The Derry Township Design and Review Board approved the petition from the Hershey Company to allow them to demolish the eastern portion of the 19 East plant.
The decision came among controversy from residents who say the site at Chocolate Avenue is a historical part of town.
The board approved the request in a 4 – 2 vote, but they made sure there were certain provisions, including keeping building 18 which is the oldest of the buildings on-site and by making sure the area has ample trees and plants.
After three years of evaluating the property at 19 East Chocolate Avenue, the Hershey Company found that the best option for the land would be to demolish it and find a new developer to take over the land.
Members of the community came to the meeting to voice their opinions about the plan – most opposing it saying that the plant was a piece of Hershey history.
Former Chairman and CEO of Hershey, Richard Zimmerman says the building is a part of history. “When I joined the company in 1958 the next 5 years we made every pound of product right there and even after we built the additional plants that plant continued to be the most valuable of all of them.”
Zimmerman says the building is very close to his heart, but he understands that the times are changing and that progress is necessary.
“In the final analysis, even though that plant really is the golden goose that laid the golden egg for many years, economics eventually prevail,” Zimmerman said.
Other members of the community were not as accepting of the decision, saying that they think the land will just end up being an open field or a eyesore of a parking lot right in the middle of town.
The time table for the project has it finishing up by the end of 2014 and the Hershey company is optimistic that many companies will find the land appealing and bring brand new business to Hershey.
The decision came among controversy from residents who say the site at Chocolate Avenue is a historical part of town.
The board approved the request in a 4 – 2 vote, but they made sure there were certain provisions, including keeping building 18 which is the oldest of the buildings on-site and by making sure the area has ample trees and plants.
After three years of evaluating the property at 19 East Chocolate Avenue, the Hershey Company found that the best option for the land would be to demolish it and find a new developer to take over the land.
Members of the community came to the meeting to voice their opinions about the plan – most opposing it saying that the plant was a piece of Hershey history.
Former Chairman and CEO of Hershey, Richard Zimmerman says the building is a part of history. “When I joined the company in 1958 the next 5 years we made every pound of product right there and even after we built the additional plants that plant continued to be the most valuable of all of them.”
Zimmerman says the building is very close to his heart, but he understands that the times are changing and that progress is necessary.
“In the final analysis, even though that plant really is the golden goose that laid the golden egg for many years, economics eventually prevail,” Zimmerman said.
Other members of the community were not as accepting of the decision, saying that they think the land will just end up being an open field or a eyesore of a parking lot right in the middle of town.
The time table for the project has it finishing up by the end of 2014 and the Hershey company is optimistic that many companies will find the land appealing and bring brand new business to Hershey.