Group discusses plan for North Lima area

The discussion focused on choosing a theme.
By VIRGINIA ROSS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NORTH LIMA -- Beaver Township is moving closer toward developing a neighborhood plan for its North Lima area.
A group of township residents, officials and business representatives met Tuesday to consider possible changes that could be made to the area.
"The important thing is to come up with a plan, stick to it and secure funding to help it become a reality," explained Christopher Kogelnik of Herbert, Rowland & amp; Grubic Inc., the Pittsburgh company assisting the township with plan development. Kogelnik said he is looking for the plan to be competed by year's end.
Tuesday's discussion addressed choosing a neighborhood theme.
"Before" and "after" diagrams illustrated what the North Lima area could look like once the cracked sidewalks are replaced with attractive walkways and the streets are lined with new lights, trees and benches. The group is also considering the inclusion of a town clock in the center of North Lima.
"These are ideas to look at, discuss and consider," explained Lisa Holm-Schrader, a planner working as a subconsultant for HRG. "Now is the time to say what you want. We'll work on new drawings to reflect these ideas."
The core committee, made up of about a dozen volunteers, was established to assist the township with the creation of the plan. The committee, which has met twice, plans to convene monthly.
Goals of committee
The committee is looking to maintain community support for quality schools, provide and maintain an appropriate mix of businesses, address parking needs for businesses, schools and community events, provide safe access within the community, promote and identify the village setting, address utility concerns and provide grant and funding guidelines for improvements.
Township officials conducted an initial public meeting on the matter in July and intend to schedule a second meeting later this year. Township trustees must approve the plan before it can be executed.
Essentially the purpose of a neighborhood plan is to improve a specific area of a community, rather than the community at large. Officials have said much of the work would include beautification efforts, such as streetscaping.
Appropriation
Earlier this year township trustees appropriated $15,000 for development of the plan, which is expected to cost $14,700.
Kogelnik, a township resident, works out of HRG's Hermitage, Pa., branch, where the North Lima plan is to be developed.
The neighborhood plan is to be used to guide the township in shaping the growth and development of North Lima. Michele Swope, township zoning inspector, said the neighborhood design will supplement the township's comprehensive land-use plan adopted in 2003.
For more information about the project, call Swope at the township zoning office, (330) 549-9295.