SF Homeowners appeal citation
Homeowners in South Fayette have filed an appeal regarding a citation received from the township.
Township engineer Mike Benton said staff observed that a lot of work was being done on property owned by Duane McLuckie.
“There was grading that was not in compliance with township code,” Benton said at a Sept. 11 board of commissioners meeting. The township’s code enforcement officer cited McLuckie for grading and storm water violations.
Duane McLuckie and his wife, Angie, of Dutch Hill Road have filed an appeal of the violations.
McLuckie said at the meeting that he was being cited “just for putting stone on top of mud.” He added, “I didn’t know I was doing wrong.” McLuckie said he put down the stone to keep his property from washing away during heavy rain, which he said has been a problem since he moved to his home about two years ago.
McLuckie added that Dutch Hill Road around his property is collapsed right now.
Township Manager Ryan Eggleston said that repairing Dutch Hill Road is a high priority.
“It’s not an inexpensive repair, but we’re hoping to get it done,” Eggleston said.
South Fayette’s solicitor Jonathan Kamin said a public hearing will need to be held regarding the appeal. The hearing will take place at an October board of commissioners meeting.
“If we can work something out in the interim, that would be great,” Kamin told McLuckie.
In other business at the meeting, State Rep. Jesse White (D-46), spoke to residents about the July flooding.
“I know South Fayette was hit hard. It looked like something out of the movie,” White said of the debris accumulated in several areas after the flood.
White said the big picture is to look at how to deal with flooding problems in the future, including getting municipalities to work together for comprehensive storm water management. He said the long-term plan could be a three- to 10-year process.
• White will be hosting a Pet Expo from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 22 at Fairview Park in South Fayette Township. The event is free and open to the public and will include several vendors and pet adoption booths.