By KRISTA GROMALSKI

SHOHOLA - Supervisor George Fluhr wants Route 6 to be "both scenic and commercial," he said during a public hearing on a land development plan submitted to the Shohola Township Board by Chris Barletto. Barletto intends to construct a multi-purpose commercial building east of Little Walker Road on the state highway in Shohola Township.

Barletto said he hopes to rent the five spaces in the proposed one-level structure to crafters or possibly a supply house. "I'm not really looking to rent to stores," he said. "If they get a conditional use [approval] for what they want to do they have to come to you," he told the board, who unanimously approved Barletto's plan despite the absence of a letter giving the nod from the Pike County's Planning Commission.

Zoning Officer William Gabriel offered no explanation for the lack of county input, but said he will hold the maps for Barletto's project until the board receives a letter from the county. "I can still issue a building permit [for the site,]" said Gabriel. "The commission can't change the building."

Barletto, who said he hopes the commercial units will attract businesses that will remain for at least two to three years, is anxious to begin construction before prohibited by weather. "I just want to get in and start building," he said.

"You might not always be the [owner,]" Fluhr said, stating the board's role is to deal with the future of the site.

Barletto said he's been in contact with the Conservation District and the Department of Labor and Industry. "I want to do the right thing," he said.

In other planning commission business the board unanimously re-approved a property transfer from Carl Vogt to Saint Ann's Church. The transfer was initially approved on April 13 but "the map was not recorded in the register" within the required 90 days following signature by the board, said Gabriel. The consolidation of four lots owned by Warner Tschoppe, Sr. was also unanimously approved.