MUNICIPALITY OF MONROEVILLE PLANNING COMMISSION APRIL 21, 2004 MINUTES The meeting was called to order at 8 p.m. by Chairman Debbie Hartwick. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AND MOMENT OF SILENCE The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and a moment of silence observed. ROLL CALL The Secretary, Sharon McIndoe, called roll and the following were present: Debbie Hartwick, Sidney Singer, Frank Bole, Susan Pearlstein, George Dale, Shelly Kaltenbaugh, Paul Hugus and Chris Bostaphe. Messrs. Borandi and Pittman were absent. APPROVAL OF MINUTES There being no additions, deletions or corrections to the minutes of the regular meeting of March 17, 2004, Mr. Singer duly made a motion to approve them, as submitted, and Ms. Pearlstein seconded it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS 04-6-C WALMART STORES/ STAHL REALTY OF PENNSYLVANIA The applicant is requesting conditional use approval for the construction of a fuel station as an accessory use to the principal use of the property, Sam s Club, a discount warehouse store. The applicant is proposing to construct five pump stations and payment kiosk, 230 square feet in size. The property is located at the northwestern end of Monroeville at 3621 William Penn Highway. Total property involved equals 16 acres. The land is zoned C-2, Business/Commercial. 04-4-ST WALMART STORES/ STAHL REALTY OF PENNSYLVANIA The applicant is requesting site plan approval to construct an addition to the existing Sam s Club Building, 29,795 square feet and the upgrading of the entrance. The
Regular Meeting 2 April 21, 2004 property is located at the northwestern end of Monroeville at 3621 William Penn Highway. The total property involved equals 16 acres. The land area is zoned C-2, Business/Commercial. 04-7-C WALMART STORES/ STAHL REALTY OF PENNSYLVANIA The applicant is requesting conditional use approval for a major excavation totaling 55,000 cubic yards of cut and fill for site preparation for the expansion of an existing building and the construction of a fuel station at Sam s Club, a discount warehouse store. The property is located at the northwestern end of Monroeville at 3621 William Penn Highway. The total property involved equals 16 acres. The land area is zoned C-2, Business/Commercial. Mr. Anthony Moses, attorney from Pepper/Hamilton, came forward representing the applicant along with Mr. John Heyl and Mr. Paul Lowe the site engineers. Mr. Heyl gave a brief overview of the project. He indicated there would be a 30 square foot expansion, a fuel station addition, parking lot repaving, replacement of the existing light standards, landscaping improvements, installation of concrete crosswalks, and construction of a segmental fill wall and segmental cut wall. He indicated they were granted a variance for the parking because they did not meet the requirements. He explained there are 688 parking spaces or one space per 194 square feet but they are required to have 5.7 parking spaces per 1,000 square feet. He asserted a retail center of this type uses approximately one space for every 200 square feet. He indicated the traffic study was submitted to the municipality and has received PennDOT s approval. Mrs. Hartwick inquired about the location of the addition on the main building and Mr. Heyl explained it. Mrs. Hartwick questioned whether the addition would be used for more storage space. Mr. Heyl answered the merchandise will be redistributed. He indicated the building is an existing Pace Club Warehouse which does not meet the Sam s Club requirements because of the dimensions. Ms. Kaltenbaugh inquired whether an elevation drawing was available reflecting the front of the building. Mr. Heyl answered affirmatively and briefly explained it. He stated they have an existing tilt wall building which will not be altered for the expansion. He indicated there would be a three-tone paint system to match the quick brick walls. He asserted they are trying to produce an aesthetically pleasing building and improve the existing structure. Mrs. Hartwick inquired whether the sidewalks would be enlarged and Mr. Heyl answered affirmatively. Mrs. Hartwick requested additional information about the fuel station and Mr. Lowe explained it. He stated it would have three structures, kiosk, canopy and tanks. He indicated the kiosk would have three rooms, attendant s room, bathroom and equipment room. He asserted there would be five dispensers under the canopy with ten filling positions.
Regular Meeting 3 April 21, 2004 Ms. Pearlstein inquired about the location of the gas station. Mr. Heyl pointed it out and explained it. Mr. Lowe added the last structure of the gas station would be three underground storage tanks. Mrs. Hartwick questioned whether the hours of operation for the gas station would be the same as the Sam s Club. Mr. Lowe answered negatively that the gas station would open one hour before Sam s Club and close one hour after. Ms. Pearlstein inquired whether only Sam s Club members could use the gas station and Mr. Lowe answered affirmatively. Mrs. Hartwick inquired whether the cards would be used at the pumps and Mr. Lowe answered affirmatively. Ms. Kaltenbaugh questioned whether the gas deliveries were scheduled for certain times and Mr. Lowe answered he did not have the schedule. He explained Sam s Club purchases it from local distributors so it does not have a fixed schedule. Mr. Heyl added it allows the fuels trucks to be brought in at a time when the parking lot is empty or not peak periods. Mr. Pittman inquired whether the gas could be paid for with cash or only a credit card. Mr. Lowe answered a credit card or gift card would be necessary. Ms. Kaltenbaugh questioned whether non-members could purchase the gift cards and Mr. Lowe answered negatively that only members could purchase them. Mr. Pittman inquired whether the membership card would be used like a credit card and Mr. Lowe explained there are two types of cards, one is a membership card with credit and the other is without credit so the members would have to purchase gift cards. Mrs. Hartwick inquired whether the entire purchase would be accomplished at the pumps and Mr. Heyl answered affirmatively. He added the kiosk is only if a problem would arise. Mr. Hugus indicated he agreed with the emergency vehicle access route plan submitted. He indicated that because of the expansion, the current fire hydrant at the entrance would have to be moved and he questioned its location because there is a discrepancy on the plans. Mr. Heyl pointed it out. Mr. Hugus inquired whether an eightinch duct line to the pumps at the kiosk would be added for an additional hydrant and Mr. Heyl answered affirmatively. Mr. Hugus requested a utilities plan that reflects that information so that two different plans are not necessary to understand the hydrant location. Mr. Heyl explained a revised plan would be submitted once the final coordination with Duquesne is completed. Mr. Hugus recommended more fire lane signs be installed along the outside addition of Sam s Club near the retaining wall. Mr. Heyl asserted a red stripe would be painted along the curb line and the words No Parking Fire Lane would be painted every 50 feet. Mr. Hugus indicated signs mounted on the building are required. Mr. Bostaphe indicated he is reviewing the geotechnical report he received this week. He requested a final certification of the monitoring of the cut and fill activities for the construction of the wall.
Regular Meeting 4 April 21, 2004 Mr. Dale inquired whether the gate at the back of the property will remain locked and Mr. Heyl answered affirmatively. He asserted there would be no access to Northern Pike. Mrs. Hartwick questioned whether there is a detailed landscaping plan and Mr. Heyl answered affirmatively. He briefly reviewed it. Mrs. Hartwick inquired whether all the light standards are being replaced and Mr. Heyl answered affirmatively. Mrs. Hartwick requested the same lights be used as the ones at William Penn Place. Mr. Heyl answered he was uncertain it could be done. Mrs. Hartwick explained the upgrade is being requested because that is one of the entrances to Monroeville. Mr. Heyl indicated that he would met with the applicant and the other property owners to try to coordinate replacing the light standards along the entrance drive. Ms. Pearlstein inquired whether the lights would be bright light standards and Mr. Heyl explained the different types. He indicated the metal high light, which is a white light, would be used because it provides a safer parking lot. Ms. Pearlstein questioned whether they would be on 24-hours a day and Mr. Heyl answered negatively. He indicated one or two would remain on for security purposes and the rest would be turned off an hour after the store closes. Mrs. Hartwick inquired whether the pylon sign at the entrance drive could be upgraded and Mr. Heyl answered none are proposed but he would investigate it further. Ms. Kaltenbaugh suggested a monument sign be considered with all the tenants names to provide better visibility. She felt the current signage and lighting do not provide the Sam s Club presence. There being no further discussion, Mr. Pittman duly made a motion to approve Application Nos. 04-6-C, 04-4-ST and 04-7-C. Mr. Singer seconded it and upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. NEW BUSINESS 04-4-SUB PATSY D. TIANI, JR. The applicant is requesting final subdivision approval creating a two-lot subdivision to include Lot 1 of 1,870 square feet and Lot 2 of 43,129 square feet totaling 44,999 square feet. The property is at 4734 William Penn Highway and is zoned C-2, Business/Commercial. Ms. Kaltenbaugh explained a billboard was approved at the site and as a condition of the plan, the subdivision plan with a separate lot for the billboard had to be submitted because it is a principal structure. Mr. Robert Mitall, engineer, came forward along with Mr. Tom Brashear representing the applicant. Mr. Mitall explained council approved the placement of a billboard at the corner of the property which is approximately 300 feet along Route 22. He indicated the site plan and billboard use was approved.
Regular Meeting 5 April 21, 2004 There being no further discussion, Mr. Pittman duly made a motion to approve Application No. 04-4-SUB and Ms. Pearlstein seconded it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. 04-5-ST UNIVERSITY PHARMOCOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION The applicant is requesting site plan approval to construct a 1,461 square foot addition to an existing commercial office building to provide for a garage area for two cars and a loading storage area. The property is located at 4105 Monroeville Boulevard. The total property area is 27,312 square feet. The land area is zoned C-2, Business/Commercial. Mr. Phil Bishop from Civil and Environment Consultants came forward representing the applicant. He briefly explained it is a 1,461 square foot addition consisting of a garage and storage space. He stated the existing site would not change except for the elimination of some asphalt in order to comply with the storm water management ordinance of not increasing any impervious area. Mr. Hugus requested fire lane signs be placed on the front of the building and Mr. Bishop agreed to do so. Ms. Kaltenbaugh requested the dumpster be placed in an enclosed area on concrete. Mrs. Hartwick inquired about the location of the dumpster and Mr. Bishop explained it would be addressed. Mr. Bostaphe requested the Erosion and Sedimentation Report information be submitted and Mr. Bishop answered he would resubmit the revisions. Mr. Singer inquired about the meaning of pharmacotherapy and Mr. Bishop was uncertain. He indicated it deals with pharmaceutical. Mr. Singer questioned whether it would be for storage and Mr. Bishop answered affirmatively. He explained it would be for a two-car garage and supplies. He indicated no additional use would occur. There being no further discussion, Ms. Pearlstein duly made a motion to approve Application No. 04-4-ST and Mr. Pittman seconded it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Regular Meeting 6 April 21, 2004 PROPOSED ORDINANCES PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 1 An ordinance of the Municipality of Monroeville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, amending Article Six, Definitions of Ordinance No. 1443, as amended, providing for the definitions of variable message centers and animation; and amending Article Three, Section 307, Signs, of Ordinance No. 1443, as amended, providing for variable message centers. Ms. Kaltenbaugh explained this ordinance is being proposed because of an increasing number of applications submitted to the zoning hearing board concerning variable digital display signage in Monroeville. She indicated the signs would be for messages about the businesses, be a public service and show time, temperature and date. She further explained the current ordinance was written in the 1980s with a section stipulating that signage could have no movement. She indicated the proposed ordinance defines animation, how long the message can stay up and prohibits it from becoming a running message. She requested it be tabled at this time so she could review the information just received regarding the time period for the message delay before changing. Whereupon, Mr. Singer duly made a motion to table the proposed ordinance and Mr. Pittman seconded it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2 An ordinance of the Municipality of Monroeville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, amending Ordinance No. 1443, the zoning ordinance also known as Chapter 359 of the Code of the Municipality of Monroeville; by removing in its entirety Sections 312, 312.1(a), 312.1(a) 1, 312.1(b) 312.1(c), 312.1(d), 312.1(e) 312.1(f), 312.1(g), 312.2, 312.3 and 312.4 from Ordinance No. 1443 also known as Chapter 359-32, Property Maintenance and all of its subsections of the code of the Municipality of Monroeville. PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 3 An ordinance of the Municipality of Monroeville, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, amending Chapter 290, Property Maintenance, of the Code of the Municipality of Monroeville, and repealing also known as Ordinance 2023, by adopting the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code and additional regulations as listed herein, regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures; by providing the standards for supplied utilities and facilities and other physical things and conditions essential to ensure that structures are safe, sanitary and fit for occupancy and use; and the condemnation of buildings and structures
Regular Meeting 7 April 21, 2004 unfit for human occupancy and use and demolition of such existing structures in the Municipality of Monroeville. Ms. Kaltenbaugh indicated these two ordinances go together. She stated the first one is an amendment to the zoning ordinance which would eliminate the sections pertaining to property maintenance. She indicated the second ordinance then places those sections into a separate property maintenance code by adopting the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code. Mrs. Hartwick questioned whether this would assist in enforcing the condition and maintenance of uninhabitable and unsafe buildings; Ms. Kaltenbaugh answered affirmatively. She explained under the previous property maintenance code, the property owner would appeal to the BOCA Board but under this code, there will be a separate appeals board for property maintenance because the demands of the property maintenance review board are not as rigorous as the building maintenance code. Mrs. Hartwick inquired whether council would create a separate board to deal with the ordinance and Ms. Kaltenbaugh answered affirmatively. She felt it would have more activity than the past BOCA Boards because more maintenance violations are sent out per day on a regular basis. Mrs. Hartwick inquired whether the new board would be formed immediately and Ms. Kaltenbaugh answered affirmatively. Mr. Singer questioned whether it would include the sewage systems in reference to water runoff and Mr. Hugus answered affirmatively. Ms. Kaltenbaugh added it is prohibited to discharge to someone else s property. She indicated it was included in the previous property maintenance code. Mr. Singer was concerned with the separation of the sanitary and storm sewers. Mr. Hugus asserted the municipality abides by the Allegheny County Health Department s Plumbing Code which also has jurisdiction over it. Ms. Pearlstein inquired whether the Allegheny County Housing Code has been reviewed. Mr. Hugus explained if a structure is found unsanitary and uninhabitable, the county health department is then involved because it is under their jurisdiction. Ms. Pearlstein questioned whether the proposed code has been compared to the county code to ensure there is no conflict and Mr. Hugus answered negatively. Ms. Kaltenbaugh asserted it does provide for it but the more stringent regulation would govern. There being no further discussion, Mr. Pittman duly made a motion to approve Proposed Ordinance No. 2 and Mr. Dale seconded it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Further, Mr. Pittman duly made a motion to approve Proposed Ordinance No. 3 and Mr. Dale seconded it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously.
Regular Meeting 8 April 21, 2004 ADJOURNMENT Mrs. Hartwick, on behalf of the Planning Commission, sent sympathies to the Itri family regarding the recent death of former Councilman Hank Itri. She indicated Monroeville has lost a very nice, active leader in the community. There being no further business to come before the Planning Commission at this time, a motion was duly made by Mr. Dale to adjourn the meeting at 8:35 p.m. and Mr. Pittman seconded it. Upon a voice vote, the motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, SS/sam Sidney Singer, Secretary