Peters Township Weighs Construction Projects

Monday night’s Peters Township Council meeting was packed with construction projects for consideration. First, council agreed to amend permitted uses in its zoning district for West Venetia mixed use corridor. The zoning ordinance for that area now allows personal services as a permitted use. The trigger for the change is with the construction of the new Venetia post office there are multiple adjacent spaces that would allow businesses such as beauty salons, barber shops, tailors and laundries to operate. The amendment now allows all personal services. Council also will make application for a grant to offset costs of the proposed aquatic facility. Township Manager Paul Lauer states that they will make application for as much as $4 million dollars in grant money from the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund that is operated by the National Park Service. Final determination for the grant is expected this fall. Lauer also verified that the township has reached out to North Strabane Township to offer their residents a membership deal to allow them to patronize the aquatic center as members at Peters Township membership rates. There is also an annual contribution to be made by North Strabane Township on behalf of their residents to sponsor that discount. Council continues to struggle with how the new fire station in Venetia will operate. Much discussion was held to try and determine just what is needed there and how many firefighters will be on duty at the new substation. Council scheduled several workshops to work through all of the questions regarding the pool, the fire station and upcoming zoning changes.