Swatara commissioners set to vote on proposed warehouse complex off 322

Hundreds of people who have opposed the idea of constructing a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse complex in Swatara Township off Route 322 could find out Monday where commissioners stand on the project’s future.

A special meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. at the Swatara Township Board of Commissioner’s administrative building, 599 Eisenhower Boulevard. Commissioners are expected to cast their votes on a request for a conditional use permit, a first step in defining the scope of the project on this property.

Mushroom Hill, LLC, a group of investors from Conshohocken-based CRG Integrated Real Estate Solutions, wants to build the complex on 165 acres. It would include four buildings that span three zones, including one that doesn’t allow for warehouses without commissioners’ approval.

President Thomas Connolly said the commissioners held an executive session Feb. 5, where they were presented final testimony and evidence. All parties, for or against, had until the day before that to submit their findings.

“It’s hundreds of pages,” Connolly said. “I’m in the process of reviewing the facts. Once that’s done, we have until Monday to make a decision.”

Commissioners are required to take a vote within 45 days of the closing of the public hearing. The hearing began in October and was continued three times. It ended on Jan. 15.

“I feel comfortable to vote,” Connolly said. “We’ll take the time to review the evidence and make a decision. There are multiple things that can happen. There is no actual vote on whether or not I personally want or do not want warehouses in Swatara.

“If the township doesn’t take the opportunity to place conditions on this project, then the [developer] could proceed and build the warehouse without conditions. Our job is to protect the residents and the township more so than the developer.”

Throughout the public hearing, commissioners heard a litany of concerns. Each of the four public hearings was packed with people who protested the project. Not one person spoke in favor of it.

Business owners, Central Dauphin School District and residents asked commissioners to include a long list of conditions that ranged from environmental demands to when the trucks are allowed to idle in the warehouse’s parking lot.

Eric Epstein, who is part of Swatara Action Team, filed his final testimony, which emphasized there is not enough information in it for the commissioners to make a sound decision. Swatara Action Team mobilized shortly after learning of the proposed project to educate themselves about it as well as figure out how to legally fight it.

“CRG’s application is deficient on its face and should be rejected,” Epstein said. “The proposal is general, vague and without substantiation. CRG’s submission lacks evidence, facts, and supporting documentation. The proposal is also procedurally deficient. Specifically, the Traffic Study is premature, out of order, and relies on dated material.”

Frank Petkunas, of CRG Integrated Real Estate Solutions, has said Mushroom Hill hasn’t identified a tenant yet, but the idea is to offer the space to “companies that specialize in consumer, nondurable products.” The hope is to create 300 to 400 jobs, he said.

But, that information hasn’t satisfied nearby neighbors of the project. Epstein maintains that CRG’s 17 exhibits that explain the purpose of Mushroom Hill’s project are weak.

“One promotional brochure; a purchase agreement; three biographies; three deed searches without due diligence; three site plans that lack details; four traffic, and transportation surveys approved by nobody, based on outdated information, and at odds with approved planning documents,” Epstein said. “The proposal is also procedurally deficient. Specifically, the Traffic Study is premature, out of order, and relies on dated material.”

Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.