Kline Township holds off on eminent domain proceeding, may already own the land
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - Snyder Avenue at Hillside Road in Kline Township is seen on Dec. 20, 2025.
KELAYRES – No action was taken after an eminent domain hearing during Kline Township’s Saturday morning township supervisors meeting. Why? The township might already own the land they want to take.
Nicolas Luceno made an impassioned plea to the three-man board before a packed crowd in the Kline Township to keep the land in the Spring Mountain Terrace development. His family built the development decades ago.
Township supervisors advertised and were considering for adoption an ordinance to invoke eminent domain on an “unimproved” portion of Snyder Avenue in Spring Mountain Terrace to open and connect with Marcus Court.
Solicitor Mark Semanchik read the ordinance and said the township planned to invoke the township’s authority to invoke eminent domain “to eliminate dangerous curves and widen and provide unobstructed view and to extend roadways.”
In a discussion, Semanchik alluded to an attempt to seek a grant to repave the road.
“If you’re a current resident of Kline Township, I would venture a guess that somewhere in the last five years, you should be able to acknowledge that you may have a new road paved in front of your home,” Semanchik said. “You may see a new truck that’s travelling up and down your streets, plowing snow, doing road work, because this township has been on a mission to acquire grant funds so your taxes don’t have to pay for the much needed improvements in the township.
A member of the Kline Township Municipal Authority, who did not identify himself, also offered information in the discussion that they had been exploring a project to install a water line in the area.
“A curve on a quiet secluded street has all of a sudden become so dangerous that you have to take my property to move the road,” Luceno said. “Is this really for public safety or better water pressure on a street that already has water utilities in place?”
Snyder Avenue from Marcus Court west is a dirt road ending at a KTMA water tower at Hillside Road.
Luceno also contended that Spring Mountain Terrace Development executed a contract with the township in 1974 in which the township agreed to maintain the road to a 35-foot width.
He also said that the roads in the development, aside from an extension off of Grove Street, were all deeded to the township. His claim is what is displayed on the Schuylkill County Parcel Locator, as well.
“Where the asphalt turns to gravel [on Grove Street], that is the only private road in the development,” Luceno said.
“That’s news to the township,” Semanchik said.
Luceno’s plea was met with applause from the residents in attendance.
Semanchik suggested that the township table the ordinance and “proceed with improving it and using it as a public road,” after confirming ownership.
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