PLANNING COMMISSION
Department of Economic Development
Chris Hardie, County Planner 49 South Washington Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
Phone: 724-852-5300 / Fax: 724-852-2944
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. — 4:30 p.m., Monday — Friday
The Greene County Planning Commission was formed over 50 years ago, by the act of the Greene County Board of Commissioners on May 29, 1956; holding its first meeting in June 1956; as stated, its reason for forming: &34;improving the economy of the county". Originally there were five committess formed: agriculture, industry, government, communication, and culture — the first by-laws were approved in July 1956. Since that time, the commission has evolved and, while still conducting the activities described, has taken on many and varied other tasks as well.
The commission strives to comply with all the procedures and processes outlined in the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The vision of the Greene County Plannign Commission is focused on promoting the safety and security of its community by following smart growth practices, enforcing the Greene County Subdivision and Land Ordance (SALDO), and by using the PMC as the main planning tool.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP: (Updated 1/4/2012)
The Planning Commission consists of nine members, the appointment and terms of which are provided for by the County Commissioners under the authority of the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) Act 247 as amended and reenacted. The Commission has adopted its own by-laws that govern operations. Staff from the Greene County Department of Economic Development assists the Planning Commission in its duties.
Shirl Barnhart, Chairman
John Kendralla, III, Vice Chairman
Suzanne Swinchock, Secretary
Alfred L. Burns, Board Member
Brent Burnett, Board Member
Eric Marshall, Board Member
Francis Minor, Board Member
Charlie Riggs, Board Member
Larry Stratton, Board Member
Pam Snyder, Commissioner Representative
Planning Commission meetings will be held at 7 p.m. in the second-floor meeting room of the Greene County Office Building, 93 East High Street, Waynesburg. Regular meetings are held on the first Monday of each month, unless otherwise advertised. See following list of meeting dates.
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING NOTES: (NOTE: to view the meeting notes and/or agendas, contact Chris Hardie at 724-852-5300)
Click here for a printout of the Planning Commission meeting dates.
Monday, January 9, 2012 (2nd Monday due to New Year's holdiay)
Monday, February 6, 2012
Monday, March 5, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Monday, June 4, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012 (second Monday due to Labor Day holiday)
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012 (second Monday due to deer season)
Meeting notes can also be viewed at the Planning Commission Office, or by contacting Chris Hardie, Department of Economic Development.
PLANNING COMMISSION MUNICIPALITIES PLANNING CODE:
The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), originally enacted as Act 274 of 1968, establishes the basic authority for the exercise of municipal land use controls in Pennsylvania. It enables municipalities to plan for community development through preparation of a comprehensive development plan and to govern such development through zoning (with or without planned residential development procedures), subdivision and land development, and official map ordinances. The code provides for the establishment of planning commissions, planning departments, planning committees and zoning hearing boards and authorizes those bodies to charge fees, make inspections and hold public hearings. The code provides for appropriations, appeals and penalties for violations.
PLANNING COMMISSION NEWS & INFORMATION:
Feb 1, 2012 | Greene County Housing Plan & Policy (Jan. 30, 2012 Draft): click here for copy.
Jan. 31, 2012 | Housing rehab program topic of public hearing: Representatives of several communities expressed interest Monday in being considered for funding through the Home Investment Partnership Program to assist residents with housing rehabilitation. Click here for news article.
June 21, 2011 — Chris Hardie noted that the Planning Commission has 10 pending projects including: a Museum in Cumberland Township, six compressor stations, the Lower Ten Mile Sewer Authority project upgrades, construction of a Dollar Store, and the upgrade of silos at Consol’s Bailey Mine.
May 24, 2011 — Chris Hardie noted that the Planning Commission, in conjunction with the Conservation District, is working on 11 active projects and 5 pending projects, that include:
the Brodak Airplane Museum in Cumberland Township
six (6) compressor stations in Perry Township
a building addition at the Morgantown Technical in Perry Township
the Mather Wastewater Facility in Jefferson Township
Alpha Coal's Number 10 Airshaft
September 29, 2010 — Housing Authority Approves Restoration of Avalon Court in Waynesburg. The Greene County Housing Authority gave the go-ahead Tuesday (9/28/2010) to proceed with plans to restore the fire-damaged Avalon Court apartment building in Waynesburg.
Click here for news article.
September 16, 2010 — County Planning Approves Development. Greene County Planning Commission granted preliminary approval Wednesday to plans by Ryan Industrial to construct a new building in Paisley Industrial Park in Cumberland Township.
Click here for news article.
September 16, 2010 — County Planning Approves Telecommunications Tower. Greene County Planning Commission granted conditional final approval to plans for the construction of a telecommunications tower off Stoney Hill Road in Monongahela Township. Preliminary approval had been granted earlier.
Click here for news article.
PLANNING COMMISSION DOCUMENTS:
Click here for Subdivision & Land Development (SALDO) Application Packet, approved by the Greene County Planning Commission (a helpful document for developers).
Keystone Innovation Zones: The Greene County Industrial Development Corporation has 600-acres of tax-free land available for development through 2010 in the form of EverGreene Technology Park (Franklin Township) and Paisley Industrial Park (Cumberland Township). The Greene County Industrial Development Authority owns three KOZ sites in Greene County – Meadowridge Business Park (Perry Township), Mt. Morris Industrial Park (Perry Township), and the Mather Redevelopment Site (Morgan Township). Two additional KOZ sites are also located in Greene County, one in Washington Township that is owned by GreeneArc and the Eastern Greene/Shannonpin Mines 55-acre coal remediation site abutting the Monongahela River in Monongahela Township.
Following are KIZ maps:
Waynesburg Keystone Innovation Zone: The Waynesburg KIZ is centered around Waynesburg University, University of Pittsburgh Small Business Development Center, and the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. The main industries are energy and environmental technologies, advanced materials and diversified manufacturing, defense / homeland security, information technology and communications. The KIZ is overseen by the Greene County Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Grant funds can be used for KIZ coordination, strategic planning, personnel costs, hiring of consultants and administration of the zone. Companies located in tax zones, in operation less than 8 years and fall under the industry sector focus are eligible to apply for state tax credits.
REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD: (Contact Chris Hardie at 724-852-5300)
The Redevelopment Authority Board Executive Officers (updated 1/10/2012):
Marcia Sonneborn, Chairman
Barry Nelson, Vice Chairman
Thelma Szarell, Secretary
Ralph Burchianti, Treasurer
John Dorean, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer
The Redevelopment Authority Board meetings are held the second Monday of each month at 1:00 pm in the Mezzanine Level of the Fort Jackson Building of the Greene County Conservation District. (2012 meeting scheduled dates: Jan. 9, Feb. 13, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, May 14, Jun. 13, Jul. 9, Aug. 13, Sep. 10, Oct. 15 (3rd Tuesday due to Columbus Day), Nov. 19 (3rd Tuesday due to Veterans Day), and Dec. 12, 2012)
For general information, please contact the Information Services at 724-852-5399 / Toll Free: 1-888-852-5399. County Office Building, 93 E. High Street, Waynesburg, PA 15370
