South Hills Village to get new eatery, brewhouse
A new restaurant likely will be opening at South Hills Village after tentative approval was given by Upper St. Clair commissioners Monday night.
Simon Property Group, which owns the mall, sought an amendment of tentative approval for a new BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse to be located between the Bonefish Grill and Jared, The Galleria of Jewelry. The Huntington Beach, Calif.-based restaurant specializes in craft beer and pizza. Started in 1978 in Santa Ana, Calif., the chain has 155 locations in 18 states, but none in Pennsylvania yet. The company plans to open several local restaurants, according to its website.
Simon received tentative approval from the board in June 2011 for its plan to construct two 5,000-square-foot restaurants, along with a new Dick’s Sporting Goods and Target at the site of the former Boscov’s Department Store.
While the other outparcels were developed during the past several years, Simon sought an amendment for BJ’s, because the restaurant would have a larger footprint at 7,500 square feet.
The parking lot design and landscaping also differs from the original plan, said Scott Brilhart, township director of community development.
Michael W. Takacs with Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. of Robinson told commissioners the company would install a 6-inch, raised, striped walkway for additional parking in the ring road around the mall. Mr. Takacs said the company would likely begin construction this summer.
Commissioner Nicholas Seitanakis said the development would be an improvement over the crumbled asphalt now at the location.
“It’s not a beauty right now for sure,” Mr. Takacs said. “We’ll clean the area up.”
Commissioners also gave final land development approval for a Dunkin Donuts on McMurray Road at the site of the former Al’s Auto Service. Developers would demolish the building currently on the site and construct a 4,950-square-foot multi-tenant building, according to Kevin Pruemer, senior engineering manager for Wooster in Pittsburgh. The Dunkin Donuts will be approximately 1,950 square feet, and there will be a 3,000square-foot space for a retail tenant, Mr. Pruemer said.
The new development will have entrances on Drake and McMurray roads, and the developer, USC RE, LLC, has agreed to contribute $4,000 toward the cost of upgrading the traffic light at the corner of Bethel Church and McMurray roads to expand the left turning lane. Mr. Pruemer said the restaurant will likely be open by the end of the year. Commissioners also:
• Refinanced a 2009 bond for $3.55 million at a fixed rate of 1.4 percent. With interest rates at record low levels, the deal with Brentwood Bank will save the township will about $175,000 after fees and costs have been paid. The debt will be repaid on the same schedule currently used by the township.
• Got feedback on changes to the township zoning regulations to create provisions for distributed antenna systems — or DAS networks. Wireless networks would use the systems to expand their broadband and Internet streaming capabilities. The proposed changes include new standards for the systems, which are smaller than a typical wireless antenna setup. A public hearing into the changes will be continued May 4.