A comprehensive plan is a state-mandated blueprint for development over the next decade. Mt. Lebanon staff began work on the plan, with Pashek +  MTR, a planning and design firm, more than a year ago. Ian McMeans, Mt. Lebanon’s assistant manager and planner, led the effort, along with Jenni Easton of Pashek.  McMeans said the approach differed from comprehensive plans he has seen in the past.

“We went out to the public first, and asked our residents, ‘what are your aspirations? What do you want your community to be in 10 years?’”

Pashek representatives canvassed residents and stakeholders at many community events, beginning with the 2022 classic car show, continuing at farmers markets, holiday celebrations and August’s Uptown Unveiled street party. Between those public events and online surveys, Pashek was able to garner more than 3,000 pieces of input, which eclipsed the previous plan’s outreach by a factor of 10.

The plan’s recommendations are arranged to correspond with a shift in Mt. Lebanon’s municipal boards and authorities, which will be distilled from 12 boards to five, each representing a key component of residents’ quality of life:

Civic Engagement  Recommends diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; works to conciliate problems pertaining to community relations and citizens’ rights.

Mobility and Transportation Reviews, monitors and proposes policy changes regarding transportation, mobility and transit plans; traffic calming; school zone safety and anything related to streets, automobiles, pedestrians, bicycles and transit.

Parks and Recreation Makes recommendations to Commission and staff concerning parks, recreation  programming and planning, and funding priorities for parks and recreation capital improvements.

Community Sustainability and Economic Development Provides recommendations on preserving and improving Mt. Lebanon’s public facilities, infrastructure, economic prosperity, services and sense of place; reducing the environmental impact of municipal services and encouraging sustainable practices; encouraging the preservation of the community’s historic resources.

Financial Management Provides recommendations on fiscal policies, pension investments, financial reports and other monetary matters.

Mt. Lebanon released a final draft of the plan, titled Ascend Lebo, on October 30, which began a 45-day period for public comment, leading up to the vote for adoption of the plan at the December 12 Commission meeting.