Bethel Park residents oppose proposed Rite Aid
Several residents fear a proposed Rite Aid Pharmacy on McMurray Road will become a nuisance, but it’s also compliant with all local laws, so Bethel Park council members said they are powerless to stop it.
J.S. Capitol, a development and construction company based in Michigan, wants to build a Rite Aid store at 435 McMurray Road, on a 1.3-acre parcel next to Al’s Cafe. The land is currently used as a parking lot.
Several nearby residents attended the council meeting Jan. 11 to voice concerns about noise and light pollution, traffic congestion and stormwater management issues. Nevertheless, council approved the plans, saying the developer has followed all municipal ordinances and in some cases has gone beyond the laws to appease neighbors.
“Why do we need another pharmacy? We have at least 10 other pharmacies,” said Beth Merry, who lives near the proposed store. She asked council to reject the development plans due to the light and noise that will bother nearby residents, and if that wasn’t possible, to require the developer to install a privacy fence.
Bethel Park typically requires commercial developers to install a buffer around a property that is adjacent to a residential neighborhood. The buffer is usually in the form of trees and landscaping, but Bill Sittig, attorney for J.S. Capitol, said the company would work with municipal officials and residents to come up with a solution that works best for everyone.
“I think when you’re working with a responsible developer, and (J.S. Capitol) certainly is, these fears do not come to pass,” Sittig said. “We will continue to work with the neighbors.”
John Murphy, who owns several acres across McMurray Road, said stormwater runoff from this property will discharge on his land. Murphy’s attorney said he was working with the developer to find a solution but he needs more time. J.S. Capitol already redesigned its plans to reduce the water flow from the property to address Murphy’s concerns.
However, council could not grant another extension because the municipal code requires timely action on development plans, otherwise the plans would be deemed approved by default.
Councilman Paul Dixon said developers have to go through a very strict process to have their plans approved by the municipal planning commission, but once they go through that process and comply with all ordinances, council does not have the discretion to tell a business what it can or cannot do with its land.
“I think that’s a terrible location for a drug store, but my opinion doesn’t matter. We have to adhere to the law,” he said.
The land is zoned commercial, and a pharmacy is one of the permitted uses in that zone.
Paul Dunn, director of development at J.S. Capitol, said construction is slated to begin in April. When complete, the 11,100-square-foot store will look like a fairly typical Rite Aid Pharmacy, complete with a drive through. After the meeting, Dunn met with concerned residents and discussed options to reduce the effect that store will have on their properties.
In another matter, council heard from Glenn Lackey of Whitetail Disabled Hunting, who asked the municipality for help in offsetting the cost of harvesting deer in Bethel Park. Lackey and his organization organizes archery hunts for disabled individuals, some of whom are veterans. The organization harvested 87 deer from Bethel Park last year. It obtains permission from landowners to hunt, but Lackey asked council for help in paying for tag fees.
Council members said they would discuss the request at the committee meeting Jan. 25.