Hatfield board's vote on Orvilla Road church plans deferred for up to 60 days

Hatfield Twp >> A much-discussed proposal to build a church on a 43-acre parcel off of Orvilla Road in Hatfield Township could be discussed for up to two more months.

Keystone Fellowship has asked for a time extension to revise its plans and incorporate changes based on feedback from the surrounding community.

There are certain adjustments and general considerations that are different from the original application, that not only the church is considering, but the township is considering as well, said board President Tom Zipfel.

For much of 2014, residents near and around Orvilla have expressed their concerns about traffic and flooding theyre worried could be caused by the construction of a roughly 1,200 seat church surrounded by office space, a ballfield and several hundred parking spaces.

Residents have also urged the preservation of a farm house located on the property that dates back to the 1760s, and about two dozen residents from the surrounding area attended Wednesdays commissioners meeting, and stayed for a private meeting with Zipfel afterward to discuss that project.

When asked for specifics on the changes made by Keystone to their plans, Zipfel declined to comment, and said to publicly share details could impact ongoing discussions. A Keystone official present at the meeting also declined to comment.

Residents Ryan Gober and Cindy Bourgeois, among the leaders of a group of neighbors who oppose the development plans, said Wednesday they would prefer as much notice as possible ahead of any decision being made, and would like any new plans or renderings to be made public.

A lot of people came out expecting some action, and if youre saying 60 days, why not make the notice half of that? If youre saying 30 days, why not make the notice half of that? Lets try to be as transparent as we can, Gober said.

We will do everything we can to be as transparent as we can, and to give as much time as possible ahead of any action, Zipfel replied, and commissioner Scott Brown added the window could be extended again.

I dont think [the 60 days] is arbitrary at all. It gives us flexibility. It could be extended again, that could happen, depending on where were going, but if folks want to speak out about it, they should feel free, now or at a future meeting, Brown said.

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Hatfield board's vote on Orvilla Road church plans deferred for up to 60 days