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A Resolution of the Council of the County of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, adopting "Allegheny Places", the Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan.
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Whereas, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §1010 et seq., (hereinafter the "MPC" requires that counties shall prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for future land use and growth management; and
Whereas, the MPC further requires that a county comprehensive plan shall establish broad goals and general criteria to guide municipalities in the preparation of their comprehensive plan and land use regulations; and
Whereas, agencies of the Commonwealth are required to rely upon a county comprehensive plan when approving grants and permits for infrastructure and facilities, and to give priority consideration to applications for financial or technical assistance for projects that are consistent with the comprehensive plan of the county; and
Whereas, Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED), as the designated planning agency for Allegheny County, has prepared a proposed comprehensive plan known as "Allegheny Places," with the active participation of County citizens, municipalities, institutions, businesses, governmental agencies and others having a stake in the future growth and prosperity of the County; and
Whereas, public input was obtained through an intensive public outreach campaign that included the following:
a) An advisory committee of representatives from all County Departments, Authorities and Agencies, County Council, state funders and others; and a steering committee of at least one hundred civic and business leaders.
b) An equity and diversity resource panel of representatives from agencies, non-profits, foundations, and other organizations that represent the interests of minorities, women, and disadvantaged populations.
c) The "What's Your Favorite Place" campaign, through which County residents identified the places in Allegheny County that they value most.
d) A dedicated website, www.alleghenyplaces.com <http://www.alleghenyplaces.com>, through which surveys were conducted; public opinion obtained; a contacts database established; meetings and other events advertised; plan progress reported; reports, studies, mapping and other information made available to the public; and the final draft of Allegheny Places posted for public review and comment.
e) An outreach campaign that specifically targeted young people, which culminated in a "What's Your Favorite Place" art contest and public award ceremony.
f) Meetings and presentations to over eighty community groups, public and private organizations, and outreach at local events including community days and festivals.
g) Six public meetings held at strategic locations throughout the County, at which citizens actively participated in determining a preferred plan for future growth and development in the County.
h) An open house held on July 29, 2008, at which the completed draft of Allegheny Places was presented to committee, resource panel members, and the public and at which comments were received.
Whereas, technical resource panels comprised of local experts, consultants, and volunteers provided information and guidance in the areas of economic development, environmental quality, historic and cultural resources, parks and recreation, transportation; and
Whereas, the comprehensive plans of municipalities and adjacent counties were carefully considered as they relate to Allegheny Places; and
Whereas, the MPC requires that the governing body of a county must hold at least one public hearing, pursuant to public notice, before adopting a comprehensive plan and that the public hearing be preceded by a minimum 45-day public review period; and
Whereas, County Council held the public hearing on October 23, 2008, after complying with the notice and 45-day public review and comment requirements as follows:
a) copies of Allegheny Places, including the text, maps, and supplemental information were made available for public review; and
b) notice of the proposed adoption of Allegheny Places was sent to the 43 school districts and 130 municipalities in Allegheny County, and to the 5 adjacent counties and all adjacent school districts and municipalities on August 29, 2008, and Allegheny County did not receive any substantial comments within 45 days of the date of submission; and
c) notice of the public hearing was published in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review and the New Pittsburgh Courier on September 24, 2008 and October 1, 2008; and
Whereas, the County Council of Allegheny County, is of the considered opinion that "Allegheny Places" should be adopted as the County's comprehensive plan.
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby resolves as follows:
Section 1. Incorporation of Preamble.
The provisions set forth in the preamble to this Resolution are incorporated by reference in their entity herein.
Section 2. Adoption of the Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan.
Pursuant to the applicable sections of the MPC and for the purposes set forth in the Recitals, the County of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, acting by and through its County Council, hereby adopts, publishes and promulgates "Allegheny Places", attached hereto as Exhibit "A", as Allegheny County's comprehensive plan.
Section 3. Severability. If any provision of this Resolution shall be determined to be unlawful, invalid, void or unenforceable, then that provision shall be considered severable from the remaining provisions of this Resolution which shall be in full force and effect.
Section 4. Repealer. Any resolution or ordinance or part thereof conflicting with the provisions of this Resolution is hereby repealed so far as the same affects this Resolution.
SUMMARY OF RESOLUTION
TO ADOPT THE ALLEGHENY COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
SUBMITTED FOR COUNCIL MEETING 8/26/08
On behalf of County Executive Dan Onorato, the Allegheny County Department of Economic Development presents for adoption Allegheny Places, the first Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan.
BACKGROUND
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, 53 p.s. §1010 et seq., requires counties to prepare and adopt a comprehensive plan for future land use and growth management, which establishes broad goals and general criteria for municipalities to use in the preparation of their comprehensive plans and land use regulations. Allegheny County is the last county in the Commonwealth to adopt a comprehensive plan.
• Allegheny Places, a general policy guide for development, conservation, and economic initiatives, is the name of Allegheny County's first comprehensive plan.
CURRENT
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), sets forth the procedure for adoption of county comprehensive plan, which steps are in addition to the requirements of the Allegheny County Home Rule Charter:
• Prior to adoption, a public meeting to present the completed final draft must be held and comments taken. A summary of the public meeting and the draft plan are presented to the governing body for adoption.
• Allegheny County Economic Development (ACED) held a public meeting on 29 July 2008. The meeting summary, draft Plan, and an Executive Summary are presented.
• The governing body must hold at least one public hearing, pursuant to public notice, before adopting the Plan.
• The public hearing must be preceded by a minimum 45-day public review period.
• During the public review period, municipalities and school districts in Allegheny County; and contiguous counties, municipalities and school districts must be given an opportunity to comment on the proposed Plan.
• ACED will notify, by letter, the above parties of the proposed adoption of the Plan as soon as the public hearing has been scheduled, and request their comments.
• ACED will be responsible for receiving any comments on the Plan.
• If any counties, municipalities and school districts fail to respond within 45 days, the governing body may proceed to take action on the Plan without their comments.
• If any changes are made to the draft Plan as a result of the public hearing, the governing body must schedule and hold a second public hearing, pursuant to public notice, before adopting the Plan.