Penn Township votes against construction of new golf facility in Blackthorne Estates

Penn Township commissioners voted 4-1 this week to deny construction of a new golf operations facility in the Blackthorne Estates community near Harrison City-Export Road.

The new facility for the unfinished 18-hole Blackthorne golf course was discussed at a township meeting last month.

After a 30-minute executive session, commissioners held a vote, and only Jeff Shula was in favor of the new facility. Lisa Zaucha, Chuck Miller, Larry Harrison and Chuck Konkus were opposed.

“I am the commissioner of your ward, where your community is at,” Konkus said. “It is my ultimate goal to make sure that the golf course can continue to be there and be fully operational — for it not to go anywhere.”

Solicitor Michael Korns assured residents the “township will do everything in its power to make sure the (Planned Residential Development overlay) is executed as it is intended.”

Konkus thanked all of the Blackthorne residents who stayed until the end of the meeting. While the room was packed with about 40 people at the start of the meeting, it dwindled to about half after the vote.

Konkus’ words were followed by applause.

Clubhouse closed

The original clubhouse for the course — the Club at Blackthorne — has been closed to the community since November 2022, according to a lawsuit filed by the township in May against the clubhouse, golf course, Blackthorne Investors and Bedrock Developers.

The lawsuit states the clubhouse — which housed a pro shop, restrooms and social gathering space for golfers — instead has been run as a private event and wedding venue since November 2022.

David Fuchs, lawyer for the owners of the Club at Blackthorne, declined a request for comment Wednesday.

The golf course has been closed to the public this season, but owner Bob Vucelich — who also is a Blackthorne developer and resident — has maintained the links for residents to use within specific timeframes. Without an operations center, however, he will not be able to maintain the course much longer, he said.

“I’d love to be in (the clubhouse), but the fact remains, if we can’t get in that building, we need a home to operate,” Vucelich said at a township meeting Aug. 9. “If we don’t have a home to operate, this course is going to be out of business.”

Public comment

Of the 11 people who spoke at Wednesday’s meeting, nine voiced their opinions on the golf facility — which was proposed for construction near Kapalua Lane.

Kerianne Augusty, resident of Kapalua Lane, was against the new facility, citing concerns about safety, increased traffic on the road and prolonged construction in Blackthorne.

“Kapalua Lane is a quiet street in which individuals, including children, are able to peacefully live, work and play,” Augusty said. “It’s also a narrow street in which guest parking is very limited, and we have to have a heightened sense of awareness for individuals who are walking independently or walking their pets.”

Augusty added that information about the proposed facility was not shared with her until two weeks ago.

“I am extremely disappointed in our HOA for their lack of communication regarding this proposition and their inability to remain neutral in this matter, as well as share all relevant information,” Augusty said.

Although Maureen Brusca was in favor of the facility, she expressed gratitude to everyone who voiced their opinions to the township.

Brusca, who has lived on Blackthorne Drive for five years, acknowledged what many of the residents have in common — a desire for the golf course to return to its normal operation.

She called for Blackthorne residents and the township to put the issue “into perspective” in light of the Saturday home explosion in Plum — to which the commissioners dedicated a moment of silence at the start of the meeting.

“I think what happened in Plum Borough, the explosion … it’s a call for us to say ‘life is fragile,’” Brusca said. “Those are really big problems and, in comparison, we need to bring this into perspective. We need to do what’s right for the community and the township.”

Harvison Road bridge removal

During last week’s township meeting, Secretary/Manager Mary Perez reminded residents of the approaching bridge removal on Harvison Road by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission in 2024.

The bridge, which crosses over the turnpike and connects to Pleasant Valley Road, will be eliminated as part of the commission’s $300 million Total Reconstruction and Widening Project.

The turnpike commission announced this project in 2021, slating removal for 2023. Now, Perez said, it is tentatively scheduled for the summer or fall of 2024.

“I just want to keep this out in the public so when the time comes that they actually remove the bridge, it has not been forgotten or people think that because we haven’t talked about it for so long, it’s now not going to happen,” Perez said. “I just want to remind everyone that it is coming and to be prepared.”