Planning 

The Borough recognizes the need for planning documents to guide investment of precious and limited resources. When there are planning efforts underway, draft documents will be posted to this location. Completed documents will also be available under the Planning section of the website. 

River Bend is a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Sharpsburg, Millvale, and Etna – also known as the TriBoro EcoDistrict – focusing on eight goals the three communities believe they can achieve. Representatives from each community focused on major issues that could be worked on together. The plan features the following goals:​

  • Seize opportunities to work together
  • Strengthen the sense of place
  • Leverage existing assets
  • Focus on opportunity building blocks as physical places to grow
  • Update zoning ordinances
  • Target key land-use changes
  • Improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure
  • Address stormwater management

Other projects called for include studying ways to connect with riverfront locations, installing bicycle lanes and racks, improvements to Canal Street and to create design guidelines.

The Sharpsburg Climate Action Plan was adopted by Sharpsburg Borough Council in 2021 following months of community engagement and years of research on the environmental issues—like flooding, landslides, and air pollution—facing Sharpsburg. Developed in partnership with ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability, CONNECT (the Congress of Neighboring Communities), and Sharpsburg Neighborhood Organization, and with support from the PA Department of Environmental Protection, this plan offers guidance on actionable strategies we can take locally to address Sharpsburg’s specific environmental challenges and related issues while improving local quality of life.” 

Sharpsburg Climate Action Plan – 2021 (PDF)

The Sharpsburg Community Vision Plan is the community’s roadmap to shape their future and guide development in the borough for the next five to ten years. The plan showcases Sharpsburg’s identity, people, culture, and ambitions, and envisions a community of opportunity where all people are connected, thriving, resilient, and empowered to the best they can be. 

Sharpsburg Community Vision Plan (PDF)

The Community Greening Assessment project is an approach to planning, designing, constructing, and managing green infrastructure in western Pennsylvania. Green infrastructure (GI) is an approach to stormwater management that mimics natural water cycles. Instead of sending stormwater into grey infrastructure (catch basins, pipes, water treatment plants, etc.), GI offers effective, economical, and beautiful solutions to capture, slow down, and absorb stormwater.