A liquor license transfer approved by the Hempfield Township supervisors Tuesday will pave the way for a new pizza pub at the site of a former Route 30 massage parlor.
During a public hearing last night, applicant Barry L. Wagner requested a transfer of a liquor license owned by KKB Inc., which operated the Summit House tavern in West Leechburg, to the proposed Hempfield Township tavern.
Wagner said he planned to open a 72-seat family pizza pub called Isaac's Ale House at 1199 W. Pittsburgh St. Liquor would be served on premise, but no take-out six packs would be sold, he said.
The tavern would open at the site of the former Peaceful Mind Spa, which was closed last year after allegations of prostitution activities.
Wagner said he is a half-partner in the business with his cousin, Commerce Park developer John Wagner. He said the license transfer was a condition for opening the business.
"If you didn't get the license, would you call it Isaac's No Ale House?" quipped Supervisor Kim Ward.
There was no citizen comment during the hearing or at a second one that dealt with four proposed amendments to the township's harvesting and logging ordinance.
Supervisors unanimously approved the following amendments: Rewriting the definition of logging; eliminating a requirement to hire a township forester; increasing the size requirement for obtaining a logging permit from one acre to two acres; and requiring the Westmoreland County Conservation District to review the applicant's erosion and sedimentation-control plan to ensure compliance.
Solicitor Les Mlakar said the amendments were based on comments received from loggers and residents. A proposal to eliminate the hiring of a township forester surfaced when the cost was found to be prohibitive, he said.
Application fees would cost $300. Logging permits would be issued unless the plan is approved by a professional forester, Mlakar said. Manager Rob Ritson said most larger logging companies have a staff forester.
