New businesses proposed for William Penn Highway in Monroeville

Monroeville residents may soon see the construction of three new businesses on William Penn Highway.

Presentations and public hearings were held during the May 5 council meeting on a proposed Starbucks drive-thru and Sleep Number mattress showroom at 4185 William Penn Highway, and a proposed Panda Express restaurant at 4155 William Penn Highway.

The developers for each project presented their plans and answered questions from council members and residents about traffic patterns, stormwater management and noise concerns.

Council member Tom Wilson had concerns about traffic backups and problems related to the Starbucks and Sleep Number development. He said he was worried about traffic backing up on McMasters Drive where the entrance to the property will be.

“There could be an issue there,” Wilson said. “I feel it's a safety issue.”

Developer Steve Franczak said there is enough room for 13 cars to be in line for the drive-thru around the building before they would back up into the street.

Franczak said there will also be a “do not block intersection” sign posted at the entrance so cars trying to turn into the business don't get stuck in traffic.

Municipal Engineer Paul Hugus said a traffic engineering study for the proposal was done and no problems were found.

Council was expected to vote on the site plans and conditional use requests Tuesday after the Times Express deadline.

Council was also expected to vote Tuesday on changing its timbering practices from a conditional use activity to a permitted use activity. The change comes after the state Attorney General's Office said timbering has to be a permitted use activity in all zoned areas under the state's Agriculture, Communities and Rural Environment Act because it is deemed a “normal agricultural operation.”

Resident Cheryl Boise spoke May 5 about her concerns with the change. She said the state law doesn't take into account that many areas of Pennsylvania are no longer rural.

“This impacts us as a community at large,” she said. “We are a suburban, residential community.”

Municipal Manager Tim Little previously said officials also have concerns about the damage logging trucks may do to residential roads, as well as noise concerns.

Emily Balser is a Tribune-Review staff writer. She can be reached at 412-871-2369 or ebalser@tribweb.com.