Planners OK land-development plan for new student housing
The Fayette County Planning Commission has approved a land development plan that will allow a Canonsburg company to build four student housing units in the University Technology Park near Penn State Fayette Campus. Millcroft Industries Inc. will build the housing units on Eberly Way, despite concerns that the company is taking advantage of the tax-free Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ).
“They were able to find a loophole,” said Robert Baker, chairman of the planning commission. “We have to approve their plans, even if we don’t agree with them. There’s nothing else we can do.”
Baker said the KOZ allows for local taxes to be deferred for seven more years in hopes of attracting new businesses to the area.
“The KOZ was meant to attract businesses. We wanted manufacturers to come in, build buildings and hire local people to work in them,” Baker said. “The housing units are a private investment.”
Terry McMillen of McMillen Engineering said Millcroft Industries decided to build the housing units because of the apparent need for them within the community.
“There has been a documented need for student housing in this area for years,” said McMillen, who is in charge of the site-development plans. “These units will provide housing for any student going to school in the area,” he said.
Students from Penn State Fayette, the Laurel Business Institute and the West Virginia Career Institute will be allowed to live in the housing units. Each unit will hold 72 students and will be three stories high, said McMillen.
Bob Opel, construction and property manager with Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, who said he handled the sale of the property, would not reveal the cost to build the units.
McMillen said construction of the housing will begin within the year if Millcroft receives use variance permission from the county zoning board at an upcoming meeting.
“Fayette County building ordinances do not say if, or where, student housing is allowed within the county,” McMillen said, explaining that Millcroft needs the zoning board to grant a use variance so the company can build the housing units.
McMillen said he does not expect any problems, because site plans call for the housing to be built on an A1-zoned plot of land, already owned by Millcroft.
“An A1 generally allows for multi-family dwellings to be built. Student housing is very similar to multi-family dwellings,” McMillen said.
“We’re hoping to have the first two buildings full of students by Sept. 1.
“The other two buildings will be constructed at a later date.”