Peters Township Officials to Examine Traffic, Lack of Housing Options
A 'Plan Peters' open house was held for residents Wednesday night.
Peters Township officials and consultants were on hand at the high school Wednesday night to introduce the public to the comprehensive plan that is underway.
The township hired LSL Planning, Inc. to come up with a 10-year plan for land use.
After three months of interviews, focus groups and the examination of more than 800 resident surveys, consultants have determined that the following are some main points of concern:
- Traffic congestion (especially on Route 19 and East McMurray)
- Sense of community lacking
- Township is not walkable
- Limited housing options
- High cost of housing
- Excessive minimum lot sizes and setbacks
- Need office space
- Lack of diversity
- Activity for teenagers lacking
- Transit service needed
- Business only concentrated on west end
- Need usable open space
Tina Cramer, a 14-year resident, attended Wednesday night's open house.
"I think it's a good idea. I think more people should actually come out," she said.
Cramer's main concern is the improvement of Route 19.
"There is a huge amount of congestion that has gotten worse over my 14 years," she said. "Especially at Donaldson's Crossroads."
She's also concerned about abandoned storefronts along Route 19, overcrowding in the high school and the lack of housing options for the housing population.
Clint Langley, a 10-year resident, brought his family to the open house. He said they would like to see some type of a "main street" developed where people "could stroll around at night" and "have a parade on."
On the other hand, the consultants consistently found that the reasons people move to Peters are great schools and low taxes.
Another open house will take place in December in which township Manager Michael Silvestri hopes to have more concrete information available for residents.
Follow the latest developments for the Peters Township comprehensive plan on PlanPeters.com.
In This article
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Peters Township Municipal Building
610 E McMurray Rd, McMurray, PA -
Peters Township High School
264 E McMurray Rd, McMurray, PA -
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Dianne Wilk
5:00 am on Friday, September 21, 2012
I would like to see the portion of the abandonded school walkway reopened, that goes from Robinhood and leads to PV and the high school. Currently you have to enter the pathway at Robinhood. If you wanted to drive to the entrance, there is no place to park. Reopening the abandonded portion and extending new portions through the patches of woods would create a walkable neighborhood, it would connect people and create that sense of community. I always thought how nice it would be if there were swing sets, or even a picnic pavilion in the woods.
With the 'new' road linking Crosswinds to Cedar Hills one can now walk to Donaldson's Crossroads. It made our neighborhood 'walkable' which is something we always admired about communities like Mt. Lebanon but without the high taxes and congestion. I wish the township would also look into upgrading the road that now snakes through the rented apartments. There are a lot of children playing in the streets there, and I worry one day some one will get hurt.
I also think allowable housing should be more 'mixed' where apartments and townhomes and single family homes are mixed together. I envision Grandma could live in her affordable apartment down the street from the parents in the single family home. Think of the South Fayette community of Lakemont Farms, or even Hunting Ridge. Smaller lots & mixed housing creates this kind of neighborhood
Wednesday night was open house at McMurray-bad timing on the part of the township.
Becky Brindle
12:11 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012
Thanks so much for your input! Sounds like walkability is something many residents would like to see improved.