Tussey Mountain owners get township nod to pursue regional growth‑boundary and sewer inclusion

Josh Lincoln, managing partner for Tussey Mountain Ski Area, told the Harris Township Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 that he seeks to revitalize the decades‑old ski area and make it more viable year‑round by expanding the lodge to include conference and wedding facilities, retail, and upgraded ski school and patrol facilities.

Lincoln said the owners would need the property — roughly 134.8 acres adjacent to the growth boundary — formally brought into the regional growth boundary and sewer service area to permit additional public sewer connections and increased sewage flow. Staff explained that a Development of Regional Impact (DRI) application would be submitted to the regional planning agency (CRPA) for a completeness review and, if deemed complete, returned to the township for analysis and local action. "The entire property would need to be brought into the growth boundary," a staff member said.

Board response: Supervisors expressed support for revitalizing the facility, noting the potential economic and recreational benefits. Several members voiced preliminary support and asked technical questions about zoning districts, sewer capacity (EDU calculations), and how the proposed access would intersect planned highway improvements. Staff and supervisors cautioned that DRI review can be controversial at the regional level and that formal support requires follow‑up once an application is complete.

Next steps: The applicant will prepare and submit a DRI application to the regional planning agency; if the application is complete it will be analyzed locally and routed to the Planning Commission for recommendations before returning to the board for any formal municipal action.