Three phases of the new comprehensive plan for Blair County are scheduled to begin in the next few months. The purpose of these plans is to help communities like Tyrone and surrounding areas to establish a guide for the future.
“This is just one of three phases,” stated Richard T. Haines, Blair County commission director.
He is referring to the first phase which is the area comprehensive plan. 24 months will be taken for the planning commission to decide what changes need to be made to the existing plans and what additions need to be made.
The old comprehensive plan for the county dates back to 1972. There have been some upgrades dealing with land and road issues. However, this will be a full-scale upgrade to improve the area. The writing of the plan will cost $198,000.
“There will be regional public meetings held in the Tyrone Area School District to discuss planning,” added Haines.
At least one of these meetings will be scheduled for the Tyrone area in the late spring to early summer.
A key individual to the planning commission is Tyrone resident and chairman of Blair County Planning Commission, William R. Hall. He is also the chairman of the steering committee, which includes 9 commission members and 8 additional members.
“The second phase is an 8 year plan,” said Haines.
This phase will allow the members of the commission to assist the municipalities to update or make a plan if they don’t already have one. This is important because the plans can then build on each other’s knowledge. Each municipality plan will become stronger, instead of just being a single county plan.
“Municipal plans would be much more effective,” stated Haines.
The third phase will be to further update the plans on an as needed basis. This will allow the commission the time and resources to fix problems or make additional changes.
This three phase plan, starting with the new comprehensive plan for Blair County is only the beginning. It will be used for a guide to see what needs to be done for the future.
“There’s major elements of the plan: land use, transportation, open space and greenway, water supply and distribution, and sewage facilities planning,” said Haines.
The plan is important to the area of Tyrone and surrounding communities because nearly everything is being looked at.
