Lot split presages park development
FRANKLIN TWP. – Supervisors approved a lot split Monday for what appears to be the long-awaited first building at the EverGreene Technology Park. The park, located on more than 272 acres near the State Correctional Institution at Greene, is being touted by Greene County development officials as a way of attracting high-technology companies to locate in Greene County.
Supervisors voted to approve a lot split from Greene County Industrial Developments, Inc. to the EverGreene Technology Center, Inc. for a 20-acre parcel of land.
While supervisors were not certain about what would be located on the site, the Greene County Industrial Development Authority (GCIDA) has made no secret about its attempt to find tenants for the park in the 13 months since ground was broken.
Greene County Industrial Development Authority executive director Don Chappel and board president Charles Rembold have met with U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, Gov. Mark Schweiker’s Action Team and other state government officials over the past several months to discuss the future of the park.
One of the group’s main concerns is attempting to find more funding for infrastructure needs at EverGreene.
In another matter, supervisors granted final approval to construction of a new home for the Greene County Humane Society along Route 188 after all of the conditions that were stipulated in February are met, according to chairman Reed Kiger.
Kiger said an erosion and sedimentation control plan was issued, and the state Department of Labor and Industry has granted approval, which were two of the conditions that needed to be met.
Two weeks ago, the county commissioners entered into an agreement with the state Department of Transportation to begin excavation work on the site and will allow PennDOT to build a new state road across the eight-acre parcel of county-owned land so it can access a rear storage yard.
The county will also have to enter into an agreement with adjoining property owner George Keener, who has a right-of-way across that property.
The agreement states that the county will give Keener 1.2 acres of the land adjoining his property in return for the right-of-way.
Supervisors also granted a lot split to Blaker/Cress LLC for 4.946 acres of land that is near a mining equipment fabrication shop on their property.
Supervisors were not aware of what is planned for the latest parcel to be split.