Jun 4, 2015 By Terry Kish 3 min read

In a continuance of a public hearing that started in May, Upper St. Clair commissioners got their first look at renderings for a new CVS at the corner of Fort Couch and Washington roads during the board’s June 1 regular meeting.

Plans include demolishing the current 14,600 square-foot building, which houses several businesses, including Einstein Bros Bagels and Boston Market. The new 13,225 square-foot CVS would be set back further on the property, but ingress and egress would remain the same.

Shawn Gallagher, a lawyer for the project, said, “This is not the prototypical CVS.” The store, which includes a drive-through, will be built with premium building materials, including structural brick in two tones and a vinyl awning.

Donald Hultberg of The EADS Group, the consulting engineers for the CVS Group, said that after reviewing the geotechnical report, their grading plan has changed to a reinforced slope by using a geotechnical fabric, eliminating the need for a retaining wall. After the reinforced slope is in place, grass or possibly crown vetch would be planted.

Several commissioners raised questions about the longevity of the reinforced slope. A CVS store in McCandless has had the same slope for about four to five years with no sign of erosion, and the reinforced slope has a projected life of 30-35 years.

Wayne Herrod, a resident of Long Drive, commented that he was “concerned CVS will be in my backyard.” While acknowledging that he thought CVS would be a better neighbor than Crossgates, Herrod was worried about water run-off issues and plans for the store to be open 24 hours.

CVS wants to be open round the clock to better compete with the Walgreen’s store across the street.

CVS, which is seeking several variances for the project, will provide more information to township officials prior to the board’s July 6 meeting, when the public hearing will continue.

At the same meeting, the board tabled plans for BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, due to concerns about traffic flow patterns. The new restaurant, which will be slightly larger than Bonefish Grill, will be located near Jared Galleria of Jewelry and PNC Bank at South Hills Village. The board is expected to vote on the plan at its July meeting.

In a 6-0 vote, with Commissioner Russell Del Re absent, the board approved a traffic-calming plan for Sky Ridge Drive. Two speed humps will be added on Sky Ridge, one located 150 feet south of Astronaut Circle, and one located 185 feet east of Moon Ridge Drive. An all-way stop sign will also be added at the intersection of Sky Ridge Drive and Satellite Circle. The work will be incorporated into the township’s 2015 road repaving program.

The board voted, 6-0, to grant final approval to Phase 2 of Bedner Estates, which will allow developers to make sewer connections and pave from Scarlett Drive to Main Street in Bridgeville. Paving work is expected to be complete by the end of October.