Fox Chapel and O'Hara residents asked to complete online survey on community planning
Fox Chapel and O’Hara officials are seeking public input as they develop concepts and long-range plans for both municipalities.
A survey has been created as part of planforourfuture.com, a website with a goal of addressing key issues to create a long-range comprehensive plan for both municipalities for the next 10 years.
Two Communities, One Plan
Results from the survey will help to shape decisions concerning land use, development and budget priorities.
One example would be decisions to address future flooding in both municipalities.
The plan addresses key issues in both communities with a goal of establishing a vision, priorities and action plans over the next decade.
Borough and township officials want residents to address the issues they really care about.
The benefits of both municipalities working together include being more competitive in regards to grant funding and strengthening connections, officials noted.
“Fox Chapel is in the geographic hole of O’Hara. O’Hara surrounds most of Fox Chapel, said Fox Chapel borough Manager Gary Koehler. “It’s better to plan with your friendly neighbor.”
Residents have about 30-40 days to complete the 15-minute survey.
Responses will remain anonymous.
The survey can be accessed here.
“The Township is excited that the public input phase has begun on the Joint Range Implementable Plan. There’s a lot of buzz in the community,” said O’Hara Township manager Julie Jakubec.
Fox Chapel has about 3,800 households, and more than 8,800 residents occupy O’Hara.
Survey results and comments will be posted on the website.
The website offers links to the following previous plans: Fox Chapel Parks, Squaw Run Watershed Report, Fox Chapel Borough Comprehensive Plan, O’Hara Township Comprehensive Plan and the O’Hara Comprehensive Trail Study.
Site-Specific Ideas Encouraged
Additionally, residents are asked to use the webmap on the website to zoom in around O’Hara or Fox Chapel Borough and submit a comment on a specific location.
Whether it’s an idea about a new trail or a community garden, officials want residents to contribute via the questionnaire.
“We will have meetings in the future to update residents. This is an ongoing process,” Koehler said.
Council from both municipalities are expected to address the findings in spring of 2023.
Paper copies of the survey are available at both municipality offices.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com
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