Politics & Government

New Traffic Light Needed for Proposed Apartment Complex

Boyce Road traffic remains a concern in the proposal for a new apartment complex on Boyce Plaza Road.

The Upper St. Clair commissioners continued the public hearing for the Torrente luxury apartment project for a second time on Monday night. 

Traffic engineers for the developer and the township agree that the additional traffic created by the apartments would warrant a traffic light at Boyce and Boyce Plaza Road.

The developer's traffic engineer, Chuck Wooster of David E. Wooster and Associates, Inc., said the signal would mitigate the traffic problem the apartments would cause, but it would not solve any other existing traffic issues on Boyce Road.

"Virtually every intersection on Boyce Road needs left-turn lanes," Wooster said.

Upper St. Clair officials seemed particularly concerned about the Boyce and Mayview roads intersection, which is in South Fayette.

Russell Mills, counsel for the developer, said future traffic projects delay the approval for the apartments for too long, the developer may not do the project. Mills said the developer is willing to contribute $214,000 to traffic improvements and hopes construction could start in fall 2013.

Developer John Deklewa told commissioners that the apartments would be "very upscale with a lots of amenities," including indoor parking, wood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, laundry facilities within each unit and a clubhouse with a fitness room.

"We're trying to attract young professionals to our community," Deklewa said. "Our goal is to spoil our tenants. We don't want them to leave."

The nine three-story buildings would house 220 one- and two-bedroom rental units.

The developer is asking the township approve the project with a 1.77 parking ratio to each apartment unit instead of the required 2. He said there is room to build more parking in the future if necessary.

A vote on the proposal could come on July 1.

The developer is leasing similar apartment units in Murrysville called Marquis Place.


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