Penn Hills Planning Commission nixes plans for church

PENN HILLS, Pa. — A Monroeville church wants to move into a vacant building in Penn Hills.

However, the Penn Hills Planning Commission voted against the zoning change that would make that possible.

Monroeville Assembly of God is expanding, ready to build its fifth campus in Penn Hills in a former grocery store on Frankstown Road.

“We embrace the church and the things that they do and the work that they do in the community,” said borough planning director Chris Blackwell.

But in order for the site to become a church, the property’s zoning designation would need to be changed from commercial to residential, and the planning commission recently voted against making such a change.

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“It’s our central business district, and of course we rely on that for taxes, for commercial taxes,” Blackwell said.

He is confident the church will still find a home in Penn Hills.

“Penn Hills recently closed several schools. There are several school buildings that are available for this use,” he said.

The church’s pastor was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Cox Media Group