New Tavern Coming to Route 51 and More (June 21 Baldwin Borough Meeting Notes)

New Tavern

The Baldwin Borough Council on Tuesday night approved the conditional use of 4951 Clairton Blvd. (Route 51) to operate as a tavern.

Council President Michael Stelmasczyk explained that the approval was on the "condition that the subject meets the lighting ordinance approved by the borough's engineer."

Engineer Larry Souleret agreed with the stipulation.

"It is to be both a tavern and restaurant named Tango Sangria," Stelmasczyk said.

Roadway and Sewer Improvements

Souleret asked the council to approve a motion to award an "alternate" bid of $112,927.50 to El Grande Industries for roadway and storm-sewer improvements in the borough.

"We originally had $100,000 (for the project)," Stelmasczyk said. "Can we come up with the additional $13,000?"

Souleret assured the council that while, "normally, we've kept (the project budget) under the bid amount," there would be no problem coming up with the additional funds.

"If we see a significant problem," Souleret said, "we'll bring it up to council before it becomes an issue," adding that he anticipates the project to be completed by the end of July.

A motion was made and approved.

Landslides

Council member John Ferris asked Souleret to update the council on the status of Vernon Avenue, where there have been landslides in recent months.

"We haven't seen much movement since the rains let up," Souleret said. "It was the worst in April when there were heavy rains."

New Ownership at Leland Point

Solicitor Stanley B. Lederman announced that the had sold last week for $700,000 to Apollo Property Management, LLC. The complex has been , including maintenance negligence and delinquency on tax payments.

"The new owners have grandiose plans," Lederman said.

Council members expressed their hope that the new ownership would have more success managing the complex than its predecessor.

Natural Gas Drilling

The Baldwin Borough Council passed an ordinance on Tuesday night banning the commercial extraction of natural gas in the borough, including Marcellus Shale gas.

County Airport

Another ordinance for an airport district overlay was passed at Tuesday's meeting. The main purpose of the ordinance was to restrict the height of buildings within parts of the borough near the Allegheny County Airport.

Community Events

• The will be using the 's auditorium as a rain location for its summer reading program on Tuesday, Aug. 9, from 5 to 9 p.m.
• The Baldwin Borough Halloween Event Committee was granted the use of the municipal complex for its 14th annual Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• The Booster Organization was approved the use of the Leland Point Community Center for Sunday, July 17. The group will hold two fundraisers at the community center that day: a pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and a spaghetti dinner at 3:30 p.m.

Street Congestion

During his public safety report, council member Larry Brown commented that he was traveling by Leona Drive recently and observed that he didn't believe that "a fire truck could get through."

"We have ordinances not to park on one side of the street, and residents don't give a hoot," Brown said.

Brown asked  Chief Michael Scott to have officers start giving notices to people parked illegally.

Baldwin Mayor Alexander R. Bennett Jr. expressed a similar concern about a recent block party tying up roadways.

"They (those throwing the block party) had (received) a permit the previous year but not this year," Bennett said.

Council member Edward Moeller felt that "residents need to be informed that they need to get a permit" before they set up barracades for block parties.

Ferris added that "neighbors should also be notified."