ADAMS TWP — Sports complexes and convention centers could soon be considered under conditional uses in some areas of the township, but supervisors have decided to take a little more time to consider the proposal before voting.

Supervisors are considering adding an amendment to the zoning ordinance which would codify the change to include such structures in the industrial and Route 228 overlay districts, including the personal services overlay district.

The proposed amendment would specifically add “indoor/outdoor recreational complex” and “arena/convention center” to the list of conditional uses in those districts.

At its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 10, supervisors voted to table a motion to approve the amendment after hearing feedback from residents who expressed concern about the ramifications of the potential addition of these new facilities.

An indoor/outdoor recreational complex is defined as a “facility designed for recreation, sports exhibition and practice that may contain indoor or outdoor fields with fixed seating capacity less than or equal to 1,000 spectators at any given time.”

An arena/convention center is defined as a “completely enclosed structure with fixed seating for more than 1,000 persons which is designed to accommodate sporting, entertainment, tourism, convention and assembly events,” according to a draft copy of the ordinance.

According to Supervisors Chairman Russell Ford, while there have been no formal proposals for any sports venues, arenas or convention centers in Adams Township yet, there has been informal interest.

“I know that there’s somebody that has been in the early stages of talking and presenting something, but I have not seen anything,” Ford said. “Normally, the reason that (zoning amendments) come up is someone potentially requesting to do something in one of these areas.”

More than one resident expressed concern that the township’s infrastructure — particularly Route 228 — could not support the stress caused by a 1,000-seat sports facility or major event venue.

“The infrastructure in Adams Township is not adequate. It really is not even adequate for those who are here currently,” Tina Wilson said. “The infrastructure cannot handle this type of facility.”

“My worry is that these sudden large-scale events that people are trying to attract to our area will cause traffic and noise problems for our community,” Tim Stack said.

The criticism was echoed by township Supervisor Ronald Nacey.

“Tina struck a chord with me. The traffic that we have in this township is horrendous,” Nacey said. “I’ve voiced my opinion about the infrastructure and the traffic that’s in this town as it is right now from all the development. I don’t like the idea of it.”

One resident, Rob Crouthamel, also expressed concern that on the draft ordinance, indoor/outdoor recreational complexes were listed as a conditional use in the personal services overlay district. The overlay district is located mainly along Route 228 and allows for commercial uses such as general retail, office space or small restaurants, either as a permitted or conditional use.

“None of these current uses strike me as being in the same category as an indoor sports facility that can support 1,000 spectators and the parking lots they would require,” Crouthamel said. “There seems to be a disconnect between what was envisioned in ‘personal services’ and this particular change to the ordinances.”

Ford stressed during the meeting that, under the terms of the draft amendment, sports complexes and convention centers would be conditional uses only.

“This directs not only the board, but the planning commission, to monitor every project that comes through,” Ford said. “Just because the ordinance changes doesn’t mean any plan that walks through the door is going to be approved.”

Ultimately, supervisors voted to table the vote until their meeting in January. The matter will be further discussed at a joint meeting between supervisors and the planning commission on Dec. 15.

“We can dig into it all together so we can get a better feeling of where they’re at and understand what they have to say,” Ford said.