I've been following the drama over in Manor Township with some interest. To summarize, Wheatfield Developers has been pursuing permission to rezone a 132-acre tract (which it purchased in 2001 for $1.2 million) from high density to "medium density", which means about 2 homes per acre. It wants to put 230 single family homes on the land, which is the Haverstick farm along Donnerville Road.
The developer's attorney has been pursuing the rezoning for some time now, and there are citizens who are concerned about "high density" and what it means to their property values. The developer has even threatened that if the rezoning is not approved, a "trailer park" might be pursued as a conditional use. Talk about bullying!
Anyway, the township has stood firm in denying the rezoning, concerned that the developer would then "flip" the property with it's enhanced value. Township officials are wary of the PR fallout on both sides of the issue. One was quoted as saying that he doesn't want to part of "another board of supervisors that are real friendly with developers."
With the adoption of the "Growing Together" Comprehensive Plan by the LIMC, which Manor Township is part of, high-density has become a center-county reality. Manor Township planning officials know this. 1/2+ acre homesites are going the way of the dodo. What's needed at this juncture is an education program for the residents to explain what their township agreed to with the comprehensive plan. Should Wheatfield be given their rezoning? Not in this observer's opinion.
For Lancaster Online Articles on the subject click here. We'll see what happens next...
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