Residents turn out to discuss garbage, new shooting range
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mt. Lebanon residents packed a commissioners meeting Tuesday to talk about trash collection and plans for a shooting range.
The attendance was driven largely by a proposed ordinance that would do away with free garbage service for some renters and condominium owners, but the firing range also drew someresidents.
For the second time in as many months, commissioners held a public hearing on a proposed solid waste ordinance that would eliminate garbageservice to those living in commercial buildings —which would be classified as fouror more dwelling units.
Currently, garbage service is provided by the municipality and paid for through taxes.
The new ordinance would define residential units as any building or home with three or fewer dwelling units. Townhouses of any size would be considered residential, but condominiums and apartment buildings with four or more units would not. About 1,000 units on 120 properties would be considered commercial under the new rules, assistant manager Ian McMeans said.
At last month’s hearing, many landlords spoke against the change, saying it was unfair to ask renters and condo owners to subsidize garbage service for others. The sentiments Tuesday were much the same.
“These are people who are paying taxes,” landlord Dave Pirain said of his tenants, who would not receive a corresponding reduction in their taxes.
Commission Chairman Dave Brumfield said the change is necessary because the municipality has never identified the difference between residential and commercialproperties.
Dozens of surrounding municipalities have similar ordinances differentiating between residential and commercial, he said.
If it’s passed, the ordinance would take effect Jan. 1, 2019, when the municipality enters into a new garbage service contract. Mr. Brumfield said the municipality is giving residents and property owners more than a year to make other arrangements.
In its current contract with Republic, garbage service is provided to 12,500 households in Mt. Lebanon at an annual rateof about $127 each.
Mr. McMeans said the municipality will try to negotiate a clause that will allow commercial property owners to pay the same rate as the municipality.
Mr. Brumfield said the measure may be voted on at the board’s Nov. 27 meeting.
Commissioners also heard from two Pine Avenue residents, concerned about plans to build a new firing range at theMt. Lebanon Golf Course.
“My primary concern is our children,” said neighbor Eric Arlett, who also was worried about noise, traffic and parking.
Fundingfor the $1.5 million firing range was secured earlier this year; construction is expectedto begin next year.
The new range would replacea 40-year-old range at the public works facility on Cedar Boulevard. It is used for police training, but new regulations require the range to be about 15 feet longer, which is not feasiblein the older building, municipal manager Keith McGill said.
Residents said they were most concerned about the possibility of other police departments and the public using the facility. While the municipality has discussed allowing regional departments to use the range, Mr. McGill said no formal agreements have beenmade.
Although there will be no access to the public, the municipality plans to use the range for recreation department classes in firearm safety and target pistol training. The facility could also be used by the Mt. Lebanon High School Rifle Team, which currently uses a range 40 minutes away inNorth Strabane.
Resident Saverio Strati Jr. took issue with the idea that the facility could be dangerous.
“People who use these ranges are among the safest people in the world,” said Mr. Strati, who said a NRAcertified expert is always on hand to ensure that safety protocols are followed. “Safety isn’t an issue.”
Mr. Brumfield said residents can still be heard on the issue before it’s decided. “Thereis still multiple votes to continuethe process,” he said.
Discussion about the range will be continued Dec. 12.