Letterkenny zoning approved

The zoning plan limits heavy industrial development to 44.5 percent of the land, although light industrial development could occupy up to 89 percent of the civilian enclave. A minimum of 11 percent would have to be developed as highway commercial businesses.

An earlier zoning plan would not have set limits on heavy industrial development in the multi-use zone. That was one reason about 550 township residents formed Citizens for Multi-District Zoning of Letterkenny Army Depot.

"Our group isn't against jobs and development, we just want it done nicely," said Frederic G. Antoun Jr., the attorney for the group.

Antoun said the original plan could have allowed the entire area to be developed for heavy industrial use.

"I think we have a very workable plan here," Supervisor Dave Jamison said. The final zoning plan was endorsed by the township and Franklin County planing commissions and LIDA.

There is an area reserved for highway commercial businesses along the perimeter of the depot, as well as a residential zone where the Kenny Gardens military housing complex is located.

While the amended zoning and development ordinances take effect next Monday, the zoning won't apply until the Army relinguishes title to the land.

That won't take place all at once. Some of the land has soil and groundwater pollution that has to be cleaned up before its turned over to LIDA.

Pam Gaudiose, the executive director of LIDA, has said that the Army may be ready to turn over 239 acres by April.