Oct 24, 2006 By Amy Zalar 3 min read

The Fayette County Tax Assessment Appeals Board has been asked to declare the cabins, dormitories, blacksmith museum and two art studios at the 150-acre Touchstone Center for Crafts in Farmington tax-exempt. The request was made Monday during a tax assessment appeal hearing before the board, which is composed of the three Fayette County commissioners. Attorney Mary J. Hajduk said it is the belief of the Touchstone board that the structures are related to education at the site and should be tax-exempt.

A portion of the Wharton Township property for the crafts center is already tax-exempt, including 11 of the 54 acres of a 65-acre parcel that includes the lodge for the center. Fayette County Chief Assessor James A. Hercik, CPE, said there is also an additional 84.6-acre parcel, a portion of which is tax-exempt.

One parcel currently has a total assessed value of $431,180, including $97,640 for the land and $333,540 for structures; while the second parcel has a total assessed value of $518,250, including $114,930 for the land and $403,320 for structures. Combined, the two parcels have a total assessed value of $949,430.

Hajduk explained that the center has already been recognized as a nonprofit organization with 501(c)3 tax status. She testified that the cabins and dormitories are necessary to students attending the crafts center. “Our whole argument is that the cabins and dorms are necessary for students who attend to experience the entire Touchstone educational process,” Hajduk said. She said although the class hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., it is not uncommon for teachers and students to be in the studios after hours, up until quiet time is observed after 11 p.m.

Hajduk said the center operates at least six months out of the year. She said students pay separate fees for classes, food and lodging.

Additionally, Hajduk said the blacksmith studio and adjacent buildings should be tax-exempt because they are educational in nature as well. She said a survey would need to be done to determine what area the buildings cover, if they are indeed found to be tax-exempt.

For the most recent session at the center, Hajduk said the center made $16,044.40 on lodging and had “a little profit” for the classes, but the center has also been dipping into a $100,000 line of credit to fund operations.

The 150-acre facility is the only residential craft school in Pennsylvania. Touchstone offers weekly and weekend classes such as ceramics, textiles, glass, wood and metals, photography, painting and blacksmithing.

A proposal to merge with California University of Pennsylvania as a way to help keep the center out of debt was rejected by Touchstone’s board of directors earlier this year. During discussions to merge with California University, Touchstone members said the property is worth $4 million.

Commission Chairwoman Angela M. Zimmerlink said the tax assessment appeals board must first determine if the buildings are tax exempt, and if they are, what land size they encompass.