Lebanon County farm owners tell commissioners PennDOT road plan threatens preserved farmland

Owners of farmland near the intersection of Thompson Avenue and Hill Church Road told the Lebanon County Commissioners on March 20 that a PennDOT intersection project could permanently harm preserved farmland and make daily farm operations hazardous.

The most direct concerns came from Becky (last name not provided), who said she and family members own land at the northeast and southeast corners of the intersection in North Anvil Township and that the current plan would “raise the road so high and change the grade so much that simply entering our fields from the road is going to prove to be a great great feat.” Amy Stevenson, another property owner at 3901 Pilch Bridal Road, told commissioners, “We preserved our land for this very moment right here,” and said PennDOT’s inclusion of preserved parcels in the plan devalues local farmland preservation efforts. Longtime farmer Jim Hoffman, of Heilbron Farms, said his family preserved nearly 400 acres and described possible impacts including a 10.5-foot road raise and stormwater runoff conveyed through two pipes that he said “could cause another 3 acres of land to be impacted.”

Why it matters: the speakers said the proposal would reshape road alignment and grades in ways that could increase speed on an already fast road, move the roadway closer to houses and farm buildings, impede farm machinery access, and change drainage patterns. They said farmland preserved under the county program should not be used for such highway realignments without clearer public notice and exploration of less intrusive traffic-calming options first.

Speakers described limited notice and engagement. Becky said township supervisors told her PennDOT handled the design and that the supervisors had “no information.” Hoffman said he received only a letter about a traffic study and that a media article first revealed the full scope of work. The property owners also said they contacted Senator Gebhardt’s office, which “suggested that we went ahead and speak to our supervisors.”

Commissioner responses and next steps: Commissioners acknowledged sympathy for the owners’ concerns and said PennDOT projects often fall outside county control. One commissioner suggested drafting a letter of support for farmland preservation to present to PennDOT and state officials; that motion was proposed during public comment and the commissioner offering the motion said she would draft a letter to share with the township and PennDOT. No formal county vote to adopt a position was recorded in the transcript.

What was discussed (issues and options): Public commenters urged PennDOT and municipal officials to try lower-impact traffic-calming measures first (a four-way stop, flashing red lights, rumble strips) and to consider shifting improvements closer to the intersection rather than moving the road alignment over preserved parcels. They described potential water-runoff, access, and safety trade-offs if the roadway grade is raised roughly 10.5 feet, and noted that PennDOT’s mapping and outreach had not clearly identified impacts to preserved parcels. Commenters urged more transparency and earlier outreach to property owners.

Context and background: The speakers said the farmland had been enrolled in the county farmland preservation program for years (one speaker said their family preserved nearly 400 acres in 2006 and that the farm has been in the family since 1732). They said farmland taken by PennDOT through eminent domain or right-of-way acquisition would undercut the purpose of local preservation programs. The transcript records no PennDOT representative responding at the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners accepted the public comments for the record and discussed drafting a letter of support for preserved farmland; no formal policy change or vote on the county’s position was recorded in the meeting transcript. The property owners said they will seek additional engagement with the township, PennDOT, and state offices.