02/07/2021
Reposting this reminder to send your message to the West Cornwall Township supervisors now; the meeting is tomorrow, Monday night, Feb. 8. If you wish to observe the meeting, you must register in advance at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwocu-urz4vHdCCWx0elvaBYgys6ENustqb
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Say "NO" to the elimination of the hearing for Sunoco's Mariner East pump station permit. Please read the message below from our friends at Concerned Citizens of Lebanon County:
Concerned Citizens of Lebanon County appealed a West Cornwall Township zoning permit issued to Sunoco for the Cornwall pump station built in 2014. In October 2019, the Commonwealth Court determined that the permit was issued in error and thus was voided. The PA Supreme Court on June 1, 2020 denied Sunoco's appeal of the Commonwealth Court's Order. In September 2020, CCLC asked the Lebanon County Common Pleas Court to enforce the Commonwealth Court order, a request which is still pending. Meanwhile, Sunoco applied for a conditional use permit in November 2020 and WCT set a conditional use hearing date of December 15. However, because of Governor's Wolf's executive order concerning Covid-19 restrictions on indoor gatherings, Sunoco agreed to postpone the conditional use hearing until February 3.
Then surprise, at its January 11, 2021, meeting, the WCT Supervisors (by a vote ot 2 - 1) asked their solicitor to prepare a "text amendment" to the Township's zoning ordinance specifically to allow approval of the Sunoco Permit Application without a conditional use hearing. On January 14, Sunoco agreed to an extension of time for the hearing until April 8 with the expectation that the proposed "text amendment" to the zoning ordinance could be adopted at the March 8, 2021, Supervisors' meeting. If the "text amendment" is adopted, then the permit application could be approved without a conditional use hearing.
Please write to the WCT Supervisors and ask them to vote against the proposed "text amendment." Tell them it is unfair to change the rules of the game after the permit application was filed. The existing zoning ordinance requires that Sunoco's permit application be subject to a conditional use hearing where the public may comment on the application and propose conditions, such as health and safety protections, or argue against granting the permit. The proposed "text amendment" would deny the public its right to that hearing for this specific project.
Here's where you can send an email or letter with your concerns:
Email: [email protected]
or Write to: West Cornwall Township Supervisors
73 South Zinns Mill Road
Lebanon, PA 17042
If you have questions, please contact Pam Bishop and Doug Lorezen, for Concerned Citizens of Lebanon County
[email protected]
