Cranberry Township holds public hearing on potential residential development
CRANBERRY TWP — Supervisors held a public hearing Thursday, May 30, concerning a potential residential development along Pinebrook Drive.
The public hearing allowed residents to comment on the application brought forth by PVE LLC. The 28-acre development would include 32 single family residential lots and two cul-de-sacs.
Speaking on behalf of the developer was Ron Henshaw, director of planning and development services for Cranberry Township, and Rocco Magrino, regional director of civil and land development for PVE.
Before the hearing was open to public comment, both Henshaw and Magrino addressed potential points of contention pertaining to environmental concerns, stormwater management, school bus access and traffic.
Henshaw pointed out that this project would be the first to implement an “environmental buffer” around the area, a recently added regulation from the township that requires a certain amount of space be reserved for protecting natural greenery around newly created developments.
It would also exceed the amount of open space required by the township.
“When it comes to open space, the requirement here is a minimum of 30%,” said Henshaw. “This plan provides 37%, which is 10.45 acres.”
Henshaw also commended the board about the regulations for dealing with new developers and allowing for open space.
“Your regulations have preserved over 3,000 acres of open space areas in the development for the township as a whole,” he said.
Magrino also spoke about the development’s emphasis on addressing environmental and stormwater issues. He stated the development would exceed the minimum requirements of stormwater management set by the township.
“The code requires a 10% reduction or what we call a 90% release rate,” Magrino said. “So you can release only 90% of the water that was previously released in predevelopment conditions. We’re going to go beyond that.”
Magrino did not present the exact percentage of the reduction but did say it would be “less water than the 90% required.”
Several residents, including William Thompson and Eileen Battaglia, spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing.
Thompson, who would live right next to the planned development, said he appreciated the township’s effort to keep him and his neighbors informed about the updates. He also appreciated the developer’s concerted effort when it came to dealing with stormwater management.
“The drawings look good,” he said, “as long as they build it to those drawings.”
Battaglia was concerned about the potential traffic the new residential area could bring to what she referred to a “landlocked” area.
“I know it sounds like I’m beating a dead horse,” Battaglia said, “but I’m concerned about the amount of traffic that this is going to put on Pine Ridge Drive.”
Battaglia also addressed the board by asking the supervisors, “when is there enough development?”
“When are we going to be done with so much construction everywhere in Cranberry,” Battaglia said. “It just seems like it’s really been accepted these past five years.”
The board will discuss the development at the next supervisors meeting.
