Comprehensive plan to be subject of hearing

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council has scheduled a public hearing on the city's proposed comprehensive plan at 6:45 p.m. Oct. 25 at the city building.
The city planning commission at a recent meeting recommended adoption of the proposed plan, which is to serve as a land-use and development guide for the city over the next decade.
Last year council agreed to pay Environmental Planning and Design of Pittsburgh about $50,000 to develop the plan.
A steering committee made up of council and planning commission members and city employees helped create the document, which is available for public review at the city building and the New Castle Public Library.
A.J. Schwartz of Environmental Planning and Design, who was at the planning commission meeting, said goals outlined in the plan include the city's desire to become a regional center in Western Pennsylvania. He said the document addresses single-family neighborhoods, traffic flow throughout the city and revitalization efforts, among other issues.
The city's last comprehensive plan was adopted in the 1960s. Schwartz said once the comprehensive plan is in place, the city can look at revamping its zoning map and zoning ordinance.