Last night (after the massive rain was over) residents gathered at Grace Baptist church on Marietta Pike to meet with Bob Krimmel, East Hempfield Township Manager. The subjects were the proposed development of the shopping center behind Toys ‘R Us and the new switchyard behind the post office on Harrisburg Pike. The switchyard is part of a redevelopment plan put forward by Franklin & Marshall to convert the existing switchyard in Dillerville into residential and business land.
Residents were universally concerned about any consequential increase in traffic along Farmingdale Road, which connects Harrisburg Pike to Marietta Ave. and Good Drive via Oreville Road. Mr. Krimmel did his best to answer questions, and maintained that no plans are currently before E. Hempfield for consideration. The properties in question are within Manheim Township boundaries, but border Barrcrest. Residents were concerned whether the F&M plan would ensure that no roadways would be blocked by moving the switchyard approx. 1 mile west. Now, when a train is being switched at Dillerville, the train actually closes Farmingdale Road due to it’s length. With the new switchyard even Rohrerstown Road could blocked, asserted several locals.
One resident felt that the proposed shopping center would “ruin” Longs Park, which is directly across the street. The center is purported to become the 2nd largest in the county, at around 700,000 sq. ft. Also, the existing farmhouse dates to the 1700’s and is a historic resource.
The meeting was cordial and the group decided to set meetings with F&M representatives and High Industries, who is proposing the shopping center. According to attendees, Manheim Township rezoned the shopping center land from Agricultural to enable the developer to move to the next step.
My take – It was great to meet the residents (my in-laws live in Barrcrest) and see them concerned about their neighborhood. With 3 municipalities intersecting right behind them it’s going to be tricky to make everyone happy in the coming year. IMHO, we don’t need another big shopping center. Every time we develop a piece of historic ground we erase a part of our heritage.