Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning And Grants topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Crafton committees advance trail study and downtown improvements; borough awarded $325,000 state grant
Summary
A trail study subcommittee is vetting nine RFPs and expects a recommendation in late March; separately, Crafton received a $325,000 DCED grant to fund pedestrian improvements in the downtown core, and the borough is planning public engagement on zoning April 2.
Crafton officials said a trail study subcommittee has reviewed responses to a request for proposals and expects to deliver a recommendation to council later in March. The borough also announced it received a $325,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to improve pedestrian safety and the downtown experience, and officials outlined plans for zoning public engagement on April 2.
The borough manager told council that a subcommittee of the trail study group met and has begun scoring nine RFPs using a weighted matrix that emphasizes public engagement and implementation planning. Committee members are consolidating notes and expect to meet again on March 24 to finalize a recommendation; council may consider that recommendation at the March 27 meeting.
Infrastructure and land-use committee members said Crafton received a $325,000 DCED grant with no local match required. The committee emphasized the funds are smaller than the amount requested, and state rules limit how much may be spent on planning versus construction. Officials said the borough will develop a short list of ideas that fit within the $325,000 allocation and then discuss options with council; the proposals could include crosswalk painting, pedestrian amenities or other downtown enhancements. Staff said they may pursue limited public input once feasible project options are identified.
On zoning and planning, borough staff and planning commissioners are scheduling a public engagement session on April 2 at 6 p.m. in the community room. The borough said a professional facilitator — likely Christine Mondor of EvolvVA or, if unavailable, a facilitator from Pashuk Enterprise (used in recent public engagement work) — will help lead the April session. Officials said meeting format details will be shared at least two weeks before the event and that the planning commission has been handling zoning revisions through its regular public meetings per state procedures.
Officials also reported that nine RFPs were received for the trail study, and the selection subcommittee is using a scoring matrix weighted toward public engagement and implementation plans. The borough said all application materials, evaluation notes and the scoring matrix will be shared with council.
