Holly Hill Lease Gets OK from Ross Township Board of Commissioners

Ross Township's Board of Commissioners approved a lease agreement Monday with one of its Holly Hill neighbors, , indefinitely, for $1. 

The property is at the top of the cliff overlooking behind the Ross Township Municipal Center and was part of the original 22-acre purchase for the center, in 1997, according to Allegheny County property records.

Neighboring property owners Lisa and Robert Derbis, at 300 Holly Hill Drive, added an above-ground swimming pool on a portion of the property at an unknown date. 

Robert Derbis declined an earlier interview request. Neither he nor Lisa Derbis were at Monday's meeting. 

Township Manager Wayne Jones said the township realized the structure was illegally placed on the government property about a year ago during an unrelated property complaint. Rather than have the pool removed, officials proposed the lease idea.

“We don’t want to sell the property,” Jones said, adding that the township doesn’t have plans for it. “On the other hand, they’ve been using it and maintaining it.”

Another structure was also built on the township property. Margaret and David Stettner at 302 Holly Drive added a shed. They've been offered similar lease terms, but have not yet signed the contract. 

Monday's approval of the lease agreement with the Derbis was unanimous, 8-0. Commissioner David Mikec was absent. 

The lease will remain in place until the property is sold or transferred to new owners, according to the agreement.