A couple in Zelienople has parked their vehicles at a nearby church due to the lack of parking on their property. Zelienople Borough Council took steps to alleviate the problem during its meeting Monday night, March 27. Hannah Wilkins/Special to the Eagle

ZELIENOPLE — Borough council made a decision Monday, March 27, that coincidentally will help a local couple whose home had no parking area.

Council granted a gas pipeline easement for Peoples Natural Gas Co. to update services with neighboring buildings along the northwest corner of borough property near 4 Corners Park.

While working on the easement, Peoples Natural Gas also will be laying out a gravel driveway and cutting into a curb to build a driveway for what borough leaders say is the only landlocked property in Zelienople.

“It came to light when I was studying 4 Corners Park that I found out they don’t have a driveway,” said Mary Hess, council president. “We decided that we were going to find a way to get them a driveway.”

Hess said a couple in their 70s has been parking at a nearby church due to the lack of access to their home.

“We had to put a gas easement through there, and Peoples Gas offered to build it if they were given an easement because we need to lower our gas lines,” Hess said. “It’s a win-win.”

Borough manager Andrew Spencer said the entire project will be handled by Peoples Natural Gas, including the curb cutting, sidewalk repair, laying out the gravel driveway and the cement apron at the bottom of the driveway.

Council approved a special event permit for the Zelienople Area Business Association to hold its Thursday Night Open Air Market. The event will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays May 4 through Oct. 27 on the Main Street corridor.

According to Angie Dawson, an association board member and owner of Boutique 16063, the event will include live music. Most of the music will be acoustic, but a louder band will perform once a month.

Dawson requested help from the borough in providing better access to electricity. She noted she has had to use electricity access from local businesses during past events.

“The only thing I need help with is electricity,” Dawson said. “We struggle quite a bit with electricity for bands.”

Spencer said he would look into a solution.