Planning commission recommends county adopt comprehensive and Greenway/Trails open‑space plans

Tim Stobbe, project manager for the county comprehensive plan and the Greenway Trails Open Space Plan, presented draft documents to the Carbon County Planning Commission and asked the commission to recommend them to the Board of Commissioners for adoption at the commissioners’ June meeting. Stobbe said both plans are in public review and have been posted on the county website for the required 45‑day review period. He noted grants from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) support both projects and that grant deadlines require actions in June unless extensions are requested.

Stobbe described the public‑engagement process and key findings. “This is truly your document,” he told the commission, acknowledging a steering committee and extensive outreach at events including the Carbon County Fair and other community meetings. Major findings highlighted by staff included regional pressures on housing (commuting and second‑home purchases), aging infrastructure and gaps in critical infrastructure data, rising childcare costs (staff cited figures that childcare can represent about 12% of a family’s income and about 40% of a single person’s income), and the significant local use of recreational assets (staff said nearly 70% of visitors to natural features were county residents based on mobility data).

Plan structure and recommendations: The comprehensive plan organizes policy around four themes identified by the steering committee — housing, outdoor economy, infrastructure, and creating places — and provides goals, recommended implementation actions, pilot projects and case studies. The Greenway Trails Open Space Plan emphasizes trail connections, conservation of open space and farmland preservation, cultural and historical site protection, and recreation‑related economic development. Staff said the plans include implementation tables that identify suggested lead parties, funding sources and timelines, plus an index of potential grants and loans to help municipalities and the county seek funding.

Short‑term rentals and other local ordinance tools: Stobbe said the draft includes a two‑ to three‑page primer on short‑term rental policy to help municipalities considering ordinance changes. He also said the draft offers recommendations for coordinating municipalities regionally for planning and implementation where appropriate.

Commission action: A planning commissioner moved a recommendation of approval to the Board of Commissioners; Sean Taylor seconded the motion. The commission voted in favor of recommending the comprehensive plan and the Greenway Trails Open Space Plan to the Board of Commissioners for consideration of adoption.

Next steps: Staff requested the commission’s recommendation so the Board of Commissioners can consider adoption at its June meeting. Stobbe noted that if additional time is needed, the county will notify DCED and DCNR and seek an extension to meet grant obligations. The drafts remain open for public comment during the advertised review period.