Commissioners will hold a hearing next week on condemning 411 acres of Lauxmont Farms for a proposed park.
By TERESA ANN BOECKEL
Daily Record/Sunday News
York Daily Record/Sunday News

Supporters and opponents refuted one another's arguments during a public comment section and a special hearing on the short-term loan for what officials now say will be a county-owned park.

Donna Paules of Hellam Township accused commissioners for the deterioration of Laura Kohr's health. Kohr, who owned Lauxmont Farms with her late husband, Ronald Sr., died in May.

"You brought two ugly words to our county - eminent domain - for an unnecessary park," Paules said. "I think you should give up some of your land to expand Rocky Ridge Park."

But Michael Helfrich said that this proposed park would represent the history and culture of York County and the Native Americans - unlike some other county parks.

"I think that in this day and age when there's so much developing going on and we are constantly losing special places, ... I think it is key that this well-thought out project goes through, and we get to preserve this area along the Susquehanna River," he said.

Laura Kohr, the daughter of the late Ronald and Laura Kohr, cried as she yelled at another park supporter during the meeting. The commissioners will hold a hearing next week on condemning 411 acres of Lauxmont Farms.

"You have not gone through what we have gone through," she said.

County officials said the three-year loan to acquire the land for the park will be repaid with federal, state and local grants as well as private donations. Five private parties have agreed to cover the interest on the loan, which has a fixed rate of 3.9 percent.

Interest will not accrue until the money is drawn down. Officials do not intend to draw down the money until they need it.

"At the present time, no general fund monies are anticipated to be used for this project," Noll said.

President Commissioner Lori Mitrick declined after the meeting to name the private organizations and individuals who have agreed to pay the interest. Until the money comes in, it is not public record, she said.

Commissioner Steve Chronister, who voted against the borrowing, said he is concerned if the grant money doesn't come through.

"It all comes down to the taxpayers," he said after the meeting. "I don't care how you spin it."

Chronister said he thinks the recent Lower Windsor Township election shows that people are starting to speak out.

An independent candidate beat an incumbent Republican for supervisor. Both candidates have said that the proposed park played a role.

Township resident Frank Harvey asked commissioners Wednesday to give back the township's $2 million contribution for the park, plus 3½ to 4 percent interest on the length of time the county has held the money.

"We're facing tax increases in Lower Windsor," he said.

Mitrick said she thinks there are numerous concerns in Lower Windsor Township, and it is convenient to isolate Lauxmont as the cause of the election results.

Park supporters plan to meet in executive session with two township supervisors later this week to discuss the contribution. It will be a closed-door meeting because it involves land acquisition, Mitrick said.

Betsy Kohr asked a series of questions: If this park fails, what happens to the land? Who will pay for the cost overruns? Are they going to develop any part of the land?

"Did the Kohrs break off negotiations or is this how you negotiate?" she asked.

Mitrick said after the meeting that they are negotiating with the bankruptcy trustee, who is responsible for settling debts left over from a decades-old bankruptcy filing by Ronald and Laura Kohr.

A bankruptcy reorganization plan calls for developing most of the farm to pay off debts.

Vice President Commissioner Doug Kilgore said he doesn't think that they have done a great job in marketing the project. He said he thinks there is a misconception that this project is going to drive county tax rates up.

The increases in the county's budget over the years has not been with parks, he said. They are rising because of the court system and public safety issues.

Reach Teresa Ann Boeckel at 771-2031 or teresa@ydr.com.

PUBLIC HEARING

York County commissioners will hold a public hearing Nov. 23 on the condemnation of 411 acres of Lauxmont Farms for the proposed park.

It will be held at 10 a.m. in the commissioners meeting room on the fourth floor of One West Marketway.