Penn Irwin Motel site slated for development

A North Huntingdon developer wants to put retail shops at the site of the old Penn Irwin Motel along Route 30.

Donald Tarosky Jr., a partner in Colony of Irwin, told North Huntingdon officials this week he intends to develop the old motel property in the same way a California developer had proposed three years ago.

United Growth Capital Management of San Rafael, Calif., wanted to construct a building to house an auto parts store and another building for mixed-use retail. The firm pulled out of the deal in 2016 after the township determined there were deficiencies in the plan.

On Monday, the township planning commission recommended the approval to move the boundary line of Colony of Irwin’s one-acre parcel to take into account a half-acre triangular piece of land the firm has an agreement to buy from McDonald’s USA of O’Hara. The property borders Irwin, Tarosky said.

The planning commission’s recommendation will be considered by township commissioners, probably this month.

Tarosky anticipates there will be some excavation of the property. The strip of land Colony wants to acquire would allow for construction of a road connecting its property with an adjacent shopping center. Tarosky said he does not expect that will occur. He said he would need a variance to create a road and an easement from the property owner in Irwin.

The former motel, located about a half-mile from the Irwin exit of the turnpike, closed at the end of March after 73 years in business. Owners Gary and Deb Salada retired and sold the property to Tarosky’s company for $800,000.

Tarosky anticipates the old motel would be demolished in the near future. A car port already has been razed.