Elk County Planning Commission: Can we afford to wait another 25 years?
RIDGWAY - At Wednesday's quarterly meeting April 24, it was noted by guest consultant, Brian T. Funkhouser, AICP with Michael Baker International, it has been 25 years since the Elk County Planning Commission had updated their comprehensive plan for the County of Elk. "The state wants these plans updated every 10 years," stated Funkhouser. " All parts of Elk County should be looked at more globally these next 10 years," noted Funkhouser. "We need to draft a Comprehensive Plan to put out for the public's review which will be released soon. North Central will be assisting with this plan as well. After this plan is reviewed by the public, the plan will then be updated and sent to the Elk County Commissioners" he added. Katherine Wyrosdick, also a consultant with Michael Baker, International, stated," The overall plan should be broken down or prioritized . For example, take the top five goals and make them your focus effort at the start."
Several Planning Commission Board members spoke regarding the Comprehensive Land Use Plan sharing their concerns and thoughts to the group. One member noted it was obvious from the plan Elk County is loosing population and questioned if this loss was intentional and are we planning to make Elk County a playground devoid of employment. Also, another concern was regarding climate action being a distraction and the member stated there were many more things to be looked into to improve our economy. Also noted, was conservation easement which stymies growth and strips land of its value.
Also noted during the comments regarding the Clearfield /Elk County Joint Comprehensive Plan, Clearfield County held 70% of their land for private use while
Elk County's land was 70% of State and Federal Government owned land, with 30% being privately owned.
Housing availability was also another concern from some board members, including the problem with absentee landowners who don't maintain their property which leads to blight. Another issue is the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations which the member felt should not be part of the plan. He concluded by asking if anyone knew what attainment was reached to the previous (old) plan's various objectives. Nobody knew.
Another board member stated these problems all start years ago with the initiation of the "DuPont Plan". This was a shift/payroll system used by many companies in the area; which caused people to leave the area. He ended by asking how do we get people back here to live; and what happens after this plan is implemented, and how does the plan help build back our towns?
Another noted that if we remain regressive in our thinking we will die! We need to be progressive and form partnerships with strategic alliances with state and local agencies, example being the Ridgway Industrial
Development Corporation (RIDC).
The regular meeting was called to order at 3 p.m. with all board members present. Minutes from the January 24 meeting were approved as presented. The subdivision of seven properties was reviewed and approved as presented as was the Housing Report. Currently, projects for four accessible bathroom modifications one of which is in St. Marys and three in Ridgway Borough; two housing rehab projects one which is in Johnsonburg and one in St. Marys.
Under Old Business: The Small Communities Entitlement Program (CDBG) Report was approved along with the Elk County Housing Report and the Directors Report.
Under New Business: Becky Krieg was introduced to the board as a new member who will represent Jones Township. Krieg lives in Wilcox, PA.
There was no other new business to discuss nor was there any correspondence.
The meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. The next scheduled meeting of the Elk County Planning Commission is scheduled for July 24, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. in the Court House Annex Building.