It started out as the Acorn Glove Company in 1907, which evolved into Stauffer Manufacturing of Red Hill. In more recent years it served as the headquarters for the iconic furniture designer Richard Schultz.

            Now it may find a new purpose as apartments.

            Developers Jim Savard and David Halliday of Village Center Properties attended the Upper Hanover Board of Supervisors July 14 Zoom meeting to discuss their proposed plans for the redevelopment of the Acorn Glove Company building on Gravel Pike in Palm.

            The developers are planning the "Acorn Lofts" with 28 apartments, 2,000 square feet of office space, and retail space facing Palm Tavern, plus 69 parking spaces. The apartments will be 75% one-bedroom, and 25% two-bedroom that will range from around $900 to $2000 per month.

            Because the site is zoned village commercial residential, apartments are not permitted, so the developer would either need to apply for a variance or the township would need to amend the ordinance, which is less uncertain than going to the zoning hearing board. 

            The developer would also need to start a conversation with the sewer authority engineer, "sooner than later," as supervisor Ben Fiorito said.

            Fiorito also commented "The building is kind of an eyesore. I'm in favor of the plan." The other supervisors and planning commission members agreed.

            In other news, neighbors of the Powderbourne Gun Club attended the meeting to continue the discussion regarding shotgun pellets from the gun range that continue to fall on their properties.

            Township Solicitor Joseph Bresnan reported that he had received an email from the gun club's attorney earlier Tuesday that denied that shot was leaving the property and stated that it was coming from another neighbor's property.

            Alan Gryshuk, one of the affected property owners, said that he had talked to the neighbor in question. That individual doesn't even own a shotgun.

            The ongoing problem has been occurring for over 20 years, and Gryshuk even obtained a court order against the gun club, which has yet to be enforced. Since that order, another neighbor, the Clearys, have been receiving the brunt of the fallout.

            Fiorito said, "We've done everything but beg for a diagram"of the shooting range, to help the township and neighbors work with the gun club. They're also wondering if shooters are simply disobeying the rules.

            Solicitor Bresnan believes there is still hope for a solution and for an agreement.

            In parks news, Chairman Gene Fried reported that the park trash bins were left overflowing after a recent tournament, causing township staff to have to do clean up that was the organizer's responsibility. The township will withhold $100 from the security deposit to cover costs.