Township of South Park

The board discussed resident concerns regarding zoning regulations for solar farms and data centers, as well as traffic safety issues near the Summit Station development and local intersections. The board approved an ordinance prohibiting parking on specific sections of Parkford Drive and passed a resolution for participation in community development and home investment programs. Additionally, the board scheduled a public hearing regarding subdivision and land development ordinances, approved staff retirements and new appointments including a Library Director, Code Enforcement Officer, and Emergency Management personnel. A memorandum of understanding was approved with the District Attorney regarding police audio and video dissemination. The meeting also included reviews of the MS4 report and the Police Chief's report, as well as the adoption of an ordinance to draft regulations for solar farming, data centers, and oil and gas setbacks.

The board meeting included the appointment and hiring of a new full-time Police Chief and the presentation of the Police Chief's monthly report. Various administrative actions were taken, such as approving resolutions regarding the compensation of the Police Chief and adjustments to the master fee schedule, as well as approving the release of a bond for the South Park School District. New legislation was discussed, including an ordinance amendment regarding picketing and another regarding parking restrictions on Parkford Drive. The board also accepted the resignation of the Library Director, awarded construction bids for a sanitary sewer project and a road program, and approved a training request for an officer. Additionally, an MS4 report was reviewed, and board members engaged in discussions regarding upcoming ordinance preparations, staff tenure recognitions, and emergency management roles.

The Board reviewed extensive public feedback regarding the proposed Majestic Woods subdivision. Key discussion topics included serious concerns about traffic safety, the capacity and condition of the existing culvert on Sleepy Hollow Road to accommodate increased volume, potential property damage due to construction, and unresolved issues regarding stormwater management and zoning compliance. Residents also raised allegations regarding the withholding of critical safety and engineering information by the developer. Following the public comment period, the Board voted to deny final approval for the Majestic Woods subdivision project.

The meeting included a proclamation honoring Officer Stephen Sawczak for his lifesaving efforts. Public comments addressed various municipal concerns, including the search for a new police chief, the involvement of the planning commission in hiring, emergency access for new developments, ordinance compliance regarding engineering standards, and land conservation efforts. The Board made several appointments, including an interim solicitor and engineer, and a representative to the South Hills Area Council of Governments. Actions were taken to authorize the drafting of an ordinance regarding parades and picketing, approve a bond release for a residential development, and grant a license agreement for a fence encroachment. Additional approvals covered police training requests, conference attendance for township officials, and the rescheduling of bid openings for road and sewer programs. The Board also reviewed the MS4 and Police Chief's reports and discussed the potential implementation of monthly public workshop meetings to improve communication and transparency.

The agenda for this regular meeting included several key actions. Discussions and actions concerned the hiring of a full-time Police Chief, Charles A. Rozzo. The Board was scheduled to act on invoices for February 2026, and several resolutions were listed, including Resolution No. 1-26, which amends compensation and benefits for the Police Chief, and Resolution No. 2-26, which addresses increases in fees for recording non-exclusive license agreements based on Allegheny County mandates. Further items included action on the release of a bond for the South Park School District, consideration of Ordinance No. 721 concerning picketing definitions and locations, action on the resignation of the Library Director, and action on bids for the 2026 Township-Wide Sanitary Sewer Project and the 2026 Road Program. Other actions involved authorizing the preparation of an ordinance restricting parking on a section of Parkford Drive, an appointment to the Recreation Board, an officer's training request, action on the February 2026 MS4 Report, and presentation of the Police Chief's Report.