Potential Developments along the Gap
Three new developments are currently proposed within the Water Gap Two will definitely alter the beauty, water resources, congestion and overall quality of life of the region; and the third proposes to be a model for an ecologically and aesthetically sensitive residential development.
Details on the proposed developments:
Rockville Estates -- Marysville Borough
The developer is Yingst Homes. This project will build more than 300 single family homes on the north-facing slope of Blue Mountain, and will result in large swaths of forest removal and an extensive road system. Unfortunately, it may be too far into the planning stage to make any significant impact.
Issues still being discussed between the developer. the Marysville Borough, and adjacent landowners include: stormwater runoff concerns, natural areas left as open space, a hiking trail connection to the Darlington Trail on top of Blue Mountain, and the extreme safety hazard of the abandoned quarry wall next to Route 15.
Cove Mountain - Penn Township, Perry County
The Windsor Companies LLC of Freehold, NJ (www.windsorcos.com), announced their intention at the January 2006 Penn Township Supervisors’ meeting to construct a development on Cove Mountain. The property, which contains 1155 acres, currently belongs to J. Nevin White. The property borders on State Game Land 170 above Perdix. The primary contact for the Windsor Companies is David Meiskin.
Much of the property is covered by steep slopes (over 25% grade). Windsor’s original concept was for a Planned Residential Development (PRD) of 949 housing units. However, Penn Township does not have zoning for PRDs. The Township is now in the process of deciding whether or not to include PRD zoning in its ordinances. There are obviously several issues of concern surrounding this development, including:- Traffic on Routes 11/15
- Groundwater
- Stormwater runoff and erosion
- Municipal services (police, fire departments, EMTs)
- Loss of wildlife habitat
- Additional burden on local services resulting in higher taxes
River Ridge – Middle Paxton Township
The Vartan Group has proposed to build hundreds of homes on the south-facing side of Second Mountain in Middle Paxton Township. This is the mountain that is located just north of Blue Mountain. Second Mountain is bordered by Routes 22/322 and the river to the west, and by Fishing Creek Valley Road to the south and east. The top part of the mountain is within State Game Lands Number 211.
Ralph Vartan, son of the late John Vartan, is presently running the Vartan Group, and is very much interested in developing the property in such a way as to dramatically minimize ecological and aesthetic impacts that often result with housing developments on forested slopes. His vision is to create a model that would attract notice from other states and serve to inspire more ecologically-sensitive home building.
No specific plan has been developed yet, but CPC and other members of the Susquehanna Water Gap Coalition will continue to meet and work with the Vartan Group and assist in any way possible to help minimize impacts to this very important part of the Susquehanna Water Gap viewshed.
