Almost a year after the board was approached initially, Shaler commissioners unanimously agreed Tuesday night to grant a conditional use permit to Hearth Benedictine Housing to turn the former Zoar Home site into apartments for single mothers.
The permit was granted after months of talks between the parties and came with a list of 44 conditions that must be met and maintained throughout the life of the enterprise.
Officials from Shaler and TREK Development Group of Pittsburgh, Hearth's partner in the enterprise, developed and agreed to the list of conditions. TREK is a for-profit real estate development firm that forms partnerships with non-profits. Hearth provides housing, counseling and basic necessities to single mothers while the women attend schooling aimed at helping them attain employment and a better life for their families. Hearth had to move from its original site in Ross when its property owner put up the facility for sale in 2009.
Gateway Engineers of Pittsburgh is working with the group and has five years to meet Shaler's requirements, many of which are aimed at meeting state, county and local requirements for safety, environmental maintenance and good-neighbor standards.
First Published: February 15, 2012, 10:30 a.m.