Introduction
At the January Council meeting the Council President reported on what the Borough had accomplished during 2012 relative to Borough management and reorganization and indicated that while 2012 was the “year of organization” 2013 would be the “year of planning”. He spoke about the two components of planning (the Comprehensive Plan and Strategic Planning) that the Borough would undertake in 2013 in an article in the winter newsletter. These two types of plans can be easily confused but, while they may be related, they are different.
Comprehensive Planning
The Comprehensive Plan is a document that is required by Pennsylvania law. It states basic objectives and policies for a community that guides future growth and development over a 10 year period. It is a factual report that examines how the past led to the present, and reports in detail how to chart the community’s path into the future. A Borough must update its Comprehensive Plan before it can update and change its zoning or development ordinances. We are eight (8) years late in updating our Comprehensive Plan but as of March 1st have begun the process.
Strategic Planning
Unlike comprehensive planning, strategic planning focuses on a shorter time period (2-3 years) and on more specific issues such as beautification, road improvement, facilities improvement, etc. It lays out a process for dealing with selected issues in a careful and thoughtful manner. Additionally and importantly, the strategic planning process supports the development of the Borough’s budget for the following and future years. Specifically, there are only a limited number of discretionary dollars available and we should use them where they will most benefit the community at large.
Your Help Needed
The first step in the strategic planning process was to assess what elected and appointed public officials and the public thinks are issues that need to be dealt with. So, we had you rank the top 9 issues that Dormont needs to deal with over the next 2-3 years? Those rankings will now be utilized by Council as they create the Strategic Plan for the Borough at their August 3, 2013 Workshop. The rankings that you, the public, came up with will be presented on this page prior to that date and as part of the July 1, 2013 Council Meeting agenda.
We will be sure to keep you updated on the process as it proceeds. You can find information about the 2013 Strategic Planning process on this page and our Comprehensive Planning process here.
Answers to Public Questions from 8-13-13 Meeting
2013 Strategic Plan
Council met August 3, 2013, and spent the day developing the attached Strategic Plan. Their work was based on ideas generated by the Planning Commission, staff and Council and that were ranked by the public as part of a survey mailed out to every household. The top 3 items of concern were:
- Street and Alley Maintenance
- Code Enforcement
- Business District Improvements
This Strategic Plan sets out a Vision and Mission and Goals that address these concerns over the next 2 to 3 years. Staff will be utilizing this Plan to develop the upcoming 2014 Budget and to address the Implementables listed in the Plan.
Dormont Strategic Plan 2013
Strategic Planning Goals
1. Maximize Maintaining Our Brick Streets
This goal has two implementables:
- Identify streets and alleys that have bricks (create an inventory).
- Prioritize the inventory.
2. Proactive Code Enforcement
This goal has two implementables:
- Prioritize code violations with sidewalk repairs being the top priority.
- Provide detailed code enforcement reporting.
3. Additional Trash Receptacles and/or Increased Trash Pickups in the Business District
This goal has three implementables:
- Revise the sanitation contract to provide for more pickups in the business district.
- Add trash receptacles in the business district.
- Add more frequent street sweeping in the business district.
4. Increase Borough Recycling
This goal has three implementables:
- Revise the sanitation contract to provide for additional recycling opportunities.
- Educate the public about the merits of recycling.
- The Borough should lead on recycling by example.
Borough Enforces Recycling Regulations on Commercial and Multi-Family Properties
The Borough found as part of its efforts under this particular goal of the Strategic Plan that recycling for commercial and multi-family properties was not being enforced. Beginning November 1, 2014, we will be doing so. The following letter and attachments explain this and were sent to all affected property owners.
5. Design Standards for Business Facades
This goal has two implementables:
- Develop business facade design standards.
- Add business facade design standards to the Zoning Code.
6. Redesign West Liberty Avenue Streets and Sidewalks
This goal has two implementables:
- Initiate conversation with PennDOT regarding redesigning West Liberty Avenue.
- Begin the discussion with the public about redesigning West Liberty Avenue.
7. Improve Borough Signage
This goal has two implementables:
- Create an inventory of all Borough signs with their conditions.
- Develop sign design options.
8. Enhance Borough Parking Lots
This goal has one implementable:
- Implement dedicated funding to enhance public parking.
9. Encourage Pride in Property
This goal has two implementables:
- Develop an awards program for property maintenance.
- Develop a welcome package for new tenants and property owners.
10. Rehabilitate Potomac Avenue Sidewalks
This goal has two implementables:
- Enhance Code Enforcement immediately.
- Investigate options to redo all of the sidewalks on Potomac Avenue.
11. Maintain All Roads and Alleys to Borough or PennDOT Standards
This goal has two implementables:
- Determine what standards apply to the streets and alleys in the Borough.
- Have funding in each year’s budget to maintain streets and alleys.
12. Develop a Street and Alley Maintenance Schedule
This goal has two implementables:
- Prioritize the streets and alleys not meeting standards.
- Repair streets and alleys not meeting standards.
13. Replace the Trees on Potomac Avenue
This goal has two implementables:
- Coordinate tree replacement on Potomac Avenue with the TreeVitalize program.
- Determine the cost to remove all of the trees on Potomac Avenue.
14. Reinvigorate the Shade Tree Commission
This goal has two implementables:
- Update the Shade Tree Ordinance.
- Provide the Shade Tree Commission with formal direction, guidance and staff assistance.
15. Identify Historic Districts in the Borough
This goal has two implementables:
- Pursue grants to hire an architectural historian.
- Once identified, determine the interest of the various neighborhoods to be designated historic.
15A – Pursue Grants to Hire an Architectural Historian
A public meeting was held on Wednesday, October 30, 2013 with Mr. Bill Callahan from the PA Bureau for Historic Preservation and Mr. Tim Zinn with Michael Baker Corporation. Their PowerPoint presentations are attached for the public who could not attend.
Bill Callahan Presentation – 10-30-2013
Tim Zinn Presentation – 10-30-2013
