USC Waiting to Decide Whether to Allow Goddard School

Upper St. Clair is pondering whether to change the definition of a daycare to allow a Goddard School be built in the township.

The township planning commission rejected the idea in January, but the Board of Commissioners will make the final decision, which could be as soon as May 6.

The property’s owner, Alex Bunson, pleaded with the commissioners at their Monday night hearing to amend the definition to allow the daycare center on the “unique property” behind Chick-Fil-A that is actually zoned as residential. But he said a Goddard School would be a “tremendous benefit” for the community and working parents.

“There’s been an increased need in the community and the benefit of these groups … are that they offer a service from almost birth to preschool,” Bunson said. “They are providing care for our children while parents are working.”

Scott Brilhart, the director of community development, said the application was filed in early 2011 and the planning commission had concerns about how the property would be developed, which included grading and retaining walls. There is also a problem because the zoning law states the daycare must be built  on at least 1 acre of land and Bunson's property is .994 acres.

The proposal has brought strong opinions from both sides. People living in the neighborhood near the property oppose the daycare’s construction while parents who take their children to the Goddard in McMurray praised the school.

But the issue the commissioners must decide doesn’t really center around Goddard or the property. The commissioners must decide whether to make a “text amendment” to the zoning rules that would allow similar variances in other R-3 areas in the township.

The second and final public hearing on the topic is scheduled for the next township voting meeting on May 6.