EBENSBURG —
The Richland Citizens Group will have the chance to raise its legal objections in the county court battle over whether Richland Township’s zoning ordinance should be amended to permit the construction of townhouses for income-eligible residents.
Judge Timothy Creany signed an order Tuesday afternoon granting permission for the citizens group to intervene in the case with the agreement of the attorneys for the township and the two plaintiffs – Ashbridge Oil Co., the owner of the 13-acre property, and Laurel Pointe Family Apartments, the developer.
Creany met for about 45 minutes in his chambers with the attorneys – Donald Graham of Pittsburgh, the plaintiffs’ attorney; township Solicitor Gary Costlow; and Timothy Leventry of Richland, who represents the citizens group.
Creany will hold a hearing Oct. 22 on whether additional testimony needs to be heard in the legal dispute or whether he can decide the case from what is already on the record.
In August, Ashbridge and Laurel Pointe filed an appeal asking the county court to overturn the decision by the Richland Township supervisors rejecting the zoning change.
The property – located at Walters and Nees avenues – has been zoned C-3 commercial. Ashbridge and Laurel Pointe are seeking to have it rezoned to R-4, a multiple-family zoning.
But the citizens group – made up of approximately 90 households – is contending that the change would have an adverse effect on the health, safety and legal interests of the residents.
Leventry said in the petition that members of the citizens group live in Richland or the adjacent municipalities of Stonycreek Township and Geistown Borough.
The proposed development would have 48 units along with a community building and a recreational facility for the townhouses residents.
The township held a hearing in June on the request for the re-zoning and, then later, the supervisors filed a written opinion denying the request for the zoning change.
The plaintiffs are contending that the C-3 commercial district zone severely restricts the use and development of the property and actually is spot zoning because adjacent property is zoned for residential use.
According to the plaintiffs, the Cambria County Planning Commission – as required – reviewed the request and determined that the C-3 zoning is inconsistent with the township’s comprehensive plan and also with the R-2 zoning of surrounding properties.
Homepage
Related Photos
-
A Cincinnati-based developer is fighting to build a townhouse community in Richland Township that it says would be nearly identical to this one in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County.
Discussion
Citizens get chance to join legal battle
- Tribune-Democrat News Slideshow
- Latest News
-
-
Focus on Section 8 questioned
Some Moxham community leaders are concerned that one subject – Section 8 housing – is receiving too much focus in the ongoing discussion about crime in the Johnstown neighborhood.
-
Clean sweep efforts: Downtown group targets crime, litter
The Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership is working to clean up the city’s central business district in two different ways.
-
In Northern Cambria, 13 battle for four slots
With four seats on the Northern Cambria school board up for grabs, a long list of residents have lined up hoping to capture one of the slots.
-
Standardized test debate: Lawmakers disagree about use as graduation requirement
The typical Pennsylvania student will spend more than 46 hours taking standardized state tests during his or her academic career. That is the equivalent of more than a week’s worth of school and does not take into account the amount of time that schools spend specifically preparing for tests or helping students who have failed a standardized test.
-
Local grad hurt in Afghanistan
A 2009 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School is recovering from a head injury received Monday while serving in Afghanistan.
-
Focus on Section 8 questioned
- Local News
-
-
Focus on Section 8 questioned
Some Moxham community leaders are concerned that one subject – Section 8 housing – is receiving too much focus in the ongoing discussion about crime in the Johnstown neighborhood.
-
Clean sweep efforts: Downtown group targets crime, litter
The Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership is working to clean up the city’s central business district in two different ways.
-
In Northern Cambria, 13 battle for four slots
With four seats on the Northern Cambria school board up for grabs, a long list of residents have lined up hoping to capture one of the slots.
-
Standardized test debate: Lawmakers disagree about use as graduation requirement
The typical Pennsylvania student will spend more than 46 hours taking standardized state tests during his or her academic career. That is the equivalent of more than a week’s worth of school and does not take into account the amount of time that schools spend specifically preparing for tests or helping students who have failed a standardized test.
-
Local grad hurt in Afghanistan
A 2009 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School is recovering from a head injury received Monday while serving in Afghanistan.
-
Focus on Section 8 questioned
- Sports
-
- Local sports in brief 5/18/2013
-
Crosby hat trick gives Pens 2-0 series lead
The Ottawa Senators have plenty of respect for Sidney Crosby.
-
Richland’s Urban makes connection with Orioles
Last week, Austin Urban used his contacts to arrange his own personal showcase in front of Major League Baseball scouts at Point Stadium.
-
Astros drop the ball in Pittsburgh
Jimmy Paredes dropped Russell Martin's bases-loaded fly ball when he collided with second baseman Jake Elmore with two outs in the ninth inning, the second missed catch by a Houston right fielder, and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied past the Astros 5-4 Friday night.
-
Wrestling federation plots future strategy
Wrestling’s governing body is preparing for what could be the match of its life.
- Features
-
-
Events | Whitewater bash
Benscreek Canoe Club’s Stonycreek Rendezvous will be held today through Sunday on the Stonycreek River and Greenhouse Park, Route 403, Tire Hill.
- Tribute to women | YWCA will honor seven for community contributions
- Religion in brief
-
- Lifestyles
-
-
Pa. Turnpike to install electric car charging stations
The Pennsylvania Turnpike will take a "leap of faith" with its new electric-vehicle charging stations.
- ACLU threatens legal action against Red Lion School District in transgender case
- Baseball, ice cream make winning combination
-
Pa. Turnpike to install electric car charging stations
- Multimedia
-
-
VIDEO | Deer gets on, off city bus
A CamTran bus picked up an unscheduled passenger on Tuesday evening – a white-tailed deer.
- VIDEO | Bards behind bars
- Internet sales tax bill to hit roadblock in House
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
