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Together We Rise

Launching our updated Joint Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan

Planning our Future

The Boroughs of Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, and Ben Avon Heights are working together on “Together We Rise”, an update to our Comprehensive Plan. A comprehensive plan is a community's roadmap for the future. It helps residents, businesses, local leaders, and community organizations work together to create a shared vision for how we will grow, preserve, protect, and serve our combined communities over the next 10 years and beyond. Guided by our Joint Planning Commission (JPC), this Comprehensive Plan effort endeavors to provide a venue for robust community conversation around our visions for the future.
Why Update our Comprehensive Plan?
The Plan update is an opportunity to revisit the goals from our last Plan and re-engage our residents in charting a path for the next 10 years to best reflect the current trends and align with available grants and funding programs. Together We Rise will create a shared vision and goals, while identifying specific actions suited to each Borough. In 2017, the four Boroughs adopted our last joint comprehensive plan. Titled “Together at Our Best”, it laid out a vision for collaboration across the boroughs focused on harmonious growth and collaboration. The 2017 Plan reflected the interrelated nature and close connections across the 4 boroughs: shared goals and shared resources enable all boroughs to achieve more together. Read it here: Together At Our Best.

Get Involved

Community participation is essential and encouraged! There are numerous ways to provide your input. Our engagement plan involved participation opportunities and community updates at regular intervals.
As we launch the public process, upcoming opportunities include:
  • Fall Fest on September 26: Visit our table to learn more, meet the team, and share your ideas for the future of the Boroughs.
  • Community Survey: Expected to launch by September 26, keep an eye out for a public survey opening soon.
  • Drop-in events: All four Boroughs have active events; stay tuned for Together We Rise tables at other community events.
  • Visioning Open House: Date pending, in late October or early November.
  • Website: Upcoming dates and locations will be posted on each Borough’s website.
  • Social Media: Upcoming dates and locations will be posted on each Borough’s social media accounts as well as circulated to community pages to share.
  • The Joint Planning Commission: Have other ideas or suggestions? Reach out to planning@triboroughsJPC.com. Between the consultant team, JPC, and an involved Steering Committee, we aim to provide resources, materials, and outreach as far and wide as we can.

About this Project

The four boroughs brought in Michael Baker International as the planning consultant hired to manage the planning process. This is expected to be a 14-month-long effort, comprised of several stages:
  • Public launch and initial public engagement (Fall 2026)
  • Review and analysis of current conditions, changes, and trends (Fall-winter 2026)
  • Vision, Goals, and Priorities (Winter 2026-Spring 2027)
  • Plan development and identification of action steps (Spring 2027)
  • Finalization, including public review and adoption (Spring-Summer 2027)
The JPC formally includes representatives from Avalon, Bellevue, and Ben Avon. Ben Avon Heights is an active partner and has provided representatives as well to ensure all four boroughs are equally involved and included. The JPC typically meets monthly, the last Monday of each month, at 7:00 pm in the Avalon Borough Council Chambers. For any questions or for information on attending a meeting, email planning@triboroughsJPC.com.
Learn More about Comprehensive Planning
Would you like to learn more? Here are some great resources on comprehensive plans:
  • View the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Planning Series Brief about the Comprehensive Plan.
  • The Implementable Plan Workbook from DCED serves as a best practice guide.
  • Funding the Plan: The Boroughs have secured a state grant which covers 50% of the cost of this project. Find out more about the grant on the Municipal Assistance Program (MAP) website.
  • Under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Act 247 of 1968, counties are required to prepare and maintain a comprehensive plan, while municipalities are authorized to prepare their own plans individually or jointly with neighboring communities. The MPC identifies several core elements that should be addressed, including land use, housing, transportation, community facilities, utilities, natural resources, and implementation strategies. For more information, explore the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code.