Ensinger eyes area property
Mike Jones/Observer-Reporter
A view of a portion of the site across from The Meadows Casino in South Strabane Township that Chapman Corp. intends to develop
International plastics manufacturer Ensinger Inc., based in North Strabane Township, hopes to build a plant on a 153-acre site across from The Meadows Casino in South Strabane Township.
An international plastics manufacturer with its North American headquarters based in North Strabane Township is proposing to build a new light industrial plant on Racetrack Road.
Ensinger Inc., a specialized plastics manufacturer currently located on Meadowlands Boulevard, wants to buy a commercial parcel in South Strabane Township across from The Meadows Casino to construct a 250,000-square-foot building and expand its workforce.
Representatives for the German-based company and the president of Chapman Properties, which owns the 153-acre property, are asking South Strabane officials to modify the parcel’s zoning requirements to allow for light industrial development in addition to the site’s current commercial use.
Dan Bertovich of Ensinger told the township’s planning commission Thursday night the company has been searching for a location for its new headquarters over the past several years and thinks a portion of that Racetrack Road property is ideal for its “long-term vision of growth.” He said the company would invest $30 million to $40 million in the project and expand its workforce from about 140 people to eventually 200 employees.
“This is our headquarters, and we would like to see this be a growth opportunity for us and the community,” Bertovich said of the interest in the South Strabane location.
Bertovich said the factory would be a “white collar facility with a skilled workforce” that engineers and produces specialized plastics needed for everything from medical devices to machinery. He added that they do not “mass produce” plastic products and an average of 20 tractor-trailers would visit the plant daily.
One stumbling block could rest on the fact that land is currently zoned C-3, which is intended for a variety of general commercial uses, but not light industry. Dusty Kirk, an attorney with Reed Smith representing Chapman Properties, suggested a “text amendment” that would expand that parcel’s options, but still allow for the general commercial development at other parts of the property.
“We’re being careful not to eliminate the uses for the C-3, but to expand the uses to make this parcel a little more flexible so other things can come in,” Kirk said.
The planning commission also raised questions about how changes would affect other business development on the parcel and whether it would alter the property’s tax increment financing option that has helped to subsidize development in the area. The 20-year TIF is set to expire in 2025, but Ensinger representatives said they are not asking to be included in that tax benefit and planning commission solicitor Thomas Lonich said he did not think it would be an issue.
“I’m seeing that you’re doing your due diligence and doing the best you can, but I would like to wait until we can get more information,” planning commission member Paula Phillis said.
The planning commission asked for comparable ordinances dealing with similar development issues and more research on whether it would affect the TIF. Chapman President Tony Rosenberger said they would return next month with more information for the board.
“I want to make sure they’re comfortable,” Rosenberger said. “I don’t want them to rush into anything.”
The planning commission could make a recommendation to the township supervisors on whether to grant the zoning update as early as next month.