Articles regarding Lebo Field Issues

This article appeared in the Tribune Review and this article appeared in the Post Gazette.  Encouraging to see that both sides are being represented in these stories.

Sign Ordinance

The following article appeared in the Almanac and it discusses the recently proposed amendment to the township's zoning ordinance that was designed to allow sponsorship signs at athletic fields. Ideally, the municipality or the various sports associations will be permitted to sell tasteful sponsorship signage at the municipal fields (picture signs on the outfield fence at Dixon). These funds can then be applied to field maintenance and improvements. I think the first proposed amendment has a few problems, but we also need to encourage the commissioners to stay focused on getting the amendment right so that we can capitalize on this much needed source of additional revenue. Mt. Lebanon divided on sign ordinance When Mt. Lebanon Commission President David Brumfield introduced the idea of corporate advertising signs being permitted and regulated in new areas of the municipality, commissioners hoped it would be a source of revenue for Mt. Lebanon. But the Mt. Lebanon Planning Board has concerns about the ordinance, and on March 27, the planning board voted against recommending adoption of the proposed ordinance. At the commissioners April 23 meeting, a public hearing was held that allowed members of the planning board and residents to voice their opinions about the ordinance. The new ordinance permits and regulates internal signs in the Residential-1, Residential-2 and Open Space-Active zoning districts. The ordinance defines internal signs, setback and spacing requirements as well as regulates illumination and maintenance requirements. "I want to commend you for trying to come up with an idea for raising revenue without raising taxes," planning board president Bill Pope told the board. But according to Pope, the new ordinance is contradictory. "You can't have a 10-foot high opaque fence on your private property, but this would allow it on public property," he said. "That was one of the reasons we rejected this ordinance." Pope also cited that the ordinance does not control sign content and that the signs would distract from the green space at Mt. Lebanon fields. He also said Upper St. Clair prohibits similar signs, and said the Upper St. Clair ordinance refers to the signs as "visual clutter." But residents at the public hearing felt differently about the ordinance. "We need this stream of revenue and we have to get creative," resident David Franklin told commissioners. Franklin said Dick's Sporting Goods paid $2.2 million for the naming rights to Dick's Sporting Goods Sportsplex in Graham Park, located in Cranberry Township. "Something like that is tasteful and subdued." The commissioners will vote on the ordinance at the May 8 meeting.

Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder of tonight's Capital Investment Hearing at the commission chambers @ 8PM. The commissioners will be discussing how best to spend approximately $1.3 million of unassigned funds. The Parks Advisory Board has submitted a a proposal that suggests improvements at most of our parks, including completion of the Parks Master Plan improvements at Sunset/Brafferton Park. If you cannot attend, please sen an email to the commissioner asking him/her to support this proposal. Thanks.

Another Cancelation

The following notice from the Mt. Lebanon Soccer Association more or less sums up the issue relative our community's lack of multipurpose field space. Unfortunately, the need to protect an already worn field overrides the desire to conduct this 2nd grade clinic. Perhaps the ultimate irony is that the rain date will likely be conducted indoors. The Mellon turf project that has been proposed by many would prevent disappointing cancelations like this. Second Grade Soccer Clinic Weather Update Sorry, but the rainy forecast is forcing us to postpone the 2nd grade clinic scheduled for 10:00 this morning at Jefferson. The clinic is now scheduled for Saturday, April 28th from 10-11:30 at North Gym, Mt. Lebanon High School, OR another Mt. Lebanon field.

Field of Dreams

I think this great picture from the FieldTurf website shows just how special a Mellon project could be.  It would  provide a full size baseball field, together with a multipurpose field for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey.  Multiple teams and sports could utilize this space at the same time with proper planning and cooperation.  Lights would allow us to significantly increase the hours of use for the benefit of not only our youth, but also for adult soccer and softball leagues.  Keep in mind this facility would also be about a 5 minute walk from the central business district, and would offer a true recreational showcase in the heart of our community.

Capital Investment Hearing

On Moday, April 23 @ 8:00PM the Commission will hold a Capital Investment hearing to discuss how best to allocate and spend an approximate $1.3 million undesignated or unassigned fund balance.  Specifically, based upon an ordinance that was passed last year, the Commission may not use these unassigned funds for recurring operating expenses, but instead must apply them to capital improvements and an unexpected items.  As you might imagine, there are about 1.3 million ideas on how best to spend this money.  The Parks Advisory Board has supplied the Commissioners with a list of items totaling just over $500,000 and is intended to address the needs of most of existing parks.  One of the larger items on this list as prepared by the Parks Advisory Board is the completion of the work set forth in the Parks Master Plan for Brafferton/Sunset Park.  This would include field improvements as well as parking and access improvements.  More information is available here.  Unfortunately, this attachment does not include the updated list of items from the Parks Advisory Board which references the work at Brafferton/Sunset.

Please try to attend this important session as the Commission decides how best to spend this significant sum of money to improve our community.  Improving all of our parks, as outlined in the Parks Advisory Board's proposal should be a priority.

A Great Start

Last night's Town Hall Meeting was a great start to what many of us hope will be a positive, community-wide endeavor to improve the recreational facilities in Mt. Lebanon.  I believe the feedback that was delivered by those in attendance was quite clear - we need to treat our recreational facilities as assets rather than liabilities.  As we heard last night, this sentiment applies equally to the athletics fields, the garden plots, the swimming pool, the parks, the ice rink and every other recreational outlet that makes our community a unique place to live, work and raise a family.

There have been other meetings like the one that took place last night, and unfortunately those resulted in little or no action.  It is critical that we maintain the spirit and momentum that was so evident last night so that we can truly make a difference.

The purpose of this website is twofold - to hopefully provide a clearing house for information relative to the process as it progresses and to offer a place to share ideas, comments and discussion.  Please be respectful.  I don't view this an issue that should cause anyone to stoop to personal attacks or insults.  I am willing to accept anonymous comments, but I would prefer that everyone feel comfortable enough to use their own name.  I've come to understand that opinions presented by "real" people are valued more heavily than those who try to hide behind the anonymity afforded by the Internet.  That said, I understand that some people are simply more comfortable providing their input anonymously and I don't want to discourage those opinions and ideas.

If you have suggestions or would like to author a post for this blog, please feel free to email me at davefranklin4@gmail.com.  Thanks!