Ross Commissioners Take Up Heartland Homes Plan for Highland CC

On the agenda at Monday night's Ross Township  Board of Commissioners meeting are initial plans to build 170 townhouses and 130 single-family homes on the former site of the Highland Country Club. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the commission board room on the second floor of the Ross Municipal Center.

When the proposal first came before the Ross Township Planning commission on Nov. 29, many in the crowd of 150-200 people voiced their opposition, saying they fear an increase in traffic on already busy Highland Avenue and Gass Road.

A month later, on Dec. 20, the planning commission voted 4-3 not to recommend approval for a tentative plan for residential community.

Prior to the vote, landscape architect Steven Victor outlined several changes to the development proposal:

• Entrance off of Golf Drive would be eliminated.
• Two of the entrances off of Highland Avenue would be moved closer to Wellington Drive.
• A traffic impact study would be conducted beginning Jan. 8.

The ultimate decision is in the hands of the commissioners, some of whom have voiced their support for the development.

"I think it's great," Commissioner Gerald R. O'Brien told North Hills Patch in October.  "It will be good for everyone in the township because it increases the tax base."

O'Brien estimated the new homes and town-homes would add $90 million in taxable property to the township, resulting in an additional $270,000 a year in tax revenue, after the project is completed in about six years.

For more on the rest of the commissioner's agenda for Monday night, click here.

Are you planning to attend Monday night's meeting, what do you think about the plans for the old Highland Country Club? Tell us in the comments box below.

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