Jefferson Hills notebook: Council considers additional units in Jefferson Estates neighborhood
Twelve units could be added to the Jefferson Estates neighborhood in Jefferson Hills.
Jefferson Hills Borough Council held a public hearing Monday for the second addition of the Jefferson Estates residential development.
The addition would include 12 units in five buildings on two acres, said Allen Cohen, borough planner and zoning officer.
Also, the space must have 40 percent of the land, or 0.6 acre for the addition, devoted to recreational activities to meet a borough ordinance, Cohen said.
The site is the former Jefferson Hills Swim Club, located off of Gill Hall Road, which would extend Dana Drive by about 600 feet, said Chris Kerns, of All Land Services Inc., the company seeking approval for the plans. The planning commission approved the project last month.
No vote was taken at the hearing.
Several neighbors on Harlin and Windwood drives spoke at the hearing about concerns with how emergency vehicles will access the road and parking for residents and guests.
"You can see how congested and dense that area is," said Barbara Doak, who asked where guests will park. "This is something that's ordinary that's going to happen throughout the year."
But Kerns said there will be two parking spaces per unit and no on-street parking.
Janet Kubica, another Jefferson Estates resident, said the borough started handling the neighborhood's snow removal about two years ago, after paying the homeowners association for the service before. Kubica questioned if her contribution to the homeowners association will go toward snow removal on Dana Drive until the borough approves taking over the service.
Likewise, the swimming pool and clubhouse already in Jefferson Estates is inadequate for the current residents, Kubica said.
"The pool is not adequate," she said. "There's really no space there."
The suggestion that a walking trail go around the neighborhood was received well, but the residents said there is no space.
"We would love that. We walk on the street now," Kubica said.
Council notes
The following items were voted on or discussed at Monday's Jefferson Hills borough council business meeting.
• Pleasant Hills and Jefferson Hills could come together for joint community day in future years.
Officials from each borough council had a preliminary discussion about the idea earlier this month, said Councilwoman Janice Cmar. Pleasant Hills and Jefferson Hills neighbor each other and are two-thirds of the communities that make up the West Jefferson Hills School District.
Jefferson Hills borough council members said they were interested in the idea, and plan to attend the Pleasant Hills borough council business meeting Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m.
"I think we should take that overture very seriously," said Councilman James Weber, adding that the joint venture would mean shared costs and services.
Jefferson Hills' last community day was in 2010.
Pleasant Hills will host a community day on Saturday, but those residents on the planning committee said this year could be the last one because of poor attendance, a small amount of volunteers and finances.
• Carol King, police operator for Jefferson Hills, retired after 33 years.
"We're all going to miss her," Mayor Michael Green said.
Green said he plans to write a proclamation to honor King's years of service to the community.
Councilwoman Kathleen Reynolds, who referred to King as her best friend, said King took on borough tasks with zeal and handled them with perfection.
"Whatever work came from Carol was excellent," Reynolds said.
King is the mother of Christopher King, borough council president. Christopher King thanked the group for all of the well wishes for his mother.
• Borough council unanimously approved an ordinance that bars pets from Jefferson Hills parks and addresses pet waste.
• Borough council unanimously approved Russsell Standard Corp. for the 2012 pavement maintenance program seal coating project for $51,119.
• Borough council unanimously approved Meadville Land Services for the Peters Creek stream restoration project's second phases for $66,353.
• Borough council unanimously approved replacing a school warning device at Gill Hall Elementary School for $4,714.
• Borough council unanimously approved the Gladfelter/American Alternative Insurance Co. to renew the contract for property and casualty insurance coverage for $98,947.
• Borough council unanimously approved Gateway Engineers to provide additional services for the design of the public works facility for $25,988.
The services include preparing a subdivision/ consolidation plan for the design; a geotechnical investigation for the proposed site; and a wetland delineation and stream identification for the site.
The property is located along Old Clairton Road and neighbors the municipal building property, said Tom Lovell, public works director. The land is in the process of being transferred from the West Jefferson Hills School District to the borough.
