CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners on Tuesday finalized its long-term lease agreement with the SPCA for proposed construction of a new animal shelter on a five-acre parcel near the Clearfield County Jail. The SPCA lease will commence April 1 and is to provide 24 months for the shelter’s construction before being terminated.
In addition, any future construction plans, additions built on or activities at the SPCA site, which could have adverse effects to the jail, the county’s use of the property or to the neighborhood, must first be presented to the commissioners for approval.
In February, the commissioners approved the SPCA’s revised property location and permitted for Curry & Associates to submit plans for running public utilities to the property to the Lawrence Township Supervisors, according to prior GantDaily reports.
At that time, Commissioner Chairperson Joan Robinson-McMillen indicated that the SPCA officials turned its proposed parcel from vertical to horizontal, which no longer split the county’s property in half.
Solicitor Kim Kesner indicated his receipt of revised documents, including the survey map and property description, from Peter Smith, attorney for the SPCA. In the documents, Smith inquired about relocating the proposed property for lease to the SPCA.
Additionally, Kesner said Commissioner Mark B. McCracken contacted him with concerns regarding the SPCA’s original proposal. McCracken pushed for language and provisions by the lease agreement to permit for the board’s review of the initial construction as well as any subsequent construction and or activity on the property.
“But the commissioners wouldn’t unreasonably uphold any construction,” Kesner said.
According to prior GantDaily reports, McCracken pointed out that the SPCA’s originally proposed, five-acre parcel split the county’s property into two parcels. He said it had potential to be problematic and suggested the lease be revised before being approved by the board.
McCracken said it was valuable county property, which belonged to the taxpayers, and it provides the county with options. He wanted the future prison boards and boards of commissioners to have access to it.
Commissioner John A. Sobel then suggested that the board authorize Kesner to negotiate the acreage to be permitted by the lease agreement.
Rather than him negotiating the guidelines of the lease, Kesner suggested that the commissioners set up a meeting with the SPCA representatives, their attorney and the surveyor regarding the property issues.
McCracken said he didn’t oppose the SPCA facility being located there. Instead, his opposition was only with the location of the facility on the county’s property, and the limitations it may present for them in the future, he said.
Smith previously said the current shelter, located on Graham Station Road in Philipsburg, isn’t able to sufficiently facilitate their services. He said it had become mandatory for them to construct a new shelter, which would be an approximately $1 million facility and require the initiation of a capital campaign by the SPCA.