< PreviousS uch phrases have become considerably more common on property development signs in the last decade, both in Pittsburgh and around the country. As Baby Boomers have begun to reach their 70s and are retiring in droves, the population has created new demand for single- family home design. Today’s retirees are more likely than their parents to sell the homes in which they raised their children. They want less stress and maintenance, allowing them more time and freedom to travel and pursue hobbies and interests. The architectural history of the term “patio” is Spanish in origin, as Spaniards in medieval times adapted the atrium concept of ancient Rome to their dwellings. The Romans designed courtyards open to the sky within their public buildings. By the time of the Spanish Renaissance, many homes in Spain were built with secluded patios as a standard feature. According to the site Movoto.com, cluster homes first appeared on the scene in the U.S. in the 1960s. As a means of taking advantage of multi-family zoning while providing affordable single family homes, dwellings were built together in clusters that conformed in size, price and design. While upkeep of these new dwellings decreases with ownership, square footage actually increases in many instances. One developer stated that, instead of the term “downsizing,” the transition to patio homes should be called “rightsizing.” Patio homes with basements and a second story can have upwards of 3,000 square feet. Michele Lutz, a realtor with Cowden Creek Realty, says that she’s been seeing an uptick in demand recently among homeowners in their 60s and older who want to sell their current homes and move into single-level homes. These homeowners have oftentimes been in their current homes for decades but now not only want a first-floor master but to also be free of the work an older home requires. “They’re in their 60s, they’re still healthy and doing stuff, they just don’t want all that maintenance,” she says. For these homeowners, the maintenance agreements that come with many patio home developments are huge. She says that by the time homeowners decide to make the move, it’s already been on their minds for some time. Sandee Toulouse, a Berkshire Hathaway realtor who has been selling homes in the area for 30 years, says she believes there are not yet enough one-level, maintenance-free homes in the region to keep pace with demand. One reason for this is the area’s predominantly hilly terrain, which doesn’t lend itself to single- level homes. Toulouse commented that her office gets calls weekly from buyers looking for homes with a master bedroom on the first floor, which is a limited option in many Pittsburgh homes. Baby Boomers on the younger end of the spectrum are prime buyers of the residences, as they want to keep the open concept style of the 1990s-era homes they are selling. Toulouse stated that such buyers are planning for space to host family gatherings or allow extended stays for adult children and grandchildren. Here are four different area developers and a breakdown of how each is handling the growing demand for patio homes with their own unique approach: One-level design. Maintenance-free living. Patio homes. INTRODUCTION BY JILL BORDO CONTENT SUBMITTED Development in Kennedy Township $369,000+ In 2018, members of the Montour School Board and area officials celebrated the opening of a new patio home development in Kennedy Township called Sir Henry’s Haven. The development was built by Montour graduate Henry Duckstein Jr., owner of Duckstein Restoration. Duckstein initially planned to build townhomes at Sir Henry’s Haven but changed course after consulting with Michael Cowden, president of Cowden Creek Realty. In an area already dense with townhomes and traditional homes, patio homes were something of a rarity and becoming increasingly popular among retirees who wanted single-level, low-maintenance living. Duckstein ran with the concept and constructed 12 carriage homes with basements along with another eight patio homes in the development. He also teamed up with Cowden Creek to the sell the homes. Now, with the majority of the development’s 20 homes sold, Duckstein is launching a second phase of the development. The patio homes at Sir Henry’s Haven take up the footprint of two townhomes and start in the $400,000 range. Cowden says that the homes were built to meet the needs of Baby Boomers who want to “right size” as oppose to downsize. As such, the homes are roomy, ranging from 2,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet. The smallest home has two bedrooms while the largest has five bedrooms. All of the homes feature a first-floor master and the housing plan offers a maintenance agreement to homeowners. Sir Henry’s Haven is located at 223 Herbst Road, not far from David E. Williams Middle School. For more, visit ducksteinproperties.com. 40 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020 It’s not every homebuilder that can say it changes lives with every home built, but it certainly is the case for local family-owned patio homebuilder Scarmazzi Homes. Recently ranked as Pittsburgh’s 7th Largest Single-Family Homebuilder, Scarmazzi Homes has provided over 500 single-level, low-maintenance patio homes to those looking for a more carefree lifestyle in the Pittsburgh region. “We don’t simply build homes,” says Lisa Scarmazzi, who owns Scarmazzi Homes along with her husband Paul, both Canonsburg natives. “We create vibrant neighborhoods where our residents form new friendships, connect with peers, and have more time to do the things they want to do, not have to do.” The patio homes in each Scarmazzi community range in size from approximately 1,500 to 2,800 square feet. All models feature a sun-filled open floor plan, two bedrooms, two full baths, a den in select models, and an oversized garage - all on one floor. A second floor or basement is optional, providing an additional bedroom, bath and living area. With the introduction of more free time, residents can also take advantage of outdoor living. “Our private courtyards, which come standard on every home, provide another living area for relaxation and entertaining. The interiors wrap around these outdoor living rooms and provide natural light and courtyard views from all areas of the home,” explains Scarmazzi. A private clubhouse with pool and fitness center is featured in many of Scarmazzi’s developments. Outdoor services include mowing of grass, seasonal mulching, edging of beds and snow removal to the front door. “We truly provide a ‘lock and leave’ scenario for those who travel or live away other times of the year. And for those who don’t…there is always a book club gathering, poker game or Happy Hour going on in the clubhouse!” says Scarmazzi. Scarmazzi Homes currently has a limited number of homes still available in its Preserves community located in North Fayette Township and in its Arabian Meadows community near The Meadows in Chartiers Township. Homes in both of those developments start at around $295,000. The company is also building in two new developments near Canonsburg. One of those developments, Arden Farms, is located close to I-79, the Tanger Outlets and the Washington County Country Club in Chartiers Township. The other development, called The Sanctuary, will be located just north of downtown Canonsburg and minutes from the Southpointe Business Park in Cecil Township. For updates on both, visit www.scarmazzihomes.com. Along with transforming the lives of residents, Scarmazzi Homes is committed to making a difference in the lives of others. Through the company’s Give-Back program, a donation is made on behalf of every new homeowner annually to a local charity and, this year, the City Mission was presented with a $4,900 donation on behalf of the residents who moved into their new homes in 2019. In addition, Scarmazzi Homes is an annual Corporate Sponsor of City Mission, has aided in the design and fundraising for City Mission’s newly renovated Avis Arbor Women with Children’s shelter, provides scholarships to graduating seniors entering a post-education trade school, is a financial partner in the construction of a new trade school in Haiti, and is a presenting sponsor for Canonsburg’s Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration. “We view our business as a platform to make a difference and give back,” says Scarmazzi. Through Guild Quality, a third-party customer surveying company for the homebuilding industry, Scarmazzi Homes has consistently been awarded the Guildmaster designation for its unparalleled customer service. In addition, 95 percent of Scarmazzi Homes customers would recommend the company to others looking for a new home. For more information on Scarmazzi Homes’ communities and patio homes, visit www.scarmazzihomes.com or call (724) 223- 1844. Developments in North Fayette, Chartiers and Cecil Townships $295,000+ www.scarmazzihomes.com March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 41 Much has changed with regard to modular and manufactured home construction since Dan Hall of Moon Township started developing property across North Fayette Township in the late 1960s. Back then, when Dan and his father, John, were developing the land where Virginia Hills and Walden Woods now sit, modular homes were largely limited because of the rigors they underwent during transportation. Walls were mainly comprised of plastic paneling while materials like drywall and tile were out of the question. Today, though, thanks to advancements in building techniques and materials, there isn’t much manufacturers can’t do with modular homes that they can do with traditional homes. Modular homes can have vaulted ceilings, dream kitchens, crown moulding and hardwood flooring. They come move-in ready and can even be pre-painted if buyers wish. They’re also extremely energy-efficient, making them perfect for downsizing or a second home. The single- floor homes have gained significant traction with the Baby Boomer generation in recent years and, compared to traditional construction, they’re also much more affordable. Dan Hall’s company High Tech Housing specializes in these homes and can construct them on any lot. Recently, High Tech started offering a new model called the Catena Patio Home that’s designed specifically for the 55-plus demographic. The single- level home boasts 1,493 square feet with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. For any orders placed by May 1, High Tech can bring the home in and construct it on a lot for just $188,888. For that price, homebuyers get a pier foundation with a block surround, an attached two-car garage and air conditioning. The kitchen also comes outfitted with granite countertops, a refrigerator, range, microwave and dishwasher. Delivery and construction are included, as are utility hook-ups. Another perk to the homes is that homebuyers don’t even need to come up with cash to finance. Rather, their lot can be used in lieu of a down payment. High Tech is a local, family-run company. Dan’s son, Tyler, is now helping his mom, Sandy, and his dad run the business. The company has also been named the official western Pennsylvania representative for Clayton Homes, which was acquired by Warren Buffet’s real estate company, Berkshire-Hathaway, in 2003. The Hall family has developed land where thousands of area homes now sit, including in Virginia Hills, Redwood Estates, Walden Woods, Timberglen, Settlers Place, Jeffrey Town, Pointe West and The Preserves. High Tech’s show lot is located in North Fayette at 7876 Steubenville Pike. For more information, call Dan, Tyler or Sandy Hall at (724) 695-3900 to schedule an appointment. Visit their website at www.hightechhousinginc.com or scan the QR code at right. Build on your lot Orders placed by May 1: $188,888 42 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020 When it comes to custom, high-end home construction, it doesn’t get any better than Paragon Homes. Any of the company’s homes could easily grace the pages of a magazine and the company has won multiple home of the year awards from the Builders Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh for its half-million to $1 million homes. Traditionally, Paragon has built multi-level, two- and three-story homes, but Paragon’s Steve Fink says that in recent years they’ve been getting an influx of requests for single- level, patio-style homes. He says many homes the company built in recent years at its Walkers Ridge community across from Nevillewood have had elements of single-level living, including first-floor master suites. That’s given homeowners the best of both worlds, allowing them to keep all the benefits of a single-family home but with all the modern amenities of single-level living. He says many of those homes also incorporated a second-floor loft space primarily for guests and storage. Paragon recently sold the last of its lots in that community. While Paragon can build on any private lot, the company is building in several developments located in South Fayette, Collier and Robinson townships. Parkside Meadows, its newest development in Collier Township, has many flat lots that are particularly suited to patio-style homes that blend the benefits of single-family homes with a single-level living lifestyle. It’s also located just a stone’s throw from Collier Township Community Park. A path at the rear of the development leads right into the park and the Collier Township Community Center is just a few minutes away on foot. Parkside Meadows has just 23 lots and several of those abut a forested area. All of the lots also have great backyards with tons of potential for outdoor living and offer more privacy than would typically be found in a development. As well, there isn’t an expensive monthly maintenance charge like with many patio home developments. Depending on the homeowner’s needs, however, Fink says his company can line up homeowners with contractors to perform regular maintenance if they prefer. As with its multi-level homes, Paragon’s patio-style homes trend toward the higher end, with nine-foot ceilings, eight-foot solid core doors, exquisite kitchens, beautiful wainscoting, vaulted ceilings, six-foot real wood windows and other amenities. Other trending popular features in their homes include spa-style showers, giant walk-in closets and more. As with the other builders featured in this section, Paragon is a local, family-run company. Paragon’s offices are located in Robinson Township at 5949 Steubenville Pike. Call them at (412) 787-8807 or visit them online at ParagonHomesCustomBuilder.com. Build on your lot or developments in Collier, Moon, South Fayette, Robinson. $450,000+ paragoncustombuilder.com March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 43On the Horizon On the Horizon ; West Allegheny Class of 1958 Meetings, second Thursdays, 9 a.m., Eat’n Park Robinson Township, (724) 747-1773. Robinson Lions Broom and Garbage Bag Sale, download order form at www.RobinsonLions.org, helps fund critical and worthwhile projects across Robinson Township. Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus Rehearsals, Monday evenings, 7-9:30 p.m., Sharon Community Presbyterian Church in Moon Township, open rehearsals, for women who sing, www.soundsofpgh.org, (412) 945-SING. Montour Robinson AARP Chapter 4820 Meetings, second Wednesdays, 1 p.m., senior center on Leona Lane, entertainment, 50/50, bingo, (412) 331-6817. American Legion Ken Mawr Post 464 meetings, third Tuesdays except January-March, 7 p.m., 229 Herbst Road, Kennedy Township, men and women veterans welcome, Rich Spanard, RJSPANARD@COMCAST.NET. Kennedy Garden Club, meets second Tuesdays, 11 a.m. except in August, Ken Mawr UP Church, lunch, guest speakers, free event but reservations required, Judy Fritzges, (412) 331-6175, find them on Facebook. Greater Pittsburgh Football Officials Association, seeking new officials for youth, scholastic, college and semi-pro levels, Mike Conlon, (412) 398-6545. TGIF, social group for high functioning adults on the autism spectrum, ages 18-40s, Fridays, 7-9 p.m., Youth Community Center at Sharon Presbyterian Church, food fun and fellowship, free, Terry Doughty, (724) 457-1088, TGIF.ASGroup@gmail.com. AARP Chapter #2203 Monthly Meetings, fourth Tuesdays, Kennedy Township Fire Hall, meeting at noon followed by refreshments and bingo, entertainment every other month, seniors 55 and older, (412) 771-5183. Singers Wanted for Sounds of Pittsburgh Chorus, rehearses Mondays, 7-9:30 p.m., Coraopolis United Methodist Church in Coraopolis, premiere women’s a cappella chorus, www.soundsofpgh.org, (412) 945-SING. ICTUS (Ingram, Crafton, Thornburg United In Song) singers wanted, adult community choir looking for new members, men and women 18+ in Pittsburgh area, rehearses Mondays, September through May, 7-9 p.m., Crafton UP Church, (412) 716-1113, Ride_ICTUS@yahoo.com. Western PA Kidney Support Group, second Sundays, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Eat’n Park Robinson, (724) 796-1603, RSVP. Republican Committee of Robinson Township Meetings, last Mondays except: May, November, December; Pub at Tonidale, 7 p.m. American Legion West Hills Post 924, looking for veterans interested in making a difference, www.westhillspost924.com VFW Post 402, looking for new members, 412 Mulberry Street, Coraopolis, www.VFW402.org. McKees Rocks Historical Society Meetings, third Tuesdays, 6 p.m, social hour, 7 p.m. meeting, Rocky’s Restaurant and Pub, 1562 Island Avenue in McKees Rocks, all welcome. Lenten Recital Series, noon, Coraoplis UMC, 1205 Ridge Ave., Coraopolis, light lunch follows, March 18: Katya Janpoladyan (cello), March 25: Dr. Douglas Starr (organ), April 1: Robert Troeger (organ). One Voice Christian Vocal Ensemble, March 15, 2 p.m., Coraopolis Presbyterian Church, refreshments afterwards in social hall. Ukrainian Easter Egg Workshop, March 28, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie, beginner and advanced classes available, registration required, www.orthodoxcarnegie.org. Athletes of Action Luncheon, March 28, doors open 10 a.m., program starts 11:15 a.m., Holy Trinity Parish Social Hall, honors area’s rich sports history and figures, with keynote speaker John Banaszak, benefits scholarships for local student athletes, $35, lunch buffet, raffles, door prizes, www.athletesofaction.com. Arts and Chocolate Spectacular, March 28, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Township of Upper St. Clair Community and Recreation Center, student artwork, sweet treats, performances, kids craft tent, free event, www.twpusc.org/rec-leisure/rec-leisure-home. 2020 HOLT Brewhaha, March 28, 5-8 p.m., 498 Camp Horne Road (Avonworth Park), 10 breweries, course pairings, raffles, prize wheel, benefits Hollow Oak Land Trust, $75, Google event for tickets. Ukrainian Pysanky/Easter Egg Sale, April 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., St. Peter & St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 220 Mansfield Blvd., Carnegie, featuring over 1,200 Pysanky (Easter Eggs) eggs, basket raffles, door prizes, bake sale, pre-packaged kielbasa, church tours, www.orthodoxcarnegie.org. Good Friday Community Cross Walk, April 10, noon, begins at Coraopolis Presbyterian Church. Kennedy Garden Club Plant Sale, May 9, 9:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Fairhaven Park upper pavilion, hanging baskets, flowers, plants, homemade baked goods, raffles (fire pit, butterfly bench, Yankee candle basket), 50/50, benefits club’s community plantings, scholarship, Meals on Wheels snack bags, more, (412) 331-6175. 44 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020Y Robinson Twp. Historical Society Robinson Twp. Historical Society STORY AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED Coupons James “Jimmy” Westwood, a popular Justice of the Peace in McKees Rocks in the 1920s and 1930s, believed he was destined for great things. However, in 1934, when he was convicted of tampering with ballot counts in the 1932 elections, his troubles were just beginning. Soon, his career as a public official would fall like a house of cards, as would his family. Westwood was doomed at every turn. In 1932, his 13-year- old daughter Clara died from a gunshot wound from Jimmy’s gun. The fact that Jimmy was a well-known public official may have prevented an investigation, and Clara’s death was quickly deemed an accident. As if that wasn’t enough of a tragedy, Jimmy’s in-laws, John and Josephine Winkler, died in a supposed murder-suicide in their home that same year, in 1932. Only later would these three deaths begin to be linked together, but nothing definitive ever resulted. According to a newspaper account, at 1:45 a.m. on July 10, 1935, Westwood’s 19-year-old daughter Bertha heard shots coming from her mother’s second-floor bedroom in their Ella Street home. She found her mother bleeding profusely and phoned the police at 1:48 a.m. Three bullets were in Martha’s head. She had been killed instantly. She was 37 years old. A neighbor who was up with a teething baby heard the shots. She told police she saw Jimmy come out of the house and disappear up the street. She then heard a car start. Jimmy, who is described in the newspaper as a known womanizer, claimed that at the time of the shooting he was with friends at Eddie Peyton’s Roadhouse in Robinson Township. Witnesses in his group, including Eddie Peyton himself, agreed that Jimmy had never left the bar except for “15 minutes or so,” when he and a female companion had slipped out to a friend’s car in the parking lot, then re-entered the bar using separate doors. Various witnesses at the bar judged the length of their absence to be anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. The murder occurred just six miles from Peyton’s Roadhouse. On September 29, 1936, Westwood was charged with the murder of his wife and the trial began. According to an article in the Charleroi Mail, “Calm and dapper as ever, Justice of the Peace James Westwood, with an upraised right hand, today pleaded Not Guilty to the slaying of his wife, Martha, as he went on trial for his life.” After a star witness for the prosecution was killed in a suspicious industrial accident and other witnesses requested a 24-hour guard, things got more and more interesting. The case made headlines as far away as California. At the conclusion of the sensational trial, the father of four was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. His days as a free man were over. Even Jimmy’s own death was suspicious. In 1951, after serving just 15 years of his life sentence, he “fell” from a scaffold at the Western Penitentiary and died instantly. Some said he was pushed. In a last tragic chapter in the Westwood family history, Jimmy Westwood Jr. fell from a painting scaffold in 1955. His instant death, eerily similar to his father’s, occurred on Helen Street in McKees Rocks. It is not known if this incident was ever investigated. It was a family with so many tragedies and yet so many still- unanswered questions. The mysterious life and death of Jimmy Westwood Justice of the Peace James “Jimmy” Westwood Coupon Ads Just $135! No Contract March/April 2020 • www.awmagazine.com • 451XFirebeatFirebeat BY JOE KULIK You may have heard the news recently that some volunteer fire departments are consolidating or ceasing operations while others are looking beyond the idea of having departments comprised entirely of volunteers. It’s become a hot topic of discussion lately, as some VFDs have even begun advertising to hire firefighters. In our area, for example, a joint volunteer department in Washington County recently advertised for a full-time firefighter and offered to pay them $22 per hour with full benefits. The Cranberry VFD advertised for firefighters that would be paid “a stipend” to work certain shifts. Several other volunteer fire companies are doing the same in order to bolster their declining membership numbers and ensure that they have an adequate number of firefighters needed to respond to calls. Not too long ago, departments had a lot more volunteer firefighters than they do now. In the 1970s, Pennsylvania had approximately 300,000 volunteer firefighters. By 2018, that number had dwindled to approximately 38,000 volunteers. There are many reasons as to why that is. One is that, in the “old days,” many volunteers worked in the communities where they lived. When there was a call, they could make it to the firehouse in a few minutes. Now, many volunteer firefighters work a fair distance from their home communities. Many also have employers who do not like it when their employees suddenly have to leave in the middle of an appointment or assignment. As a result, some departments are now looking to “hire” firefighters for the “day shift” when there are fewer volunteers available to respond to calls. Traditionally, fire companies have attempted to address this problem by joining with other neighboring departments to handle calls. I have been on fire calls during the day when several local departments were immediately requested to respond. Another reason for the dwindling number of volunteers, and one that many have cited for leaving a department, is the time demand. Automobiles now have more exotic designs and materials that firefighters must be educated on in the event such a vehicle is involved in an emergency. The same goes for construction materials. With all the newer chemicals and hazardous materials now used in construction, training is much more intensive. In addition to weekly “drill nights,” meetings and trainings, there is also the need to raise funds. As a result, many volunteers see the commitment as being too much. They may want to be of service to their community, but not to the extent that it takes away too much from work and family. Another possible reason for dropping volunteer numbers is decreasing enthusiasm for service-oriented organizations. For instance, churches have problems finding volunteers and community organizations like the Rotary and Lions find it hard to attract new members. The problem with all this, of course, is that most municipalities simply will not be able to afford a paid department and may not even be able to afford a duty crew. Let’s consider the department advertising a pay rate of $22 per hour. When you consider taxes and benefits, that person is actually going to cost almost $70,000 per year and that does not even take into account all the other issues involved with a paid firefighter joining a volunteer department. Is it sufficient to have just one person who is fully trained and capable of handling different assignments? Will there be a feeling, consciously or subconsciously, that the paid person should be the one to run into the burning building? Is it possible that a volunteer may now be less inclined to assume the risks involved and feel that the paid person should bear that responsibility? Government officials at all levels are looking for ideas to recruit and retain volunteers. Different programs, such as free tuition for community college or tax credits, have been implemented, and other proposals are being considered. These officials know that local communities cannot bear the cost of a full-time paid force. Your local volunteer fire company saves your community hundreds of thousands of dollars, monies that would have to be paid to provide salaries and benefits (and training and equipment and so much more) to staff a fire department. Just as local police departments look to consolidate, fire companies may have to consolidate, too, which could mean a delay in response time. For now, most, if not all, of our local volunteer fire departments are in good shape. There are adequate - but not desirable - volunteer numbers. The questions is, how long will this be the case? Joe Kulik has been a member of the Kennedy VFD since 2002. How long can all-volunteer fire departments last? 46 • Allegheny West Magazine • March/April 2020Doing what they do best so you can too. Gerson B. Florez, M.D. Orthopedic Surgery, Hand & Upper Extremity Richard J. Mitchell, M.D. Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine William T. DeCarbo, DPM Foot & Ankle Surgery Shaka M. Walker, M.D. Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Leading experts in their field, St. Clair Orthopedics Associates physicians provide a full range of orthopedic services, including fracture care, sports medicine, total joint replacement, hand and upper extremity surgery, spine surgery, and foot and ankle surgery. They help patients ease pain, restore range of motion and return to normal activities. 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