An affiliate of real estate developer Inch & Co. is challenging a decision that reversed the zoning on a parcel of land it owns near Route 30 and Pennsylvania Avenue in Manchester Township, York County.
- Township officials rezoned the property in 2021 for industrial development.
- But after fierce public outcry and a challenge from the owner of a neighboring cemetery, the township’s zoning hearing board restored the original zoning, which was for low-density residential development.
- Inch affiliate Penn Avenue Partners LLC is appealing the decision in county court, arguing that the board abused its discretion in reversing the zoning and that cemetery owner Matthew Seyler of Seyler & Associates lacked standing to challenge the 2021 decision.
How did this start: No development plans have moved ahead for the roughly 52-acre plot, which Inch purchased in 2022.
- But conflict arose after neighbors spotted a real estate listing that showed a proposed warehouse of roughly 473,000 square feet on the site.
- Neighbors have argued that the land should remain open space and that a warehouse would disturb the neighboring Prospect Hill Cemetery.
- Seyler, meanwhile, alleged that the zoning change to industrial constituted an example of illegal spot zoning.
- In its appeal, Inch disputes the claims of spot zoning and argues that some of the surrounding land already is commercial and industrial.
- “We look forward to having a fair trial,” said Inch co-owner Jeff Inch, who added that the zoning hearing board appeared to have been swayed more by public opinion.
- Township manager Tim James declined to comment, citing legal counsel. The township’s attorney also declined to comment.
- Efforts to reach Seyler or his attorney were not successful.
Where is this happening: The land at issue sits along Pennsylvania Avenue, south of Route 30 and west of Interstate 83.
- The parcel is just to the north of York city.
