Uniontown approves comprehensive plan
Uniontown City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to adopt the city’s first comprehensive plan in more than 20 years.
Mayor Bill Gerke said Tuesday that the plan is used by the city to guide its future growth, development, revitalization, and improvement.
It also lays out city priorities for future planning, development, infrastructure, economic development, and community improvement initiatives.
“This is the culmination of a process that began some time ago and has involved a lot of folks to get to the point where we are now,” he said. “But this is the final step in adopting that.”
The plan suggested one path to revitalizing downtown could be revising the zoning code to allow for mixed-use development.
More people could also be brought into the downtown, at least as visitors, by working the Sheepskin Trail into city events. The trail, listed as a unique asset for the city, could also be highlighted through community bike rides or through added trail development in the city, the plan suggested.
Other sections discussed adopting incentives and sanctions for property owners as a way to encourage keeping their properties in good condition.
Uniontown had last adopted a comprehensive plan in 2002, said city Solicitor Tim Witt.
To get public opinion on what changes needed to be made, Uniontown held seven meetings last year, each one in a different neighborhood of the city. The city planning commission, city redevelopment authority, Downtown Business District Authority and Fayette County Chamber of Commerce also weighed in.
A final public hearing was held after council’s August meeting for feedback before the final draft.