Understand the Conservation Opportunities before Tuesday, November 3!

Voters should carefully review the Conservation Opportunities map ahead of the referendum on Tuesday. The areas in olive green have been identified by Natural Lands as Open, Unprotected Land > 10 acres. This means the land can potentially be preserved (or developed) in the future. Those living near unprotected land should consider what could get built there without a preservation program.

This map provides a general guide to “What’s protected? What’s developed? What’s left?” While not definitive, the map shows Upper Allen has about 1,500 acres of Open, Unprotected Land greater than 10 acres. Check out the details / spreadsheets on all relevant parcels greater than 15 acres.

At the June 22 Public Forum, Natural Lands was reticent to give an estimate for how much land could be preserved through a program. It was noted that the Township could not immediately preserve 1,500 acres as that would cost many millions of dollars. Natural Lands cautioned “against predicting how much land could be preserved due to rapidly changing conditions in the world.”

For example, “you don’t know how land use is going to change over the next 5-10 years.” Also, different generations will approach the issue differently and that a “no today could become a yes tomorrow.” (FAQ 19)

The Commissioners have indicated in public meetings that priority will likely be given to agricultural conservation easements as this represents the largest amount of predominately undeveloped land remaining in the Township and affords the opportunity to partner with the County and leverage available funding. The County has its own ranking and selection criteria; however, the County will give Township lands priority if the Township is willing to share cost 50/50. (FAQ 15)

About 500 of the 1500 acres of unprotected land is already in Agricultural Security Areas (ASA). Enrollment in ASA is a prerequisite to qualify for the County conservation easement (ACE) program and parcels already in ASA offer a logical starting point for an Upper Allen program. A separate township map of ASA and ACE farms only is available on the Protect Upper Allen website.

The Natural Lands map also shows primary conservation areas and waterways in purple and blue. Some may have noticed slide 21 of the June 22 County presentation which shows the streams through the Winding Hills and Arcona Rd. areas are already considered “impaired.” This provides justification for giving this area priority.

The Board of Commissioners will establish a Land Preservation Review Board, priorities and criteria. Appointed board members will receive training in the legal framework for conservation, acquisition processes and funding requirements. The priorities and criteria will be used by board members to evaluate and rank potential conservation properties. (FAQ 22)

Below are some parcels that deserve special attention by voters and, hopefully, a Land Preservation Review Board.

Parcel & Acreage That Deserve Special Attention

1206 South Market St 20.19 Acres

Ag zoned land and historic buildings next to Webercroft under threat of demolition to make way for 60,000 sq. ft. “contractors facility.” An outright purchase could help settle the current litigation and provide additional recreation land North of the turnpike.

1127 Gettysburg Pk 36.58 Acres

R-2 and R-1 zoned land known as the Banzhoff tract. Conditional approval for 60 townhomes and 9 residential lots; however, steep slopes,

conservation area along the Yellow Breeches and required access under US 15 may make the full project difficult. The Township could purchase all or part of this land for recreation purposes.

2105 Stumpstown Rd 134.36 Acres

Ag zoned land in ASA next to Canterbury. An easement payment could allow the farm to transition to a new generation or farm model. A small portion of the land could also be purchased outright to expand Fisher Park or provide a trail connection from Fisher to the Trout Run Nature Preserve.

242 McCormick Rd 71.80 Acres

R-1 zoned land in ASA (and historic district) with scenic views.

1129 South York St 39.72 Acres

Largest parcel of Ag zoned / ASA land North of the turnpike.

1009 E. Winding Hill 28.11 Acres

R-1 zoned historic farm parcel being surrounded by development. Provides scenic view from Orchard Glen and upper Winding Hills area.

1022 E. Winding Hill 18.00 Acres

R-1 zoned land owned by Church and used as a retreat. “Kentland is comprised of nearly 19 acres of open and wooded areas, which access to hiking trails and streams. The lodge was fully renovated in 2024.“

1714 Fisher Rd 115.96 Acres

Ag zoned land not in ASA. Near sewer connections. As development proceeds along Fisher Rd., a rezoning request becomes more likely.

130 Gettysburg Pike 27.43 Acres

Commercial zoned land owned by the school district across from Paul B. Residual land from the Hess Farm with scenic view. Should the

referendum be successful and development pressure relieved; the township could eventually purchase this land as open space - and a vestige of what Upper Allen used to be.

Campaign Finance Reports for the "Vote No" Counter Campaign

We've received the campaign finance reports from the counter land preservation campaign and are posting them here so that residents have transparency as to who is behind this. Eight individuals* spent $1,736.40 on signs and a mailer printing and postage.

*It should be noted that one of these individuals is Mike Klinepeter, Vice Chair of the County Agricultural Land Preservation Board.

For a copy of the PAC's campaign expense report, click here.