Committee member presents Comprehensive Plan proposals on green space and connectivity

At its Feb. 19 meeting, the Environmental Advisory Council of Jefferson Hills reviewed Section 2, “Future Development and Green Space,” of the borough’s Comprehensive Plan and asked members and the public to submit comments before the Planning Commission receives a final draft and the plan moves to a public hearing. "The Comprehensive Plan is open for comments prior to it being presented to the Planning Commission with a final draft and then being moved to a Public Hearing," the clerk recorded.

Committee members discussed several specific proposals in Section 2. Committee member Tom presented concepts to encourage a borough-wide tree canopy and updated landscaping standards; he also described proposals to improve connectivity by using paper streets and to add walking and biking trails that would connect to natural areas including Peters Creek and Beam Run Valley. Members discussed coordinating transportation, land-use and environmental planning through future ordinance updates to make those goals enforceable.

Council members emphasized that the comment period remains open and that any substantive edits would be reviewed by the Planning Commission before a public hearing. The council did not adopt changes at the meeting; members instead recorded suggestions and directed participants to provide written comments for subcommittee review.