Preserve the Riding Meadow Road Habitat

SSA's plans violate Fox Chapel Borough ordinances by proposing to destroy 350+ mature trees from 6+ acres of pristine forest on steep slopes explicitly protected by law. Their submitted plans show 60% disturbance on steep slopes where ordinance §363 clearly states "NO disturbance permitted." The site is in a known flood zone where neighboring homes have already suffered flash flood damage.

Critical Violations Found:

STEEP SLOPE VIOLATION: Plans show 60.76% disturbance on steep slopes where Fox Chapel ordinance §363 explicitly states "NO disturbance permitted" on high-risk landslide-prone soils.
FLOOD ZONE DEVELOPMENT: Removing 350+ mature trees in FEMA Flood Zone A, where neighboring homes have already experienced flash flood damage.
NO TRAFFIC STUDY: Despite Park Commission concerns about "pedestrian safety issues," no traffic impact study was submitted.
IRREPLACEABLE HABITAT: 6+ acres of decades-old forest destroyed. SSA claims 740 saplings "mitigate" - but they won't provide equivalent function for 30-50 years.

This Isn't a Close Call - It's a Clear Violation

Fox Chapel Borough Ordinance §363 states: "Very steep slopes (>25%): NO environmental disturbance of any kind permitted" and "Steep slopes on HIGH RISK landslide-prone soils: NO disturbance permitted." SSA's submitted plans (Sheet VF102) show they propose disturbing 82,768 square feet on these protected slopes. This is not a waivable violation. The ordinance says NO. The plans show massive disturbance. This application should be denied.

YOUR ACTION CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

SEE THE VIOLATIONS YOURSELF!

Professional analysis identified multiple ordinance violations including steep slope destruction prohibited by law, flood zone development, and missing required traffic studies.

View Official Plans

ATTEND MEETINGS - SHOW BOROUGH COUNCIL YOU CARE!

Public comment periods are your chance to be heard. Council needs to see a packed room of residents opposing this non-compliant development.

Borough Council Meeting
March 16th, 6:00PM

Borough Council Meeting
April 20, 2026, 6:00PM

EMAIL OFFICIALS WITH SPECIFIC VIOLATIONS!

We've prepared an email citing the ordinance violations. One click sends it to all Borough Council members. Personalize it with your own concerns if you'd like.

Email Now

Fox Chapel's Own Park Commission Objects

The Fox Chapel Borough Park Commission formally objected to this project, stating it "does not align with" the Borough's environmental mission. They questioned why SSA chose this destructive location when "better, safer, and more environmentally-friendly" alternatives exist. The Commission emphasized: "Our trees are to be protected as a valued Community Asset, not freely removed in the false name of progress!"

Read the Full Letter (PDF)

This is What Flooding Looks Like Here

In July 2018, severe flooding on Riding Meadow Road engulfed neighboring homes and trapped residents on their properties - even with the current mature forest in place. Removing 350+ trees will eliminate the natural absorption and slope stability the area currently has, making an already dangerous flooding situation dramatically worse.

July 2018 - Riding Meadow Road flooding engulfed homes and trapped residents