Union Township approves waivers for controversial steel warehouse project

This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.

The Union Township Board of Supervisors approved several waivers for the proposed PA Jonestown Steel Grid Warehouse at 3217 State Route 72 construction despite some residents expressing their disagreement at the Aug. 13 meeting.

The approved waivers mean the development will not have curbs or sidewalks, will have a combined preliminary and final land development plan, will widen Wolfe Lane to 28 feet rather than the typically required 34 feet, and will use a DEP-approved alternative for groundwater recharge.

Resident Tammy Boltz said if they want to build in the township, they should complete everything that’s required.

“As far as I’m concerned, I want them to have to hit everything — no waivers for them,” she said. “If they want to build up here that badly, they can do what they have to do.”

Supervisor Kerry McCrary responded to Boltz, saying the planning commission voted to recommend these waivers.

Throughout the public comment period, other residents jumped in to discuss the area’s 2023 rezoning, which changed about six acres of land from agricultural to industrial. One portion of the property was originally zoned agricultural, while the larger portion was zoned industrial. The first rezoning was approved by the board, township supervisor Brent McFeaters said, when there wasn’t much community backlash.

Editor’s note: McCrary later asked LebTown to emphasize that he voted against the initial rezoning.

When additional neighboring acres were proposed to be rezoned in January 2024, McFeaters said the room was full of about 100 residents who disagreed. That proposal was shot down.

McFeaters said if the same public response attended the first rezoning meeting, the property likely wouldn’t be industrial today.

“The residents were here to stand up for what they thought was right, and that one got shot down,” he said. “I think if there would have been 100 people here for this one, I don’t think that would have been approved, either. It’s too late now at this point.”

He estimated the warehouse is probably about a year to a year and a half away from breaking ground, with the biggest holdup being a requested permit from PennDOT.

In other business, supervisors: 

• Voted to repave the township’s salt shed for $18,400 from Nolt Paving.
• Authorized the solicitor to advertise the draft Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance for a public hearing at September’s meeting.
• Approved a 148-day time extension for Marlin Champ’s stormwater management plan. The township is waiting for financial security and plan approval of related agreements.
• Approved a 90-day time extension for BL Companies as they wait for plan revisions.
• Approved a waiver for a stormwater management plan for Off Road Realty LLC. They then approved the stormwater management plan.

The Union Township Board of Supervisors will have its next regular monthly meeting at 3111 PA-72 on Sept. 10 after the 6:30 p.m. sewer meeting.