Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Planning Priorities Pedestrian Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission raises pedestrian safety study, dog park and zoning update as 2026 priorities
Summary
At its Sept. 23 meeting the planning commission proposed a 2026 agenda that includes a focused pedestrian‑safety review using state crash data, consideration of a dog park, attention to blight/land bank options, and watchfulness on an updated zoning code now before council.
Commissioners used the meeting to start shaping a planning commission agenda for 2026 and to flag several items they want staff to pursue. A commission member asked that the October meeting include an ideation session to generate resource requests for the 2026 borough budget. Members suggested four priority areas: a pedestrian‑safety review of local intersections, pursuit of a dog‑park conversation, more attention to blight and land‑banking options, and signage/heritage elements tied to trail work.
A commissioner described recent local pedestrian incidents and recommended the commission “dig into” pedestrian safety by using a state database of police reports that categorize pedestrian‑involved crashes. Commission members suggested a review that would combine that state data with local crossing‑guard feedback and police reports to identify problem intersections. The discussion named specific local locations, including Steuben Street near the Crafton Delight ice cream shop, where members said sightlines and a lack of physical barriers create recurring hazards.
On zoning, staff reported that the borough has a revised “clean zoning code” that was drafted following county review and solicitor input; the code is posted on the borough’s website and council will discuss it at its next meeting. Staff told the commission that, if council proceeds, the planning commission would likely see zoning follow‑up items in November.
Commissioners also suggested using available grant programs—one member specifically named the state’s “America 250” grants—as potential funding sources for small historic signage, trail interpretation and placemaking tied to the trails plan. Members asked staff to prepare a short, targeted list of what the commission would ask the borough for in the 2026 budget cycle.
No formal votes were taken; commissioners asked staff to put the 2026 priorities and a pedestrian‑safety agenda item on the October meeting agenda for detailed discussion.
