Planning commission sends staff comments on Dermody rezoning near Penn State Harrisburg

The Dauphin County Planning Commission voted to sign and forward staff comments on a Lower Swatara Township rezoning request from educational/institutional to industrial and commercial uses for several parcels adjacent to the Penn State Harrisburg campus.

The application was presented by Sean Delaney of Stevens & Lee, who said Dermody Development is the contract purchaser of the primary parcel and is proposing two warehouse buildings. Delaney said Penn State is the current owner and "Penn State is on board with this," and that a wooded lot between University Drive and the Dermody parcel will be retained by the university as a buffer and for stormwater management.

Commission staff reviewed the application and provided written comments emphasizing campus-adjacent concerns, including alignment with the township comprehensive plan, pedestrian connections along University Drive, and anticipated truck access patterns to and from the airport connector. Staff noted that site plans included with rezoning applications in Pennsylvania are illustrative only and not binding on a rezoning approval.

Delaney described the current proposal as directing truck traffic to University Drive and restricting the smaller Rosedale access drive to automobiles only. He said the parcel is adjacent to existing industrial land and that the proposed use is consistent with surrounding development.

Commission members discussed the application briefly, asked applicants about Penn State's involvement and buffering, and heard that the township is processing several other, separate rezoning requests in the same neighborhood as an administrative efficiency. After discussion, Commissioner Chris (last name not specified) moved that staff finalize their comments and sign a letter to forward them; the motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.

The commission's action was procedural: staff were directed to file comments with Lower Swatara Township and the township planning commission for their consideration. No rezoning decision by Dauphin County was made; the county's role was a staff review and comment on the township-submitted request.

The commission packet included an illustrative plan showing two building entrances—one on University Drive intended for trucks and a smaller employee entrance on Rosedale—and staff urged attention to pedestrian connectivity to the campus and to coordination on truck routing to avoid local streets when possible. Staff also flagged that portions of the area may be affected by planned airport freight growth and that any right-of-way vacations shown in township documents will require follow-up.

Next steps: staff will transmit the comments in writing to the township and applicant. The township planning commission and the governing body will take the formal local action on the rezoning application.