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DEP talks target wetlands dispute

By Amy Zalar 4 min read

The Fayette County Redevelopment Authority heard Tuesday that steps are being taken to satisfy concerns of the state Department of Environmental Protection regarding a wetlands area in the Fayette County Business Park so a permit can be secured that will allow construction of Matthew Drive Extension to move forward. At the monthly meeting, engineer Terry E. McMillen Sr. reported that there have been “a lot of conversations with a lot of people” in the last few days in an effort to find a solution that will allow construction of the road. He said the DEP had proposed either mitigation of the wetlands or changing the course of the road.

Last week South Union Township Supervisor Bob Schiffbauer expressed concerns that funding and jobs may be lost if the permits cannot be secured.

McMillen said reconstructing the stream and moving the wetlands would cost $130,000 compared to the $2 million price tag of moving the road 170 feet east. McMillen said even is the stream is moved east, the stream would still have to be crossed. He said although the DEP isn’t satisfied with the location of the road, the location really makes sense. McMillen said at this point they know where they are going and need to forge ahead.

Board member James S. Woleslagle then had McMillen clarify that the steam is actually a spring that has its origin on the property and not a running stream. McMillen said he thinks that a layman would have a hard time finding what they are talking about if they went to the site. McMillen added that the spring isn’t currently running, but it does at some points during the year.

Executive Director Andrew French said the $6 million road project should still be able to move forward provided the DEP is satisfied. “This isn’t the doomsday kiss of death. We need to work to get exactly what they need and move forward,” French said.

In other action regarding the business park, the authority approved selling 1.06 acres to Geoffrey A. Gwynn Jr., DOS, for $25,000.

French said the property on which Gwynn will build a dentist office is now a “hole in the ground.” He said although the authority is selling land at $50,000 per buildable acre, the price is $25,000 because only half of the property is buildable.

McMillen said Gwynn would build a 3,500-square-foot Colonial style dental facility. He said another dentist would join Gwynn in the business; so additional jobs will be created. “He is making something pretty good out of a lot that’s not pretty good,” McMillen said.

French said like some of the other medical facilities in the park, Gwynn is going from a rental to an ownership situation.

The authority also approved two contracts for a sanitary sewer project for the business park. R.S. Monzo Construction Company Inc. of Latrobe was given a contract in the amount of $182,955 for sanitary sewer and force main installation and JR Contraction LLC of McMurray was given a contract for a pump station in the amount of $195,000.

Also at the business park, the authority approved a work authorization agreement with Allegheny Power in the amount of $595,000 for relocation of electric transmission lines and structures at the park. French said the main lines need relocated for the Cedarwood Development, which includes a Wal-Mart Super Center and other stores.

Public Improvements Director Jim Rabatin said the tentative cost is $315,000 for Cedarwood and $277,000 for the authority, but that figure is not set in stone. He said the cost of the steel poles that must be ordered could fluctuate and so could the final cost.

Once the lines are moved, an eight to 10 acre lot called “Lot M” will be open for development. Board member Rod Sleighter said it appears that the cost the authority will incur to move the line can be more than made up in the sale of Lot M.

Chairman Kenneth M. Finney Jr. called the action a “win-win.”

During the annual meeting, the board voted to retain the same slate of officers for the upcoming year as are currently in place. The officers are as follows: Kenneth M. Finney Jr., chairman; Ross F. DiMarco, vice chairman/assistant secretary; James S. Woleslagle treasurer; Rod Sleighter assistant treasurer; and Paul Bortz Jr., secretary.

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