Manor Township Business Issues Addressed

by Jonathan Weaver

Two Manor Township businesses were heard by supervisors at last night’s meeting in regard to separate issues.

First, Attorney Tim Hewitt spoke on behalf of “Manor Metals, Inc.” after the business did not yet receive its junkyard license it applied for by the end of June.

“We reviewed the junkyard ordinance and are compliant with all the regulations that are specified in (Section 109) A-H therein under,” Hewitt said. “We haven’t changed the character of the business. We didn’t know why the application was tabled.”

A decision on the Hawk Hollow Road license renewal was tabled at last month’s public meeting due to a resident complaint about being able to see the property from theirs.

“We aren’t really aware of any issues – no property owners or residents have come to the facility manager and complained about anything, so it came as a bit of a surprise when we didn’t get our renewal that we’ve had year-in and year-out,” Hewitt added.

Township Resident Gary Warner revealed his contention with the business.

“I believe the intent of the regulation is to cover that junk so people don’t have to see it when we go out to their porch – the previous supervisors have threatened fines for people that wouldn’t put up fencing or trees to cover the junk – not just a chain-link fence (as “Manor Metals currently has),” Warner said.

“That’s all I’m asking – that it’s covered up.”

Warner felt the 45-acre recycling junkyard lowered his property value – especially during the winter when the junkyard could be seen from Garretts Run Road.

“Manor Metals” Supervisor Jason McCoy – who is a Pine Township Supervisor – has reportedly gotten price estimates through that role for privacy fencing and told Hewitt purchasing additional fencing would “create an economic hardship.”

After deliberation between the property owners and supervisors, the two sides agreed “Manor Metals” would further investigate planting evergreen or poplar trees around the property to mitigate its exposure – with a little patience from homeowners.

Environmental Manager Bobbi Lydon was also represented with Hewitt and McCoy last night, and said this is the first such complaint by adjourning property owners, but the business was willing to accept the solution.

Manor Metals – which employs about eight local residents - was aware of a previous issue involving the smell of propane from the property, but a review by the Department of Environmental Protection found no violation or safety issue. The propane tanks were transported to PJ Greco and Sons of Kittanning a few weeks later, thus eliminating the smell.

Supervisors also continued discussion on a exemption request from “Steve’s Auto Body” Owner Steve Slater after Slater returned to the meeting with Engineer George Wick.

Last month, supervisors decided to give Slater 30 days to comply with the stormwater ordinance and build a retention pond as required for his property on Valley View Drive in the Manor Township Business Park or face daily fines. Slater applied for an exemption from that regulation shortly after his business officially opened due to what he alleges is late notice of the ordinance and the expense.

“I’ve used these plans on dozens of (Natural Resources and Conservation Service) projects over the years, and they’re all out there working,” Wick said.

Slater and Wick also stated that a natural berm was implemented by the Pennsylvania Department of Transporation along the hillside of his property that traps all water runoff. A local landowner acknowledged that his property has not been negatively affected because of “Steve’s Auto Body.”

Supervisors and Slater continued to deliberate on the actions of township engineering firm Senate Engineering of Pittsburgh (which has an office in downtown Kittanning). While a letter informing supervisors was sent by Engineer Mike Malak July 22 detailing why Slater’s alternative stormwater plan does not match requirements, Slater contended Senate Engineering expressed a lack of involvement and potentially have not visited the site in question – even after personal invitation.

“We’re not engineers – we have to rely on our people to advise us,” Supervisor Paul Rearick said.

Due to the possibility that Senate Engineering has not visited though, supervisors agreed to try and arrange a viewing of the Valley View site and proposed plan with all involved engineers and code enforcement to try and get the matter resolved. The agreement allows for a month extension before possible fines or a retention pond plan prepared.

“Whatever is decided at that meeting on that hilltop…we have to have a determination within 30 days,” Supervisor Pat Fabian said. “I want to make this work, but we can’t keep dragging this out.”

A public hearing will be held in two weeks to discuss the township’s Community Development Block Grant allocation with County Planning and Development Housing Division Director Adrienne Commodore.

That hearing – to be held at 6PM August 20 within the township municipal building – is to discuss ways to utilize that more-than $82,000 in funding for the fiscal year. (Only about $70,000 would be available for programming due to the county’s administration costs).

Commodore recommended designating $50,000 for housing rehabilitation and the remaining nearly-$20,000 for the paving of Short Street.