Milton Hershey School on schedule to submit Development Plan – Central Penn Business Journal

Report on the Hershey West End Development Plan and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview

Milton Hershey School (MHS), in its capacity as steward of the Milton Hershey School Trust Real Estate, is advancing its Hershey West End development proposal. A formal plan for the 245-acre mixed-use project is scheduled for submission to the Derry Township Board of Supervisors. The development, managed by MHS with Hankin Group serving as the property developer, is designed to integrate residential, commercial, and recreational spaces, reflecting a comprehensive approach to community planning.

Alignment with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The Hershey West End project is fundamentally aligned with the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The project’s design incorporates several key elements that contribute directly to this goal:

• Integrated and Sustainable Land Use: The plan creates a mixed-use community featuring for-purchase single-family homes, townhomes, retail spaces, and a hotel. This model reduces the need for extensive travel and promotes a more cohesive community structure.
• Reduced Environmental Impact: A re-imagined approach to the development has significantly decreased density. The total number of residential units was reduced by nearly 50% from the original proposal, mitigating the strain on local infrastructure and preserving open space.
• Access to Public Green Spaces: The inclusion of parks and walking trails provides universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces, enhancing the quality of life and well-being for all residents.

Contributions to Economic, Health, and Infrastructure Goals

Beyond its primary focus on sustainable communities, the development plan contributes to several other critical SDGs.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By incorporating extensive parks and walking trails, the project actively promotes healthy lifestyles and physical activity, which are essential for combating non-communicable diseases and improving mental well-being.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The development will foster sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. The construction phase, along with the establishment of new retail spaces and the Hershey Inn & Suite, will create productive employment and decent work opportunities for the local community.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The project represents a significant investment in building resilient and sustainable infrastructure. The thoughtful design and long-term planning demonstrate an innovative approach to regional development that supports economic productivity and human well-being.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The development process for the West End project exemplifies SDG 17, which emphasizes the importance of partnerships to achieve sustainable goals. The collaboration between Milton Hershey School, the Hankin Group, and the Derry Township Board of Supervisors is a multi-stakeholder partnership. Furthermore, MHS has actively engaged with community members and local leaders, incorporating their feedback to refine the plan. This inclusive and participatory approach is crucial for creating an enduring and vibrant community that reflects the collective vision for a sustainable future.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

Explanation

The article on the Hershey West End development plan touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals through its focus on urban planning, economic development, environmental considerations, and community partnerships.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This is the most prominent SDG, as the article details a 245-acre project for a new community space featuring residential, commercial, and green areas. The focus on thoughtful design, reduced density, and community input directly relates to creating sustainable human settlements.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The project aims to stimulate the local economy by including “elevated retail spaces” and a “select-service hotel.” These commercial elements will create jobs and promote local tourism, contributing to economic growth in the Hershey area.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The article highlights a multi-stakeholder approach. Milton Hershey School (MHS) is partnering with “local leaders” (Derry Township Board of Supervisors), a private developer (“Hankin Group”), and listening to “members of our community,” which exemplifies the public-private-civil society partnerships promoted by this goal.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: By incorporating “parks and walking trails” and “green spaces” into the development, the project addresses the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The decision to significantly decrease housing density also reduces the overall environmental footprint on the land.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Explanation

Based on the details of the West End project, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Target 11.3: “By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.” The article demonstrates this through MHS’s commitment to “listen to members of our community and partner with local leaders.” The submission of a “comprehensive plan” that has been re-imagined based on feedback to reduce density by “nearly 50%” is a clear example of participatory and sustainable planning.
• Target 11.7: “By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.” The plan explicitly includes the development of “parks and walking trails” and “green spaces.” The statement that the area will be “thoughtfully designed for all to enjoy” aligns with the goal of creating inclusive and accessible public spaces.
• Target 8.9: “By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.” The inclusion of a “select-service hotel” and “elevated retail spaces” is a direct investment in tourism infrastructure that will create local jobs and contribute to the Hershey community’s economy, which is described as an “extraordinary win.”
• Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.” The article explicitly mentions the partnership between MHS (a private trust), Hankin Group (a private developer), the Derry Township Board of Supervisors (a public entity), and the local community (civil society) in developing the West End plan.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Explanation

The article implies several qualitative and quantitative indicators that could be used to measure progress, even if it does not cite official SDG indicator codes:

• Indicator for Target 11.3 (Participatory Planning): The article implies an indicator related to the existence of participatory planning processes. The statement that MHS has been “listen[ing] to members of our community” and the subsequent action of reducing the total number of housing units by “nearly 50%” from the original 731 serves as a tangible outcome of this community engagement.
• Indicator for Target 11.7 (Public Green Space): An implied indicator is the proportion of land dedicated to public green space. While the exact percentage is not given, the article confirms that the “245-acre project” will feature “parks and walking trails” and “green spaces,” which are measurable components of the development plan.
• Indicator for Target 8.9 (Investment in Sustainable Tourism): The construction of new commercial infrastructure serves as an indicator. The plan includes a new “select-service hotel” and “elevated retail spaces,” which are concrete investments in the local tourism economy. The number of jobs created upon completion would be a subsequent measure of progress.
• Indicator for Target 17.17 (Multi-stakeholder Partnerships): The existence of a formal development agreement between the key partners—MHS, Hankin Group, and Derry Township—is a clear indicator. The article confirms this partnership is active and moving forward to “submit a formal plan.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: cpbj.com