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DORRANCE TWP. — The proposed real estate development project at the Blue Ridge Trail Golf Club meets “all the standards” for such a project, said architect and civil engineer Tim Connolly Jr. this week, noting it is designed to minimize the environmental impacts.
Connolly testified at a public hearing Thursday conducted by the township board of supervisors on a request by TFP Limited of Wilkes-Barre to build a residential housing project on 101 acres adjacent to the golf course, in an area located near Prospect Road.
TFP officials are asking the supervisors to endorse a conditional use – since the tract is zoned conservation – and to accept a development plan that Connolly has designed.
Under questioning from attorney Mark McNealis, who is representing a group of “five or six families” opposed to the project, Connolly contended the plan is intended to keep environmental disturbances on the site to a minimum. He cited efforts to preserve existing wetland and “have the least possible disturbance to the trees,” although certain areas will be cleared.
During questioning by attorney Jack Dean, who is representing TFP, Connolly responded that, as was previously outlined to the supervisors, TFP’s concept is to construct 108 twin units – two-family dwellings of 1,800 to 2,000 square feet, with an attached garage – and 85 detached single-family houses of about 2,400 square feet. Construction will be done in phases, with Phase I projected for completion by 2019, Connolly said.
After about two hours of Connolly’s testimony, the supervisors continued the hearing until later this month.
TFP has several other professionals scheduled to present testimony on surface water issues and infrastructure, such as streets, curbs and sidewalks.
Township solicitor Don Karpowich served as moderator. The hearing is being conducted in response to documentation filed by TFP officials addressing zoning issues.
Prior to the hearing, the township’s planning commissioners met with TFP personnel to discuss the major elements of the plan. After a one-hour review during which they heard about issues including setbacks, wetlands preservation and the water table, Kirk Buchanon, chairman of the commission, said the five-person panel decided to table its recommendations, pending its meeting this month.
Karpowich allowed comment from the public, which, in general, focused on issues of increased traffic, police and fire protection, impact of the planned project on the ground water, and the possibility of Little Wapwallopen Creek – which flows through the plot – presenting a flood threat.