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Planning commission approves South Commons subdivision, conditions Duncan relocation on removal of existing drive‑thru
Summary
The South Fayette Township Planning Commission approved the South Commons subdivision and accompanying land‑development plan Oct. 23, 2025, adding a condition that the existing Duncan drive‑thru be removed once the relocated Duncan building is occupied; commissioners noted the traffic review did not explicitly model stacking at both locations.
The South Fayette Township Planning Commission on Oct. 23 approved the South Commons preliminary and final minor subdivision and the related land‑development plan that relocates the Duncan facility, with a condition that the existing Duncan drive‑thru be eliminated upon occupancy of the new building.
Staff told the commission that applicants had resubmitted plans in October to address an August 8, 2025 review letter and an Allegheny County review. Jason Povich, township staff, said the largest outstanding concern was ensuring the throughway from Hickory Grade Road would leave enough room both for two‑way circulation and for vehicles stacking for the current Duncan drive‑thru. The applicants’ consultant, identified in materials as KDH, provided updated plans and documentation intended to show the geometry accommodates both functions.
Commissioners and staff said county reviewers and the township traffic consultant, Gateway, had commented on several technical items — truck turning templates and Old Pond access among them — and that those comments were addressed in the resubmission. However, staff also confirmed there was no traffic study that explicitly assumed whether the existing Duncan location would continue to operate as a drive‑thru after the new facility opened. The commission said it wanted to avoid approving plans that would leave two active drive‑thrus in proximate locations and thereby risk vehicle stacking onto adjacent public roads.
To resolve that risk, the commission added a stipulation to the land‑development approval requiring documentation confirming elimination of the existing Duncan drive‑thru at the time the new Duncan building is occupied. Staff said the applicant could provide a letter from the current owner (shown in the plans as the Washington National Bank parcel) that confirms timing; commissioners also discussed encoding the timing in the developer’s agreement.
Other details addressed in the submissions included easement locations for access toward Old Pond, clarified parcel lines (creating lots C1 and C2 where previously one lot existed), and the addition of a sidewalk along Old Pond frontage. Staff noted the proposed relocated Duncan building will have no interior seating and therefore a lower parking requirement; the applicant proposes 14 parking spaces for the new site and said that is compliant with the county’s calculation for the building’s intended use.
A motion to recommend approval of S‑05‑2025 (South Commons subdivision) subject to the GTE review letter (Aug. 8, 2025) and Allegheny County comments carried on a voice vote. The commission then voted to approve SP‑03‑2025 (South Commons land development) with the stipulation requiring elimination of the existing Duncan drive‑thru upon occupancy of the new building; the motion carried on a voice vote.
The commission did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript; minutes indicate the motions carried. Staff said they will obtain written confirmation from the current owner and incorporate timing language in the developer’s agreement where appropriate.
