News & EventsPosted: April 28, 2011 The Moon Township Board of Supervisors at their April workshop meeting agreed that reevaluating the township’s oil and gas ordinance – with a focus on Marcellus Shale natural gas – will be a top priority this spring. At the April 27, workshop meeting, the board voted to retain Tucker Arensberg, P.C. as special counsel for matters related to oil and gas well activity in Moon Township. The township’s regular solicitor recused itself from Marcellus Shale matters, because the firm represents industry clients. Moon Township has not yet received any land use requests for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling within township borders. But as the Marcellus Shale gas industry continues to grow, the board is reexamining its oil and gas ordinance to ensure that it addresses current drilling standards, technologies, and practices to protect the township’s best interests. The township’s current zoning ordinance defines oil and gas activities as a conditional use, which would require any application to go through a public hearing process. Approval would be contingent on requirements ranging from fencing, noise and light regulations to bond postings to cover wear and tear on township roadways. In its current form, however, the ordinance does not limit drilling to specific zoning districts, which is an option that the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will consider as they work with special counsel Tucker Arensberg. Moon Township’s Environmental Advisory Council also will provide input. Meanwhile, the Supervisors have been reviewing information from a variety of sources to familiarize themselves with Marcellus Shale, industry practices and the potential impact of natural gas drilling. As part of that learning process, the board plans to visit a Marcellus Shale well site this spring to get a first-hand look at a drilling operation. “The more we know and understand about the Marcellus Natural Gas Industry, the more effective our oil and gas ordinance will be,” said Jim Vitale, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “We’re also encouraging residents to participate in this discussion and share their input.” Marcellus Shale will be an ongoing discussion item at public meetings of the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission throughout the spring and summer. Residents are encouraged to follow the process by attending public meetings, visiting www.moontwp.com or calling the municipal building at 412-262-1700. Supervisors announce departure of assistant township manager Posted: April 8, 2011 The Moon Township Board of Supervisors announced at its April 6, meeting that Adam McGurk, assistant township manager and planning director, will leave his position with the township at the end of the month. McGurk will be moving to New York City with his wife Erin, whose job with American Eagle Outfitters was relocated. He will conclude his three-year career with Moon Township on April 29. “I appreciate the opportunity that the township has given me and the valuable experiences that I’ll take with me,” McGurk said. “It has been a pleasure to work with both the Board of Supervisors and an extremely talented staff.” McGurk joined Moon Township in 2008 as a zoning officer and accepted the position of planning director later that year. In February 2010, McGurk was promoted to assistant township manager. In addition to his dual role with the township, McGurk has also served as executive director of the Moon Transportation Authority since 2007. Throughout his time with Moon Township, McGurk has been instrumental in crafting and implementing infrastructure improvements and economic development plans in Moon Township. As executive director of the MTA, McGurk has spearheaded a number of transportation improvements, including the Cherrington Parkway Extension project, which improved connectivity to Business Loop 376, and the preliminary design for a proposed Thorn Run Interchange upgrade project. In his role as township planning director, McGurk also has led implementation of the University Boulevard Overlay District ordinance, which promotes redevelopment of Moon Township’s main commercial corridor through building design elements and streetscape and pedestrian amenities. “Adam McGurk has been a genuine asset to Moon Township, and we thank him for everything that he’s done for the community,” said Jim Vitale, chairman of the Board of Supervisors. “We wish him and his wife the best of luck in their future pursuits.” Members needed for two township advisory boards Posted: April 8, 2011 The Moon Township Board of Supervisors is looking for Moon Township residents interested in serving on the Zoning Hearing Board or the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB). Both boards have one vacancy. The Zoning Hearing Board considers rezoning requests submitted to Moon Township, and HARB advises the Board of Supervisors on the township’s Mooncrest Historic District. Interested candidates should submit a letter of interest and resume to Jeanne Creese, Moon Township Manager, 1000 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township, PA 15108. Moon Township receives historic piece of World Trade Center Posted: April 8, 2011 A newly-arrived piece of steel from the World Trade Center is planned to be mounted in Moon Township’s memorial garden in time to honor the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The piece of steel recently reached Moon Township from the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey following a nearly two-year request process spearheaded by Moon Township Fire Marshal Charlie Belgie, a 63-year member of the Moon Township Volunteer Fire Company. The 898-pound piece of steel is a part of a column from the World Trade Center’s North Tower and will stand about 5.5 feet tall when mounted. The mounted piece of steel, along with a descriptive plaque, will be installed as a public memorial to honor the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the attacks and the emergency responders who carried out rescue and evacuation operations. A public dedication ceremony also will be held upon completion of the project. The steel will be incorporated into the township’s existing memorial site – located between the municipal and public safety buildings – that honors Moon Township’s military service members and the members of its volunteer fire company. With the addition of the World Trade Center artifact, the township also is launching a project to expand and renovate the memorial garden with support from the community. As part of the effort, the township is setting a goal to refurbish and rededicate existing memorials, which are beginning to show their age, and to possibly include additional memorials. Through re-landscaping efforts, the township also envisions creating a mini memorial park in the open space to encourage community members to visit the memorials and see a piece of the country’s history. “There is a lot of history behind this piece of steel, and I think it’s extremely important that we preserve and display it as a public remembrance of Sept. 11,” Belgie said. “If we are able to get the support of the community behind us, I think we can achieve our goal to renovate our existing memorial site to make it a really welcoming place to visit and reflect on these memorials.” For more information about partnership opportunities in Moon Township’s memorial project, please contact Jeanne Creese, township manager, at 412-262-1700. Transportation consultant selected for Comprehensive Plan Update Posted: April 8, 2011 As the 2011 Comprehensive Plan Update gets ready to kick off, the Moon Township Board of Supervisors selected L.R. Kimball as consultant for the transportation component of the plan at its April meeting. The firm submitted a $17,600 price proposal for the project. The process will forward at 5:30 p.m. April 13, when a Comprehensive Plan committee of residents, business owners, developers and other township stakeholders hold their first meeting at the municipal building. At its March 2, regular meeting, the Moon Township Board of Supervisors retained Olsen & Associates, LLC, of Butler, Pa., as the primary project consultant for the 2011 plan update, which will include three alternate studies focused on the township’s overlay districts, Mooncrest Historic District and an analysis of a Town Center concept. The ten-year update – which is required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code – builds on the 2000 Comprehensive Plan to map out long-range community development goals and prioritized strategies to achieve them. Check back for updates throughout the process. Township of Moon Zoning Hearing Public Notice Posted: April 8, 2011 The Moon Township Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing on Thursday, April 14, 2011, at 7:00 PM in the Municipal Building, 1000 Beaver Grade Road, Allegheny County, Moon Township, PA 15108.
Hearing # 1 Location of Property in Question:
Hearing # 2 Location of Property in Question: The Zoning Hearing Board related Applications, Ordinances, Maps, Drawings etc. are available for review during regular business hours in the Moon Township Municipal Building located at 1000 Beaver Grade Road, Moon Township, PA 15108. Moon Supervisors discuss proactive approach to Marcellus Shale development Posted: April 7, 2011 To date, Moon Township has not received any land use requests for Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling within township borders. But as the Marcellus Shale gas industry continues to grow in Pennsylvania, the Board of Supervisors is reexamining existing oil and gas regulations in the township’s zoning ordinance to make sure that it addresses current drilling standards, technologies, and practices to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the township. Pennsylvania municipalities have limited regulation powers when it comes to oil and gas drilling. Under the state Oil and Gas Act, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection oversees the operational side of drilling, including environmental factors, permitting and inspections. Local governments don’t have the authority to regulate how extraction is done, but municipalities can regulate where oil or gas drilling is done through reasonable zoning regulations. The township’s zoning ordinance defines oil and gas activities as a conditional use, which would require any application to go through a public hearing process. Approval would be contingent on a list of requirements ranging from fencing, noise and light regulations to bond postings to cover wear and tear on township roadways. In its current form, however, the ordinance does not limit drilling to specific zoning districts, which is an option that the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will consider as they continue researching the impact of Marcellus Shale gas drilling. Township officials will continue to discuss Marcellus Shale gas drilling at public meetings and plan to hold focused public input sessions as the information gathering process progresses. |
