Municipal News
- Last Updated on Friday, 05 July 2013 20:51
By J.R. Brower
Peters Twp. Council Meeting June 10, 2013
After considerable discussion, Peters Township Council approved a change in the township’s zoning ordinance to allow multi-colored electronic signs along Route 19.
Peters Twp. Council Meeting June 10, 2013
After considerable discussion, Peters Township Council approved a change in the township’s zoning ordinance to allow multi-colored electronic signs along Route 19.
Two of the six council members, Robert Lewis and Chairman Frank Arcuri, voted against the measure that allows businesses to install the high-tech signs under prescribed conditions including size no larger than 100 square feet. Presently, electronic signs must only be one color, red or amber with a black background. Also, the new zoning ordinance amendment calls for the multi-colored signs to be monument-style rather than pole signs.
Township Planning Director Ed Zuk made it clear that the new electronic signs will be permitted only in the commercial areas along Route 19 and not on McMurray Road and Valley Brook Road. He also said, “the lighting on the new multi-colored signs can’t glare or be fading or flashing”. To avoid motorist distractions, Zuk added that a sign changes are restricted to once every 20 seconds.
A public hearing on the signs was held before council took their vote, at which time members as well as several business owners expressed their opinions on the changed policy. Robert Lewis questioned the effectiveness of electronic signs getting messages to customers and the frivolity of signs advertising common sundries and personal products. “Do you want to see full-color pictures of two people in a bathtub on the corner of Route 19,” he said.
In response, Township Manager Michael Silvestri said that content of signs cannot be regulated. Arcuri pointed out that it seemed like pharmacies were the major users of electronic signs. He asked why the township wanted to allow the colored electronic signs when only a small number of businesses would use them.
“I’m not a big proponent of this,” he said. “I don’t see the need for it when most businesses just use the regular signage. These new signs could junk up the entire Route 19 corridor.”
The Peters Township Zoning Hearing Board approved the sign proposals, and Zuk said the Washington County Planning Commission also reviewed and OKed the new signage changes.
Council member David Ball said, “Since the new multi-colored electronic signs would have to be monumental-style, it’s a step forward from the pole signs.” Council member James Berquist added that, “ the new signage plan helps the township from a tax and revenue perspective.” He also said, “businesses should have the right to advertise in the most effective manner”. Council member Monica Merrell called the electronic signs “a legitimate use of technology”, but added, “she was glad that they would only be permitted on Route 19 and not on other roads with businesses.”
Stacy Pape, owner of SP Floors and Design Center, said “The current red and amber digital signs were inadequate. Full-color digital is the only way to go.” She added that “Her business plans to invest substantially in the new signage technology to promote her products and her signs will include still full-color images that would not be moving or flashing. We are selling higher-end products,” she said, “People have told us that we have the nicest building on Route 19, and the full-color signage will only compliment it.”
Township Planning Director Ed Zuk made it clear that the new electronic signs will be permitted only in the commercial areas along Route 19 and not on McMurray Road and Valley Brook Road. He also said, “the lighting on the new multi-colored signs can’t glare or be fading or flashing”. To avoid motorist distractions, Zuk added that a sign changes are restricted to once every 20 seconds.
A public hearing on the signs was held before council took their vote, at which time members as well as several business owners expressed their opinions on the changed policy. Robert Lewis questioned the effectiveness of electronic signs getting messages to customers and the frivolity of signs advertising common sundries and personal products. “Do you want to see full-color pictures of two people in a bathtub on the corner of Route 19,” he said.
In response, Township Manager Michael Silvestri said that content of signs cannot be regulated. Arcuri pointed out that it seemed like pharmacies were the major users of electronic signs. He asked why the township wanted to allow the colored electronic signs when only a small number of businesses would use them.
“I’m not a big proponent of this,” he said. “I don’t see the need for it when most businesses just use the regular signage. These new signs could junk up the entire Route 19 corridor.”
The Peters Township Zoning Hearing Board approved the sign proposals, and Zuk said the Washington County Planning Commission also reviewed and OKed the new signage changes.
Council member David Ball said, “Since the new multi-colored electronic signs would have to be monumental-style, it’s a step forward from the pole signs.” Council member James Berquist added that, “ the new signage plan helps the township from a tax and revenue perspective.” He also said, “businesses should have the right to advertise in the most effective manner”. Council member Monica Merrell called the electronic signs “a legitimate use of technology”, but added, “she was glad that they would only be permitted on Route 19 and not on other roads with businesses.”
Stacy Pape, owner of SP Floors and Design Center, said “The current red and amber digital signs were inadequate. Full-color digital is the only way to go.” She added that “Her business plans to invest substantially in the new signage technology to promote her products and her signs will include still full-color images that would not be moving or flashing. We are selling higher-end products,” she said, “People have told us that we have the nicest building on Route 19, and the full-color signage will only compliment it.”
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Pickup Truck powered by Compressed Natural Gas
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The Twp. recently took delivery of a Chevy Silverado pickup truck powered by compressed natural gas (CNG). It is on a temporary free loan to the township by the Pittsburgh Clean Cities Coalition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy. The coalition promotes environmental and energy security by supporting local actions to reduce petroleum use.
In other business, Peters Township Council:
- Awarded the contract for the Sugar Camp Road Trail Bridge to Appalachian Industries in the amount of $733,638, the lowest among five bids for the project. Silvestri added that a Washington County Local Share Program grant of $250,000 will be used to cover part of that cost.” According to. Township Engineer Mark Zemaitis, “The project is actually under the amount budgeted, a little more that $1 million.” He said, “The project, to begin soon, will result in several one-month closings of Sugar Camp Road. The bridge, itself, will be supported by three 150-foot concrete beams over an open area created by removal of the present underpass. He expects completion by fall.
- Approved a request for streetlight on the corner of Brookwood Road and Abbeybrook Lane.
- Approved an addendum to the lease agreement with the school district for the Elm Grove Park property which allows for a 10-year amortization period for capital improvement construction.
- Approved appointments of Frank Milfeit to the Zoning Hearing Board and Jerry Coscia to the Environmental Quality Board.
