The Master Planning Process:
1 - The tangible results of this process will include a master plan and an economic strategy for the City of Bradford and the Townships of Foster and Bradford, as well as the creation of a new zoning ordinance for the city. The planning team began visiting the Tuna Valley in the fall of 2007 to learn about the area, gather data and speak with as many residents as possible. As of February 2008, the group is about halfway through the process, and even though the team feels like they have a good understanding of what life is like in Bradford, discussions with residents and interested parties will continue until all of the reports are completed in order to get feedback on the proposed plans, build excitement about the future of Bradford and build consensus about the best courses of action to continually improve the quality of life in the Tuna Valley.
2 - There are four main committees made up of nearly 100 involved residents:
- Steering Committee
- Downtown Strategy and Regional Business Subcommittee
- Zoning Subcommittee
- Economic Development Subcommittee
3 - There are plans to hold at least two Town Meetings during the process that will be open to the public. Ideas will be presented and input will be solicited from community members.
4 - In order to gather input, present initial concepts and build enthusiasm for the process, there will be a public forum on Wednesday, March 5th from 7-9pm in the meeting room at Fretz Middle School. Everyone who is interested in the future of Bradford is encouraged to attend and contribute opinions and comments to the process. The presentation will include information and conceptual proposals concerning commercial zoning districts and retail opportunities throughout the three municipalities, gateways into the area from 219 and the region, Main Street development downtown, and local housing stock and residential zoning districts.
At least one other public forum will be held during the master planning process to present ideas once they are further developed for public comment and feedback. The date and location of this event will be announced as soon as it is determined.
5 - The planning team from Pittsburgh consists of five members with a variety of experiences and expertises that they draw from. There are three licensed architects on the team from MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc., as well as an economic development consultant and a planning/zoning consultant.
Mr. Filoni has been responsible for the programming, planning and design of a very wide variety of projects with MCF Architects over almost 30 years. The scope of his experience includes performing arts, urban planning and design, housing, health care, religious, industrial, commercial, high technology, educational and civic buildings. Mr. Filoni is in charge of all planning for the firm. His recent planning experience includes Albion College, Bellarmine University, California University of Pennsylvania (California, PA), Carrie Furnace Site Redevelopment (Pittsburgh, PA), Lynchburg College (Lynchburg, VA), The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, Sewanee, University of the South, and University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (Bradford, PA).
Mr. Lee has 30 years of experience and has been a principal of MacLachlan, Cornelius & Filoni, Inc. since 1984 acting as the Corporate Vice President for the last ten years. Mr. Lee’s planning experience includes University of Pittsburgh Master Plan Update (Oakland – 3 districts), Bethany College, The Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh, and Sewickley Valley Hospital.
Ms. Maceyko has worked on a variety of university, performing arts and planning projects during her 8 years with MCF Architects. As a LEED accredited professional she is knowledgeable about sustainable building practices and her planning experience includes the University of Pittsburgh Master Plan Update (Oakland – 3 districts), California University of PA Master Plan Update and Residence Hall Renewal Plan, and the St. Andrew Lutheran Church Master Plan.
Simon Tripp leads Impact Economics, LP, a research, planning and strategy corporation which he co-founded to leverage his expertise in research methodology design and the application of research and strategic planning to economic and institutional development issues. Since 1990, Simon Tripp has grown a blue chip national and international client base, comprising a wide range of business, institutional and non-profit groups. Simon's areas of concentration at Impact Economics include research methodology development, market and financial feasibility assessments, technology core competency assessments, economic development strategy formation, and economic impact measurement services.
Ms. Sarraf has a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh and has thirty-five (35) years of experience as a professional planner. She is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners and has served as an officer in numerous professional organizations. Prior to establishing her own consulting firm, Roberta was employed by the Department of Community Affairs and as Director of Community Development and Zoning Officer for Upper St. Clair Township. For the past twenty-three (23) years, Ms. Sarraf has provided consulting services to over fifty (50) municipalities and numerous private clients. Roberta specializes in land development and its regulation and has prepared Comprehensive Plans, Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances, assisted with application review and provided expert testimony in zoning appeals.
6 - Meeting minutes, reports and other documents will be posted to this website throughout the process for public consumption and comment over the course of the next year.