There’s a new government watchdog in Cumberland Township, because group leader Al Ferranto feels that the municipality is “moving into a difficult time,” with controversial plans for a gambling facility south of Gettysburg.
But Ferranto informed the township’s board of supervisors Tuesday night that the new “Concerned Citizens of Cumberland Township” group isn’t forming solely to challenge the Mason Dixon Resort & Casino proposal.
“We’re looking to play a role here,” Ferranto told the board Tuesday. “We’re going to meet, we’re going to organize and we’re going to come to meetings.”
The Knight Road resident argued that the board was “undemocratic and unfair” when it modernized its zoning ordinance Thursday morning to allow gaming in the township. By state law, the board must allow gaming somewhere in the township, and the developers behind the proposed Mason Dixon Resort & Casino are focusing on a site within Cumberland’s mixed-use commercial district, along Business 15.
“We gave all kinds of testimony,” Ferranto said regarding Thursday’s 90-minute public hearing, “and 20 minutes later, there was a decision made.”
Board Chairman David P. Waybright defended the board’s vote, countering that “a lot of people don’t understand the decision we made Thursday morning.”
“We amended the text of our zoning ordinance,” explained Waybright. ”In Pennsylvania, gaming is a legal land use, and our zoning ordinance must allow for every legal land use.”
He noted that “we have to protect the township if and when a gaming facility does apply to open a business in Cumberland Township.”
“It’s something that we probably should have done three or four years ago when gaming was authorized but we didn’t do it,” concluded Waybright.
Three citizens out of a combined attendance of about 20 people spoke publicly Tuesday night about Gettysburg businessman David LeVan’s plan to convert the Eisenhower Inn along Business 15 in the township into a slots resort.
Twin Lakes resident Michael Galassi, who frequently attends township meetings, argued that residents are “getting unduly excited over something that may or may not happen,” noting that LeVan “hasn’t even applied for a damned license.”
The state’s application deadline for Category Three “slots resort” licenses is Wednesday, April 7. No plans have been submitted to the township or state.
“It’s just ludicrous, with everybody jumping up and down about something that hasn’t even occurred,” added Galassi. “It’s down the road.”
Waybright noted that the gaming plans are “still very preliminary” and that the developer has not applied for a license.
LeVan and business business partner Joseph Lashinger are seeking the state’s lone remaining Category Three casino license, and are eyeing the Eisenhower Inn property near Maryland for the project. The project, according to LeVan and Lashinger, would require no new construction.
Preservationists oppose the plan because of the facility’s proximity to Gettysburg National Military Park.
The 100-acre property is located along Business 15 near Maryland, atop land that is zoned for commercial mixed-use development, and currently home to a recreation center and housing development.
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