Townhouse plans changed, approved for former Aspinwall church site

Plans have changed for proposed townhouses at the former Community United Methodist Church in Aspinwall.

Planning commissioners unanimously voted on Oct. 22 to approve a new proposal from Amena Properties founder Tony Pompeo Jr. to create four single-family homes at the corner of Center Avenue and Fourth Street.

The Aspinwall businessman had previously proposed five homes with shorter setbacks than allowed under borough zoning codes.

Planning commissioners voted 7-0 June 15 to push the proposed development onto the zoning hearing board.

The zoning hearing board on Sept. 25 denied multiple variance requests made by Pompeo and his legal team, essentially sending things back to the drawing board.

Officials and residents at that hearing said reducing the number of homes would provide more space to comply with the local law.

The new plans proved those comments true as the submission was made without the previous variance requests.

Several commissioners, including chairman Nick Scheid, said the new drawings looked much better.

He also acknowledged the lack of potential borough revenue with the reduction of homes.

“Five homes would have increased wage tax income and it would have increased real estate income,” Scheid said.

“From that standpoint, I think it would be better to have five than four but you’d have to give up something as far as variances. For whatever reason, the zoning hearing board figured he should not get the variances. I’m very glad that he changed from five to four and is going ahead with the project because it’s good for the borough. It’s better that he’s in total compliance than requesting variances.”

One variance was granted by the zoning hearing board. The site is in an AR3 zoned area. Single-family and two-family homes are permitted uses in that zone, according to borough code. However, townhouses are not. That variance request was approved last month.

Pompeo said he decided to go with four homes after a long consideration of building an apartment complex, which also would not have required variances and possibly produced more profit.

“It was tough not to go to the multi-family idea,” Pompeo said. “Ultimately, what led me to this decision to try to make four work was truly putting on my Aspinwall cap. The potential of this property I feel is much more with single-family living than it is multi-family.

“I feel the surrounding homeowners would probably prefer a long-term homeowner rather than a revolving door that comes with tenants. I feel you can construct a nicer home when you’re selling it versus when you’re just going to rent.”

Pompeo added he was relieved and excited to get the planning commission’s approval.

“I feel bad it took as long as it did, but I’m excited for the next chapter,” Pompeo said. “The finish of construction drawings and documents, ultimately get a permit and start construction. … I just want to thank (residents) for their ongoing input and patience. I know construction is not the most pleasant activity to live around. We understand that. We’ll do everything we can to make this project something we can all be proud of. I think it will do the community well.”

He anticipates construction to start in the spring and have homes ready in 2028.

New plans indicate the four homes, two facing Center Avenue and two facing Fourth Street, would each be about 3,900 square feet.

There were three Center Avenue-facing homes. The remaining two received a size increase due to the other lot elimination. The ones facing Fourth Street were mostly unchanged.

All lot sizes increased by about 400 square feet. Rear decks on each home were also slightly increased.

Each home includes three bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, an elevator, a sauna and a two-car garage.

Estimated price tag is $1.5 million. Estimate tax revenue for the borough is $50,000 per year depending on assessments.

“These buildings are all essentially built to their maximum capacity without a dimensional variance,” Pompeo said.

Pompeo’s family business, Marc Anthony Construction, will handle construction.

The church demolition was done by Aliquippa-based Unis Demolition.

Pompeo said it was originally expected to take 90 days and was done in about half the time. Site cleanup is ongoing.

There were some complaints about dust generation and machines starting before 7 a.m.

Borough ordinance states no construction or demolition is to begin before that time.

Pompeo said those issues were addressed including the use of water buffaloes and spraying the structure to reduce dust.

Some church materials found uses elsewhere.

Pompeo said former parishioners and residents received stained glass windows. All pews were sent to a wedding venue in West Virginia and some of the lighting fixtures will be used in the new homes. A concrete plaque with the date the church was established was given to the borough.

“I was very relieved to be able to salvage most of the important items,” Pompeo said. “I can appreciate if my church was being torn down, I’d be the first one in line to want something.”