Public meeting on comprehensive plan held in Perry
PERRY TWP. – Several residents from Perry Township and the surrounding area attended a public meeting Thursday to give their input on a multi-municipal comprehensive plan that includes four Fayette County townships. In 2006, supervisors from Franklin, Menallen, Jefferson and Perry townships announced they would join forces in developing plans for their communities.
The comprehensive plan, completed by Mackin Engineering Co. of Pittsburgh, is now in it’s final stages. Following public meetings, the last of which will be held at 6:30 p.m. May 24 in the Menallen Township Municipal Building, a 45-day comment period will be held.
Perry Township met Thursday, while Franklin and Jefferson townships met May 10.
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.
Joy M. Wilhelm, manager of planning services for Mackin, said the comprehensive plan is not a legally binding document but more of a guide for the townships, each of which is facing specific pressures in regards to growth and development.
Comprehensive plans, according to Wilhelm, help communities recognize, preserve and enhance their uniqueness while strengthening a municipality’s ability to guide future development in an effective and orderly manner.
In Perry Township, where residents are concerned with protecting rural areas, Wilhelm said the comprehensive plan helps by considering the environmental and economic impacts of land use changes, in addition to assessing critical issues and suggesting alternatives for programs, projects and policies.
In addition, Wilhelm said township supervisors can use the comprehensive plan when applying for state grants.
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.
At the beginning of Thursday’s meeting, Perry Township Supervisor A.J. Boni told the crowd of 25 to 50 people that the township needs to welcome growth.
“You either welcome it or it runs you over,” he said.
Christy Burnside, project manager with Mackin, explained the growth scenario and future land use maps that were on site for viewing.
Burnside said Perry Township is facing “extreme-growth pressures” and said there are several transportation issues that need to be addressed before they become a problem, noting several intersections on Route 51.
According to Burnside, 87 percent of Perry Township is currently agriculture or open space while approximately 11 percent is residential.
Burnside said residents can expect to see growth along Route 51 and in the northern part of the township, which borders Rostraver Township. Growth can also be expected in the area that surrounds Perryopolis Borough, she said.
Several residents who attended the public meeting expressed their concern that Perry Township could lose its rural and farm areas.
Wilhelm said Mackin would work with any concerned resident who would like to see their property to remain undeveloped and stressed that the maps presented at the meeting were not zoning maps, but maps the supervisors can use as a guide when planning for the future.
“Nothing is set in stone,” she said. “We’re willing to listen and work with you.”
Perry Township Supervisor Janet Galla said growth is necessary for survival and said the comprehensive plan is fair way to go about planning for the future.
“We’re a rural community and we want to maintain that integrity, but there’s got to be some compromise between everyone,” she said.
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.