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Residents press Springettsbury Township to enforce zoning after large events overwhelm Dininger Road
Summary
Residents of Dininger Road urged the board to act after large, marketed events at a nearby greenhouse caused parking, trash, safety and traffic problems; township officials said a notice of violation has been sent and outlined enforcement steps if events continue without required permits.
Residents of Dininger Road told the Springettsbury Township Board of Supervisors on June 2024 that a nearby greenhouse that markets large private events is creating safety and quality‑of‑life problems, and they asked the township to enforce zoning and permit requirements.
“There's nowhere for pedestrians to really walk,” said Sabra Madsen, who presented two petitions signed by 22 neighbors. She described repeated incidents of vehicles speeding into lawns, blocked driveways, mud tracked down the road after events, loud music, trash and insufficient bathroom facilities. “If they're gonna do this, do it right,” Madsen said, urging the township to require proper permits, parking and traffic controls.
The solicitor and staff said the township has already sent the business a notice of violation and will monitor future marketing and events. The solicitor explained the enforcement process: recipients have 30 days to appeal a notice of violation; absent an appeal the township may file with the magistrate to collect fines, and ongoing violations can lead to repeated fines and collection actions.
Chief King of the police department said officers will document incidents in the records management system and can respond to safety or criminal concerns, but he emphasized that criminal enforcement differs from zoning enforcement. Staff asked residents to take photographs and forward evidence to the community‑development office so code staff can investigate and, if necessary, pursue enforcement.
Neighbors said the events sometimes draw attendees from outside the township, block the single access road to Rocky Ridge Park, and create conditions that could impede emergency vehicles. One resident, Jeff Martin, told the board he would support enforcement efforts and asked how citizens should report recurring problems; staff recommended photographing incidents and notifying the township so records exist to support enforcement.
Township officials said they will continue to monitor the property and that, if the business engages in activity outside the scope of the notice, code enforcement can issue violations that may result in magistrate fines. The solicitor cautioned that zoning enforcement can be difficult in practice and stressed the need for coordination among police, zoning and legal staff.
The board did not take formal action at the meeting but acknowledged the petitions and encouraged residents to document incidents and forward them to staff for follow up.
