BY TOM RAGAN (STAFF WRITER)
Published: November 10, 2009
Kline Township hired an attorney to represent the township for a zoning hearing that will determine if the township will allow a proposed $1 million wind generator for the Van Hoekelen Greenhouses Inc. property.
Attorney Peter Fagan was hired on a 3-0 vote by township supervisors Monday to avoid a conflict of interest by zoning board solicitor Joseph Baranko, who also represents Van Hoekelen.
A&A Real Estate Associates and Van Hoekelen are co-named on the notice of application for the installation of a wind generator and equipment.
The next step in the process is getting the zoning board's approval for the plan. The Kline Township Planning Board and the board of supervisors have recommended each of its respective approvals for a special exception.
Van Hoekelen is looking at the wind generator as an alternative energy source, according to supervisors. The company pays an average of $22,000 for heating in colder months. Van Hoekelen began operating its business in 1988 in the McAdoo-Kline Township area. Van Hoekelen grows and distributes many types of plants and flowers to 48 states.
The zoning hearing board will determine a time and date on the matter.
Cogeneration project
Kline Township officials recently met with officials from SUEZ Energy North American Affiliate of Houston, Texas, to discuss energy alternatives for the cogeneration plant in the township.
"This was just a preliminary meeting," supervisor Carmen Cara explained.
The company is looking into solar heating panels that could cost an estimated $15 to $25 million. Supervisors stressed the project is in the discussion stage and any plan would have to go through a planning and zoning hearing before any permits or construction can be approved.
House leveled
Kline Township supervisors were pleased with a demolition job by resident Russell Postupack on a home at 34 Snyder Ave. in the McAdoo section of Kline Township.
The home has been a recent topic of discussion regarding complaints from neighbors about cats going in an out of the home and the associated stench from animal feces inside the home. Kline Township made several unsuccessful attempts to contact the homeowner before targeting it for demolition.
"Russell Postupack did a good job demolishing that house. He used three Dumpsters and the property looks good," Cara said.
Township solicitor Mark Semanchik asked the board of supervisors about placing a lien on the property for money owed to the township for inspection and maintenance of the property and associated demolition costs.
The township will try to re-coup some its money through a lien process.
The owner of the property, Aileen Kulpon, has moved out of the area and has been difficult to contact. A local bank, First Columbia, holds the mortgage on the property.
tragan@standardspeaker.com
No comments:
Post a Comment