Sewickley Zoning Board Considers 'Pink House' Requests on Parking, Driveway

Representatives of the Presbyterian Church of Sewickley seek exceptions to the zoning code.

A Sewickley church won't know until early March whether it will be able to proceed with plans for the historic property known as the "Pink House." The Presbyterian Church of Sewickley is seeking the zoning hearing board's permission to make exceptions to zoning code regulations on parking, driveway widths and property setbacks as part of the church's ongoing project to repurpose 202 Beaver St. into a youth education center. Michael Parrish, attorney for the church, brought appeals before the zoning board at a public hearing Tuesday, seeking relief from the borough code. Some of the plans call for shared parking with the church and for a 16-foot driveway, above the 12-feet required by code. The church is also seeking 48 parking spaces, …

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Sewickley Zoning Board to Hear Presbyterian Church Appeal

The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building.

Sewickley's Zoning Hearing Board will hold a public hearing tonight to consider an appeal from the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley regarding plans involving the pink house property. Michael Parrish, attorney representing the church, filed an appeal to the zoning officer's decision last month, also requesting relief from the borough ordinance. The hearing begins at 7:30 p.m. in the municipal building. Church officials are hoping to proceed with plans to unify two residential-zoned lots between Beaver and Thorn streets for the purpose of either renovating the pink house at 202 Beaver St. or building a new youth center at the site, according to a notice of appeal. Nancy Watts, zoning and code enforcement officer, said the youth center and …

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Sewickley Church Sets Meeting to Discuss 'Pink House' Plans

The meeting at the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley is intended to discuss external plans with neighbors.

Neighbors have been invited next week to a dessert discussion regarding plans for church property at the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, as a result of the pink house purchase. Landscaping and parking plans will be discussed as well as external property improvements that have been developed for 202 Beaver St., said Joan Murdoch, church spokeswoman. Murdoch said the meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24 is intended for immediate church neighbors and will take place in the church dining room at 414 Grant St. Many in the community opposed the church's initial plans to demolish the structure and build a new youth and education center on the site. The church's governing body later agreed to renovate the home known as “the pink house” as long as …

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Letters to the Editor

The Pink House...Enough Already!

Glen Osborne resident discusses the legal and protective rights of individual property owners in the wake of community efforts to preserve 202 Beaver St. in Sewickley, otherwise known as the "pink house."

Is anyone really considering the legal ramifications of interfering in the absolutely legal sale of private property? If one feels that such properties are worth designating as historical landmarks then I would suggest that potential future prospects be addressed. However, regardless of the courtesies or degree of community influence of petitioners, any presumption that they are endowed with a more cultivated perception of culture and comprehension of historic significance that affirms their right to redefine the rights of private property ownership and transfer is as condescending as it is frankly abusive. They are debating the property as if its sole purpose is to pose background to the broad-stroked painting of their own presence and …

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John Linko

4:59 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012

Jeff, a valid point, but's make something positive of it. Frank Lloyd Wright, who while being a true creative genius, was also a narcissist, womanizer and spendthrift. He is rumored to have said of his own life, "So long as we had the luxuries, the necessities would pretty much take care of themselves". Perhaps in that context we can see the Pink House as a metaphor for the gradual decay of the …   more ›

Community Packs Sewickley Church for 'Pink House' Meeting

Renovating the pink house will cost about $1.5 million and at least $3,000 in monthly operating costs, according to a church official.

Suggestions were proposed during a community meeting Tuesday night at the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, which also drew criticism over the handling of a project involving a historic pink mansion on Beaver Street. “This process tonight should have started a long time ago,” Sewickley resident and Esmark CEO Jim Bouchard told church leaders, sparking a round of applause from the pews. About 200 people attended the nearly two-hour meeting that church leaders organized as a way to update the community on its reasons for buying the property at 202 Beaver St., also known as the "pink house."  Those who spoke included representatives from Preservation Pennsylvania and the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, with many saying the home was a …

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Presbyterian Church, Sewickley Plans Pink House Meeting Tonight

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the church sanctuary.

The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley plans a public meeting at 7 p.m. tonight to discuss plans for the pink mansion property on Beaver Street. The church purchased 202 Beaver St. on March 13 with plans to raze the property and build a youth fellowship and education center. Despite receiving a demolition permit from the borough, the church's governing board last month halted plans for 60 days in order to meet with the community and review the proposed plans. The Rev. Kevin Long, senior pastor, told Patch the governing board wanted to host a gathering of neighbors and community members before moving forward. The meeting will be held in the church sanctuary. In addition to reviewing plans, church leaders will answer questions and hear concerns…

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Sewickley Planning Commission to Review Pink House Plans in May

A formal hearing for the plans may not happen until July.

A public hearing to consider plans from the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, for a youth fellowship center at the "pink house" site on Beaver Street may not happen until July, according to Sewickley borough officials. Borough Manager Kevin Flannery told planning commission members Wednesday night the church has asked for a delay in the preliminary review of plans until the May 2 planning commission meeting, most likely because the church wants to first meet with the public on April 10 to discuss the plans. The Presbyterian Church on March 13 purchased the property at 202 Beaver St. and submitted applications the same day for a conditional use, unification and land development.  Sewickley Council that same night voted to advertise a change …

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Sewickley Mayor among Those Hoping to Save 'Pink House'

More than 40 members of the community gathered Wednesday at the Sewickley Public Library for an informational and organizational meeting.

The “Save the Pink House” movement hosted a public meeting last night that started with a history lesson and ended with Sewickley's mayor asking attendees to “work with our neighbor.” Mayor Brian Jeffe said he came to the meeting as a resident, not as the mayor. “My wife and I have both signed the petition,” he said, referring to a petition of “Pink House” supporters, “but you need to be unified toward the goal to save the house and work with our neighbors.”  Wednesday's meeting was the latest effort by community members to stop the demolition of the house located on 202 Beaver Street and known to many area residents as the “Pink House.” The house was recently purchased by The Presbyterian Church of Sewickley, which plans to raze the house…

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Coyle House: Pink Elephant or Diamond in the Rough?

On March 13, the day of the sale's closing, the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley filed for a demolition permit, provoking outrage. But last Tuesday, church elders voted to declare a 60-day moratorium on demolition and to hold a public meeting April 10 to di

Community Action Meeting Aims to Preserve Pink House

Organizers plan to talk about the significance of the pink house and discuss ideas to preserve it.

The public is invited to attend a community action meeting aimed at preserving the "pink house" at 202 Beaver St. in Sewickley. The "Save the Sewickley Pink House" meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Sewickley Public Library's community room.  Organizers ask that attendees bring their ideas and enthusiasm to help persuade the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley of the home's value to the community. "Come learn about the significance of the Pink House at 202 Beaver Street. This will be an informational meeting to discuss ideas about the preservation of the house which is a priority in our community," a flier for the event states. Click here for more information, or call 412-741-0984. The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley closed on the home …

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John Kroeck

9:59 am on Friday, March 30, 2012

Preservation of Pink House is a worthy project. The argument regarding your tax burden is counter- productive since it challanges the good intentions and plans of an institurion that will make the final decision. There are 30 non-profits in the Sewickley Valley that provide social services and don't pay taxes (This doesn't count churches or schools) The quality of these institutions is what makes…   more ›