EMBRACE MILLCREEK :
THE TOWNSHIP ’ S NEW COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Embrace Millcreek Ready for Public Review illcreek
MILLCREEK TOWNSHIP
A draft of the Township ’ s new comprehensive plan – Embrace Millcreek – will be released in late May after more than a year of work , including surveys , neighborhood meetings , open houses , and research .
The draft will be presented at a public meeting at 6:00 p . m . on Thursday , May 24th at McDowell Intermediate High School . It will then be available for review on the project ’ s website ( EmbraceMillcreek . com ), with hard copies accessible at the Township Building and the Millcreek Branch of the Erie County Public Library . Public comments will be received through the end of June .
Residents previewed the framework for the plan during two open house events in late January . The events were structured around five focus areas that emerged in early 2017 as priorities in Millcreek , including : strengthening neighborhood investment , improving commercial corridors , creating a distinctive gateway to Presque Isle , supporting business development , and promoting stewardship of township infrastructure .
During the open houses many residents expressed support
16 16 MILLCREEK MILLCREEK for efforts to halt the spread of residential disinvestment and blight . Research for Embrace Millcreek found that 370 residential properties in the Township , or roughly 2 % of residential structures , show visible signs of distress or neglect . Some attendees noted that street maintenance plays a role in housing marketability and investment decisions and should be considered an important part of efforts to improve neighborhoods .
The area around the gateway to Presque Isle also generated conversation and comments at the open houses . Many see that area as an opportunity to embellish a critical asset and establish a strong identity for the Township , while others see it as a focal point for efforts to improve pedestrian and bicycle connections within Millcreek . czbLLC , the township ’ s planning consultant on Embrace Millcreek , has been working with Supervisors , staff , and the Planning Commission since July 2017 to complete research , analysis , and outreach for the plan . Representatives of the firm will be present at the May 24th meeting to discuss the plan and answer questions about the draft .