While recognizing a demolition permit was issued for the former Cheswick Generating Station, Springdale Council on Tuesday said it needs to review its policies for such permits.

Council discussed the permitting process for the demolition at the former power plant, which included the two smokestacks that were imploded in June and a pending implosion of the boiler house. It intends to establish a committee to review demolition and other permits.

Sixteen Springdale residents requested a court injunction last month to block the boiler house implosion. That demolition was scheduled for Sept. 22 but has since been held up in court. Common Pleas Judge John T. McVay Jr. continues to hear testimony in the case.

In that lawsuit, plaintiffs allege the June 2 implosion of the smokestacks caused property damage and health hazards and that an implosion of the boiler house would negatively impact the community.

“Yes, there was a demolition permit issued. Yes, it was issued by the borough of Springdale through its duly appointed code enforcement officer and building inspector, Ed Crates,” said Craig Alexander, Springdale’s solicitor, during Tuesday’s council meeting. “Mr. Crates set the fee for that demolition permit, and it encompassed the entire demolition process of the power plant, which is the smokestacks and the pending demolition.”

Earlier Tuesday, Crates testified in McVay’s Downtown Pittsburgh courtroom about what his responsibilities were, his issuance of the permit, what the report said and how he came up with the fee for the ordinance.

Crates is a third-party code enforcement officer for Springdale. He issued the demolition permit Jan. 17. He testified that, as code enforcement officer, he is able to issue permits without consulting borough council members.

Monthly meetings about the demolition were held before Crates issued the permit, he testified. At those meetings, items such as public safety, air-quality control and asbestos abatement were discussed, he said.

The borough charged a $1,004.50 fee for the permit. Crates testified he came up with the fee and that the borough council president at the time, Mitchell Karaica, and Charah Solutions, the property owner, agreed.

Crates testified he talked with Karaica and borough office administration before issuing the permit. He said he considered Councilwoman Toni Robbins to be a “liaison” between his work and borough council. Crates didn’t consult with Robbins or Councilman Shawn Fitzgerald Jr., the vice chair of code enforcement, on the demolition permit.

“I saw no reason to get permission for something that was a permitted use,” Crates testified.

Attorneys displayed one of Crates’ reports to borough council, where it stated that Crates issued a permit to Grant Mackay Co. for “demolition of power plant.”

Robbins testified she didn’t notice that line in the report. She and Fitzgerald testified they were unaware of the permit until a borough council meeting Oct. 5.

During council’s meeting Tuesday, Alexander said council currently does not have a say in demolition permits, as they rest in the building inspector’s purview.

Resident Stacey Ansell, who is a plaintiff in the injunction suit, told council the process needs to change.

“I think that the borough, who are supposed to — and, correct me if I’m wrong — look after the whole community — the people, the land, the businesses and everything — should have had a vote whether to give the authorization for this,” Ansell said.

Resident Joe Kern, also a plaintiff in the lawsuit, gave similar remarks.

“This implosion has definitely brought out a lot of questions, and a lot of things are being run, in my opinion, wrong,” he said. “So, hopefully, we can get some of this stuff fixed.”

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