Politics & Government
No Approval for Goddard School Proposal
A commissioner said the day care center was not fit for the property.
The request for a zoning amendment to allow a day care center next to the Mt. Lebanon KinderCare on North Highland Road failed to get approval in front of the Upper St. Clair commissioners.
Commissioner Donald Rechtenwald moved to approve the application, however, none of the other six commissioners would second the motion Monday night.
President of the board Bob Orchowski repeatedly said he wasn't concerned about the merits of The Goddard School, but the change in zoning of the residential property.
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"West of North Highland (Road) is supposed to be residential. And the East commercial. I don't think it's (the day care center) is condusive to the neighborhood," said vice president of the board Russell Del Re.
Commissioners Monday night followed the advice of the Upper St. Clair Director of Community Development Scott Brilhart. Brilhart said his concerns were not related to The Goddard School, but its application for a residential zone.
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"It could create problems in the future," Brilhart said.
He also had issues with the grading and retaining walls the property would require.
Three Patton Drive residents spoke out against the zoning amendment, citing traffic and potential lower home values.
"I don't want to wake up in the morning to screaming kids," said Andrew James, a resident along Patton Drive.
However, a number of Goddard School supporters spoke out during the meeting citing the need for the facility in the township.
The center would have been located off of Route 19, on the way to downtown Pittsburgh where many parents work.
Two residents argued that moms can't stay home to take care of their children anymore, and that a day care with full-time kindergarten is needed in Upper St. Clair.
In addition to the zoning amendment, Bunson would have had to get a variance from the township to allow the day care center to be built on .994 acres instead of 1 acre, something Orchowski said is not easy to receive from the zoning hearing board.
Monday night's public hearing was continued from last month's.
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