The group developing a business park on former lands of Letterkenny Army Depot is not enforcing its rules against nuisances, according to Chambersburg attorney Fred Antoun.

Companies in the Cumberland Valley Business Park are worried about their employees' quality of life, Antoun told members of the Letterkenny Industrial Development Authority (LIDA) on Monday. Some workers cannot eat their lunches outside because of the smell.

The smell, a sometimes strong tar odor, comes from Warrior Roofing, which makes roofing paper. LIDA sold land to the company and it has promised to install equipment to eliminate the odor.

LIDA also has agreed to sell land to another potentially smelly operation, according to Antoun. Penn-Mar Ethanol LLP proposes building an ethanol plant on 55 acres. Ethanol plants smell or not depending on which way the wind is blowing, said Antoun, who represents Citizens for a Quality Environment and a company in the Cumberland Valley Business Park.

LIDA members who visited a Midwest ethanol plant have reported they did not notice any objectionable odor.

Antoun said businesses in the industrial park want to know: "What is the third one — hog rendering or (low-level) nuclear waste?"

Antoun's question drew a response.

"LIDA and the Cumberland Valley Business Park Association have not, to date, had complaints from our tenants about odors from neighbors or whatever," said John Van Horn, LIDA executive director.

Companies in the business park are members of the association, which is similar to a homeowners' association.

"You need to look at the covenants and start enforcing them," Antoun said to LIDA.

The association's rules forbid nuisances such as "the escape or discharge of any fumes, odors, gases, vapors, steam, acids, or other substance into the atmosphere which discharge, in the opinion of the association, may be detrimental to the health, safety, or welfare of any person or may interfere with the comfort of persons within the area or which may be harmful to property or vegetation."

Antoun also warned that by allowing companies that pollute the air, LIDA could cost its other tenants millions of dollars. If air pollution in an area increases, all companies in the area may be required to improve their individual emissions.

LIDA chairman John Redding told Antoun that the board would consider his remarks.