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Long-range plan may include senior housing in Natrona
There is a plan, in its early stages, to construct low-rise senior citizen housing in the center of Natrona.
The idea was discussed Thursday night as the Harrison Township Commissioners approved an updated comprehensive land use plan.
As envisioned, the senior housing would be similar to Dalton's Landing along First Avenue near the Tarentum-Brackenridge border. That housing, which opened a few years ago, is operated by the Allegheny County Housing Authority.
It's quite different than the standard high-rises, such as the Harrison Hi-Rise adjacent to Heights Plaza Shopping Center.
"High-rises have seen their day," said Lee Mueller, of the firm of Remington, Vernick and Beach. "It's an experiment that failed."
Mueller's firm updated comprehensive plan for the township and presented its results at Thursday's public hearing. The last plan was developed in 1968.
Since most of the township is developed, Mueller noted the only area for residential expansion is near the Oak Manor Drive area.
Instead, township officials will look toward preserving and improving existing neighborhoods.
The plan will concentrate on preserving and rehabilitating current housing — mostly in the Natrona section of the township.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency's order to separate sewage and stormwater lines in Natrona also was addressed.
Only one notable zoning change is included in the updated plan.
A parcel of land near Pleasantville Road and the Route 28 Expressway will change from a conservancy district to commericial.
The spot is in the area of Exit 15. The Burtner House historical site across from the intersection, and JV Manufacturing is nearby on Burtner Road.
The change will allow development such as a retail complex or a hotel/motel.
Commissioners might enact an ordinance designed to protect national historical sites such as the Natrona Lock & Dam, the Burtner House and the Penn Salt district.
The proposed Allegheny Trail, a bicycling and pedestrian trial encompassing 17 Allegheny River Valley municipalities, also might require a future ordinance when the project is developed.
Vice Chairman Verne Bergstrom favored allowing language for other expressway interchanges since construction in 1970 didn't address the needs of the business district.
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