The Upper St. Clair commissioners on Monday granted a request by the school district for a conditional use that will allow for the renovation of the high school natatorium and construction of a new, 47½-foot-high community complex building at the high school stadium.
The R-1 single family residential district permits structures up to 35 feet. A 12½-foot modification in the code requirements was needed for the new structure consisting of three stories and a rooftop deck.
The district also sought permission to construct a 13-foot retaining wall near the new building.
The requests were approved in a 5-1 vote.
During last month’s public hearing, resident Chuck Hokanson, whose Blairmont Drive home is 150 feet from the proposed new building, expressed concerns about losing his view of the valley; a loss of privacy as the windows of the facility will face directly toward his house; and a decline in his property value.
“I am strongly opposed to the project,” he said at Monday’s public hearing about the building, but said he favors the new, eight-lane swimming pool at the high school. He submitted a petition with more than 30 signatures from neighbors opposed to the building but favoring the pool.
During that hearing, the district’s architect, Dave McLean of McLean Architects, said the most impacted residences in the neighborhood would be six homes on Blairmont Drive.
Blairmont Drive resident Marty Kaplan said he enjoys walking in the neighborhood, and is concerned about the impact on the scenery and on the property values.
Mike Mudry, of the Upper St. Clair Swim Club, spoke in favor of the project for the swimming pool.
“We’re here to support the entire package,” he said of the project.
The project is part of a $16 million total capital plan approved by the school board earlier this year. In addition to the pool renovation, which will replace the existing five-lane pool built in 1961, it also includes completion of the Boyce Middle School field; a multi-use complex at the high school stadium and related site improvements.
Those improvements include repairs to the bleachers; restroom upgrades; and improvements to the ticket booth, concession area and announcing equipment.
Commissioner Ronald Pardini voted no. Commissioner Russell Del Re abstained, noting that his employer, PJ Dick Inc., was hired as construction manager for the projects.
After the meeting, board President Mark Christie said with the larger building the district was able to get the additional features it desired with a minimal impact on the neighborhood.
The district plans to begin construction in the spring, with completion in August 2019.
Margaret Smykla, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: December 7, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
