Residents of Plateau Village plead for help as 70+ families face relocation by 2027, but the township said it can’t stop the closure under zoning rules.
Residents of Plateau Village Mobile Home Park grew emotional during a Warwick Township meeting as they pleaded with leaders and developers over a plan that will force them from their homes. “When we bought this place, we expected to stay here until we passed,” said resident Dave Masters, who has lived there with his wife for several years.
“People have invested their life savings here, and now they’ve ripped that out from under us.” More than 70 families in the 55-and-over community are being required to relocate after United Zion notified residents that the land will be redeveloped into cottages as part of its retirement community. The company said it will cover relocation costs based on state rates, about $5,500 for single-section homes and just over $8,300 for multi-section units.Instead, it focused on a conditional use application from United Zion Retirement Community to redevelop the property at 70 Sherry Dr. Plans include 78 independent living duplex and townhouse units, along with a community and maintenance building as part of a larger medical residential campus.“That decision to move residents out is already made,” said zoning board member Keneth Eshleman. “They don't need our approval to move forward with that plan." Still, many residents said they are struggling with the reality of being forced to leave - especially those with limited financial resources or health challenges. “This is not a community that has the resources to move,” said Duncan Hopkins, an organizer with Lancaster Stands Up. “Many folks have disabilities, maybe a wheelchair or dementia. I have talked to so many people who are struggling in their own way, and it’s honestly heartbreaking.”“I truly believe that if they have the resources to build a development here, they have the resources to make sure all the residents at Plateau Village are properly taken care of,” he said. "But they aren't doing that."“I’ve lived here for 37 years,” said George West. “My wife passed away three and a half years ago. My grandkids grew up here. I don’t know what to do. It’s very hard.” Longtime resident Karen Eck became emotional during public comment when speaking about how much the community means to her.Eck has told CBS 21 in the past that the community has learned to rely on each other, assisting with mowing lawns, shoveling snow, and other daily tasks. Once they all vacate, they’ll no longer have that support.“There’s an atrocity at your hands,” Kennell Eshleman said. “I hope that you’re willing to step up to the plate and do something about it.” Eshleman also spoke about the mission statement from the developers. According to their website, the retirement community operates on foundational Christian principles, emphasizing a faith-based culture of service, respect, and stewardship. "If they really were a pure Christian-based community, they would love their neighbor," said Eshleman, with tears in his eyes. CBS 21 obtained a statement from Sue Verdegem, president and CEO of United Zion Retirement Community, which reads: United Zion Retirement Community continually evaluates how we can strengthen the position of our community and ensure our campus and residential options continue to meet the needs of older adults in our region over the long term. After careful consideration, our Board of Directors has identified a vision for Plateau Village and has voted to close the park, effective January 1, 2027. Over the next period of time, we will begin the process of slowly and gradually transitioning the Plateau Village manufactured home park into independent living cottages for future residents of United Zion Retirement Community. In the interim, we will work diligently to ensure a smooth and gradual transition for tenants of the park as best we can. The Warwick Township board could not point to any other government entity that could prevent United Zion from moving forward with the redevelopment.Ring-leader, 23, sentenced for $3 million bank fraud scheme that targeted PA customers A Dover man at the helm of a $3 million bank fraud scheme in central Pennsylvania learned his fate this week."To all of you who have been faithful and regular supporters of the festival over these many years, we say THANK YOU," the festival wrote.A man listed as 'most wanted' for eight warrants out of Perry, York, and Adams counties was arrested in Hanover on March 12, police confirmed.Deputies with thePennsylvania lawmakers have tried to eliminate property taxes in the past and the new push to eliminate them has begun, with a new bill proposing a tax increaseA 22-year-old woman is facing charges after she reportedly fled the scene of a crash in CUmberland County because she
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