Tarentum schedules meetings for public to comment, officials to act on comprehensive plan

Tarentum officials are set to consider a proposed comprehensive plan that will be used to guide the future of the borough along with neighbors Brackenridge and Harrison.

The borough’s planning commission will discuss the draft of the multi-municipal comprehensive plan when it meets at 6 p.m. Nov. 17 at the borough building.

Anyone who wishes to speak or comment on the plan should attend the meeting, according to the borough.

Borough Council will hold a public hearing on the plan at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the borough building, during which feedback from the planning commission and residents will be presented to council.

Council may vote to adopt the comprehensive plan during the council meeting scheduled to follow at 6 p.m. Dec. 1.

Borough Manager Michael Nestico said council does not necessarily have to vote on the plan that night.

Any substantial changes would require the plan to go back through the review process, but Nestico said he believes that’s unlikely to happen.

“I think it looks pretty good,” said Councilwoman Lou An Homa, a member of the steering committee that developed the document.

All three municipalities have to approve the plan for it to take effect, Nestico said. Harrison and Brackenridge are expected to act on it by year’s end, he said.

The 72-page plan, entitled “Forging Our Future,” has been in development for more than a year. It identifies economic development, property deterioration, recreation and branding as the four key issues in the communities.

The plan has been sent to Allegheny County, all the municipalities that border the three, and Highlands School District for their review. They have until the end of October to offer feedback.