Residents of Canonsburg Stand Against Bove Development Plans

There wasn’t an empty seat at last Monday’s special meeting of the Canonsburg Council, although the large crowd was not there for the hiring of the new borough manager — the only action item on the agenda.

Residents gathered to publicly oppose a proposed development project by Bove Development Corp.

Residents of Canonsburg asked the council to oppose Bove’s plan to connect Victoria Drive and White Way as an access point for the site of the Greenwood Village housing development, which would create 233 new multi-family homes in North Strabane Township.

“This development has nothing to do with Canonsburg. Canonsburg does not benefit from it. The taxes are all going to go to North Strabane, and Canonsburg is going to suffer the consequences,” said concerned citizen Agnes Lesniakowski, of 201 Crawford St., during public comment.

With a potential increase in traffic due to the Bove development, safety for children was paramount to the group. Multiple residents mentioned that children actively walk, bike and skateboard around the neighborhood.  According to Lesniakowski, safety is already an issue with no sidewalks in the neighborhood and a speeding problem on the roads.

Gretchen Porter, of 306 Crawford St., asked the council to look at the face of her child and asked them if they would like to see his name in the paper due to an accident from the increased traffic.

Porter and Lesniakowski both raised the issue of environmental factors to the council. Porter said she already has erosion problems with her lawn that could be worsened by the development plan. Lesniakowski said that with many underground springs and wells, there is a possibility for mine subsidence and sinkholes.  

“They’re not going to use my place as a drainage pipe,” Lesniakowski said.

Council President John Bevec said the issue with Bove’s development plan will be discussed at next week’s July 1 meeting.

This item is on the agenda for North Strabane Township’s legislative meeting tonight, Tuesday, June 25.