The housing boom that began in Peters Township in the 1960s continues to reverberate throughout the community well into the 21st century, transforming it from a sleepy, rural town into one of the fastest-growing communities in Southwestern Pennsylvania.
In 2006, there were 137 new residential starts in Peters; that was a slow year compared to the 208 houses that popped up in 2005.
New developments – some featuring custom-built, single-family homes, others boasting townhouses and quad units – dot the landscape. As the community grows, township planners are trying to maintain the rural character of the 19.5-square mile area by preserving its green spaces, wetlands and woodlands.
“We require open space in all of our developments,” says Township Manager Michael Silvestri. “And if [the developers] can’t provide that, they must pay a fee in lieu.”
Although open space design usually means smaller individual lot sizes, at least 40 percent of the total site will remain in its natural condition through this type of zoning.
Luring buyers away from Allegheny County are the country charm of Peters Township, its close proximity to downtown Pittsburgh (it’s located just 15 miles outside of the city) and Washington County’s low taxes.
“Taxes are always a consideration when someone is looking to purchase a new home,” says Monica Mahla, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker in McMurray. “The most notable ‘exodus’ from Allegheny County was the last time Allegheny County reassessed taxes for all properties.”
As of Jan. 9, there were 172 active listings in the area, ranging from $34,900 to $5.3 million. The median price is approximately $419,500. A structure can stay on the market anywhere from 30 to 60 days depending on its condition, location and basic appeal.
“Generally houses are on the market a little longer right now,” says Mahla, a 14-year veteran of the business. “It seems that there are not as many buyers at this time and as new listings become available, those that are priced a little more aggressively are going under contract more quickly.”
Many new residences being built in developments such as Crossings Six and Hidden Brook are targeting empty-nesters and retirees with a bevy of low-maintenance patio homes. “One of the most notable changes is the increased availability of new construction,” Mahla says. “The new construction available 14-15 years ago was limited to only a few plans. Now, there are numerous options for new and younger homes in a large range of prices. The introduction of several plans of production-style new construction has created very strong competition for the resale market.
Bargain-hunters are also snapping up homes built during the 1960s and 1970s.
In addition to the wide variety of homes that match individual budgets and tastes, the amenities offered by Peters Township are attracting new residents. The municipality’s park system – Peterswood, Rees, Elm Grove, Venetia, Old Trail and Peters Lake – and the paved, 3.5-mile Arrowhead Trail provide nearly 900 acres of outdoor recreational areas.
Several years ago, the 38,000-square-foot Peters Township Community Recreation Center opened its doors to the public. The $5 million facility features an oversized gymnasium, indoor track, fitness rooms, group meeting areas, a concession stand and restrooms. A skate park is located behind the CRC and five new courts have just been added to the tennis center.
Another draw is Peters Township School District, which serves more than 4,000. The district, which earned a second-place ranking in Pennsylvania by Standard & Poors for exceptional academic performance and strong fiscal management, has been seeing a steady increase in enrollment due to the surge in new construction.
Following the township’s lead, the school began to expand and update its campus. McMurray Elementary School opened in 1993 (with six additional classrooms and an auxiliary gym added in 2004), followed by Bower Hill Elementary School in 1999. Both Pleasant Valley Elementary School and the high school were renovated within the last decade.
All of which attests to Peters growing attraction as a community more and more people want to call home.
