By Kyle Lawson

Published: Wednesday, February 13, 2013, 9:01 p.m.
Updated: Tuesday, March 5, 2013

An Allegheny County judge upheld a decision by Monroeville Council that blocks a proposed timbering project in Turnpike Gardens.

Common Pleas Judge Joseph M. James ruled Jan. 28 that council “correctly denied” a request from the Point Circle Association homeowners group to remove more than 300 trees on 29.5 acres between Point Circle Drive and the turnpike.

The land is owned by the nonprofit association.

Members wanted to remove large, dying trees on the land, which they said could fall and cause injury and property damage.

They also said removing the trees would allow younger trees to grow and invigorate the land.

The group asked council to waive an ordinance that prohibits harvesting trees on property prone to landslides.

An engineer hired by the municipality said the hillside was landslide prone, and council denied the association's request, 6-1.

Association members appealed to court. They said council denied them due process at a public meeting and that municipal officials failed to hire a forestry specialist while making its decision.

James dismissed the appeal in his ruling.

Association members could not be reached for comment.

More than 300 residents signed a petition, presented to council, that opposed the timber harvest.

Residents living near the parcel said they were concerned with a potential increase in turnpike noise, property damage caused by logging trucks and the loss of healthy trees.

Some said the association's sole intent was to sell the lumber for a profit.

“I'm really pleased that (the county judge) denied it,” Turnpike Gardens resident Ralph Greco said. “I don't want to see an more trees being cut down in Monroeville than have to be.”

Kyle Lawson is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-856-7400, ext. 8755, or klawson@tribweb.com.

1. Kovacevic: Matt Cooke 1, Ottawa Senators 0
2. Penguins rout Senators, return to Eastern Conference final
3. Alfredsson ponders his future
4. Letang dazzles with dynamic play in Game 5 win
5. Penguins notebook: Tickets for Eastern Conference final on sale today
6. Penguins’ fans as young as five months brave cold to watch Game 5
7. Zoning change of Herminie parcels causes controversy
8. Pirates waste strong Burnett start, fall again to Brewers at Miller Park
9. McKeesport man gets jail term for heroin sale
10. Marine restores pride of Memorial Day parade on streets of Lawrenceville
11. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game

There are currently no comments for this story.
Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.