Potential Saxonburg apartment complex sent back to planning commission
SAXONBURG — An apartment complex development proposed for North Rebecca Street suffered a setback when council voted to send it back to the planning commission during its monthly meeting Tuesday night, Feb. 20.
Hoppel Construction requested to rezone two parcels of land from Manufacturing to C-2, making it part of the “convenience commercial” district. This is part of their plan to construct a series of luxury apartments across the street from Saxonburg’s Roebling Park.
The current plans for the apartment complex call for four buildings consisting of eight luxury apartments each. Rent would be around $1,600 a month, with a minimum annual income of $50,000 for prospective residents.
Bob Maher, of Pittsburgh-based Gateway Engineers, spoke on Hoppel’s behalf at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Earlier this month, Hoppel sent two separate requests: one for a zoning change to Saxonburg’s planning commission, and another for a density variance to the zoning hearing board. Both requests passed through unanimously.
However, the board of supervisors questioned why the density variance was necessary. Dave Johnston noted the applicant’s testimony centered around the idea that a zoning variance would allow the apartment complex to support a full-time manager on-site.
“The testimony that was heard indicated that they did not identify any unique physical characteristics or circumstances that require a variance,” Johnston said. “A variance will not be granted solely because the petitioner will suffer an economic hardship if he does not receive one.”
Fellow supervisor Brian Antosyk echoed Johnston’s sentiments.
“I sat through the zoning hearing board meeting, and I was a bit confused,” Antosyk said. “I’m not sure how they made that decision, because it didn’t fit the ordinance.”
Antosyk said if they granted the zoning variance, then other property owners would ask for similar treatment later.
“The only argument that we really heard was that 32 units get you an on-site manager,” Antosyk said. “I don’t know how that helps the borough.”
According to Saxonburg’s zoning ordinance, an “apartment in combination with office or retail business” is permitted by special exemption in the C-2 district.
The two parcels of land which were under discussion once belonged to the Du-Co ceramics plant, before being transferred to Abella Enterprise Corporation.
According to borough manager Steven May, the lots are currently vacant and for sale.
Despite the setback, Maher insisted the apartment complex would benefit Saxonburg in the long run and would be a better use of the property than what stood there previously.
“If I lived across the street, what would I rather have across the street from me?” Maher said. “Would I want to see cement trucks coming in and out of there, or residential traffic?”
