Jackson Twp. supervisors hold executive session for warehouse litigation

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The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors adjourned its Oct. 6 meeting before heading into an executive session to discuss pending litigation from Leed Equities Group LLC.

Executive sessions are closed to the public, but any action has to occur during a public meeting.

Solicitor Paul Bametzreider said Leed Equities is appealing three of the township’s decisions regarding proposed warehouses at 50 S. Ramona Road — its adoption of a warehouse ordinance, the administrative denial of the subdivision plan application, and the township’s rejection of the subdivision plan.

The initial application and plan to build several warehouses on the Ramona Road property was submitted on May 16, Bametzreider said at the July 21 meeting. On May 19, supervisors approved an ordinance regulating warehouses and truck terminals in the township and then rejected the warehouse application on May 27.

Leed Equities’ representation was at the first July meeting to explain their decision to appeal the board’s rejection, questioning the ordinance process and saying it seemed to target the plan for the Ramona Road project. Jackson Township officials have denied this assertion and upheld the denials.

Read More: Jackson Twp. upholds warehouse rejection in agreement with residents

The warehousing proposal saw months of public comments disagreeing with the possible development on the plot, though no one spoke on the topic at the Oct. 6 meeting. Common concerns regarded the nearby Jackson Elementary School, environmental impacts, and increased heavy truck traffic.

Bametzreider said the timeline for litigation isn’t fully solidified yet. A status conference regarding one of the complaints is scheduled for December.

“I’m feeling great,” Bametzreider said before the executive session. “The township has strong arguments.”

In other business, supervisors:

• Heard an update about its potential data center ordinance. They expect to have a draft completed for the second October meeting so they can vote to advertise it.
• Voted to pay $950 to the Humane Society of Lebanon County for the 19 dogs from the township cared for by the shelter.
• Denied a request from Norfolk Southern requesting a fire hydrant tax exemption.
• Discussed putting up a sign at Lakeside Park. The proposed idea would have cost around $1,500 for a backhoe boom, backhoe stick, and loader bucket, but supervisors tabled the discussion to get more information.
• Renewed the township’s USAble Life benefits at an increase of $2.06 per month.
• Talked about updating the solicitors and peddlers ordinance and increasing the related fees. Zoning officer Donald Gettle said many people walking door to door throughout the township aren’t getting the proper permits. He said he has heard from residents that they’re experiencing aggressive solicitors.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors will meet next at 60 N. Ramona Road on Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m.