Twp. to Consider Request for 'Leg Up Farm' Tax Relief
6/19/2006
The East Manchester Township Supervisors are considering a request for Leg Up Farm.
Lou Castriota, Jr., chairman of Leg Up Farm, a proposed developmental and therapeutic center for children with special needs and their families, requested potential tax forgiveness of about $3,500 from the township.
“We could break ground before the end of the year or at the beginning of next year,” Castriota said.
Barb Warren donated the land for the center and, at the transfer of the deed, it is not certain if a rollback tax will apply. Among the township, York County and Northeastern School District, the taxes could potentially amount to $78,000. Castriota approached the township first but will be seeking tax forgiveness, if needed, from the county and school district, too.
State Rep. Keith Gillespie sent a letter requesting the township’s cooperation saying that Leg Up Farm would be a “tremendous asset to not only the township, but Northeastern School District, and the County of York as well.”
The entire York County delegation of elected legislators at the state and national level, as well as, the presidents of Memorial Hospital and WellSpan have written letters of support for the project during the nine years that Castriota has been working on it.
Steve Gross, Jr., chairman of the township supervisors, said he would like to see what the other entities do, before taking action. However, it seemed like a better idea to donate the $3,500 rather than give a tax forgiveness so as to not set a precedent, he said. Gross invited Castriota to come back to the July 11 meeting.
The services offered at the proposed facility, 4248 N. Sherman St., would include horse, physical, psychological, occupational, music, aqua, art, speech and recreational therapies. Also, family support would be provided.
The next step will be to bring the final land development plan before the supervisors and to apply for a building permit.
The estimated cost of the building is $9.97 million and construction will take approximately 11 months.
By JOLI HARRINGTON, The York Daily Record/Sunday News