economic development news

- Heinz Corporate Hanger Under Construction. The applicant, Mascaro Construction, has started construction on a 40,265 square-foot hangar on 3.52 acres of existing concrete surface at Pittsburgh International Airport. The development will be located off of Lindbergh Drive and is located in an AP (Airport) zoning district. The facility will be used to house and maintain several corporate jets.

- Cherrington Parkway Project Opens to Motorists. This $10 million development project included the extension of the Cherrington Parkway, which is located between the existing Cherrington Parkway and Ewing Road. This project prepared building pads on 150 acres of land. The property is located on Beaver Grade Road and is zoned BP, Business Park District.

- Wal-Mart Major Land Development Approved. The applicant, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., submitted and received approval for a combined preliminary/final major land development application for the redevelopment of the West Hills Shopping Center. The property is located in a C-2 (Highway Commercial) Zoning District and is also part of the University Boulevard Overlay District. The land development plan includes a 148,561 square-foot retail facility and three outparcels along Brodhead Road that will be developed at a future date. Construction has not started on this development.

- Scott Station Metro Office Park Receives Final Approval. The applicant, DiCicco Development, Inc., submitted and received approval for a conditional use application for a Planned, Non-Residential Development at the Scott Station Metro Office Park. The proposed development consists of a five-story, 130,000 square-foot office building, as well as a six-story, 172,000 square-foot, 240-room hotel. The subject property is approximately 21.345 acres and is located in a Business Park zoning district. The applicant requested a waiver from the Township’s Permanent Earth Dam standard detail to provide less than two feet of freeboard. Construction has not started on theses buildings.

- Final Major Land Development for Eaton Corporation. The applicant, Eaton Corporation, presented a preliminary/final major land development plan for the expansion of their company’s headquarters.  The plan proposes a 119,914 sq. ft. expansion of the existing building and parking lot.  The property is located along the northern side of Cherrington Parkway.  The property is zoned B-P Business Park.  The expansion will include the addition of 280 new jobs to their expanded headquarters.  The Planning Commission recommended approval of the plan subject to the items listed in the Planning Director’s letter dated May 25, 2007 being addressed

- Moon Township voted One of the Best Affordable Suburbs. An article published in the April 30, 2007 edition of BusinessWeek.com featured an article that ranked Moon Township as one of the Best Affordable Suburbs in the Northeast. The ranking, determined by Sperling's Best Places, chose places based on low crime levels, high performing schools and a strong sense of community. Moon Township was also chosen for being home to a number of large corporations, including FedEx Ground, GlaxoSmithKline and the main campus of Robert Morris University. Click here to read the story.

- Minor Land Development Plan for West Aircom Federal Credit Union. West-Aircom Federal Credit Union is proposing to build a 3,161 square foot building for new operations at 989 Beaver Grade Road.  The lot is 0.935 acres in size.  The applicant is proposing to demolish the existing building on site.  In addition to the proposed building, three drive-through lanes are proposed for drive-thru banking and a combined driveway access with St Andrews Lutheran Church.  The church will also be able to use the banks parking lot when the bank is closed.  The proposed bank will also have sidewalks along the Beaver Grade Road and from the access driveway to the back of the parking lot.  The development will include bufferyard plantings and street trees along Beaver Grade Road.  West-Aircom Federal Credit Union will have pedestrian lighting consistent with the Carnot Village Overlay District and the Township standard detail.