Greene Township denies zoning change for apartment complex. Here's what happened.

More than 100 people applauded Wednesday evening as the Greene Township Board of Supervisors denied a zoning exception that would have paved the way for a 676-unit apartment complex to be built on Ragged Edge Road.

The developer, Metropolitan 4 LLC, was seeking a conditional use permit that would allow it to build 33 apartment buildings and amenities in an area that is zoned for single-family housing. The three township supervisors voted unanimously to deny the application after more than an hour of testimony and public comment at a public hearing at the Fayetteville Volunteer Fire Co.'s Social Hall.

Before the vote, Board Chairman Todd Burns listed a number of problems with Metropolitan 4's application and the site plan for the proposed complex. The township engineer, township planner and an engineer with the township municipal authority also described a number of issues during their testimony.

Among them were: Errors concerning the water and sewer providers; no information about the impact on traffic or how light and noise from the complex would affect the area; too few access points for regular traffic and emergency response vehicles and a lack of information about the roadways and parking lots; and errors regarding stormwater management. The application also did not include a land development plan, as required.

The Greene Township Planning Commission had previously recommended the supervisors deny the application.

An engineer who was at the hearing on behalf of Metropolitan 4, Paul Wood, repeatedly said he had no response to testimony or cross-examination. While the township supervisors were in an executive session to get legal advice before voting, he told a reporter that Metropolitan's "intention is to revise the plans" and had previously requested an extension to adjust the application.

Metropolitan 4's corporate office did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning. Metropolitan 4 has developed and manages apartment complexes around Pennsylvania.

Metropolitan 4 will have 30 days to file an appeal with the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.

Franklin County Board of Commissioners Chairman David Keller on Thursday said he supported the township's decision to deny the conditional use permit.

The commissioners previously came out against the proposed complex, saying the high-density housing would not align with the surrounding single-family neighborhoods and that the influx of residents and vehicles would negatively affect the area. They also said the project did not align with the county's comprehensive plan or the township's hazard mitigation plan, due to the complex's location within a flood zone.

Mike Ross, president of the Franklin County Area Development Corp., said there is a better place in Franklin County for an apartment complex such as this.

"The need for more workforce housing in the county is a high priority, however the project location coupled with its size and scope appears to exceed available infrastructure capacity," he said. "Moreover, the additional traffic volumes would significantly stress Ragged Edge Road. In evaluating potential options for redeveloping the Chambersburg Mall, given its proximity to I-81 and existing infrastructure as well as surrounding commercial and residential amenities, workforce housing developments such as 'Project 676' would be a natural fit."

Previous reporting:Guilford Hills residents upset about a big apartment complex proposed in Franklin County

Property owners slammed proposed project

Residents of the Guilford Hills neighborhoods organized against the conditional use permit in the weeks leading up to the public hearing. Signs reading "Stop 676" can be seen in yards around the area.

Several homeowners spoke during the public comment period.

Lloyd Beers said the complex would bring up to 1,700 new residents to the area and would be the "equivalent of a small town." He claimed Ragged Edge Road would become the "feeder route" to Interstate 81 and the Norland Avenue shopping area recommended by traffic apps, such as Google Maps.

He asked the supervisors to think about safety hazards, particularly for children, and to respect zoning law.

"Our homes represent sound investments and should never be bounded by depreciable structures under absentee corporate ownership that I suspect in the long run will cost the township much more than they will ever directly uncover," Beers said.

"The safety, integrity and the worth of North Guilford Hills neighborhoods depend on sound reasonable development based on respect for zoning, comprehensive plans demanding scientific calculations, impacts and measured development and growth."

Carol Seltzer said she and her husband, Brad, choose to live in the Guilford Hills neighborhood despite both working jobs with considerable commutes, to Dauphin and Cumberland counties and in Washington County, Md., and Washington, D.C.

A lawyer was at the public hearing representing Brad Seltzer, as he legally joined as a party in opposition to the conditional use permit application.

Iris Yu said she enjoys gardening in her backyard and is concerned about strangers in the complex being a threat to her safety.

"Should I buy a gun?" she said.

Yu also described living in an apartment complex when she lived in Montgomery County, Md., saying it appeared to be a tidy place in the front but there were often mounds of trash along the back.

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Other residents described how the apartment complex would negatively impact the time they spend with their grandchildren.

Karen Cobb said she has an autistic grandson who loves being in her backyard and watching the wildlife in the field behind their house. The apartment complex would ruin many things she and her family enjoy about their home.

"Our beautiful sky views," the peaceful quiet, and family barbecues will all be "gone," she said.

"Who wants to go out and see the back of three-story buildings 50 feet from our property? One after another after another after another."

More about the proposed complex

The apartment complex would sit about a half mile north of U.S. 30 on the west side of Ragged Edge Road, between Meadow Lane to the south and Summer Breeze Lane to the north. Most of the complex would be in between the neighboring developments of single-family homes, and a rear branch containing six buildings would sit adjacent to Westover Way and Heritage Road in the southern development.

This proposed complex would include a recreational area with a pool, clubhouse, sport court and a fire pit. There would also be private garages.

Amber South can be reached at asouth@publicopinionnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: Franklin County board denies zoning change for huge apartment complex