For those of you new to what's a stake, here's an overview
2019
Duke organization appeared
January
Group started contacting landowners in our community in and around site in question.
2020
Duke filed with PA Orphans Court to disinter remains buried in Kemp Cemeter
June 19
This re-Revolutionary war burial site includes an Army Captain, a slave, and other members of the Kemp family who farmed this land for years.
Maxatawny Community Coalition was formed
October
(aka: MCC)
MCC requests a professional Community Planner to be retained by township
October
The Duke Realty project will profoundly alter Maxatawny Township’s landscape and has the potential to radically impact its culture, history, and quality of life. Duke’s project is a behemoth in such a relatively small and rural township, and in light of the project’s size, scale and complexity, professional planning expertise is required. Such a professional planner should provide guidance to the township’s boards and committees, ensure local oversight, and be a constant and capable advocate.
Door-to-Door signings of a petition began
October
MCC galvanized the Maxatawny community at large by gathering signatures for the "no warehouse" initiative.
No Warehouse yard-sign campaign began
October
The 1st yard sign planted 10/5 lead to hundreds more to be installed throughout our community's residents/business owners' properties.
MCC sent a letter to Maxatawny Township's Planning Commission comittee.
December
No response from township nor this committee
MCC sent a letter to Maxatawny Township's Zoning Hearing Board committee.
December
No response from township nor this committee
MCC sent a letter to Maxatawny Township's Zoning Officer.
December
No response from township nor this officer.
2021
MCC sent 3 follow-up letters to Maxatawy Township's committees (see above)
January
No response from township nor its committees.
Petition filed saves the Kemp Cemetery
Jan 25th
This ancient burial site, nestled in the farmland in question, was at risk for desecration.
The Hottenstein Mansion
date
Mansion's ownership made a deal with Duke: (may not oppose them) despite the risk felt by the community that it could be shaken apart by increased road traffic vibration.
MCC retained an attorney who sent a letter to Maxatawny Township.
February
Township replied via email (3 months for a response? That is unprofessional)
Maxatawny Township BOS votes for approval of Duke's preliminary Plan
June
Community feedback and response "we do not want a giant warehouse nor massive commercial complex in our community" were not heeded.
Appeal filed against BOS approval of Duke Preliminary Plan
July 9
This appeal was denied by Judge Rowley on Nov. 29, 2021. Judge Rowley retired on or around Dec. 16, 2021 without writing an opinion.
Appeal filed in Common Pleas Court against Judge Rowley's decision.
Dec 21
Common Pleas Court sends Appeal to Commonwealth Court with no opinion written to support Judge Rowley's opinion.
2022
Duke and Land Owners Request Commonwealth Court to Expedite Case.
February
Reply Brief in Support of Joint Application for Relief Seeking Expedited Briefing Schedule and Disposition of Appeal, is stricken as unauthorized by the Commonwealth Court, March 3, 2022..
What's next in our legal battle to stop the warehouse
August
What's Next? The PA Commonwealth Court to decide whether or not and when to hear arguments. This ruling could take until end of the year. Thus far, the court has ruled against Duke Realty’s request to expedite the case.
Status of our legal battle to stop the warehouse
July
MCC's fforts to stop the warehouse project proposed for Rt 222 and Hottenstein Rd continue: Our case is before Commonwealth Court of PA. Appeal, is stricken as unauthorized by the Commonwealth Court, March 3, 2022. Supporting brief filed on behalf of appellants by the law firm the MCC has retained. This brief was well-written, well-researched presentation of the facts. Duke Realty due 7/24 to file thir supporting brief.
Rutters - may not be a quick place to stop?
June
Rutters opened at Rt 222 and Long Lane in April, and already our community is feeling negative impact: Long Lane and Rt 222 (both North and Southbound) are constantly conjested due to volume of traffic and bad traffic light timing. Many complaints have been called into Maxatwany Township. Also, a lack of proper road signage is enabling illegal truck traffic on restricted roadway: Long Lane.
Tractor trailers jacknive at this interestion including one: June 4th.
Duke Realty being bought by global trucking real estate firm
May
Prologis proposed on May 10th to acquire Duke Realty; Prologis is a global logistics real estate firm. In June, this all-stock merger was confirmed. What this means for our community’s struggle to stop warehouse development, we are not sure yet. Florez Trucking at the May township meeting sought a variances waiver for a trucking-hub facility they’d like to build in a residential community (corner of Rt 22 2 and Kline’s Corner) including 24/7 trucks coming/going/storing and excessive noise fro
Backroom land brokering?
April
Our Township Solicitor Lee Stinnett works for Salzmann Hughes the law firm that represents West Hanover Township. Salzmann Hughes just brokered a deal for Walmart’s new 1.8 million square foot mega fullfillment center just north of us in Franklin County. Their brokering “involved with the land use entitlement aspects of the warehouse’s development.” Does this mean that that township’s ordinances were changed to allow for this new Walmart warehouse or serving as lobbyists to put pressure on PA
Professional Community Planner retained by our Township...at last!
Spring
A new, professional community planner is hired by the MT - at the request of the MCC! MCC first presented this idea to the township in October 2020 so that the safety of our community could be protectd along with promoting sound future economic development while protecting local busineses, historical areas and building. In July 2022 the motion was passed to hire someone (on a consulting basis). The MCC and our community welcomes Jerome Skrincosky, AICP of Hawk Valley Associates.
Trucking depot propsed for Rt 222, West of Kutztown University campus
March
Estes Trucking – proposed in 2021 to MT to purchase land on Rt222 known locally as the Kutztown Airport property (75.5 acres) and subdivide it into 3 lots (Medivac, The Diner and proposed trucking depot). This month they are seeking a variance to Agricultural Preservation District. Note, 80% of this property will be asphalt -imprevious surface as well as presentation of their water/sewer plans.
Duke and Land Owners Request Commonwealth Court to Expedite Case.
February
Reply Brief in Support of Joint Application for Relief Seeking Expedited Briefing Schedule and Disposition of Appeal, is stricken as unauthorized by the Commonwealth Court, March 3, 2022..
Maxatwany Residents continue their efforts to stop the Warehouses.
Summer
Check back soon for details.
Municipal Authority Meeting
October
Warehouse proposed for old Kutztown airport to be discussed.
Board of Supervisors & Planning Commission meetings
November
Flores Trucking proposal being discussed including Hilltop Rd Warehouse project presented by Maxatawny Logistics
The People Have Their Day In in Commonwealth Court
December 14
Arguments were heard from the appellant's attorney, Joel Ready along with Elizabeth McGovern, representing Maxatawny Township and a lawyer from Duke Realty. Attorney Ready presented the people's arguments and answered an array of questions from the Judges with flawless resolve. The Judges' ruling could take months to be handed down.
Record number of residents show up for Airport Warehouse PC Meeting
March 16
The developer, C&B Development was present at the meeting to update the Planning Commission on the Airport Warehouse plans, 750,000 sq. ft.. Residents from Maxatawny Township, Kutztown Borough and KU students attended the meeting in record numbers. The Airport Warehouse project had to be postponed due to the buildings capacity being exceeded. It will be rescheduled to a bigger venue for the April 20th. Planning Commission meeting.
Met-Ed Begins Replacing Aging Electric Lines in Maxatawny Township as Part
March 29
The replacement of the electric lines between Hottenstein and Hilltop Roads. where the Duke/Prologis proposed warehouses are to be located, has begun. You will see heavy equipment in that area in the middle of the fields as they replace the lines for the next 44 days. This is part of a County wide effort to replace aging wires as reported by someone that was at that meeting when it was discussed. We were told that it has nothing to do with the proposed warehouses.
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Airport Warehouse Updated April 20th, PC Meeting!!
We are waiting for confirmation that the Airport Warehouse developers, C&B Development, will be updating the Planning Commission at their next meeting on April 20th, 6:30. Venue change to be announced if they will attend.
Please check this site in a few days for updated meeting information.