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Residents press concerns as Pocono Township authorizes advertising of MCTI rezoning hearing
Summary
The board authorized the township solicitor to advertise a rezoning hearing for several MCTI parcels after residents raised complaints about runoff, a drained private lake and damage to a stone row and trees; MCTI’s director disputed claims about promised road paving and defended building in the rear of the site.
The Pocono Township Board of Commissioners voted to authorize the township solicitor to advertise a public hearing on proposed rezoning of several MCTI parcels after extended public comment and discussion.
Multiple residents raised environmental and livability concerns tied to MCTI’s expansion plans, citing runoff into a private lake and recent tree removals that they say destabilized a stone row on their properties. One resident said the community’s lake "is drained down to barely any water" and urged the township to "reel this in." Another, John Burns, said rain is bringing mud into his drinking water and opposed putting new construction at the front of the campus.
Dennis, identified as director of MCTI, disputed some public claims about prior promises to pave local roads and said rezoning would allow additions to be built behind the existing school rather than an expansion in front that he said would be more of an eyesore. Legal counsel advised the board it cannot condition rezoning on pavement promises — "You cannot put those types of conditions," he said, characterizing a conditional rezone as effectively a contractual rezone.
Why it matters: residents said site work and runoff have damaged private buffers, caused erosion and left the homeowners association with a dam that needs expensive repairs. Township staff said the dam is a private responsibility and DEP oversight and costs have delayed repairs, although the township intends to address nearby drainage issues that affect township roads.
What the board did: the board authorized the solicitor to advertise the rezoning hearing and outlined the zoning amendment process, which will include review by the township’s planning commission and a public hearing where residents and MCTI representatives may testify. The authorization clears the first procedural step; no rezoning decision was made at this meeting.
Next steps: the rezoning will follow the formal zoning amendment process, including planning commission review and a public hearing; residents indicated they plan to appear to make their concerns part of the record.
