Too bad the clubhouse is going to be torn down; I think it is really old and might have some historical significance.

' Schalcosky was thrilled to learn that a grave marker, indicating the approximate location of the Casper Reel family cemetery, will be relocated to the Casper Reel Memorial Park, which will be located within the development. "We saved Casper Reel's legacy & memorial, this is great news," he said. '

Regarding the above quote, that is great news, but is it truly only the grave marker that is going to be relocated? Wouldn't it make sense to also relocate the graves, or have they been completely lost to time? Seems like someone could do a quick survey with ground-penetrating radar just to see if the grave sites can be discovered and the remains of the Reel family relocated along with the marker. I suppose there is some likelihood that normal site excavation for this subdivision will uncover at least one of the graves; is there a plan in place to relocate the bones of Casper Reel's family should they be found.

There is plans to relocate the bones of the Reel's IF they are found. The only problem is that tge spot where the marker is now is only a memorial. No one, including me, has 100% proof of tge "exact" location unfortunately - it is lost to time. We do have 100% proof of his body being buried there though. We did talk about the Ground Penetrating Radar also. If in fact they do find the bones, plans would change slightly. I'll keep everyone informed as time goes on.

John Schalcosky
President of Ross Historical Society
househistories@gmail.com

Be carful of the chipmunks, groundhogs, raccoons, deer, turkeys, coyotes and numerous other furry critters that show up for a snack. I hope you will not cut down the beautiful evergreens along the downside of the golf course near Hidden Valley's area. Laura

So sad to see this property developed. As a resident by the Highland CC for 41 years, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Mother Nature instead of more concrete and traffic. I know people will say change is inevitable but when do we stop building? When there is no more green space? Just another money grabbing company and they're trying to make it sound nice by moving the grave marker? How wonderful of you (sarcasm). Truly a sad day.

is there any discussion of modifications in the traffic flow on Highland and Gass Roads around this major development? Any talk about a traffic light or turning lanes? Has a traffic study been done? Particularly around the rush hour, the traffic from 279 to 19 is very heavy. this development will make it worse.

Heartland Homes needs to stop building on every piece of land they can find. It's true that there is no more green space left. Heartland took over Reis Run Road and now Highland CC. It's crazy. Who wants to spend that much money to live in a run down town thanks to the North Side bus line coming into West View.

I will be the first one to buy a $500,000 house in a location with no proper access roads and possibly built over someone's dead body so that ghosts can haunt my house. Happy Halloween, everyone.

It's impossible to turn onto HIghland Ave from side streets during rush hour, now as it is! How totally impossible it will be with a development of that size. So sad. I was hoping for a community that would incorporate the clubhouse/restaurant/pool, instead of tearing everything down. Besides, that seems like an over-priced development for the area.

$350.00 for a single family home-I'll take 3 please!

I like the idea of the townhomes because of the access to the Parkway North, but I think $350K-$500K homes is horrible. I live in the Highcliff neighborhood and I don't like the idea of this beautiful neighborhood being turned into another overly priced, poorly built, cul-de-sac farm. Adding five (FIVE!!) access roads is going to create a dangerous situation. The intersection with Gass Rd and Highland sees enough accidents as it is. There better be some traffic lights included. What a shame. I was hoping they would have put more affordable housing there so that it fit better with the already existing neighborhood.

I agree with everyone about the traffic situation but unfortunately Highland Road is a state maintained road & the township has nothing to do with it. On the positive note - there will be many traffic studies conducted. Don't forget everyone - this is just the FIRST introduction to their concept that has been presented to us. Nothing has been voted on yet.

Few BIG questions....
1. Elementary schools just redistricted. Where are all the new neighborhood children going to go? Isn't Highcliff close to max capacity with 500 students?
2. Is Lowries Run Sewer systems still an issue? Ross Twp. Sewage system is outdated. How are they going to add more to it?
3. Gulf Drive isn't the safest street to pull onto Gass Road as it is.. Adding 200 homes is only going to create more problems!

The schools are going to be a bit of an issue BUT the school board is going to be involved with the planning as well. Another issue that was brought up at the meeting was school bussing issues.
Heartland is going to be adding their own brand new sewer system there as well as utilities.

There will be a huge demand for these houses. This is probably the best location for a new development in Allegheny County in years. Quick, easy access to Downtown, Oakland, McKnight Rd, Cranberry. Excellent school district. Despite the whining about Heartland Homes most people like their houses, which is why these developments do so well. Big boost for the tax base and greatly to be preferred over the section 8 housing some would like to see...

This is so very disappointing.

I really don't think there is any need for panic about increased traffic. This is only one development and only 252 new homes. I lived in Downingtown Pa (suburban Philadelphia) 2000-2005 during a huge building boom. In East Brandywine Township alone there MANY new developments like this one and larger. Now those caused real traffic problems, four mile backups on single lane country roads. This single development is not going to have the same effect. Having 5 access roads should help keep down the congestion (hopefully the location of those access roads are carefully chosen, much of the current difficulty in getting out/in of West View via Highland Avenue is caused by terrible sight lines). Another thing to consider is that this development will simply replace the population West View has lost in the past 20 years (I realize that most of this development will be in Ross, but it is surrounded by West View). According to US Census West View has lost 1000 people between 1990 and 2010 and this development will probably bring in close to that number. So maybe the traffic level will simply return to 1990 levels...

We have hoped that single family homes would be developed at Highland but are disappointed that they are not more affordable. We retired early and would love this location but, for the area, $225,000 - $300,000 seems more reasonable.

With the anticipated price tags it would make more sense for people to push a little further North & have a little bit more land. Lots of luck to Heartland in trying to unload these homes after they are built.

I can understand the negative responses to this, but I actually have to agree with Kevin and John in that I think this will be a positive overall for our community with the increased tax revenue and increase in property value for the area.

I think this is a great thing for the area, yes, traffic will be heavier and yes, there will probably be some adjustments with the schools, but what a wonderful addition to the area and the tax base. Anything would look better than the way it looks now.

North Hills could use the tax base i agree.But North Hills School District closed a few of their schools a few years ago and sold the property.They have no where to build another school if demand arises.So findin a solution would be a hard one to keep the schools around the new plan from being overcrowded . and price tag of 350K-500K come on.If you can afford that you would move North a little and go to Pine Richland or North Allegheny Schools. They have alot more advantages for the kids
with nice updated buildings

Great news for the rest of west view. Now the heroin addicts from bellevue will have nicer homes to burglarize to support their habit.

Not really sure why some people are against this development. Sure there wil be many issues to be dealt with like any other large development but when you think of the alternatives that could possibly have taken place with the purchase of this prime property, I for one am grateful that high end homes will be built in this area. There are so many beautiful homes with tons of character in this area (just look at Wellington Heights) that these new homes will fit in beautifully. Another developer could easily have come in and decided to build government funded housing and then I could see people being in an uproar. I appreciate and truly hope that Heartland will make these once beautiful grounds a terrific development that will quiet the objectors.

It seems Heartland is putting Casper Reel's proverbial cart before the horse. I'm personally in favor of the development, but just because Heartland buys the property and has a meeting doesn't mean it's a done deal. There will be traffic studies, sewer studies, (probably) a law suit or two, approval from the Borough, Township & State, agreements between all Utilities, local opposition, etal... It seems an insurmountable and monumental task to start construction in June of 2013. So while it sounds like a great idea, it ain't a done deal.

Mr. Highcliff: Your guess is wrong. I live only a few blocks from the Highland Country Club. I can understand the disappointment of losing the "green space" but it is not like this was a public park or undeveloped area. It was for most of its existence an exclusive country club. It was truly only enjoyed by the few who lived next to it or could afford the country club fees.

r wanker: North Allegheny has nothing over North Hills when it comes to education. Have you seen the newly remodeled elementary schools at Highcliff, Ross and McIntyre? They are nicer than most of the elementary schools in North Allegheny, if that is important to you. And I've noticed plenty of disgruntled NA parents pointing to North Hills as providing better educational environment for their kids, namely smaller class sizes. North Hills has capped classes 25 students while NA has many classes now over 30 kids. Plus they are looking into closing an elementary school because of the dire finances of the district. There is no reason for parents with kids to go further north for better education. While the homes are going to be very high end I think some are overlooking how valuable the location is with its easy access to all the important places people want to go. Some people like a short commute, why drive the extra 15 to 20 minutes twice a day? Heartland Homes knows what they are doing, don't worry about their ability to sell these homes.

Sickening. I was, sadly, correct in my assessment of "(NO-)Heart-land" Homes as the worst destroyer of greenspace in the North Hills, as cramming 316 lots onto 118 acres clearly illustrates! What a disaster for West View/Ross. What constitutes a "generous" amount of land set aside against such a plan, Mr. Schalcosky? What will be left with FIVE access roads? 132 "homes" is FAR too many for 118 acres, when you take roads, topography and "landscaping" into account, let alone the addition of 120 townhouses as well. That translates, potentially, to 500-800 residents, with cars, lawnmowers, furnaces, AC units all contributing more air- pollution, and 118 less acres of green to absorb it. I say again, "sickening". Nice to know a Ross Commissioner "heart"ily approves, with tax-dollar signs dancing in his eyes: Good luck on re-election, sir. This plan may inject tax revenue into the community, but will its residents prove to be anything more than high-class transients, jumping onto I-279 to shop and hob-nob in Cranberry, or enjoy the sports or nightlife downtown, while using our little community as a launching pad? One hundred houses on this property would be too many--I hope, forlornly, that "our" local government will fight this BAD idea. But I think we all know what wins: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

The writing is on the wall and no matter what anyone says or feels money talks. The fact that this is supposedly bringing in more taxes to the community is what will be the deciding factor not what people want. Personnally, if they had to do something with that property I think an over 55 community would be great and that would take away the worry of overcrowding the schools. I think the price point for the proposed homes is what out of reach for that area. Remember it is up to our elected officials to make that decision.

some of these responses are typical yinzer mentality. Too much traffic, too expensive, too many lawn mowers (that was my favorite). And of course, it should be for seniors, as that's what is fast becoming of Allegheny County.

People need to realize this is a DESIRABLE location. You can knock 20 minutes off a commute from Franklin Park or Cranberry into downtown. And for all those people in Franklin Park that need to have both spouses working full time jobs in order to pay those huge mortgage, this additional time would be coveted! So you might see some people moving "south".

New development is a good thing people, take of the yinzer blinders.

Although I no longer live in Pittsburgh, I do have a concern about the traffic this could add to some roadways nearby. Almost every road near this plan is two lanes with almost no potential for widening. This would be a concern if this plan is large enough to add a significant amount of traffic at all times of day. Given the proximity to aforementioned areas such as Franklin Park, there could also be an increase along Rochester Road, which is bad enough in some spots already and would remain a way for motorists to dodge Route 19.

I do think it's a good thing that more homes would be coming to this area, although having a park would have also been nice. Ross still has no public swimming pool. When I lived in Perrysville, we went to the YMCA in McCandless (Pine Creek), which was a "gated" pool. Hampton and other communities have a park with a pool, widely utilized by residents for all sorts of purposes. At Hampton Park, for example, the pool offers lessons, open swim with designated adult lap lane areas, and party rental. Passes are available as are one-day fees for those who don't swim as often. With a pool already in place at the Country Club, this could have been an option as well. (It probably would have needed expansion since I recall it being rather small from the few times I visited it).

I don't understand why everybody is so upset!! This is the best thing that has happened to West View in years! This will bring in huge tax revenue and if you don't think people will buy those homes for 300,000 to 500,000 you're very wrong! Watch and see!

It is typically short sighted to accept this plan from Heartland. The best (growing) neighborhoods around the country have incentives to lure developers to them, but they also require that the developers do "other" things to improve the community, perhaps even sacrifice a bit up-front in order to provide long-term success for everyone involved. Many that have responded to this and previous articles are worried about traffic, wanted senior housing, wanted more of a "community center" for lack of a better term.
I see a lack of vision and creativity in the first offering from Heartland. That is expected from a developer that has no motivation in the property other than monetary profit.
Will the town homes and single-family homes benefit the North Hills area? Probably - but it won't be anything significant.
Will the golf course, clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, etc. be missed? A lot by some, a little by others, not at all by those that have no interested in the vitality of a community.

The community leaders that approve of this plan, need to re-visit their own ideals and ask Heartland to re-visit their plans. This could be a win-win situation for Heartland and West View as it stands now it is closer to a tie. I have seen urban planners and community planning boards quarrel with developers in the cities I have lived in (Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Toledo) and the best developments are always the ones that balance the desires of both sides. I would ask Heartland to hire a consultant and provide a new master plan that focuses on a blend of cultural and sociological returns in addition to economical. I am positive that with a little creative thinking the designers could keep the clubhouse, pool, and a modified 9-hole course in addition to the "token" gesture of community park that is currently planned.

I live on gass rd and people already fly by at 45 mph. now congestion will be added to the mix. The only way I would be willing to accept this new housing development is if half of the burden was accepted by rochester and lowries run. In other words start digging over the hill and put a road in.

I am only concerned about traffic -- especially around rush hour the traffic from 279 to 19 is already very heavy and there are long waits at the intersection light. This development will make it worse. And I surely don't want to see another light get installed!!