Executive Summary - Northern Tier summary.pdf · 2008-07-03 · EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 For more data...
Transcript of Executive Summary - Northern Tier summary.pdf · 2008-07-03 · EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 5 For more data...
Executive Summary
C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n2
Study Area:North Towanda TownshipTowanda BoroughTowanda Township
RO
UTE 220 SR
0220
ROUTE 6 SR 0006
OLD PLANK RD SR 3020
SUGAR CREEK R
D T 8
91
ME
RR
ILL
PK
WY
BURLINGTON TPKE SR 3009
PATTON
HILL R
D T 398
S M
AIN
ST
SR
202
7
HETTICH RD T 396
WOODSIDE R
D T 40
4
BENNETT RD T 360
SE
CO
ND
ST
FOU
RTH
ST
PINE GROVE RD T 579
PINE VALLEY RD T 544
JOHNST
ON RD
T 36
6
LAU
RE
L HILL R
D T 568
STATE ST
WILLIA
M S
T SR
1039
YOR
K AVE
SR
0006
MAHONEY RD T 361
OAK ST
TIP TOP R
D T 45
7
GRANGER RD T 545
FRANKLIN RD T 397
BRID
GE
ST S
R 3018
RA
ILRO
AD
ST T 566
JAMES ST SR 1041
ISBE
LL L
N
KINGSLEY HILL RD SR 2028
SUMM
IT RD T 570
SACO RD SR 4001 THURSTON LN
AIRPORT RD T 547
FIF
TH S
T
TRAVIS RD T 892
ASPENWOOD RD T 577
GR
EE
N R
D
T 56
5
OLIVE ST
TURKEY LN
DE
CK
ER
LN
ROUTE 220 SR 0220
RO
UTE 220 SR 0220
ME
RR
ILL
PK
WY
SE
CO
ND
ST
FOU
RTH
ST
STATE ST
WILLIA
M S
T SR
1039
YO
RK
AVE S
R 0006
OAK ST
PINE ST
MA
IN S
T S
R 0
006
BRIDGE ST SR 3018
ANN ST
WATTS S
T
OLD PLANK RD SR 3020
MA
IN S
T SR
1 039
THIR
D S
T
LOMBARD ST
PRATT AVE
FIFTH
ST
PATTERSON BLVD SR 2036
PLANK RD
MA
IN S
T S
R 2
027
WARD AVE
CH
ERR
Y ST
KINGSBURY ST
FOSTER
RD
ROUTE 6 SR 0006
SP
RU
CE
ST
RA
ILRO
AD
ST
POPLAR ST
COLONIAL DR T 596
FOU
RTH
ST
R o a d N e t w o r kR o a d N e t w o r k
To w a n d a To w n s h i p , To w a n d a B o r o u g hTo w a n d a To w n s h i p , To w a n d a B o r o u g ha n d N o r t h To w a n d a To w n s h i pa n d N o r t h To w a n d a To w n s h i p
US TRAFFIC ROUTE PRIVATE DRIVE
BOROUGH STREET TOWNSHIP ROAD
LAND PARCELSPA STATE ROUTE
Legend
1 inch equals 1 mile
Miles0 0.75 1.5 2.25 30.37
Maps Created Using Bradford County GIS DataAuthor: Josh L. Brown Bradford County Comprehesive Planner
Date: May 2006
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 3
is a Comprehensive Plan?What
was this plan developed?How
Municipalities develop comprehensive plans to assess their current situation, consider what they would like to see for their area in the future, and formulate strategies to achieve that vision.
Comprehensive plans consider many aspects of life: jobs and the economy, housing, new development, transportation, utilities, and the area’s natural and historic resources. The Comprehensive Plan itself is a thick document filled with data, maps, goals, and objectives. It includes plans to address each of the above issues, and recommendations on how to move forward.
A Comprehensive Plan is a tool, not a regulation. It helps guide decisions regarding the development of a region over a 10- to 20-year time period. It is used by municipal officials, county planners, other government agencies and authorities, private citizens, and the business community.
This Executive Summary provides an overview of the Central Bradford Region Comprehensive Plan.
A framework for future decision-making
The Central Bradford Region Comprehensive Plan was developed jointly by North Towanda Township, Towanda Borough, and Towanda Township, recognizing that cooperation among neighboring municipalities produces broad benefits.
The planning process was guided by a nine-person Advisory Committee comprised of three representatives of each study area municipality. Private citizens participated along with municipal officials and other local leaders. Public outreach meetings were held to listen to the ideas and concerns of area residents and business owners.
Cummings & Smith, Inc., was the comprehensive planning consulting firm engaged on the project. Funding was provided in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration through the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission. The Bradford County Office of Community Planning and Grants provided extensive support, including use of their Geographic Information System to generate the digital maps used to display project information.
Collaboratively, with a regional approach
C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n4
trends are shaping our area?What
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000Towanda Township
North Towanda Township
Towanda Borough
20502000195019001850
Year
Pop
ula
tio
n
Population is declining in Towanda Borough, with only modest growth in the townships.
This suggests that efforts should be made to build on the area’s assets and make this an even more appealing place to live.
Population History and Projection
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 5
For more data on the study area, trends, charts, and maps, see the full report.
0
3
6
9
12
15
75+65-7455-6445-5435-4425-3415-245-140-4
Age GroupSo
urc
e: U
.S. C
ensu
s B
ure
au
Perc
ent
of P
op
ula
tio
n
0
3
6
9
12
15
75+65-7455-6445-5435-4425-3415-245-140-4
Age Group
Sou
rce:
U.S
. Cen
sus
Bu
reau
Perc
ent
of P
op
ula
tio
n
Age Group Distribution Central Bradford Region
1990
2000
In 1990, the percent of the population in each age group followed a typical “bell curve.” Just a decade later, in 2000, the percentage of young people and early retirees dropped noticeably. Many young adults leave the area for college and careers. Similarly, local people often retire elsewhere and the area does not attract significant numbers of retirees from other areas.
This trend emphasizes the importance of considering the employment, housing, transportation, and community life needs of the full spectrum of age groups.
C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n6
Many homes and buildings are historic—68% of the houses in the study area were build before 1940.
This presents an opportunity to build on the area’s historic character—but also suggests that a wider variety of homes would appeal to a wider range of residents.
Improvements are underway on water
and sewer systems on a regional basis
through the Towanda Municipal Authority.
This accommodates new development while
helping consolidate growth around the
Towanda community.
trends are shaping our area?What (continued)R
OU
TE 220 SR 0220
ROUTE 6 SR 0006
OLD PLANK RD SR 3020
SUGAR CREEK R
D
ME
RR
ILL
PK
WY
PATTON
HILL R
D
HETTICH RD
BURLINGTON TPKE SR 3009
BENNETT RD
WOODSIDE R
D
S M
AIN
ST
SR
202
7
JOHNST
ON RD
PINE VALLEY RD
LAU
RE
L HILL R
D
SE
CO
ND
ST
FOU
RTH
ST
RA
ILRO
AD
ST MAHONEY RD
TIP TOP RD
GRANGER RD
FRANKLIN RD
WILLIAM
ST SR 1039
SUMM
IT RD JAMES ST SR 1041
ISB
ELL
LN
AIRPORT RD
TRAVIS RD
GR
EE
N R
D
EVER
LY L
N
FIFT
H S
T
VIEW
LN
ROU
TE 220 SR 0220
ME
RR
ILL
PK
WY
SE
CO
ND
ST
FOU
RTH
ST
STATE ST
WILLIA
M S
T SR
1039
YOR
K AVE SR
0006
OAK ST
PINE ST
MA
IN S
T S
R 0
006
BRIDGE ST SR 3018
ANN ST
WATTS S
T
OLD PLANK RD SR 3020
THIR
D S
T
MA
IN S
T SR
1 039
PRATT AVE
LOMBARD ST
FIFTH
ST
PATTERSON BLVD SR 2036
PLANK RD
RA
ILRO
AD
ST
MA
IN S
T S
R 2
027
WARD AVE
CH
ERR
Y ST
KINGSBURY ST
FOSTE
R R
D
ROUTE 6 SR 0006
OLIVE ST
COLONIAL DR
SPR
UC
E S
T
POPLAR ST
THIR
D S
T
FOU
RTH
ST
M u n i c i p a l S e w e rM u n i c i p a l S e w e r
To w a n d a To w n s h i p , T o w a n d a B o r o u g hTo w a n d a To w n s h i p , T o w a n d a B o r o u g ha n d N o r t h T o w a n d a To w n s h i pa n d N o r t h T o w a n d a To w n s h i p
US TRAFFIC ROUTE
Private Drive
Borough Street
Township Road
Land Parcels
PA State Route
Legend
Public Sewer
Miles0 0.75 1.5 2.25 30.37
1 inch equals 1 mile
Maps Created Using Bradford County GIS DataAuthor: Josh L. Brown Bradford County Comprehesive Planner
Date: September 2007
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 7
The area is home to large manufacturing companies—in fact, within the study area there are more jobs than workers.
This gives the area a strong economic advantage compared to other small towns and rural areas of Pennsylvania , and underscores the importance of the area’s transportation system.
The area has a strong, modern highway network.
This suggests that maintaining and maximizing the use of the existing highway infrastructure should be a higher priority than new construction, and that transportation projects should consider all modes.
Collectively, these trends and opportunities indicate that the focus of the Comprehensive Plan’s goals, objectives, and recommendations should be
revitalization, rather than reining in growth.
C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n8
are our area’s goals?What
Goal 1:Enhance and maintain the Towanda region’s role as an economic and community center in the Pennsylvania Northern Tier.
Goal 2:Develop and sustain an appropriate level of community facilities and services for the Greater Towanda commu-nity, including roads; sanitary and storm sewer systems; water systems; medical and health services; educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities; and public safety provisions.
Goal 3:Develop programs or solutions to land use issues that the community is facing, including expanded housing types for all income levels, upgrading of older residential structures, rehabilitiation and reuse of commercial districts, and flood-plain mitigation.
There are many good things about the Central Bradford region. Working toward the following goals—developed with extensive public input—is the next step in making the community great.
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 9
Goal 4:Investigate and pursue opportunities af-forded by Sugar and Towanda Creeks and the Susquehanna River through a re-orien-tation of the community to these outstand-ing natural features.
Goal 5:Develop attractive community gateways in suitable locations; develop appropriate community heritage themes, including opportunities to showcase them.
Goal 6:Maintain and improve all facets of the region’s transporta-tion network, including roads, rail, air, water, pedestrian, and bicycling to ensure the mobility of people and goods within the municipality and to bring residents of outlying areas to the region for employment, commerce, and services.
For more detail on each goal, see the full report.
C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n10
will we achieve those goals?How
Each of the six goals is further defined by approximately 10 objectives, which describe how to make progress toward the goal. For example, Goal 3, which addresses land use, housing, and rehabilitation of residences and commercial districts, includes the following objectives:
Goal 3 Objectives:
An education campaign will be needed to overcome community 1. resistance to townhouses or other housing options needed to diversify the local housing market.
Encourage the private sector to perform a market analysis for non- 2. subsidized townhouses.
Recognize the importance of a positive community image in motivating 3. the private sector to invest in the rehabilitation of older residential structures.
Identify suitable locations for housing options; make sure that utilities 4. are available at these sites.
Building conversions should be made in strict conformance with 5. building codes and based on sensitivity to the building design.
Develop housing rehabilitation programs, make improvement grants 6. available, and encourage private rehabilitation.
Develop incentive programs, e.g., grants and loans for first time home 7. buyers.
Maintain strong code enforcement efforts to ensure property 8. maintenance.
There is a great need for commercial building rehabilitation, however 9. viable building uses will be required to achieve this.
The Borough should consider 10. re-establishing the Main Street Manager program to address downtown issues.
Objectives Recommendations Collaboration
E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 11
The goals and objectives are the basis for each component of the Comprehensive Plan:
Future Land Use Plan•
Future Transportation Plan•
Community Facilities and Services Plan•
Housing Plan•
Natural and Historic Resources Plan•
Economic Development Plan•
Each of those “sub-plans” includes specific recommendations to achieve the goals and objectives. Because all the above issues are interrelated, and because the three munici-palities function as an integrated region, a coordinated, comprehensive approach to im-plementation will be most effective in shap-ing the area’s future in desirable ways.
In fact, it is recommended that North Towanda Township, Towanda Borough, and Towanda Township formalize that coordination by establishing an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement. By committing to a regional approach to planning and project development, municipalities can reduce expenses, qualify for new funding sources, use land more logically and effectively, and produce more substantial improvements, while retaining adequate local management.
For a complete list of objectives and recommendations, see the full report.
12C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n
happens next?What
can I get more information?Where
North Towanda TownshipRR#1 Box 63-1Towanda, PA 18848570-265-3749
Towanda BoroughP.O. Box 229Towanda, PA 18848570-265-2696
Bradford County Office of Community Planning & GrantsNorth Towanda Annex No. 1R.D.1 Box 179ATowanda, PA 18848570-268-4103
Towanda Township Church Street, PO Box 188Towanda, PA 18848570-265-4344
After public review and comment, the Advisory Committee will revise the Draft Comprehensive Plan as necessary. Next, the governing bodies of North Towanda Township, Towanda Borough, and Towanda Township will vote to adopt the Comprehensive Plan. The adopted plan will then serve as a guide for decisions and policies made by the three municipalities.
For example, the municipalities may each choose to prepare and adopt or update their Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, establishing standards for new development consistent with the priorities identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Zoning regulations are another tool used by municipalities to help align development with community plans. The municipalities may also consider establishing Historic Architectural Review Board Districts to ensure that work done on historic buildings is in keeping with the structure’s character.
Other initiatives may not require formal regulations, but rather cooperation with the private sector, promotion of the area’s natural assets, or investments in facilities or services that advance the community’s goals as identified in the Comprehensive Plan.
Plan Adoption and Implementation
www.NorthernTier.org
The full plan is available in area libraries and online at www.northerntier.org. You may also contact any of the study participants below with questions, ideas, or to become involved in plan implementation.