Development Status
Hays Woods is privately owned by Pittsburgh Development Group II who proposes to develop the forest as a horse racetrack, retail and residential complex. Before development can begin, PDG II must receive permits from governmental agencies.
Federal
- The developer seeks a permit to fill wetlands and streams. The federal Army Corps of Engineers cannot issue its permit until and unless a surface mining permit and the required state stream obstruction permit are granted by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
State
- The Dept. of Environmental Protection is currently considering the developer's surface mining and stream obstruction permit application. The developer has received several deficiency notifications about the appliccation and the deadlines for his response have been extended.
- The developer has not been granted the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission License.
- The developer has withdrawn his casion application.
County
- The Allegheny County Conservation District issued the developer violations of the Pennsylvania's Clean Streams Law for erosion and sedimentation control problems on an access road to the site.
- The Allegheny County Health Department issued an air permit for the mining operation on the site
City
- The City of Pittsburgh granted a conditional use approval for excavation/grading/fill in 2003.
- The City of Pittsburgh approved rezoning of the site to Special Planned District in 2003. Pittsburgh's Planning Commission has not yet approved the final development plan. The Commission must review a traffic impact analysis, which has not been conducted, before approving the development plan.
- The City of Pittsburgh is awaiting submission of a traffic plan by the developer.