Trumbull Planning Commission to write new comprehensive plan for Girard

Staff report

GIRARD

Girard City Council recently entered into a contract with the Trumbull County Planning Commission to update the city’s comprehensive plan. Comprehensive plans typically include maps, charts, and text that analyze existing trends and conditions of growth and make recommendations for the general development of the community, according to the planning commission.

“The planning commission completed our plan in 2000, and it has served our city well,” said Mayor James Melfi. “The plan stated that more land should be set aside for public use. It was the foresight of that plan that helped to protect our city against a company who tried to place a landfill in the City of Girard.”

Trish Nuskievicz, executive director of the planning commission, said “Planning for the needs of a community, instead of reacting to them, can eliminate chronic problems, save tax dollars and reduce duplication of services. The planning commission makes it a priority to offer contractual comprehensive planning services to all Trumbull County Communities.”

In 2014, the planning commission broke an agency record by completing four comprehensive plans in the same year — for Hartford, Bristol and Kinsman townships, and Newton Falls village, she said in a press release. The planning commission also is in the final stages of an update to Champion Township’s comprehensive plan.

First Ward Councilman Stephen Brooks stated in the press release, “Updating the comprehensive plan will help the city of Girard to move forward with economic development and ties in nicely with some of the other opportunities such as the Girard Leatherworks property that just received brownfields funding.”

After a 14-year lawsuit, the city now owns the property.

“That is 27 acres of prime real estate that is located adjacent to our park and U.S. [Route] 422,” Melfi said. “I am excited to see what the planning commission recommends for that space. I personally would like to see some commercial activity, while being careful to protect the nearby residential neighborhoods.”

Melfi said he also is interested in what the planning commission will recommend for property located near Vallourec Star. The comprehensive plan update is scheduled to be completed in November 2017.