Kirk Road project gets panel's OK

Some residents who live near the property proposed for development said they will miss their privacy.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
AUSTINTOWN -- A builder's plan for a planned unit development on Kirk Road was approved Thursday by the township zoning commission.
The panel approved the plan for Angelilli Builders with three conditions: that the number of ranch-style villas the developer plans be reduced from 22 to 19, that the width of the main driveway be increased and that the number of parking spaces be increased from nine to 16.
It was the second time a developer brought a PUD plan for the five-acre property at 3816 Kirk Road, owned by Diane Kelly, before the panel.
In September 2004, neighbors spoke vehemently against a PUD that called for 20 units, citing concerns about drainage, a detention pond and fencing around the development.
Because the property owner had allowed fill dirt from a road project to be dumped on his land, properties on Redgate Lane were flooded. Zoning Inspector Michael Kurilla has explained that the dirt changed the natural contour and drainage on the property.
Request withdrawn
After that meeting, would-be developers withdrew their request for the zone change, even though it had been approved by the panel with conditions that included reducing the number of units in the PUD from 20 to 16.
Residents who live on nearby Vollmer Drive and Redgate Lane again spoke against the plan Thursday.
George Fleischer of 3035 Redgate Lane said that during a hard rain, water from the property floods his yard all the way to his door. He said water has never gotten into his house but has gotten into his neighbor's.
Panel member Keith Marstellar pointed out that the plan calls for a storm drain that should benefit Fleischer, but Fleischer said he doesn't trust the developer.
"I don't believe him," Fleischer said.
Other residents said they are unhappy about the loss of their privacy and the loss of wildlife on the property.
"It's quiet," said Steven Anzevino of 2880 Vollmer Drive.
"Now there is going to be 60 more people in my back yard."
"We enjoy the woods," said Jimmy Carter of 3730 Kirk Road. "Mostly it's privacy."
Brian Angelilli of Angelilli Builders said after the panel's vote that he doesn't know if the changes the panel included in the plan will be acceptable. "I'm not sure," he said. "I gotta refigure."
The township trustees have the final say over the plan. Kurilla said the trustees' hearing will probably be Oct. 24.