FORWARD TWP — The planning commission gave preliminary approval to the revised plans for a proposed multisport facility on Watters Station Road on Tuesday, Feb. 28.

Township resident and Seneca Valley School District athletics teacher John Cashdollar first brought his proposal before township supervisors in October 2023, and once more in January. At both meetings, the planning commission tabled the proposal to allow Cashdollar and his representatives to address comments from the township engineer.

The plans call for an outdoor soccer field along with three enclosed buildings, which would feature an indoor soccer field, four pickleball courts and two pole vaulting tracks.

Township engineer Tom Thompson and the rest of the planning commission came away reasonably satisfied Cashdollar and his representatives addressed the remaining comments from the township. These included commissioning a lighting study and setting the soccer field back 20 to 25 feet from Watters Station Road.

Despite this, the municipal building was packed with residents who had concerns about the project, which has been a talking point in the township since its unveiling late last year.

Multiple residents expressed concerns about the facility’s ability to handle stormwater in the event of downpour, as well as the amount of traffic the facility could potentially bring to the surrounding neighborhood.

During public comment, one resident complained that no traffic study had been performed yet.

While some Forward Township administrators sympathized with those concerns, their position was that they could not deny the application based solely on them.

“As of today, Forward Township does not require a traffic study to be submitted, and they don't require a lot of these things that we're talking about,” said township solicitor Rebecca Black. “The planning commission can only consider the ordinances that are in effect today.”

According to township manager Tom Hartwig, Cashdollar’s representatives must still get sewage and water permits, as well as a land development permit, before they can start construction. They must also receive approval from the township’s supervisors, who will consider the proposal at their next meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, March 12.