Residents in Penn Township, Pa., are fighting a self-storage development proposed for a portion of a 17-plus-acre area currently zoned for residential. The land owner, David Ziats, is requested a rezoning of 7 acres of the parcel to develop a self-storage facility in phases. Dozens of people attended the zoning hearing on Dec. 9 to voice their concerns regarding the property along Route 274, according to the source. A petition with more than 130 signatures in opposition to the rezoning was presented at the meeting.

The proposal was first discussed at an Oct. 29 meeting, which also drew crowds of opponents, the source reported. Residents told board members they’re concerned a self-storage facility will lower their property value and cause light pollution. They’re also worried that long-term vehicle parking would be “unsightly.”

The parcel includes wooded and nonwooded areas, according to Ziats' engineer, Robert Shaffer. Ziats is requesting a zoning change for the nonwooded parcel only, Shaffer said during the meeting. Susan Kistler, who owns property near the proposed development, said it would be illegal for the board to rezone just the 7 acres.

During the meeting, Shaffer said screen fences or vegetation could be added to shield neighboring properties from the facility’s lights. He also said commercial property mixed with residential is not uncommon and cited commercial zoning east of the property. Shaffer noted the current residential zoning allows for the development of schools, churches and cemeteries, all of which produce more traffic than self-storage.

Township solicitor Richard Wagner said concerns about lights and other development details were not appropriate for the rezone meeting.

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