Lansdale Manager Named to Montco Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee

Lansdale Borough Manager Timi Kirchner will be one of two Montgomery County borough managers to sit on the steering committee for the renewal of the county planning commission comprehensive plan.
"I got a call from Leslie Richards, the vice chair of the Montgomery County Commissioners, and I was asked to serve on the committee," Kirchner told council last week. "I think you know, in my past life, I was a county administrator. I know how important these are."
The comprehensive plan is renewed every 10 years in the county. Kirchner said the steering committee will guide the renewal of the plan beginning in November. The process will take a year-and-a-half, she said.
"I know what honor it is to serve on such a committee," she said. "I will do you proud, I promise you that."
Kirchner said the renewal plan is a lot of work.
"Every 10 years, the county puts out notices about the renewal of this plan. It's going to be four public meetings," she said, adding the county website would list the dates of such meetings. 
"I encourage this council and the folks from the borough to attend the meetings, because the county comprehensive plan drives all efforts of the county for the next 10 years," Kirchner said.
'Drive the efforts' means that's where the money is going to go, she said.
"As a local municipality, it's important to pay attention to it, and have input as we do our planning," she said. "By attaching ourselves to the county comprehensive plan, it puts us in a better position for grants."
Kirchner is one of 26 individuals selected for the steering committee, along with Pottstown Borough Manager Mark Flanders. Other members include Russell Johnson of the North Penn Community Health Foundation, Upper Dublin Township Manager Wesley Wolf, attorney Marc Jonas, Eric Goldstein of the King of Prussia Business Improvement District and Karen Stout of Montgomery County Community College.
Montgomery County has branded the 2015 comprehensive plan as "Montco 2040: A Shared Vision." The long-range guide for growth and development will focus on "highways, public transportation, flooding, trails, growth trends, redevelopment trends, shopping needs, impact of large developments, overall housing needs, natural systems, and economic growth," per the county website.