May 9, 2007 By Rebekah Sungala 3 min read

Officials involved in developing a multi-municipal comprehensive plan that includes four Fayette County townships are asking for public input. In 2006, supervisors from Franklin, Menallen, Perry and Jefferson townships announced they would join forces in developing plans for their communities.

The $150,000 comprehensive plan is being paid for, in part, with a state grant administered through the Fayette County Office of Planning, Zoning and Community Development. In addition, each township also contributed $2,500.

Mackin Engineering Co. of Pittsburgh was chosen to finish the comprehensive plan, which is near completion.

Having now reached the final stages, officials are asking community members to attend one of three public meetings to learn about the future development plans for their respective townships.

The public meetings, planned throughout the month, will be community member’s last chance to make recommendations and share their vision for the future.

Christy Burnside, project manger with Mackin, said it’s important the public participates in the comprehensive plan and commended those who served on the steering committee.

“This planning process involved a wide range of stakeholders,” she said. ‘We had a very active steering committee, compromised of residents, business owners and elected officials who guided the process.”

A background study completed by Mackin showed an increase in residential development in Franklin, Menallen and Jefferson townships in the last decade.

The study stated that Menallen Township can expect to see “rapid development” once the Brownsville-to-Uniontown leg of the Mon/Fayette Expressway is constructed.

Perry Township, according to the study, is facing “development impacts” from Rostraver Township in Westmoreland County and has the potential to see new business development along Route 51.

A press release from Mackin referred to the comprehensive plan, though not a legally binding document, as a public statement of, and policy guide for, the “desired growth and direction for the townships.”

The comprehensive plan will help communities prepare for expected growth in a manner that improves the quality of life for residents while preserving farmland and open space, the release stated.

The official 45-day public comment period will begin May 24. Copies of the final draft of the comprehensive plan will be made available for review in each of the four township’s municipal buildings. In addition, copies of the plan will be distributed to the Fayette County Planning Commission, the Uniontown Area School District, Frazier School District and each surrounding municipality in Fayette and Westmoreland counties for comment.

Comments submitted in writing should be sent to Mackin Engineering Company; Attention: Christy Burnside, planner; RIDC Park West; 117 Industry Drive; Pittsburgh, Pa. 15275. All comments must be received by July 9.

Township supervisors are encouraging residents to attend the upcoming town meetings.

The town meetings will be held as follows:

– Residents will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Smock Community Center, located at 105 Main St.

– Residents will meet at 6 p.m. May 17 in the Perry Township Volunteer Fire Department, located at 206 Liberty St.

– Residents will meet at 6:30 p.m. May 24 in the Menallen Township Municipal Building, located at 427 Searight-Herbert Road.