Borough comprehensive plan to focus on zoning, other issues
Members of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development joined local government leaders and the president of Waynesburg University Tuesday to publicly announce a comprehensive plan for Waynesburg Borough, the product of an ongoing partnership between the borough and university community.
Douglas G. Lee, university president, said the announcement of this plan – which considers issues such as zoning, transportation, parking and the economic growth and stability of the borough, among other things – is a sign of the interdependence between the university and outlaying community.
“This plan is the recognition of the longstanding relationship between the borough and the university and how interrelated their success is with ours,” said Lee.
Michael Cortez, acting deputy secretary for Community Development, noted that partnerships like this aren’t easy to accomplish because of divergent views on issues; but said he hopes to see more communities and colleges working together throughout the commonwealth in the future.
“The idea that you all have been able to sit there and reach a consensus on what you should be doing, how you should do it and consolidate your resources is, in my mind, an example to what every community in this commonwealth should be applying,” said Cortez. “If every community, university, county and borough was like what you have here, I think we’d have much better success in the commonwealth in getting things accomplished.”
Mark Fischer, Waynesburg Borough councilman, outlined the various issues the comprehensive plan will seek to change and how Waynesburg’s historic tie to the energy industry and 60-year decline in population have impacted the borough’s current status. According to Fischer, the borough has identified zoning, transportation, parking, economic opportunity, the revitalization of downtown and housing as priorities.
Fischer expressed that this comprehensive plan is in its beginning stages and more funding is needed to move forward and execute specific action.
“There’s not enough money here to completely solve all of this,” said Fischer, adding that much of the initial funding provided will fund consultants who will research and compile data on the borough, something typical of municipalities trying to execute a strategic plan.
Beyond that, the next step is for the borough council to draft a contract for this comprehensive plan during the winter, according to Fischer.
According to a press release, initial funding for this comprehensive plan includes a $45,000 grant from the DCED’s Municipal Assistance Program, $30,000 from Waynesburg Borough Council and $20,000 from Waynesburg University.
Fischer said the first issue to be solved is likely the borough’s zoning options in an attempt to revitalize some of the empty buildings and unused spaces in Downtown Waynesburg.
“We want to see downtown utilized in a positive way. We don’t like seeing empty spaces,” said Fischer, adding that a more attractive, lively downtown could impact the university community as well.
Fischer noted zoning concerns in the council have stemmed from a recent request to build a storage shed for a lawnmower that required one resident to complete more than 80 pages of paperwork.
“If we get zoning to a point where folks understand the process, we can get more things done,” said Fischer.
Chuck Morris, chairman of the Greene County Board of Commissioners, is excited about the possible changes this plan could bring to the county, but said it requires an equal, positive effort from all parties involved.
“If we have the input of everyone, I think in years from now we’ll be able to look back and say this was a really big day in the history of Waynesburg and Greene County,” said Morris.