A preliminary proposal to enlarge the Crossroads convenience store at Sarah and 18th streets by encroaching onto residential property met opposition from South Side Planning Forum members at last week’s meeting.

“The neighborhood plan is very clear on allowing no extensions of the LNC, or local neighborhood commercial district, when it would result in the loss of residences,” said member Christine Gaus.

In their presentation, Fran Rossi, of Echo Real Estate Services, and attorney Kevin McKeegan, of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, proposed replacing the current 2,000 sq. ft. store with a new, 4,500 sq. ft. Giant Eagle-affiliated “GetGo” convenience store, and eliminating the gas pumps.

GetGo would be a 24-hour operation offering, among other items, prepared sandwiches and salads, and fresh bakery items.

For additional access, the adjacent house owned by Crossroads would be demolished. Appearing before the city planning commission earlier in the day about rezoning the lot occupied by the house, McKeegan asked for a continuance to meet with the community about the issue.

At the forum meeting, an audience member charged that the proposal violates “the letter of the law” regarding the South Side Neighborhood Plan.

The intent of the plan, adopted in 1990 after six years of development, is to create a balance between residential, commercial and industrial uses. The plan is updated every two years.

Another attendee commented that once a precedent is broken, might it pave the way in five years for a return visit to erect a Giant Eagle?

Rick Belloli said if store officials are convinced their preliminary drawing is the only way to proceed, they must present their case to the community. An attendee agreed it was important to talk to residents of Sarah St. and Larkins Way.

Forum Chair Hugh Brannan told Rossi and McKeegan that while the forum is prepared to voice opposition based on the neighborhood plan, “we’re more than willing to continue dialogue with you.”

“We need to get our ducks more in a row until we come back,” McKeegan said at the discussion’s conclusion.

After his and Rossi’s departure, Brannan asked members if they were “all on the same page” regarding their position, and they agreed they were.

In his LTV Site report, Rick Belloli, executive director of the South Side Local Development Co., said he met last week with Jerry Dettore, deputy executive director of the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh.

Here are the updates:

While the widening of East Carson St. between 33rd St. and the Hot Metal Bridge is a high priority, local matching funds are required for the construction phase. Considering the city’s financial crisis, widening won’t occur in the immediate future.

The rezoning that would allow erection of a 165-ft. hotel will probably be approved in March. The Soffer Organization has begun the architectural design phase.

Recreational Equipment Inc., or REI, is coming to the South Side Works. The retail anchor, to be located on 27th St., will, optimistically, be under construction by the end of summer.

Soffer has seven residential lofts, located above the retail stores being built, leased and occupied.

The Cheesecake Factory is under construction. The restaurant will be located adjacent to the public square at 27th and Sidney streets.

The city Dept. of Public Works gave Soffer the okay to do streetscape improvements along city-owned streets in the development.

The Hot Metal Bridge pedestrian bridge is under design. The trail will not yet link with the Eliza Furnace Trail.

A prospective water taxi service, “The Port of Pittsburgh,” is being worked on.

Developers of the Holiday Inn on 10th St., Kratsa Properties, have received an option for development of a parcel east of Hot Metal Street, near the UPMC Sports Works. The company is evaluating development feasibility for a variety of options, including a hotel, which would make for two hotels on the site.

Soffer’s hotel was given a six- to nine-month head start by the URA because of their investment at the site.

Regarding Pittsburgh Palisades Park, Belloli said the task force charged with studying the effect on the South Side of the proposed Betters racetrack/casino/residential/retail development in Hays will present their results to the planning forum in February or March.

In other news, a public meeting on the 64-acre South Side Park will be held on Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. at the Brashear Center.

Landscape architects Klavon Design Associates were commissioned by the SSLDC and the South Side Slopes Neighborhood Association to conduct a feasibility study on the park area. Funding came from a $10,000 grant from the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh.

A small task force of residents and community organizations’ representatives met several times on the matter.

The public meeting, said Janice Crum of the SSSNA, will be an opportunity for residents to hear the study results, and present their own ideas and concerns regarding the park.

In other business, Brannan said the South Side Sports and Recreation Fund board will convene to look at the spring funding cycle.

The next forum meeting will be on Feb. 10.