Business & Tech

Mixed-Use Development Plan Causes Community Backlash

Nearby residents organize a petition against plans for a mixed-use development at the site of the former Consol Energy headquarters.

Residents who live near the former Consol Energy headquarters building on the corner of Route 19 and Fort Couch Road are working together to speak out about the proposed amendment to allow mixed-use development.

"Local residents are very unhappy regarding the proposed plans for this area," Upper St. Clair resident Trish Hede said in an email to Patch.

Developers Gerald Cipriani, of Upper St. Clair, and Hal Kestler, of Mt. Lebanon, will ask the planning commission on Thursday to recommend rezoning the property for a mixed-use development. They envision high-end apartments or condominiums, restaurants, retail and office spaces.

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"The proposed amendment is an exciting opportunity for the Upper St. Clair community to realize a high quality mixed-use development that is compatible with existing neighborhoods and brings a significant new stream of tax revenues to the school district and township," Cipriani said in an email statement.

However, neighbors are requesting as many residents as possible to attend Thursday night's meeting to oppose the amendment. An email chain is circulating around with a petition and a draft letter to send to the township. The information can also be found on a new blog. In addition, neighbors used Sprawl Busters — a consulting organization that helps community coalitions implement campaigns against megastores and large-scale developments — to perform a local phone survey.

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Most neighbors said their main concern is the traffic a development like this could cause near their homes, especially since a new Target could soon be coming to the former Boscov's building.

Randy Shaffer, a homeowner on Fort Couch Road, said traffic is a concern.

"It would be a nightmare," Shaffer said. "I can't get out of my driveway as it is now."

However, Shaffer's biggest worry is the safety of his family and neighbors.

"We're nervous about security issues," he said. 

Developer Gerald Cipriani held a meeting with the concerned residents on April 8. There was a short presentation and a question and answer session. Meeting attendees said Cipriani intends to relocate the Best Buy in Village Square to the Route 19 location.

"He says he's going to make this upscale development. I don't see Best Buy as upscale," an unhappy resident of Fieldgate Drive said. 

Neighbors are also concerned about the years of unsightly construction and how the five-story residential buildings would look.

"There could be five to ten years of construction across from my home," Shaffer said. "Then looking at the back of condos will not be thrilling for us."

Scott Brilhart, Director of Community Development, said the township has received some phone calls, questions and letters regarding the proposed text amendment. Brilhart explained the developers must first request the text amendment to allow a mixed-use development. The amendment needs to be approved before the developers can prepare for a land development plan.

"At this point, the drawing is completely conceptual so you wouldn't conduct a traffic or environmental impact study yet," Brilhart said. "You would need an actual land development plan to look at and analyze."

"We believe that the amendment will allow us to move forward towards a beautiful, secure and productive development that will be a good neighbor and a true asset to the community," Cipriani said in an email statement.

"We're just concerned about the community," Shaffer said. "We want what's best for the community."

The planning commission meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the board of commissioners meeting room at the .


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