Oct 21, 2015 2 min read

Into the new millennium, North Strabane’s growth rate increased more than all of its neighboring communities. A 33 percent population increase from 2000 to 2010 revealed continued expansion.

Varied housing options followed.

Forty years ago, Glencannon was the only planned residential development in the township, said Paulette Moyar, a longtime North Strabane employee.

“Then, in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it took off and we were booming with residential development,” said Moyar, township planning coordinator. “We could conceivably keep going. We’re always getting developers in.”

With past growth and future possibilities in mind, township officials continue to update the comprehensive plan – a strategy to establish future land use, development, transportation and resources.

A preferred future residential population of 30,000 to 40,000 people was identified in the last plan, complete in 2003.

Covering 27 square miles, the township is predominantly residential and agricultural.

“The township could accommodate up to 100,000 people,” said business manager Frank Siffrinn during Tuesday’s meeting. “The board had no interest in becoming that large.”

Earlier this year, the estimated 15,000 current residents were invited to voice their opinions for future land use in a survey. Participants stated they did not want any new uses in the township; 95 percent of respondents stated they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with living in North Strabane.

“Resident feedback … has expressed a varied landscape of more intense residential to very rural,” said Carolyn Yagle of Environmental Planning & Design, the firm hired to update the comprehensive plan. “We do want to honor all of those things.”

Siffrinn said the township has to find a balance between retaining its rural roots and progress.

“Obviously, with changing lifestyles and different housing concepts, we try to incorporate what we know is out there,” Siffrinn said, adding that two housing plans for senior citizens are currently in the works.

A public hearing for resident input will be scheduled before the planning commission makes its final recommendation on the comprehensive plan to the board of supervisors. Any zoning changes will be addressed next year.

The comprehensive plan will correspond with a strategic facilities plan to assess the township’s present and future building needs.

Gateway Engineers was hired in September to determine the extent of work necessary to make the municipal and public works buildings meet the needs of employees and residents.