Commissioners Approve Rezoning Request for Hatch Patch, OK Use of CBDG Funds

WARREN, Pa. – The Warren County Commissioners approved a rezoning request at the former Hatch Patch building in North Warren during Wednesday’s meeting.

The commissioners were originally set to approve the entire 84-acres, but instead approved a much smaller area.

“It now amounts to about nine acres,” said Warren County Commissioner Ben Kafferlin. “The public was against rezoning all of it. We had gone through the process and got a recommendation to approve.”

The move paves the way for a potential restaurant to be put into the location.

“I think it’s a good compromise,” Kafferlin said.


CBGD FUNDS APPROVED

The Commissioners also approved the use of $500,000 Community Block Grant Development funding for the City of Warren’s Riverfront Redevelopment.

“We’re also giving $25,000 to the library for their renovations,” Kafferlin said.

With rising costs, the price of the renovations is more than the library had initially anticipated.

In addition to a teen space, there will be air conditioning installed, an upgrade to the infrastructure, and other changes, including moving the Friends of the Library Book Cellar to the main level across from the circulation desk, as well as installing new LED lighting.

There will also be Americans With Disabilities Act upgrades, which will include push-button entry doors.

There will also be meeting pods installed, which will fit two to four people, with benches and lightning, for things like a small meeting, an online exam, and things of that nature. The Jefferson Room will also be getting an upgrade.


GRANT WRITER POSITION APPROVED

A new grant writer position has been approved at the county, with a posting going up soon.

“The purpose of the positions will be to assist in grant writing and application writing, then pass off to the existing position in planning and zoning to handle the management of the grand,” Kafferlin said. “This is something we’ve been talking about doing for several years. We’ll be using ARPA (American Rescue Plan Funds) to pay for the position for the first year.”