Several members of Eldred Township's planning commission said Tuesday night they will recommend the municipality's zoning hearing board deny Nestle Waters North America's special exception application to extract water from a Kunkletown property.

At the very least, Chairman Robert Boileau told a crowd of over 30 residents in the Kunkletown Fire Company, the planning commission would implore the zoning hearing board to levy a laundry list of conditions should approval be granted."The fact that Nestle has said it would give $750,000 to the township for a use of its choosing is a clear indication they recognize the negative impact their presence will have in the township," Boileau said."Nestle has positioned itself as an adversary and it's imperative the zoning hearing board protect our township by denying the application or minimizing detrimental effects to the township."Boileau made it clear those opinions were strictly his own, but said the planning commission as a whole would come to a consensus on a document to submit to the zoning hearing board before Nestle's case is heard on Feb. 24.Nestle has said it wants to extract up to 200,000 gallons of water per day from property owned by Ricky Gower, but Boileau said its extraction application allows for up to 6.2 million gallons per month."If approval is granted, we recommend it come with the condition that extraction be limited to the 200,000 gallons per day with no catch-up capabilities if there is a delay in the process," he said.Nestle's contract would be good for 25 years, with two 10-year renewal options.Many Eldred Township residents have opposed the project from the outset, citing concerns over potential loss of water quantity and quality, not to mention increased truck traffic as Nestle makes a minimum of 10,000 round trips a year from the site using its largest truck available.The company is currently proposing loading times between 6 and 11 a.m. seven days a week."I'd like to see that reduced to 6 to 9 a.m. with no loading on Sunday," Boileau said.He added that an appraiser should compile a report on the adverse affects of water extraction on neighboring properties and that any residents harmed should receive adequate compensation.Planner Michael Kolba said because Nestle was testing water extraction from the property as far back as 2011, when it was not a permitted or approved use of the land, any subsequent activity should be refused as a permit.A 2014 zoning ordinance change by township supervisors was also called into question Tuesday."I don't think a prudent company like Nestle would expend the funds for this without the confidence that the existing ordinance would be changed to facilitate its plans," Boileau said.Before the zoning hearing board meeting, Nestle plans to visit the planning commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, also at the Kunkletown Fire Company, to once again present its plans.Residents are able to testify in front of the zoning hearing board, but Boileau cautioned them to be prepared with experts in certain fields when discussing certain issues.For example, he said, when talking about the effect of water extraction plans on your property value, a local Realtor may not be enough."You need to have a certified appraiser," Boileau said. "If this application is denied and Nestle appeals it, passion is not going to come through. Whoever reviews it is going to be reading documents. The evidence needs to be there."