'Iron Springs Plaza’ progresses

(11/3) A proposal to construct a shopping center in Hamiltonban Township advanced November 3 when the township supervisors conditionally approved the project’s preliminary plan and waivers.

Realtor and developer David Sites, David L. Sites Realty Leasing & Management, Gettysburg, is proposing to construct the Iron Springs Plaza shopping center on a 17-acre tract located at the intersection of Iron Springs and Fairfield (Route 116) roads.

The project consists of subdividing the land into five lots, one of which will contain a 35,000 square foot grocery store, as the plaza anchor business, and a 7,200 square foot retail business.

Sites said Kennie's Markets may be the operators of the new grocery store when the building is complete and available.

Food Lion had been considered as the anchor store in an earlier effort to create an Iron Springs shopping center, but the deal ultimately went awry and the overall plans for that project were withdrawn in April 2009.

One of the five lots will be used strictly for storm water management and will not be developed.

The remaining three, circa two acre, lots will be available, but do not presently have prospective clients committed to acquiring any of them as yet.

The township Planning Commission recommended that the board of supervisors grant conditional approval to the project’s subdivision and land development plan, as well as to grant a waiver regarding proposed planting requirements, according to commission Secretary Doreen Premo.

Peter J. Martin, of the land surveying and design firm of Sharrah Design Group, Gettysburg, stated the plans call for the reconfiguration of Iron Springs Road at its intersection with Fairfield Road, and that the unwanted portion of Iron Springs will be "milled and removed."

Accompanying the reconfiguration would be the addition of a stop light and the newly created intersection, which would be installed and maintained by the developer, although it would become property of the township.

A sidewalk will also be installed along Fairfield from the high school to the new intersection where crosswalks will be added.

The board of supervisors unanimously approved the project’s subdivision and land development plan and planting waiver, as well as a waiver regarding the size of a ditch-like storm water basin.

Conditions placed on the development approval included township attorney sign-offs on any easement and right-of-way agreements, receipt of county and local permits or approvals, and the completion of an accepted traffic study.

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