Washington Township briefs

June 20, 2006|by JENNIFER FITCH

Development's first phase approved

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Forty-nine single-family houses in the first phase of Spring Run Estates won final approval from the Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors on Monday, along with a provision allowing Accent Developers LLC to only base coat internal roads headed into the winter months.

That move is designed to reduce damage from construction vehicles.

"We've always required them to finish the road, but they wanted to try this," Township Manager Mike Christopher said.

The 180-unit Ryan Homes development will be built along Washington Township Boulevard east of Gehr Road. The Washington Township Planning Commission had recommended disapproval of the plans over concerns about a couple panhandle lots, but it was determined those homes front Gehr Road.

Farmer given OK for chicken barn

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Washington Township, Pa., farmer Lamar Horst was given permission by Washington Township Supervisors Monday night to construct a new chicken barn on his Tick Ridge Road property, providing him with a facility to raise chickens that roam freely across the floor.

He said he received a request from Lehman's Egg Service of Greencastle, Pa., for eggs from free-roaming chickens.

"Currently they are buying (those) eggs from Wisconsin," he said.

Only one neighboring property owner commented on Horst's plans and said he has never been bothered by the smell from Horst's operations.

"We're under state regulation on nutrient management," Horst said.

Residents concerned about subdivision plan

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Several residents addressed the Washington Township (Pa.) Supervisors on Monday with concerns about an 18-lot subdivision proposed on Pennersville Road in Blue Ridge Summit, Pa.

The residents said the 6.31-acre property adjoins an area deemed wetlands by the Army Corps of Engineers. Those 6.31 acres should also be considered wetlands, they said.

The proposal from developer Thomas Mongold of Mercersburg, Pa., won conditional approval from the township planning commission earlier this month.

"We'll definitely be visiting the property," Supervisor Carroll Sturm said.

The township is awaiting a report from the Army Corps of Engineers, Township Manager Mike Christopher said.

"We'll request it tomorrow and see how fast they can get it (to us)," he said Monday night.

"I just think this wasn't deeply studied, and it's a disaster. This can be preserved for future generations," said Thomas Halligan of Pennersville Road.

Supervisor John Gorman said he is "just really surprised the corps didn't declare that wetland," commenting that the area is known to be marshy and wet.

The land is zoned low-density residential.

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