Sep. 5--PLEASANT HILL -- The developer of a series of independent-living homes in North Cornwall Township has developed a bright idea to dim the complaints of neighbors.

Lebanon Valley Catholic Home Inc., the developer for Heritage Commons, intends to present a final landscaping plan around the perimeter of the development off Oak Street that will shield neighboring property owners from the development's bright streetlights, the township supervisors learned this week.

Heritage Commons sits on 50 acres along Oak Street and, when completed, will be the site for 85 independent-living homes, 153 apartments, assisted-living services and a community center. Only a few homes have been built so far, but the work is continuing.

Property owners across the street have complained to township officials about the brightness of the lights, which they say is made worse without a buffer of vegetation.

Contractor William Smeltzer Sr. explained the reason for the holdup at the supervisors' regular meeting Tuesday night.

Because the developer is required to provide a turning lane on Oak Street, the roadway will have to be widened. To achieve this, the utility poles must be moved by Verizon, and the wires must be moved by Met-Ed, Smeltzer said. There have been delays in providing the buffers recently because the developer is waiting for this to happen.

Because the berm for the shrubs and trees is located around the poles, the developer said, landscaping work cannot be done until the poles are moved. The developer will also soon submit a final planting plan after its review by township engineer Jim Caldwell of Rettew Associates.

In the interim, the developer has lowered the light wattage and frosted the lenses to lessen the glare. Poles are expected to be moved in the next week. Work for landscaping is expected to be completed by Oct. 15, which should provide some relief for homeowners.

The developer has also received many requests from potential customers for single homes. The supervisors accepted the plan for a new unit to be built. However, they want to see progress made on this issue.

"In another month we will see where we are before we agree to build another home and subdivide lots," Chairman Ralph Heister III said.

In other business, conditional-use hearings for Springwood Development Partners will take place at 5 and 6 p.m. Oct. 6 at the township office. Another conditional-use hearing for the Royal Oaks Residential Retirement Community is slated for 5 p.m. Nov. 10. The regular supervisors meeting will follow at 7 at the township office.

andreajohnson@ldnews.com; 272-5611, ext. 139

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