By Bobby Cherry

Published: Wednesday, March 13, 2013, 9:00 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, March 14, 2013

After months of debate, it's still not certain how leaders of The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, will move forward with plans for the “pink house” after a ruling from Sewickley's Zoning Hearing Board.

Church attorney Michael Parrish said both re-use of the home at 202 Beaver St. and demolition of the 19th-century-built home remain options for the property thrust into the spotlight last year after church leaders announced plans to demolish the structure.

Zoning hearing board members last week unanimously approved a slew of decisions for the property, where church leaders plan to put a fellowship home offering church programs and meeting space for community organizations and groups, church members have said.

Zoning board member James Eichenlaub, in reading the panel's decision, said church leaders would need a minimum of 43 parking spaces, based on the property's square footage.

Church leaders requested 48 spaces. At previous zoning board meetings, some residents spoke out against plans proposing up to 48 spaces on property between the church and “pink house.”

He said the church did not use “allowable provisions,” including bike racks or “compact-car” parking spaces, to reduce the number of spaces requested.

Board members also concluded church leaders would need a 13-foot buffer between properties in the back of its lot, but said a final number could change.

“It is up to council, who has jurisdiction over this section, to make the final determination,” Eichenlaub said.

Peter Floyd, a member of the grassroots Save the Pink House group, said he supported the church's plan to reuse the home, but wanted parking plans to fall under the borough's residential district guidelines. He said he also wants the property to meet setback requirements.

Church elder Tim Merrill said the church has “gone to great lengths to make sure the proposed parking lot is as unobtrusive as possible.”

Bobby Cherry is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-324-1408 or rcherry@tribweb.com.

1. Sewickley library exhibit celebrates the child inside grown men
2. Sewickley’s Sweetwater center to host film festival, film-making class for teens
3. Sewickley veteran says placing flags a fitting way to honor fallen soldiers
4. Friends and strangers team up to save life of Cranberry man at Sewickley Heights park
5. Photos: Sewickley Unleashed not just for the dogs
6. Annual Nationality Days festival to be held Friday-Sunday in Ambridge
7. Kennywood school picnic fee benefits Quaker Valley activities
8. Sewickley Valley primary results: Contested school board race, Leetsdale write-ins
9. Quaker Valley earns spot in national rankings
10. Sewickley area students get glimpse of state government
11. Photos: Quaker Valley prom offers night to remember

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