We, the homeowners, voters, and taxpayers of Jonas Mountain stand together in this petition to stop the proposed commercial development building of a Dollar General Store on 534 and Old Stage Road. That location is nestled in a residential area which features the natural wooded beauty and views of Jonas Mountain and it is adjacent to six residential developments, Mount Pocahontas, Jonas Mountain Estates, Valley View, Indian Mountain Lakes, Stone Ridge Estates and Towamensing Trails.

The Penn Forest Township ordinances 492.1 and 492.322 dealing with Natural Feature Preservation specifically state respectively that “The design and development of all subdivisions and land developments shall preserve, whenever possible, natural features…natural terrain, woodland areas, large trees...” and “All subdivisions and land developments shall be laid out in such a manner as to preserve and minimize the removal of healthy trees on the site.”

This proposed development would be:

1. A violation of those ordinances

2. An infringement on our quality of life

3. An expansion of the light pollution from Sonny’s market

4. Increase dangerous levels of traffic: spoiling a tranquil natural setting and risking our families

5. ***A detriment to our property values. ***

This area does not need another Dollar General as the location in question is literally surrounded by 10 stores, the closest of which is a mere 3 miles away and in a more appropriate commercial sector. Some homeowners avoid Dollar General since they feel the franchise mistreats their employees; others watched their previous neighborhoods be similarly destroyed with a proliferation of unsightly commercial developments and do not want to see it happen here. If this petition should fail to prevent this development, many of the undersigned will boycott this store.