North Strabane says no to boarding, yes to senior apartments
North Strabane Township board of supervisors voted against two recommendations from their planning commission March 22, quashing plans for a dog day care and clearing the way for a senior living community.
Supervisors unanimously rejected a zoning change that would allow dog boarding facilities in commercial districts – previously recommended for approval by the planning commission.
An amendment request by Cecil Township resident Jessica Salko was denied that would have allowed overnight boarding as a special exception in the C-1 and C-2 commercial districts for a dog day care facility.
At their March 15 meeting, many supervisors expressed concerns about potential noise from such a facility.
Supervisors approved increasing the maximum height allowance for senior garden apartments – previously rejected by the commission – from three to four stories, at the request of Presbyterian SeniorCare and Laurel Communities.
Developers are working on a 57-acre site on McDowell Lane, the first step of which is a senior apartment complex with future plans for carriage and single-family homes.
Township manager Frank Siffrinn said the development will be the first of its kind in the municipality.
“I think the board felt it was going to be an asset,” he said. “After the developer made the presentation (during the board meeting) people were satisfied with the finished product.”
Siffrinn said supervisors usually vote in line with recommendations from the planning commission.
“Probably at least 95 percent of the time, the board acts upon their recommendation,” said Siffrinn. “Keep in mind, it’s strictly advisory. The board has no obligation and are pretty much free to choose to do what they want.”
Siffrinn said the development is on trend with senior housing – options ranging from apartments to single-family homes.
He said work on the site could commence as early as this fall.
A call to Presbyterian SeniorCare was not returned.
“I think they’re trying to satisfy a market condition here,” he said. “There just happens to be an overwhelming need for senior housing.”
In other township business, a hearing concerning the zoning appeal of JG Landscape and Design, 174 S. Spring Valley Road, will be held before the zoning hearing board at 7 p.m. April 6.
According to Siffrinn, the zoning hearing board previously denied a request for a variance that would allow the applicant to operate the landscaping business in the A-2 agricultural district.
Owners took the case to Washington County Court, where Judge John DiSalle remanded it back to the board for review.