CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion Borough Council on Tuesday night approved a zoning request change from R-1, Single-Family Residential District to C-I, Commercial Industrial District that allows the development of a 30-acre parcel.

(Pictured above: Grand Avenue Entrance)

Requested by the Miles Brothers to rezone a plot of land behind Robinwood Drive and Bond and Gemmell Drives in Universtiy Manor as a home for Terra Works, their construction company, and water retention, the topic drew much debate earlier in the summer but was easily approved in a 5-1 vote. Miles Brothers purchased the property in addition to a portion of the former glass plant.

Voting to approve the zoning change were Ben Aaron, Brenda Sanders DeDe, Rose Logue, Rachel Roberts, and Earl Zerfoss.

Jason Noto was the lone “no” vote.

Noto said the fact that a lot of people expressed concern about the change prompted him to vote against it.

“I was hoping they might be able to reach an agreement, but I don’t think or at least I haven’t heard that they were able to,” Noto said. “Therefore, I voted no. If they had been able to reach an agreement (between the Miles and the nearby property owners), I would have probably voted in favor of it.”

The home for Terra Works is in addition to converting a 28.5-acre brownfield site formerly housing the Owens-Illinois Glass Plant into Glassworks Business Park, a compound with seven building pads ready for business development.

“The zoning change is not for the business park; it’s for a separate parcel,” said Theron Miles.  “It directly connects to the side of the business park and the two properties are adjoining, but it’s not part of the Glassworks Business Park. It will be used for water retention purposes and we intend to run Terra Works, our construction company, off of a piece of the property in the back.”

The Miles Brother purchased the additional 30 acres behind the business park that was formerly zoned industrial. Sometime close to five years ago, that was rezoned residential,” said Ryan Miles of Miles Brothers.

According to borough officials, the property was rezoned residential in 2011 after it previously had a C1 designation for many years.

Most of the concern raised at previous council meetings came from property owners of University Manor, a nearby upscale housing development.

Contacted Wednesday by exploreClarion.com, Theron Miles assured residents that the business would not use the development streets for access or departures from Terra Works.

“It is absolutely not going to go through the Chernicky housing development,” said Theron.  “It was never discussed or brought up.  We will use the rear access to the business park.  All roads will continue from the business park to this parcel. There won’t be any access from any other parcel except the roads through the business park.”

“Since we’re using the back portion for water retention from the business park, it will be one of the first things under construction. For soil conservation purposes, you construct your retention basins prior to any large earth surfaces are moved and that way water runoff can go there. The pond will go on that piece of property first.”

Miles said that the main entrance to Glassworks will continue to be the same used for the old glass plant. A road inside the business park will also lead to Terra Works.  Heidrick Street and Grand Avenue will be the main highways for truck traffic to Glassworks. The Miles Brothers and Clarion Borough have also applied for a grant for major improvements in the roads to better handle truck traffic.

While it is a separate project, the news last week that Sunset Hills Medical was not approved for a state license to build and operate a large medical marijuana grow plant and serve as the first tenant in Glassworks Business Park, the Miles Brothers are moving forward with their plans.

“It doesn’t change anything with our direction,” said Theron.  “Our goal has always been to bring jobs and new businesses to the area. That’s still our goal.  Unfortunately, every potential tenant doesn’t work out. We’re looking for manufacturing of any kind, and it doesn’t change our mission or direction whatsoever.  It’s just a lost opportunity.”

“We work every day trying to attract potential tenants. We look hard for potential tenants who have the opportunity to employ large amounts of people.”

Heidrick Street

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