South Fayette
NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT
Starting over in a Saddlewood condo Condominium residents offer 'life changing' social support to neighbor By Andrea Iglar
Location: Former Dernosek family farmland along Washington Pike Streets: Sundance Drive, Sundial Lane (each is a cul-de-sac) Private Amenities: Nature trail, green space, parking pads Fun Fact: The condos were built in conjunction with the single-family homes of Saddlewood next door, but now they are managed separately. Website: rjcmgt.com/sca
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HOA Top Issues of Interest: Community involvement, development, safety
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Builder: JND Properties
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Home Types: 2- and 3-story condominiums (townhouses and patio homes)
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Number of Homes: 72 (attached buildings with 2 to 8 units each)
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Years Built: 1999–2002
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Management Company: Rj Community Management
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Homeowner Association: Saddlewood Condominium Association
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Saddlewood Condominiums
Two years ago, Lauren Sniegocki moved said. “Now people drive down the street and to South Fayette Township as she was they’re waving and talking to each other.” mourning a monumental loss. Today, many neighbors continue Her husband, Mark, had died suddenly socializing. They organize parties, holiday at age 63, leaving her with an overwhelming events and happy hours. Some enjoy list of responsibilities, including selling walking groups, while others participate their house in the Laurel Highlands and in a lunch club. They help each other finding a new place to live. with pets, mail, garbage cans and other A friend and real estate agent lined up neighborly tasks. homes to view in the Pittsburgh area, and Chuck Steinmiller, president of the when Sniegocki visited Sundance Drive in Saddlewood Condominium Association, Saddlewood Condominiums, she felt right enjoys walking with his Labrador retriever, at home. Princess Leia, on the neighborhood’s Then after sidewalks and nature only a few months, trail. e n n Ba r t r u g a nd eft, J l neighbors gathered The features that , La ug u r t r outside and threw her initially drew him r a surprise birthday and his wife, Patty, to party, including a cake their patio home on iced with a bouquet of Sundance Drive in flowers. 2019 were the layout, Now, Sniegocki the location and the has written a memoir, low maintenance. “Until We Meet Homeowner Again,” about loss, association fees grief and starting cover snow removal over in Saddlewood. on sidewalks and Publication is driveways, grass and anticipated this year. landscaping care, “My experience periodic window of coming into this neighborhood was life washing, seasonal screen installation changing for me,” Sniegocki said. and removal, exterior painting and other “All of these neighbors, they just maintenance. welcomed me with open arms at a time “Everything outside the house is pretty when I needed new friends badly, and every much taken care of,” Steinmiller said. single one of them was there.” “It’s amazing how much is done for the Two of those friends were Arthur residents.” “Bart” Bartrug and Jennifer Bartrug of Both neighborhood streets, Sundance Sundance Drive, who organized the Drive and Sundial Lane, have a cul-de-sac birthday surprise. and direct access to Washington Pike, near When the Bartrugs moved to the Cecil/Washington County line. Saddlewood Condominiums 10 years ago, Township Public Works plows and salts neighbors tended to keep to themselves. Sundance Drive, but the homeowner group But the COVID-19 pandemic changed that. owns and maintains Sundial Lane. In 2020, the Bartrugs created an All of the homes in Saddlewood outreach program to check on the wellCondominiums are attached units, but they being of neighbors, establishing a textvary in layout and amenities. messaging platform and organizing outdoor Steinmiller said his home provides the gatherings. option for single-level living, with a spare “That really transformed into a much bedroom and bathroom in the upstairs loft greater sense of connectedness, community and plenty of storage. and caring for your neighbors,” Bart Bartrug Other units have a balcony or patio, South Fayette Township
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