Church plans get positive review

Plans to build a new church in Snyder Township received a positive review Thursday by Blair County Planning Commission members.

The Community Worship Center is proposing to build an 18,624-square-foot church at 13934 South Eagle Valley Road.

Construction will involve demolition of two existing single-family homes and construction of a 472-seat church with associated parking lot, utility service laterals and stormwater management/conveyance facilities.

Access to the site would be via a 24-foot-wide bidirectional easement off South Eagle Valley Road, which opens onto a 127-car paved parking lot that includes five ADA accessible parking spaces.

A low volume driveway is proposed to access the new development from South Eagle Valley Road, said MacKenzie Caron, regional planner.

“We should recommend a traffic study be done for access,” said President Nick Ardizzone.

Sewer service will be provided by installing a new lateral to Northern Blair County Regional Sewer Authority’s main line, north of the proposed building. Water service will be provided by new laterals to Oakridge Water Authority’s main line along South Eagle Valley Road.

To control the increase in rate, volume and water quality of runoff from the project area, runoff will be conveyed to several infiltration trenches, Caron said.

Blair appoints two to planning board

Blair County commissioners Thursday appointed two new members to the Blair County Planning Commission board.

Commissioners appointed Rodney Green of Roaring Spring to the board for Region 6 (Huston Township, Martinsburg Borough, North Woodbury Township, Roaring Spring Borough and Taylor Township), filling the remainder of Linda Smith’s term from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2026.

Commissioners also appointed Rodney Estep of Duncansville to the board for Region 5 (Frankstown Township and Hollidaysburg Borough) with a term effective Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2029. Estep will replace Patrick Baechle whose term expires Dec. 31.

Despite the appointments, two vacancies remain on the planning commission board.

Commissioners have failed to fill Region 7 (Freedom, Greenfield and Juniata townships) and will need to fill the seat of Ben Postles whose term expires at end of year. He represents Region 4 (Catharine Township, Williamsburg Borough and Woodbury Township).

Planning staff’s wages restored

Blair County Planning Commission members Thursday restored full wages to its staff members effective immediately.

On Oct. 30 the staff members — Planning Director David McFarland, transportation planner Wesley Burket, strategic planner Sherry Socie, regional planner MacKenize Caron and planning aide Rhonda Kelly — saw their wages cut 50% from Nov. 3 through Jan. 23, because a state budget had not been passed by that time.

The decision followed a 70-minute executive session.