Mountain Trail Motel, she (a direct neighbor of the property) was not informed.

Dave Miller, of the same address on Distillery Road, said he was not consulted or given a chance to oppose the variance request.

Motel owners requested permission to use the highway commercial-zoned property to house a 21-unit 55+ housing development, which was granted in a 2:1 vote, supervisor Ted Cromleigh said. The township’s zoning officer was responsible for contacting neighbors, which Cromleigh said he believed he did.

Cromleigh and supervisor Paul Fetter disagreed with the decision made by the ZHB, and noted they sent township solicitor Amy Leonard to oppose the request at the meeting.

“We have a zoning hearing board that hands variances out like candy right now, and you have to have a hardship for a variance,” said Cromleigh. “They had no hardship for that, especially knowing the history.”

Cromleigh said he found the allegation that some neighbors did not receive notice troubling, saying he felt that with neighbor participation in the hearing the board may have ruled differently. He said supervisors would look into establishing a policy to send such notices by certified mail to ensure they do not get lost.

Over the years, neighbors have reported problems stemming from the motel ranging from trespassing to safety concerns at the motel. Smith alleged that while open, the motel reached a point of disrepair where the building had bullet-holes and broken glass.

Cromleigh said he shared Smith’s concerns, recalling the time spent cleaning up the property after the motel closed.

Though the variance has been approved, Cromleigh said a development plan would still need to obtain approvals including for water and sewer, as well as meeting zoning requirements for a senior housing development, including bring the building up to code.

“Working in the land development business, there’s no way they’re ever going to get approvals for that, from the state, from DEP,” said Cromleigh, speculating that the zoning request may have been a play by owners to increase the site’s sell value.

As it is still within 45 days of the ZHB meeting, which took place June 16, documentation on the meeting has not yet been made public. Leonard advised neighbors of the property to seek legal counsel regarding appealing the decision after the 45-day period is over.

Two neighbors of the planned 195-foot Department of Emergency Services communication tower by Valley View Road, which is now under construction, alleged that they were not informed the tower was being considered.

Read More: County Commissioners approve buying seven emergency communication towers (2024)

Though he said it is too late to appeal the approval, Fetter said he would look into potential certification of mail to neighboring properties for future developments.

In other news, supervisors:

• Directed the township manager to post a newly revised draft of the burning ordinance (including specifics about agricultural burning) to the township website, with plans to advertise it for a hearing next month.
• Unanimously approved the payment of $24,208.76 for a seal coat on township roads.
• Heard that the township’s printer service provider has informed them that they no longer will provide service to HP printers. Supervisors agreed to plan to purchase a new printer next year, as the printer is around five years old.
• Unanimously approved a resignation for the planning commission effective Dec. 31, with someone interested in filling the role starting the beginning of next year.
• Heard that the township’s previously used CPA audit firm is no longer performing audits and that other options are being considered.
• Unanimously agreed to make a donation of $770 to the Schaefferstown Activity Group, with the funds previously being donated by a local bank but not being able to be transferred to due lack of accounts by the nonprofit.
• Unanimously approved financial guaranties and agreements for multiple planned developments.
• Unanimously approved a time extension for the Titus Martin land development plan.
• Unanimously authorized the Park & Recreation committee to purchase a bronze plaque marking the Schaefferstown Historic District.
• Unanimously approved minutes and heard reports.

The Heidelberg Township Board of Supervisors meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the municipal building, 111 Mill Road. The next meeting will be held July 29.