Mercer County Regional Planning Commission, Hermitage, Pennsylvania

 

MCRPC Organization Profile

Updated January, 2011

Mission: To prepare at the request of the governing body, a comprehensive plan and to conduct related studies and implementation activities.

Mission is specified in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 of 1968 (as amended), Section 209.1. The Planning Code is the law, which governs all planning commissions, zoning & subdivision ordinances, and other land use controls.

History: MCRPC originated in 1952. At first it was the Shenango Valley Regional Planning Commission and served only the seven municipalities of Sharon, Farrell, Sharpsville, Wheatland, West Middlesex, Hickory (now Hermitage), and South Pymatuning. Later the county and more municipalities sought membership. In 1972, the commission was restructured combining the Shenango Valley Regional Planning Commission with the Mercer County Planning and Zoning Commission to form the present-day Mercer County Regional Planning Commission. Today membership includes 39 of the county’s 48 municipalities plus the county itself.

Organization: MCRPC is organized as a joint municipal planning commission in accord with Article XI of the Planning Code as existed prior to the amendments of Act 67 of 2000 and grand-fathered by said act.

39 municipalities and the county are voluntary members via an inter-governmental agreement.

Each local government member contributes funds to support the organization according to a population-based formula stated in the agreement.

Each local government member appoints at least 2 representatives to the commission. The larger municipalities and the county have additional representatives. One rep must be a governing body member and one rep must be a local planning commissioner (preferred) or at-large member. There are currently 84 seats on the commission.

The commission meets monthly (except for June, July & August) on the 4th Tuesday, 7:30 PM at the Mercer County Regional Planning Commission offices. All meetings are advertised and open to the public.

Committees: Several working committees provide reviews/recommendations to the full commission and carry out certain authorized tasks:

Executive – Consists of the 4 currents officers (chairman, vice-chairman, secretary & treasurer) plus the immediate past chairman – Represents the commission in carrying out policies and programs and does organizational planning & development – Meets as desired.

Zoning & subdivision review – Reviews major subdivision plans, requests for modifications to subdivision regulations, and zoning map or text amendments – Meets each month on the 3rd Tuesday, 7:30 PM, at the MCRPC office.

Program Review – Reviews local community plans, sewage facilities plans, grant applications, and other projects needing review of the county planning commission – Meets as needed.

Finance & personnel – Helps prepare an annual budget and makes recommendations on personnel hirings, firings & salaries – Meets as needed.

Legislative – Reviews proposed legislation and programs and prepares opinions, position statements, etc. for commission consideration – Meets as needed.

Staff: Includes the following full-time positions:

  • Executive Director – Daniel Gracenin
  • Assistant Director – Carmen Reichard
  • Senior Planner – Brian Barnhizer
  • Senior Planner - Chris Conti
  • Senior Planner – Lisa Holm
  • Senior Planner – Matt Stewart
  • Administrative Secretary – Evelyn Wike
  • Part-time help is utilized for short-term projects. College internships are regularly offered.

Office facilities: Office rented from Mercer County Regional Council of Governments at 2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA, 16148, phone 724-981-2412, fax 724-981-7677, mail@mcrpc.com.

  • 3,100 square feet partitioned into 5 individual offices/work areas, secretaries’ work area & foyer, shared large & small conference rooms, and kitchen/library.
  • Notable equipment includes:
  • 9 PCs, 1 Laptop, HP Laser Jet 4000T printer, HP Desk Jet 2600C printer, HP 500C plotter (A-E), GTCO Accutab digitizer (36"x48"), HP scanner
  • Xerox Workcentre 7132 Digital Copier
  • Punching & binding equipment
  • Manual drafting equipment/facilities
  • Sharp laser plain paper fax machine

General budget profile: Total 2010 budget is $1,024,261 profiled as follows:

Revenue:

  • County & municipal support - 21%
  • PennDOT planning - 14%
  • CDBG administration - 12%
  • Subdivision fees - 3%
  • Special project grants - 25%
  • Miscellaneous & beginning balance - 25%

Expenditures:

  • Personnel - 43%
  • Travel & expense - 1%
  • Printing & supplies - 1%
  • Quarters & operations - 5%
  • Equipment - 3%
  • Consultant services - 26%
  • Other & ending balance - 21%

Activities: The following list shows activities undertaken by the commission:

  • Prepare long-range community plans, with emphasis on the county comprehensive plan and multi-municipal comprehensive plans, for member governments.
  • Prepare plans and studies and provide staff assistance for special projects or problems (housing rehab, downtown revitalization, community and economic development projects, etc.).
  • Prepare new or revised land use control ordinances (zoning, subdivision & land development, floodplain management, etc.) for member governments. Review and comment on all amendments to such ordinances.
  • Administer Mercer County subdivision & land development ordinance – review and approve all subdivision plans in 36 municipalities covered by county ordinance. Review and comment on all subdivision plans in municipalities with own ordinance.
  • Prepare public highway and transit plans as federally-designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Assist separate MPO coordinating committee in approval of long-range plan and periodic transportation improvement programs (TIP’s) necessary for federal funding of highway & transit projects.
  • Work with the county’s lead economic development agency and local IDCs to plan for and facilitate development of reuse and new economic development projects.
  • Administer Community Development Block Grant Program for Mercer County, Greenville Borough, Pine Township and other grantees when requested.
  • Administer the Mercer County Affordable Housing Fund and Brownfields for Housing grants. Solicit, review, and recommend selection of eligible housing improvement projects.
  • Prepare grant applications for a variety of community improvement projects.
  • Prepare research and studies of local demographic/economic conditions to 1) support needs assessments and grant applications by municipalities and agencies; 2) provide needed information for marketing and prospective developers; and 3) fill public requests.
  • Aid municipalities, agencies, local groups, etc. in implementing community plans.
  • Assign addresses and update street/address database files for 911.

 

Mercer County Regional Planning Commission
2491 Highland Road, Hermitage, PA 16148
mail@mcrpc.com    www.mcrpc.com

 

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