Work on new dealership draws complaints, questions in N. Strabane
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Trees have been cleared from property along Route 19 in North Strabane Township to make way for an auto dealership.
Holly Tonini/Observer-Reporter
Construction equipment can be seen between houses along McClelland Road in North Strabane Township.
Several neighbors of a site in North Strabane Township where construction on a new car dealership is underway showed up at a meeting with questions and concerns Tuesday.
At least four residents who live near the site of the planned dealership owned by Bobby Rahal Automotive Group complained about the work, which has included clearing of most of the trees on the hillside between their property and the planned dealership that previously served as a visual and noise buffer between their homes and a nearby busy state highway.
“On Friday of just last week, they started clearing out the buffer zone behind our house, all along Clare Drive,” said Adam Gross, who lives on that street. By his property, only one tree remains behind his shed, he added, “so there is a clear view of Route 19 from our home.”
Township engineer Joe Sites of Gateway Engineers said he walked the property with representatives from Rahal Automotive and contractors involved in the project about two weeks ago. At the request of Rahal Automotive, he’d provided the names and addresses of people who live on Clare Drive and the other abutting properties on Chambers Lane.
“They sent out a letter, I believe, to the residents, opening up a line of communication, letting you know that they’re available to talk with you about the project and want to be a good neighbor,” Sites added.
Reached by phone Wednesday, Rahal Vice President of Operations Rick Speicher said the company is “developing the property in compliance with the township regulations for a commercial development in North Strabane.”
“All the formal permitting has been applied for and granted to cover the scope of” the roughly $12 million project, Speicher added.
The township planning commission recommended approval of the plans Nov. 21, 2016. Supervisors signed off on the project the following day.
The dealership is considered a permitted use in the commercial district where the property is located. Township manager Frank Siffrinn said there is “no legal requirement” for officials or a developer to provide advance notice for a project of that type.
Still, some at the meeting complained they didn’t learn about Rahal’s plans before work at the site began.
“Obviously, everybody on Clare Drive has been pretty surprised by what has happened here,” said resident Gary Scott. “We found out about two weeks ago when bulldozers came in. It would have been very, very nice if someone from the township or from Bobby Rahal sent the letter out before they demolished everything.”
Speicher said the company hopes to have the new Jaguar and Land Rover dealership up and running by the end of next year.
Zoning rules requires Rahal to replant a buffer consisting of a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees along the perimeter of the property.
Siffrinn said zoning rules are “pretty cut and dry,” but officials “will do everything we can to allay the concerns of the residents.”
Speicher said Rahal is “committed to being a good, active partner in the local community.”
“At the end of the day, it’s going to be beautifully landscaped and it’s going to be beautifully bordered by indigenous trees,” he added, “just like Joe stated last evening.”
In other action, supervisors tentatively approved a proposed 2018 budget calling for roughly $7.4 million in total expenses which calls for no property tax increase over the current 1.03 mills. Supervisors are expected to adopt the spending plan at their Dec. 19 legislative meeting.