Design work is expected to begin soon for a new bike and pedestrian trail linking the Montour Trail with South Park.

Bethel Park council has unanimously approved receipt of a grant of about $40,000 from Active Allegheny through the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County.

The grant will enable the municipality to design the trail linking the Montour Trail at the intersection of Irishtown and Logan roads to Corrigan Drive in South Park.

The design phase should begin soon, municipal manager Shawn Arbaugh said.

Council on Monday also unanimously approved a policy requiring that all property owners within 500 feet of a proposed rezoning be notified.

Council President Tim Moury said under the previous policy, only property owners adjacent to a property that was up for rezoning were automatically notified.

With the notification, residents will have the opportunity to go to the planning and zoning commission with any questions instead of waiting until the matter comes to council, he said.

“We’re trying to encourage more participation on the front end,” Mr. Moury said.

Council member Jim McLean announced that Bethel Park’s preliminary 2018 budget is balanced without a tax increase and will be presented at council’s Oct. 23 meeting.

Deana Carpenter, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.

First Published: September 15, 2017, 4:00 a.m.