Mineral Beach housing plan approved
Union Township supervisors unanimously approved conditional use for construction of 113 single-family homes at the former Mineral Beach pool site.
The board also approved subdivision and land development plans for the property at 6299 Route 88 at its meeting Wednesday, subject to several conditions.
Those conditions include obtaining a highway occupancy permit for Walter Long Road, which will be the main entrance into the plan; documents concerning agreements for easement relocation; justification for modifications such as changes to setbacks and curb radiuses; plans for a second egress for emergency access; cost estimates for necessary repairs for a culvert that carries Walter Long Road over a stream, and who will be maintaining the culvert once the land is developed.
“It looks like you’re one step further,” board Chair Michalle Dupree told Kevin Braun of Braun Holdings Mineral Beach after the vote.
The project will be done in two phases, with 75 homes planned for the initial phase and the rest in phase two. The conditional use approval covers both phases, but the subdivision and land development approvals only cover the first one.
“As soon as he provides our engineer and our solicitor those items that we listed, it is deemed approved,” Dupree said Thursday.
A public hearing was held April 16 before township supervisors to request conditional use for the planned residential development. The planning commission approved the request Monday, subject to the developer meeting the established conditions. However, the planning commission serves as a recommendation agency for the supervisors, who have final approval.
Supervisor Larry Speer reiterated his concerns shared at the hearing concerning a traffic study, since the most recent study was taken more than five years ago.
Township engineer TJ Stephens, of Bankson Engineers, suggested a traffic study be conducted, which would be recommended by the state Department of Transportation.
“I think it’s a good idea for the traffic study,” Stephens said. “A lot has happened in this community in five-and-a-half years.”
Braun told supervisors Wednesday that all conditions will be met.
“The idea is, get through this, get shovels in the ground and build houses,” he said. “We want to do a good job. We want to be a good partner. … We want you to be proud of what we’re doing. We want to be good people within the community, not just build houses and leave. We’re excited to get started and produce a good product that is worthy of the township.”
Mineral Beach pool and picnic grounds operated for more than 90 years before closing in 2018.
Demolition started in 2023 to make way for the housing plan. The Beach House restaurant on the property remains open for business.