Why do empty nesters want to pay USC taxes? And other nearby developments targeting this segment have failed. We need townhomes for families, for those who want the amenities of the community without large wasteful homes and yards.

Looks great!

It is very intriguing. I am so looking forward to another option for grocery shopping. Thank you!

For those who were unhappy with other businesses wanting to establish a place of operations in the area, this proposal should add to your woes.

With Bonefish, Target, Dicks just added, more retail, restaurant, grocery store, and housing will add nicely to the mix. What changes in infrastructure are planned to accommodate?

As for empty-nesters, the area is in need of condensed housing for the older folks. Many people arrived in places like USC and Peters 20-40 years ago, are still here, but want to downsize. The choices are very limited. These people like the area, want to stay close, especially if adult children and families are nearby. I would think these units can demand a high price tag, and they will be scooped up quickly. Dorchester down the street has absorbed much of the demand, but at a certain price range. Buying or renting is not the same issue as somebody of a generation or two younger.

Siena?? Really?? nice name if we were in Arizona or New Mexico... Love the development but name not so good.

I like the development, but feel that the last thing we need in the township is more older people to complain about school taxes.

I believe the name Siena hails more from Italy than the west, but either way it is an unusual name. Maybe it will go well with this unusual but progressive and much welcomed concept for USC. Hoping it be "green" and contain progressive retail as well rather than the same old same old.

I'm hoping that a massage parlor is included in the plans since the one in Bridgeville closed.

Perhaps Ms Miller is on to something. Yes, pesky oldsters like me (age 56) are not needed or welcome here, and we stand in the way of progress. Let us put up signs at the borders to Upper Saint Clair that read, "Only upper middle class and wealthy young families with children in our public schools are welcome here. All residents are required to pledge allegiance to lavish-spending, tax-raising public officials without thought or reservation. To anyone who dares to remain here while expressing concern about the level of taxation, we say, "Upper Saint Clair: Love it or leave it. Do not try to impose your views on the rest of us or even to suggest an alternate path to big, expensive government! We Upper Saint Clair residents are a monolithic people!""

Will the speed bumps stay? I hope so since all these young "KIDS" like to go fast!

Oren, I've got 17 years on you. As of January, my wife Diane and I have lived in Upper St. Clair for 40 years. We are very proud to be a part of this great community. We have had four children and now two grandchildren go through our outstanding public school system and couldn't be happier. We love our Community & Recreation Center too. BTW, I'm sure you know it's "Upper St. Clair" , not "Upper Saint Clair". Arthur St. Clair was an actual person.

Why did they change his first name from Arthur to Upper?

I still believe it is a BIG mistake to be able to access the retail portion of the development from Ft Couch Road. How will Ft Couch Road accommodate that kind of traffic? How many stop lights will need to be added? My guess is eventually at both the development entrance and at Warwick Rd at Eisenhower Elem School since it is so close. When is the traffic study actually going to be completed? PLEASE, MR CIPRIANI, PLEASE reconsider and only access the housing units from Ft Couch Rd. Keep the retail access facing Washington Rd only. Connect the housing & retail portions with park like walking paths and protect the people & CHILDREN who will live in this new housing development by keeping the retail traffic away from their homes. Cut through traffic in this new neighborhood will drive the prices of these units down.

Consol was USC's largest tax payer in USC before they were forced out by constant property assesment claims by the county,twp and/or USCSD. (according to Consol Leadership) What's the total excepted property taxes projected to be for Siena? Does it meet or exceed what consol was paying?

All those who keep complaining about taxes and how horrible our local government is and go on about "this is not what I signed up for" GO sign up somewhere else... maybe the grass will be greener for you in another community. Good luck!! Life is about choices and maybe for those who feel they made the wrong choice its not too late!! #uscpalacerocks

What arrogance! My view in support of fiscal prudence is every bit as legitimate as yours in support of destroying it. There are many with your astonishing view that dissent is not appropriate and will not be tolerated here as this is a monolithic society where the elected officials do all the thinking for us.; they always know best. If we don't like it, we should simply shut up and get out, selling our homes no matter how much of a loss we must take. Wherever he is, George Orwell is smiling.

hey akmod,
Ain't America great? Everyone gets to make choices about where they live and what they say without fear. Not like a lot of other places in the world !!! America and Upper or Arthur St. Clair, - Love it or LEAVE !!!

Duke,
I don't think the massage parlor would work here. The zoning code doesn't permit "mixed use" you cant have commercial and residential in the same building!!!!!!

Simply embracing and enjoying what USC offers. No need to over analyze and over complicate. I feel fortunate I can raise my family in a great community. Not always perfect but what is? Chose to live hear and always have the choice to leave like anybody else.

Ahhh yes my friend Jim!!! Arthur St. Clair would be proud

I am an oustsider looking in unfortunately. I have arrangements for my daughter to receive a great education in USCSD, however I have to travel 30 minutes everyday for that education. The area doesn't allow for a hard working single mother to live in such an establishment. I only wish that I made 80-100,000 to be able to live in that wonderful community. Until then, I'll drive my child everyday to USC so that they may have the same opportunities as the other privileged children. I only hope that the new townhomes would be affordable to someone such as myself.

Will the "empty nester" living be single floor living with addition sleeping on second floor? Any room for a golf course?

Single Mom,

When did we start allowing outsiders in OUR great schools?? Are you using someone's address in USC to send your daughter here?? This calls for an investigation. Oren, can you look into this?

a "golf course" ? Now I have heard it all.

Wow-I am with George and a 35 year resident of USC. I am embarrassed about what we have become. We have become wimpy residents complaining that the USCSD(all of my kids have received a great education) is not as good as Shady Side or upset that the kids have to go to school when it is cold, or that IB is a communist ploy and that the USC Recreation Center(which I was against until I visited and joined - try it Speigler) is not the USC Country Club(Which I have been a member and the USC Rec Center has better equipment, and overall better amenities/service with an indoor/outdoor pool). What have we become? I believe I must be part of the problem as my daughter now lives in Upper St. Clair and complains about the Schools and the Rec Center(Even though her child is in AP Course work, and her family is at the Rec Center almost everyday).What have we done to create these petty, spoiled children/residents? We have become what the nearby communities see. New development in USC, "I don't want new business, but do not raise my taxes and give me the best schools and recreation center". I then must reminder her of what life was like in the 1940's and growing up in New Jersey. Oren, grow up and stop wasting your time hiding behind your pointless pen. Oren, don't we elect government trusting them to make educated policy? The rest of us residents - look in the mirror - you are the fortunate ones.

"Wow", Mr. or Ms Anonymous! "Spiegler" (Spelled "Spie...") would like to register a few thoughts: I believe our school system is as good as any, public or private; I do not support closing the schools due to chilly, typical winter weather; I did not support the damaging fight over the International Baccalaureate Programme, which is here to stay; I want new business (if we can find a way to manage the ensuing traffic), tax restraint, and good schools (and would have preferred no Recreation Center or one that is not as lavish as ours). You might be surprised by what my "pointless pen" has delivered over forty years of writing: associations and friendships with elected officials, influence with them, including calls and letters from imprisoned former State House kingpin H. William DeWeese, who unsuccessfully attempted to neutralize my opposition to him and his schemes, a State Senator telling me that I have served as a mentor, and articles about me and my unpaid "career" in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Chicago Tribune. Is my pen "pointless", but yours not? Yes, we elect government officials to "make educated policy" as you put it, but please do not tell me that means we cannot and should not criticize them and contact them when we feel they have gone astray. Tell me you disagree with me; tell me I am wrong; do not tell me I have no right to voice my opinion. Heaven help us if we were to become a monolithic society in which dissent is squelched.

Yes, "Spieglering" is pointless and I am your equal. All I know is that you make no difference whatsoever and that your true blowhard cover has been, well, blown off. The entire community recognized what you are. If you do not like those in power, simply vote for your favorite, volunteer, run for something and do something with your life. Casting doubt about endless subjects that you obviously do not understand is exhausting and points to a very sad adult life without purpose or depth. Case in point, you continue to bash the USC Rec Center but you have never even stepped foot in it. Afraid of what you might find? I thought so. Maybe show up at the next USC School Board Meeting. Afraid of that as well? Let's read your next ridiculous blog that you have no complete understanding of. I am confident that you have not influenced a competent elected person in years. Your ignorance just makes us all laugh at this point. Is it true that you are a retired government employee and enjoyed those benefits that most of us will never see?

I hope the people on Orr Road and Devonwood are ready for the increased traffic flow on their streets as people try to bypass the Rt. 19/Ft. Couch Road intersection. The traffic from this proposed new development will make the Ft. Couch traffic look like it is Christmas every day of the year. Can you imagine the gridlock at the corner of Rt. 19 and Ft. Couch, as everyone runs the red lights and blocks the intersection since they are much too important to wait through two red lights when there is high volume traffic?

So, if I understand correctly, Oren is saying that we can make a difference by getting involved in our community. Attending government and school board meetings would be a great place to start. So let's get involved.

Getting back to the article at hand: The developers plan will be presented at the USC Planning Committee meeting at 7:30 on Feb 21 in the township building at 1820 McLaughlin Run Road. Will you be there?

That's when and where we can learn more about the development of the former Consol site. Is this development good or bad for Upper St Clair? Can the plan be improved? Are there parts of this plan that will be bad for USC? Hope to meet all of you next Thursday evening. We can make a difference.

I just hope there are palm trees!

OK you removed my post because of the Country Club comment, Thats ok. High Taxes to pay for country club like amenities - First Class Schools, First Class Public Facilities- First Class Police, First Class Public Works- STAINLESS STEEL bodies on the dump trucks really??? Talk about excessive spending, but what the heck it is Upper Arthur St. Clair. AND we all just want big houses and no noise and no traffic and no businesses. You don't need a golf course at the old Consol site, the whole community is like a country club. Just need some polo ponies - oh wait they might go to the bathroom outside in public!! The soccer moms rushing their spoiled children to every activity imaginable might get behind a polo pony on the road and possibly drive through a country tomato ! Buffy and Spencer would be scarred for life !!!

I STILL WANT TO KNOW HOW "SINGLE MOM" IS SENDING HER DAUGHTER TO "OUR" SCHOOLS- ARE WE BILLING HER FOR THAT "SUPERIOR" EDUCATION??? Hey Oren, could you look into that ???

Palm Trees would work if we built little glass houses around them, we already have a lot of them here!!

USC Love it or Leave it!

It's a shame that for so much "commentary" in this thread, there is so little offered as to the merits of this proposed retail/office/residential plan. Disagree with another poster's opinion? Fine. But try and come up with some civil, substantive comments to advocate for the opposite view and leave the personal attacks out of it. Otherwise, go to one of the district's Blue Ribbon schools and sit through the anti-bullying campaign the students listen to. Reading the comments of some of the "adults" on this board, it's easy to see why the schools need to be telling their children not to bully each other. Remember: "Better to be thought a fool than to open your [cyber] mouth and remove all doubt."

J.L. Wilson, You are correct. I think the redevelopment of the former Consol location will be a good thing. It will bring in more tax revenue, create more jobs, and even have some smaller more economical housing. It would be a nice place to live, you can walk to shopping and entertainment venues and restaurants. And your automobile can stay parked because public transportation is close by as well. Some people hate change, just as the residents of Upper St. Clair probably complained when it went from rural farmland to a built up upper crust residential community. Commercial developments pay a fortune in School taxes so that the great schools in the district can continue and maybe without yearly millage increases. This would surely make some of the residents happy.

BUT I STILL WANT TO KNOW HOW "SINGLE MOM" IS GETTING HER DAUGHTER AN USC EDUCATION IF SHE DOESN'T LIVE HERE???? IS SHE PAYING SOMEONE OFF?? OR MAYBE WE SHOULD CHARGE OUTSIDERS TUITION TO GO TO OUR GREAT SCHOOLS. Might be another revenue stream!

I would hope that a right turn lane will be added at the Ft Couch intersection as well as 2 lanes back as far as Warwick to address the increased traffic. We already often have traffic back up halfway to Warwick without the additional commercial property.

Something also needs to be done to adjust the light at Abbeyville Ext to let more than 7 cars out at a time. With more Trader Joe's, Chik-Fil-A, and the nursery school traffic after 5 PM using that route it is often backed up the whole length of the connector.

Will we see you Thursday night at 7:30?? I'll be shocked if there's a right turn lane added on Fort Couch no matter how bad we need one. Get ready for traffic jams.

How does +/-400K for a townhouse sound for reasonable living choices? Come hear about them Thursday night.

I do not know Single mom’s situation do you? Is the childs dad a resident of USC? Is her child's school district paying for the cross districting?
But, does it concern you that some empty nesters may move into the new development, so their grandchildren can move into the spare bedrooms, so they can go to our school district?

Hope to see you next Thursday evening at 7:30 in the township building.

The Planning Committee meeting is this Thursday (Feb 21, 2013) at 7:30, not next Thursday evening. I imagine all who attend will hear many surprising details about the developers plan. This will be a good opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns.

There are no merits to the proposed development. I am embarrased for the developer, officials that have approved this, and any 'design' professional associated with it (if they can really call themselves that). 'Siena''? Really? Where are we? Epcot?