Lower Frederick Township Supervisors Pass Amendment Restricting Junkyard Locations

took preventative action Monday night against anyone in the township who may want to use his or her property as a junkyard.

After a public hearing on the issue, the board passed an amendment that will place junkyards in the Limited Industrial District, which includes solid waste plants, chemical processing plants and recycling facilities, among others.

“The Limited Industrial District consists of all the uses we would not want right next to us,” said Township Solicitor Tom Keenan.

Lower Frederick currently does not provide a junkyard for its residents, but now will.

The township said it has a lot, roughly 40 acres in size, at the corner of Simons Road and Route 73 that will be used as a junkyard.

If the township did not approve this amendment, anyone could open a junkyard anywhere in the township.

Also brought to the board’s attention Monday night was the need to replace the Route 29/Gravel Pike Bridge.

According to Township Engineer Carol Schuehler, PennDOT has informed the township that the bridge is on its “structurally deficient” list, and will need to be repaired within the next few years.

To minimize traffic impact while the bridge is being repaired, one possible solution may be to reopen the old Gravel Pike bridge just for detour traffic.

The old Gravel Pike bridge is currently closed to vehicles, and only used for pedestrian traffic.

Schuehler said that if that were to happen, the old Gravel Pike bridge would be closed to vehicle traffic after the new bridge was constructed.

Upcoming events in Lower Frederick Township:

• Terry Sax of Sax and Son’s Excavation is sponsoring this year’s annual ambulance fair.  The fair will be held at from May 4 through the 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the Lower Frederick Regional Ambulance Corps. There will be a country-western band performing Saturday night.
• A Nordic Walk will take place at Foy Park May 21 at 2 p.m. It is free and is expected to last about an hour.
• There will be a yard sale on Saturday, May 30, at 7 a.m. at Coble Park. It is free for anyone who wants to participate. To register, visit the township building or email parkboard@lowerfrederick.org.