Say no to Manchester Twp. sports facility (letter)

Letter, York Daily Record
While no specific location for the complex has been named by the developers, an “example location” has been given by the developers for the west side of Susquehanna Trail, just south of First Assembly of God Church.

With reference to the sports complex proposed to be built along Susquehanna Trail in Manchester Township, the following should be considered:

It will take away more of our ever-vanishing farmland.  There are many places in York County which were once home to industry.  Unfortunately, they now sit empty.  We should learn to reuse these brownfields rather than paving over more of our open spaces.

It will add more traffic to a road already heavily used by cars, tractor trailers, school buses, as well as motorcycles and some bicyclists.  If a traffic light should be installed at the entrance to this proposed sports complex, I envision traffic backup at peak times.

A sports complex and parking lot is likely to bring with it additional noise, bright lights and trash.  It is quite likely that sports teams will use this facility.  Some people are not good sports, and arguments, etc. could erupt in the building and in the parking lot.

It seems as though we are turning a suburban area into an urban area.  I'm afraid that all of this will devalue the property in the immediate and surrounding areas.  I'm not opposed to sports.  I am also not opposed to corporations making a profit, but not when it means tramping on individual homeowners to do so.  People in the area have worked hard to purchase and maintain their property.  The township should allow them to continue to live in a residential neighborhood. 

The board of supervisors has the power to reject the request for a special exception to the current zoning in this area, and I suggest they do so.  They are scheduled to take action on this at their meeting Tuesday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.  This is election day, but I strongly suggest that the people of Manchester Township attend the supervisors' meeting and make their feelings known. The supervisors are supposed to be our representatives.

Charmaine Maul

Manchester Township