Jackson Township approves property for agricultural security area

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

Following a public hearing on Feb. 2, the Jackson Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution adopting an agricultural security area agreement for land belonging to Raymond B. and Esther Mae Zimmerman.

The site, approximately 48.29 acres, is at 411 Race Road, Richland.

Solicitor Megan Ryland Tanner presented Resolution 020226-1A, outlining that the land in the proposed area “is conducive to agricultural production and is beneficial to the preservation of agricultural land in this township.”

Agricultural security areas (ASA) are a voluntary designation made by landowners and voted upon by municipalities to declare the land will be used for agricultural purposes. Being enrolled in a township ASA is also one of the requirements to qualify for the Lebanon County Conservation District’s farmland preservation program.

In other business, supervisors:

• Approved a waiver request for the Lester and Janet Huber subdivision plan to delay a water feasibility report until there would be plans in place to develop the land. “The plan is basically subdividing the northern piece of the parent tract – that is the commercially zoned section of the property – from the balancing property which is agricultural,” explained engineer Steve Sherk. “There is no intention to do anything with the property, so they’re asking to delay that water feasibility until they would submit a plan for that.”
• Approved 90-day time extensions for a Brubaker Properties LLC parking expansion and the Dean Nolt AG Operation land development plan.
• Sherk noted general permits have been submitted for a planned culvert replacement on North Ramona Road. They are waiting on the wetlands report from Vortex Environmental along with signed agreements from adjoining property owners for the planned culvert replacement on Flanagan Road.
• Approved authorization of Jackson Township maintaining the 12 streetlights in the Rolling Hills development.
• Declined giving toward an America 250 Parade support request.
• Approved giving $250 to the Lebanon County Tire Collection.
• Approved 2026 paving contracts with tentative plans to open bids in March and begin paving after the end of the school year.

The Jackson Township Board of Supervisors will meet next on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at 60 N. Ramona Road. The public is welcome to attend.