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Jeepnharleymomma:
Zerbe looks to future with boost from AOAA

ZERBE TOWNSHIP - Mountainside Motorsports began business on West Shamokin Street in Trevorton in 2010.

On July 4 of this year, Kandie's Place opened just a few blocks away - and that restaurant is just down the block from Dal's Pizza, another relative newcomer to the business community.

Meanwhile, landlords are sinking money into homes along Shamokin Street (Route 225), with new siding, porches and sidewalks evident from one end of Trevorton to the other.

And, just this week, township supervisors voted to change the zoning ordinance for the first time in 46 years - a move they believe is necessary to spur even more economic development.

Why all the buzz in Trevorton and Zerbe Township? In short, the AOAA.

The Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area under development on 6,500 acres of Northumberland County-owned land includes a large chunk in Zerbe Township.

The park's primary access is planned just off Route 125 south of Shamokin in Coal Township, but the master plan notes three possible secondary access points in Zerbe Township, two along Route 2044 on the road to West Cameron Township, and one right in Trevorton.

While "ATV" is a bit of a dirty word in Zerbe Township, the community facing regular complaints about riders kicking up dust at Coal Hill at the west end of town. The prospects of a controlled environment on AOAA land is enticing, township leaders say.

"This could be the biggest opportunity we see in Zerbe Township since the mining days," said supervisor board Chairman Michael Schwartz. "The people that have opened new businesses are confident that it will happen."

$80,000 investment

Kandie Rebuck and her husband, Harry, invested $80,000 in Kandie's Place, located in the former Trevorton Odd Fellows Lodge.

They remodeled the building and installed restaurant equipment with the intent of leasing it to someone else.

"That deal fell through, and it was something that I always wanted to do, so here I am running the place," Rebuck said in a recent interview.

"There were so many possibilities we thought of for it," her husband said. "Using it for storage, starting a hardware store or gun shop, but the restaurant seemed like the best fit."

Although there are several food outlets already established, including Dal's a stone's throw away, and the well-established Hannah's, also nearby, the Rebucks believe there is room for everyone, especially once the AOAA opens.

"Some people prefer to go to a hoagie or pizza shop and some will pick up food at the supermarket," Kandie Rebuck said. "Everyone's different. We have so much to offer when the riders come down from the mountain."

Stay a while

Jacob Shingara said when he opened Mountainside Motorsports that he saw possibilities with the planned AOAA park and other local ATV riding. The new zoning ordinance should help his business even more. A change from residential to commercial-heavy for his shop's location allows him to not just service, but to sell ATVs or any type of vehicle.

Township supervisor Mike Mazer said Shingara has also put up storage units at the former Sigafoos Auto Wreckers salvage yard and has discussed building rental cottages in the area.

Supervisors think bed-and-breakfast lodges, too, could cater to those who come to the AOAA.

"I've heard there's an out-of-town family that purchased a home in Zerbe Township and uses it specifically on the weekends when they come in to ride their ATVs," Mazer said.

"I think it will all depend on getting a good access point to the park," said Gene Geise, the third supervisor. If it goes elsewhere, "we might not see the traffic here."

Switching gears

Schwartz, who was recently appointed to the AOAA Authority Board by Northumberland County commissioners, said support for the park is not the same as supporting the kind of ATV riding for which the township is currently known.

"We are an advocate of the AOAA, but not an advocate of Coal Hill," Schwartz said. Supervisors want to stop all riding on Coal Hill, but that would require assistance from the property owner, Reading Anthracite Coal Co., which sells permits to ride on company-owned land for $100 a year.

"Once the AOAA is operational, there are some indications that Reading will come to the table and work with us," Schwartz said.

However, there will likely still be persistent local riders that use Coal Hill because they don't want to pay any fees for the AOAA.

"That is when Reading will have to step up and enforce it," Geise said.

County commissioners, who were under pressure to name municipal representatives to the authority but did not, stressed that Schwartz was named more for his association with the ATV industry and his career in banking than his role as Zerbe supervisor.

All could benefit

The three supervisors hope the outdoor enthusiasts who visit their community will see what they see.

"I've been here all my life, was born and raised here," Schwartz said. "Zerbe has always been a friendly town."

"As a resident for 24 years, I've seen a lot of people that take pride in their community," Mazer said.

"We have a great school district in Line Mountain; that gives a lot of opportunity for our youth," added Geise. "Trevorton also has the last volunteer ambulance service running in Northumberland County."

It's not about supporting one particular idea, they said, but about spurring economic activity that will have wide-ranging impact.

"New and successful businesses will create revenue for the township that will enable us to improve our infrastructure without raising taxes," Mazer said. "If the AOAA comes in, everyone in Zerbe Township could benefit."

Jeepnharleymomma:
Zoning change aimed at helping promote growth in Zerbe Township

TREVORTON - Zerbe Township supervisors have approved a zoning change in anticipation of further economic development related to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA).

Monday night's 3-0 vote by Gene Geise, Mike Mazer and Michael Schwartz came after some opposition at a 45-minute public hearing. Township leaders, however, said there was a need to update outdated zoning designations, last changed in 1966, while also allowing business growth along the main township thoroughfare, Route 225, or Shamokin Street, in the village.

"There are things happening in Zerbe Township that made it necessary to update the ordinance and make it more consistent with what is going on around here," Todd Kerstetter, zoning solicitor, said during the hearing.

Schwartz was recently named to the five-member AOAA Authority, which will begin formal operation in January to govern the off-highway vehicle park.

The 6,500-acre property, owned by Northumberland County, stretches across five townships, its western end starting in Zerbe.

What changed

The key changes are as follows:

- The "commercial-neighborhood zone," which previously extended along Route 225 at the west end of Trevorton for 4 1/2 blocks - from the midpoint of Sixth and Seventh streets at Trevorton Fire Company west to 11th Street - was extended east all the way to the border with Coal Township. In its new territory, a distance of about 3 miles, it replaces the previous "multi-family residential" designation.

Those living along the highway now don't have to do anything, because the new designation allows businesses and homes to be in the same area.

- A one-block area from 11th to 12th streets at the west end of town, previously in the "multi-family residential," was changed to "commercial-heavy." That designation already existed from 12th Street west a short distance out of the village, to about the area of the township sewer plant. It now backs up one block into Trevorton.

Kerstetter noted that Union Bank and Trust Co., Angie's Market and a few restaurants were technically in a residential zone under the old statute.

"It is surprising that there were all those things in the residential zone," he said.

Regarding the second change, it was done to allow Mountainside Motorsports, an ATV service shop which opened in 2010, to also now sell ATVs and other vehicles.

Kerstetter said township leaders hope the zoning changes pay off.

"I drove through the area today and saw some empty garages, buildings that aren't looking so good," he said. "Hopefully, these changes will help economic development and people can buy these dilapidated buildings, tear them down and make something out of the area."

ATVs 'not too good'

Brient Wiest, of East Market Street, was among several residents in the group of 12 at the hearing to voice objections. A stenographer was present, and all who testified had to swear under oath.

"I just wonder why we have to change the zone. Why don't we keep it the way it was and give out variances?" Wiest asked.

Even with the AOAA, development may not occur, he said.

"What I see running around in Trevorton with the ATVs now isn't too good for a bedroom community," Wiest said.

Former township supervisor Edward Hull took an opposing viewpoint.

"I think it's a great idea," he testified. "When we went through the paperwork for the Dollar General store in 2005, we only had two people against running the (commercial) zone all the way through (the township). We have nothing in town now. It's not going to hurt a thing along Trevorton Road."

"I just can't see any good coming from the ATVs and what they bring to Trevorton," Wiest retorted. "I see it now in my neighborhood. I disagree with you, Ed."

After the meeting, Wiest approached supervisors and township solicitor Roger Wiest to further question the decision.

"So the three of you voted, and that's it? The residents don't get a vote?" he said.

"That's why you elected them," Roger Wiest calmly retorted. "To make the decisions in the best interest of the township."

A map detailing the zoning changes is posted for public display for 30 days. Appeals must be filed by Nov. 21.

Jeepnharleymomma:

DCNR secretary visit good sign for AOAA
Published: November 11, 2012



The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) already awarded $1.5 million to the Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area (AOAA) one year ago, but it was encouraging nonetheless to have DCNR Secretary Richard G. Allan on the property Friday for a personal tour, in a Hummer, no less.

He couldn't, or wouldn't, say whether more state funding is on the way, but there's little doubt he better understands the excitement of off-roading: "It's amazing. Absolutely amazing," Allan said after his two-hour tour. "I can see why it's going to be a draw for people to enjoy. This is a tourist destination."

More than his personal experience, it's was Allan's comments that the Corbett administration has "rethought" where it invests money for economic development that sounds like more funding for the AOAA is a possibility.

"There is a lot of recreation here that we don't do in our state parks and forest lands," Allan said.

Hmmm.

It's worth repeating that last year's $1.5 million DCNR Christmas present came not from taxes but from a pot of money created by ATV and snowmobile registration fees, earmarked by law for development of riding trails. Of course, the park desperately needs such government funding, and private contributions, as Northumberland County commissioners rightly stick to their guns that no local taxpayer money will go toward AOAA development, other than its commitment of personnel within the county planning department.

The presence of members of Hummers Club Inc. from New York and New Jersey as hosts for Allan's ride is further proof that the interest in the park is broad - geographically and within the diverse off-road industry. The Hummer Club is the latest national organization to promote the AOAA through its club magazine, too.

After a difficult summer regarding the AOAA, these are positive signs that the project is still on track, and we look forward to what may come in 2013.

Meanwhile, we like state Rep. Kurt Masser's suggestion that those who still have disagreements about the park and its direction get together for some frank - but civil - discussions with park supporters. Perhaps he and state Sen. John Gordner, who were both part of Friday's touring contingent, could join with county officials and the new AOAA board to facilitate that meeting.

Jeepnharleymomma:
The 2nd Coal mountain Jeep Jamboree will be Aug 1-3 , 2013 .

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