Zoning board approves 5-foot sidewalk variance for 615 East McMurray Road

The Peters Township Zoning Hearing Board on the evening approved a variance to allow a 5-foot sidewalk along East McMurray Road at 615 East McMurray Road, a property proposed for restaurant use. The board granted the relief from Section 440-404.1(c) by a 5–0 vote and attached the board's standard conditions, including a building permit requirement and a one-year commencement timeline.

Town planning staff summarized the application and the reason for the reduction. Assistant planning director Gary King said the request was driven by existing underground electrical lines, a utility junction box and telephone poles in the sidewalk corridor and noted the applicant proposes ADA-compliant ramps. "The request is for the sidewalk to be 5 feet wide, so that it meets ADA requirements," Gary King said. The applicant confirmed the plan calls for removing and replacing the existing sidewalk and pushing a short retaining wall to accommodate the pedestrian access ramp.

The board approved the variance subject to the usual conditions: approval of the then-pending building permit, expiration of the variance if work does not begin within one year of permit issuance, and return to the board for any future sidewalk modifications beyond what the zoning ordinance permits. The chair said a written decision will follow within 45 days and noted any aggrieved party may appeal to the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County.