Peters Township School Board hears from residents about plans to acquire part of Rolling Hills
The former Rolling Hills Country Club, photographed from East McMurray Road, could serve as the site for a new Peters Township High School.
The former Rolling Hills Country Club, photographed from East McMurray Road, could serve as the site for a new Peters Township High School.
Peters Township School District is moving forward with plans to acquire 97 acquires of the shuttered Rolling Hills Country Club in McMurray.
At a public hearing Wednesday evening, Superintendent Jeannine French said the district has been looking for property for several years to possibly construct a new school to replace aging Peters Township High School, which was built in the 1960s.
The Rolling Hills property, off East McMurray Road and near Center Church Road, meets the district’s needs, she said.
“It’s on two main thoroughfares,” said French, noting the district began looking at the 198-acre site in February along with the township, which would like to use some of the land for a new swimming pool and other recreational needs. “It’s also in the center of the township.”
Other locations the district had considered purchasing included 28 acres directly across from the high school and Scenic Valley Golf Club, off Church Hill Rioad. French said the site across from the high school was deemed too small, while Scenic Valley is in the eastern part of the township and too much road work would have to be done to make that property suitable for vehicles coming in and out of the school property.
Laurel Communities – a consortium of developers that includes the principals of Horizon Properties, a Southpointe developer, and Heartland Homes, a former residential development company – has a sales agreement for the property.
Wednesday’s hearing was a necessary first step for the district to apply for PlanCon C funding from the state to acquire the land. The township, meanwhile, would float a bond issue to finance its portion.
The 30 or so residents who attended the hearing, held in the district administration building, appeared to be evenly divided about plans to buy the land and build a new high school. Some said the money would be well-spent, but others said it represents an unnecessary expense.
Marc Simon of McMurray urged the board to let the property be developed and take advantage of the tax revenue that would be generated by the development.
“We do not need a new high school,” he said.
Tony Brown, also of McMurray, asked board solicitor Ira Weiss who actually owns the property. He also questioned whether eminent domain would be used.
“I understand the property has been sold,” Weiss said. “The identity is not as important as the facts are.”
He also said that eminent domain, a process that allows government to take property if it is for the betterment of the public and provides compensation for the landowner, is an option.
Mark Baer of McMurray told the board that the district needs to build a new school.
“Our buildings are not great,” Baer said. “Now is the time to plan for future.”
Laura Spernak of Venetia agreed.
“This is a crucial time to build,” she said. “This is an important issue.”
The school board will meet July 11 to formally vote applying for PlanCon C funding.