People living near vacant land in Ross Township hope they’ll have a say in what gets developed

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — 13 acres of vacant land are still up for grabs at the former Sam’s Club site along McKnight Road in Ross Township, but neighbors hope they can have some input.

Kentzel Road in Ross Township is a small local street many don’t even know the name of, except for the residents who now fear it could become a traffic jam if new development moves in.

According to the township, developers are looking to build four four-story apartment buildings and a dozen townhomes right off McKnight Road. RDC Inc. and Commonwealth Development Partners are spearheading the $50 million project.

But many residents shared they didn’t learn of the project until recently.

Maryland Rebholz has lived in Ross Township for 50 years but says she just received word that new development could be moving in.

“Frankly, I was quite surprised to hear about it,” said Rebholz.

Surprised and concerned, that by the end of 2022 roughly 300 apartments and 12 townhomes could be built in her backyard where Sam’s Club once stood.

“We already have issues coming out of our street as it is now,” said Rebholz. “But I think if you put 500 to 600 more vehicles, there’s already backed up on McKnight, Siebert.”

PennDOT estimates that more than 41,000 vehicles travel along McKnight Road daily, and locals fear this development could add to that number and bring the traffic right through the neighborhood.

“We don’t know if access roads are coming from this over the hill into where the Sam’s Club once sat, we have young children in the neighborhood who play on the street,” added Rebholz.

She is not alone, as others voiced mixed emotions.

Sandy Moore, whose mother’s home sits behind the vacant lot, said her mother is on the fence about the plans, “She is glad to know it’s not going to just be vacant, but she really doesn’t want traffic to increase in the area, said Moore.

In the past, four other developers have attempted to build on this site, many proposing commercial usage. None of those projects ever came to fruition, but now with the zoning changed to residential, neighbors hope concerns will be heard.

“We’re [just] hoping we have some input as neighbors,” said Rebholz.

The township is hosting a town hall on Friday, Jan. 14, 2022, at the Township Municipal Building at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the aspects of the proposal.

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