South Strabane, HCB have tentative deal
The developer of a proposed mid-rise apartment building in South Strabane Township has increased contributions to improve an access point, securing a tentative agreement with the township to proceed.
Representatives of HCB Foundry, St. Louis-based owner of a 12-acre pad in the Old Mill retail site near Route 19, offered Wednesday to increase a traffic mitigation fee to $150,000 to improve the intersection of Berry and Manifold roads, said township manager John Stickle.
Township supervisors, who were present during the conference before Judge Damon Faldowski in Washington County Court, will vote on the agreement at their Dec. 20 meeting.
The developer and township supervisors have gone back and forth on the issue several times.
HCB was denied a variance from the township zoning hearing board, then later secured a recommendation from the township planning commission. On July 20, however, supervisors denied the waiver because the zoning ordinance requires the first floor of such a development be used for office or retail space, which HCB did not meet. Jonathan Kamin, an attorney representing HCB, told the board the difference in elevation from existing Old Mill retail space to the development would make viable retail a challenge. Supervisors also raised concerns about the intersection, which has a steep approach from Berry to Manifold.
The developer filed a land-use appeal Aug. 15. On Aug. 23, Kamin came before supervisors and agreed to contribute $100,000 to improve the intersection, which will serve as an access point. He also offered to dedicate a portion of the first floor to community space, and develop green space adjacent to the building for apartment residents.
Supervisors approved the agreement, then, on Sept. 13, rescinded the decision. Supervisors Ed Mazur, Bob Weber and Tom Moore voted to repeal the settlement, citing concerns that $100,000 would not be nearly enough to build up 230 feet of Berry Road.
According to township solicitor Dennis Makel, HCB agreed Wednesday to develop the community and green space. Kamin did not respond to phone messages.
The site, in a C-2 commercial district, will feature one- and two-bedroom upscale apartments.