Commissioners To Vote On Ardolino's Project

A new Ardolino's Pizza is one step closer to reality.

On Thursday, the Upper St. Clair planning commission recommended Ardolino's plans to township commissioners for approval. They are expected to vote Monday.

Plans call for construction of a new building on property next to the existing restaurant off Boyce Road, which has served local customers for more than two decades. Primary access will be from Maple Lane, although the entrance at Bird Meadows Drive, which leads into Boyce Mayview Park, also will remain open.

If you're not familiar with Maple Lane, it now is a gravel road. Restaurant owners Rodney and Tammy Ardolino will have the road paved and provide additional parking. Plans call for the new restaurant to be about 1,600 square feet, with indoor and outdoor seating.

In March, to Ardolino's, primarily for beer sales.

Also on Thursday, the planning commission recommended an ordinance to establish an Airport Hazard Overlay District. Much of Upper St. Clair is within 15 miles of Allegheny County Airport in West Mifflin.

An overlay district is superimposed on another district to modify or supplement the existing regulations. In the case of the Airport Hazard district, the objective is to regulate the heights of constructed structures and objects of natural growth, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The ordinance addresses permit applications for new structures or additions to existing structures that might constitute an obstruction because of the height. PennDOT's Bureau of Aviation would conduct reviews to determine penetration of air space, with applicants able to seek variances in such cases.

Pre-existing uses would not "require the removal, lowering or other change or alteration of any structure or tree not conforming to the regulations," according to the latest draft of the ordinance.

The state's Act 164 of 1984 provides for grants toward the development of ordinances relevant to air safety.