Despite the objections of some property owners, commissioners voted unanimously last week to change the parking pattern on Carothers Avenue, a busy street that links Heidelberg with Carnegie, to the opposite side of the street. The parking involves the area from Locust to Creek streets.

Commissioners also voted to approve a $250,000 grant request to the Allegheny County Economic Development Community Infrastructure and Tourism Board. The money would be used for sidewalk replacement.

Officials believe the change will improve safety, as well as avoid the cost of replacing some utility poles.

Carothers, located in Scott's Glendale neighborhood, is part of a $2.4 million tri-community streetscape revitalization grant that U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, has procured for Heidelberg, Scott and Carnegie. When completed, the project will see changes to Route 50 in Heidelberg, Carothers in Scott and Third Street in Carnegie.

Bill Fluke, of Carnegie, who owns three buildings on Carothers, said he could not understand the reason for the parking change.

Both he and another landlord, John Kane of Boden Avenue, said they would have problems if parking is relocated.

Officials are also proposing to install an eight- to 11-car parking lot with a rain garden at the site of the former Glenn Hotel, and to spruce up the avenue with decorative wastebaskets, benches and planters.

Scott plans to hire a transportation engineering firm to help with the parking switch, which is expected to include changing two steep, narrow side streets -- Hall and Patchel ways -- to one-way thoroughfares. The township will provide at least 30 days notice of the impending switch.

• Commissioners also unanimously approved a new employment contract with Randy Lubin, director of public services, for the period Jan. 1, 2010-Dec. 31, 2015.

The new contract calls for a starting salary of $61,800 and 3 1/2 percent pay increases in each of the succeeding years.

• Commissioner Jean O'Toole asked about rumors that changes were coming to Walmart at Raceway Plaza. The store is open 24-hours a day and does a brisk business.

Manager Denise Fitzgerald said a facade change is being planned to accommodate an expanded food line, including a deli.

The store's entrance will be moved to the center.

Because of the square footage involved and the volume of traffic, Engineer Larry Lennon agreed with Ms. O'Toole that the proposed changes should be handled first through the planning commission.

• Also, Glendale resident Mary Lou Parente requested that the trees planted in 1990 near the Gregg Street Park be pruned because they are growing into electrical wires and fences.

The Zoning Hearing Board will hold its regular meeting at 8 p.m. Nov. 18 in the commissioners' meeting room, Township Municipal Building, 1820 McLaughlin Run Road.

The board will look at an application by James Jenkins to permit the expansion of a nonconforming structure on property located at 1877 Painters Run Road.

The application is available for viewing at township offices, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.

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