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Last chance for public comment on county's comprehensive plan
niedbala@observer-reporter.com
WAYNESBURG - Residents will have one last chance to comment on the Greene County comprehensive plan and related recreation plan before the plans are adopted next month by the county commissioners.
A public hearing on the plans will be held at 10 a.m. July 16 at the county office building in Waynesburg. The commissioners will consider final adoption of the plans at a meeting Aug. 7.
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"What's important is that it addresses the critical issues we believe the county will face in the next 10 years," said Robbie Matesic, director of the county's Department of Planning and Development.
The plans were developed after extensive public involvement that included meetings by a steering committee and focus groups as well as public workshops in each of the county school districts.
The comprehensive plan, according to its goal statement, offers a guide on how the county can develop in a manner to "preserve (its) natural resources and historic or cultural character while strengthening its commercial and economic base."
The plan's chapters deal with housing, transportation, utilities, public facilities, agriculture, natural resources, land use, economic development, energy resource extraction and cultural and historical resources.
The plan also includes an implementation strategy that covers subjects such as diversifying the economy, housing development, historic preservation, agriculture, environmental stewardship and improving transportation.
Recommendations are included for each subject.
Under diversifying the economy, for example, the plan calls for conducting a study to define the county's "ideal model" for economic development, prioritizing industrial sites for development that supports the mining industry and establishing the Mt. Morris Interstate 79 interchange as a site for freight and warehouse activities.
The public comment period for the two plans ran from May 15 to June 29. Numerous comments were received by the county planning office and those comments will be reviewed at the July 16 hearing.
Comments also will be received from residents at the hearing, though those giving testimony will be limited to three minutes. Written comments also will be accepted.
Residents who would like to view the plans can find copies at the county planning office in the Fort Jackson Building in Waynesburg, or online on the Greene County Web site.
