Despite pleas from neighboring residents, Lowhill Township zoners approved George Wessner Jr.'s request to host a fall festival at Stone Haven Supply, Orefield.

The May 20 hearing attracted a number of concerned residents who live near Wessner's business.

Voicing concerns about safety, noise, vandalism and traffic, homeowners pleaded with Wessner and members of the board to reject the proposed festival.

Wessner told zoners the festival would be a family event geared to draw customers to Stone Haven during the off-season.

Being a seasonal business, he is looking to use the property within the parameters of a special exception that would allow him to use the land for a place of amusement.

With 53 acres to play with, Wessner said the site would be big enough to house a 250-car parking lot, pumpkin patch, corn maze and area for staging a zombie paint ball ride.

"It will be bumped off with the pumpkin patch during the day," Wessner said. "The zombie ride will be at night."

The main event, the zombie paintball ride, is what had residents concerned.

Wessner described the ride as a haunted obstacle course in which customers will ride on one of three army trucks that will navigate through staged areas where zombies will attack.

Riders will shoot the zombies with paintball guns mounted to the sides of the truck. Gory sound effects will be projected by speakers.

Residents complained they will be subjected to noise coming from the property until midnight, with the zombie ride expected to run 7-11 p.m.

"We have to listen to the noise coming from that place from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.," said Terry Miller, of 6927 Kernsville Road, regarding the sound of backup alarms on equipment used at Stone Haven. "Now we are going to have to listen to noise from that place all night."

Wessner assured zoners the majority of the action will be 300 yards away from neighboring houses.

"The corn maze is the only thing close to a property line," said Zoner Karl Reed, as he looked over an oversized map of the project.

Residents said they fear a repeat of last June when Wessner had a motocross event at the property.

James Yost, of 6945 Kernsville Road, said the motocross track caused so much dust and noise he contacted the state police.

The township was bombarded with emails, calls and letters pertaining to the conditions caused by the track.

"It was the weekend from hell," said Yost regarding the motocross event held at Stone Haven, Father's Day weekend 2013.

The track was immediately shut down and Wessner, a township supervisor, apologized for the disruption.

Reed did not see a reason why the proposed festival would violate zoning ordinances.

"In my opinion, this is an acceptable use of the property," said Reed, as he made a motion to approve the festival on the grounds of a special exception. "It is a reasonable thing."

Wessner was given the green light to move forward with his project, with two conditions.

The festival must take place no sooner than the second week of September and no later than the first week of November. Evening events will end by 11 p.m. and are limited to Thursday through Sunday.

Chairperson Peggy Hughes seconded the motion. Zoner Sterling Raber abstained.

With two affirmative votes out of three, the board approved the festival.