SPRINGETTSBURY TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- A proposed shopping center in York County is stirring up some controversy. The developer hopes to have the roughly 12-acre site in Springettsbury Township rezoned and turned into a walking destination.
Spring Lane LLC bought the land and is now working to get it zoned to highway commercial, with town center overlay. Township Supervisor Mark Swomley said the plan is to put in a Lidl Grocery Store and other retail attractions. "With the tremendous amount of housing, this would be a prime location for people to easily go to a grocery store, a restaurant, maybe a hair salon," said Swomley.
But the old Modernaire Motel and three historic houses that sit on East Market Street are not in the plans. Resident Jane Heller is fighting to stop them from being torn down. "It is a classic property that needs to be kept and maintained for future generations of this county, so they understand the history," said Heller.
The Modernaire Motel was built in 1949. Bloomingdale, one of the three historic homes, belonged to the Weiser family, who were prominent when the township was created.
Heller believes that re-purposing the existing properties would be a better option and questions whether the township needs another shopping center. "We have empty stores all over this area. Unfortunately, the township pays no attention to the realities of failing stores, and simply wants the developer to come in, and tear these down, and put in more stores. When they fail in five years, then we're stuck with that," said Heller.
Swomley said they are taking everything into consideration and even tabled a vote to further consider the issues. "We're considering traffic, that's a major issue. We are considering the makeup of the community and the concerns of the residents. As we always have to, we try to cut through the emotions of the issue and get to the legality," he said.
A tentative vote on whether the land can be re-zoned is set for November 18, 2015. The Township has 60 days to decide. "In any case something needs to be done on this corner. Rezoning is a very good option for the township, but, the jury is still out," said Swomley.