A large crowd of interested residents turned out for a Washington Township Zoning Board hearing on Tuesday night that turned into something of a history lesson about Washington Township.

            Roark Americana, Inc., is seeking relief from several Washington Township ordinances for a 6.68 acre property they purchased, with five buildings on Forgedale Road and Olde Route 100, for $225,000 in May, 2018. 

            Andres Coello, a Mexican national, who is employed by Scotia Bank of Canada as a Director of Equity Research in the Telecommunications industry in Latin America, testified he owns 70% of the interest in the property through Roark Americana, Inc. His partners, Laura Ortiz and Jose Caraicochea, own a 30 percent share of the property. 

            Coello proposes to create a for profit "nature retreat" or camp that will include a historic or archeological center, a nature center, and a learning center.  The learning center will provide classes in agriculture and organic food. Coello intends to have wine and food tastings and lectures on sustainability in agriculture and organic food at the property.

            Coello explained the old mill on the property was begun in 1728 and was completed in 1738 by C. Biedler, an Englishman.  Biedler acquired ownership of the mill from a son of William Penn.  Coello stated he intends to restore and preserve the old mill.  He noted that when you enter the old mill you go back 300 years in time.  Coello said, "It is a window into the past. It is my responsibility to protect it." 

            A large barn on the property will be converted into nine ensuite rooms for guests who are expected to stay from three to four days for lectures. Coello intends to convert the house on the property that currently has 10 rooms and dates from 1806 into two units.  One part of the house would be used by a resident manager and the other side of the house would be for the use of a guest lecturer. 

            A smaller barn on the site would be used for lectures.  A concrete building on the property that Coello called "the ugliest building in Washington Township" would be razed.  A landscaped garden would replace the building. Coello does not intend to change the facade of the house. The square footage and footprint of the buildings will remain the same. Coello said he has spent approximately $60,000 thus far on engineering and architectural studies.  He expects to spend between $1 million to $1.5 million on restoration of the buildings. It is his intention to use local artisans in the restoration work.  He expects the project will create some employment in the area.  

            Eleven residents in the neighborhood entered their appearance as "parties" to the zoning hearing.  If someone owns real property within 500 feet of a property that is the subject of a zoning appeal, the neighbor is deemed to have "Legal Standing" and is able to ask questions of the applicant, their expert witnesses, and can testify in the matter, as well.  All 11 parties had questions for Coello. 

            Several wondered how he would get sewage to the site.  Coello's attorney, Jeffrey Carver, explained it might be necessary to run a sewer line from the property to Barto Road and then connect to the township sewer system. That option might necessitate some sort of a pump because the terrain becomes hilly.  An alternative is a small sewage package plant that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) must approve.  

            Hank Frecon, of Saylor Lane, Barto, questioned where Coello will get water if the aquifer that provides water in the area cannot support nine units in the barn plus the two units in the house. Coello explained in Mexico rainwater is collected and used. Frecon asked if fishing would be allowed. Coello responded no fishing or hunting would be permitted. 

            Dorothy Brown, of Olde Route 100, Barto, questioned if Coello knew whether the property was in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood plain. Carver noted that it is. Testimony was presented that because no buildings would be added to the site, the property would not create any additional flooding. 

            The applicant seeks 21 parking spaces to accommodate the proposed use. That is less than the 24 parking spaces the ordinance requires. However, the ordinance includes square footage for the old mill that is not going to be used. Coello testified that 90 percent of the property will remain in its natural state as a forest. 

            The Washington Township Zoning Board continued the Roark Americana, Inc, zoning appeal until Tuesday, August 20, 2019 at 6 p.m. It is expected Glen Harris, Roark Americana's expert witness in landscape architecture, will testify and be available for cross examination.