Hempfield leaders table rezoning vote on former Valley Green property

Hempfield supervisors tabled a vote Monday night to rezone the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club.

The rezoning from agricultural to suburban residential would pave the way for a new housing development at the site, of which 144 acres is located along Valley Green and Albrights Lake roads in Hempfield. Another 116 acres is located in neighboring Unity.

The zoning change was requested by developer Valley Green Westmoreland LLC, a partnership between Colony Holding Cos. and Shuster Homes that is looking to buy the property. The number of homes that could be built was not provided, but officials at a Unity meeting this month suggested it could be around 100.

Don Tarosky Jr., a broker from Colony Holding Cos. who spoke on behalf of those involved with the property, noted homes would cost a minimum between $350,000 and $400,000.

Valley Green closed in December 2019.

The Valley Green golf course sat empty for most of last year after 54 years in operation. At the time, owner Linda Rusnock attributed the decision to close the course to a dwindling number of golfers, difficulty in finding seasonal help and a desire to retire.

“When the golf course ceased to exist, this property had very limited uses in an agricultural stance,” Tarosky said.

Several neighbors spoke out against the project at a hearing held during Monday’s supervisors meeting.

Diane Deitzel, whose family owns Shetler Farm along Albrights Lake Road, voiced concerns regarding possible runoff that could cause issues in growing crops. She also suggested that additional traffic could make it difficult to move farming equipment from different parcels of the farm.

“My biggest concern is the effect this is going to have on the agricultural land in our area and how it’s going to push a lot of the older farms out of the area if this continues to get developed into commercial or residential,” Deitzel said.

Staci Neptune, who also lives along Albrights Lake Road with her husband, Todd, agreed.

“This is a country area,” Neptune said. “I’m totally against developing Valley Green.”

Todd Neptune questioned why the total number of homes was not immediately available, saying, “Before you ever invest your money you know how much your return is going to be on investment and you know how many houses you’re going to build. Why are they not saying anything?”

In response, Tarosky said details like stormwater management and road traffic will be handled at a later date when a land development plan is presented.

Hempfield supervisors will revisit the issue next month. Unity supervisors on Jan. 12 agreed to advertise a related zoning ordinance change, for later approval.