Sep 8, 2004 By Patty Shultz 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A subdivision plan that will ultimately lead to a New York development company taking ownership of several tracts of city property was given approval Tuesday by the city planning commission. By a 2-to-1-vote margin, the panel authorized Widewaters Development Group to begin transferring ownership of certain portions of three tracts of land at the intersection of Routes 119 and 201.

“This is the vehicle to make that happen,” said engineer John Cenkner as he reviewed the plans with attending commission members Randy Strickler, Kristen Porter and David Leeder along with Widmer Engineering Inc. representative Jeff Stepanic.

Cenkner prepared the site plan for the development firm.

According to the plans, the city will retain a 3.06-acre parcel while Widewaters will acquire a 15.5943-acre tract of land.

The city, Traft Construction Co. and Crane Rental proprietors John R. Ketchem and Richard V. Martin and Brown-Kellogg Inc. now own the properties. Widewaters has lease agreements with the trio of entities.

Widewaters plans to construct a strip mall at the site while the city is expected to use a portion of the three-acre tract to upgrade the adjacent bike/hike trail parking facilities.

Stepanic said that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Connellsville Municipal Authority has issued sewerage permits for the development.

The mall’s anchor tenant, Giant Food Stores, has also gained approval from the state Labor and Industry for construction of its 45,000-square-foot grocery store.

Marco Marzocchi, Widewaters real estate development general counsel said that the firm is awaiting final approval from the state Department of Transportation for a highway occupancy permit before construction can take place.

“We have a tentative timetable, but there are still several loose ends,” he said. “We are, however, getting closer.”

In addition to the grocery store, Scott Luedtke, Widewaters manager of retail development, said earlier that Dollar Tree, Check-N-Go, and Holiday Hair have signed leases with the firm to establish sites within the complex. Also, the state Liquor Control Board has tentatively agreed to establish a state store along with Subway and Movie Gallery.

Luedtke indicated that Widewaters was also in discussion with three larger retailers. Previously submitted plans from the developer indicated space was being made available for a hotel and one or two restaurants.

There was no discussion at Tuesday’s meeting about potential retailers.

Marzocchi, meanwhile, speculated that local contractors would complete construction at the site.

“Much, if not all, will be done locally,” he said.

Rita Bornstein, city health and code officer, indicated the planning commission would also have to approve a building permit for any construction.

Strickler and Porter approved the site plan while Leeder abstained from voting in the matter, noting that he preferred commission solicitor Gretchen Mundorff review the document before any action was taken by the panel. Commission members Sam Spotto and Thomas Trimpey were absent from the meeting.

The plan must also be approved by city council.