[at-l] Developer extends HIS deadline for Alpine Resort

[lorac4491 at linkamerica.net (Coosa Donaldson)]

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/pa/index.ssf?/base/news-12/109394309781910.xml

This site wants your ZipCode, Year of Birth, and Gender.  So that nullifies any obligations in my opinion regarding 'rights' and privileges.  So here's the article.  -- Coosa (who's on WEB only.)


Eldred planners urge passage of resort plan
Opponents cry foul, citing lack of approval from conservation district. 
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
By ALYSSA YOUNG
The Express-Times 
ELDRED TWP. -- The township planning commission on Monday recommended that the board of supervisors approve final plans for the proposed Alpine Rose race course and country club. 

Only Kimberly Michael opposed the recommendation. 

The $25 million resort is slated for about 350 acres between Upper Smith Gap Road and the foot of the Blue Mountain. 

Plans include 4 miles of road courses where people could drive their high-performance cars up to 120 mph, garages, a car wash and gas station, athletic fields, and a helipad for emergencies. 

It is unlikely supervisors will consider the project for final approval at Wednesday's meeting because the Monroe County Conservation District has not signed off on the erosion and sedimentation control plan. 

Developer Richard Muller expects to receive the approval letter this week. He extended the township's deadline to make a decision from Friday until Sept. 17 so supervisors can review the project at their Sept. 15 meeting. 

September will mark 2 years since the planning commission first accepted preliminary plans for review. 

It started reviewing the 85-page final plan in March, granting four time extensions so Muller's consultants could make corrections and provide more information. 

Township Engineer Jack Jolly's latest comment letter, dated Monday, included only four outstanding issues. The items Muller still must address are minor, Jolly said. 

Charles Elliott, the attorney who represents two environmental groups who oppose the project, on Monday cited several reasons the planning commission should have suggested rejecting the plans. 

The lack of an approval letter from the county conservation district was one of them. 

Elliott also said the developer's May 2003 sound study proves he cannot comply with noise restrictions he has agreed to. 

The Blue Mountain Preservation Association and the Appalachian Trail Conference say that allowing Muller to build Alpine Rose would violate the township's duty under the Appalachian Trail Act to "preserve the natural, scenic, historic and aesthetic values of the trail," which runs along the ridge of the Blue Mountain just south of proposed site. 

The groups have appealed to Commonwealth Court, contesting a Monroe County court ruling that affirms the supervisors' decision to grant preliminary approval. 

The planning commission on Monday agreed the final plan for Alpine Rose is not substantially different than the preliminary version. 

Plans now show a sewage treatment lagoon rather than a package treatment plant. Also, the land area that will be cleared has been increased from 57 acres to 98 acres to accommodate an additional storm water detention basin. 

Elliott argued that the changes are substantial -- another reason he said the planning commission and supervisors should reject the plans. 


Reporter Alyssa Young can be reached at 610-863-3841 or by e-mail at ayoung@express-times.com. 




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