Tonight, in West Penn Township, there is a Zoning Hearing Board hearing to hear an appeal by citizens rightfully upset that a water extraction operation was welcomed quietly into town - in a process that bypasses the one dictated by the Municipalities Planning Code as well as the township zoning ordinance. In court testimony last week, in which water pimp Jay Land failed in his attempt to have a bond required, there was testimony that concerned citizens had been intimidated by the landowners and Mr. Land in response to them pursuing their right to challenge Land's permit and its regulatory enforcement. It rumored there have been one or more additional incidents, which may be discussed at tonight's hearing.
In Plainfield Township, poop processor Synagro pursues review of its Site Plan in support of its application to locate a crap bakery in the township. What was designed to be a back door (yuck yuck) approach in which the community was blindsided and would not know what happened until the project was approved has evolved into a major battle. Three townships have explicitly objected to the proposed project, and it is rumored a fourth is or has sent its objection as well. Plainfield Township can not legally object to the project, but has hired consultants to "make sure the ordinance is upheld." (aka it objects) Now comes evidence that agents of Synagro are engaged in what appears to this blogger to be intimidation. I have never seen such a letter accompanying materials for planning commission review, in which members are reminded of their "legal obligation" before an application is even reviewed. This application was submitted March 31, 2017 and has not yet had a first review due to multiple delays requested by Synagro.
The result of the Zoning Office's review is (just received this afternoon - see below) is that Synagro must appear before the Zoning Hearing Board in a quasi-judicial proceeding to meet it's legal obligation in an attempt to prove hardship for variances. Judge for yourself the letter from Synagro's legal counsel:
The purpose of this blog is to document solid waste and water extraction projects that do not meet zoning requirements or are just very poorly conceived, in an effort to protect the rights and health, safety and welfare of neighboring landowners and residents. The initial project was Nestlé Waters in Kunkletown, Eldred Township. Later, the Synagro biosolids in Plainfield Township - the "Slate Belt Heat Recovery Center" was our focus. We all live downstream.
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