People in Fairview Township, York County are celebrating after the Township’s Board of Supervisors voted to prevent future warehouses from being built in their backyards.
This stems from a withdrawn proposal this past summer that would have put a one million square foot trucking facility just mere footsteps away from the back porches of nearby homes.
The Fairview Township Board of Supervisors voted to remove a conditional use provision from the zoning ordinance.
In laymen terms — no warehouses, distribution centers, and wholesale stores are allowed in all commercially zoned business districts in Fairview Township.
And for most, this hits home and saves thousands of dollars.
“I’m at the point where I’m kind of thinking of downsizing and I wanted to be able to get the money for my property that has increased over time,” says Melva Smith, of Fairview Township.
People who live in Fairview Township say they’re not against building, but they say that a one million square foot facility should be off the list forever.
“We’re not anti development we’re just anti bad development and this was a bad idea.” says Jonathan Greer, of Fairview Township.
Fairview resident, John Rogers, says he’s glad the board and the community could put politics aside and reach this decision.
“I’ve seen them really put that olive branch out and reach out to us and I see good things going forward and I’m really pleased with the progress that’s been made,” says Rogers.
But board members say this was only half the argument.
Another set of amendments would include warehouses to be barred from the entire township, and not just commercially zoned business districts.
A battle they’re not sure they’re ready for.
“Everything’s going up, taxes are going up, and they don’t want their taxes to go up however we don’t have that much money coming in so we have to look at areas within the township that hopefully we can build and develop,” says Board Supervisor, John Minito.
The second set of amendments will be looked at in the next few months.
But residents feel they’ve already won and plan on sending those “No Trucking Terminal” signs to Carlisle where they say the town is fighting a very similar battle.