Update: Plans for the Hershey Islamic Center will be reviewed by the board of supervisors in March before heading back to the planning commission to be considered for conditional approval in June. Members of the public spoke at last night’s Derry Township Planning Commission meeting with concerns about the single parking lot entrance, and nearby traffic on Middletown Road.
PennDOT is currently developing a long term plan to widen Middletown Road in the area. – March 5, 2025
Hershey, Pennsylvania — The Derry Township Planning Commission met on August 6 with several major development projects on its agenda, including the plan for Hershey Islamic Center, a multi-purpose facility to be located behind Sheetz on Middletown Road.
The Hershey Islamic Center plan calls for the construction of three connected buildings, to be used for religious worship and elementary education, facing Stoverdale Road. Deer Run creek runs parallel to the road at this location, creating challenges related to the current plan for a parking lot entrance below the flood plain on this side of the property. A suggested solution is to create an additional entrance behind Sheetz near Wood Road.
As reported by The Sun:
The Islamic Center plan footprint covered 400 square feet more than the township regulations allow. There is also a potential flooding problem at the entrance to the proposed site. It was noted that a portion of that ingress could be a foot under water in the event of a 100-year flood event.
Representatives for the center said that they will look to construct a second entrance in addition to the current one. They will also amend their plan, reducing the developed footprint for the facility by the 400 square feet.
The proposed complex, which will be located behind the Sheetz outlet on Middletown Road, would consist of a school building for 210 grades K-5 students, a multipurpose building and a center for 300 worshippers.
During discussion by the planning commission it was also noted that the center should be prepared for noise associated with the neighboring outdoor shooting range that operates year round.
Harrisburg100 