Zoning change clears way for housing on Unity portion of former Valley Green golf course

Unity supervisors have granted a zoning change that helps clear the way for a proposed residential development on a portion of the former Valley Green Golf & Country Club.

The supervisors Thursday approved a shift from an agricultural zone to a suburban residential zone for the 116-acre section of the closed 18-hole course that lies inside the township.

Officials in neighboring Hempfield recently tabled a similar zoning change for the 144 acres of the course in that township, but they’ve noted they might revisit the issue this month.

Valley Green Westmoreland LLC, a partnership between Colony Holding Cos. and Shuster Homes, is looking to buy the property to develop more than 100 homes.

Don Tarosky Sr., an attorney representing fellow members of the development partnership, told Unity supervisors at a recent hearing the dwellings likely would be priced between $100,000 and $300,000.

Unity Solicitor Gary Falatovich noted the zoning change was recommended by the township planning commission.

Some nearby residents at the hearing voiced concerns about the impact the proposed housing might have on local traffic and on runoff into Township Line Run, which flows across the property.

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

“Any future development on the property would have to come to the supervisors and planning commission for approval,” Falatovich said.

Housing, billboard changes eyed

Larger-scale changes proposed to Unity’s zoning ordinance will be the topic of a hearing set for 4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, before the supervisors.

According to Falatovich, the township is looking to simplify the process for developing patio homes and multi-family dwellings in Unity’s suburban residential and rural village zoning districts.

Correcting an omission in a previous ordinance amendment, the supervisors will consider classifying such homes as permitted uses in those zones. Currently, they are conditional uses that require an extra review and approval by township officials.

“This will facilitate people coming in and doing those types of things so they don’t have to go through the whole planning process,” Falatovich said.

With the proposed change in place, developers could construct two dwelling units each on the 8,000-square-foot minimum lot in a rural village zone and on the 15,000-square-foot minimum lot in the suburban residential zone.

The township also is proposing to reduce the minimum setback for electronic billboards along Route 30 to 500 feet.