The Venango County Regional Planning Commission introduced its new executive director, Dennis Tobin, at Tuesday’s meeting. Tobin, originally from the New Kensington area near Pittsburgh, brings 15 years of experience in Connecticut planning, along with a background in New York, environmental research, and academia. With a PhD in Geography and a master’s in Regional Planning, Tobin began his new role June 30 and emphasized his desire to engage directly with the community. He proposed updates to the county’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO), recommending stormwater regulations be separated into a standalone ordinance to simplify processes. The commission supported drafting these changes for the next meeting. Recycling Coordinator Erik Johnson shared that the Community Recycling Center is seeing high use, with bins at Two Mile Park needing weekly emptying, and confirmed a hazardous waste collection event will be held Aug. 2. Additional discussions included solar project proposals, the 2024 Annual Report, and a review of the county’s comprehensive plan and Sunshine Law.
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