Monroeville Council approves site plan for Gateway project

Gateway School District has received municipal approval for a site plan to construct a surface on which the high school band can practice as opposed to a parking lot.

On Feb. 14, Monroeville Council voted 6-1 in favor of the plan, which calls for use of an athletic field that had been configured for baseball, south of Gateway Campus Boulevard on district property. Council member Bob Stevenson was opposed.

As part of the project, the district will have a sidewalk built along the field’s perimeter, as per the municipality’s request. Mayor Nick Gresock said he talked with Jack Bova, Gateway School Board president, and Superintendent William Short about the walkway, which was not part of the original plan.

“They both understand the importance of sidewalks in that area of the campus,” Gresock said.

For the new surface, the district had intended to use pervious, or porous, material as a way to help mitigate runoff from stormwater.

“After looking at the budget, with the new added sidewalk, the client has requested to see if we can get impervious in order to offset those costs,” Kristi Mitchell, representing landscape architecture firm J.T. Sauer and Associates, told council.

The plan includes an above-ground stormwater management pond at a point about 16 feet lower than the field, according to Mitchell.

An Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant walkway connects to the field from Gateway Campus Boulevard. The new sidewalk will link points east, including Monroeville Public Library, with district buildings on the other side of campus, along with an apartment complex southwest of the field, off King Lear Drive.

Some council members inquired about a manhole cover that they described as being located between second and third base on the field’s diamond.

“The plan is for the contractor to find it,” Jonathan Shaffer, also of J.T. Sauer, said.

Monroeville Planning Commission had recommended council’s approval for the site plan.

In other business Feb. 14:

• Council approved advertising for a public hearing to address the municipality’s revised/updated zoning ordinance, which is in the formulation process.

Although some residents attending the council meeting questioned certain aspects of a proposed zoning map, officials advised them to voice their opinions during the hearing. A specific date had not been set as of the Times Express’ print deadline, but Gresock mentioned the first week of April as a possibility.

“It could be even later than that. But certainly, there has been a lot of time put toward this item. It is an important ordinance to pass,” he said. “It hasn’t been updated in many, many years, so we want to make sure we do it right, and do it with the help of the public, as well.”

Following the advertisement for the hearing, the draft ordinance will be available for public review.

• With council’s assent, an ordinance addressing the feeding of wild animals remained tabled.

Council took the measure in January regarding a measure aimed primarily at problems caused by the presence of coyotes. Gresock said he had received questions about language involving feral cats.

• Municipal manager Tim Little announced Monroeville’s recognition as a 2023 Banner Community by the Allegheny League of Municipalities.

The Banner Community Program recognizes municipalities that have focused their operations on professional development, prudent fiscal management, transparency, accountability and proactive communications.