Hearing set Thursday for Valley View Downs racetrack

HILLSVILLE, Pa. — The proposed Valley View Downs harness racing track is seeking several zoning variances on height requirements and other matters.

A hearing is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Mahoning Township Community Center, 4512 W. State St., (U.S. Route 224) for the Mahoning Township Zoning Hearing Board to hear the request from Stephen Zubrow, of Pittsburgh, who is listed as agent for Valley View Downs.

The 250-acre site is located near the intersection of Route 224 and Pa. Route 551 in Mahoning Township.

The requested variance requests are for height of a hotel/parking structure, future parking structures, and a “port-cochere (which is a covered structure where people may exit vehicles such as at a hotel entrance); a variance to permit construction and use of an above-ground storage tank; a variance from the ordinance requiring the facility be enclosed by a fence and a variance to permit certain parking areas to use grass and gravel.

A copy of the application is available for examination by the public at the Mahoning Township Municipal Building during business hours.

The zoning hearing board will meet at 6:30 p.m. just before the variance hearing to elect officers.