RED LION, Pa. — Editor's note: The attached video is from July 6, 2023.
The developer looking to build an age-restricted community on the former home of the Red Lion Country Club has pulled out of an agreement to purchase the land from its owner, the Red Lion School District.
The developer, 150 Country Club Road Associates LLC, sent a letter to school district officials on Monday, stating its intent to terminate the sales agreement, citing provisions in the original May 2022 purchase agreement that it claims allow for termination of the sale.
The Red Lion Area School Board denied the developer's request to waive a fee to extend the approval period for the purchase at a meeting on March 21.
York Township zoning officials also denied the development's request for a special exception to allow for the construction of the age-restricted community at a meeting in late February.
The project had drawn opposition from many members of the Red Lion community who were concerned about environmental and traffic issues related to the development of the 56-acre parcel of land.
York Township commissioners denied the developer's first request to rezone the property from commercial to high-density residential in August 2023, about a month after a large crowd turned out to voice opposition to the project.
The anti-development effort is spearheaded by Eric Maloney, who lives next to the former country club.
“This is a gem; this is a jewel to be enjoyed," he said in 2023.
Maloney cited the potential harm to wildlife in the area should the development plan go through. He noted bald eagles and short-eared owls would potentially be in danger.
“They will die out if this is developed," said Maloney. "Where are they going to go?”
Others opposed to the project argued the land should be developed for the benefit of all Red Lion community residents.
“This should be a nature preserve," said Maloney. "That’s what it was intended for, it was intended for the community.”