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North Strabane pushes for public roads in developments

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North Strabane Township Board of Supervisors delayed decisions on three developments Tuesday because of concerns about roads and traffic.

Action was tabled on Legacy Park, a 150-unit multi-family development between Route 519 and Linden Road; Concord Green, a 27-townhouse development on West McMurray Road; and Laurel Landing, a planned residential development with 90 single-family units, 41 townhouse units and 70 apartment units on McDowell Lane.

“Any development that comes in – in my opinion – has to be public roads,” said Chairman Brian Spicer.

Spicer said he is regularly approached by residents of private developments with roads that were installed 10 to 15 years ago and are now failing.

“Residents want us to take over, but (the roads) are not built to township specs,” he said.

Legacy Park developer Joseph DiNardo said residents of planned developments knowingly pay into a road fund for maintenance and repairs.

“To say that all land uses are going to have public roads, it’s just not feasible,” DiNardo said. “It’s very unusual for a board to mandate all roads to be public.”

Because a master plan was submitted for approval, township solicitor Gary Sweat said Legacy Park developers would have to ask for a waiver – in which they would have to show hardship – to keep the roads private.

DiNardo said the entire plan would change if the roads were public because of variations in setback requirements.

“That’s not a good reason to not put a public road in,” said Supervisor Bob Ross.

Supervisor Rob Balogh said the township frequently receives calls from resident of developments, complaining that township trucks have treated other snow-covered roads, while their roads are ignored.

The Concord Green master plan, which was altered from construction of carriage homes to townhouses, also was tabled to give developers the opportunity to respond to the push for public roads.

“There’s been a change in philosophy on the board,” said township manager Frank Siffrinn. “I’ve been here for 24 years, and (supervisors) have approved many subdivisions with private streets. It’s a dramatic change.”

Action on Laurel Landings, a mixed-residential development by Laurel Communities and Presbyterian SeniorCare, also was delayed because of concerns about increased traffic at the intersection of McDowell Lane and McClelland Road.

The township is working to update its zoning ordinance after adopting an updated comprehensive plan in May. Two of the highest priorities identified by the community were effective handling of traffic and evaluating development to maintain the character of existing neighborhoods.

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