Earl supervisors OK farm owner's proposed rezoning petition
When: Earl supervisors meeting, Sept. 19.
What happened: Supervisors accepted a petition from the Estate of Eugene S. Eberly, 607 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, for a proposed rezoning that offers potential for residential development on an old family farm on the edge of town.
Background: Dwight Yoder, Gibbel, Kraybill & Hess LLC, Lancaster, attorney for the Eberly Estate, presented the petition to amend the 81.84-acre farm from the agricultural zoning district to medium density residential district.
Second request: The estate sought a zoning amendment from agricultural to residential at a township hearing on March 4. The request was denied by the supervisors.
Residential versus medium-density residential: Residential includes single-family homes, apartments, co-ops and condos and more such as how many structures can be built on a property. Medium-density residential allows a mix of housing types, including multi-unit rowhouses and multi-unit dwellings up to four stories tall.
Next step: Following a review of the zoning application by the township and Lancaster County planning commissions, the supervisors will evaluate their recommendations. After consideration, the township will advertise a public hearing for possibly a December township meeting.
Township building: Supervisors approved an updated contract with Gordian Job Order Contracting, Greenville, South Carolina, for construction of a 5,525-square-foot pole building for township storage at a cost of $501,803.13. It will be constructed on the site of the former storage barn, between the administration and maintenance buildings.
Equipment: Supervisors approved an additional cellphone line for the road department from Verizon to be included in the 2025 budget at an approximate cost of $515 per year.
