[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6173967,"mediaKeyId","5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090","parentId",5377154,"title","Broadhead sewer separation contract awarded; borough schedules public meeting as work nears","audioSeconds",189,"startMs",2753000,"endMs",2942000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090&start=2753&end=2942","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090/thumbnail_2753000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173967/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Broadhead-sewer-separation-contract-awarded-borough-schedules-public-meeting-as-work-nears","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173967-c8162ae69ed211bc2d7f50e270aacdec/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257504&Signature=debNoWh1Tlo5QZ0d0WGtcdFOB7HQL-dugCEcqg5xqEIrqZmUmk5CfX~uUc77oiEORKtiuDgpwifznLO3jxLSH84qUH4F~CbX1YrCkE8x1MGW7~suJ35tPm1ksgHJo0AXlg4vtdwHVPEQRTNOEX8-tn3HdqCGgcJXeHzOw5Vx5ubWHeEI7mUGUn4h4T3Ts58vUxvxl9Cb8ZFZm8YYdqfPmvyiG4FqdSSx8O4pNJM5etY3hdQcWHdMnrbXj4Dw38xp9Qh8fL9ppdJ3D9RewHrb19NtxyeG-WlnW6oacWgYualrWTD8j5yU0yh4TztCQGljhq2xNgkNH5N0~afJUPEH9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Crafton Borough, PA","date","2025-07-12T16:17:45.733Z","article","Crafton borough engineers told council the Broadhead sewer separation contract has been awarded and that construction is anticipated to begin Aug. 4, a move that will require significant roadway reconstruction and planned public outreach for affected residents.

The Broadhead contract, awarded at a prior meeting, will include full road reconstruction on several streets and the borough said it will hold a public meeting for residents who will be directly affected before major work begins. An engineer said the first meeting timing will be set after a coordination call with Gateway and the project manager to define how to notify and meet with impacted households.

Separately, the borough reported progress on the C20 sewer separation project, which is moving along South Linden Avenue and Steuben Street. PA American Water is performing waterline relocations needed ahead of sewer work, and borough staff said night work is expected to begin in July. The borough anticipates the project will be complete by November.

Borough engineers also described plans for other near-term work: Preen (Pareen) Street remains pending coordination with city partners and counsel, and Ewing Road will have its own public meeting process and a follow-up survey once options are identified. Staff said the Broadhead project will be more disruptive than prior student-led projects because of full reconstruction and intermittent road closures and that planning will include traffic management, notices and homeowner outreach.

Why this matters: the sewer-separation projects involve major reconstruction that will close roads, change access and raise short-term disruption for residents. The borough is scheduling outreach and surveys to ensure neighbors have opportunities to ask questions and learn detour plans.

Council and engineering staff said they will set public-meeting dates and further outreach in the coming week; residents most directly affected will be invited to the initial Broadhead and Ewing meetings, with broader public input to follow as designs and schedules are finalized.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Council Meeting - July 10, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Crafton borough engineers told council the Broadhead sewer separation contract has been awarded and that construction is anticipated to begin Aug. 4, a move that will require significant roadway reconstruction and planned public outreach for affected residents.","taxTitle","Crafton, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania","taxId",71363,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173971,"Crafton council continues zoning rewrite; residents press limits on ground-mounted solar, green space and parking",2193,1547000,3740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090&start=1547&end=3740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090/thumbnail_1547000.jpg","/articles/6173971/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-council-continues-zoning-rewrite-residents-press-limits-on-ground-mounted-solar-green-space-and-parking","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173971-03dcd24093e80ebfba82e400cf087683/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257504&Signature=DHWrYE6TdW8W77howvhAxVnMQangIxAGoTc6U1rxqcq6Rn4FwB57HBzgDqHnnkuZ--uITtILlCV7WzQD~5K~7y7Efhi~m0Q1twEgNOmIDKbsBpGSvU6gCuFF4I8kB7bsIoqe-67GCohT~Be68bZwElnn-1v1ye8YLk6Rk0s3NvEO21yOTEwoa~kx39EDZPqf7LHY2KXzbFzyw8k1WaM6sUDwgDWWm81NTJfzdFjdHvPdok~sgtr9QMfneIv1L2QQGip1uN1PYfKZOj6gDd4Go~ZNKSqHAouhGYqCTCQPqXLyIpwEMYLj1c-mKl9eykq7awgowm1n-LYLubYxmd~wxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crafton Borough Council heard detailed public comment and staff discussion on the proposed new zoning code during an education session and the public-comment portion of its July meeting, with residents urging limits on ground-mounted solar panels, asking for clearer definitions of impervious surfaces, and raising concerns about building size and parking standards.

The exchange matters because the new zoning code would replace Crafton’s existing rules for the borough’s business and residential districts and could change what is allowed on lots in the central business district and elsewhere.

Residents asked council to add specific limits and studies to the draft. Laura Casey of Lincoln Avenue said the borough’s tree canopy limits the opportunities for ground-mounted solar and asked council to “please consider adding specific limitations to the proposed ordinance for solar panels, which would require them to be on the roofs of buildings, garages, and at residences, while also removing the allowance for them to be in the ground and up to 10 feet high.” Nicole Kuravan of 184 South Grandview asked council to require equal standards for affordable housing, to require fair-housing impact assessments for large developments, to require 25% green coverage on lots, and to mandate cool roofs or incentives for them; she also asked procedural questions about council and planning commission roles.

Solicitor Corbel answered procedural questions from residents about whether council could alter statewide building codes and how building-code changes compare to zoning changes. Corbel said the borough cannot make material changes to statewide building codes and that “changing something within the borough’s building code takes less time or is as much less rigorous process than changing the borough zoning code” is not accurate; in short, the solicitor said the building code is largely controlled at the state level and borough changes are limited to narrow, local adjustments.

Staff and councilors explained how some of the resident requests fit into zoning, subdivision and building-code responsibilities. A borough staff member said the building code sets construction standards and is imposed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, while the subdivision ordinance already triggers technical impact studies—traffic, soils and stormwater—on larger developments. Council members and staff said fair-housing goals are best supported by allowing a broader mix of housing types, rather than by separate building standards for affordable housing.

On impervious-surface language, resident Greg Wozniak asked for clearer definitions and suggested the borough align with PennDOT-approved pervious surfaces or explicitly define impervious materials. Staff said the draft code places the base definition in the definitions section and that coverage limits are enforced through lot-coverage rules in the subdivision and zoning materials; they advised caution about overly detailed drafting that would be difficult to enforce.

Several residents asked about minimum floor-area standards and density in key corridors. Council and planning staff said modern best practices favor moving minimum area and technical construction requirements to the building code, while zoning focuses on use, form, setbacks and lot coverage; they stressed that reducing artificial minimums can increase housing options. Residents asked the council to review how parking ratios and density allowances would work in practice; councilors noted concerns that very high permitted density with low parking requirements could worsen local parking stress.

Why this matters: the draft zoning ordinance would reframe what uses and building forms are permitted in Crafton’s business districts and how new development is reviewed. Changes to density, parking, green coverage and how conditional uses are handled could affect neighborhood character, traffic and the viability of long-standing businesses.

Council next steps include an education session on July 16 at 6 p.m. in the big community room, ongoing planning-commission review and outreach to the county. Staff signaled they will research specific technical edits residents requested—impervious-surface language, appropriate thresholds for impact studies, and which standards belong in zoning versus the building code.

Residents who spoke on zoning included Laura Casey (Lincoln Avenue) and Nicole Kuravan (184 South Grandview); other commenters included Greg Wozniak and Terry Midgley. Solicitor Corbel and borough staff provided procedural and technical clarifications; planning commission and council members also participated in the discussion.

The education session on July 16 will be the next public opportunity for detailed questions before council advances the draft to the planning commission and county review.","Council members and residents continued review of a proposed new zoning code during an educational session and public comment, focusing on whether the draft should limit ground-mounted solar panels, clarify impervious-surface definitions, and maintain minimum building sizes and parking standards.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173953,"Residents praise new waste contractor, push for park designs online; flooding at Steuben and Duncan and Rotary's Barbecue Fest highlighted",74,168000,242000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090&start=168&end=242","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090/thumbnail_168000.jpg","/articles/6173953/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-praise-new-waste-contractor-push-for-park-designs-online-flooding-at-Steuben-and-Duncan-and-Rotarys-Barbecue-Fest-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173953-43c4aa500e47346ba9274de8a5603f06/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257504&Signature=KoYNcL2lWK8N2uL3icQbCQx7Vl8G7WAhVubjgEXwc04FBW-3p15XHWYG-8ALLJUTTdLZSUD5LNHmf8G9OzWvu2GYB1CTBoYMr5TctWrGTD0gJHuBP42BxbsfehvGR06qWSChzzIGn0fwVk0q41CaHbX8OKFkknmhBic3cuRBSHzry9W8pwGtPzcpdzLUnH995IZhRiftHxUD2m0SuoM8FsECu~N0TeE5aGbYv8AKrxcV4h8PgYSoIRn6lZhb1-T2S94n5VzP~vGqeVKUtZNC123IhCnOqRlUDLRiBbKcppId7lUuYx5zUky-aCwrbCGGTEJDSlwvClthURzNdNIbTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the public-comment portion of the July meeting to thank council for recent service changes, ask for more accessible park-design materials, report a persistent drainage problem at Steuben and Duncan, and to promote an upcoming Rotary community event.

Jan Sweeney of 25 Lincoln Avenue thanked council for selecting Valley Waste and said neighbors on Lincoln Avenue had fewer complaints about missed lids and loose bins since the change. Councilors noted the selection followed public input and staff work.

On parks, both Sweeney and borough staff said concept drawings for Noble and Lynnwood parks will be prepared and posted when available; staff said preliminary designs will be ready in the next month or two and the borough plans to solicit public comment online and possibly hold design charrettes.

Sweeney and others raised a recurring drainage problem at the corner of Steuben and Duncan, where heavy rain leaves a large accumulation of water near an apartment building entrance. Staff acknowledged the problem and said Gateway's project work had in some ways exacerbated the area; staff said they had discussed a possible change order with the project manager and spoken with the building owner about solutions.

The Crafton-Ingram Rotary described its renamed Rip Fest—now the Barbecue Fest—scheduled for Aug. 7 from 4 to 7 p.m., with food trucks, DJs, Brewster's ice cream, a llama-plop fundraiser and ticketed ribs or dinners. The Rotary said proceeds support community programs including a summer lunch program at Crafton Elementary and assistance to senior high rises. Tickets and sponsor information will be available in advance and at the event.

Website users and councilors also discussed the borough's new website and a redirect problem. Justin Marks of 31 Oregon complimented the new site but noted a redirect from the old site works inconsistently and deep links are not preserved; borough staff said they are troubleshooting redirects with their IT vendor and expect forwarding to be in place for an extended transition period.

Why this matters: waste collection, parks design, drainage, a new municipal website and a community fund-raiser affect residents' daily life and municipal services. Staff pledged to post park concept designs, investigate the Steuben/Duncan flooding and continue work on website redirection and public-notice procedures.

Staff and council said they will post park concept plans online once preliminary designs are prepared; they will also evaluate possible change-order work to address the Steuben/Duncan ponding and will continue website troubleshooting with their IT team.","Public commenters thanked council for switching to Valley Waste, asked that concept designs for Noble and Lynnwood parks be posted online, raised a persistent flooding problem at Steuben and Duncan, and the Crafton-Ingram Rotary outlined a Barbecue Fest fundraiser set for Aug. 7.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173957,"Crafton swears in new police chief; Rick Ford outlines early priorities",127,2586000,2713000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090&start=2586&end=2713","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090/thumbnail_2586000.jpg","/articles/6173957/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Crafton-swears-in-new-police-chief-Rick-Ford-outlines-early-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173957-34eb53226217cb0842382a9394208478/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257504&Signature=ZeakKks1A6F451h20y6h~0PmHciTed9lj~x9~vWqUAiSvakuLk2Jk2kRakSqmf4Umwnac2p16jiuwa~Phgs8q05lmYVhxU4dkE0YpFnokxSiB6o-tZLDX9MC32j33Nm3Fn8i1~Y~RQtAfTr4o9~yxtMAvWOGA8tV-GP3hdCiWLxrjXktgEhDOv6ei07D7YrIARWf-E0aXyS5ZLY3hfRd4xa6z0SrAn2jL7vapE0h~6cQhlIJaa0tDMzFdGAjFQ6~WKDkNUBmTvfThmfFSdej3~0G3FzkQAlAAEtxg3uoW3Fwus3~9jIx~~7c13EBawdvZ96UmFUwPhZvuwXj2ftmMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crafton Borough introduced its new police chief, Rick Ford, at the July council meeting. Ford said he started July 4 and plans to increase departmental communication with the public and to tap officers’ on-the-ground expertise to better serve the community.

Ford told council his first week began with Fourth of July activities and that he intends to attend council meetings early in his tenure to introduce himself and to discuss what the community should expect in police-related updates. \"You'll see a lot more activeness in terms of the social media posts in relationship to scams that we see, crime trends,\" Ford said, adding that such posts are intended to inform residents rather than alarm them. He said he already had done a media interview about vehicle theft trends and that the department would provide proactive outreach.

Ford also said he is working internally to give officers more tools and freedom to apply their expertise in the community and invited residents to introduce themselves if they see him at local events. He paid tribute to his predecessor, Chief Sumpter, and said he intends to continue the department's work.

Why this matters: introduction of a new police chief signals a leadership transition in public safety and sets expectations for how the department will communicate with residents on crime trends and community-policing efforts.

Council and staff said Ford will appear at future meetings to provide periodic updates as appropriate, and that the borough will coordinate on what operational information can be shared while protecting privacy for individuals.","Chief Rick Ford, sworn in July 4 and attending his first council meeting week, told council he plans increased community communication on crime trends, more proactive social-media updates, and internal changes to give officers tools and flexibility.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173962,"Votes at a glance: council approves consent agenda, authorizes sale of three vehicles, OKs tax refunds",0,3390000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090&start=3390&end=3390","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377154-b287580ce66717938b824cf756f81090/thumbnail_3390000.jpg","/articles/6173962/Crafton/Allegheny-County/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-council-approves-consent-agenda-authorizes-sale-of-three-vehicles-OKs-tax-refunds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173962-c9351473a88b976a79697d71baf622fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1775257504&Signature=eqzbKecJI9-h8AK9s~1iqw8~YM4rcMpj8djARZiYXub3ioKM-bsjsHOlpml0~HYSnlzVBxChS-0D0liP3vKdJY0hSpZ763miJjFlhYl0vtKvzef3Xn3OU6WMEF3IgRLltZyqb3Qmzlf4oUMUzARlMF4RKdnOoLG6fAT5Gevlp956~wOsTWYEtSA0tFqCppTKyViCqU~F5F0If2~2IVmDMvlcOmW7ukAdCaJar3~If1xhpVcRN-NUukE-oGxnRNQSx3lJP-0g5KQ5hCgoRIBFAxPZlfm8iiIw4DImEvhsX9pRxFjNjXdN5JpHPS94OJgy2TxaV4WoqL25NQeC5nOVww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crafton Borough Council recorded three formal actions during its July meeting: approval of the consent agenda, authorization to sell three retired borough vehicles via online auction and approval of real-estate tax refunds totaling $5,525.87.

The consent agenda motion covered the council minutes from June 26 and the bill list dated July 10 and was approved by voice vote. A council member moved and another seconded; council recorded an affirmative voice vote and declared the motion passed.

On Resolution 2025-11, council authorized the borough to sell three retired vehicles—a 2011 Ford F-550 dump truck, a 2008 Ford F-550 dump truck and a 2013 Ford Interceptor—through an online municipal auction. Council said trade-in values had been obtained and the auction reserve will be set at or above those trade-in values. The motion passed by voice vote.

Council also approved real-estate tax refunds totaling $5,525.87 for three properties after successful appeals; staff explained the refunds resulted from reassessments processed through Jordan tax appeal procedures.

Votes and actions

- Consent agenda (minutes of June 26 and bill list dated July 10): approved by voice vote; no recorded roll-call tally in the minutes.

- Resolution 2025-11: authorized sale of three borough vehicles by online auction (2011 Ford F-550 dump truck; 2008 Ford F-550 dump truck; 2013 Ford Interceptor). Motion passed; reserve values to be set at trade-in values.

- Real-estate tax refunds: approved payments totaling $5,525.87 to reimburse property owners after appeal.

Why this matters: these actions clear routine administrative business, free municipal assets for disposal and reimburse taxpayers after appeals—typical municipal finance and asset-management steps.

Provenance: the consent-agenda motion and vote appear in the council meeting record when the chair asked for a motion and received an affirmative voice vote; Resolution 2025-11 and the tax-refund approvals were introduced by borough staff and passed with council voice votes.","At its July meeting the Crafton Borough Council approved the consent agenda, authorized sale of three retired borough vehicles by online auction and approved real-estate tax refunds totaling $5,525.87.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Broadhead sewer separation contract awarded; borough schedules public meeting as work nears

Crafton council continues zoning rewrite; residents press limits on ground-mounted solar, green space and parking

Residents praise new waste contractor, push for park designs online; flooding at Steuben and Duncan and Rotary's Barbecue Fest highlighted

Crafton swears in new police chief; Rick Ford outlines early priorities

Votes at a glance: council approves consent agenda, authorizes sale of three vehicles, OKs tax refunds