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Neighborhood Spotlight: Olde Orchard
Neighborhood Spotlight: Olde Orchard
Olde Orchard
Homeowner Association:
Olde Orchard Community Services
Management Company:
Community Management Advisors
Number of Homes:
178
Home Type:
Townhouses
Years Built:
1983-1987
Developer:
Metro Development Co.
Streets:
Olde Orchard Drive, Winesap Court, East & West Redrome Circle, East & West Russets Circle
Location:
Off Washington Pike, near Fairview Volunteer Fire Department
HOA Property:
Two gazebos, flagpoles, fenced dog park, visitor parking areas, garage access roads
Top Issues of Interest:
Speeding, landlord rules, tree maintenance
Fun Fact:
The neighborhood was built on a former Portman's Farm orchard, and the streets are named for types of apples.
Tucked-Away Townhomes
Olde Orchard residents enjoy quiet, sociable community in South Fayette
By Andrea Iglar
Penny literally drooled with happiness when she spotted her neighbor during a walk on East Russets Circle.
Dave Colucci pulled a plastic baggie of treats from his pocket, gestured toward the dog and said, “She can have three.”
Penny, a mixed Labrador retriever, nuzzled her muzzle into her neighbor’s palm and licked up the snack as Brittany Maniet held the leash.
Maniet had been walking her dog in the Olde Orchard neighborhood of South Fayette and stopped to chat with Colucci, who carries tasty tidbits for the pups he encounters on his own strolls.
Since Maniet bought a townhouse in the community three years ago, her pooch has helped her make friends.
“Penny goes up to people and wants to say hi and give them a sniff,” Maniet said. “So she’s definitely introduced me to a lot of people.”
Built in the 1980s, Olde Orchard is a well-established community of 178 townhouses tucked into trees along Washington Pike, across from Portman's Farm Market. Access is from the street leading to Fairview Volunteer Fire Department.
Longtime homeowners and newer residents say the neighborhood is comfortable, walkable and safe. They enjoy the convenient yet quiet location, shady oak trees, and friendly pets and people.
Victor Nardo, an Olde Orchard resident since 1995, touted the affordable homeowner association fee of $44 per month. The cost covers grass mowing, snow removal and other maintenance of common property.
“I can’t see me being anywhere else,” Nardo said. “I’m older now, too. I’m not going anywhere. And I like it here.”
Colucci, a 22-year resident, serves on the five-member board of the homeowner association, Olde Orchard Community Services.
He has seen the housing plan go through many changes, including a move toward rental properties and an increase in the number of vehicles per unit.
“When these were built, there was a whole different lifestyle than what you have today,” he said.
Colucci said the 40-year-old neighborhood now has more maintenance needs, and board leaders may need to review how they enforce community rules. Another challenge is determining what trees and properties are private versus owned by the community, he said.
While many homeowners have made renovations, the two- and three-bedroom townhomes remain on the smaller side— Colucci’s is under 1,000 square feet—so residents tend to be single professionals, downsizing couples, retired people and families without children.
Cindy Smith, the original owner of a townhouse on West Russets Circle, has pulled weeds from the slope behind her end-unit and turned it into a flower garden.
Smith said her home is not fancy but meets her needs: “I’ve settled in here and just felt no reason to look for anything different.”
