February 7, 2006
by Jaime Bumbarger
Mo Valley Bureau Chief
Reproduced with permission.

Circulation Manager:
Cindy Aughenbaugh
Phone: 814-765-5581
Fax: 814-765-5165

PHILIPSBURG -- Planners say a proposed comprehensive plan is intended to serve as a guide for Rush Township, but some people think it is more of an attempt to steamroll approval of a proposed landfill. Last night, the firm that assisted the Rush Township Planning Commission in developing the plan presented the draft to the public, but the reception was mixed.

Residents opposed to the landfill focused on the manner in which the township went about developing the comprehensive plan, as well as questioned the plan itself.

Ed Walsh of State College questioned planners from Rettew Associates if they have a hidden agenda because Rettew is also the firm working with Resource Recovery LLC, the landfill developer, on its plans.

Project manager Frank Chlebnikow insisted there was no conflict of interest, explaining a separate part of the company is involved with RRLLC. "My goal was to completely look out for the best interests of the township," he said. "Throughout this process, I never crossed over the line."

Mr. Walsh was unconvinced. "The tail that's wagging this dog is the landfill and interchange," said Mr. Walsh.

"There's a whole pie up here. That's just one piece of the pie," responded Dennis Wood, chairman of the planning commission.

The plan, used as a roadmap or blueprint for future decisions affecting the township, can be used to support grant applications and identify potential improvement projects, Mr. Chlebnikow said. It is a policy with recommendations to help guide growth and development, he said, not a law or ordinance aimed at regulating or controlling it.

While the plan identifies existing conditions in the township, as well as its strengths and weaknesses, it also sets goals and objectives. Although the plan includes numerous goals, including development of the Mid-State Regional Airport, the majority of the people in attendance focused on plans for a 2,500-acre parcel of land in the northeast corner of the township.

The draft of the comprehensive plan calls for the land to be designated as "industrial enterprise," with its primary use for waste management, manufacturing, warehousing and transportation, all eerily familiar to RRLLC's proposal for a landfill and business park, opponents said.

Its designation raised the eyebrows of Mike Savage, township resident, who said a comprehensive plan developed with the help of the county nearly 20 years ago but not adopted by the township, labeled the property as forest/recreation, similar to Snow Shoe Township's designation of adjacent property.

The issue was also a matter that caught the county planning office's attention. Chris Price, assistant director of the Centre County Planning and Economic Development office, commended the township for doing its own plan but said the Municipal Planning Code requires a buffer between incompatible land uses, and one of his recommendations was to clarify that it was Rush's responsibility to provide that buffer within its boundaries. Mr. Chlebnikow agreed and said it would be examined along with the county's other recommendations and any comments made during the process.

But some residents fear the comments and recommendations will fall on deaf ears. Jenn Shufran of Rush Township questioned the timing of the process. Rettew was hired last July after supervisors approached them to assist their planning commission and engineer of record, Richard H. Bulger and Associates, in developing the plan. It was around the time county commissioners, planning commission and Metropolitan Planning Organization ruled plans for a privately funded interchange off Interstate 80 to access the site were inconsistent with the county's long-term goals.

The township also scheduled a public hearing on the proposed comprehensive plan for 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the township building but a special board of supervisors meeting is scheduled to immediately follow the public hearing, which, according to opponents, is further evidence the supervisors have made up their mind.

Although some feel the supervisors are attempting to circumvent the system, others said it is a way to have the township's voice heard. Sean Bartlett of Rush Township took issue with some aspects of the plan but overall was satisfied. He said it appears that the township is being punished for lacking its own plan to begin with, and now that it is in the process of formulating one, it is being criticized again.

Planners stressed the plan is subject to change. "This isn't set in stone," said Secretary Matt Welker. To be amended, Mr. Chlebnikow said it would follow, require a comment period, public meeting and a public hearing. One example of amending the plan could come next year when the Borough of South Philipsburg officially merges with the township.

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