Amelia’s project on hold for water system

By: ALICE HUMMER Review Correspondent, Staff Writer

The proposed 138,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center approved for Amelia’s Grocery Outlet is on hold, East Cocalico Supervisors learned at their May 10th meeting.

Original plans called for a rooftop rainwater collection/recycling system that would provide water for domestic use and a fire suppression system.

"Due to the change of ownership, let’s allow them an time extension," the planning commission recommended, leading supervisors to grant Amelia’s an additional three months.

Addressing the East Cocalico Swim Team’s request for hanging banners at the pool, Mark Heister, Township manager, said, "I’ve talked to the road crew. We think we can make that work." Previously, supervisors had expressed some reservation with the largest sized banner, which is 4 feet by 8 feet.

Supervisors renewed their Local Bridges Engineering Agreement after consultation with transportation engineer, Scott Russell. The state will continue to inspect the bridges in the township, and the cost will be the usual 80/20 split, with the township assessed 20 percent. No money gets paid out for this.

"This happens only through a deduction in our liquid fuels tax amount before it is paid by the state to us," Heister said.

Land planning engineer Brent Lied recommended a 90-day time extension for the W.J. Crossroads Project, which supervisors granted.

"This project has been going on for a long time," Lied said. "We expect to see progress."

"This could be the last (extension)," supervisor chairman Doug Mackley said.

Supervisors granted what is known as "municipal concurrence" to the Macleod Minor Subdivision Plan, a two-lot project.

"The Macleod’s agreed to test for an alternative sewage system on their two lots," Lied explained. "Once done, and approved by the sewage enforcement officer, the plan would go to the Department of Environmental Protection. The township would then be asked to sign the DEP request for a planning waiver, pending all conditions set forth are met."

Supervisors approved a release of the remaining financial security deposit for the Onishchenko storm water plan, pending completion of the project as approved.

"Mr. Onishchenko has done a nice job," Lied said. "This property is at the top of Hill Road. The project involved removal of a modular home and construction of a house and driveway."

Also at the meeting, Tony Luongo, zoning officer, reported that the township cuts the grass at four homes which are in foreclosure.

"We are aware of two more homes, which may also need the same thing done," Luongo said. "We cut it monthly or as needed."

In other business, supervisors read a thank-you note from Robert and Anna Hershey, whose home in Stony Run had a tractor trailer run into it. The truck drifted across the road from an industrial site. The Hersheys thanked the fire company, police, ambulance personnel, township personnel and the constant checking on them by zoning officer Luongo.

The May 10 supervisors meeting was advertised and replaced the May 2 meeting. The next meeting is back to the regular schedule of May 16 at 7:30 pm. More WATER SYSTEM, page A10