Large crowd forces rescheduling of Pleasant Hills meeting to hear UPMC hospital proposal
The solicitor for the Pleasant Hills Zoning Board halted Tuesday's meeting because the lack of space to accommodate the spill-over crowd may have violated the state's Sunshine Act.
The zoning board was scheduled to hear testimony regarding UPMC's challenge to borough zoning rules. UPMC plans to construct a new hospital off Route 51, in an area where a medical facility is not permitted under current zoning.
About 150 people packed council chambers, the maximum capacity allowed for the room. Fifteen people stood in the hallway, and there were reports others could not attend because of a lack of parking.
Russell Lucas, solicitor for the board, said everyone in the borough wanting to attend has a right to do so under the Sunshine Act.
“The safest course was to reconvene at a later time,” Lucas said.
UPMC's plan to build a new facility offering emergency, preventive and intensive care, as well as inpatient and outpatient services has proven controversial, due in large part to its proposed proximity to Jefferson Hospital, owned by rival Allegheny Health Network.
The zoning board is scheduled to reconvene Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. in the large group instruction room at Pleasant Hills Middle School.
