Owner of EarthNet Energy draws up plan for 290 apartments, retail space powered by the sun in South Middleton Township

A national leader in homegrown solar-thermal manufacturing will present a concept to South Middleton Twp. supervisors tonight for a neighborhood of about 290 apartments that would get their heat, hot water and air conditioning from the sun.

Brian McNew, owner of EarthNet Energy of Chambersburg, owns a 32-acre site at Marsh, Rockledge and Eastgate drives where the Summerbridge community is proposed.

I think this could be a model not only for South Middleton Township, but for the region for responsible, sustainable development, said John Snyder of RGS Associates of Lancaster, project engineer.

Initial drawings show 10 multi-unit residential buildings and five commercial pads, a community center incorporating an existing barn on the property, substantial green areas and a broad buffer with plantings separating the neighborhood from a well site that supplies municipal water.

Solar collectors manufactured by EarthNet would provide heat, hot water and cooling, and additional green technology would be incorporated in the communitys design and construction.

Snyder said that while the project will not be an age-restricted community, it is being geared toward older, active adults.

He said 30 to 60 percent of the housing units would have amenity packages that would appeal to seniors, such as first-floor master bedrooms, specialized bathing facilities and step-free entries.

McNew and Snyder stressed that the project is in its infancy and cannot proceed without zoning concessions.

The site, formerly a farm, is the only tract in the township zoned village-commercial, which calls for first-floor retail spaces in structures facing the street like a traditional small-town main street.

Market conditions dont favor that much retail space, Snyder said.

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Owner of EarthNet Energy draws up plan for 290 apartments, retail space powered by the sun in South Middleton Township