Milton Hershey faces fight over re-zoning in Dauphin County
Photo by Ben Allen/witf
Nora Blair, resident of South Hanover Township, says she’s concerned a rezoning would mean higher taxes for the rest of the township.
(Hummelstown) — South Hanover Township, Dauphin County is considering whether to grant Milton Hershey School’s request to rezone 200 acres, while residents are concerned about the impact on property taxes and open space.
The move to eleemosynary school campus district zoning would take the former golf course in South Hanover Township off the tax rolls.
Milton Hershey wants to put 32 homes for middle school students at the site, just north of another student development.
At a public meeting Thursday night, representatives from the school argued a single campus would be best for students.
But Nora Blair from South Hanover Township says she’s lost trust in the Hershey Trust because of past history.
“And I was at the hearings in 2005. They told us the golf course would remain a buffer. Now it’s not. They told us that all other land in South Hanover would stay on the tax rolls. Now they want to take it off.”
Other speakers say they support Milton Hershey Trust’s mission, but there are better places to put homes for 32 students.
“I don’t have any confidence. We’ve lost all confidence on what the Trust tells us based on past history. They do good, but they’re not doing good for us. They’re not being good neighbors to us,” says Blair.
A group called the Concerned Citizens of South Hanover Township has also been in existence since 2013, fighting against the re-zoning proposal.
Milton Hershey School says its reached a preliminary agreement with the Lower Dauphin School District to replace any lost property tax revenue.
Blair isn’t convinced such a move could stand up to a court challenge from Hershey alumni.
The South Hanover Township supervisors pushed off a decision until all who wanted to speak could do so, and plan another public meeting.
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