New development topic of intense debate in South Fayette
Charter Homes was once again a topic of intense debate at the March 9 meeting of South Fayette Commissioners.
A preliminary economic study by Pittsburgh economic development consultant Fourth Economy addressed some concerns between the board and the South Fayette Township School District regarding the financial impact new students coming from the development could have on the district.
“This seems to become, as much as anything, a political football with the school district on the numbers being generated,” attorney Bill Sittig, who presented the board with the information, said. “The other thing that nobody has argued is that this is a major windfall from a revenue standpoint to the township.”
Sittig argued that in their estimation the school district did not account for the financial impact on the school revenue outside of real estate taxes and based their numbers on the assumption that all of the kids within the new development would be attending South Fayette schools, leaving out children that could be homeschooled or attend private or charter schools. He also believes they overestimated the number of children that could be coming from the apartment units within the development.
The new economic study, conducted independently by Fourth Economy, falls in line with estimates presented by Charter Homes that have the township and the school district benefitting from the development.
“It is a major economic bonus and benefit to the township.”
The economic report is still preliminary and as of Wednesday’s meeting the school district had not been presented with the information. No members of the school board were present at the commissioner’s meeting.
“I have to say that I’m disappointed that there is no one here from the school board,” commissioner Jessica Cardillo said. “I really have a lot more questions now that I’ve seen the Fourth Economy study that I would like to have the opportunity to ask the school board about. I understand completely what a benefit this would be to the township, but my concern is what burdens would be placed on the school or the taxpayers.”
“If they were concerned,” said commissioner Gwen Rodi, “they would have been here.”
The board of commissioners has decided to continue the conversation about Charter Homes and the Fourth Economy economic study at a public follow-up meeting to be held on at 6 p.m. March 16 in the South Fayette Municipal Building.
At the March 9 meeting, the board also discussed the relocation of the South Point Field House to South Fayette in Fairview Park. The relocation would bring the complex and it’s business to the South Fayette area and provide residents with discounted opportunities to make use of the facilities as well as the ability to use the fields for community events.
“It would really be one-of-a-kind for the South Hills,” said Matt Giglotti, co-owner of the field house.
The board approved of a joint Fourth of July fireworks show with Upper Saint Clair as well as a trial run of a 12-hour schedule for the South Fayette Police Department. Discussion of the renewal of the Cardillo farming agreement renewing the farm’s five-year lease will also be discussed at next week’s continuation meeting.