HERMITAGE Planners oppose waivers

By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The city planning commission says the city shouldn't grant exemptions from zoning regulations for a proposed single-family housing development off Foxwood Drive.
Atty. Michael Ristvey, who owns the development site behind the Hunter's Woods housing development, wants to open up some 20 acres where single-family homes can be built.
Regulations: City zoning regulations, however, require that Ristvey provide a second access road to the site because the added traffic would be too great for Foxwood Drive, which already serves 90 homes, said Marcia Hirschmann, city director of planning and zoning. Ristvey's plan shows that the additional building lots would be served by a cul-de-sac, requiring all traffic to use Foxwood Drive.
A subdivision for the Ristvey property also would require that he provide access to adjoining landlocked parcels that might be developed some day, Hirschmann said.
Ristvey has asked the city for waivers from regulations on both issues, and the city's planning commission had been reviewing the case. Hirschmann said the commission voted Monday to recommend that the waivers not be granted.
Next step: The final decision rests with the city board of commissioners, which is expected to address the matter later this month.
In other business, the planning commission:
* Approved a plan for Imperial Dry Cleaners of Sharon to relocate into a building at 1910 E. State St. The company plans to renovate a 4,300-square-foot vacant building at that location.
* Approved a plan for First National Bank of Pennsylvania to put a 1,000-square-foot addition on its bank branch office at Kerrwood Drive and East State Street.
Both plans also must be approved by city commissioners.