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Commissioners approve two-year sale agreement for 17-acre county parcel near East Cumberland Street
Summary
Lebanon County Commissioners voted 2-1 to enter a two-year agreement of sale that gives developer BT Lebanon County an equitable interest in a 17-acre county parcel near East Cumberland Street, with a potential $2 million purchase if due diligence is satisfied; commissioners raised concerns about wetlands and downstream impacts.
Lebanon County Commissioners on Thursday approved a two-year agreement of sale that gives developer BT Lebanon County an equitable interest in a 17-acre county-owned parcel near East Cumberland Street, with an eventual purchase price of $2,000,000 if the buyer completes required due diligence and proceeds to settlement.
County Solicitor Matt Yugely recommended the board enter the agreement, saying the developer, Bruce Thaler, will pay $25,000 in the first year and an additional $25,000 if he does not complete due diligence after the first year. If Thaler completes due diligence and moves to settlement within the two-year term, the county will convey the parcel for $2,000,000, Yugely said.
Yugely said the agreement is an early step in a multi-year process that may include discussions with PennDOT, the governor’s office and South Lebanon Township about siting a new Pennsylvania Department of Transportation driver’s license center. He said any land swap involving Commonwealth-owned property would require additional approvals, possibly including action by the state legislature.
Commissioners and members of the public raised concern about wetlands within the parcel. One commissioner said the wetlands are headwaters of Quitipahilla Creek and stressed the need to protect water resources. Yugely said the purchase price and terms reflect consultation with the county assessment office and that the purchaser would be required to comply with wetlands protections.
Resident Martin Berondek asked whether the development would be limited to a driver testing center; Yugely said the buyer’s stated intent has focused on a driver’s license center but that any future retail or other development would be the purchaser’s decision once title transfers.
A motion to enter the agreement was moved and seconded and carried 2 to 1.
The agreement grants BT Lebanon County an equitable interest for up to two years while it completes state and local approvals; if conditions are not met the purchaser may re-negotiate or forfeit the equitable interest, according to Yugely.
The sale prompted debate over environmental protections and the county’s role in transferring parcels that include wetland areas. Commissioners did not adopt additional conditions beyond the agreement at the meeting.
