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PIttston Township Homeowners Spar Over Mega Development

PIttston Township Homeowners Spar Over Mega Development - Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 11:49PM EST

Reported by: Joe Holden
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009 @ 11:49pm EST

PITTSTON TOWNSHIP, LUZERNE COUNTY- Neighbors butted heads Monday night with representatives of behemoth developments rising around their homes. In a two-hour special meeting, Pittston Township Supervisors refereed a match between a developer responsible for Pittston Crossings and the homeowners who live around the massive sprawling tract of property that'll be home to a mix of businesses.

"Nothing has deviated from the approved plan," Steve Carpenito said. Carpenito represents the interests of Zamias Developers. "We're in a commercial district with proper plans and that's how we're building." Carpenito pointed to a 75-foot wide buffer zone that will be in place between the complex and the adjoining neighborhood. He said trees that will reach 60 feet in height will be planted to separate the business from the community.

But residents were clearly unhappy with the project's progress, saying they've been left out on key decisions. They accused township supervisors of idly watching plans unfold, despite a wave of public criticism. Storm water runoff was a primary concern for several homeowners. It's feared already vulnerable, flood-prone property will be subjected to more water as it rushes away from the construction site.

About a mile from the neighborhood surrounding Pittston Crossings, residents from another street adjacent to a development sat and quietly listened to discussion. Several neighbors, speaking on the condition of anonymity, claim a developer is reneging on promises, including a buffer zone. That property, listed under Mericle Commercial Real Estate, is under development. A Mericle spokesperson said Tuesday afternoon the issue might lie with Zamias Developers, the firm developing the land.

In a review of zoning records at Pittston Township, it was discovered properties on Reservoir Street, adjacent to the Mericle Development, are improperly zoned, according to residents. And they say they can't figure out how it happened. Their homes are shown to be in an industrial redevelopment district, meanwhile, they receive real estate tax bills listed under residential. A county leader said it could be a bookkeeping error, but residents say they never applied for a zoning change and want to get to the bottom of the described mistake.
 


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