Developer Robert W. Shuster's plan to construct a business park adjacent to his Lincoln Hills housing development and the proposed Mills Pointe shopping center hit an unanticipated snag last week.

The North Huntingdon commissioners unanimously voted to table a resolution that would have amended the township zoning code to permit mixed commercial uses in Lincoln Hills Phase 8, which is now zoned residential.

Mr. Shuster proposed to develop a business park on the 14-acre parcel, which the township first approved for upscale single-family homes in 2008. Last year, the commissioners approved a change to multifamily villas and townhouses.

In October, Mr. Shuster proposed development of the business park instead, due to "a declining market" for multifamily dwellings.

During a public hearing before the board meeting on the proposed resolution, residents of the upscale Legends housing plan adjacent to Lincoln Hills opposed RWS Development Co.'s request to rezone the parcel for the business park.

The resolution also would have permitted buildings as high as eight stories. Residents want the township to require a building higher than three stories to be deemed a special condition of the zoning regulations, and require it to be approved by the zoning hearing board and commissioners.

"I don't plan to build a structure higher than three stories," Mr. Shuster said. He wants to construct a hotel, office buildings, restaurants, retail shops and possibly a food store.

Residents also want a larger mandatory buffer zone between residential and commercial properties, instead of the township's requirement of no less than 10 feet.

"I agree with limiting the height of buildings, but I would like to see the current level of a buffer zone retained," said Commissioner Tony Martino, president of Circleville Volunteer Fire Company. "A lower level is better for public safety."

The township Fire Chiefs Association favors a three-story height limit on new structures.

"I don't feel the board's action will create a long delay for Mr. Shuster's plan for the business park. It's possible things will be worked out by next month," said Andy Blenko, township planning director/engineer and planning commission chairman.

The planners last month approved a 15,000-square-foot footprint for structures in the proposed business park.

Mr. Shuster also clarified a report that a local man wanted to locate an Atria's restaurant in the business park.

"What I said was that he wants to build a fine dining restaurant like Atria's," Mr. Shuster said. "Atria's people called us. There are no plans to locate an Atria's in my park."

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