JACKSON TWP — A Pittsburgh developer has requested a zoning change that would allow it to build warehouses on property it owns along Route 19.

The Buncher Co. owns 180 acres north of Zehner School Road on both sides of Route 19 that includes the original site of Baldinger's Foods from All Nations.

It plans to initially develop about 55 acres for warehouses.

The first section that will be developed does not include the former Baldinger's site, but is just north of that on Route 19.

Joel Aronson, an attorney with Reed Smith representing Buncher, told the township supervisors Thursday night that warehouses are not included in the current zoning for the property, which is mixed commercial office. He requested the township amend that zoning to include warehouses.

The supervisors, by a vote of 2-1 with Chairman Roy Huffman voting against the measure, agreed to draft an ordinance that would allow flex space warehouse type development for that zone.

The proposed amendment will go to the township's planning commission for its review. A public hearing likely will be scheduled in the next several months on the amendment before the supervisors vote on any change.

Township solicitor Tim Bish told the supervisors Thursday night they had three zoning amendment options to consider:

• Include warehouse uses which are spelled out in its zoning

• Add flex space in the zoning, which gives a developer more development options

• Amend the ordinance to include broader development in the business/commerce park.

Both the planning commission, which discussed the issue with the developers, and the supervisors believed flex space would be the best option.

Flex space refers to a flexibility of development among office space and others uses such as manufacturing, laboratory and warehouse.

Huffman said after visiting Buncher's other warehouse developments that include the Tri-County Office Park just outside of Cranberry Township, he wasn't comfortable with the potential of turning a high profile Route 19 property into a warehouse district.

But his fellow supervisors disagreed.

Supervisor Gary Goehring said the property is a good place for the development of the flex space warehouses.

Supervisor Ron Lutz said he ran for office on the rights of private property owners and the government not infringing on what a person wants to do with his property. He added the development was a good fit with the access to Interstate 79 nearby.