The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Business

January 10, 2013

Wendell August site application on hold to await land purchase

By Monica Pryts Allied News Staff Writer

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP — Springfield Township supervisors have put a hold on the Wendell August Forge application regarding the future site of the company’s new factory.

Supervisor Richard Dillaman on Monday said he felt a “little uneasy” approving the conditional-use application because the property hasn’t changed hands yet.

Township officials last Thursday held a public hearing to review the application, filed on behalf of Wendell August by developer Wesex Corp., West Middlesex.

Wendell August has been planning to build on property on state Route 208, also called Leesburg Grove City Road.

Supervisors on Thursday said they were in favor of the application, but Dillaman said he has since learned Wendell August hasn’t completed its purchase agreement.

Will Knecht, Wendell August owner and company president, said after Thursday’s hearing that he expected the deal to be completed by the end of this week. The company is buying 12 acres from GCDS, LLC.

Barbara Brown, township administrator and zoning officer, said Monday the land contract between the two entities means Wesex and Wendell August can represent that property.

Brown agreed to check with township solicitor Ray Bogaty on the status of the final step of the sale.

Dillaman made a motion to table the vote on the application until they have confirmation the sale has been wrapped up.

Gary Hartman, chair of the board of supervisors, and Judith Hassler, vice chair, agreed.

Brown noted it’s not uncommon for companies to have building plans in place before a property is officially theirs.

Wendell August, a longtime metal crafting business, is relocating its operations to the township following an accidental fire in 2010 that destroyed its Grove City facility.

The company has several retail outlets and is leasing space in Grove City for manufacturing.

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