Despite concerns raised by Castle Shannon and Mt. Lebanon residents, the Commission approved plans for the firing range at the golf course. In a 3-1 vote, with Kelly Fraasch opposed and John Bendel absent, the firing range, which has been located at Public Works for forty years, will be built at the golf course.
The Castle Shannon line is on three sides of the golf course. Residents from Pine Avenue, as well as those concerned with the close proximity to Myrtle Avenue School attended several public hearings, but we all know that public hearings have never influenced commissioners when their minds are made up.
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| The firing range will be built on the sloped area next to the golf course's lower parking lot, which will be expanded by seven spaces. The building will not interfere with golf course operations, parking or the garden plots. (Map data ©2017 Google) |
“It is no secret that I am not supporting this particular part of our renovations for public works. I think that we should have had full consideration and location on Cedar Boulevard,” Fraasch said about the street that runs parallel to the public works facility property, “not putting in a new structure over at a place that’s going to be impacting that neighborhood.”Update December 15, 2017 4:02 PM From Keith McGill's Administrative Report today:
The firing range was located on Cedar Boulevard for, as you say, 40 years. I’m guessing most people didn’t even know it was there. Why would its location on Pine Avenue make it any more dangerous, problematic or otherwise troublesome to that neighborhood? I’ve never heard any evidence to support the fact that the firing range was a detriment to anybody in the Cedar Boulevard neighborhood, nor did it pose any sort of risk. What has changed, other than the location?
ReplyDeleteFor 40 years, the firing range has been about 1400 feet away from Markham School property line, as the crow flies. The new firing range will be about 1000 feet from Myrtle Elementary property line, again as the crow flies. In the last four decades did anybody ever raise this issue about proximity to an elementary school? Of course not, because it’s a non-issue. Once again, Commissioner Fraasch votes no without explaining in vote.
ReplyDeleteIf memory serves, the School District had set aside $300,000 for a rifle range. Why did the township take out a bond for the firing range ?
ReplyDeleteNo comments on the $1.4 million price tag? Thus the bond issue.
ReplyDeleteNo one said it would be free. $1.4M every 40 years seems like a decent investment in our police force. If KO’s vote means that students can’t use it for rifle that would be selfish and shortsighted. Residents of Pine and the students at Myrtle are more likely to get hit by a golf ball. Another example of Mt. Lebanon soliciting opinions to the point of paralysis.
ReplyDeleteHey 4:53, $120 million for a High School renovation, $1.4 for a shooting range, I forget how much for the public works renovation, and so on. When does it stop, soon our local taxes will make up for any so called tax break from the fed govt. How about sending some of your income my way, you seem to have some extra cash your willing to give away. Sorry, but I would much rather spend my hard earned salary myself. As for the gun range, did anyone consider splitting the cost with neighboring communities? How about making some time for residents to use it at a nominal charge (i.e user fee)? Heck, we could purchase a life time membership at a local commercial range for far less. No of course not, it is very easy for our politicians to spend other's hard earned salary/savings, both D's and R's voted to spend our savings.
ReplyDelete9:52, you forgot the nasty toxic turf. And the deer cull. And the paddle courts. And the outdoor basketball courts. And the Happy Holidays banners on Washington Rd. And parades. And fireworks. And the gifts for the Jr. Commissioner and interns. Where does it end 9:52? Perhaps they should start asking for your permission before writing checks. What would that Lebo look like? Probably a lot like 1966.
ReplyDeleteWhy yes, having a referendum on capital expenditures over $1 Million would be a great idea.
ReplyDelete