At Tuesday’s meeting, Homer City Borough Council issued a statement on a proposed redevelopment connected with Homer City Redevelopment.
The statement is in response to recent comments made by the group Concerned Residents of Western PA (CROW), which was formed after the announcement of the natural gas power plant at the former Homer City Generation site. They had concerns about several issues, one of which was a proposed redevelopment the intersection of Main and East Elm Streets and increased traffic through town. Homer City Borough Mayor Kyle Cobaugh said that they have the community safety in mind and are working with HCR and PennDOT on safety issues, and nothing is set in stone yet.
Several citizens spoke out about the proposed plan, including Larry Cadile of Homer City. He felt the project was completely unnecessary.
Again, no approvals will be made until all the details on the project are available.
In other business, council approved a new contract with the UMWA for the police department. The new contract includes increases for the part time officers and changes for the retirement package. They also approved a proclamation from Mayor Cobaugh on the naming of James Nix to the County Chamber Business Hall of Fame.
The following is the statement from Homer City Mayor Kyle Cobaugh:
Homer City Borough Council has reviewed the recent article, “Homer City Redevelopment: Not a Done Deal,” and we appreciate the community’s continued engagement in this important discussion. We recognize that residents have serious and legitimate questions about the future of the former power plant site and the impacts any redevelopment may have on our town.
At this time, no final approvals have been granted by Homer City Borough Council for the full build‑out of the proposed redevelopment project. We remain committed to open government and to following all applicable laws and procedures as we evaluate the project.
We also want residents to know that Borough representatives are actively working with representatives of Homer City Redevelopment LLC and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to help shape a project that is safe and responsible for our community. A central focus of these discussions is traffic and transportation planning. As part of this work, we have negotiated that there will be no heavy truck traffic routed through the Borough during this phase of the project. Protecting the safety and quality of life of our residents, especially along local streets and near homes, schools, and businesses, remains a top priority.
In addition to broader traffic planning, the intersection at Main Street and East Elm Street in Homer City is a specific area of focus. This intersection is a key gateway in and out of town, and it must be able to safely and efficiently accommodate current traffic as well as any future changes associated with redevelopment. Borough officials are working with Homer City Redevelopment LLC and PennDOT to evaluate design options for improving safety, visibility, and traffic flow at this intersection, including better signaling, lane configuration, and pedestrian accommodations where feasible.
Any proposed changes to the Main Street/East Elm intersection will be reviewed with public safety as the primary consideration and will follow all required engineering and permitting standards. Before any final design is advanced, the Borough will share information at public meetings and ensure that residents have the opportunity to ask questions and provide input on how the intersection can best serve the community now and in the future.
Our goals in these ongoing discussions are to:
- Ensure that any plant and associated facilities are designed and operated with community safety, health, and welfare as a primary consideration.
- Coordinate with PennDOT so that regional transportation solutions minimize impacts on Borough streets and neighborhoods.
- Secure clear commitments from project partners regarding traffic routing, construction practices, and long‑term operations that respect the character of Homer City.
We understand that trust must be earned through actions, not words alone. Homer City Borough will continue to:
- Provide regular updates at public meetings as new information becomes available.
- Invite questions and comments from residents and community groups.
- Advocate for protections and conditions that reflect the concerns and values of the people who live here.
We encourage all residents to stay involved, attend Borough meetings, and share their perspectives as we move through this process together.
