Harrisburg, PA. Zoning Rule Would Help Wal-Mart, Group Says

Zoning rule change would help Wal-Mart, group says [Harrisburg Patriot-News]

Proposed changes to Carroll Twp.’s zoning ordinance pit township officials, who call them “a cleanup,” against a citizens group that calls them “mind-boggling.”

Most of the changes that will be discussed at Monday night’s public hearing deal with specific properties. But one potential change, closing what township officials call a “loophole” in the setback ordinance involving retention ponds and access roads, has drawn the ire of Carroll Citizens for Sensible Growth.

The group says the change is being made to accommodate plans for a Wal-Mart in the South Mountain Commons in the northern York County community.

Township manager Dianne Price said that when the organization sued the township over its approval of preliminary subdivision plans for the land, near routes 74 and 15, it uncovered an interpretation of the setback ordinance the township had not considered.

“We never intended for [retention ponds or access roads] to be considered structures, so we’re cleaning up the ordinance. It doesn’t move Wal-Mart forward,” Price said.

Price said if the ordinance isn’t changed, hundreds of buildings in the township would be in violation.

Deana Weaver of Carroll Citizens said she does not trust the township’s interpretation.

While the other changes up for discussion have been 10 months in the making, the change to the setback rule came after only a month’s discussion, and her group’s lawsuit, Weaver said.

The change “will benefit this one plan,” Weaver said, referring to Wal-Mart. “Will they go and change this law back once Wal-Mart is built? Rather than letting a judge decide what constitutes a structure, [the township says], ‘We’ll just decide what constitutes a structure.’ ”

The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. at the township building on Chestnut Grove Road. The regular meeting will follow at 6:30 p.m.

Posted by Corey Himrod on Monday, October 08, 2007