Collier Township’s vision statement promises growth “while preserving a rural character.” Yet the proposed Nixon Plan would erase 29% of our remaining rural/wooded land in one stroke.
Under Zoning Ordinance § 27-1808.1, the board of commissioners can only approve plans consistent with this vision and “compatible with the public interest.” This plan fails both. Beyond the loss of 370 acres of woodland, the infrastructure is insufficient. Fort Pitt Road is structurally unstable, and the influx of students will push Chartiers Valley School District past its 3,500-student cap.
This is more than a Collier issue. Because we share a school district, residents in Carnegie, Scott and Heidelberg will face the resulting tax hikes and school overcrowding — yet they have no vote in Collier’s decision. This is a form of “taxation without representation” for our neighbors.
Furthermore, § 1808.5 requires development to be “beneficially related” to the area. There is no benefit to creating a permanent bottleneck at Noblestown Road or risking downstream flooding in Carnegie due to lost wetlands (§ 1808.6).
The board must uphold our laws. If a plan isn’t “beneficially related” to the community and violates our comprehensive plan, it must be denied.
Please join me at the March 9 workshop and March 23 final vote to demand the preservation of our community’s character.
Brian Profeta
Carnegie