Developer seeks to construct homes on closed golf course at Unity-Hempfield border

Unity officials have set in motion a proposed zoning change for the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club that would set the stage for a new housing development.

Meanwhile, neighboring residents are concerned about the effect the development might have on Township Line Run, a stream that flows toward their homes after crossing the closed 18-hole course.

It’s between Armbrust Brinkerton Road in Unity and Valley Green and Albrights Lake roads in neighboring Hempfield.

The change from an agricultural zone to a suburban residential zone has been requested by developer Valley Green Westmoreland LLC, a partnership between Colony Holding Cos. and Shuster Homes that is looking to buy the property to develop more than 100 homes.

Township officials noted Unity’s residential zone has a minimum lot size of 15,000 square feet, compared to 60,000 square feet in an agricultural zone.

The Unity supervisors reviewed the request for the 116 acres in that township at a hearing Tuesday. They agreed at a Thursday meeting to advertise a related zoning ordinance change, for later approval.

A similar change proposed for the roughly 144 acres in Hempfield will be the subject of a Jan. 25 hearing in that township.

“I really like the property,” said Don Tarosky Sr., an attorney who represented fellow members of the development partnership at Tuesday’s hearing. “We like the golf course because there’s no trees on it, and it’s fairly flat.”

Tarosky noted a portion of the property bordering the former course features steeper terrain filled with trees.

“We probably could get more homes on the Hempfield Township portion because it’s not sloped there,” he said.

He said the proposed Valley Green homes likely would be priced between $100,000 and $300,000.

Colony Holding and Shuster Homes have partnered on other residential developments constructed on former golf holes — including Lincoln Hills and Hampton Heights in North Huntingdon, both of which are sold out, according to Tarosky.

The partners also developed Victoria Highlands in Unity — next to another Colony Holding effort, the Wildcat Commons retail plaza that includes Walmart and Lowe’s anchor stores.

Dave Harhai, who lives at the border of Hempfield and Mt. Pleasant townships, voiced concerns that the proposed development would place too much traffic on Albrights Lake Road, which he said is narrow. He also is worried runoff from new roofs and driveways could add to flooding problems for him and others who live downstream from the Valley Green course.

“It’s going to be a catastrophe for traffic on that road,” Harhai said.

Todd Neptune, whose property on Albrights Lake Road is divided among Hempfield, Unity and Mt. Pleasant townships, said he’s worried residual chemicals that might have been used to maintain the course could be washed into the stream, affecting the water quality.

Tarosky said stormwater retention ponds would be included in the plan for the housing development, which would be submitted to the two townships and other local officials, along with an environmental study, if the zoning change is approved.

“There will probably be less runoff than when we started,” he said.

If needed approvals are received, the partners might begin development of the land this year and construction of initial homes next year, likely beginning in Hempfield, Tarosky said.

The Valley Green course closed in December 2019, after 54 years of operation, with owner Linda Rusnock citing declining interest among younger golfers, difficulty finding seasonal help and a desire to retire.