New businesses planned for Upper St. Clair
Upper St. Clair commissioners heard about plans for two new businesses on McLaughlin Run Road during their April 2 meeting.
Brad Childs submitted the application for 1377 McLaughlin Run Road requesting nonresidential unified conditional use/preliminary and final land development approval for The Dog Stop, a dog daycare business. The two-story building currently houses a dance studio on part of the lower level and professional offices on the upper level.
The dog kennel would be located in the vacant portion of the lower area of the building, with an outdoor play area for the dogs located on a vacant lot next to the building. The play area would have a special dog turf, which draws water and pet waste through it to reduce odor and prevent ponding. The applicant is requesting a modification for the outdoor play area and for an eight-foot high vinyl privacy fence around the outdoor play area.
Commissioner Russell Del Re asked about noise from barking dogs. Childs said that 95 percent of the time the dogs would be indoors, but they would be supervised during the time the dogs were outside since studies show that dogs bark most of the time while unattended. Plans call for the outdoor play area to be in operation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.
In addition to the modification for the outdoor play area and privacy fence, the business is also requesting a modification to the township’s sidewalk requirement. Land developers in the township must add sidewalks, but since there are no sidewalks along that area of McLaughlin Run, a contribution could be made to the sidewalk fund, which could be used to build sidewalks elsewhere in the township.
Another applicant for unified conditional use/preliminary and final land development approval for 1405 McLaughlin Run Road is also seeking a modification to the sidewalk requirement. Thomas Drucis, Jr., who plans to use the building as a hair salon, is also seeking a modification to the parking area to meet township requirements.
The board voted to continue the public hearings for 1377 McLaughlin Run Road and 1405 McLaughlin Run Road to May 7.
In other business, Commissioner Elise Logan presented a proclamation to representatives of the USC Library recognizing April 8-14 as National Library Week in Upper St. Clair.