Plans for development are continuing to spread throughout Foster Brook — this time a local contractor is looking to transform just over two acres of land along Derrick Road.
For now, though, Bob Skaggs of Foster Township is remaining tight-lipped on his plans.
Last fall, Skaggs bought the land near Crosby’s and Tim Hortons for an undisclosed price from Foster Township Supervisor chairman Dale Phillips. Skaggs wants to get the property cleaned up, then figure out the best use in developing it. The land includes two houses and a vacant lot, according to Skaggs.
“The houses will stay for now until I’m ready to develop,” he told The Era on Monday.
Skaggs’ plans for development join several other movements happening in Foster Township, most notably at the nearby Bradford Mall.
And while township development committee member and former township supervisor Jim Connelly Jr. applauds development in Foster Township and Foster Brook, he wants to ensure that safety isn’t forgotten.
Supervisor George Hocker seemed to follow a similar train of thought. With the development, township officials have to make sure that planning, zoning and the building codes are met, Hocker said.
“That’s (Derrick City) a very, very dangerous intersection down there,” Connelly said, adding if a traffic study needs to be completed, then so be it.
On Monday night, Phillips did not want to comment on the plans for Skagg’s property, not wanting to speak out of turn.
Meanwhile, at the Bradford Mall property along East Main Street, development is progressing. In recent days, a sign went up for the Dunham’s Sports, planned for later this year in the former Kmart store.
The mall property is expected to be the location of Sheetz, Taco Bell and a Carolina Furniture showroom as well. The mall already has Tractor Supply, the Dollar Tree, Big Lots, PHOENIX Rehabilitation and Health Services Inc., Verizon, Label Shopper and Peebles.
Also, Goodwill of Bradford is planning to relocate from Bradford to Foster Brook Boulevard in the township later this year, between the strip mall and Mattress Outlet. At a meeting last week, the township’s zoning hearing board approved a variance request that brings Bradford Properties LP a step closer to developing the site.
Officials said any business coming into the township is good news because it helps the municipality, such as with the tax base.
