Dec 2, 2016 3 min read

South Strabane Township supervisors are considering the acquisition of 4.58 acres adjacent to the municipal building through eminent domain procedures.

The board on Nov. 21 directed solicitor Dennis Makel to investigate obtaining the property at 570 Washington Road, off Munce Ridge Road, for municipal purposes.

The township currently owns 2.88 acres at the site of the municipal building and police department, which was constructed in 2013. Supervisors have mentioned many possible uses for the additional acreage, including a park, recreation building or future expansion of the municipal and police buildings.

“There are numerous other uses that we’ll never have if that property is sold,” said Supervisor Tom Moore. “Even if we wanted to expand later, we wouldn’t have the opportunity.”

The property, owned by the Colussi family, has been up for sale for years. According to Cindy Namie of Century 21 Frontier Realty, the Realtor listing the property, a sales contract is pending with W&W Realty Enterprises, Washington Ford.

The dealership, which owns property on the other side of the municipal building, has obtained approval for two uses on the Colussi property, which is zoned commercial, C-2.

The dealership’s original application for a storage lot was denied by supervisors Aug. 23 because the township’s ordinance did not allow for vehicle storage lots. W&W then came back to the supervisors and secured conditional-use approval for a sales lot Oct. 25.

On Nov. 2, the business received a special exception from the zoning hearing board for a vehicle storage lot on the property, subject to nine conditions, including lighting and noise requirements and no use of car carriers on the lot.

“I think they would prefer a vehicle storage lot, but I guess we’ll find out whichever route they’re going to take,” said township Manager John Stickle.

For either development, W&W would first have to secure land-development approval from the township.

A message left for Dan Wind, Washington Ford general manager, was not returned.

Supervisor Laynee Zipko, who with Supervisor Jack Keisling voted against having Makel look into the matter, said it was morally and ethically wrong to proceed.

“Why would we do it at this time when we approved Ford to put a parking lot there?” said Zipko. “I think it’s bad timing. I think we can afford it. I think it’s unconscionable that we would do that.”

Supervisors Moore, Bob Weber and Ed Mazur voted to have Makel move forward.

“If there’s anybody who thinks the highest and best use is to have a parking lot … I would vehemently disagree,” Moore said. “We’re not trying to take the property. We would pay a reasonable price. We’re trying to do this on the up and up, and do what’s best for everyone, including the Colussis.”

Government entities can take properties for roads, schools, public buildings and the elimination of blight, as long as the owner is justly compensated.

The township would have to adopt an ordinance in order to move forward with eminent domain procedures.

The online Century 21 listing shows a sale price of $850,000.