COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IS MOVING FORWARD Mt. Lebanon is beginning work on updating the comprehensive plan, a document that will serve as a foundation for municipal policies and ordinances over the next 10 or so years. The goals of the plan will be prioritized: short-term (one to three years), mid-term (four to six years) and long-term (seven to 10 years). The plan will focus on many aspects of the community. One focus, however, will be several sites that Municipal Planner Keith McGill and Mt. Lebanon’s economic development council and planning board will select as possibilities for development. Helping with the planning process is the consulting firm Environmental Planning and Design. The steering committee will rely heavily on public input. For opportunities to participate, updates and links to documents about the progress of the 12- to 14-month planning process, go to the Planning/GIS section of Mt. Lebanon’s website, www.mtlebanon.org [1]/elevate [1], or the new Facebook page, “Elevate: Mt. Lebanon’s Comprehensive Plan 2012.” Also, at community events such as First Fridays and the Saturday Uptown farmers market, look for volunteers at informational tables passing out brochures with a QR (quick-response) code that will take you to the website and Facebook page via your cell phone. Along with using social media to elicit public opinion, McGill plans to hold at least two public meetings and a few walking tours. Residents will be asked to bring cameras on the walking tours to document issues they would like to discuss. Following the tours, participants will gather and download their photos at discussion sessions led by a facilitator, where they will create storyboards about opportunities for development or improvement.
CHARTER REVIEW UNDER WAY Mt. Lebanon’s newly organized ad hoc Home Rule Charter Study Committee has begun work and at the end of a year will submit a written report to the commission suggesting possible modifications or improvements to our “local constitution.” Mt. Lebanon voters adopted the home rule charter in January 1975, transferring much of the power of local government from the state to the municipality and giving us the ability to amend our organizational structure and power to meet our needs. Soliciting public input will be an important part of the committee’s work. Watch mtl, Facebook, www.lebomag.com [2] and www.mtlebanon.org [3] for updates.
Committee members are: Geoff Hurd, Tampa Avenue; Kevin Kearns, Theodan Drive; Mary Larsen, Washington Road; Nancy Carroll, Marlin Drive West; Chris Cahillane, Lakemont Drive; Bill Matthews, Navahoe Drive; and Bradley Kitlowski, Washington Road.