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Early nod of approval given to ARPA transfer ordinance for housing developer needs

Williamsport City Council’s finance committee gave a positive recommendation to transfer $62,570 in American Rescue Plan funds for the purpose of covering the cost of water-sewer-stormwater improvements for a new housing development.

The request is from Woodland Heights Development LLC, which consists of individuals from T-Ross Brothers and developer Randy Allison (not related to the councilman).

The development request is for the infrastructure for 10, two-unit townhouses as discussed previously by the council economic revitalization committee, said Mayor Derek Slaughter.

The permit was granted in the summer for the construction of the properties on Wisteria Lane in the city’s West End. The transfer of the funds to economic development should provide enough money for the tap-on fees for the water-sewer system.

Tap-on fees went up from $49,335 to an estimated $62,570, according to J. Michael Fisher, of T-Ross Brothers.

The development is expected to provide $44,000 a year in tax revenue to the city with a full return on investment in the fourth year, Fisher said.

New housing has been a call from professionals at UPMC and Pennsylvania College of Technology and it is one reason why we are not attracting residents to the city, Councilman Eric Beiter said.

Council is expected to review the ordinance on first reading Thursday.

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