The South Fayette commissioners last night approved advertising a list of properties that will be part of their new conservation zoning -- a list that includes the Mayview State Hospital property.

The zoning district is designed to preserve open ground, allowing for recreational uses and for housing lots of at least 3 acres.

The hospital, which cared for the mentally ill, was closed at the end of 2008. A state-led task force has been studying the options for disposing of the property, about 300 acres along Chartiers Creek.

South Fayette officials created the CD-1 zoning district with the Mayview property in mind, with an eye toward turning part of it into a township park.

Township manager Mike Hoy also reported that the state Department of General Services, which controls the property, is preparing to issue a request for proposals from companies interested in buying and developing the property.

"That's something the township's been asking for, so we can look at proposals and not just sell to the highest bidder," Mr. Hoy said.

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