Loyalsock Township supervisors will have 90 additional days for the Park Home senior housing land development plan to be reviewed.
J. Michael Wiley, an attorney representing the Park Home board, asked the supervisors Tuesday for the extension because more engineering and design work needs to be done.
Supervisors voted to approve the request 4-0.
"We want to make sure the township has a complete set of everything before it makes its decision," Wiley said. "We're stating, 'Hey, there's some additional work we need to do.' "
The project, which is planned near Windfield Drive off of Poco Farm Road, has encountered delays and public opposition. Wiley said as more information is discovered about the site, the developers have had to adapt. The land is subject to poor drainage and wetland areas.
"This is a complex site," Wiley said. "It's an evolving and unfolding issue. I think that's what's going on here."
Bill Burdett, township manager, agreed with Wiley's assessment.
"This has turned into a much more difficult site to develop than what was anticipated," he said. "The more they know, the more problems they have."
Without the extension, the township would have had to make a decision on the land development plan by June 8.
Steve Holmes, zoning administrator, said he anticipates final land development plans to be submitted within the new time frame. However, the Park Home board may ask for an additional extension that would need to be approved by supervisors. According to Holmes, if there are significant changes in the plan, it would be referred back to the planning commission.
Supervisor Marc Sortman said the extension gives the township breathing room.
"They were basically submitting incomplete plans," added John C. Bower, supervisor.
Supervisor Virginia Eaton described delays while the developer changes its plans like "sitting on eggshells waiting for it to come to fruition."
John Hayes, a Windfield Drive resident who has spoken out against the project on several occasions, again said that the development has grown beyond the scope agreed upon by the supervisors. Hayes argued that the development's footprint has expanded from original plans.
"It seems like it's always changing. A lot of time has been wasted here," Hayes said. "Sometime, someone has to say, 'The king has no clothes on.' "
Bower insisted that Hayes' concerns will be addressed.
"It will be reviewed," Bower said about building setbacks and the footprint. "They realize what they need to do."
Wiley said the Park Home board has been open and upfront with the township regarding its plans and has gone beyond what is necessary in the planning stages. He added that land development plans remain conceptual until agreed upon by supervisors.
In other business, the supervisors awarded a contract for $9,600 to R&S Excavating for three sewer lateral installations.
