Plan for new homes in Hampton receives mixed reaction

A proposal for a residential development featuring mostly duplexes received mixed reactions from two Hampton advisory boards.

The planning commission recommended April 8 that township council vote to grant preliminary approval with the meeting of conditions that include removing and replacing a section of private storm sewer that would serve the residences.

Hampton’s environmental advisory council, which reviews land development applications to ensure compliance with environmental protection regulations, gave a negative recommendation the following day.

On April 10, township council held a continuation of a public hearing on plans to build 11 duplex units and one single-family dwelling on 16.9 acres off South Pioneer Road, which in that area runs adjacent to the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

Steven Victor, who owns Sewickley landscape designer Victor Wetzel Associates and serves as a representative for the developer, estimated the sale price of the duplex units at between $325,000 and $375,000.

The environmental advisory council’s points of trepidation focused on issues such as storm-water runoff, stream quality in adjoining Crouse Run, Turnpike noise and “the general ability to enter in and exit the property via vehicle,” according to township land use administrator Amanda Lukas.

Noise is a particular concern for township council members, who have fielded complaints from residents of a development built in a similar proximity to the Turnpike.

Victor assured that contemporary building methods help mitigate excessive sound, at least internally.

“The construction that they do today, with the level of insulation or to meet the requirements for heating and cooling, does an excellent job of soundproofing,” he said.

Additionally, Victor said his office planned to contact the Turnpike Commission about the possibility of planting trees in the highway’s right of way, as the township does not allow such measures in its property.

In Lukas’ opinion, that could be a viable solution.

“But I do think that something like that would require specific approval from council because the trees are now going off the property, which is not strictly allowed under the ordinance,” she said.

The property is in a Residential B zoning district, which calls for minimum half-acre lots. If township council eventually grants final approval for the homes, Hampton’s zoning map would be amended to give the property a Planned Residential Development-B classification, which allows for duplexes and other multifamily structures.

Voicing concerns about the plan, neighboring resident Janet McCall cited the potential effect on Crouse Run, which she said has changed in character after construction of other developments.

The run flooded April 2, increasing “tenfold in width. It’s normally about 6 feet wide, and now it’s not very deep because there’s so much sediment buildup,” McCall said.

According to Victor, a storm-water detention facility would provide a safeguard against further burdening the creek.

“The developer must account for all of it,” he said, “so that it does not change the runoff into the area.”

Township council has to wait a minimum of 60 days after the public hearing to take a vote on preliminary approval.