EXETER, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Northeastern Pennsylvania is no stranger to culm banks and vacant mining sites, but now, one of those sites may be getting some new life.
The large plot of land, which many refer to as "The Black Desert," sits adjacent from Fox Hill Country Club along West Packer Avenue in Exeter.
The site has sat vacant since at least the 1970's, but now, developers Pagnotti Enterprises and American Land Development are hoping to see that change.
Exeter's borough manager, Amy Huntington, says the borough is all for it. "Of course, we'd like to see something done with that for economic development purposes, but it is not yet scheduled for any reviews," said Huntington.
Huntington says developers first approached the borough in 2023, asking to submit a sketch plan of their proposition. Borough engineers have since reviewed those plans, but aside from some potential rezoning requests, no further progress has been made.
Pictured in that plan are 130 single family homes and 34 multi-family townhouse-style homes, each with six units.
Huntington says the potential benefits of the development could extend well beyond the borough limits, especially when it comes to the housing crisis.
"In our borough we do have some for sale, but certainly it could add to the stock here in Exeter Borough and help Luzerne County in our housing crisis here," she explained.
The roughly 102-acre site is located on old mining land. Huntington says while the land has sat vacant for some time, that vacancy has made it a recreational hot spot for locals.
"It's the haven for our local cyclists, motorcyclists, to go out and enjoy their quads and bikes. I don't know how legal that is, but again, they're out there," Huntington said.
While those riders may not be happy to lose their local hangout, the project still has a long way to go before construction can begin. Even then, that may be the price of progress, a price the borough is willing to pay.
"This is exciting for us that someone is finally taking a look at that space and using it for a purpose that could help the borough and also provide a solution with housing," Huntington commented.
The borough's Planning Commission chairman tells 28/22 News there was a mine fire under the site decades ago. He says while it is not a major concern, out of an abundance of caution, they will be conducting tests to ensure the integrity of the ground before any construction can begin.
There is not yet a timeline for the potential construction.
