Mt. Lebanon commissioners voted, 3-2, tonight in favor of an amendment to a municipal zoning ordinance that would allow Kossman Development Company to pursue construction of a 48,000 square-foot LA Fitness center.

The path is still marked with obstacles, however.

"This sort of puts them back at Square 1," said municipal planner Keith McGill, explaining that Kossman must still gain approval of its land development application.

The property, located at Castle Shannon and Mt. Lebanon boulevards, has been in the Kossman family for decades and is zoned R-2 residential. The company had been granted previous approval to construct a two-building office complex on the now-cleared site, but that project fell through.

A public hearing two weeks ago drew passionate response from nearby residents who feared an increase in local traffic and noise should the health club be built. A few spoke again at last night's meeting, as well as some in favor of LA Fitness.

Voting to amend the ordinance were commissioners Joe DeIuliis, D. Raja and Dale Colby. Commission president John Daley and Dan Miller voted no.