MAHONING TWP. Board endorses racing complex



The planning commission chairman called the family an asset to the community.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
HILLSVILLE, Pa. -- A proposed horse-racing complex here, which would include a hotel and restaurants, was unanimously endorsed by Mahoning Township supervisors Tuesday.
Citing the positive impact on local employment and tourism, they agreed to send letters of support to state representatives from Lawrence County and to the Pennsylvania State Harness/Horse Racing Commission.
The project's becoming a reality depends on whether the state awards a license here or instead favors others across the state competing for a limited number of licenses.
Bedford Downs is being proposed by the Ambrosia family, longtime Mahoning Township residents who operate C.D. Ambrosia Enterprises.
Family spokesman Carmen Shick presented preliminary plans earlier to the township planning commission, saying the facility would be on 550 acres near state Route 551 and U.S. Route 422, bounded on the south by Baird Road.
The site is behind C.D. Ambrosia Enterprises offices.
Zoning changes needed
Dennis Bensinger, vice chairman of the planning commission, said Shick displayed plans and discussed some zoning changes that would be necessary and could be incorporated into the township zoning ordinance now under revision.
Bensinger said that although a recreation facility is allowed on the site, which is zoned "conservation," a change to a "mixed-use highway" designation would be necessary for a hotel.
After reviewing preliminary plans, the commission endorsed the project in a letter to supervisors that was read at last night's meeting.
Commission chairman Donald Dougherty said in the letter that the Ambrosia family has been an asset to the community for decades and that the facility would benefit the community.
Road paving
Supervisors, meanwhile, announced the list of roads to be paved this year.
Gennaro Drive, Palmer, Zoccolli, Pepe and Hillsville roads will be paved in their entirety, along with parts of West Main and East Main streets, Butch Circle, Erskine Quarry Road, Graham and Matthews roads, and Jackson Street, Edinburg.
Work will start as soon as weather permits, supervisor Poncho Exposito said.
Supervisors also agreed to look into speeding on Main Street in Hillsville after hearing a complaint from a resident.
Exposito lauded volunteer firefighters for working 32 consecutive hours during recent flooding in Edinburg.
Supervisor Gary Pezzuolo told the other supervisors he wants to see if any mine reclamation money is available for relocation of Quarry Road and also to determine if the old P & amp;LE Railroad tracks on West Main Street can be removed.
He also wants something done about an island that is causing a blind spot on Rich Avenue, preventing motorists from seeing oncoming traffic.

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