Hershey, Pennsylvania — During a May 27 board meeting, the solicitor for Derry Township was authorized to attend an appeal hearing for a development project proposed in neighboring South Hanover Township. Officials in Derry Township are actively opposed to a plan to build warehouses and homes at the former Mumma and Pennsy Quarry properties in Hummelstown, citing truck traffic concerns.
The plan to build warehouses and more than 70 homes in South Hanover Township is proposed to be accessed via Hersheypark Drive. The massive warehouse project would include seven different structures, which would total close to 2 million square feet, surrounding the former quarry.
Solicitor Patrick Armstrong stated the Township Zoning Officer recently issued a determination letter with respect to the Hummelstown quarry property. The applicant has appealed the determination. He noted the Board of Supervisors has the ability to participate in the appeal with the Solicitor’s office to defend the Zoning Officer’s determination.
Two members appointed to Derry Township Zoning Hearing Board following resignations due to personal conflicts
Following the resignation of Christopher Gazzio, and Joseph Nocera due to personal conflicts, the Derry Township Board of Supervisors appointed two new members to fill their seats on the Zoning Hearing Board on June 10.
Tom George, and Randall Wright were appointed to fill the seats with terms that expire ending in 2028, and 2029.
Retail store proposed to be built at Spark Hilton tabled by township supervisors
A plan to build a 4500 square-foot stand alone retail store in the parking lot of Spark Hilton on Chocolate Avenue that was previously recommended for approval by the community development department has now been stalled by township supervisors.
During a June 10 board meeting, following lengthy discussions about traffic impacts of adding a new commercial entrance at Lucy Avenue, township supervisors eventually motioned to table the plan. The board expressed concern about impacts to the residential neighborhood, and traffic turning onto Chocolate Avenue.
Developers are expected to request a time extension needed to produce a traffic study for engineers to review the proposed design.
Zackary Jackson is at the helm in Derry Township
After an extensive search in 2024 for the right fit in Derry Township, officials selected Zackary Jackson as the new Township Manager in January.
When former Township Manager Christman transferred to Montgomery County, the position became open to be filled by the best candidate. After conducting hours of interviews and vetting, the Board of Supervisors convened to make a decision. In the end, they determined Jackson had outperformed all other candidates for the position with a salary of $150,000.
Although he is not a resident of Derry Township, Jackson remains committed to the future of the community. He has been a long time township employee, and was formerly the Director of Parks and Recreation. Jackson holds a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a master’s degree in business administration from West Virginia University.
Thank you to Zack and his team for serving the public.
Notice of Hearing
The Derry Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Meeting Room of the Derry Township Municipal Complex, Administration Building, located at 600 Clearwater Rd., Hershey, PA. Beginning at the scheduled hour, the Board will consider the following petitions: Petition 2025-11 as filed by HCI DP Land Acquisition, LLC, 1780 S. Post Oak Ln., Houston, TX, 77056, regarding property owned by Pennsy Supply, Inc., 2400 Thea Dr., Harrisburg, PA 17110, being identified as Tax Map Parcel Number 24-008-021, located along Hersheypark Drive, in the Commercial Recreation and Planned Campus North zoning districts. The property is improved with an access drive to a quarry in South Hanover Township. Petitioner is appealing a determination issued by the Zoning Officer by letter dated April 7, 2025 that Pennsy Supply Road is not a “street” as defined under the Derry Township Zoning Ordinance and that the Developer must obtain zoning relief from the Derry Township Zoning Hearing Board in order to use Pennsy Supply Road for traffic to and from Developer’s property in South Hanover Township. The property is identified on the Dauphin County tax maps as 24-008-021.
Harrisburg100 