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Commissioners approve assignment documents to advance Bass Pro/Newberry development, contingent on solicitor review
Summary
South Fayette commissioners amended the agenda and voted to authorize executing assignment documents for the Master Newberry development agreement and the Bass Pro developer agreement, conditioned on final review by the township solicitor, engineer and professional team to enable a closing required for Bass Pro to move forward.
South Fayette Township commissioners on June 10 approved a motion to execute assignment documents that the township and its development partner say are necessary for a commercial anchor tenant, Bass Pro, and the broader Newberry development to proceed.
Eric Newhouse, speaking to describe the developer’s position, said the purchaser under contract needs the ability to acquire the entire 20‑acre Newberry parcel so it can close, receive assignment of the relevant development agreements and then post the required financial security so building permits can issue. “The simplest and best way to accomplish the Bass Pro building permit issuance and development commencing is to have the developer close on the land, then assign the development agreement, then post security, and then the building permit can be issued,” Newhouse said.
A commissioner questioned whether the board intended the authorization to apply only to the Bass Pro parcel or to the broader master development agreement; the commissioner said the initial intent appeared to be limited to Bass Pro and that the board had not had time to review a proposed master development assignment that arrived earlier that day. After discussion the board amended the amendment to make the authorization explicit for both the Master Newberry development agreement (and amendments) and the Bass Pro developer agreement (and its first amendment), conditioning execution on final approval by the township solicitor, engineer and professional team. The motion carried by vote.
Why this matters: Staff and the developer said the assignment is a practical step to allow the buyer/developer to close, secure financing and move toward building permits; commissioners required solicitor and professional review before final execution.
The transcript records the discussion and the conditional approval but does not identify a named mover or seconder for the final motion in the public record. The board indicated the authorization is conditional upon solicitor and professional review before any final documents are executed.
