CRANBERRY TWP — In an apartment complex tucked away behind the former Pizza Roma restaurant building on Route 19 in Cranberry Township, around a dozen residents currently enjoy something that not many in the township can brag about — sub-$1,000 per month housing.

However, that luxury may not last long.

The complex is months away from being demolished to make room for the construction of a 7 Brew drive-through coffee shop.

“I’m gonna keep searching the internet, hope I find a place and pray,” said Tracy Fairbanks, who moved into her apartment in March 2024.

Plans for the coffee shop were approved by the township’s planning advisory commission on Monday night, March 30. During the meeting, Bob Gage, of 7 Brew franchisee WhoBrew LLC, mentioned both the apartments and the now-closed pizzeria will have to be cleared to make way for the structure, which will feature two drive-through lanes.

Property developer Larry Dorsch, of Kellaur Corporation, who maintains the apartment complex, expects the transaction to close by July.

Residents of the complex say they’ve received no formal eviction notice yet from Dorsch or anyone else. They claim they have learned of the coming coffee shop through news articles, asking other residents, or by asking the property manager directly.

“There was word out there that we had to be out July 1,” Fairbanks said. “So when I paid my rent for April, I asked him ‘Do we have to be out July 1?’ He said. ‘Yes, you’ve got to be out July 1.’ He didn’t come and tell me. I asked him because I heard it through the grapevine.”

Another resident in early April hadn’t heard anything yet.

“He hasn’t even officially said anything to me yet, but he’s been hinting around that it might be sold and what have you, but he’s never said it to me yet.” said Buster Harper when asked by the Butler Eagle shortly after the March 30 meeting.

According to Butler County property records, Dorsch — under the business name of “20315 Route 19 Partners” — purchased the 1.161-acre property in August 2022 from Gabriel Campitelli for $1.1 million. The parcel of land included both Pizza Roma and the apartment complex.

The apartment complex consists of 18 units. Most of these are “efficiency” units containing one space for living, dining and sleeping, much like a standard hotel room.

“There’s single rooms that have a kitchen and a bathroom and there’s one-bedrooms,” Harper said. “You pay somewhere between $600 and $800 for an efficiency and then you could pay almost up to $1,000 for a one bedroom.”

Those forced to leave the apartment complex are faced with a difficult situation, having to find new housing in a relatively expensive part of the county. Both Harper and Fairbanks said they currently have nothing lined up after they have to leave.

“We have a very short notice to move,” Fairbanks said. “Nobody knows where they’re going because it’s such short notice.”

Apartments.com listed over 300 rentals available in or near the bounds of Cranberry Township as of April 9. The most affordable alternative shown as being available was Laurelwood Apartments & Townhouses on Collingwood Court, which is charging $1,120 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. Only 12 properties in the search are charging less than $1,500 for any number of bedrooms.

“I get SSI (supplemental security income) and I’m on low income,” Fairbanks said. “I’m a COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) patient and I’m on oxygen. I’m very scared and worried.”

Fairbanks suggested that “at least 14 or 15” people still live at the complex. As of April 2, Dorsch estimated nine of the units are still in use with the occupants on month-to-month leases.

Dorsch said he gave residents advance notice of his intentions to develop the property shortly after he purchased it through a meeting held at Pizza Roma while it was still open.

“We had a meeting at Pizza Roma. I bought everybody dinner and told them, ‘Look, I'm buying this to develop it. Everybody’s lease is a 30-day lease. It’s not going to be this year. It probably won't be next year. But in the next couple years, this property is going to be developed when we find the right project to fit it,’” Dorsch said. “And we found the right project.”

Harper said he was not at that meeting, as he moved to the complex after that time. However, he knew the complex had the potential hanging over its head from the moment he moved in.

“I was always informed that it could be sold or that it might be sold, but nothing was certain yet,” Harper said. “But he was trying to sell.”

While both Fairbanks and Harper moved into the complex relatively recently — Harper said he’s been there for “about two years” — both noted some of the tenants have been at the complex for decades.

“I know one person’s been here 30 years,” Harper said. “Another person's been here 20. Another person’s been here 20 and there’s two or three people that have been here for 10. There's probably only five or six people that have been here less than five years.”

“There are neighbors of mine who have been here 25, 30 years,” Fairbanks said.

Despite his situation, Harper holds no ill will against Dorsch.

“Larry’s always been really fair to me. I couldn’t complain about him,” Harper said. “It just sucks having to move and find a new place in the area for the same amount, especially when your whole life’s going on here.”