Planning commission tables Claar car-lot proposal after preliminary review

The Blair Township Planning Commission voted on Jan. 5, 2026, to table a land development proposal by property owner Robert Claar for 1531 Reservoir Road, across from the former Blair School, after a representative said a full technical review was not yet complete.

Eric Banks, representing Stiffler McGraw, outlined details of the plan and said he had “not had sufficient time to officially review the plan” while offering a cursory summary of the proposal. Banks said the developer proposes a small retail car lot with an estimated 4,752 square feet of earth disturbance and a 570-square-foot building, and plans to use a holding septic tank that would require approval by the Blair Township Board of Supervisors and the Blair County Sanitary Administration.

Banks reported the developer believes the project is below the threshold requiring a Chapter 102 stormwater review, but he noted that this is “not consistent with our Ordinance.” Commissioners also discussed parking and sidewalks; Banks said the site would likely need two to three parking spaces under the township’s parking rules and that the supervisors would probably grant a waiver to the sidewalk ordinance because the road is primarily residential and adjoining properties lack sidewalks.

Secretary Dodie Amigh moved to table the plan pending an official review; Theresa Gillie seconded and the motion passed with three yes votes. The commission took no substantive action on the substance of the plan at the meeting and left outstanding issues — including formal stormwater and sanitary approvals and any required sidewalk or parking waivers — to be resolved in an official review process before the commission considers the application again.

The commission did not set a date for reconsideration; any required agency approvals or formal reviews were described in the discussion as prerequisites before further action by the commission.