A crowd nearly overflowed the room Tuesday night for the Kidder Township supervisors meeting.

A large group of well-wishers attended as patrolman Austin Bott was honored with plaques and appreciation.

Another large group of about three dozen people were members of the LOVE Kidder Township organization who attended to speak out against proposed new warehouse buildings along Route 940 in the north part of the township.

Chuck Cutshall, organizer of the LOVE Kidder Township group, which has a Facebook page, said four warehouses are being proposed, with a 1.1 million square foot warehouse that has already been constructed on Route 940.

A second one is clear cut and already fully permitted and proposed to be located by Harmony Beverage.

A third one that hasn’t yet officially filed for all of its Department of Environmental permits is proposed across the street from the one that’s already been built at Walter Dam Road and Route 940.

A fourth one that the zoning was recently changed from residential to commercial on 940 and Moseywood Road by Jack Frost.

Cutshall said he asked the Kidder Township board of supervisors chairman the reason for the change of zoning. He was told it was because it wasn’t usable land.

Six of the LOVE Kidder Township members spoke during the audience participation portion.

Many are long-time residents, here 30 years and more. Topics include changing zoning codes and municipal ordinances to better protect properties against clear-cutting, and strengthening forest management codes. Members advocate monitoring of adverse health effects of warehouse activity.

Group members promised to become more active in all future projects, including attending meetings with their own engineer.

Member David Hunter explained the group’s motivation.

“The crown jewels of our area are the streams and forests,” he said.

He wants to better protect that.

Beth Hurley, one of the founders of the Love Kidder Township, posted on Facebook, “With possibly 4 truck terminals coming to Kidder Township, be sure to ask why the board of supervisors approved construction of the enormous 1.1 million sq.ft. Truck Terminal at 880 Route940 without first assuring there would be no harm to Kidder Township residents. How can we rely on them to implement their duties responsibly?”

She is organizing an information session on truck terminals in Kidder Township will be hosted at The Hub at 6:30 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2024. A petition will be available to sign.

The Hub is located at 15 Wolfe Hollow Road in Lake Harmony.

LOVE Kidder Township plans to attend the upcoming zoning meeting, Feb. 7, and will return to the monthly supervisors meeting on Feb. 27.

Terry Ahner contributed to this report.