Tyrone Borough has begun work on updating its comprehensive plan and is now seeking the public’s help on the effort, according to Interim Borough Manager Sharon Dannaway.
Tyrone’s last comprehensive plan was done in 1974. Most such plans are usually good for about a ten-year period. The EADS Group of Altoona, an engineering and design firm, has been hired to oversee the comp plan update. The borough will also be working on its zoning ordinance that was last updated in 1983.
The borough is using grant money from the state’s Department of Community Economic Development and providing a local match to complete the project.
Previously, Dannaway explained the process toward completing the comprehensive plan. In reference to the EADS Group, she said, “They go out into the community and assess what we have now, they’ll look at what we did have and look toward the future.”
The process will include looking into population growth and decline, the borough’s housing stock, infrastructure and education facilities. Dannaway said there would also be public input to shape the plan.
She highlighted the process at this week’s borough council meeting where she explained the borough held an initial session regarding the plan earlier this month.
She said the borough needed to form a “planning committee” which should include a cross section of its residents. The planning committee members will be asked to review the information compiled by the EADS Group. There will also be a series of public meetings about the plan.
In a previous Daily Herald article, Dannaway noted, “Through these meetings with the public and the research they’ll do, they’ll put together this comprehensive plan,” said Dannaway. “(It’s done) to say this has been the past history of the borough from the beginning, this is what’s happened, this where we are at now and according to the census information, this is what we may need to look at in the future to plan for projects.”
Dannaway explained with the expected opening of Interstate 99, connecting Altoona and State College, it was important for Tyrone to have a new plan in place. Dannaway said once I-99 opens up such a plan would be “critical” so Tyrone “can be ready for the influx of people relocating here.” She noted the plan would include information from a comprehensive plan being under taken by Snyder Township along with one that is being done for all of Blair County.
Yesterday, Dannaway said there would be a series of eight meetings. The planning committee members would participate and review other input from public meetings.
“What they (The EADS Group) recommended (is to find) a good cross section from within the community,” said Dannaway.
She said the cross section should include a large employer, a businessperson, a clergy person and someone from the education system.
“What we would like is for anyone within the community who is interested in participating, to send their name, a short resume, their work history and why they want to participate with us,” said Dannaway.
Interested persons should send the information to Dannaway’s attention, Borough of Tyrone, 1100 Logan Avenue, Tyrone, PA 16686. If you have any questions contact the borough offices at 684-4000.
Under the agreement with The EADS Group, work began earlier this month and is expected to take about two years to be completed.
