The Paradise Township Supervisors Meeting on Monday evening drew attention from the community amid growing concerns surrounding the development of the Pocono Region. Neighboring municipalities have already welcomed plans for warehouses, cell phone towers, large hotels and luxury apartment complexes, and a flurry of investment properties and short term rentals. Pocono Township residents have also recently expressed concern over the SBA Cell Tower Project through providing feedback at public meetings and on social media. Just this morning, Pocono Township residents provided public comment at the Monroe County Commissioner’s meeting questioning the cell tower plan, which they said has already expanded beyond the original scope, and also claimed the Pocono Township Supervisors failed to effectively communicate with long-time township residents whose properties will be directly impacted by the plans.
The mega warehouse that now sits atop the Mountain in the Borough of Mt. Pocono is also a harsh reminder that our Region has captured the attention of many developers who often do not prioritize environmental protections and significantly downplay potential environmental impacts. Township planning commissions often serve as a first line of defense against unsavory developers, and members of the community can attend those meetings and provide public comment.
On Monday evening, Paradise Township residents communicated their concerns to Supervisors, in a robust discussion on responsible development and natural resource preservation. Pocono Heritage Land Trust (PHLT) recently attempted to preserve a 70-acre property in Paradise Township by securing funding through grants and seeking additional support from the township’s Open Space Fund. The Open Space Fund is the direct result of a 2006 voter referendum, where Paradise residents voted in favor of an Earned Income Tax (EIT) of 0.25 percent so that the township could purchase open space properties. A quarter of that fund can be used to maintain, improve, and develop Open Space properties currently owned by the Township. The Open Space Fund had $1.1 million dollars at the end of 2023 and, according to Monday’s meeting, has closer to $1.2 million today.
Residents were upset that in July, when the motion to acquire the property was made, neither Supervisor Stein nor Supervisor Briglia would second the motion and it died, preventing the board from taking an official vote. Residents pointed out that this also prevented the board and community from having a much needed discussion; however, that conversation did occur at Monday’s Supervisors meeting. No official action was taken. The conversation was at times very emotional, but the overall message was that residents and local governments should work together to preserve the beauty of the Poconos.
On Monday night, Supervisor Stein provided many reasons for not seconding Chairman Gonze’s motion to consider the purchase in July. Supervisor Stein, who notably served as a past president of both PHLT and the Brodhead Watershed Association, said he would be willing to consider removing the EIT altogether, citing the large balance in the fund and the significant portion of Paradise Township that is already owned by the Township. Supervisor Stein also expressed concern that if the township continues to acquire land for open space preservation, our tax base will be limited. He also stated that several questions regarding the acquisition of the property were left unanswered by PHLT.
Residents did not react positively to the idea of removing the EIT altogether. The referendum to add the EIT overwhelmingly passed in 2006. Additionally, an issue that was referenced by both Supervisors and community members is that Stroud, Chestnuthill, Jackson, Smithfield, Barrett and Paradise Townships are the only municipalities in Monroe County that currently have an Open Space Fund. Supervisor Stein pointed out on Monday that the 70 acre lot being discussed sits adjacent to Pocono Township, who does not have an Open Space Fund, and Paradise would effectively be subsidizing Pocono Township's open space.
Supervisors and residents seemed to agree that while it may be too late to preserve valuable open space in surrounding municipalities, the natural beauty of Paradise Township is of utmost value to the entire County and is worth protecting. Supervisor Stein seemed confident that current state law protects several properties within Paradise Township and we are not in danger of being developed like our neighbors.
Paradise Township Environmental Advisory Council will meet this evening at 5pm. The agenda includes discussion about the 70-acre property in question.