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Murrysville planning commission tables grading permit after residents press slope and drainage concerns
Summary
The Murrysville Planning Commission tabled a conditional-use application for grading at a proposed development after residents raised slope-stability, stormwater and setback concerns; consultants said borings show mostly sandstone and that cut slopes are stable, and the applicant agreed to provide additional scaled cross sections and paper plans before the item returns.
The Murrysville Planning Commission on Dec. 5 tabled action on a conditional-use application to permit grading for new housing units after residents and commissioners pressed for more geotechnical detail and paper plans.
Residents said the development would place fill and cuts close to existing homes on Shirley Lane and Summer Ridge Court. A resident who identified herself as Kathy asked the commission not to vote that night, saying recent reports had not been provided to neighbors and arguing that 12 of the proposed 61 new units should be removed because of steep slopes and potential off-site impacts. "Please don't vote on this tonight. It needs more work," she said.
The applicant's geotechnical consultant said borings across the site show sandstone in the upper cuts and that only a single, lower cut could encounter red clays. "I'm very comfortable with the stability of the slope," the consultant said, adding that engineers interpret borings between sites and that additional cross sections can be provided to show the proposed grading in relation to existing homes.
Commissioners and residents asked for scaled, paper copies of current grading plans and cross sections targeted to affected properties. The applicant agreed to deliver multiple 24-by-30 prints and to prepare additional cross sections early next week that trace from Shirley Lane down through the slope to clarify how borings and test pits relate to specific houses.
Procedurally, commissioners debated whether to require all questions be resolved now or allow a waiver/extension so the record and additional evidence could be assembled. A commissioner moved to table the conditional-use decision until the commission receives the requested information and a waiver or extension; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Next steps: the applicant will provide the scaled prints and cross sections for review and may return to the commission; council-level approvals and required stormwater permits will still be needed before any grading can begin.
