Dec 8, 2015 By Terry Kish 3 min read

It was standing room only at the Dec. 7 Upper St. Clair commissioners meeting, as more than 70 people packed the board room for a public hearing on the proposed Tuscany Pointe development.

Residents voiced a number of concerns about the 144-unit apartment complex planned for McLaughlin Run Road, including issues with potential erosion, water runoff, increased traffic and density of the development.

Mike Platto of Windsor Court said his backyard is already starting to slide downhill, a situation he fears will get worse if the 21-acre site is developed.

Twenty-four units are planned for each of six buildings in the complex, which would include amenities such as garages, a clubhouse with pool and walking trails. Targeted at singles, young families, empty nesters and retirees, two-bedroom units would rent for $1,400 to $1,500 per month, and three-bedroom units at $2,000 to $2,200 per month.

Also planned for the complex is a 15-foot gated emergency access road that would connect to Windsor Court.

Jake Polochak, a resident of Windsor Court, voiced concerns that building the access road would impede the use of his driveway. He also said that according to recorded easements, he has the right of way for the area that is targeted for the access road, so construction could not proceed without his approval.

Some of the other issues raised about the access road included how it would be maintained and what measures would be taken to ensure the road did not become a cut-through to and from Windsor.

While residents agreed that the developer, Jeffrey Thomas, should be allowed to develop the property, they wanted the existing township regulations enforced.

Upper St. Clair’s Planning Commission recommended approval of the plan with conditions. The developer is seeking modifications to the township code addressing length of the buildings, cul-de-sac design, sidewalks, buffer areas, perimeter setbacks and steep slopes.

Residents of several of the homes near the site stopped by the cul-de-sac at the end of Windsor Court the afternoon following the meeting, taking a look at the existing wooded area and questioning the viability of the complex, especially the proposed access road.

“We are disappointed and more than concerned,” Jerrid Remaley of Deep Wood Drive said, especially about the effect on property values. “Noise is going to a be a factor, too. We don’t see how it’s going to work.”

The public hearing on Tuscany Pointe is scheduled to continue at the commissioners’ Jan. 4 meeting.

Multimedia reporter Harry Funk contributed to this story.