Location of "Cocalico Commons"
Benderson Development Shopping Center
"Cocalico Commons"
Click Here for a Detailed History of the Project
The developer was in negotiations with the Township as early as April 2005 (as indicated by documents in the public file on the project at the Township Office). There was little public knowledge of this project until I found out about in April 2006. Soon thereafter, I managed to get articles published in both the Ephrata Review and the Lancaster Sunday News concerning this project. For reasons not at all understood by the author of this (Ken McCrea), the Board of Supervisors has become the major proponent of this project, arguing strongly for the zoning map changes and the zoning ordinance changes that have greatly increased the size of the project.
Click Here for an Analysis of what the Supervisors Gave Benderson
This is a proposed retail facility to be located on what is now a 57 acre tract between US 222, North Reamstown Road, Col. Howard Blvd. (Spur Road), and Lausch Road. Although no official plans or details have been released, a representative of the developer told me that the project will be around 435,000 square feet of retail space. For comparison, the Ephrata Wal-Mart is about 220,000 square feet.
Location of "Cocalico Commons"
Benderson Development has the name of the project on their web site, but without any details. Even after the Board of Supervisors have passed the zoning ordinance and zoning map changes requested by the developer, still no information has been released on the project. It remains the "Secret Shopping Center."
Proposed Shopping Center Site
Roadside parking along Col. Howard Blvd., the reason for needing
a "Park and Ride" parking lot adjacent to the Turnpike entrance.
Wetland area at the proposed Shopping Center site,
along Col. Howard Blvd.