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Mayview State Hospital Land Reuse Task Force

Minutes of February 21, 2008 Meeting
Dietary Bldg, Mayview

Attendees:

  • Mark S. Mansfield – USC Acting Assistant Manager
  • Mike Hoy – South Fayette Township Manager
  • Joe Brimmeier – PA Dept. of General Services
  • Emerald Van Buskirk – South West Communities Chamber of Commerce
  • Roy Kraynyk – Allegheny Land Trust
  • Chris Goswick – Allegheny County Planning Dept.
  • Deron Gabriel – Commissioner, South Fayette Township
  • Rich Kuppelweiser – COO, Mayview State Hospital
  • Senator John Pippy
  • Representative Nick Kotik

The meeting opened with brief statements from and introductions by Senator Pippy and Representative Kotik.  Task force members introduced themselves and described their interest in the property.

Goals of Attendees:

  • Mark Mansfield would like to see redevelopment that is complimentary to USC's new park on adjacent property.
  • Mike Hoy would like to see the property benefit the residents of South Fayette and the entire region.
  • Roy Kraynyk, speaking for Allegheny Land Trust, would like to conserve open space on the property and encourages the preservation of woodlands and other flood-mitigating factors.
  • Deron Gabriel would like to see the development contribute to South Fayette's tax base in some way.
  • Chris Goswick would like the redevelopment to be aligned with the County's comprehensive land use plan.

Action required before next meeting:

  • Mr. Kraynyk expressed an interest in a more specific map of the property showing existing topography.  Senator Pippy asked Mr. Hoy to prepare more detailed maps using South Fayette's GIS equipment.
  • Senator Pippy asked Ms. Goswick to prepare a presentation for the next meeting relating to what the county would like to see on the property.
  • Mr. Hoy suggested that he would also provide zoning information from South Fayette so that they could determine what type of development would be permissible under the township's current regulations. Senator Pippy then asked Mr. Mansfield to provide similar zoning information for USC's property adjacent to the Mayview area.
  • Mr. Hoy requested more information from Mr. Kuppelweiser on the buildings currently scheduled for demolition by the next meeting.
  • Representative Kotik suggested that the entire task force take a tour of the property at the next meeting.
  • The public requested that microphones be used next time.
  • In response to public comment, Senator Pippy suggested that a traffic study and PennDOT's potential use of the property, possibly in relation to the Mon-Fayette expressway, be examined.
  • Senator Pippy suggested that additional people be found for the task force, including possibly someone who lives next to the property.
  • It was suggested that future meetings be held every 4 to 6 weeks as schedules permit and that after the next meeting, each one will have a topic with presentations relating to that particular topic.

Public comments:

  • Sue Caffrey made several suggestions for possible additional task force members including the South Fayette Conservation Group, the homeowners' associations of Hunting Ridge and Lakemont Farms, and the South Fayette or Bridgeville Historical Associations
  • One suggestion was to sell the property to the highest bidder and use the proceeds to benefit the mental health community.  Senator Pippy explained what would be required in terms of legislation in order to do that.
  • A resident of South Fayette requested that the property be used to make a more convenient connecting roadway and also that open space be preserved on the property as much as possible.  Senator Pippy mentioned that the SPC and PennDOT would have the opportunity to review the uses for the property (see above).  The resident continued by saying that she was opposed to any type of housing development in South Fayette.
  • Someone asked how and when fair market value would be established.  Mr. Kuppelweiser and Mr. Brimmeier explained a little bit about the property and said that first other state agencies would be presented with the opportunity to use the property but no one has expressed interest so far.  DGS will be charged with doing a study to determine fair market value and environmental impact.  As part of this process, which is expected to take 6 to 9 months, a detailed map will be created and made available to the task force members and the public.
  • Someone else requested that the property be developed to create group homes for the mentally ill.  Senator Pippy responded that it was up to DPW to determine the location of group homes but that if she wanted to make a presentation to that effect the Task Force would take her comments into consideration.
  • It was requested and suggested that information regarding these meetings be made available to the public through a website, possibly linked to DPW's website as well as Senator Pippy's, Representative Kotik's, and the Chamber's.