South Fayette Denies Request to Allow Coal Mining on Mayview Property

The South Fayette Zoning Board unanimously denied a request from Aloe Brothers LLC to allow mineral extraction from the former Mayview State Hospital property.

About 50 people attended Thursday night's public hearing. Residents from South Fayette, Upper St. Clair and Bridgeville spoke out against the proposed surface coal mining. One Bridgeville woman said she was in favor of what the developers needed to do to develop the property.

Irving Firman, an attorney on behalf of Upper St. Clair, also attended the hearing. Firman asked Dennis Regan, who is Aloe’s project manager, if he'd consider tabling the application to discuss the plan with Upper St. Clair Township officials. Regan said no.

Preston Shimer, president of USC Citizens for Land Stewardship, said he was concerned about the impact the mining would have on Wingfield Pines, Boyce Mayview Park and the Community and Recreation Center, and Fairview Park. 

Regan told the board the mining was necessary due to financial reasons and because of a water issue on the site.

Sean Isgan, an engineer for the Aloe project, said the proposed mining would take three years. Blasting would occur one to two times a week for two and a half years. He said people in the area may feel the light vibration during the blasting, but DEP and township noise ordinances would be followed.

The proposed surface mining would not go below 100 feet, according to Isgan, and according to DEP regulations, the dust would not be allowed to leave the site. 

Isgan said about 50 tri-axle trucks would transport the coal from the site every day, Monday through Friday. 

Aloe Brothers LLC applied for a variance and a special exception for mineral removal because the property is zoned a business district. Aloe Brothers LLC can appeal the zoning board's decision.