California seeks public input
CALIFORNIA – Residents who want to have a say in what the future holds for the borough are encouraged to attend an open forum to discuss the community’s comprehensive plan. “The borough needs to have a game plan for our future. We need to decide how we want to grow and develop our land. We have so much going on here that we need to be fully aware of current demographic and economic trends, our infrastructure capacity and needs, as well as an understanding of what the residents of California want to see in the future,” said council President Art Harris.
California residents are welcome to share their vision for the future of California with borough council and staff from Mackin Engineering Co. of Pittsburgh, the firm developing the comprehensive plan, at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the borough building.
Mackin Engineering also will complete a series of interviews and focus group sessions designed to gather the opinions of local residents.
“Citizens participation is essential to the planning process and will end with the identification of strategies that reflect the wishes and needs of the people who live and work here,” said Dennis Martinak of Mackin Engineering.
Such issues as the effect of the Mon/Fayette Expressway, California University of Pennsylvania, water and sewer-line expansion, new housing and recreation needs will be discussed at the meeting.
The borough is in the planning stages of a new recreation/community center and is entering into Phase II of a sewerage project.
According to Harris, also a member of the comprehensive plan steering committee, it’s been 40 years since the borough has had a comprehensive plan done.
“We need to come together as a community to look at what we’ve accomplished since then and decide what steps we are going to take to make California Borough an even better place to live.
According to Joy Walmsley of Mackin Engineering, the comprehensive plan will encourage responsible development that respects unique community characteristics, enhances the historical and cultural qualities of the borough, encourages efficient use of public infrastructure and strengthens the tax base.
She said comprehensive planning can preserve rural resources by protecting areas of open space and conserve municipal resources by encouraging development in appropriate areas.
Walmsley said comprehensive planning also addresses municipal services such as police, fire and code enforcement, as well as sewer and water facilities. She said the planning process will allow elected officials to develop strategies to provide adequate service to all residents.