CLEARFIELD – Jodi Brennan, planning director for Clearfield County, invited the public to review a draft Joint Comprehensive Plan for Clearfield and Elk counties during Tuesday’s county commissioners’ meeting.
The draft was prepared by the counties’ respective planning commissions. Both will accept comments from the public through June 8, 2024.
The comprehensive plan addresses major aspects of community development within the two counties, including transportation, land use, economic development and education, among others.
The counties worked together on the initiative to save on development costs. Assistance was also provided by the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.
Clearfield County’s plan was last updated in 2006, while Elk County’s plan dates back to 1999, according to previously-published news articles.
Brennan said since the last plan, there has been an emergence of new technologies, which has allowed the county to tap into an abundant supply of unconventional natural gas and it has driven the fast-paced development of renewable energy, particularly solar.
She added that having an updated comprehensive plan puts the county in a more practive position, and will be advantageous to local communities and the organizations and agencies within them.
The plans and a survey are available for review on North Central’s HUB site, at https://clearfieldelkcomp-northcentral.hub.arcgis.com/.
The commissioners encourage readers to review the plan and submit feedback as it’s still open for revision.
Readers may contact the planning department office at either county for more information.
On Tuesday, the commissioners also voted to award $44,836 in former American Rescue Program funds to the Clearfield Lawrence Township Airport Authority for local matching funds to complete various airport maintenance projects over the next two years.
It was noted that this was a one-time award to help maintain a county asset so it could remain viable.
Moving forward, the commissioners said they would like to see both Clearfield Borough and Lawrence Township “step up” their support as the ownership municipalities.
In other business, the commissioners:
- passed a resolution to advocate for increased funding for mental health supports from the commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- approved an intergovernmental agreement with Centre County for housing of inmates.
- approved a data release agreement with Penn State.
- approved the personnel report consisting of two new hires, one employee separation/retirement and one employee transfer.
- approved the minutes of the May 14 board meeting as presented by the chief clerk.
- approved the bills as presented by the Controller’s office.