Council explores leasing township-owned parcel to developer

Peters officials will explore leasing a portion of township-owned property to a developer for the possible creation of a coffee shop and parking for Arrowhead Trail near the intersection of Valleybrook Road and Rahway Drive.

Council voted 5-2 on Monday regarding the property — on which an old and vacant mine ventilation building stands — to Thomas Robinson of Valleybrook LLC. The property also houses a township-maintained detention pond.

Council members James Berquist, David Ball, Robert Lewis, Gary Stiegel Jr. and Frank Kosir voted yes. Frank Arcuri and Monica Merrell voted no.

“I just think that (the building and property) is an eyesore, and if there’s a method to try and create the possibility of having it fixed up, I’m all for it, ”Mr. Berquist said of the 1.6-acre parcel.

Council voted earlier this year to direct its solicitor and township administrators to move forward with a property exchange with Mr. Robinson.

However, council is not pursuing the land exchange after solicitor John Smith advised against it.

With a formal proposal, maintenance and renovation to the detention pond and the landscaping around the property, as well as renovation and use of the existing brick mine ventilation building would be done by Mr. Robinson’s company.