Dauphin County planning commission backs three township rezoning requests affecting Swatara corridor, Williams Farm

The Dauphin County Planning Commission on Aug. 4 voted to endorse staff recommendations for three township zoning amendments: two related rezoning requests in Swatara Township that would allow a proposed assisted‑living facility and adjacent mixed uses, a Lower Swatara Township rezoning and text amendment for the 202‑acre Williams Farm to permit an age‑restricted community, and a Susquehanna Township rezoning to allow a new elementary school.

The commission’s recommendations are advisory to the affected townships; commissioners approved the staff recommendations by voice vote with no recorded nays.

County planning staff and applicants described each proposal and identified issues the townships should consider. Joel McNaughton, the applicant and presenter on all three Swatara‑area items, described the first Swatara parcel as “a 17‑acre site. It’s currently zoned RS. It’s got a power line that runs through the middle of it,” and said the applicants seek Commercial‑Limited (CL) zoning for an assisted‑living/personal‑care facility that could use lower‑impact uses under the CL district and place parking under the power line.

County staff (Jerry, planning staff) told the commission the proposals are generally consistent with…