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| Bill Hoffman spoke for most TOA residents |
People like Bill Hoffman feel they were misled about the warehouses going in across the street during a 2012 zoning hearing for dimensional variances for two "flex" buildings, structures that can be used for multiple commercial purposes, on Jaindl Boulevard, directly across the street from the TOA development.
At that time, Project Engineer Kenneth Horvath assured both the Zoning Hearing Board and the public that the visual impact of the $25 million project would be minimal because the land slopes down away from the TOA development. Standing on Jaindl Boulevard, he said the see the top 10-15' of these 38-40' high buildings would be visible. From inside the TOA development, only the tops of these buildings would be visible.
"The feeling is that we were really misled," stated Hoffman, who worried that this will diminish property values. He said a prospective buyer would "look to the left, see a massive warehouse and keep on driving by."
"You were not misled," Township Manager Jay Finnigan told Hoffman. He explained that the actual height of the buildings is two feet lower than they could be under the approved plans.
Though Hoffman and other residents made clear that they understand that removing these buildings is unrealistic, they asked that measures be taken to reduce the visual impact. Township Engineer Jim Milot assured residents that he would look into the matter and present several suggestions at the next meeting on April 12.
The Traditions of America development along Jaindl Boulevard is surrounded by land slated for eventual commercial development. Developer David Jaindl has previously explained that he actually planned for a residential community next to a planned industrial business district. "It's smart growth," he said in 2012 when the zoning variances were heard. "Live here, work here, shop here."
One person who never got that message is Richard Brand, of Betsy Ross Circle. He stated that he and others were assured by TOA that "nothing is planned" when he made his purchase in 2012. "We were totally misled by TOA," he insisted. "Hanover is a great place," he said. "We love it. But we are being surrounded byand our quality of life is deteriorating. We need some help."
No TOA representatives were on hand to dispute Brand.
Resident Ron Coleman added that idling tractor trailers wake him up at night. "It's unreasonable," he insisted.
"Our community is up in arms about this," added Hoffman. Noting that residents pay for their own snow shoveling and street work, he believes the Township should try to d=find a solution. He's unahppy at buffering because it takes trees twenty years to mature.
Typical Finnegan arrogance. Tough luck to the residents. The inside players always win in Hanover.
ReplyDeleteSo he arrogant by stating a fact? Please.
DeleteThe big box sticks way up in the air. The toa residents have a right to be upset, they were told you wouldn't see it, the first buildout that was true but the second phase is really close and an eye sore
ReplyDeleteThis is a sad story as now these homeowners may be stuck with a financial loss.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget the albatross to the west also
ReplyDeleteWait until the 6-7 million square feet of warehouses being built now in Lower Nazareth brings more tractor trailers on Jaindl Drive.
ReplyDeleteTOA built in a commercial area. Looks like the 200 plus homeowners never did their research.
I bought a home next to huge parcels of lands zoned Commercial Center and Planned Industrial/Business Park and now I see the top of a warehouse and hear trucks!!! Waaaaaahh! Me and my buddy, who bought a house next to an airport and now constantly hears airplanes, are both going to our Townships to complain!
ReplyDeleteSomeone call the waaaaaaaaambulance! Classic case of buyer beware.
ReplyDelete"Typical Finnegan arrogance.
ReplyDeleteD=Someone who detests Finnigan and never spells his name correctly is alaeways looking for an opportunity to take a shit, even at 5:02 am.
Here's the deal. I was there. Finnigan was blunt, as he always is, but was by no means arrogant. In fact, he made every effort to be respectful to these homeowners, and in advance of the meeting, personally checked on whether the building height was within what was permitted under the plan. It is.
The ZHB minutes from 2012, as well as my own report, indicate that Kevin Horvath, an engineer, predicted that there would be no visual impact. My guess is that he had no intention of misleading anyone, and made his prediction based on the landscaping that would act as a buffer. He is a professional engineer, and i have watched him for many years. He has always displayed personal integrity, and would never lie in a community where he lived and grew up. It will take a few years for the landscaping to act as a complete buffer, and that is the problem. We are an instant gratification society and want everything right away. So the Twp engineer will look to see if something else can be done to help these residents.
The TOA land was originally zoned for commercial use. It asked to be changed to residential, knowing it would be next to something more perfidious than an important bird area. Jaindl told me this is smart growth. Anyone who did their homework should have known they were buying property that is surrounded by commercial uses.
I am sorry that Brand feels he was misled by TOA, but in fairness to TOA, I would want to hear from them before reaching that conclusion. I might have my differences with them over Green Pond, and recognize they are in business to make money, but Brand is only one side of the story.
I also doubt very much that the visual impact of these warehouses will detract from property values in a very secluded development.
Another example of NIMBY. Sorry residents, you're back yard was always to be commercial buildings. Government is not responsible to fix this issue.
ReplyDeleteThe growing trend is to have residential and commercial within eyeshot of each other. There are many business/residential/retail combination areas in Montgomery & Chester Counties. It allows for you to be in your own little world. You live, work, and shop all in a concentrated area; no need to visit the rest of the outside world, because your job has you working 75 hours a week, and you have no time to leave your neighborhood. TOA was just following the trend.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem with following the trend is that many of the people who live in that development don't work nearby. They all hop on 78 and go East.
ReplyDeleteAnd they all tell you that's not the way they did it where they came from. Go back please!!!
DeleteAnd they all tell you that's not the way they did it where they came from. Go back please!!!
DeleteHey they should be THANKFUL AND GRACIOUS! t could be a landfill or a trash transfer station there! You bought it and didn't do your homework. Jut because so and so said.. doesn't mean it aint gonna be! Now put the for sale sign in the front yard and move out NIMBY!
ReplyDeletePAVE GREEN POND
ReplyDeleteThis is the problem that arises when one does not have the money to control all they see.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I took a tour maybe five years ago. The project was in the building stage. We saw the proximity to the commercial development, and looked at the price tag...we did not buy.
ReplyDeleteVOR
Maybe TOA should adopt the Trump solution and add another 10 ft. to the wall surrounding their gated community. Why they are at it, they should dig a moat around their precious compound and fill it with Gators. They tried to escape the unwashed urban masses by fleeing to suburbia. And now they are surrounded by warehouses and noisy trucks spewing diesel pollution. Livin' the dream!
ReplyDeleteThese utopians moved into a "community" insolated from the rest of society. They now have their anal rules and regulations governed by associations run by wannabe politicians. Why anyone in a free society would want to live under another layer of authority is beyond belief. But they are willing to compromise their freedoms to live in an environment of peace and quiet. How did that work out for you now that you are surrounded by mammouth warehouses and noisy truck traffic?
ReplyDelete