PENN TWP — Penn Township supervisors Monday tabled voting on a conditional use for a group home proposed in Renfrew.

Supervisor Sam Ward, board chairman, said more information is needed before a vote could be taken on the facility, which is proposed by Valley Community Services of Mount Pleasant in Westmoreland County, at the intersection of Railroad Street and Crowe Road.

“It’s rather obvious we need more time,” Ward said. “We will postpone any action.”

Supervisor Bert Mowry agreed. Supervisor Doug Roth was absent. Ward said the board has 45 days to act on the request.

A conditional use is required for the construction and operation of the facility because the land is zoned residential.

A rambunctious crowd of more than 40 Renfrew residents, all of whom seemingly opposed the plan, was temporarily satisfied with the announcement.

During the public hearing on the conditional use application, more than 10 of those residents spoke vehemently against the facility, which would house three people with intellectual disabilities. Several came to the podium repeatedly.

Some speakers did not want any business there.

“I don’t care what these people do,” said resident Leroy Bunyan.

He pointed out other businesses were prohibited at that site in the past.

“To allow this to come in now would be spot zoning,” Bunyan said.

Resident Anna Marie Hernandez, who said she previously worked in similar facilities, said there is a possibility some of the home’s residents could be dangerous.

Resident Charisse Bunyan, a registered nurse, agreed, saying the group home should not be permitted.

“I don’t agree it should be in there,” Charisse Bunyan said.

At the onset of the hearing, William Janes, CEO emeritus of Valley Community Services, stressed the building would house only people with intellectual disabilities.

“This is not going to be a halfway house, rehab or anything like that,” Janes said.

He said the purpose of the home is to provide a service to those housed there.

“They just want to be able to live in the community,” Janes said.

He said between one and two staff members would be in the building at any time. Residents expressed fears the home’s residents could overpower the staff and freely roam their neighborhood.

Resident Kayla Nagel, who also is a registered nurse, didn’t mince words describing her sentiment toward the people serviced by such homes.

“I’m going to be blunt,” she said. “They’re not normal.”

Nagel said the 40-hour training for Valley employees is insufficient.

“You don’t get all your clinical in 40 hours,” she said.

Resident Richard Mannas said another problem is the site is a swamp.

“That whole hillside drains down,” Mannas said.

Multiple residents complained they were not notified about the agency’s plan sooner.

Ward repeatedly explained the township was following the conditional use process.

The crowd applauded each resident who spoke, but also interjected words, laughed and jeered when individuals were talking at the podium.

Among the items to be reviewed is resident Bob Donaldson’s claim that he has a right of way on the land bought by Valley Community Services. The site plan also needs resubmitted to the township planning commission.

According to Valley Community Services, it was incorporated as a nonprofit agency in 1976 and developed the first community-based residential program for children and adolescents with autism in 1978.

The agency has more than 20 community living arrangements in Adams, Allegheny, Bedford, Butler, Cambria, Cumberland, Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties; six intermediate care facilities in Butler, Somerset and Westmoreland counties; two adult training facilities in Bedford and Westmoreland counties; an early learning center in Allegheny County; and offers several types of behavioral and home support services.