Community Corner

Last Days: Firefighters Train at Highland CC Before Demolition

The clubhouse and pool are being torn down to make way for a proposed new housing plan.

When Joe Riebling first drove by the former Highland Country Club in Ross Township Wednesday night, he had every reason to think the clubhouse was on fire.

The parking lot was full of fire trucks and firefighters were on the roof.

"Ladder trucks everywhere," he posted on Facebook. "Men with axes cutting holes in the roof. People running around with chainsaws."

But he quickly noticed one thing that was missing -- smoke. It turns out, firefighters were using the building, which is about to be torn down, for a training exercise.

Demolition of the former clubhouse and swimming pool began several weeks ago. 

Limerick Land Partners wants to build 167 townhouses and 134 single family homes on the grounds of the old country club. 

Concerns about traffic were the main reason Ross Commissioners denied the developers preliminary plans on May 6. The developer appealed to Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, which has yet to issue a decision.

Since then, the developer proposed to eliminate an entrance at the intersection of Highland and Cornell Avenues, and add an entrance closer to the intersection of Highland and Wellington Drive. 

Additionally, stop signs would be added near the entrance off of Gass Road, but the biggest traffic improvements would come not in Ross, but in West View

Ross solicitor Bonnie Brimmeier said the developer is proposing an additional turn lane and other improvements at the intersection of Highland Avenue and Perry Highway in West View.

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