A retail plaza proposed for Route 208 in Wilmington Township has been given the go-ahead by the supervisors.

At their meeting Monday, they approved the request of Rob Hodge, president of HAMCO of New Wilmington, to rezone about seven acres in front of AgCentral from its existing industrial status to commercial.

They also approved a land development plan.

Hodge unveiled plans to build a plaza that would house up to 15 family-oriented stores of 1,000 to 4,000 square feet each. He is proposing a 392-foot-long building in front of the three existing buildings and eventually will add a 335-foot wing on each end, extending back to form a "U."

A few acres behind the complex will remain for future industrial use. No residents attended to contest the plans Monday night, said Supervisor Chairman Norbert Kendall. But the next night, the room was filled with about 40 people, including many New Wilmington borough residents.

The supervisors conducted a hearing Tuesday and approved a conditional use for the property, with conditions attached. The conditions address issues such as parking and fencing.

The prospective plaza would lie within a half-mile of the borough line. Between Monday night and Tuesday, fliers and rumors were circulated throughout New Wilmington.

Westminster employees reported someone put a message out on the college Internet, urging people "to vote no on the shopping mall,'' Kendall said.

"This isn't a mall at all,'' Hodge said.

Although he has no tenants confirmed, he said he wants to attract stores such as Dollar General, adding he has spoken with company representatives.

"We don't have any leases in place,'' he said. "We have some people we'd like to encourage to come in.''

He anticipates starting construction in mid-summer.

Hodge, represented by his cousin, Attorney John W. Hodge, requested the zoning change because retail stores are permitted only in commercial zones.

He asked for a conditional use because that is the only way a shopping center is allowed in a commercial zone.

The township planning commission had ruled the plans constitute a shopping center because there would be more than one store.

The township received about 10 phone calls about the plans Tuesday from people who were uninformed about Hodge's plans, Kendall said.

Fears were expressed the plaza might house an adult bookstore or an establishment that sells alcoholic beverages, Kendall said, adding, "Someone started rumors.''

Hodge emphatically denied those, too.

"The intent of this location will not, as long as I am owner or have control, ever be an adult bookstore,'' he said. "And it will never see any business having anything to do with the sale of alcohol.''

Wilmington Township is a dry community, meaning the sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by state law.

Although a question on the ballot in the May primary election seeks to change the dry status of New Wilmington Borough, there is no such referendum in Wilmington Township.

"I want to keep the plaza oriented toward family trade and meet the needs of the community that's here,'' Hodge said. "I want it to be a positive in the community.''

Some borough business owners complained the plaza could hurt their business, Kendall said, "but there are court rulings that you can't keep something out just because it competes with another business.''