TARENTUM BOROUGH Comprehensive Plan 2009-2019 Prepared By: Third Sector Development, LLC Monroeville, PA Acknowledgements The preparation of this document has been financed with assistance from a Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program (LUPTAP) Grant. The Borough of Tarentum and Third Sector Development would like to thank the following individuals, organizations and public officials for their participation in the draft and review of the Comprehensive Plan: William Rossey, Manager Borough of Tarentum State Representative Frank Dermody Carl Magnetta, President of Council, State Senator Sean Logan Borough of Tarentum U.S. Representative Jason Altmire Tim Rapp, Vice President of Council, Borough of Tarentum U.S. Representative John Murtha Eric Carter, Councilman, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Borough of Tarentum Onorato Hugh Fox, Councilman, Lance Chimka, Allegheny Together, Borough of Tarentum Allegheny County Economic Development Mike Gutonski, Councilman Jessica Mooney, Allegheny Together, Borough of Tarentum Allegheny County Economic Development John Motosicky, Councilman Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Borough of Tarentum Foundation Joe Davidek, Planning Commissioner Urban Design Associates Borough of Tarentum Mark Peluso, Town Center Associates William Vakulik, Police Chief, Borough of Tarentum Mara Peluso, Town Center Associates David Strellec, Solicitor, Alle-Kiski Valley Historical Society Borough of Tarentum Professor Chris Magoc, Chair Denny Puko, PA DCED Department of History, Mercyhurst College Joy Wilhelm, AICP, PA DCED James Wolfe, Mayor Borough of Tarentum The following citizens, business owners and concerned stakeholders provided invaluable input that directly impacted the formulation of this plan, and we graciously thank them for their time and dedication: Mark Anuszek Matt Fryer Patty Kristofik Jill Prill Von Argyle Harvard Furman Greg Kristofik Chuck Reitler Donna Baker Paulette Furman Greg Krowitz Sherry Reitler Ken Baker George Gatto Janice Kuhns Dianna Roney Kevin Bertaki Mark Gatto Tim Kuhns Robert Rose Chuck Blackburn Richard Geahry Phil LaRusse Jane Rossey Georgie Blackburn James Grabigel Barbara Magnetta Cindi Rusak Greg Blythe Jim Heffran Colleen Matsik Cindy Sander Joseph Bodnar Nancy Heffran Rebecca Matt Debbie Shiring MaryJo Boyer Bill Herman Alberta Miller Brian Snyder Bill Burns LouAnn Homa Beverly Miller Andrew Stevens Marlene Campbell Lawrea Honnef Ken Misejka Kathy Stevens Tracy Christopher Jim Huet Michelle Misejka Shawn Stoebener Greg Cosnotti Andrew Jonczak Jim Newcomer Wendy Thimons Rose Cosnotti John Killian Paula Norwich Jim Thomas Ann Culleiton Mary Jo Killian Jeff Parker Mary Anne Trettel Charles Culleiton John Klucinek Joe Pavcik Sheena Van Dyke Rick Deemer Cynthia Kramer Nick Petrishen Pat Walters R. Gary Duster Florence Kramer Olivia Phillips William Wakulick Carrie Fox Fr. Aaron Kriss Mike Polly Judith Wisner Table of Contents 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY…………………………………………………….5-6 2. OVERVIEW……………………………………………………………………….7-8 3. HISTORY……………………………………………………………………………9-26 4. PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT…………………………………………………..27-38 5. MISSION AND VISION…………………………………………………….39-42 6. RECREATION……………………………………………………………………43-46 7. RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT………………………………………….47-50 8. HOUSING…………………………………………………………………….....51-76 9. THE ECONOMY OF TARENTUM……………………………………….77-86 10. KEYSTONE OPPORTUNITY ZONE……………………………………..87-90 11. THIRD WARD REDEVELOPMENT………………………………………91-100 12. COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT…………………………………..101-102 13. LAND USE……………………………………………………………………….103-108 14. INFRASTRUCTURE………………………………………………………….109-116 15. COMPATIBILITY………………………………………………………………117-118 16. APPENDICES……………………………………………………………………119 APPENDIX 1. Public Involvement Survey given to attendees at the May 5, 3006 Revitalization Kick-Off Meeting Survey results from the Revitalization Kick-off Meeting Tarentum Revitalization Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 1, October 2007 Presentation from the October 11, 2007 First Public Involvement Meeting Input “Wishlist” from October 11, 2007 meeting (f)= future, (n)= being done now Tarentum Revitalization newsletter Volume 1, Issue 2, February 2008 Presentation from the March 5, 2008 Second Public Involvement Meeting Public Involvement Findings from March 5, 2008 meeting Presentation from the July 12, 2008 Third Public Involvement Meeting Business SWOT Analysis resulting from July 12, 2008 meeting Housing SWOT Analysis resulting from July 12, 2008 meeting 2. News Coverage Index “Officials are asking Allegheny County to declare West Tarentum a blighted area,” by Charlie Ban Valley News Dispatch January 9, 2007 “Tarentum revitalization begins,” by Charlie Ban Valley News Dispatch October 11, 2007 “Off to a good start,” Editorial Valley News Dispatch October 15, 2007 “Tarentum revitalization plans unveiled,” by Tom Yerace Valley News Dispatch March 6, 2008 3. Maps Index West 7th Avenue Site Plan Tarentum Redevelopment 4. Schematic and Demographics Tarentum Government Schematic SPC Demographic Information EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2009-2019 The Keystone Principles & Criteria for Growth, WHY DO WE PLAN? WHAT PURPOSE DOES IT Investment & Resource Conservation SERVE IN A BUILT-OUT COMMUNITY? (Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Economic Development Cabinet) A Comprehensive Plan is an attempt to establish guidelines for the future growth of a Back to Prosperity: A Policy Agenda for community. The elements of a comprehensive Pennsylvania (The Brookings Institution) plan can vary from one jurisdiction to another. In most cases though, the plan consists of a Allegheny County Comprehensive Plan study of existing conditions and a discussion of future trends, goals, and objectives. Land-use Allegheny County Development Policy – Route patterns, housing conditions, population, 28 Corridor infrastructure, and the economy are usually the primary areas studied. However, the content of Allegheny Places Principles plans has evolved as the needs of society and technology have changed. Today, plans may Eastern Corridor Visioning Study (Port take into consideration sustainability issues as Authority of Allegheny County) well as public health concerns. Beyond these elements, a Comprehensive Plan While the questions of what a plan is and what should also be consistent with the applicable it should contain may meet with general county plan and those of any contiguous agreement, the question of what makes a municipalities; although the local plan “good plan” may generate more debate. One supersedes the County plan according to the answer to this is “one that has significant Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. community support and that can be implemented.” It would seem that these two If we have a good plan, the challenge then is to elements are not easily separated. A plan that get from point A to point B in the most timely has significant community support is usually and efficient manner. one that can be easily implemented, as one of the major hurdles to implementation is public With population trends in most Southwestern approval. At the same time, is a plan that does Pennsylvania municipalities experiencing not have significant community support worth continuing decline, planning means more than implementing even if it receives the necessary making linear projections to meet demand. approvals? Managing decline is, at best, a concept not well defined and at worst, not a desirable course of A different perspective is that a Comprehensive action to predict. In the current economic Plan is really nothing less than a business plan climate, economic development means for a political jurisdiction. The stockholders, or responding to reduced consumption trends. An voters, may vote out the Board of Directors, or important consideration under these conditions governing body, if their investment, (taxes), must be to increase efficiency of existing provides them with a negative return on systems. property values or quality of life. While a Comprehensive Plan should be long There are also a number of policy frameworks range, it should also have short and medium that need to be considered. In the case of timeframe components to allow early successes Tarentum Borough these include: and build momentum for the long haul. TARENTUM BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 5 2009-2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY After holding a number of public meetings and talking to local officials and municipal staff, this Comprehensive Plan makes a number of key recommendations: Implement a multi-component Housing Strategy combining the conversion of unmarketable structures into appropriate scale residential units, renovation of vacant upstairs areas in Utilize the area designated as a the commercial district, development Keystone Opportunity Zone as an of new housing in the Borough’s Third energy facility with the Borough’s Ward, and designation of an Elm Street natural gas resources being converted District as Tarentum’s commercial to electrical energy through the use of district revitalization program fuel cells to supply Tarentum’s Redcat matures. Power Company through an upgraded smart grid system Designate the Borough’s Third Ward as a Redevelopment Area that will intermix renovated and new construction mixed-use structures Although Tarentum Borough may be along West Seventh Avenue with new representative of Western housing and Tarentum’s new LEED Pennsylvania’s older declining urban certified green roof municipal center. municipalities, it also possesses a number of resources that can be instrumental