Penn Hills landscaper gets approval for private road

Vigliotti Landscaping will go ahead with a private connection between Buchannon and Frankstown roads after approval from the Penn Hills Zoning Hearing Board.

The road’s prospects depended on the expansion of a legal nonconforming use to eight total properties. After a month’s postponement to mull its options, the board gave the greenlight on March 27.

In 2020, Vigliotti Landscaping started work on a road to connect its storage facility at 10250 Buchannon Road to Jomar Supply at 10133 Frankstown Road.

Built before the first zoning code in 1940, the storage facility is grandfathered in as a legal nonconforming use.

With the board’s decision, the following properties also count as legal nonconforming uses: 10142 and 10244 Buchannon Road; 620 Flamingo Ave.; 10133, 10143 and 10125 Frankstown Road; and 828 Old Coal Hollow Road.

Vigliotti Landscaping can now build the road — considered a light industrial use under Penn Hills zoning code — in areas otherwise restricted to housing, business and conservation.

Founded in 1987, the company specializes in concrete projects, landscaping and general construction, according to its website.

Joseph Vigliotti, co-owner of Vigliotti Landscaping, isn’t totally in the clear.

Initial construction on the road landed the company violation notices and stop work orders from Penn Hills code enforcement. In September 2023, Vigliotti was cited for lack of a grading permit, according to court documents.

He is due in court May 2 for a summary trial.

Furthermore, the board’s approval came with several conditions, some to alleviate concerns over potential flooding and landslides.

The company must submit a site plan and geotechnical report to the Penn Hills Planning Department within 120 days of approval, install landscape buffers along residential properties, limit truck traffic on Old Coal Hollow and keep noise to a minimum between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Vigliotti did not respond to requests for comment.