Aug 15, 2017 By Cara Host 4 min read

Cars and front lawns don’t mix in Bethel Park.

Council voted Aug. 14 to enact an ordinance forbidding residents from parking on unpaved areas of their front lawns. The law will take effect Sept. 14.

Council has been working on the issue for the past three years or so. Councilman Jim McLean said several constituents approached him, saying that some neighbors’ practice of parking on their front lawns make the neighborhood look like a junkyard.

Opponents of the ordinance, including Councilman Don Harrison, argued that the law might cause other problems, such as traffic congestion from more people parking on the street, as opposed to their front lawns.

“This has been a great discussion and a great exchange of ideas,” Councilman Mark O’Brien said. “This (ordinance) may not be perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction.”

The ordinance allows for some exceptions, such as for residents who live on narrow streets. Residents will also be able to temporarily park on their lawns for loading purposes or while their driveways are being resurfaced. Residents who have steep driveways will not be ticketed during snowy weather, since it can be difficult to park on a steep, icy driveway.

Other residents, who feel they have special circumstances, can ask the municipality for a special parking permit. Resident John Delallo remarked that applying for that permit will cost the homeowner about $250 in fees, thus creating more hardship.

“This ordinance needs a lot of work,” he said.

Harrison said the ordinance may prompt residents to spread gravel in their lawns, creating an even bigger eyesore than the one the ordinance is trying to prevent. He voted against the ordinance, but it passed 6-1 with councilmen Brandon Colella and Jim Hannan absent.

In another matter, council hired a new police officer to replace officers who will be retiring or taking a leave of absence soon. Matthew Poling will start his new job in the next several weeks.

Also during the meeting, a Bethel Park public works employee who paramedics said saved a man’s life when he collapsed recently at the municipality’s community center was honored. Representatives from Tri-Community South honored Steve Ruscak at the meeting.

Paramedic Alan Jackson said 911 was called when the man complained of shortness of breath. However, his condition deteriorated quickly and he had no pulse and was not breathing when Ruscak started administering CPR. Ruscak used a defibrillator to restart the man’s heart and continued chest compressions until emergency workers arrived. Jackson said due to Ruscak’s quick actions, the man was fully conscious and alert by the time he was taken to the hospital. “Basically, you saved this man’s life,” Jackson said.

Council approve the final site plan for the new Rite Aid store that will be built at 435 McMurray Road, next to Al’s Cafe.

The store has been planned for over two years, but corporate changes, including a since-abandoned plan to merge with Walgreeens, delayed the project. J.S. Capitol, a developer based in Michigan will build the store on the 1.3-acre parcel, which currently functions as a parking lot.

A new traffic light will be installed at McMurray Road and Limestone Drive and the developer of a nearby senior living apartment complex will pay for it. Council hired Bronder Technical Services to install the traffic signal at a cost of $140,913. Council members said that Clover Group of Buffalo, N.Y. has given money to cover the cost. Clover is building a 135-unit apartment complex for people 55 and older at the intersection. Construction is supposed to be complete by December 2018.

Council hired Dom Folino Construction of Bethel Park to repair a storm sewer and landslide at Steeplechase Court. The firm will be paid $84,080.