Jun 19, 2002 By Steve Ferris 3 min read

Uniontown City Council unanimously adopted an updated comprehensive plan Tuesday that takes effect immediately and replaces the previous version, which was in use since 1972. The plan, which was the primary subject of a brief special meeting, is intended to serve as a guide for land use and includes suggestions and criticisms that were collected during meetings held in all seven city neighborhoods beginning in 1999.

Councilman Gary Crozier commended the Uniontown Planning Commission for conducting the neighborhood meetings and thanked his fellow councilmen and city staff for their work in helping to draft the plan.

“The city really appreciates what you’ve done,” Crozier said.

Zoning and code enforcement officer Myron Nypaver credited council, the planning commission and the zoning hearing board for moving forward with the plan.

“I hope it doesn’t collect dust,” Nypaver said.

“We’re going to implement what’s in that plan,” Mayor James Sileo assured.

Although no residents attended the special meeting, Fayette County Planning, Zoning and Community Development Office director Tammy Shell submitted a letter commending council’s efforts. City solicitor Daniel Webster read the letter aloud.

The plan includes a history of Uniontown, employment trends and information from the 2000 census.

The census says the city’s population grew by 3.2 percent, from 12,034 in 1990 to 12,422 in 2000, with senior citizens accounting for 22.1 percent of the total count.

Lists of issues, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats shared by residents in each neighborhood were developed from the seven neighborhood meetings and included in the plan.

Residents said they wanted more police and fire personnel, parking, job opportunities, parks and youth activities and a better sewer system.

They wanted fewer slumlords, absentee property owners, rental properties, blighted or neglected properties and nuisance bars.

Churches, schools, emergency dispatch and ambulance services, historical buildings and attractive old homes, close proximity to recreation and major cities, Uniontown Hospital, elderly housing, tourism and the State Theatre Center for the Arts were considered strengths.

The city is preparing to separate its sanitary and storm sewer lines and started building a new community center and playground in the East End.

Owners of blighted and neglected houses and buildings are being cited.

Some of those structures have been targeted for demolition.

Nypaver said the city’s zoning ordinance, adopted earlier this year, and new slumlord legislation will play key parts in addressing unsafe buildings.

In unrelated business, council renamed the Grant Street park after two former football stars.

The park will now be called the Sandy Stephens and Ernie Davis Memorial Park.

Councilman Joseph Giachetti, parks and public property director and a former teammate of Stevens, said he will look into erecting a plaque with the new name at the park.

Stephens played quarterback for Uniontown High School and graduated in 1958.

He was the first black All-American quarterback, leading the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers to a spot in the Rose Bowl.

Davis lived in Uniontown until he was 12 years old before moving with his mother and other family members to Elmira, N.Y.

He later starred for Syracuse and was the first black to win the Heisman Trophy. Davis and Stephens finished 1-2 in the race for the Heisman Trophy in 1961.