Improvements at Lock Haven Motel on hold

BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP, PA – The developer of a major upgrade at the Lock Haven Motel  just off Hogan Boulevard has stopped the project while permitting issues are resolved with Bald Eagle Township government.

Developer Troy Musser of Jersey Shore told therecord-online on Wednesday he is “buttoning up” the outside work at the motel while the upgrade process goes through required planning department review/approvals at the Clinton County and township levels.

Musser’s company had  acquired the hotel from previous owner Ron Pete on January 4 for $520,000, according to records at the county assessment office. Musser subsequently began renovations to the 28-unit, one-level structure. He said his firm is developing an “upscale” motel, adding a living room to each unit, the end product to be called “the Lock Haven Motel and Suites.”

Musser said he learned from local employers there is a need for such suites in Clinton County and indicated they would be similar to his firm’s recent upgrade at the Gamble Farm Inn in Jersey Shore.

Bald Eagle Township Supervisor Ken McGhee told therecord-online  that Musser had been given a cease and desist order for 5 p.m. Wednesday for not obtaining all needed permits. But Musser disputed McGhee’s account and said he is voluntarily holding up outside work until outstanding issues are resolved. Musser termed the differences a matter of “miscommunication.”

McGhee also said the township had imposed a $1,000 a day fine for each day Musser proceeded with the project but Musser disputed that amount and said it could range from $25 to $1,000 a day and a proceeding before the Mill Hall area District Judge is scheduled for mid-March.

The motel sits in a floodplain “ponding area,” so Musser said the building is being constructed to meet those regulations, “built for this district.” He said the resulting structure will be “state of the art.”

The project is on the agenda for the March 15 meeting of the Clinton County Planning Commission. According to information from the county planning office, the process for such projects is threefold:

• A county planning review;
• Township planning review; these can both be at the same time, but the county review must happen before the township supervisors would consider;
• Township supervisor consideration.

Musser noted he has carried out multiple upgrade projects in Lycoming County, all with success.