Department of Community Development |
James Morrison , Director urrysville
MUNICIPALITY OF MURRYSVILLE NEWS
DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
Residential Development :
During 2017 and the period from 2010-2016 , the Municipality of Murrysville continued to be a major contributor to the growth of the western portions of Westmoreland County . In 2017 , the Municipality issued 46 permits for new residences , while over the last 8 years 386 new home permits were issued . This average of 46 new homes per year over this period is a positive reflection on the desirability of Murrysville as a place to live , given the decline experienced in the housing industry due to the 2008 recession over this time period . The Municipality experienced more residential growth in the construction of attached units attracting both younger families and empty-nesters . Commercial Development :
During the past year Murrysville continued to be a major target for new commercial development , particularly along the enticing Route 22 corridor . This development has taken advantage of the improvements made to the corridor in the early 2000s , the availability of new parcels for development , and the high purchasing power of Murrysville residents . Over the last 3 years , 40 occupancy permits have been issued for new commercial establishments within the
Municipality . This compares to just 21 commercial permits being issued over the previous 5 years . This increase can be explained by the previous stated reasons , as well as a better economic climate in the region .
New shopping centers and plazas , including the Blue Spruce Shoppes and Maple Commons , account for a substantial portion of this commercial activity . In addition , small business and professional office development has increased within the Old William Penn Highway corridor . Together , this activity has provided additional consumer choices for Murrysville residents and has established Murrysville as a regional hub . The Murrysville development codes have assured that these developments have been completed in a high-quality manner that best reflects the development values of the Municipality .
Recent Commercial Development Projects : Blue Spruce Shoppes • Maple Commons Plaza • Conley Auto Body Applebee ’ s Restaurant • Auto Zone • Pasqualino ’ s at Rosa Court Store-All Express • New Sheetz • New PNC Bank
Planning Projects : Comprehensive Plan
The process of updating the Murrysville Comprehensive Plan that started in 2013 was completed in early 2015 when the Plan , identified as a Vision for the Municipality , was adopted by Council . The Vision covers a ten-year time frame and maps out goals and strategies to implement over this period . While the Planning Commission takes the lead in implementing the Plan all officials and staff of the Municipality will be encouraged to utilize the Plan in their areas of focus . The Plan is now being used as the framework to update the development codes of the Municipality .
Traffic Impact Study and Capital Projects Plan : Implementation of the Traffic Impact Fee Plan and Capital Improvement Plan , which was adopted by Council in December 2015 , began in 2016 . The Plan included the development of a Transportation Capital Improvements Plan and Traffic Impact Fees that are assessed to developers to assist in its implementation . In 2016 , the recommendations of this Plan were incorporated into the five-year Municipal Capital Improvements Plan . The selected project would construct a new bridge from Logan Ferry Road to Sardis Road on a site slightly north of the existing deteriorating bridge connection . The new project will provide for safer access and assist in the alleviation of traffic congestion at the intersection of Sardis Road and Old William Penn Highway . Currently , the Municipality holds over $ 1.1 million in traffic impact fees . In 2017 , proposals were solicited from engineering and transportation firms to complete a feasibility study for this project . It is anticipated that this study will be completed in 2018 . Marcellus Shale Zoning Ordinance : One of the most challenging issues facing the Municipality in its history was completed in 2017 with the approval of a revised Oil and Gas Drilling Ordinance by Council . This process started earlier in this decade when Murrysville developed an extensive ordinance regulating this land use with a Task Force of in-house and industry experts guiding the process . Soon afterwards , the Pennsylvania Legislature amended its Oil and Gas Act limiting the regulatory role that local governments possess in the regulation of this activity . A subsequent decision by the PA Supreme Court restored local authority to a certain extent , and the Municipality elected to reform its Task Force to re-examine its ordinance to assure that it was consistent with prevailing law . The Task Force presented its report to Council and it was decided that staff should prepare a draft ordinance to incorporate the report ’ s findings . This draft was presented in October 2015 to Council at a public meeting and persons on various sides of the issue were given the opportunity to voice their opinions on its content . Several educational sessions and meetings were held in 2016 to further discuss and improve this proposed ordinance .
After the education sessions were held , extensive work continued by the Task Force on developing a final report to Council with a draft ordinance that sought a balance between landowners who held oil and gas rights , while providing adequate protections to the environment and minimizing negative impacts to nearby residents . The 2017 adopted ordinance has served as a model ordinance for other communities seeking to address this critical land use issue .
Code Enforcement :
The Department remained active in code enforcement activities and responses to violations reported by residents or observed in the field by staff . In cases where compliance is not achieved due to inability to locate a property owner or obtain a response in a timely manner , property violations are addressed , where possible , and then liens are placed on the properties for the cost of any enforcement actions . There are two full-time building inspectors / code officials to carry out these tasks .
In 2017 , the Municipality adopted a Property Maintenance Code to strengthen staff responses to issues that negatively affect the quality of its neighborhoods and impact the public health and safety of its residents . It also adopted a rental registration program for residential rental properties that requires inspections before tenants occupy a rental unit to assure that rental properties are maintained in a manner consistent with the adopted Property Maintenance Code .
The Department continues to update its mapping , using parcel data from Westmoreland County and any approved subdivision plans . In addition , the staff is continuing training to maximize its use of the Geographic Information Systems technology to keep property data organized , log all permit activity , and improve mapping .
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