Backyard news, 10.08.08

* The Lower Paxton Twp. supervisors Tuesday night approved a preliminary plan for the 318-unit Shadebrook housing development located north of Union Deposit Road near Nyes Road. The planned community will have the look and feel of a traditional village. It will feature a Main Street with commercial space and green areas. The technical term for this type of development is traditional development neighborhood, or TND. Before the project can break ground, the developer, Cider Press Associates, needs to obtain approval from the township for a final plan, which is a detailed construction plan. (Background info on LP adopting TND as an option for housing communities.)

Also Tuesday night, the supervisors hired Berkheimer Associates to collect earned income taxes starting in 2009, replacing Capital Tax Collection Bureau.

* You never know where Lower Paxton Twp. resident Eric Epstein will pop up. Eric is the chairman of community watchdog group SWAN and is known statewide as an activist on political, environmental and nuclear power issues. His latest project is a new blog called Capital Domes that is being sponsored by Central Penn Business Journal. (Hat tip to DRM for submitting this item.)

* The prize package for the Mowing Contest that ends Nov. 1 grew larger today thanks to Gwen Robbins, a loyal Gazette reader and owner of Commonwealth Printing and Promotions. Gwen chipped in a tote bag that is loaded with cool items. Thanks much!

There are few more slots available for other businesses to grab some free publicity by contributing a prize. Send an e-mail to B² to be part of the action.

The count is at 26 and the next mowing isn't too far away.