McNeilly Park Presents Flood Concerns, and More from Nov. 1 Baldwin Township Meeting

Board Is Concerned About Potential Overflow from Proposed Mt. Lebanon Athletics Complex

At a Baldwin Township Board of Commissioners meeting in October, over plans by Mt. Lebanon officials to build an on the wooded property between Queensboro Avenue and McNeilly Road, which sits on the Mt. Lebanon-Baldwin Township border. The property would be known as McNeilly Park.

Baldwin Township officials’ concerns carried over into Tuesday night’s meeting, as well.

Commissioner Bob Downey asked township engineer Glenn Jonnet how the proposed complex would affect Baldwin Township’s flood plain.

Jonnet said that he believes that filling in the ravine on the athletics complex site would change the base flood elevation and make it higher. He speculated that it could change the elevation anywhere from six inches to one foot, but he said that he was not able to quote an exact figure without further research into the matter.

What this means, Jonnet explained, is that there is a potential for even more flooding on McNeilly Road, which has had flooding issues in the past, and that increased maintenance costs for the township would result from more flooding.

Downey asked township solicitor Tom McDermott if the board had legal standing to challenge Mt. Lebanon’s plan.

McDermott replied that, as a neighboring community with business and residential property that would be affected by the construction and presence of the complex, the board, on behalf of Baldwin Township, could become involved in Mt. Lebanon’s zoning review process on the plan proposal.

McDermott said that Baldwin Township’s involvement would have to occur in the application stage in order for Baldwin to have standing in challenging any finalized plans.

Other concerns expressed by Baldwin officials over the proposed 23-acre athletics complex include buffering, increased noise and light in Baldwin, property access routes, and the costly, unsafe and undesirable effects of excavating 30 to 40 feet below ground level to install an 18-foot pipe needed for proper utility handling.

Jonnet said that he sent a letter of comment to Mt. Lebanon Manager Steve Feller but that he has not yet received a reply.

Baldwin Township Manager Mary McGinley raised the possibility that the Mt. Lebanon Board of Commissioners may try to bring up the athletics complex issue after the upcoming elections but before any new commissioners take office there, suggesting that Baldwin’s board press on with this matter.

Other Flood Considerations

In other news relating to flood issues in Baldwin Township, Jonnet said that he gave McDermott a model ordinance to incorporate and carry into effect  in the township.

Jonnet said that the biggest issue that needs to be discussed regarding the ordinance is base flood elevation. He said that he and McDermott will discuss this topic at length and fill in any gaps before the deadline that FEMA has set for the finalized ordinance, which is sometime in late 2012 or early 2013.

Another Wet Weather Topic

Jonnet reported that Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN) has decided to request a draft feasibility report from all wet-complex watersheds by 2012. He said that ALCOSAN is still in the investigative stage, trying to determine if Baldwin Township falls into this requirement.

Jonnet said that he anticipates that McNeilly Road will likely fall into this category and that he is already preparing for ALCOSAN’s request. To that end, he alerted the commissioners that they will have to discuss feasibility and possibly draft a backing letter some time in the coming months.

Calls to Support Local Fire Department

Commissioner John Paravati announced a few ways that residents can support the Castle Shannon Volunteer Fire Department, which services Baldwin Township.

Paravati encouraged folks to attend two fundraisers for the Castle Shannon VFD this month: the  and the and .

Paravati also said that the fire department is looking for more volunteers, whether for service or for involvement in fundraisers such as its annual carnival. Interested persons should contact the Castle Shannon Volunteer Fire Department directly at 412-884-7913 for more information.

CORRECTION: An Update on EZ Auto Sales’ Application

CORRECTION: Company was misidentified in the original version of this story. The company is EZ Auto Sales, NOT Easy Auto Wash.

McDermott updated the board on the application of EZ Auto Sales to bring a new business into the township.

He said that, pending receipt of escrow money that EZ Auto has put in for review costs, he is prepared to schedule a township Planning Commission meeting for 6 p.m. on Nov. 29 and to schedule a hearing on the application to take place at the .

The gap in between the Planning Commission meeting and the hearing, McDermott said, will give EZ Auto a chance to tweak its application (if necessary) before it reaches the board.

Once the escrow deposit is received, the meeting and hearing dates will be advertised, McDermott said.

Have You Seen the Signs?

Paravati noted that school zone signs for the township’s were posted last week. Two signs each were posted on Dewalt and Newport drives.

A Boo-tiful Halloween in Baldwin Township

Board of Commissioners President Eileen Frisoli thanked her colleagues and members of the community for making this year’s Halloween parade a success.

Despite poor weather on Saturday, Frisoli said that approximately 30 kids came out for the parade and that everyone involved had a great time.

Don’t Forget to Hit the Polls Next Week

Frisoli wished to remind residents that Election Day is Nov. 8.

“Please come out and vote,” she said. Baldwin Township’s polling place is at the .