© 2007 by Joel Buckley
There are a number of recent events that may provide clues as to possible planning with regard to holdings of the Hershey Trust in Conewago Township.
Purchase of Sewer Capacity: On August 8, 2007, the Hershey Trust Company (Trustee of Milton Hershey School), the Conewago Municipal Authority, the Conewago Township Board of Supervisors, and the Derry Township Municipal Authority approved an agreement providing for the purchase by the Trust of 110 EDUs of sewer capacity in the new Conewago Rt 743 sewer extension for $704,000. 110 EDUs of sewer capacity is equivalent to that used by 110 single family homes. Click here to see the Trust Sewer Purchase Agreement.
The sewer extension goes from Ridge Road, Old Hershey Road and Rt 743 to the DTMA collector at Jacob's Creek. The purchased capacity may be used in Derry Township, or in Conewago township near Derry Township, or on either side of 743 south of the elementary school, or by any Trust holdings now or in the next 30 years. There is an unusual provision that states the Trust may get a refund if Conewago approves higher density development than current zoning allows to connect to the sewer extension.
Rezoning Request: On September 5, 2007, representatives of the Hershey Trust Company (Trustee of Milton Hershey School) appeared at a Comprehensive Plan meeting and asked the committee to consider creating a new zoning classification for about 200 acres of Trust land in the northern part of the township. Click here to see the proposed Trust Zoning change. The Proposed Zoning was termed Eleemosynary which means for charitable purposes. This 200 acres represents a fraction of the Trust's land holdings in Conewago Township (estimated at 1500 acres). When asked if they intended to request any zoning changes for their other holdings, the trust representatives said they were satisfied with the current zoning for their other holdings in the township.
Land Acquisitions: I hesitate to even report this because it is little more than rumor, but I have received unconfirmed reports that the Trust may be in negotiations to acquire additional land in Conewago township.
No Current Plans: Trust representatives stated that notwithstanding the sewer capacity purchase and rezoning request, they had no current plans to develop their Conewago land holdings.