Concerns about increased traffic on the ground and in the air, and the environmental impact a cargo airport would have on the residents of East Union Township, were voiced by two experts who are employed by township supervisors.

The two testified at a hearing held Thursday evening at the courthouse in Pottsville before the Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board.Testimony began on behalf of the objectors after testimony was concluded by the applicant, Gladstone Partners, of Pittsburgh, which is seeking a special exception from the county zoning board to construct a cargo airport on a tract mostly in East Union Township, and partly in Kline Township. The land is owned by Butler Enterprises.The applicant's testimony took almost a year to be presented caused by several long delays due to court battles.Last evening the hearings reached Phase II, with the objectors presenting their reasons why the application should be denied.David Walasavage, an engineer, claimed the survey documents presented by the applicant were incomplete, not detailing the ingress and egress of the road or roads to the airport, that its mere claim of obtaining water to the site did not disclose if there would be any impact on the water table of the wells in the township, and also what strain it would have on the township's sewer system.Walasavage also claimed the airport would not be harmonious with the area, which is mostly residential, rural with open lands for game hunting. Walasavage also claimed if the exception was to be granted now that it still would be 10 to 12 years before any construction work could begin because of regulations to be set by PennDOT and the FAA, which oversees regulations for an airport. He estimated the airport would increase traffic by 29,000 trips a day over a township road.Thomas Yashinsky, who is a land planner for the township, voiced similar concerns, but added if the board does grant the exception, it should insist that the roads be tied either to a state or federal road so that PennDOT or the federal government could make a study of traffic conditions to make sure of the safety and welfare of the residents of the township. He also claimed the application should have been rejected by the zoning officer because it was not a proper application. He also claimed the board should have before it the air traffic plan to determine what impact it would have on the township residents.Hearings will resume at the board's February hearing date.Other applicationsPrior to the hearing on the Gladstone application the board held hearings on two other applications.• A request was made by County Judge John E. Domalakes and Suzanne L. Domalakes, Mary Ann H. Hoppes and John J. Golba, owners of property in Frackville borough, to divide a parcel to create two properties of approximately 31 and 47 feet so each can build a garage. The request was granted.• A hearing was held on the application of D&H Real Estate Partnership seeking a dimensional variance to erect a building and create parking space on a vacant lot at the corner of Sunbury and Front streets, Minersville, where a three-story brick building once stood and housed the Wynn Ann Restaurant.The building was destroyed by a fire and the borough had it razed. The company plans to construct a pharmacy building on the site with a drive-in. The request was granted.Prior to the start of the hearings the zoning hearing board held a reorganization meeting.Eric Seitzinger was elected the new chairman since the former chairwoman, Kim Eckert, was not reappointed by the county commissioners after her term expired. She was replaced by David Daub, who was the chairman of the board, but left it four years ago when he was not reappointed by the former county commissioners. Dowd was seated as a member.