FNN Article © Friday, December 12, 2025. Letter Shared to FNN to address the concerns over an exception of an area zoned as a residential and agricultural area. Residents encourage others to attend meeting in hopes of preserving their beautiful and peaceful area. (Letter information provided in article or click on image to enlarge.
WELLSBORO, PA – Charleston Township residents are encouraging all their neighbors to stand up and be heard in hopes of persuading the Charleston Township Zoning Hearing Board in NOT granting an a Variance/Special Exception request by Sweetbriar Farms, LLC for the development of a stone quarry. The stone quarry would sit on the property on Sweet Briar Road nearest the intersection of Antrim Road.
The Charleston Township Zoning Hearing Board will be discussing two separate Variance/Special Exception applications to change previous zoning areas on Thursday evening, December 18, 2025. The important meeting is set to meet at the Charleston Township Building, located at 156 Catlin Hollow Road, Wellsboro, PA, at 6:00 P.M. for discussion of the two applications.
David Paxon is requesting a Variance/Special Exception to change from Commercial to Residential for a two-unit apartment house. The property is located on S.R. 0006. Nearest intersection being Round Top Road.
Sweetbriar Farms, LLC is requesting a Variance/Special Exception to add a stone quarry. The property is located on Sweet Briar Road. Nearest intersection being Antrim Road.
Zoning Hearing Board Russell Tomlinson ran notices of the meeting that were published on November 20, 2025 and November 27, 2025 in the Wellsboro Gazette’s legal section.
Letter below and in the image is encouraging Charleston Township residents to join together and be heard at the meeting to encourage the zoning board to NOT grant Sweetbriar Farms, LLC’s request to change the local zoning ordinance so Sweetbriar Farms LLC can add a stone quarry to the area in which many residents live.
-Charleston Township Neighbors,
If you value peace, quiet, and the rural lifestyle we all enjoy, please plan to attend the Charleston Township meeting on Thursday, December 18th at 6:00 PM.
Your presence matters. The proposed quarry could bring significant changes to our community, including:
– Increased heavy tri-axle truck traffic and noise to and from the proposed quarry
– Road damages
– Potential environmental impacts
It is anticipated that residents living on or near Antrim Road, Round Top Road, and Shumway Hill Road would feel the impact first.
Charleston Township is currently zoned Agricultural/Residential (Zoning Ordinance: Part 2, Article IV, Section 401, p.17). Granting a variance or special exception for a quarry could set a precedent for additional commercial development in the future.
The Township has stated that the Zoning Hearing Board typically votes immediately following the public meeting.
This is a pivotal moment for our community.
If we do not show up and speak up, decisions may be made for us.
The more residents who attend, the stronger our collective voice.
Your attendance is truly appreciated.
