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North Fayette planning commission tables large Canyon neighborhood PRD after public concerns
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously tabled preliminary approval for the 165-acre Canyon Planned Residential Development after staff and residents raised questions about stormwater, traffic, wetland impacts and conflicting unit counts; the developer said construction would not begin before 2028.
The North Fayette Township Planning Commission on May 7 tabled preliminary approval for Application 2025-28-PRD, a proposed 165-acre Planned Residential Development known as Canyon, after staff raised technical review issues and nearby residents questioned traffic, sewer and wetland impacts.
Chair Matt Gilfillan said the application was before the commission for preliminary consideration. Developer representative Steven Victor of Victor Wetzel & Associates presented the plan, describing single-family homes, duplexes, townhouses, a community clubhouse, a retention pond, wetland areas, trails and sidewalks connecting internal streets and to North Branch Road, McWreath Road and Valley Street.
Township Engineer Shawn Wingrove said the township's latest review letter (dated April 29, 2026) flagged zoning issues related to sidewalks and trail connections and included stormwater comments; he added that he had only glanced at the most recent submission delivered earlier that day. Community Planner Jonathan Brodak noted that PennDOT owns the existing culvert over the stream and that PennDOT approval would be required for culvert work or a separate bridge to accommodate a sidewalk.
Residents raised multiple concerns during public comment. Dan Dougherty of Stewart Road questioned traffic impacts and the location of the sewer interceptor; Wingrove confirmed a traffic study had been submitted and Mr. Victor said the interceptor would be extended to the Seabright Road intersection. Several residents asked about wetland impacts and easements traversing wetlands; Mr. Victor said jurisdiction for wetlands review rests with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Allegheny County Conservation District. Sarah Fugett of the Allegheny Land Trust described the nonprofit's prior survey work on a nearby parcel and residents asserted that Lot/Block 794-C-1 participates in the Allegheny County Agricultural Land Preservation Program and therefore cannot be developed.
The application form filed with the township lists 435 dwelling units. During the discussion Mr. Victor said the plan represented 450 dwellings; Community Planner Brodak said the township's count was 441. The commission did not resolve the discrepancy at the meeting and tabled the application to allow further review.
Mr. Victor told the commission that construction would not begin before 2028 and that full buildout could take approximately six to eight years. Residents pressed for fencing along McWreath Road to deter trespass and asked for clearer phasing and mitigation information; township staff advised that accessible documents such as the traffic and wetland studies may require a Right-to-Know request.
A motion by Commissioner Chuck Kyle, seconded by Commissioner Ryan Murphy, carried to table Application 2025-28-PRD. The roll call recorded yes votes from Matt Gilfillan, Kevin Cody, Chuck Kyle, Fred Lutz, Kathy Forse and Ryan Murphy. The commission requested additional documentation and time for staff to review the late submittal before the application returns for action.
Next steps: the applicant is expected to furnish revised plans and supporting studies addressing stormwater, wetland delineation, traffic impacts and right-of-way/culvert permitting; PennDOT coordination will be required for culvert or bridge work.
