Measure to Rezone Johnstown, Pa., Site for Technology Park Dies. - Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

By Randy Griffith, The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa. Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jun. 15--Richland Township supervisors balked at a zoning change that would have cleared the way for Conemaugh Health System's $20 million high-tech business development and hundreds of potential jobs.

A motion to rezone much of Elton Road for Conemaugh's proposed Regional Technology Park died when nobody would second the measure last night.

Echoing Elton Road neighbors' concerns about traffic and drastic changes to their residential neighborhood, supervisors asked Conemaugh representatives to look at traffic and design changes.

'There are definitely some issues I'd like to see addressed by Conemaugh,' Supervisor W. Ray McCombie said before calling for a special meeting to consider the change again.

That meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 21 in Richland Township Municipal Building, 322 Schoolhouse Road.

If final approval does not come by June 25, the law would require supervisors to hold another public hearing on the change. That could delay the project another three months or more, township Solicitor Patrick Kiniry explained at the meeting.

Bill Coward of Schoolhouse Road said neighbors are concerned about increased traffic on Elton Road at Schoolhouse Road intersection.

Proposed plans show that as the location of the technology park's only entrance. He urged supervisors to require a connection to Industrial Park Road.

'I think they need a road through to Industrial Park,' Supervisor Gary Paul said during the meeting.

Tom Kurtz, vice president of special projects for Conemaugh, said he would take the request to Conemaugh's executives, who are reviewing proposals from eight private contractors that want to develop the project.

'I think we need some commitments,' Paul said. 'As far as the road going through, that could be Phase 2 or Phase 3.'

McCombie said the health system has been less than clear on what it proposes to include in the business park, promoted as a magnet for health care and information technology employers.

Kurtz left the township building without comment. Later, Conemaugh spokeswoman Amy Bradley read a brief statement.

'We feel it is a vital community project, and we respect the supervisors' decision to take the time they need to make this decision,' Bradley said in a telephone interview from her home. 'We will provide them with any information we can to help them in this process.'

Several supervisors said they support the technology park in principle.

'I think its a great project,' Supervisor Jay Marsden said after the meeting. 'I don't like the location.'

Marsden suggested the Greater Johnstown Business Park off Jari Drive.

Another zoning change earlier this year expanded that park's light industry zone.

'Our area has seen too many people leave because they cannot find the type of high-tech jobs that this proposed facility will offer,' Supervisor Wayne Langerholc said, making the motion to rezone.

After the meeting, rezoning opponent Chuck Leventry of Elton Road commended the supervisors.

'I thought you were going to shove it down our throats, but you looked at the whole thing,' Leventry said. 'I admire you guys.'

Dr. Herbert V. Allen was not so understanding. He said he did not understand why the proposal did not die with the lack of a second to the motion, adding that he thought it could just be delaying the inevitable approval.

'Do it to us now,' Allen demanded.

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