Controversial housing proposed

Talks continue about a proposed $35 million development plan to build multi-unit residential housing on Kiester Road for Slippery Rock University students and the surrounding community. Kiebler Properties, a real estate development and management company based out of Ohio, is waiting for approval from the Slippery Rock Township to begin construction.

A township meeting held on March 27 gave local residents and business owners the opportunity to state their positions regarding the matter.

In addition to opposition from local landlords to off-campus student housing, the key issue regarding the approval of the development are the zoning ordinances in Slippery Rock Township.

Kiebler Properties has already purchased 50 acres of land located along Kiester Road to build the development, which will house 784 students once it is complete. The land was purchased from five local Slippery Rock residents.

Kiebler Properties President Paul Kiebler said the first phase of the project would include 14 buildings, and 19 buildings once the second phase is complete.

He also said the company's current plan is to furnish the apartments, which will include one, two and three-story units.

The company plans to build the development as a planned residential development that follows a separate set of guidelines under the township's zoning ordinances.

Lee Ligo, owner of Campus Side Apartments, said "the proposed project is in total conflict with the township zoning ordinances."

He said the proposal does not follow the Municipal Planning Code, which is a Pennsylvania state law on the township's comprehensive plan set out by the ordinances.

He said that in order for the proposal to be passed, township supervisors would have to violate the ordinances.

"We will make the final decision after all the hearings have been heard," Slippery Rock Township Supervisor Paul Dickey said.

The next township meeting regarding the proposal is May 22. Township supervisors are expected to rule on the matter.

Ligo said that the property in which the development was proposed to be built was designated as an Agriculture Security Area by the township in 2005. If the ordinances are applied correctly, the development would be prohibited.

As a result of the violations, Ligo has already taken the matter to court.

"I believe this project will have the most negative effect on the Slippery Rock community in recent events," Ligo said.

If the company receives permission from the township, construction for the site will begin in the fall. The plan is to call the apartment complex the Slippery Rock Quadrangle.

"Slippery Rock is a great university, which has experienced a lot of growth," Kiebler said.

He also said he believes there is a need for additional housing within the community.

While the exact cost of the apartments is unknown at this time, Kiebler said initial estimates per bedroom are between $500 and $600 a month.

The other issue in question is the number of students in need of off-campus housing. Ligo claims there will be a 30 percent vacancy rate in all Slippery Rock off-campus housing if the proposal is passed.

Ligo said he has heard some students say they can't find a place to live off-campus, but he doesn't believe there is a shortage of apartments for students. Rather, they aren't getting into the places they want.

"I can handle the competition," Ligo said.

Campus Side Apartments currently has a 70 percent retention rate for the upcoming year.

Aside from SRU students, Ligo does not believe there are enough people moving to the Slippery Rock community interested in renting housing.