Plans to dramatically reduce the number of housing units in the Hershey West End development, eliminate rental apartments and add green space to the 245-acre development were announced Tuesday.
The changes to the Derry Township development are a response to suggestions from the community, said The Milton Hershey School and the Hershey Trust Company, developers of the mixed-use development between Waltonville and Bullfrog Valley roads.
“After listening to the Hershey community and having productive conversations with Derry Township leaders, we are finalizing an improved land development plan that will accommodate the needs of the township while also elevating the West End,” Pete Gurt, president of the Milton Hershey School, said in a news release.
“While we understand this project has taken time to come to fruition, we are committed to a West End that will make our entire community proud.”
The updated, multiple-phase West End plan will still include commercial spaces with small and large retailers and locally owned businesses. It also will include the Hershey Inn & Suites, a hotel owned and operated by Hershey Entertainment & Resorts.
The Hershey West End includes The Englewood restaurant; Farmers Market in Hershey; U-Gro Hershey daycare center; Hershey Center for Applied Research; and McQuaid Blasko, attorneys. A grocery store is also planned for the site.
Officials said the key changes to the plan affect residential development, with the new design creating a combination of for-purchase-only single-family homes and townhomes, while providing more open green spaces, including landscaped parks and walking trails.
The plan has been revised to eliminate apartment rentals and reduce the total number of units. The revised plan will have nearly 50% fewer units than the 731 that were originally planned.
The Hankin Group will remain the West End property developer. The Milton Hershey School oversees all operational and developmental oversight of all Milton Hershey School Trust real estate.
“Our approach is to be an exceptional neighbor with our community and good stewards of resources entrusted to us by our founders,” Gurt said.
