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Harborcreek supervisors approve final plan for Penn State's CMC building at Knowledge Park
Summary
Harborcreek Township supervisors voted to approve the final land development plan for Penn State Behrend's CMC building at Knowledge Park after a presentation on a reduced building footprint and pending permit reviews; Mr. May moved the measure and the chair seconded.
Harborcreek Township supervisors voted to approve the final land development plan for Penn State Behrend's CMC building at Knowledge Park during their March 18 meeting.
Connie, the township planning staff member who presented the plan, said the finalized building footprint was reduced from 40,000 square feet in the preliminary plan to 27,641 square feet in the final site plan. She told the board the proposal adds six loading spaces, includes a traffic lane around the building to allow small delivery trucks to reach multiple tenants, and will use an existing parking area as shared parking. Connie said the site contains wooded areas and some wetlands and that the planning commission recommended approval contingent on receipt of the township engineer's review letter; the project still needs E&S approval, PDS permits and a sewer availability letter.
A Penn State representative who identified himself as Professor Tom Do spoke on behalf of Chancellor Ford and Dr. Amy Bridger, saying Knowledge Park hosts 22 companies and about 400 people a day, and praised the partnership with the township. "The park is healthy and doing well," he said.
Mr. May moved to approve the final land development plan for the CMC building per the planning commission recommendation; the chair seconded. Both named board members indicated they would vote in favor.
Nut graf: The board approved the final plan for a smaller-than-expected CMC building at Knowledge Park but left key permit conditions in place, requiring the township engineer's review and other standard agency approvals before construction proceeds.
In discussion, board members asked about the equipment yard and screening for dumpsters; Connie clarified the equipment yard is for mechanical systems (chillers and condensers) rather than storage and noted existing screening requirements for dumpsters remain applicable. The planning staff said minor parking-dimension corrections requested during the preliminary review were addressed in the final submission.
Votes at a glance
- Approval of March 4 minutes: motion by Mr. May; seconded by the chair; Mr. May and the chair indicated yes votes.
- Final land development for Penn State (CMC building): motion by Mr. May; seconded by the chair; board members present indicated yes votes. The planning commission's recommendation was included and the approval is contingent on outstanding review letters and permits.
- Payment of bills (bill list 6-26): motion by Mr. May; seconded by the chair; board members present indicated yes votes.
- Streetlight liens (tax years 2016'2020): motion by Mr. May to satisfy liens totaling $832.59; seconded by the chair; board members present indicated yes votes.
The meeting record shows the board addressed routine finance and consent items alongside the Knowledge Park approval. The planning staff and the applicant still await required review letters and permits before final construction approvals can issue.
