Fulton County, Pennsylvaniaelibrary.pacounties.org/Documents/Fulton_County/2607...Fulton County is...

Fulton County, Pennsylvania

Comprehensive Plan

A Planning Guide for the 21st Century

Adopted – May 2000

Fulton CountyComprehensive Plan

A Planning Guide for the 21st Century

Adopted: May 16, 2000

PREPARED FOR:

Fulton County Board of Commissioners

Gary K. Decker, ChairmanDaniel H. Swain, Jr.

Ellis L. Yingling

PREPARED BY:

Fulton County Planning Commission

Fred Fleming, ChairmanRick Leese, Vice Chairman

Ben HeckmanJames BeanGeorge Sigel

Pat BerkstresserTom DeShongTracey MellottJames Kriner

Fulton County Planning and Mapping Department

Mary K. Seville, DirectorLisa K. Sherman, CDBG Administrator

Ruth Strait, Secretary

Consultant

Gannett Fleming, Inc.

This project was funded in part with a Pennsylvania State Planning Assistance Grant (SPAG)and Community Development Block Grant Funds (CDBG)

Table of Contents

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Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . I-1

Part One - Goals, Policies and Action Strategies

Economic Development Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ED-1Land Use Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-1Housing Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1Transportation Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-1 Recreation and Open Space Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-1Community Facilities and Services Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-1Environmental Resources Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1Cultural and Historic Resources Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1 Government Facilities and Operations Action Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1

Part Two - Background Trends and Issues

Socioeconomic Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-1

A. Historic and Existing Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-1B. Population Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-3C. Age Distribution/Gender Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-3D. Race and Ethnic Composition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-6E. Household Size/Marital Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-6F. Educational Attainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-8G. Household and Family Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-9H. Population Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-10I. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-11

Economic Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1

A. Employment by Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-1B. Manufacturing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-3C. Wholesale/Retail Trade and Service Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-3D. Agriculture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-3E. Labor Force Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-6F. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-6

Housing Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1

A. Housing Inventory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-1

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B. Housing Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-2C. Occupied and Vacancy Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4D. Occupied Dwellings by Tenure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4E. Age of Structures and Housing Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4F. Household Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-6G. Housing Value and Rental Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-6H. Housing Projections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-8I. Housing for the Elderly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-8J. Housing Affordability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-9K. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-10

Transportation Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-1

A. Functional Classification System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-1B. Public Transit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-2C. Recreational Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-2D. Roadway Trails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-3E. Traffic Volumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-3F. Road Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-4G. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-5H. Areas of Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-7I. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-7

Land Use Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-1

A. Existing Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-1B. Development Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-3C. Land Use Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-4D. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-4

Recreation and Open Space Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-1

A. Park Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-1B. Public Recreation Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-4C. Tourism Promotion Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-5D. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-5

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Community Facilities and Services Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-1

A. Police Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-1B. Emergency Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-2C. Fire Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-2D. Emergency Medical Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-4E. Hazardous Materials Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-4F. Library Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-5G. Public Health and Social Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-6H. Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-8I. Public Sewer and Water Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-9J. Solid Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-11K. Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-12L. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-14

Environmental Resources Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-1

A. Prime Farmland Soils and Soils of Statewide Importance . . . . . . . . . ER-1B. Steep Slopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-1C. Wetlands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-3D. Floodplains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-3E. Geologic Formation Characteristics and Groundwater Areas . . . . . . ER-4F. Surface Water Features and Watersheds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-7G. Agricultural Security Areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-8H. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-9

Cultural and Historic Resources Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1

A. History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1B. Cultural and Historic Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-1C. Historic Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-2D. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C-5

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Government Facilities and Operations Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1

A. Government Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-1B. Inventory of Existing Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-2C. County Budget and Finance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-3D. Trends and Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5

Statement of Plan Interrelationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PI-1

Statement of Municipal Interrelationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . MI-1

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ref-1

Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D-1

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List of Tables

Table S-1 Population Growth Rate Per Decade, 1900-1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-2Table S-2 Comparative Population and Population Growth Trends, 1960-1990 . . . . . . . . S-2Table S-3 Median Age for Fulton County, Pennsylvania and

Selected Counties, 1980 and 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-5Table S-4 Fulton County Population by Age and Gender, 1980 and 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . S-6Table S-5 Fulton County Population by Ethnicity, 1980 and 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-7Table S-6 Fulton County Household Size (Persons Per Household), 1980 and 1990 . . . . S-7Table S-7 Household Size Comparisons for Fulton County, Surrounding Counties

and Pennsylvania, 1980 and 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-8Table S-8 Educational Attainment Comparisons, Percentage of Population 25 Years

and Older for Fulton County, Surrounding Counties, and Pennsylvania, 1990 S-8Table S-9 Adjusted Median and Per Capita Income Comparisons for

Fulton County, Surrounding Counties, and Pennsylvania, 1980 and 1990 . . . . S-9Table S-10 Adjusted Median Family Income Comparisons for Fulton County,

Surrounding Counties, and Pennsylvania, 1980-1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-10Table S-11 Population Density/Square Mile for Fulton County, Surrounding

Counties, and Pennsylvania, 1980 and 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-10

Table E-1 Comparison of Resident Employment by Industryfor Fulton County, 1980 and 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-2

Table E-2 Fulton County Industry Profiles, 1992 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-3Table E-3 Fulton County - Top Fifty Employers - Third Quarter, 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-4Table E-4 Labor Force Characteristics of Persons 16 Years and Older, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . E-8Table E-5 Employed Persons 16 Years and Over by Occupation, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-9

Table H-1 Total Housing Units for Fulton County and Municipalities, 1980 and 1990 . H-2Table H-2 Housing Densities for Fulton County and Municipalities, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . H-3Table H-3 Housing Types in Fulton County, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-3Table H-4 Occupied Housing Units by Tenure for Fulton County

and Municipalities, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-4Table H-5 Age of Year-Round Housing Units in Fulton County, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-5Table H-6 Structural, Plumbing, and Equipment Characteristics,

Fulton County and Pennsylvania, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-6Table H-7 Fulton County Household Size by Tenure, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-6Table H-8 Value Intervals for Owner-Occupied Housing Units, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-7Table H-9 Value Intervals for Renter-Occupied Housing Units, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-8Table H-10 Historic and Projected Housing Unit Growth for

Fulton County, 1990-2020 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-9Table H-11 Housing Affordability Indexes for Fulton County, Pennsylvania,

and Surrounding Counties, 1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . H-10

Table T-1 1999 Transportation Improvement Program for Fulton County, PA . . . . . . . . . T-6

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Table LU-1 Existing Land Use in Fulton County 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LU-1

Table R-1 Fulton County’s Recreation and Open Space Facilities, 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . R-2

Table CF-1 Fulton County Insurance Service Office Public Protection ClassificationRatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-4

Table CF-2 Selected Statistics for Fulton County School Districts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CF-13

Table ER-1 Fulton County Prime Farmland Soils and Soils of Statewide Importance . . ER-2Table ER-2 Engineering Characteristics of Fulton County’s Geologic Formations . . . . . ER-6Table ER-3 Total Acres for Agricultural Security Areas in Fulton County

by Municipality, 1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ER-9

Table C-1 National Register of Historic Places, Listed Properties in Fulton County . . . . C-2Table C-2 National Register of Historic Places, Eligible Properties in Fulton County . . . C-3

Table G-1 Fulton County Owned Facilities, 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-3Table G-2 Total Appropriated Funds, Fulton County, 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-4

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List of Figures

Figure S-1 Fulton County Historic, 1998 Estimated and ProjectedPopulation Growth Trends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S-3

Figure S-3 Fulton County Age Distribution and Growth Projections, 1990 and 2020 . . . . S-4

Figure E-1 Fulton County Historic Agriculture Statistics, 1935-1997 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-5

Figure T-1 Historic Crash Statistics, Fulton County, 1994-98 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . T-5

Figure G-1 Fulton County Revenues and Other Financing Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-4Figure G-2 Total Expenditures by Fund Type, 1991 and 1998 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . G-5

Introduction

Introduction

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000I-1

Fulton County is located in south-centralPennsylvania and was created on April 19, 1851,from a portion of Bedford County. Fulton County isnamed for Robert Fulton, the inventor whopioneered in the use of the steamboat. The Countyhas 439.8 square miles and is composed of ridge andvalley terrain, and offers an abundance of amenities,including an adequate infrastructure network, a highquality of life, a variety of employmentopportunities, and a pristine rural setting (Base MapFeatures). The county seat is in the Borough ofMcConnellsburg, which was laid out by DanielMcConnell in 1786 and incorporated as a boroughon March 26, 1814.

Fulton County’s last comprehensive plan was completed in 1980 and has never been updated.Because of inadequacies existing in the current plan, and growth occurring within the County andregion, the Fulton County Board of Commissioners decided, in 1998, to update the comprehensiveplan under the direction of the Fulton County Planning Commission. Furthermore, fundingassistance was obtained through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and EconomicDevelopment’s State Planning Assistance Grant.

Comprehensive Planning is a continuous process that requires constant evaluation (i.e.,annual) to ensure plans and policies are reflective of both current conditions and a community’spreferred direction for growth and development. This is particularly true of Fulton County, whichin 1994 and 1996 experienced the greatest employment growth, largest rate of increase in total wagespaid, and largest average annual wage growth of all 67 counties in the commonwealth.

The Fulton County Comprehensive Plan was prepared in accordance with the PennsylvaniaMunicipalities Planning Code (Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 246), as amended. This ComprehensivePlan is the official statement of public policy by the Board of Commissioners pertaining to growthand development in Fulton County. This plan is to be used by the Commissioners, county staff,local officials and authorities, private citizens, and the business community. Furthermore, it isintended to serve as a reference for needed policy changes and should serve as the basis for thoseplanning improvements and the rendering of services under the County’s jurisdiction. ThisComprehensive Plan also provides necessary information to other local, state, and county agenciesto further the coordination of various planning and development programs. Finally, the Planprovides citizens and members of the business community with information to facilitate planning,protect existing development, preserve the environment, and identify opportunities for private action.

This Plan contains a clear strategy for Fulton County’s continued growth and developmentby focusing on the County’s strengths, such as its hard working and dedicated labor force, ruralcharacter, existing industrial facilities, transportation systems, development initiatives, and proximityto major market centers. The goals, policies, and action strategies in this Plan have been shaped byapplying sound planning principles to both existing conditions and the projected growth anddevelopment of the County.

Part One - Goals, Policies, and Action Strategies

Economic Development Action Plan


1Priority: (H)-High; (M)-Medium; (L)-Low / Responsible Parties: (C)-County; (L)-Local Municipalities; (S)-State; (P)-Private; (SD)-School Districts / Implementation Year(s)

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000ED-1

Intent

Economic development establishes the comprehensive plan’s foundation for enhancing anddiversifying Fulton County’s revenue base and job growth. The Plan recognizes various public andprivate entities that actively pursue and promote environmentally sound economic development.

The goals and objectives articulated in this section focus on workforce development, marketingeconomic development services and creating sites for the expansion of existing businesses and thecreation of new business opportunities. This Economic Development Action Plan recognizes asuccessful economic development effort is measured in greater numbers of higher wage earningresidents and greater numbers of residents working in Fulton County; the target result being just that:the creation of additional and better jobs leading to a better quality of life for all residents.

GOAL: TO CREATE JOBS AND INDUCE PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN FULTON COUNTY.

Economic Policy 1: Develop a trained and flexible workforce with a strong work ethic.

Action Strategies:

Strengthen Fulton County’s labor force and employment opportunities by capitalizing on thePennsylvania Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 through active participation in andsupport of the Southern Alleghenies Workforce Investment Board. For more informationon WIA Implementation, visit http://www.paworkforce.state.pa.us/. (H / C / P / S Ongoing)1

Encourage the County's three school districts to strengthen their career guidance programsby identifying ways to improve dissemination of information to students/parents regardingcareer opportunities, prerequisites to career entry, post-secondary educationalopportunities, non-traditional post-secondary programs, entrepreneurship and loan andscholarship programs. (H / C, SD / Ongoing)1

Encourage the creation of County-wide scholarship program to supplement existingeducational funding programs and identify area businesses, who in cooperation with schoolofficials, will create a scholarship program to assist students who wish to pursue post-secondary education but lack sufficient resources to do so. (H / C, P, SD / 2000-2005)1

Strengthen local academic curriculum and ensure the inclusion of technologically advancedcourse work in Fulton County schools. Involve post-secondary institutions in curriculadevelopment. (H / C, SD / 2000-2005)1

Promote diversification in the nature of vocational, technical, and higher education. (M /C, S, SD / Ongoing)1




Economic Policy 2: Collaboration of economic development services to businesses.

Action Strategies:

Develop a County information packet geared toward attracting new businesses andpromoting current businesses. This packet should be used to actively market Fulton Countyto businesses, tourists, shoppers, and retirees, and convey an identity that is unique to FultonCounty. Explore electronic media as a means to disseminate information, such thedevelopment and implementation of a county web site. (Note: See County Facilities andOperation Plan) [(H / C, P / 2000-2001)2 Funding Source(s): DCED CommunityRevitalization Program (CRP) and World Class Communities Program]

Consider merging the TPA and FDIA into one organization to coordinate private and non-profit goals, interests, and activities to enhance the County’s ability to foster opportunitiesfor businesses and communities. (H / C / 2000-2002)2

Develop a marketing plan that creates a distinct, vital, attractive, interesting, believable, andtangible image of Fulton County to create a brand awareness that will give an image identitylocally, regionally, and nationally. Create the image by concentrating on existing strengths,such as:

• A highly educated, skilled, and professional workforce and education infrastructure.• Convenient access to interstate highways (i.e, I-68, 70, and 76) and markets (i.e.,

Baltimore-Washington, Pittsburgh, etc)• Existing locations available for new targeted industries and basic businesses (i.e.,

South-Central Business Park and the Warfordsburg area).• Public and private cultural/recreation amenities. [(M / C, L, P, SD / 2000-2003)2

Funding Source(s): DCED Community Revitalization Program (717) 720-7352]

Establish and maintain a public relations visibility to create interest in the County andpromote the County’s image in the media and elsewhere. (M / C, P / 2000-2005)2

Conduct a labor market assessment to identify the human resource base living in FultonCounty. Keep this economic and demographic data base current and promotedissemination. (M / C / 2000-2005)2

Provide technical and financial assistance to small business owners wishing to start orrelocated in the County. (H / C / Ongoing)2




Economic Policy 3: Create sites for expansion of existing businesses and creation of newbusiness opportunities.Action Strategies:

Assist the Fulton County Industrial Development Authority, municipalities, and regionaleconomic development authorities by applying for DCED’s Infrastructure DevelopmentProgram (IDP) Grant funding. (H / C / 2000-2005)3

Create a one-stop development information clearinghouse to give timely answers tobusinesses seeking to relocate or expand in Fulton County and to project the image of theCounty’s resolve to attract and support desired businesses. [(H / C / 2000-2003)3 FundingSource(s): DCED Community Revitalization Program (CRP)]

Maintain an inventory of potential incentives and grants available from private, public,local, state, and federal sources applicable to industries in Fulton County, and assign aCounty staff member to assist County businesses in applying for such assistance. (H / C /2000-2001)3

Encourage local utility suppliers to provide an adequate broadband telecommunicationsinfrastructure for the County’s citizens, schools, businesses, and industry. (H / C / Ongoing)3

Maximize the use of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’sFinancial and Technical Assistance Programs for businesses. A key action is to work withmunicipalities, and economic and industrial development agencies to identify appropriateareas for new development and sites for industries that need special buffering and sitessuitable for reuse. (H / C, L, P / 2000-2005)3

Support local agricultural operations that specialize in diversified products. (H / C, L, S /Ongoing)3

Economic Policy 4: Promote and enhance the development and expansion of existing local businesses.

Action Strategies:

Support, coordinate and tap into ongoing efforts of the Fulton Industrial DevelopmentAuthority . (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)3

Examine County and local taxation policies to determine if tax incentives can be adopted toassist expansion of local businesses during their initial years of existence. (H / C, L, SD /2000-2004)3




Promote and encourage expansion of existing local businesses using available local, state,and federal programs. Maintain a list of local, state, and federal incentives. [(H / C, P /Ongoing)4 Funding Source(s): Appalachian Regional Commission Programs -http://www.arc.gov/ ; PA DCED Customer Service Center - (800) 379-7448; USDA RuralDevelopment Program - http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/.]4

Develop a business on-site visitation survey program to gather data on basic businessconditions, issues, needs, and problems of local businesses and to help identify potentialbusiness expansions. (H / C / 2000-2002)4

Continue to utilize the Pennsylvania Downtown Program to retain McConnellsburgBorough’s Main Street Manager and to further implement physical improvements to theborough’s downtown area. (H / C, L / Ongoing)4

Utilize the existing TEAM PA program, which is a private-public partnership that assistswith job retention, expansion, and creation through ten marketing regions locatedthroughout the commonwealth. For more information call (717) 705-0857. [(H / C /Ongoing)4 Funding Source(s): DCED Community Revitalization Program (CRP)]

Encourage the expansion of speciality agribusinesses within the County. Specializedfarming practices are currently present in the County and should continue to supplementtraditional farming practices. (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)4

Land Use Action Plan



Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000LU-1

Intent

Growth and change will occur and are vital to the well-being of any community. Fulton County iscommitted to achieving a number of objectives regarding the development of land within itsboundaries, so that growth is managed, development is consistent and orderly, and growth isbeneficial.

The Land Use Action Plan serves as a guide to the physical development of the County and reflectsthe spatial distribution of its land uses. It is a generalized document and is not meant to be site-specific.

GOAL: TO PRESERVE THE RURAL CHARACTER OF FULTON COUNTY WHILE PROVIDING FOR THE

ORDERLY GROWTH AND EXPANSION OF EMPLOYMENT CENTERS.

Land Use Policy 1: Strengthen Growth Areas to serve as mixed use areas of concentratedcommercial activity, employment opportunities, institutions, and residential uses.

Action Strategies:

Promote the County’s Growth Areas as locations for new industries and offices that areadequately served by infrastructure and are accessible to residential areas. (H / C, L, P /Ongoing)1 Funding Source(s): DCED Infrastructure Development Program (IDP) (717) 787-7210; Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) Program (717) 787-6245

Increase support for development and redevelopment that strengthens the County’s GrowthAreas and focuses public capital improvements in those centers, including the existingresidential communities which support them so they remain viable and prosperous. (H / C,L, P / Ongoing)1

Encourage those municipalities having Growth Areas to implement performance guaranteemeasures in their existing subdivision and land development ordinances. For example, amunicipality could require that all necessary infrastructure and improvements be in placebefore approval (before the governing body) of the final plat. (H / C, L / Ongoing)1 FundingSource(s): DCED State Planning Assistance Grant Program]

Continue to promote improvements to the (McConnellsburg) downtown that will stabilizeexisting businesses and attract new businesses and customers. [(H / C, L, S, P / 2000-2005)1

Funding Source(s): DCED Pennsylvania Downtown Program (717) 720-7411] andCommunity Revitalization Program (CRP) (717) 720-7352)]

Concentrate new residential development in areas adequately served by infrastructure. (H/ C, L / Ongoing)1




Land Use Policy 2: Preserve the open, rural character of Fulton County by supporting themaintenance of prime agricultural uses and protect villages.

Action Strategies:

Encourage agricultural preservation, with priority given to areas with prime agriculturalsoils and Agricultural Security Areas. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Encourage open space development on non-prime agricultural soils to help maintain openspace and retain overall rural character. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Encourage new development in or adjacent to rural villages compatible with the existingcharacter of the village. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Support special techniques such as agricultural security areas, purchase of agriculturaleasements, and the Act 319 tax relief program in areas where farming is the recommendedland use. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Ensure that the primary function of rural areas is to maintain open space, protect nativehabitats, allow for large-lot residential development, allow for agricultural activities, andprovide potential sites for community facilities and uses consistent with the primary function.(H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Discourage the extension of central water and sewer services, and new roads into productiveagricultural areas. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Provide model subdivision and land development ordinance regulations that control theimpacts of large scale agribusiness operations. Provisions should include the following (M/ C / 2000-2003)2:

• Establish a minimum floor area requirement. For example, all accessory buildingshaving a floor area >=2,000 square feet must submit a land development plan to theCounty.

• Prohibit the construction of lagoons in high groundwater recharge areas, overlimestone formations, and in areas where the water table is within four feet of thebottom of the liner.

• Prohibit land uses which are unsuitable for sensitive environmental conditions.• Establish odor mitigation standards.




Land Use Policy 3: Strengthen the County’s planning process through local cooperation andinteraction.

Action Strategies:

Coordinate with the Pennsylvania Governor’s Center for Local Government Services toconduct periodic training sessions for local officials in the areas of community planning anddevelopment. (H / C / Ongoing)3 (For more information, contact the Center for LocalGovernment Services at 1-888-223-6837.)

Consider the development of a County-based local government assistance program toinclude the following services: (1) dissemination of model ordinances, (2) reviewingsubdivision and land development ordinances (3) identifying sources of funding for localeconomic development projects, and (4) grant writing assistance and technical advice.

Maintain an up-to-date and cumulative listing of all major developments, approved landdevelopment or subdivision stages, and monitor the effect of such developments on all publicfacility systems. (H / C / Ongoing)3

*For General Land Use Recommendations see General Land Use Map.

.

Land Use Plan


General Land Use Table

Primary Growth Areas Secondary Growth Areas Rural Areas Natural Landscapes

Objective Strengthen Primary Growth Areas to serve asmixed use centers of concentrated commercialactivity, employment opportunities, institutions,and residential variety to increase diversity andprovide a sense of community

Concentrate new residential development inSecondary Growth Areas and concentrateindustries and offices at locations adequatelyserved by necessary infrastructure andaccessible to employees.

Preserve the open, rural character of FultonCounty supporting agriculture as the primaryland use while enhancing villages toaccommodate future development.

Restrict development in areas withsignificant natural resources,including stream corridors,woodlands, wetlands, groundwaterrecharge areas, steep slopes, andprime agricultural soils.

RecommendedLand Uses

• Housing (single family detached,townhouses, duplexes, andapartments)

• Industries• Warehousing, Whole/Retail Stores,

Businesses• Offices• Community Facilities• Educational Facilities• Transportation Facilities• Recreation Facilities• Parks/Open Space

• Housing (single family detached dwellings, townhouses, duplexes, apartments, and mobile home parks)

• Industries• Offices• Community Facilities• Educational Facilities• Retail Facilities• Transportation Facilities• Recreation Facilities• Parks/Open Space

• Housing (single family detached dwellings)

• Agriculture• Businesses related to

agriculture.• Recreation/Open Space Uses• Mining or public uses needing

buffers, such as quarries, sanitarylandfills, and power plants.

• Industry, businesses, stores, offices and community. facilities,which by their nature require arural location or are designed tomainly serve the surrounding rural area.

• Single family detachedhousing in steep slope(<=15%) areas.

• Parks and Open Space• Woodlands• Pastureland• Agriculture

RecommendedDensities

Density ranges (per acre) with public utilities of:• Single Family Detached (4-6)• Duplexes (6-12)• Townhouses (8-15)• Apartments (8-50)Note:• No separate density standard for non-

residential uses.• Maximum density of 1 dwelling unit

per acre with on-lot utilities.

Density ranges (per acre) with public utilities of:• Single Family Detached (4-6)• Twins (6-15)• Townhouses, Condominiums (8-11)• Apartments (8-15)• Planned Residential Developments

(4-12)• Open Space/Cluster Development

(Densities same as above)

• Maximum density of 1 dwellingunit per acre.

• Potential effective agriculturezones - Densities of 1 dwellingunit per 5 acres.

• Open Space/Cluster Development(Densities same as above)

• Maximum density of 1dwelling unit per 3 acresin steep slope areas withon-lot utilities.

• Maximum density of 1dwelling unit per acre insteep slope areas withpublic utilities.

• No development in verysteep slope (>=25%) orflood plain areas.

RecommendedSewer and WaterSystems

• Public sewer and water systems. • Public sewer and water systems. • On-lot systems• Central systems for public uses

requiring a rural setting.

• On-lot systems

LiveableCommunitiesPractices

• In-fill Development• Urban/Village Extension

• New Suburban Communities• Open Space/Cluster Development

• Village Development• Open Space/Cluster Development

• Performance Standards

Housing Action Plan

Housing Action Plan


Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000H-1

Intent

The Housing Action Plan is to provide a framework for providing the housing needs of all residentsof Fulton County. These needs are expressed in terms of quality, affordability, and amenities.

The Housing Action Plan states the County’s commitment to clean, safe, and attractiveneighborhoods, and to the elimination of neighborhood blight and substandard housing. This planalso recognizes that a variety of housing types must be available to all its residents. Implementationof the policies and action strategies in the Housing Plan will also foster the image of Fulton Countyas a good place for residential and nonresidential investment.

GOAL: TO PROVIDE A BROAD RANGE OF HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIVERSE INCOME LEVELS,WHILE PRESERVING THE EXISTING HOUSING STOCK AND CREATING A VARIETY OF NEW HOUSING

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE RESIDENTS OF FULTON COUNTY.

Housing Policy 1: Encourage the development of owner-occupied and rental housing consistentin number and location with the availability of infrastructure.

Housing Policy 2: Develop a clearinghouse through an existing County agency to increaseawareness of available programs and lending services to County residents.

Action Strategies:

Affordable Housing

Encourage the retention of available affordable housing in quantities sufficient to meet theneeds of residents of all income ranges in Fulton County. [(H / C, L, S, P / Ongoing)1

Funding Source(s): DCED Home Investment Partnerships Program (717) 720-7409]

Take maximum advantage of federal and state funding for assisting income-eligible Countyrenters to achieve home ownership. (H / C, L, S, P / Ongoing)1

Implement the courses of action as outlined in the 1991 “Fair Housing Analysis Study”. (H/ C, L, P / Ongoing)1

Housing Rehabilitation

Maximize the use of both federal and state grant programs to accomplish housingrehabilitation. (H / C, L, S / Ongoing)1 Funding Source(s):

� Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): A program of financial and

Housing Action Plan



technical assistance to aid communities in their community and economicdevelopment efforts (Contact PADCED at 717-720-7404).

� Communities of Opportunity: A program of state funded grants to municipalities,redevelopment and housing authorities, and non-profit housing corporations.

� HOME Investment Partnerships Program: A program of financial assistance tomunicipalities for the provision of affordable housing for rent and for sale.

Elderly Housing

Support the Fulton County Medical Center’s efforts in preparing for the development of anew medical center. (H / C, L, P, S / Ongoing)2

Promote the development of a full service senior housing facility offering a variety of livingarrangements such as independent living, assisted living, adult day services, home careservices, Alzheimer’s care, and skilled nursing care. (H / C, L, P / 2000-2004)2

Variety of Housing Types

During subdivision and land development reviews, advocate mixing housing withcommercial and institutional uses to improve accessibility for all segments of the population.(H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Innovative residential development techniques such as planned residential developments(PRD) and clustering should be used to reduce site development costs. Builders of PRD andcluster subdivisions should orient their marketing techniques to all income groups. (H / C,L, P / Ongoing)2

Encourage the development and construction of housing conducive to attracting increasedbusiness to the County. (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)2

Housing Location

During subdivision and land development reviews consider such impacts as noise, airquality, visual blight, glare and vibrations in assessing the suitability of a site for residentialdevelopment. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Encourage municipalities to plan and budget for the orderly development of services,facilities and utilities as part of an overall capital improvements program in order to providesuitable areas for new residential growth. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Housing Action Plan



During subdivision and land development review advocate the location of housingconvenient to jobs to reduce commuting distances, provide opportunities for alternativemeans of travel, improve productivity, and ensure an adequate labor force for employers.(H / C, L / Ongoing )3

Transportation Action Plan



Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000T-1

Intent

A well-functioning transportation system is essential for Fulton County, to ensure the efficientmovement of people and goods, maintain the quality of life, and provide for economic growth anddiversification. Fulton County has grown with the automobile, and the auto has provided themobility to accommodate development within the County. This Action Plan is designed to promotethe safe and efficient movement of goods and people throughout the County and surroundingjurisdictions. The plan utilizes a multi-modal approach to the transportation network consisting ofpedestrian, bicycle, and roadways.

GOAL: TO IMPROVE MOBILITY FOR ALL FULTON COUNTY RESIDENTS.

Transportation Policy 1: Highway and Bridges

• Provide highway and bridge systems with high degrees of mobility and accessibility thatenhances the economy and considers safety.

Action Strategies:

Support the implementation of improvements identified in Pennsylvania’s TransportationImprovement Plan (H / C, S, L / 2000-2012)1:

• U.S. Route 522 - Gem Curve and overall widening and grade improvements.(Capital)

• New I-70 Exit at SR 3001 (Capital)• T-338 Bridge Realignment at S.R. 928 (SAMI)• Signal Light Installation at Lincoln Way East and 7th Street (SAMI)• Cito Road (SR 1001) Improvements - SR 1001 to T-506 (SAMI)• Intersection Improvement at SR 475 and U.S. Route 522 (SAMI)• Aughwick Road (SR 1005) Improvements (SAMI)• McConnellsburg Bypass resurfacing - U.S. Route 30 to SR 1008 (SAMI)• SR 16 realignment from Franklin/Fulton County municipal boundary to

McConnellsburg Borough (Capital)• U.S. Route 30 Improvements - Bedford to Franklin County lines. (Capital)

Continue to implement and utilize the Southern Alleghenies Planning and DevelopmentCommission and PADOT’s Transportation Information System (TIS) program for ongoingtransportation system evaluation and planning improvements (H / C / Ongoing)1.

Familiarize local officials of the County’s TIS program and support them in their continuedinvolvement in the County’s transportation planning efforts. (H / C / Ongoing)1.




Make road safety improvements a consideration in determining the priorities for upgradingexisting roads. (H / C, L, S / Ongoing)2

Recommend the State Transportation Commission (STC) include high priority projects inFulton County as part of their biannual update of the State's Twelve-Year TransportationImprovement Program. (H / C / Ongoing)2

Establish a coordinated process with PennDOT for the review of access permits along statehighways. This could be accomplished by having the state permitting official requestapplicants send a copy of the complete permit application to the Fulton County PlanningCommission. (H / C / 2000-2001)2

Coordinate with PennDOT to ensure the County’s Twelve Year Plan classifies roadwaysaccording to function and desired level of access control. This hierarchy of roadways canbe reinforced through roadway design and access standards provided for in local municipalsubdivision and land development ordinances. For example, arterials require a much higherlevel of access control and different design standards than collectors or local streets.Specifically, consider the following reclassifications (H / C, S / 2000-2002)2:

• U.S. Route 522 - Rural Principal Arterial• PA Route 484 - Rural Major Collector• PA Route 928 - Rural Major Collector• PA Route 3001 - Rural Major Collector• PA Route 915 (remaining segments) - Rural Major Collector• PA Route 731 - Rural Minor Collector

Preserve U.S. Route 522 and 30 as the County’s Principle Arterial Roadways by developinga corridor plan. This plan will consider not just the physical right-of-way, but also the areaalong the roadway. By looking at the entire corridor, a community can evaluate the trafficconditions, land use conditions, and historic, scenic, and environmental features; identifyfuture problem areas and make broad recommendations for the area. U.S. Route 522 servesas a vital transportation link to the County’s existing and future targeted growth areas.Specifically, the Route 522 links the County’s existing commercial and industrial center ofMcConnellsburg with two interstate highways (i.e., I-76 and I-70) and will link the SouthCentral Business Park with future targeted growth areas of Fort Littleton and Warfordsburg.U.S. Route 30 serves as the County’s primary east-west link and links county businesses withI-81 and I-70. [(H / C / 2000-2002)2 Funding Source(s): DCED State Planning AssistanceGrant Program and World Class Communities Program]

Encourage municipal officials to start or continue their participation in PennDOT’s AgilityProgram. The underlying principal of this program is to foster cooperative work planningand service delivery between PennDOT District Offices, county’s, and local governments.(H / C, L / Ongoing)2




Coordinate with PennDOT District 9-0 and Southern Alleghenies Planning andDevelopment Commission to develop an information packet geared toward the local official.Many local officials lack the knowledge and understanding of the state’s newly revisedTransportation Improvement Program (TIP). At the minimum, this packet should explain:(1) What the TIP is; (2) local officials’ responsibilities in the County’s transportationplanning efforts; (3) what projects may be proposed (e.g., bridge projects over 20 feet inlength); (4) percentage of funding required by local officials for proposed projects; (5)important dates; and (6) key players. (H / C, L / 2000-2001)3

Recreation and Open Space Action Plan



Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000R-1

Intent

A system of park and recreation facilities, and public open space that meet a variety of the active andpassive recreational needs of Fulton County citizens of all ages is an important service the countysupports in providing to its citizens. Parks and open space assist in the preservation of trees andgreen areas that make the county more attractive to those who live here, those who visit and thosewho wish to invest in the county.

GOAL: MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND ENVIRONMENT FOR RESIDENTS OF

FULTON COUNTY THROUGH THE PROVISION OF PARKLAND AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES.

Recreation Policy: Provide and maintain adequate facilities and open space areas to meet therecreation needs of Fulton County residents.

Action Strategies:

Encourage cooperative efforts between school and public facilities to expand opportunitiesfor use by all members of the community. (H / C, L, P, SD / Ongoing)1

Support the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy and the Southern Alleghenies ResourceConservation and Development Area Agency in their efforts to preserve the region’s culturaland natural resources. (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)1

Prepare a Natural Heritage Inventory to provide information to be utilized in planning forthe protection of the biological diversity and ecological integrity of the County. [(H / C, S,P / Ongoing)1 Funding Source(s): DCNR County Natural Areas Inventories Program]

Promote private and public partnerships to preserve open space and natural areas. [(H / C,L, S, P / Ongoing)1 Funding Source(s): DCNR Community Grant Program]

Develop and implement a Comprehensive Recreation, Park and Open Space Plan to aid inidentifying recreation issues, needs, policies, and capital investment priorities. Additionally,it would serve as a guide for the acquisition, development, rehabilitation and protection ofresources, and provision of recreation opportunities and services to the County’s citizens.Identify unique features such as virgin timber stands, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, etc. (H/ C / 2000-2004)1 Funding Source(s): DCNR Community Grant Program]




Encourage and support the establishment of a countywide Parks, Recreation and OpenSpace Department to provide for ongoing planning and implementation of local recreationand open space facilities and activities, and if prepared, implement the ComprehensiveRecreation, Park and Open Space Plan. Such a department could be operated under thePlanning and Mapping Department and be charged with organizing sports and recreationprograms for people of all ages. (H / C / 2000-2004)2 Funding Source(s): DCNR KeystoneGrant Programs]

Community Facilities and Services Action Plan

Communities Facilities and Services Action Plan


Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000CF-1

Intent

The intent of the Community Facilities and Services Action Plan is to facilitate the provision ofadequate community facilities in a manner consistent with development as reflected on the Land UseMap. The Action Plan needs to address existing and future conditions that would otherwise impactthe natural environment and public health, safety and welfare.

GOAL: TO PROVIDE ACCESSIBLE COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES WHICH MEET RESIDENT’S

NEEDS THROUGH THE COOPERATION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS.

Community Services Policy 1: Maintain police, fire, emergency medical, and emergency servicesnecessary to protect life and property in Fulton County.

Action Strategies:

Encourage volunteerism by use of public service announcements, volunteer recognitionprograms and other means. (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)1

Maximize the use of the various funding programs administered by the PennsylvaniaEmergency Management Agency (PEMA) to provide adequate equipment, supplies andtraining to all county and local volunteer organizations and to assist in the development ofcomprehensive disaster preparedness and assistance plans, programs, capabilities, andorganizations. (H / C, L / Ongoing)1

Encourage local municipalities and volunteer fire service agencies in developing andimplementing a county-wide dry fire hydrant system. (H / C, L, S, P / 2000-2005)1 FundingSource(s): Southern Alleghenies RC&D Council; PA DCED Community DevelopmentBlock Grant Program; Appalachian Regional Commission Area Development Program

Encourage local volunteer fire departments to apply for Pennsylvania’s newly establishedVolunteer Fire Company Grant program. (H / C, L, P, SD / 2000-2001)1

Maximize the use of the Public Safety Emergency Telephone Act (Act 78) funds to ensure thecounty’s addressing and Enhanced 911 emergency dispatching system is maintained andupgraded as needed to ensure optimum performance. (H / C, L / Ongoing)1

Support initiatives that promote consolidating local resources to maximize efficiency andstrength of local emergency services. (M / C, L, P / Ongoing)1

Promote regional cooperation via mutual aid agreements and sharing of services. (M / C,L, S, P / Ongoing)1

Encourage local officials to adopt subdivision and land development ordinance requirementsfor the provision of street signs, names, and numbering in conjunction with a subdivision and




land development plan. These requirements should be in accordance with the street namingand numbering procedures established by the Fulton County Planning and MappingDepartment. (H / C / 2000-2003)2 Funding Source(s): DCED State Planning AssistanceGrant (SPAG) Program; DCED World Class Communities Program]

Community Services Policy 2: Provide convenient and quality access to library facilities andresources throughout the county.

Action Strategies:

Support efforts to provide high-quality access to educational resources that will benefitcounty residents, businesses and educational facilities. (H / C, L, P, SD / 2000-2005)2

Continue to support the Fulton County Library System to sustain the educational resourcesand provide modern resources that will benefit all county residents, businesses andeducational facilities. (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)2

Promote coordination and easy access to resource services provided by public libraries andprivate educational institutions through the formation of partnerships. (M / C, SD /Ongoing)2

Community Services Policy 3: Provide adequate, high-quality water supply and sewage facilitiesto meet county needs, protect the environment and public health, and support developmentconsistent with the Land Use Plan.

Action Strategies:

Support local efforts to improve existing water and sewer facilities. Specifically, publicwater and sewer services should be improved and/or extended to the County’s growth areas.[(H / C, L / Ongoing)2 Funding Source(s): PA Infrastructure Investment Authority(PennVEST)]

Provide technical assistance for local officials in implementing their municipality’s Act 537plans as prescribed by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act. (H / C, L, S / Ongoing)2

Funding Source(s): PA Act 537 - Sewage Facilities Planning Grants and Sewage ProgramEnforcement Grants]

Considering preparing a county-wide Sewage Facilities Plan. [(H / C, L, S / 2000-2005)2

Funding Source(s): PA Act 537 - Sewage Facilities Planning Grants and Sewage ProgramEnforcement Grants]

Consider appointing a county-wide sewage enforcement officer whose responsibilities willinclude, but are not limited to overseeing municipal sewage facilities planning and




enforcement, municipal and county subdivision and land development plan review, andproviding technical and grant writing assistance to local officials. (H / C / 2000-2003)3

Encourage municipalities and authorities to monitor the performance of sewage facilitieswithin their municipal borders /service areas and take corrective measures where necessary.[(M / C, L / Ongoing)3 Funding Source(s): PA Act 537 - Sewage Facilities Planning Grantsand Sewage Program Enforcement Grants]

Encourage municipalities to update their Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plans. [(H / C, L, S /Ongoing)3 Funding Source(s): PA Act 537 - Sewage Facilities Planning Grants]

Discourage high-density (e.g., <2 dwelling units per acre) development in those areas servedonly by on-lot systems. (H / C, L / Ongoing)3

Support local efforts to improve existing public water and sewer facilities; specifically,consider the following [(H / C, L / Ongoing)3 Funding Source(s): PA Act 537 - SewageFacilities Planning Grants and Sewage Program Enforcement Grants, and Act 339 - SewageTreatment Plant Operation Grants]:

• Support the McConnellsburg Sewer Authority in their efforts to address future needsareas as outlined in the Authority’s Act 537 Plan.

• Support local planning efforts in the development of public sewer systems in theHustontown, Clear Ridge, and Fort Littleton areas.

• Support the Bethel Township Sewer Authority in their efforts to accommodate futureindustrial/commercial and residential growth.

Encourage the use of on-lot management districts to manage areas of intense on-lot usage.(M / C, L / Ongoing)3

Encourage public water suppliers to design and manage to meet long-term water supplyneeds. (H / C, L / 2000-2010)3

Develop and/or expand sewer and water facilities and service areas consistent with theCounty’s growth areas. (M / C, L / 2000-2010)3

Encourage local citizens to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of EnvironmentalProtection’s Citizens’ Volunteer Monitoring Program (CVMP). The CVMP’s goal is to helpgovernment, businesses, and private citizens make sound decisions when dealing with waterquality issues and protection of water quality. (H / C, L, S, P / Ongoing)3




Prepare a County Water Supply Plan. (H / C / 2000-2003)4 Funding Source(s): PA DEPCounty Water Supply Planning Grant Program - Contact: Bureau of Water SupplyManagement at 717-787-0125. Deadline: Call for specific date.]

Reappoint a County Recycling Coordinator. The County should, at the minimum, hire apart-time coordinator to carry out all County-based recycling efforts and to make sure thatthe Tri-County Authority’s solid waste plan provisions are carried out. (H / C / 2000-2002)4 Funding Source(s): Act 101 - Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and WasteReduction Act]

Community Services Policy 4: Promote creation/maintenance of high quality educationalfacilities and programs.

Action Strategies:

Support continued education and training to increase employment opportunities. (H / C S,P, SD / Ongoing)4

Work with the PA Department of Labor and Industry to assist local school districts inobtaining information identifying the region’s highest employment and job securityopportunities. Curriculum standards should be adjusted to ensure students are prepared toenter these job markets. (H / C, S, SD / Ongoing)4

Encourage Fulton County school districts to develop capital improvement plans to ensureadequate funding for future building and infrastructural needs. (M / C, L, S, SD / Ongoing)4

Encourage Fulton County school districts, the vocational school, Fulton County Library,and the Intermediate Unit to maximize the use of Pennsylvania’s Link-to-Learn Program.(http://www.L2L.org/) (H / C, S, SD / Ongoing)4

Environmental Resources Action Plan



Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000E-1

Intent

The intent of the Environmentally Sensitive Areas Action Plan is to ensure that the quality of FultonCounty’s natural environment is preserved and enhanced as future development occurs. With soundprotection measures, such as those presented herein, Fulton County’s citizens, business community,and visitors can be confident that a healthy environment coexists with a vibrant economy. In thisregard, this Plan is to be used to address environmental issues, evaluate development proposals intheir earliest stages, and develop ordinances.

GOAL: TO SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS FOR THE BENEFIT OF

CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS WHILE ACCOMMODATING PLANNED GROWTH.

Environmental Policy 1: Discourage development in areas with significant natural resources,including stream corridors, woodlands, wetlands, sensitive geologic and groundwater rechargeareas, steep slopes, and ridge tops.

Action Strategies:

Require development applicants to provide the following kinds of information with theirapplications when such information is determined to be necessary to evaluate theapplication (H / C, L / Ongoing)1:

� A description or generalized mapping of natural site conditions with an emphasis onsignificant environmental features that would be affected by the proposeddevelopment or retained upon completion of the project. The mapped informationshall address the following, where applicable:

T Areas that have “severe limitations with regard to soil type and are greaterthan 15 percent slope”

T Impervious and pervious surfaces

T Use of natural ground surface features and drainage patterns for the purposeof managing stormwater runoff

T Public water supply

T Areas that will remain in a natural or undisturbed state upon completion ofthe project

T Endangered or threatened plant and animal species and species of specialconcern

T 100-year floodplain boundary




� A description of mitigation efforts that will occur as part of the proposeddevelopment.

� An impact assessment that discusses the anticipated effect of the proposeddevelopment on the environment.

� Measures that are proposed by the applicant to mitigate the impacts of the proposeddevelopment on the environment.

Encourage developers to incorporate environmental strategies for innovative approachesto stormwater management, the incorporation of natural landforms, and the preservationand restoration of landscape resources into site planning. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

During subdivision and land development and sewage facilities reviews, ensure that sewagedisposal systems and wetlands are adequately separated. Provide comments regarding allapplicable state and federal permitting requirements. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Obtain and develop a comprehensive set of natural resource data sets to be included in theCounty’s Geographic Information System. (Note: Many of the County’s natural resourcedata sets may be downloaded free of charge from the Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access(PASDA) web site - http://www.pasda.psu.edu/. (H / C / Ongoing)2

Environmental Policy 2: Protect and manage soils and natural vegetation.

Action Strategies:

Unless the applicant can demonstrate that mitigation measures can and will be used so thatthere will be no adverse impacts, preclude development or disturbance of soil on slopes of25 percent or greater. Any measures proposed to demonstrate mitigation of earthdisturbance impacts should be provided for analysis during development review process. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Prohibit clearing areas that have a high potential for erosion (where soils have severelimitations and slope is greater than 15 percent). During the development process, thedelineation of site disturbance on a plan, the provision of a narrative description ofproposed grading and stabilization methods to be used and/or similar general informationare encouraged as methods to demonstrate an effort to preserve sensitive slope areas. Exactdetails of these mitigation measures will be developed during site plan review process.(H / C, L / Ongoing)2




Use native plants that are adapted to local soil and weather conditions when revegetatingdisturbed areas. (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)3

Monitor the effectiveness of erosion and sediment control measures in the County. (H / C,L / Ongoing)3

Environmental Policy 3: Maintain and enhance surface and groundwater systems andwatersheds.

Action Strategies:

Develop a working relationship with the County’s Natural Resources Conservation Service(NRCS) representative to maximize the use of the USDA’s various technical resources andprograms. (H / C / Ongoing)3

Update the Cove Creek Stormwater Management Plan. [(H / C, L / 2000-2002)3 FundingSource(s): PADEP Stormwater Management Program]

Encourage and assist local municipalities in preparing stormwater management plans forthe watersheds located partially or entirely within the County. (H / C, S / 2000-2008)3

Funding Source(s): PADEP Stormwater Management Program]

Encourage enforcement/monitoring programs to ensure that during and after development,peak stormwater flows do not exceed predevelopment peak flows, in terms of quantity,quality, and volume. (H / C, L / Ongoing)3

Encourage the County’s farmers to employ best management practices, such as croprotation, conservation tillage, strip cropping, and nutrient management. (H / C, L /Ongoing)3

Encourage leaving a natural undisturbed buffer along all waterways. (H / C, L / Ongoing)3

Encourage the use of no-net-gain standards to prevent nutrient loading, and sedimentationrunoff to adjacent waters that result from development-related practices. Seek similarstandards for agricultural practices. (H / C, L / Ongoing)3

Locate away from water bodies those nonresidential activities that use, store, or manufacturesignificant quantities of toxic substances. (H / C, L, P / Ongoing)3

Encourage the minimization of the amount of impervious surfaces of development andredevelopment in order to minimize stormwater runoff through the use of appropriatesustainable design techniques. (H / C, L / Ongoing)3




Assist municipalities in adopting wellhead protection regulations. All planning activitiesshould follow regulations and policies set forth in the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act(SDWA), Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act, and the PA DEP’s Wellhead ProtectionProgram (WHPP). (H / C, L, S / 2000-2005)4 [Funding Source(s): PADEP WellheadProtection Program]

Assist municipalities in developing comprehensive watershed management plans thatincorporate water quality and quantity, surface and groundwater, aquatic ecosystem andnatural diversity considerations. (H / C, L / 2000-2005)4 Funding Source(s): PADEPStormwater Management Program and Watershed Restoration and Assistance Program(WRAP) Grant]

Encourage municipalities to continue their participation in the National Flood InsuranceProgram and provide the necessary technical assistance needed to implement theprogram’s requirements. This would include the assisting municipalities in adoptingordinances containing special floodplain management regulations, such as zoning,subdivision and land development, and building code ordinances. In addition, municipalitiesshould also be encouraged to participate in the NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS).The Community Rating System rewards mitigation efforts in local communities withdiscounts on the flood insurance premiums paid by policyholders in the community. (H / C,L, S / Ongoing)4

Develop educational programs on important environmental issues for the business,agriculture, and residential communities. Provide developers with information onconservation requirements. (M / C, L, S, P / Ongoing)4 [DCED World Class CommunitiesProgram]

Environmental Policy 4: Preserve and properly manage prime agricultural soils in FultonCounty.

Action Strategies:

Coordinate with USDA NRCS to identify any conflicts with areas best suited for agriculturalpreservation during subdivision and land development reviews. (H / C, L / Ongoing)4

Support Regional Planning - A cooperation effort involving municipalities in identifyinglarge contiguous tracts of farmland on a regional basis should be supported. (M / C, L /Ongoing)4

Cultural and Historic Resources Action Plan



Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000C-1

Intent

A community, rich in tradition, that takes pride in its past and respects that past is a community witha well-defined character. Fulton County promotes the identification, evaluation, and protection ofcultural resource sites throughout the County, as well as tourism opportunities these sites present.As a result, residents and visitors have an enhanced awareness of the important links of presentFulton County with its rich heritage and its significant cultural resources–historic buildings,archaeological sites, historical sites and districts, and cemeteries and grave sites.

The primary intent of the Cultural and Historic Resources Action Plan is to facilitate and encouragethe identification and protection of the County’s significant cultural resources (i.e., architectural,archaeological, and historical sites and districts). The secondary intent is to enhance awareness ofthe history of the County and the importance of preserving properties that are significantly linkedwith that history.

GOAL: PRESERVE FULTON COUNTY’S CULTURAL HERITAGE AND HISTORIC RESOURCES.

Cultural Resources Policy 1: Preserve cultural and historic resources and their settings.

Cultural Resources Policy 2: Promote the use of the County’s historic resources and the existingcultural landscape as a basis for creating strong community character.

Cultural Resources Policy 3: Promote the County’s historic and cultural heritage in tourism andeconomic development programs.

Cultural Resources Policy 4: Encourage compatible development within and adjacent to historicdistricts and significant cultural landscapes.

Cultural Resources Policy 5: Implement the plans and recommendations in the 1991 “FultonCounty Heritage Preservation Plan.”

Cultural Resources Policy 6: Encourage identification, protection, and recognition of scenic andhistoric roads.

Action Strategies:

Organization / Funding

Pursue funding recommendations in the 1991 “Fulton County Heritage Preservation Plan.”(H / C, L, P / 2000-2003)1




Pursue obtaining funds from private, foundation, and public sources for acquisition ofhistoric properties. (H / C, L, P / 2000-2003)2

Establish an agency that will oversee County-owned historic structures and accept historicproperties and preservation easements. (L / C / 2000-2005)2

Encourage the use of available state and federal rehabilitation tax credits for income-producing buildings. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Provide grant writing and technical assistance to the County’s historic and culturalorganizations. (H / C / Ongoing)2

Preservation

Adopt a County ordinance that reduces the amount of taxation for, or exempts from taxation,cultural resources real estate that has been substantially rehabilitated. (M / C / 2000-2003)2

Encourage the owners of historic properties to maintain and protect their historic structures.(H / C, L, S, P / Ongoing)2

Preserve U.S. Route 30 as a scenic and historic corridor. (H / C, L, S, P / Ongoing)2

During subdivision and land development reviews, document any proposed actions that mayimpact National Historic properties or properties deemed eligible for the National Registerby the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Encourage the use of conservation easements or restrictive covenants as appropriate, byprivate landowners in order to protect and preserve historic sites and sensitiveenvironmental areas. (H / C, L / Ongoing)2

Tourism

Inventory prehistoric and historic sites that may be used or developed to promote tourismin the County. [(H / C, L, S, P / Ongoing)2 Funding Source(s): PA Travel and TourismOffice’s Matching Grant Fund and Regional Marketing Initiative Fund (800) A-FRIEND]

Fund the preparation of brochures that provide County visitors with information on thehistory and prehistory of the County and the significant cultural resources in the County. (H/ C / Ongoing)2




Inventory and Surveys

Develop a countywide inventory of significant prehistoric and historic resources. [(H / C /Ongoing)3 Funding Source(s): DCNR Heritage Parks Grants Program]

Assist municipalities in conducting comprehensive prehistoric and historic resource surveys.(M / C, S / Ongoing)3

Work with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to cooperatively maintainan inventory of publicly and privately owned historic sites and districts. This should alsoinclude the identification of historic features worthy of preserving. (H / C, L, S / Ongoing)3

Government Facilities and Operations Action Plan



Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000G-1

Intent

This Action Plan provides recommendations on County Facilities and Operation particularly as theyimpact issues and considerations in the Comprehensive Plan. Fulton County needs to continue toimprove services and outreach to its citizens, the business community and local governments. Thiscan be achieved by providing information services, accessible facilities and creating continuousoutreach and dialogue with the public and private sectors.

GOAL: TO ACHIEVE A HIGH LEVEL OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE

COOPERATION.

Government Facilities and Operations Policy 1: Support effective planning at all levels ofgovernment through outreach, training and educational programs.

Action Strategies:

Create a county-based resources center–possibly using the Fulton County LibrarySystem–for providing educational and technical assistance programs for local officials,boards, and commissions. The focus of these training efforts should provide an increasedawareness of development pressures facing the County and the essential land use planningtools required to effectively direct this growth. These efforts should supplement the trainingopportunities offered by both the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Officials(PSATS), PA DCED’s Center for Local Government Services, and the PennsylvaniaMunicipal Authorities Association. (H / C, L, S / 2000-2002)1 Funding Source(s): DCEDWorld Class Communities Program]

Consider developing and distributing a Planning Commission newsletter to local officialsand citizens. The newsletter should update the community on the various planning reviewsperformed by the Commission, inform them of upcoming meetings and events, and provideinformation on hot topic planning issues. (H / C / 2000-2003)1

Encourage and assist municipalities in adopting, implementing and enforcing zoning,subdivision and land development regulations to ensure sound land development practices.[(H / C, L, S / 2000-2008)1 Funding Source(s): DCED State Planning Assistance Grant(SPAG) Program; DCED World Class Communities Program]

Advocate the development of a cable television “community bulletin board” to increase thepublic awareness of both community and County events and information. (M / C, L, P /2000-2003)1




Encourage the Fulton County Planning Commission members and staff, the McConnellsburgzoning hearing board members and other current and future planning related boards intojoining professional planning organizations such as the American Planning Association(APA). (H / C / Ongoing)2

Government Facilities and Operations Policy 2: Locate County government facilities toconveniently serve the community.

Action Strategies:

Locate government buildings and facilities in areas that will allow easy access to themajority of the County’s population. (M / C / Ongoing)2

Make government facilities accessible to the public. (M / C / Ongoing)2

Locate government buildings where they can serve as focal points for the community. (M /C / 2000-2010)2

Government Facilities and Operations Policy 3: Provide adequate physical facilities for Countyservices and expand the County’s existing technological services.

Action Strategies:

Improve County-owned facilities to ensure County services and facilities can accommodateall segments of the population. [(H / C / 2000-2010)2 Funding Source(s): DCED CommunityDevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) Program]

Maximize the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to improve Countyowned facilities. This will ensure county services and facilities are accommodating to allsegments of the population. (H / C / Ongoing)2

Evaluate existing facilities in terms of adequate space and technological needs. (H / C /2000-2002)2

Develop a technology committee that will be responsible for planning and establishingpolicies for which the County’s existing computer systems may be further developed toprovide increased efficiency and enhanced customer service. (H / C, L, P, SD / 2000-2001)2




Develop a County sponsored Internet site. This site will further enhance the County’sservices and marketability by accommodating the ever-increasing role of the Internet. Costsaving tip: Determine if a local Internet service provider offers limited free space for localgovernment organizations and consider utilizing local students to assist its development. [H/ C / 2000-2001)3 Funding Source(s): DCED World Class Communities Program]

Promote the use and coordination of Geographic Information System mapping on a county-wide basis. (H / C / Ongoing)3

Part Two - Background Trends and Issues

Socioeconomic Profile

Socioeconomic Analysis

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000S-1

Introduction

In order to make sound planning decisions and develop appropriate planning policiesinvolving the physical, social and economic development of the county, and the allocation ofmunicipal resources, it is important to review and analyze the county's population. A quantitativeanalysis of population trends and a qualitative analysis of population characteristics are needed tomake reasonable projections for future population growth and needs. Land area requirements forfuture residential, recreation, commercial, industrial and other needs are directly related to therequirements of the population to be served. Projected population demands for service will alsodetermine the number and scope of future schools, transportation facilities and other publicinfrastructure. The correlation of these elements is vital to ensure the most desirable environmentfor the current and future residents of Fulton County.

It is possible to track the actual numbers of people living within Fulton County in years. Andit is even possible to state some of the U.S. Census Bureau's findings on the decennial years (i.e.1970, 1980, 1990). But the migration levels both into and out of Fulton County, as well as thechange in population characteristics from one decennial to the next show that changes are constantlyoccurring. For a better understanding of the make-up of Fulton County, data from the 1990 U.S.Census is used. But this information must be viewed with additional factors which indicate othersignificant population characteristics.

A. Historic and Existing Population

Located in the south-central portion of the commonwealth along the Pennsylvania andMaryland state border, Fulton County has experienced an overall continuous growth trend since the1930s. Prior to the 1930s, the county's population experienced periods of decline. Table S-1illustrates these interesting trends in the county’s population totals since the 1900s.

From 1900 to 1930, the county experienced a 7.0 percent decrease in population but, attaineda 15.6 percent increase from 1930 to 1940. These fluctuations are attributed to the out-migration ofthe rural labor force up until the 1930s and a subsequent return of people to the rural areas duringthe 1930s due to economic hardships caused by the Great Depression. By 1940, Fulton County hada total population of 10,673. From 1940 to 1990, the county experienced an approximate 30 percentincrease in population, with the most significant increase (28.4 percent) occurring between the periodof 1970 and 1990. This large influx is attributed to the exceptional economic growth experiencedduring this period; specifically, during the 1970s and 1980s.



Table S-1Population Growth Rate Per Decade, 1900 - 1990

Year Population %Increase Year Population %Increase

1900 9,924 ------ 1950 10,387 -2.7%

1910 9,703 -2.2% 1960 10,597 2.0%

1920 9,617 -0.9% 1970 10,776 1.7%

1930 9,231 -4.0% 1980 12,842 19.2%

1940 10,673 15.6% 1990 13,837 7.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1900 - 1990

A comparison of the population trends in Fulton County with surrounding counties andPennsylvania is presented in Table S-2. This information can provide a perspective on the growthexperienced by the county and the region. Although Fulton County has the lowest total populationin comparison with the jurisdictions surveyed, it did experience the second highest growth rate (23.4percent) for the 1960 to 1990 period. Furthermore, the Southern Alleghenies and DevelopmentCommission (SAPDC) reported n their 1994 Regional Economic Recovery Program that FultonCounty was the fastest growing county in the region from 1980 to 1990, and with a 7.8 percentgrowth rate over the decade, it was one of the fastest growing counties in the commonwealth.

Table S-2Comparative Population and Population Growth Trends, 1960 - 1990

JurisdictionPopulation Percent Change

1960 1970 1980 1990 1960-1970 1970-1980 1980-1990

FultonCounty

10,597 10,776 12,842 13,837 1.7% 16.1% 7.8%

BedfordCounty

42,451 42,353 46,784 47,919 -0.2% 9.5% 2.4%

FranklinCounty

88,172 100,833 113,629 121,082 12.6% 11.3% 6.6%

HuntingdonCounty

39,457 39,108 42,253 44,164 -0.9% 7.4% 4.3%

SomersetCounty

77,450 76,037 81,243 78,218 -1.8% 6.4% -3.9%

Pennsylvania 11,319,366 11,794,005 11,864,751 11,882,613 4.0% 0.6% 0.2%

FultonCounty % ofState

0.1% 0.1% 0.1% 0.1% ----- ----- -----

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1970 - 1990.



10,67

3

10,38

7

10,59

7

10,77

6 12,84

2 13

,837

14,49

8

15,09

2

15,57

4

15,99

6

16,32

0

16,65

6

-

3,000

6,000

9,000

12,000

15,000

18,000

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 1998 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

Year

Popu

latio

n

Figure S-1Fulton County Historic, 1998 Estimated and

Projected Population Growth TrendsSources: U.S. Census Bureau and PA State Data Center

B. Population ProjectionsAssimilating the data provided for: (1) the county's historic growth rate, and (2) the

Pennsylvania State Data Center's population projections, it is now possible to project future growthof the county. But first, it is important to realize that no population projection can accuratelyforecast all of the factors that might cause a particular rate of growth. However, the projectionbecomes a building block that can be used to forecast future land use and service needs. Therefore,great care must be exercised to assure that the projected growth represents the "best guess" as to howthe county will grow. Historic and projected population growth are illustrated on Figure I.1.

C. Age Distribution/Gender Composition

A key factor which can affect population growth and determine the type of services requiredis the distribution of the total population according to the age of the residents. Different age groupshave different public service needs that should be specifically considered.

The size and growth rate of people under the age of 18 have implications on the planning forschool facilities and programs. The age group ranging from 18 to 44 years of age is most frequentlyengaged in new household formation and tend to produce the most children. Any decline orimbalance in the number of residents within this age group will affect the birth rate. The age groupranging from 24 to 44 years of age is the basic segment of the population that comprises the locallabor force and the group most frequently engaged in home buying or building. This group is alsohighly mobile and active in community functions.

The various age groups over 45 years of age also form an important segment of thepopulation. The mature labor force, 45 to 65 years of age, tends to be more settled and at the heightof their earning power. People 65 years old and older are generally characterized by limited



-

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

Age Cohorts

1990 1,002 1,020 1,047 1,033 903 976 1,158 983 973 852 742 670 711 605 469 724

2020 950 1,015 1,087 1,040 933 976 985 950 935 1,046 1,076 1,151 1,310 1,048 863 1,200

% Increase -5% 0% 4% 1% 3% 0% -18% -3% -4% 19% 31% 42% 46% 42% 46% 40%

0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75+

1990 Linear Trendline2020 Linear Trend Line

Figure S-3Fulton County Age Distribution and Growth Projections, 1990 and 2020

Source: PA State Data Center

purchasing power, an increased demand for health and public transit services, and special recreationrequirements.

Age cohort distribution and growth projections shown in Figure S-3 reveal that theoverwhelming majority of Fulton County’s projected population growth for the period 1990 to 2020will be experienced by people age 50 and over; thus revealing a tremendous increase in the county’selderly population. In 1990, this age group comprised 28 percent of the total population, but in 2020will represent 40 percent. Another indication that the county’s population is aging is the increasein its median age (Table S-3). From 1990 to 1996, the county’s median age increased from 34.1years to 36.2 years. But, the county's 1990 median age was slightly lower than Pennsylvania’s andsurrounding counties.

Of particular concern is the number and percentage of persons 65 or older that are livingalone. According to 1990 Census information, 129 males, or 7.2 percent of the senior population,are living alone. In addition, 400 females, or 22.3 percent of the senior population, are living alone.Of the total senior population, only 3.0 percent, or 54 persons, are in group quarters. As addressedin the 1994 Housing Needs Assessment for Bedford and Fulton Counties, the population in FultonCounty is aging and there is an immediate need for affordable elderly housing services. Anothersignificant fact is that 38.5 percent of the total occupied housing units in the county are headed bya householder over the age of 65.



Population growth for the age group 0 to 19 is projected to decrease by 0.2 percent for theperiod 1990 to 2020. In 1990, this group comprised approximately 30 percent of the totalpopulation, but is expected to represent only 25 percent in 2020. Similar trends are to beexperienced by the age group 20 to 44 where from 1990 to 2020, the group’s percentage of thecounty’s total population decreased from36 percent to 29 percent. As a result, growth trends for thecounty’s younger populations will equate to stagnant growth in the future labor force, and housingand service demands.

Table S-3Median Age for Fulton County, Pennsylvania and Selected Counties

1980 & 1990

Jurisdiction 1980 Median Age 1990 Median Age

Fulton County 30.6 34.1

Franklin County 31.5 35.0

Bedford County 31.6 35.7

Huntingdon County 30.7 34.3

Somerset County 32.1 36.3

Pennsylvania 32.1 35.0


According to U.S. Department of Health, Pennsylvania’s life expectancy rate for females(78.66 years) is greater than that of males (71.91 years) (USDOH, 1989-91). Therefore, there tendsto be a greater number of females than males in Pennsylvania. The same holds true for FultonCounty, where in 1990 the number of females (6,975) outnumbered males (6,682) at a ratio of 1.04,which is derived by dividing the total number of females into the total number of males. In 1980,the male to female ratio was 1.03, which indicates that the increase in females was greater than malesduring this period.

The distribution of males and females within various age groups is a determinant of futurefamily formation and subsequent birth rates (Table S-4). In 1990, the female population in the 15to 44 age group increased by 7.3 percent to3,003. The total number of females increased from 6,513to 6,975, or by 7.1 percent. Decreases in the county's female population from 1980 to 1990 occurredin the Under 5 (-6.0 percent), 5 to 14 (-7.1 percent) and 15 to 24 (-9.1 percent) age groups. Theremaining female age groups achieved increases in population, with the 35 to 44 age groupexperiencing the highest percentage increase of 26.0 percent.

The county's male population experienced an overall increase (8.4 percent) in populationfrom 1980 to 1990. The total number of males increased by 5.6 percent, from 6,329 to 6,682individuals. In 1980, 2,777 males were counted in the 15 to 44 age group, while in 1990 the numberof males for this same age group increased to 3,016, or by 8.6 percent. Decreases in malepopulation occurred within the 5 to14 (-6.6 percent) and 15 to 24 (-7.3 percent) age groups. In



Table S-4Fulton County Population by Age and Gender, 1980 and 1990

AgeGroup

1980 1990

Male Female Male Female

# % # % # % # %

Under 5 490 3.8% 498 3.9% 512 3.7% 468 3.4%

5 - 14 1,142 8.9% 1,078 8.4% 1,066 7.7% 1,001 7.2%

15 - 24 1,082 8.4% 1,060 8.3% 1,003 7.2% 964 7.0%

25 - 34 939 7.3% 949 7.4% 1,063 7.7% 1,043 7.5%

35 - 44 756 5.9% 790 6.2% 950 6.9% 996 7.2%

45 - 54 654 5.1% 660 5.1% 790 5.7% 800 5.9%

55 - 64 623 4.9% 664 5.2% 683 4.9% 702 5.1%

65 andOver

643 5.0% 814 6.3% 795 5.7% 1001 7.2%

Total 6,329 49.3% 6,513 50.7% 6,862 49.6% 6,975 50.4%


contrast, the largest increase (25.7 percent) in male population occurred within the 35 to 44 agegroup.

D. Race and Ethnic Composition

The 1990 Census delineates persons by five racial categories: (1) White, (2) Black, (3)American Indian, (4) Asian and (5) Other. There is also a category counting persons of Hispanicorigin. Table S-5 shows the number and percentage distribution of the racial categories for 1980 and1990. As shown, the majority (98.7%) of the county’s 1990 population is comprised of whites.However, from 1980 to 1990 this group’s percentage of the total population decreased slightly from99 percent. The second largest group are blacks who comprise approximately one percent of thecounty’s total population. But, from 1980 to 1990 this group’s percentage of the county’s totalpopulation increased slightly from 0.7 percent to 0.9 percent. The remaining ethnic groups, whichonly comprise approximately one half of one percent of the county’s 1990 population, decreasedtheir percentage representation during this period.

E. Households/Marital Status

According to the 1990 Census, there were a total of 5,139 households in Fulton County(Table S-6). The majority (65.1%) of these households were comprised of married couples. Therewere 1,064 householders living alone with 524 of these being 65 years of age or older. Non-familyhouseholds comprised 23.6% of the county's total households.



Table S-5Fulton County Population by Ethnicity, 1980 and 1990

Race1980 1990

# % # %

White 12,716 99.0% 13,664 98.7%

Black 96 .7% 120 .9%

American Indian,Eskimo & Aleutians

13 .1% 33 .2%

Asian & PacificIsland

8 .06% 16 .1%

Other 9 .07% 4 .03%

Hispanic Origin 70 .5% 23 .2%


Table S-6Fulton County Household Size (Persons Per Household), 1980 & 1990

Household Type Number of Households % of Total

Total Family Households (Two or MorePersons)

3,926 76.4%

Married Couple Family 3,348 65.1%

Male (No Wife) 1,651 32.1%

Female (No Husband) 413 8.0%

Total Non-Family Households 1,213 23.6%

Householder Living Alone 1,064 20.7%

Householder 65 Years or Older 524 10.2%

All Households (Total Family + Total Non-Family)

5,139 100.0%


According to the 1990 Census, Fulton County's average household size in 1990 was 2.68persons per household. This represents a decrease from the 2.86 persons per household as reportedin the 1980 Census. This decline represents the declining birth rate and an increase in the numberof elderly persons living alone. Excluding the one-person households, the average number of personsper family is 3.10. A comparison of household sizes in Pennsylvania and surrounding counties, andthe change from 1980 to 1990 is shown Table S-7.



Table S-7Household Size Comparisons for Fulton County, Surrounding Counties,

and Pennsylvania, 1980 and 1990

Jurisdiction 1980 1990 % Change

Fulton County 2.86 2.68 -6.3%

Franklin County 2.79 2.59 -7.2%

Bedford County 2.85 2.64 -7.4%

Huntingdon County 2.76 2.58 -6.5%

Somerset County 2.81 2.60 -7.5%

Pennsylvania 2.74 2.57 -6.2%


F. Educational Attainment

Table S-8 compares 1990 educational attainment levels of persons 25 years and older inFulton County, surrounding counties, and Pennsylvania. This information reflects upon the skillsand abilities of the labor force to compete in the labor market. These skills also provide a degree ofeconomic and employment stability in the area. As shown, Fulton County’s educational attainmentlevels are the lowest of all jurisdictions surveyed. More importantly, is that of the commonwealth’s67 counties, Fulton County’s educational attainment rate for the “High School Graduate or Higher”category is the lowest and is the second lowest for the “Bachelor’s Degree or Higher” category. Juniata County has the lowest rate (7.3 percent) for the latter category.

Table S-8Educational Attainment Comparisons, Percentage of Population 25 Years and Older, for

Fulton County, Surrounding Counties & Pennsylvania, 1990

Jurisdiction Number of Persons 25 Years and Over

Percent of Persons 25 Years and Over

High School Graduateor Higher

Bachelor’s Degree orHigher

Pennsylvania 7,872,932 74.7 17.9

Fulton County 8,823 64.0 7.4

Bedford County 31,555 68.5 7.8

Huntingdon County 28,598 71.2 9.4

Somerset County 52,252 68.9 8.9

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990.



G. Household and Family Income

The County’s median income levels are closely related to its educational achievement andeducational levels are usually reflected by income levels. Income also reflects the relative influenceof an area and its ability to support needed public facilities and utilities. Income statistics arepresented in Table 2-5 and Table 2-6. Income statistics are grouped into three (3) main categoriesby the U.S. Census Bureau and are defined as follows:

1. Per Capita Income - Calculated by dividing the aggregate income for persons 15years and over by the total number of persons in the group.

2. Family Income - A median income value representing the family household units.

3. Household Income - The median income value representing all households andunrelated individuals.

Table S-9 presents 1980 and 1990 household income comparisons for Fulton County,surrounding counties and Pennsylvania. The U.S. Bureau Labor Statistic’s Consumer Price Index(CPI), a common measure of inflation, was used to adjust 1980 median and per capita householdincomes for inflation to 1990 dollars. The results show that Fulton County’s 1990 real householdand per capita incomes increased. Furthermore, these results show that Fulton County is competitivewith surrounding jurisdictions in both median and per capita incomes. However Fulton County’s1990 real median and per capita incomes remain below Pennsylvania’s.

Table S-9Adjusted Median and Per Capita Income Comparisons for Fulton County, Surrounding

Counties, and Pennsylvania, 1980 and 1990

Jurisdiction

1980 MedianHouseholdIncome in

1990 Dollars

1990 MedianHouseholdIncome in

1990 Dollars

PercentChange in

MedianHousehold

Income

1980 PerCapita Income

in 1990Dollars

1990 PerCapita Income

in 1990Dollars

PercentChange in PerCapita Income

Fulton County 21,527 23,736 10.3% 8,568 10,267 19.8%

Franklin County 26,821 28,806 7.4% 10,587 13,060 23.4%

Bedford County 20,883 21,622 3.5% 8,569 9,954 16.2%

Huntingdon County 20,540 23,067 12.3% 8,300 10,471 26.2%

Somerset County 23,340 21,674 -7.1% 9,533 10,422 9.3%

Pennsylvania 26,772 29,069 8.6% 11,224 14,068 25.3%




The CPI was also used to adjust 1980 median family incomes for inflation to 1990 dollarsfor Fulton County, surrounding counties, and Pennsylvania. As shown in Table S-10, FultonCounty’s 1990 median family income level experienced real growth over 1980 income.Furthermore, this increase exceeded the overall increase for the commonwealth. However, FultonCounty’s 1990 median family income level remains below the state’s.

Table S-10Adjusted Median Family Income Comparisons for

Fulton County, Surrounding Counties and Pennsylvania, 1980 - 1990

Jurisdiction1980 Median Family

Income in 1990 Dollars1990 Median Family

Income in 1990 DollarsPercent Change in Median

Family Income

Fulton County 24,380 26,866 10.2%

Franklin County 30,535 32,659 7.0%

Bedford County 24,380 25,355 4.0%

Huntingdon County 24,970 27,807 11.4%

Somerset County 27,498 25,549 -7.1%

Pennsylvania 31,712 34,856 9.9%


H. Population Density

Population density is the total population of Fulton County in proportion to the total land areaof the county. Table S-11 outlines the population densities and percentage changes for FultonCounty, Pennsylvania and surrounding jurisdictions for 1980 and 1990. As shown, Fulton Countyhas the lowest population density of all jurisdictions surveyed during this period; thus demonstratingthe county’s rural character. However, from 1980 to 1990, the county’s density increased by agreater percentage than all jurisdictions, which reflects the county’s increasing population levels.

Table S-11Population Density/Square Mile for Fulton County, Surrounding Counties, and

Pennsylvania, 1980 and 1990

Jurisdiction 1980 1990 % Change

Pennsylvania 264.3 265.1 0.3%

Fulton County 29.4 31.6 7.5%

Franklin County 146.9 156.8 6.7%

Bedford County 46.0 47.2 2.6%

Huntingdon County 48.2 50.5 4.8%

Somerset County 75.7 72.8 -3.8%




I. Trends and Conclusions

� The population of Fulton County has steadily increased since the 1960's, and from1980 to 1990, the county had the fastest growing population in the SouthernAlleghenies Planning region. Furthermore, the county's 7.8 percent growth ratebetween 1980 and 1990 made it one of the fastest growing county's in the state.Continued increases in population are expected to continue throughout the nextdecade, which signify an increased need for community services and facilities.Population growth will result from increased employment opportunities, natural birthrates, and a continuation of in-migration trends.

� A review of age and sex characteristics in the county indicates that the population isaging with 13.0 percent over the age of 65. Also, the total percentage of persons age65 and over experienced the largest percentage increase (23.3 percent) of all agegroups from 1980 to 1990.

� Of the commonwealth’s 67 counties, Fulton County’s educational attainment rate forthe “High School Graduate or Higher” category is the lowest and is the second lowestfor the “Bachelor’s Degree or Higher” category.

� In addition to an aging population, trends also indicate that the county's householdsize is shrinking. Future development trends in the county should seek to providehousing types that will provide a better balance of age groups and household size.

� Both medium household and per capita household incomes in the county are belowPennsylvania levels. The county is predominantly white, accounting forapproximately 99.0 percent of the total population.

� The county's population densities have also increased from 1980 to 1990. Duringthis period, Fulton County experienced the largest percentage increase of allneighboring jurisdiction, including Pennsylvania.

Economic Analysis

Economic Analysis


Introduction

Fulton County is a rural county located in south-central Pennsylvania. The county hasenjoyed steady increases in both population and employment, and according to projections, thesetrends are likely to continue. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry,Fulton County had the greatest employment growth, largest rate of increase in total wages paid, andlargest average annual wage growth for the reporting years of 1994 and 1996.

A 1992 economic revitalization study entitled, "Fulton County Economic Recovery Plan",was developed under the direction of the Fulton Industrial Development Association (FIDA). Thestudy identified the county's full range of resources from which comprehensive area revitalizationstrategies and plans were created. Specific emphasis was placed upon business retention andexpansion, infrastructure and workforce improvements, and economic diversification issues.

The County benefits from a relatively good transportation system, which, historically, hasbeen the key to its growth. Future development will most likely be influenced by the County's majortransportation corridors, such as I-70 and U.S. Routes 522 and 30. Recent action by FIDA hasstaged plans for the development of a 110 acre light industrial and commercial business park nearMcConnellsburg. In addition, recent infrastructure improvements near Warfordsburg have furtherenhanced this area's development potential. Furthermore, due to the confluence of three majortransportation corridors (e.g. I-70, I-68, and U.S. Route 522) and the presence of a tri-state economicgrowth region (e.g. Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia), there exists a high rate ofeconomic growth potential for southern Fulton County. Other areas include the Hustontown andFort Littleton communities.

A profile of the economic base of Fulton County is presented in the following sections.Knowledge of the current economic base gives a background for land use decisions and decisionson the amount and type of economic expansion needed to meet the needs of a growing community.

A. Employment by Industry

Table E-1 reveals the number and percentage of person's employed by industry type in FultonCounty for 1980, and 1990. These figures reveal several trends for Fulton County. In 1980,manufacturing was the dominant employer with 32.2 percent of the total labor force. The secondlargest employer was retail/wholesale trade which employed 14.3 percent of the total labor force.The third largest employer was professional and related services which employed 12.9 percent ofthe labor force.

In 1990, the total labor force employed by the manufacturing industry decreased by 3.5percent while the total labor force employed by retail/wholesale, and professional and relatedservices increased by 64.4 percent and 43.8 percent, respectively. The greatest increase (106.4percent) in employment occurred in the FIRE (finance, insurance, and real estate) industry.Manufacturing remained the dominant employer, followed by retail/wholesale trade and professionaland related services.

Economic Analysis


Table E-1Comparison of Resident Employment by Industry

for Fulton County, 1980 and 1990

Industry TypePersons

Employed in1980

% Employedin 1980

Persons Employed in

1990

% Employed in 1990

% Change 1980 -1990

Agriculture,Forestry, andFisheries

416 8.3% 413 6.7% -0.7%

Mining 109 2.2% 72 1.2% -33.9%

Construction 458 9.2% 739 12.1% 61.4%

Manufacturing

Nondurable Goods

Durable Goods

1,608 32.2% 1,551 25.3% -3.5%

(495) (1.0%) (423) (6.9%) (-14.5%)

(1,113) (22.3%) (1,128) (18.4%) 1.3%

Transportation,Communicationsand Other PublicUtilities

303 6.1% 401 6.6% 32.3%

Wholesale Trade 102 2.0% 106 1.7% 4.0%

Retail Trade 615 12.3% 987 16.1% 60.4%

Finance,Insurance andReal Estate

94 1.9% 194 3.2% 106.4%

Business andRepair Services

103 2.1% 189 3.1% 83.5%

PersonalServices

119 2.4% 158 2.6% 32.7%

Entertainmentand RecreationServices

17 0.3% 54 0.9% 217.6%

Professional andRelated Services

Health Services

Educational Services

Other Professional & Related Srvc’s

644 12.9% 926 15.1% 43.8%

(191) (3.8%) (321) (5.2%) 68.1%

(330) (6.6%) (412) (6.7%) 24.8%

(123) (2.5%) (193) (3.1%) 56.9%

PublicAdministration

402 8.1% 337 5.4% -16.2%

Total 4,990 100.0% 6,127 100.0% 22.8%


Economic Analysis


During the surveyed period, the county’s employment levels experienced a significant levelof growth. The total number of persons employed in the county increased from 4,990 in 1980 to6,127 in 1990 or by 22.8 percent.

B. Manufacturing

Table E-2 shows the county's 1992 manufacturing statistics. According to the 1992 FultonCounty Economic Recovery Plan, the manufacturing industry has dominated the growth in jobs. Incomparison with the 1982 Census data, the total number of establishments has more than doubledand the number of employees has increased as well.

Table E-2Fulton County Industry Profiles, 1992

SectorNumber of

EstablishmentsNumber of Jobs

Sales or Receipts ($mil)

Manufacturing 29 1,100 100

Wholesale Trade 13 80 14

Retail Trade 75 485 52

Services 45 169 8

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1992

As reported by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Labor and Industry, Table E-3 outlines thecounty's top 50 employers for the third quarter of 1997.

C. Wholesale/Retail Trade and Service Industries

Trade is an important part of the economy because it influences the movement of materialsand if there is a diversity of goods and services in an area, there is less of a tendency for acommunity to spend its money elsewhere. The community thereby becomes partially economicallyself sufficient. Wholesale/retail trade and service industry statistics are presented in Table E-3. Asshown, the retail trade industry is the county’s second largest industry in terms of the number of jobsand annual sales and receipts. However, retail trade has the largest number of establishments withservices having the second largest number. This shows that while manufacturing is the county’seconomic driving force the trade and service industries serves as an integral component of the localeconomy.

D. Agriculture

Despite its small percentage of overall county employment, agriculture plays an importantrole within Fulton County. According to the Fulton County section of the Southern AllegheniesPlanning and Development Commission's report entitled "Regional Community Economic RecoveryProgram", "...agriculture shows the greatest specialization; almost seven percent of all employmentis in this sector, five times the state average (p.25)."

Economic Analysis


Table E-3Fulton County - Top Fifty Employers - Third Quarter, 1997.

Rank Number Economic Activity Rank Number# Economic Activity

1 JLG Industries, Inc. 26 Overly-Raker, Inc.

2 Fulton County Medical Center 27 Mellott Wood Preserving, Inc.

3 Pennsylvania State Government 28 JNT Precision Machining, Inc.

4 Central Fulton School District 29 Fulton Post, Inc.

5 H.B. Mellott Estate, Inc. 30 Ashbridge Oil Company, Inc.

6 JLG Equipment Services, Inc. 31 Clair R. Miller True Value

7 Marriott Family Restaurants, Inc. 32 Home Nursing Agency Affiliates

8 Kee-Ta Quay Construction 33 Mason-Dixon Council, Inc.

9 Forbes Road School District 34 Sheetz, Inc.

10 Mellott Enterprises, Inc. 35 Kenneth E. Deshong

11 County of Fulton 36 Richards Auto Sales, Inc.

12 Penn Traffic Company 37 Mascot Petroleum Co., Inc.

13 Delamor Enterprises, L.P. 38 Bedford Valley PetroleumCorporation

14 First National Bank, The 39 Fulton County Center For Families

15 Palmer Construction Company, Inc. 40 Williams & Sons LumberCompany, Inc.

16 Southern Fulton School District 41 Leisure Living Retirement

17 Fulton County National Bank &Trust Co.

42 Valley Rural Electric Co-op, Inc.

18 Fulton Motor Sales, Inc. 43 Johnnie's Diner

19 H.J. Culler, Inc. 44 George S. Hann & Son, Inc.

20 Great Cove Golf & Recreation, Inc. 45 DBT, Inc.

21 Ashbridge Oil Co., Inc. 46 Fulton County Area Vo-TechSchool

22 United States Government 47 United Telephone Co. of PA

23 P & W Excavating 48 Phantom Fireworks of PA, Inc.

24 Thomas Chevrolet-Olds-Geo 49 Stine, Davis, and Peck of PA, Inc.

25 Everhart & Hoover Power LineConstruction, Inc.

50 Southwest Medical

Source: PA Dept. of Labor and Industry, Third Quarter 1997

Economic Analysis


1,355

901

721

478 491 438 490 449

128 168 184 207 213 203 194 210

-

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1935 1959 1964 1974 1982 1992 1995 1997

Years

Hun

dred

s

Number of Farms

Avg. Acre/Farm

Figure E-1Fulton County Historic Agriculture Statistics, 1935-1997

Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Historically, dairy farming constituted the majority of the total value added to the localeconomy. But, according to a two-part report series published in the Fulton County News,(September 18, 1997), the number of dairy farm operations in the county have drastically declinedfrom 271 in 1959, to only 80 in 1995. Furthermore, Figure E-1 summarizes the county's historicfarming trends since 1935. As shown, the total number of farms decreased by 64.7 percent duringthe period 1935 to 1974. This may be attributable to factors such as the Great Depression and thepost-war suburban movement. However, the loss of farms actually has slowed significantly wherefrom 1974 to 1997, the number of farms decreased by 6.1 percent. Furthermore, as the number offarms decrease, the average size of each farm in acres has steadily increased by approximately 64.1percent during the period 1935 to 1997.

More recently, the primary reason for these trends is the decline in the industry's profitability.Specifically, falling milk and grain prices, coupled with increased production costs, have severelyburdened farmers. To a lesser extent, intensive labor requirements and weather disasters have alsoproved detrimental. To survive, many county farmers have turned to crop and beef cattle productionas alternatives to dairy farming. In addition, several former dairy operations have recently turnedto concentrated farming operations (i.e. contracted poultry and hog farming). Furthermore, severalfarm operations within the county are now beginning to utilize organic farming methods asalternatives to dairy and grain crop farming.

In response to the declines in the nation's small family farming operations, the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA) recently created the National Commission on the Small Farm.The commission's objective is formulate a national strategy to save the small family farm. In themeantime, county farmers have joined forces with farmers across the nation urging both Congressand the USDA to set a temporary minimum milk price.

Economic Analysis


E. Labor Force Characteristics

The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate for Fulton County for June of 1998 was 3.0percent. This figure is below the state's unemployment rate of 4.3 percent for June of 1998.Moreover, Fulton County's unemployment rate was ranked as the 7th lowest in the state. A historiccomparison for both the county and state reveal a significant improvement in the employmentopportunities. The average unemployment rate for Fulton County in 1992 was 8.4 percent incomparison with the state's 7.4 percent rate.

Table E-4 contains information concerning the location of employers, means oftransportation to work, and travel time to work. This information is provided for Fulton County asa whole. The vast majority of employed persons in the county drove to work alone (69.5 percent)and a considerable number of employed persons (21.2 percent) carpooled. Also, the county’s meantravel time to work of 25.5 minutes is greater than the states mean travel time of 21.6 minutes, whichtypifies the rural nature of the county.

Table E-5 shows employment by occupation in Fulton County. The occupation title ofoperators, fabricators, and laborers constitute 29.0 percent of the labor force. An additional 35.6percent work in other blue collar type jobs. Approximately 35.4 percent of the labor force work inthe technical, sales, administrative support field, and the managerial and professional specialty field

F. Trends and Issues

� Since 1980, Fulton County has experienced a strong growth and employment pattern witha 16.3 percent increase in total employment from 1979 to 1988, and an additional 10 percentfrom 1988 to 1993.

� The majority of industry sectors experienced increases in total employment withmanufacturing employing the greatest percentage of the total labor force.

� Although the agricultural sector remains an important component of the county's economiccomposition, it has experienced declines in employment opportunities and profitability.

� During the surveyed period, the county’s employment levels experienced a significant levelof growth. The total number of persons employed in the county increased from 4,990 in1980 to 6,127 in 1990, or by 22.8 percent.

� Historic economic growth patterns are projected to continue throughout the next decade.And with continued population increases and movements toward economic diversification,the county will continue to grow.

� Despite recent growth patterns, the county has yet to experience a full service economy andis therefore, dependent on other areas to supply much of its retail and service needs. Inaddition, heavy concentrations of employment in a few industries has created an economicenvironment that is vulnerable to both cyclical and secular decline.

Economic Analysis


� The county's unemployment rate of 3.0 percent was below the rate for Pennsylvania. Thisfigure reveals significant improvements in the county's employment opportunities within thelast decade. Employment characteristics also reveal that the majority of the county's laborforce is employed in blue collar type jobs.

� Trends indicate that over 50 percent of the county's labor force is employed in the county.In addition, 70 percent of employed persons drove to work alone.

Economic Analysis


Table E-4Labor Force Characteristics of Persons 16 Years and Older, 1990

Characteristic Fulton County

Persons 16 Years and Older 10,579

Labor Force

Percent in Labor Force

Percent Employed

Percent Unemployed

Percent not in Labor Force

6,525

62.0%

93.9%

5.9%

38.3%

Employed Persons by Place of Work

In County

Outside County

Outside Pennsylvania

3,234

1,427

1,385

Employed Persons by Means of Transportation to Work

Drove Alone

Carpool

Public Transit

Walked

Other Means

Worked at Home

4,258

1,298

8

148

38

296

Travel Time to Work for Workers Who Did Not Work atHome

<5 minutes

5 to 9 minutes

10 to 14 minutes

15 to 19 minutes

20 to 29 minutes

30 to 44 minutes

45 to 59 minutes

60+ minutes

347

737

844

788

892

822

692

628

Mean Travel Time to Work (in minutes) 25.5


.

Economic Analysis


Table E-5Employed Persons 16 Years and Over by Occupation in Fulton County, 1990

Occupation Total% ofTotal

Managerial and ProfessionalSpecialty

Executive, Administration, Managerial

Professional Specialty

933

432

501

15.2%

7.1%

8.2%

Technical, Sales, AdministrativeSupport

Technicians and Related Support

Sales

Administrative Support IncludingClerical

1,239

116

447

676

20.2%

1.9%

7.3%

11.0%

Service

Private Household

Protective Service

Service, Except Protective and Household

755

19

81

655

12.3%

0.3%

1.3%)

10.7%

Farming, Forestry, and Fishing 426 7.0%

Precision, Production, Craft andRepair

996 16.3%

Operators, Fabricators, and Laborers

Machine Operators, Assemblers, Inspectors

Transportation and Material Moving

Haulers, Equipment Cleaners, Helpers, and Laborers

1,778

818

492

468

29.0%

13.4%

8.0%

7.6%


Housing Analysis

Housing Analysis


Introduction

Attractive housing and well maintained residential neighborhoods are one of the mostimportant assets of any community. Good housing creates a sound tax base that will continue toappreciate in value, and will assure that residents are living in an environment conducive to healthfuland safe living. The existing and future quality and availability of housing is extremely importantto the prosperity of Fulton County. The housing needs for future population levels can bedetermined through an analysis of the existing housing base and projected population levels andcomposition.

Housing issues in relation to comprehensive planning are also diverse. It is important to notethat many factors must be examined in developing successful housing policies for Fulton County.Issues perceived important by some may be deemed insignificant by others. Therefore, issues suchas rehabilitation, density increases, location, price, quality, and changing demographic trends shouldbe considered when looking at the future of Fulton County's housing.

A. Housing Inventory

As shown in Table H-1, the total number of year round housing units increased by 16.6percent (a net increase of 883 units) between 1980 and 1990 in Fulton County. This rate of increasesurpassed the population increase of 7.8 percent for the same time period. The percentage increasein dwelling units during the past few decades has been greater than the percentage increase inpopulation, demonstrating the effect of declining household size. The average household size inFulton County has decreased to 2.68 persons per household in 1990 from 2.86 persons per householdin 1980. This decline represents the increase in the number of elderly persons living alone, andincreases in the number of single-person households.

Table H-1 also reveals that the municipalities of Ayr Township, Dublin Township,McConnellsburg Borough, and Todd Township constitute approximately 41.0 percent of the county'stotal housing units. All of the county' s municipalities, except for McConnellsburg Borough,experienced increases in total housing units between 1980 and 1990. The borough's decrease inhousing units is due to both the lack of available building space existing within the Borough and theattractive living conditions existing in neighboring Ayr and Todd Townships. Due to this spillovereffect, Ayr and Todd Townships experienced the highest percentage increases in total housing unitsbetween 1980 and 1990, with 31.5 percent and 28.0 percent, respectively.

Surprisingly, several of the county's more rural municipalities, such as Union and BrushCreek Townships also experienced significant increases in the total number of housing units duringthis same period. Union Township, which is located in the southwestern portion of the countyexperienced the third highest percentage increase with 26.4 percent, or 64 additional housing units.Union Township shares its border with Bedford County, Pennsylvania, and Washington andAllegany Counties in Maryland, and in addition, is situated near the confluence of Interstates 70 and68. These factors coupled with the Township's predominant agricultural setting are causing manyurban residents, primarily from Maryland, to establish both full and part time residents within theTownship. Brush Creek Township experienced the fourth highest increase in total housing units.

Housing Analysis


Between 1980 and 1990, the Township gained an additional 70 housing units, which equals a 23.4percent increase. Similar factors, such as its rural setting and access to viable transportation (I-70and I-76), are contributing to these gains.

The townships that experienced the lowest percentage increases of 0.2 percent and 10.6percent, were Dublin and Licking Creek Townships, respectively. As the county's populationcontinues to grow, these municipalities will continue to share in the county's overall upward trendin housing units.

Table H-1Total Housing Units for Fulton County and Municipalities, 1980 and 1990

Municipality 19801 19902 % Change

Fulton County 5,301 6,184 16.7%

Ayr Township 670 881 31.5%

Belfast Township 426 515 21.0%

Bethel Township 513 585 14.0%

Brush Creek Township 299 369 23.4%

Dublin Township 458 459 0.2%

Licking Creek Township 566 626 10.6%

McConnellsburg Borough 562 547 -2.7%

Taylor Township 454 533 17.4%

Thompson Township 362 440 21.5%

Todd Township 503 644 28.0%

Union Township 242 306 26.4%

Valley-Hi Borough (NA) 26 ------

Wells Township 246 253 2.8%

Source: 1 PA State Date Center, 19802 U.S. Census Bureau, 1990

B Housing Density

Housing density statistics for the county's municipalities also reveals a high concentrationof residency within the McConnellsburg Borough region. Table H-2 shows housing densities forselected municipalities in Fulton County. The factors contributing to these high concentrations areservice accessibility, transportation accessibility, retail services, and private and public sector jobopportunities.

Table H-3 depicts the housing types in Fulton County. As shown, 71.4 percent (4,417 units)are single family detached or single family attached units.

Housing Analysis


Table H-2Housing Densities for Fulton County and Municipalities, 1990

MunicipalityTotal

Housing UnitsLand Area

(Square Miles)Housing Density(Units/Sq. Mile)

Fulton County 6,184 437.6 14.1

Ayr Township 881 46.2 19.1

Belfast Township 515 50.2 10.3

Bethel Township 585 37.1 15.8

Brush Creek Township 369 54.3 6.8

Dublin Tonwhsip 459 36.9 12.4

Licking Creek Township 626 44.7 14.0

McConnellsburg Borough 547 0.4 1,367.5

Taylor Township 533 32.6 16.3

Thompson Township 440 37.9 11.6

Todd Township 644 28.9 22.3

Union Township 306 30.5 10.0

Valley-Hi Borough 26 0.5 52.0

Wells Township 253 37.4 6.8


Table H-3Housing Types in Fulton County, 1990

Unit TypeTotal

Housing Units% ofTotal

Single Family

1 Unit, Detached

1 Unit, Attached

4,417

4,354

63

71.4%

70.4%

1.0%

Multi-Family

2 Units

3 or 4 Units

5 to 9 Units

10 or More Units

320

131

57

55

77

5.2%

2.1%

0.9%

0.9%

1.2%

Mobile Homes/Other 1,447 23.4%

Total 6,184 100.0%


Housing Analysis


C. Occupancy and Vacancy Status

The vacancy rate serves as a measure of the housing market. The homeowner vacancy rateis the number of vacant units for sale as a percentage of the total number of homeowner units. Therental vacancy rate is the number of vacant units for rent expressed as a percentage of the totalnumber of rental units. According to Frank S. So, in his 1988 publication entitled, The Practice ofLocal Government Planning, "Vacancy is an important housing indicator because it indicates thedegree of choice available. Too high a vacancy rate can be disastrous for owners trying to sell orrent. Too low a vacancy rate can force up prices. Vacancies between 4 and 5 percent are usuallyconsidered healthy (p. 377)."

The homeowner vacancy rate for Fulton County in 1990 was 0.8 percent, which was belowPennsylvania's rate of 1.5 percent for 1990. The county's 1990 rental vacancy rate of 8.5 percent wasabove Pennsylvania's rental vacancy rate of 7.2 percent.

D. Occupied Dwellings by Tenure

Table H-4 illustrates occupancy characteristics of housing units in Fulton County andsurrounding counties. Of the 6,184 total housing units in the county, 5,139 were occupied housingunits, of which 78.8 percent (4,049 units) were owner occupied units. This is an increase from 1980,not only in total occupied housing units but, the percentage of owner occupied housing units. In1980, there were 4,469 total occupied housing units of which, 78.9 percent (3,526 units) were owneroccupied. In addition, the total renter occupied units in 1980 increased by 15.3 percent to 1,090 totalunits in 1990.

Table H-4Occupied Housing Units by Tenure for Fulton County and Municipalities, 1990

Municipality Total % Owner % Renter

Fulton County 5,139 78.8% 21.2%

Bedford County 18,038 79.1% 20.9%

Franklin County 45,675 73.0% 27.3%

Huntingdon County 15,527 76.3% 23.7%

Somerset County 29,574 77.4% 22.6%


In comparison with the selected surrounding municipalities, Fulton County has the secondhighest percentage of owner occupied housing units. In addition, the county had the fourth highestpercentage of renter occupied housing units.

E. Age of Structures and Housing Conditions

The age of a structure can be useful in the evaluation of structural conditions. Although theage of a structure does not necessarily imply its condition, it does point to areas where repairs,heating costs, and inadequate plumbing and electrical systems could be a problem. The age ranges

Housing Analysis


of dwelling units in Fulton County are shown in Table H-5. As shown, the majority of the county’shousing units were constructed since 1950; with approximately 41 percent having been constructedbetween 1960 and 1979. This surge in housing construction is in response to the post World WarII housing boom. An equally large percentage (24.9%) of the County’s housing stock was built prior to 1940, which is an indication of the number of structures may be require infrastructure updatessuch as electrical wiring, heating, and plumbing fixtures. Furthermore, these structures may requireadditional maintenance to insure their structural stability.

Table H-5Age of Year-Round Housing Units in Fulton County, 1990

Year Built Number % of Total

1980 to 1990 1,127 18.2%

1970 to 1979 1,654 26.7%

1960 to 1969 867 14.0%

1950 to 1959 529 8.6%

1940 to 1949 468 7.6%

1930 or earlier 1,539 24.9%

Total 6,184 100.0%


Although the Census does not evaluate the condition of housing units in terms of structureor physical deterioration, the data does provide some information on housing problems through theenumeration of units which lack complete plumbing facilities for the exclusive use of its residents,enumeration of units which lack complete kitchen facilities, and units, which because they havemore than 1.01 people per room, are considered to be overcrowded.

Table H-6 shows the percentage of housing units within the county lacking completeplumbing facilities; lacking public water and sewer or a private system, or lacking adequate kitchenfacilities. According to the 1990 Census, 107 units, or 2.1 percent of the total occupied housingunits had more than 1.01 people per room. This is higher than the statewide figure of 1.8 percent.From indicators taken by the 1990 Census, housing conditions in the county improved significantlysince the 1980 Census. There were less overcrowded units, and the percentage of units withdeficient plumbing and heating facilities dropped considerably.

An interesting statistic is the number of housing units lacking telephone service in FultonCounty. According to the 1990 census, 241 or approximately 4 percent of the county’s total housingunits lack this service; which is above the state’s percentage of 2.4 percent. This situation isdisadvantageous in the county’s efforts to implement a county-wide standard addressing system andthe provision of enhanced 911 emergency communication services. Furthermore, the lack of theseservices may also hinder the timely provision of emergency services. Therefore, it is imperative thatall personnel be familiar with their response areas.

Housing Analysis


Table H-6Structural, Plumbing, and Equipment Characteristics, Fulton County and

Pennsylvania, 1990

Area

Percent

All HousingUnits

LackingCompletePlumbingFacilities

Lacking PublicWater

System orPrivate

Company

LackingPublic Sewer

Lacking CompleteKitchen Facilities

Fulton County 6,184 2.4% 78.9% 81.6% 1.3%

Pennsylvania 4,938,140 1.0% 21.9% 25.6% 0.9%


F. Household Size

Household size is important in determining housing needs. Funton County’s averagehousehold size in 1990 was 2.68 according to the Census Bureau. This represents a decrease from2.86 persons per household reported in the 1980 Census. These trends also are representative ofnational, state, and local trends, which are in response to the increase in the number of householdformations. Table H-7 indicates the distribution of household size in Fulton County. Table H-7 alsoindicates the distribution of household size for owner-occupied housing units and renter occupiedhousing units. As expected, the two person household is the most common size for owner occupiedhousing units. For renter occupied units, the one person household size is the most common.

Table H-7Fulton County Household Size by Tenure, 1990

Household Size Total% of Owner

Occupied% of Renter

Occupied

1 Person 1,064 17.7% 31.7%

2 Persons 1,683 35.3% 23.4%

3 Persons 980 19.1% 18.9%

4 Persons 885 18.0% 14.5%

5 Persons 367 7.0% 7.7%

6 Persons 116 2.1% 3.0%

7+ Persons 44 0.9% 0.7%


G. Housing Value and Rental Costs

Value intervals for specific owner occupied housing units and the percentage of total unitswithin each interval is presented in Table H-8. The median value of owner occupied housing unitsin 1990 was 50,700 dollars. However, since 1980, the real median value of owner-occupied housing

Housing Analysis


units did not increase. For example, when adjusted for inflation, the 1980 real median housing valueis 51,069 dollars. However, Pennsylvania’s 1990 median value of $69,700 experienced realincreases over the adjusted 1980 median value of 62,012 dollars. Therefore, since real housingvalues in Fulton County did not increase is a concern because it implies that this element of the stockof private wealth did not keep pace with the state.

Table H-8Value Intervals for Owner-Occupied Housing Units, 1990

Value ofOwner-Occupied

UnitsNumber of

Units% ofTotal

Value ofOwner-Occupied

UnitsNumber of

Units% ofTotal

<$15,000 55 0.89% $75,000 to$99,999

260 4.20%

$15,000 to$19,999

42 0.68% $100,000 to$124,999

56 0.91%

$20,000 to$24,999

112 1.81% $125,000 to$149,999

21 0.34%

$25,000 to$29,999

104 1.68% $150,000 to$174,999

11 0.18%

$30,000 to$34,999

166 2.68% $175,000 to$199,999

2 0.03%

$35,000 to$39,999

168 2.72% $200,000 to$249,999

5 0.08%

$40,000 to$44,999

183 2.96% $250,000 to$299,999

2 0.03%

$45,000 to$49,999

181 2.93% $300,000 to$399,999

0 0.00%

$50,000 to$59,999

310 5.01% $400,000 to$499,999

0 0.00%

$60,000 to$74,999

390 6.31% >$500,000 0 0.00%

Median Value = $50,700Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990

In 1990, median contract rent in Fulton County was $210, which represents a real decreaseof $87 from the adjusted 1980 median contract rent. Table H-9 shows the County's median contractrent value intervals for 1990. Future rental housing concerns and issues are addressed in theBedford-Fulton Housing Services June 1994 housing assessment report. As stated in the report, “Forresidents age 61 and older, who own their home, there is an expressed concern for future rentalhousing should health and financial problems make owning a home more difficult.” Furthermore,the report stated, “For low-moderate income persons, ages 18-36, there is a demand for additionalsafe, decent affordable rental housing. Currently their main complaint about housing is the need forrepairs.”

Housing Analysis


H. Housing Projections

The increase in the number of housing units in a municipality can be projected through theuse of several factors. These factors include historic trends, vacancy rate, population projections,and the number of persons per household. Projections of the number of households can be used toestimate future utility, public facility and service need, and the amount of area that will be necessaryfor residential development in the next 20 years.

Table H-9Value Intervals for Renter Occupied Housing Units, 1990

Value ofRenter-Occupied

UnitsNumber of

Units% ofTotal

Value ofRenter-Occupied

UnitsNumber of

Units% ofTotal

<$100 70 1.13% $450 to $499 2 0.03%

$100 to $149 102 1.65% $500 to $549 0 0.00%

$150 to $199 163 2.64% $550 to $599 0 0.00%

$200 to $249 194 3.14% $600 to $649 0 0.00%

$250 to $299 142 2.30% $650 to $699 2 0.03%

$300 to $349 52 0.84% $700 to $749 0 0.00%

$350 to $399 16 0.26% $750 to $999 0 0.00%

$400 to $449 6 0.10 >$1,000 0 0.00%

Median Rent = $210Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1990.

Housing projections for Fulton County were made using population projections presentedin the Socioeconomic Analysis section, existing housing vacancy data, historic and projectedpopulation data, and existing and historic data regarding the number of persons per household. The1990 housing vacancy rate in Fulton County is 2.2 percent. Given the predominance of single familyhomes and the agricultural nature of the area, this appears to be a reasonable estimation of long-termhousing vacancy. Therefore, this rate was used to estimate the vacancy rate from 1980 to 2020. Thisinformation is summarized in Table H-10.

I. Housing for the Elderly

As seen from the demographic information contained in this report, the county's elderlypopulation grew significantly from 1980 to 1990. The housing needs of the elderly differ from thoseof the general population, therefore, provision for housing options specialized for the elderly shouldbe considered. As stated in the 1994 housing study, “the need for elderly housing should beaddressed before it becomes a major problem. With only one project in the county devotedexclusively for the elderly, there is a strong need for additional housing of this type.

Housing Analysis


Table H-10Historic and Projected Housing Unit Growth for Fulton County, 1990

YearTotal

Housing UnitsOccupied

Housing UnitsPopulation

Person PerHousing Units

19801 5,301 4,469 12,482 2.86

19901 6,184 5,139 13,837 2.68

19971 6,344 5,162 14,358 2.78

20002 6,805 5,671 14,774 2.6

20102 7,144 5,953 15,478 2.6

20202 7,327 6,106 15,876 2.6

Sources: 1 U.S. Census Bureau, 1980 - 1997.2 G.F., Inc. (2000 - 2020) - Occupied housing projections are based upon population projections, shown in Figure

S-1, divided by 2.6 persons per household. This figure is slightly below the 1990 household size of 2.68. Thisfigure was used because the trend in the County is a smaller number of persons per household. Total housing unitsare based upon the 1990 housing vacancy rate of 2.2 percent.

members but still maintain privacy and independence. An accessory apartment can furnish the olderperson with a housing arrangement that is smaller and easier to maintain as well as more affordablethan a single-family home.

J. Housing Affordability

The availability of affordable housing is important for several reasons. Entry level employeesin certain job sectors cannot afford to live near where they work, forcing them to commute longerdistances. This adds to both traffic congestion and air pollution. Quality of life is affected throughthe loss of leisure time and time spent with family. Employers have a harder time filling positionsin retail and service sector jobs as housing in the area becomes less affordable to those who mightfill these positions. A wider range of housing types, densities, and rental options can help toalleviate some of these affordable housing problems.

Coupled with housing price information, affordability is used to measure the burden ofmonthly housing expenditures relative to the residents’ income. Housing affordability is based upontwo factors–housing values and household incomes. A comparison of these two factors can derivea proportional index of housing affordability. This process helps to determine if the typical familycan afford to purchase a typical house. Fulton County’s 1990 median owner-occupied housing valueof $56,700 divided by the county’s 1990 median family income of $23,736 equals a purchasing ratioof 2.14 (Table H-11). This means that the average household in Fulton County will spend over twotimes their yearly income for the purchase of a home. Fulton County’s purchasing value is less thanPennsylvania’s purchasing ratio of 2.40 [$69,700 (1990 median housing value) / $29,069 (1990median household income)]. As a result, Fulton County’s housing market is more affordable thanthe commonwealth’s. Furthermore, in comparison with surrounding counties, Fulton County’spurchasing index value is similar to Bedford County’s value, but is higher than the values forHuntingdon and Somerset County’s. Therefore, housing stock in Huntingdon and SomersetCounty’s is more affordable than in Fulton, Bedford, and Franklin Counties.

Housing Analysis


Table H-11Housing Affordability Indexes for Fulton County, Pennsylvania and Surrounding

Counties, 1990

Jurisdiction1990 Median HouseholdIncome in 1990 Dollars

Median Housing Values Purchasing Index

Pennsylvania $29,069 $69,700 2.40

Fulton County $23,736 $50,700 2.14

Franklin County $28,806 $70,500 2.45

Bedford County $21,622 $46,800 2.16

Huntingdon County $23,067 $43,100 1.87

Somerset County $21,674 $43,400 2.00


The need for affordable housing is addressed in the 1994 housing study. For example, datacompiled in the study indicates a need for affordable rental housing for the elderly in Fulton County,which is attributed to their (i.e., 61 years and older) inability to keep up with the demands associatedwith owning a home. Furthermore, there is also a need for affordable housing rental housing forlow-moderate income households. For example, survey results in the 1994 study indicated thatmany renters complain about the need for repairs to their rental properties.

K. Trends and Issues

� Since 1980, the percentage increase in the total number of housing units has surpassed thepercentage increase in total population, which reveals trends in smaller household sizes.These trends are projected to continue throughout the next decade.

� Declines in household size demonstrate the effects of an increase in the number of elderlypersons living alone, and also, increases in the number of single-person households.

� Furthermore, housing conditions have significantly improved since 1980, in terms ofovercrowding, and the number of homes having heating and plumbing facilities. In termsof overcrowding, only 2.1 percent of the county's total occupied housing units had more than1.01 persons per room.

� The percentage of housing units without telephone service surpasses the percentage for thestate; thus, serving as a detriment to the provision of timely emergency response service.

� Housing unit gains were experienced by all municipalities, except for the Borough ofMcConnellsburg, with the largest percentage increases occurring Ayr and Todd Townships.

� Since 1990 housing values in Fulton County did not increase over 1980 real values is aconcern because it implies that this element of the stock of private wealth did not keep pacewith the state.

Housing Analysis


� The number of housing units within the county is expected to increase based on projectedpopulation increases, and the continuing decline of persons per household based on thecounty's population increasing in age. According to projections, over 2,000 housing unitswill be constructed in the county over the period 1990 to 2020. These units should providea variety of housing styles to accommodate both the one (1) and two (2) person householdsand to provide sufficient housing for the county's aging population.

� The county’s elderly population is projected to grow thus causing a need for elderly housingand other related services. Furthermore, data present in the 1994 housing study conductedby the Bedford-Fulton Housing Services shows a desire for affordable rental unit housingfor both elderly and low-moderate household i

Transportation Analysis



Photo T-1Pennsylvania Turnpike, Interstate 76

Introduction

A community's transportationnetwork affects the daily lives ofvirtually all its residents. An efficienttransportation system is considered vitalto a high quality of life, and is a basicrequirement for community growth anddevelopment. From a long-rangeplanning perspective, the transportationnetwork is a significant elementaffecting both how a community growsand its physical design.

Fulton County' s early growthwas attributed to the existing road andtrail network that carried settlerswestward. Early thoroughfares such asthe Philadelphia and Forbes Roads, and subsequent highways, like the Lincoln Highway andPennsylvania Turnpike, facilitated the growth of Fulton County and westward expansion ofAmerica. According to the Fulton County Heritage Plan (1996), McConnellsburg's prosperity wastied to the highway.

A. Functional Classification System

The functional classification of highways and roadways is established in the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Transportation (PADOT) Highway Design Manual. The classification system isdivided into two major systems-Urban Area and Rural Area. These systems are then furtherdivided into four roadway classes:

1. Interstate and Freeways: These are fully controlled access highways, with no at-grade intersections or driveway connections. These sysetms are arterials that do nothave standard intersections requiring traffic control devices such as stop signs andtraffic signals. Furthermore, these systems qualify for federal aid.

2. Arterials: This system carries long-distance major traffic flows between majoractivity centers such as towns and large shopping/employment centers. Arterialsallow travel between regions and therefore, form the backbone of a roadwaynetwork. This class of road is designed to carry large volumes of traffic asefficiently as possible. This system qualifies for federal aid

3. Collectors: This system links local streets with the arterial street system. Collectorsdo what their name implies; they collect traffic from local roads and streets.Furthermore, they do not qualify for federal aid, but are funded through municipalliquid fuels tax revenues.



4. Local Roads: This system serves shorter local trips. Local roads primarily functionto provide access to abutting land uses. These roads generally have low speedlimits and low traffic volumes. Furthermore, they do not qualify for federal aid, butare funded through municipal liquid fuels tax revenues.

Of the county’s 735.27 highway miles, 510.20 miles or 69.4 percent are classified as localroads. The second largest roadway class is collectors comprising 113.2 miles or 15.4 percent ofthe total. The remaining roadways are classified as arterials–comprising 73.0 miles or 10.0percent–and freeways–comprising only 38.93 miles or 5.3 percent.

Fulton County's road and highway services are overseen by the Pennsylvania Departmentof Transportation's District 9-0 office located in Hollidaysburg. The local district office (District9-4, McConnellsburg) is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the county's statehighways and Interstate 70. According to the PADOT, there are 731.71 miles of highwaytraversing the county. These highways are operated and maintained by multiple jurisdictions,which include the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (19.15 miles) PennDOT (362.44 miles),thirteen municipalities (296.12 miles), and Other Agencies (54.00 miles).

B. Public Transit

Many rural communities respond to the public's need for transportation to jobs, shopping,and social opportunities with on-demand bus or van service. Many of these public transportationservices can personalize the ride by changing the route and pick up/drop off time if a resident callswith specials needs.

Rural transit service is provided by the Bedford-Fulton-Huntingdon Area Agency on Aging.The service is provided primarily to Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon Counties with secondaryservice to medical facilities throughout Pennsylvania and parts of Maryland and West Virginia.The service operates from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with no holiday service.Reservations for the service must be made 24 hours in advance for access and the service is basedon a demand response system. The majority of patrons are persons 65 years of age and older. In1995, ridership for this service was approximately 115,000 patrons. The service is funded byvarious sources including the Shared-ride Program, Act 26, the human services development fund,AAA, medical assistance, program income, and county funds. Services for Fulton County residentsare arranged by contacting the McConnellsburg Transportation Office.

Public transit stations with park-and-lots with more than 500 spaces or 5,000 daily bus orrail passengers are considered major intermodal facilities within the FHWA guidelines. Currently,no park-and-ride facilities exist within Fulton County.

C. Recreational Trails

Bicycle and pedestrian recreational trails are an important part of the transportation system.Historically, transportation plans have not included the needs and requirements of bicyclists andpedestrians. As people become more health and environmentally conscious, bicycling and walkingrepresent potentially reliable and attractive alternatives to motorized modes. Recreational trailsexisting in Fulton County include the following:



Link Trail: This trail crosses the nearest portion of Dublin and Todd Townships in a north-south direction.

Reichley Brothers Rail/Trail: Located in Wells Township, this trail begins near the NorthValley Road (S.R. 915) and continues northward to the Wells/Taylor Township municipalboundary.

Tuscarora Trail: Located in eastern Fulton County, this trail follows the boundary ofFulton and Franklin Counties.

The Community Features Map delineates these recreational trails in Fulton County.

D. Roadway Trails

The Heritage Route is an historical driving trail that reviews the history and historical sitesof Fulton County. This Route is a segment of the "Path of Progress" that consists of a 500-miledriving tour through nine southwestern Pennsylvania counties and linking heritage sites. The"Fulton County Heritage Route" originates at the intersection of U.S. 30 (Lincoln Highway) andU.S. 522 in downtown McConnellsburg and proceeds north along S.R. 1005 (Aughwick Road) andsouth along U.S. 522 (Great Cove Road) to the Huntingdon County and Maryland State lines,respectively. A total of 23 historical sites are identified along the Path of Progress and the HeritageRoute, including Fort Littleton, Burnt Cabins, Cowans Gap, Historic McConnellsburg, AsburyChurch, and others. The Community Features Map delineates the Heritage Route and Path ofProgress in Fulton County.

E. Traffic Volumes

The most fundamental and visible description of a highway's function is the volume oftraffic using that highway over a given time. To standardize this number, volume is generallyexpressed over a twenty-four hour period, factored by both day of week and month of year, toproduce an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) value. The Transportation Features Mapillustrates the AADT for State Highways within Fulton County for the year 1997.

Caution should be taken, however, in the use of AADT's. The values given are based onspot counts taken over a period of time to assist in preparing network-wide estimates. Spot countsmay not be representative of an entire road segment and the extrapolation of these values overlonger distances dilutes their validity. However, considering these limitations, the AADT is stillthe best standard method of evaluation.

In examining the 1997 traffic volumes for Fulton County, roadways with 10,000 + AADTare limited to a short segment of S.R. 16 east of McConnellsburg. Interstate 70 and portions ofU.S. 522 and U.S. 30 have an AADT of 5,000 to 9,999. Segments of U.S. 522, 30, 655 and S.R.1004, 4014, and 1006 have AADT's in the 2,500 to 4,999 range. Segments of Routes 522, 484,16, 30, 655, 475, 3019, 1004, 1005, 1010, 3023, 913, and 915 have AADT's in the range of 1,000



to 2,499. The remainder of the roads in the county have less than 1,000 AADT or their AADT'sare unknown.

F. Road Conditions

1. Surface Conditions

In Pennsylvania, the International Roughness Index (IRI) is used to identify the conditionof a roadway by quantifying general roughness. Test-road engineers have developed this conceptto define the smoothness and rideability of the roadway surface. This measure incorporates thecharacteristics of roadway deformation and surface deterioration such as cracking, spalling,potholing, and patching. The lower the coefficient is the smoother the roadway surface. The rangeof values used in determining roadway roughness is between zero (perfectly smooth) and 999(impassable).

This index is one of the criteria used to help categorize needed roadway improvements.The IRI is an indicator of roadway condition. Higher IRI values indicate declining conditions. Amajority of the roads in the county have IRI's primarily in the "smooth" and "medium" ranges.However, there are 21 segments of roadway that have IRI's in the "rough" range throughout thecounty. Each of these segments should be watched closely for further deteriorating conditions.Additionally, there are three segments of road in the county that are considered "very rough" basedon this criteria. Two of these segments are located on S.R. 3017 in Brush Creek Township as wellas one segment of U.S. Route 522 in Bethel Township. The Fulton County TransportationInformation System (TIS) provides a more detailed review of the county's IRI classifications.

2. Crash Statistics

Historical crash data is useful in determining what roadways and intersections are problemor hazardous locations. According to the TIS, two segments along Interstate 70, which include thearea near the Town Hill interchange in Brush Creek Township and an area west of the AmaranthInterchange in Union Township, and Lincoln Way East in McConnellsburg Borough are identifiedas locations having "accidents above average." Crash Statistics compiled by the PADOT for thecounty shows that 496 crashes occurred in 1998. Of this total, 298 were classified as injurycrashes, 195 were property damage only (PDO), and 3 were fatal. Furthermore, Figure T-1illustrates historic crash statistics for the county. During the period 1994 to 1998, the number ofcrashes increased by 16.5 percent, with an average annual percentage increase of 3.1 percent.

3. Inadequate Bridges

The sufficiency rating of bridges is a composite measure used to rate bridge structures. Thisderived statistic is computed automatically using the summed measure of the "Structural Adequacyand Safety Component" rating, the "Serviceability and Functional Obsolescence Component"rating, and the "Essentiality for Public Use Component" rating in PennDOT's Bridge ManagementSystem (BMS). If the bridge sufficiency rating is found to between zero and 49.9, the structure iseligible for replacement. Ratings between 50 and 79.9 define the structure's eligibility for repairof construction only. If this rating is greater than or equal to 80, no federal monies are allowed tobe programmed for improvements.



273283

303

316 318

240

260

280

300

320

340

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

Year

Tot

al C

rash

es

Figure T-1Historic Crash Statistics, Fulton County, 1994-98

Source: PADOT, 1998

The Department of Transportation has identified a total of 122 bridges requiring noimprovements (rated 80-100), 84 bridges eligible for construction repair funding (rated 50-79.9),and 18 bridges that are eligible for replacement funding (rated 0-49.9) in the county. Most of thebridges in Fulton County were built before 1920 and have long exceeded their 50 year life span.Many clearly need replacement but also are historic structures that should be carefullyrehabilitated.

G. Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

The Fulton County Planning Commission, under the advisement of the County Board ofCommissioners, participates in the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission’stransportation project prioritization program. This program identifies potential transportationprojects for inclusion in PADOT’s 12-Year Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). TheFederal Department of Transportation defines the TIP as "A staged, multiyear, intermodal programof transportation projects, which is consistent with the metropolitan transportation plan." This isperformed every two years through the county's 12-Year Program.

In addition, proposed municipal bridge projects are submitted by the commission forinclusion onto the Capital Highway and Bridge Bill. Once this bill is passed, the accepted projectsare eligible for inclusion into the PADOT 12-Year Program. Table T-1 identifies the county’sprojects programmed under PADOT’s 1999 TIP.

Southern Alleghenies, in association with the four rural counties of Fulton, Bedford,Huntingdon, and Somerset, and the PADOT have been conducting a cooperative TransportationInformation System (TIS) project to improve the local transportation planning process. Thissystem involves using ArcView GIS to analyze PADOT’s various data files to identify deficientroadway segments and bridges. More specifically, various criteria such as level of service,

TABLE T-11999 TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM FOR FULTON COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

PROJECT SR PROJECT NAME IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM PERIOD ENG ROW CON TOTAL ENG ROW CON

AREA : MODE: HIGHWAY

9299140 0030 SIDELING HILL CURVE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT FIRST 512 115 3,900 4,527 NHS NHS SXF

9299800 0070 1-70 SLIDE SAFETY IMPROVEMENT FIRST 250 -- -- 250 NHS -- --

9290503 0522 GEM CURVE REALIGN SAFETY IMPROVEMENT THIRD 1,000 225 6,615 7,840 NHS STP STP

9299521 0913 TR 913 DRAINAGE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT FIRST 50 -- 175 225 NHS -- STP

9299870 6900 BUSINESS PARK ACCESS NEW 2 LANE ROADWAY FIRST 125 63 1,062 1,250 NHS STP SXF

AREA : MODE: BRIDGE

9298820 0522 PA 522/TONOLOWAY CK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT FIRST 150 100 -- 250 FCB FCB --

9298820 0522 PA 522/TONOLOWAY CK BRIDGE REPLACEMENT SECOND -- -- 1,500 1,500 -- -- FCB

9299020 9900 T-344 BARNETTS RUN BRIDGE REPLACEMENT FIRST 68 -- -- 68 STA -- --

9299020 9900 T-344 BARNETTS RUN BRIDGE REPLACEMENT SECOND -- 10 300 310 -- STA STA

9299420 9900 T-353 BIG COVE CK BR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT FIRST 40 8 550 598 STA STA STA

Notes: Costs: ENG = The cost of the engineering phase of the project in thousands of dollars.

ROW = The cost of the right-of-way phase of the project in thousands of dollars.

CONST = The cost of the construction phase of the project in thousand of dollars.

TOTAL = The total project cost in thousand of dollars.

Approved by the PA State Transportation Commission in 1998.

Source: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, “Transportation Improvement Program, 1999.” Online. http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/aviation.nsf/tip?readform.

FUND COST ($000)

SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES LDD

SOUTHERN ALLEGHENIES LDD

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan T-6 Final - May 2000



functional highway classification, accident data, and roughness index–to name a few–are weightedaccording to the attributed value and then mathematically analyzed using the GIS. The endproduct provides an overall weighting index for all roadway segments with the highest valueequaling the most deficient segments.

H. Areas of Concern

The Transportation Features Map identifies a variety transportation problem areas, whichwere identified through the county's 12-Year Program. In addition to these problem areas, countyofficials have expressed concerns regarding land use and traffic impacts in relation to increaseddevelopment pressures along the U.S. Route 522 corridor. Uncontrolled road access, which hasresulted from a lack of land use planning and enforcement, has created a variety of safety andaesthetic problems along this corridor. Corridor analyses and effective land use planning strategiesand regulations should be introduced to increase motorist safety, maintain corridor mobility, andpreserve corridor aesthetics.

I. Trends and Issues

� Crash statistics in the county have greatly increased over the past few years.Specifically, from 1994 to 1998 the number of crashes increased by 16.5 percent,with an average annual percentage increase of 3.1 percent.

� There are 21 segments of roadway that have IRI's in the "rough" range throughoutthe county. Additionally, there are three segments of roadway in the county that areconsidered "very rough" based on this criteria. Two of these segments are locatedon S.R. 3017 in Brush Creek Township as well as one segment of U.S. Route 522in Bethel Township.

� Many of Fulton County’s bridges are in need of replacement, but also are historicstructures that should be carefully rehabilitated.

� The Fulton County Transportation Information System (TIS) will serve as anexcellent tool in assisting local officials in their transportation planning efforts.

� Historically, transportation systems have greatly contributed to the county'spopulation and economic growth trends, and will continue to do so in the future.But, as both the county and the region continue to grow, greater demands will beplaced on these systems. Therefore, effective transportation planning activities, atboth the local and regional level, must be undertaken to facilitate the efficientmovement of people, goods, and services throughout the county and region.

Land Use Analysis

Land Use Analysis


Introduction

A comprehensive study and mapping of existing land uses serves as a guide for futuredevelopment A land use study provides a picture of development patterns in the county and,together with other factors, depicts restrictions and opportunities for future growth and development.

A. Existing Land Use

Fulton County’s existing land use pattern is greatly influenced and shaped by surroundingnatural features, such as mountain ranges, valleys, and waterways, as well as its transportationfeatures (Existing Land Use Map). These features have to a great extent determined the location oftransportation corridors and development activities, as well as agricultural practices. Of the county’stotal land area, only 3241 acres or a little more than one percent is considered developed. Developedareas include commercial and industrial, residential, recreational, transportation and utilities, andstrip mine land use categories (Table LU-1). The following sections briefly describe the individualland use categories.

1. Residential

The heaviest concentration of residential uses are located within and nearMcConnellsburg Borough and the Village of Warfordsburg.where moderate to high density(>2 dwelling units/acre) two-family housing units, apartments, and other or high densitydevelopments exist. The county’s rural residential settings are comprised of low density (<2dwelling units/acre to 2 acres/dwelling unit) single-family detached housing units. Overall,Fulton County can be characterized as a highly rural area where only 741.8 acres, or 0.3percent, of the county’s total land area of 281,449 acres is classified as residential.

Table LU-1Existing Land Use in Fulton County, 1998

Land Use Acreage Percent of Total

Commercial/Industrial 231.6 .08%

Cropland/Pastures 91,814.1 32.6%

Deciduous Forest 164,237.23 58.4%

Evergreen Forest 10,593.2 3.8%

Mixed Forest 10,791.3 3.8%

Recreational 120.4 .04%

Residential 741.8 0.3%

Transportation/Utilities 1,278.0 0.5%

Strip Mines 869.1 0.3%

Water Bodies 772.4 0.3%

Total 281,449.13 100%

Source: U.S. EPA MRLC Data, 1986.

Land Use Analysis


2. Commercial/Industrial

Commercial uses include land sustaining retail, wholesale, office, and servicebusinesses. Industrial land is comprised of businesses involved in the manufacture,processing, storage, or distribution of durable and/or non-durable goods. Commercial andindustrial centers are primarily located within the McConnellsburg Borough andWarfordsburg areas, and comprise approximately 232 acres or .08 percent of the county’stotal land area.

3. Cropland/Pastures

This category defines the county’s primary agricultural areas, which comprise thecounty’s second largest land use category. In total, this category contains 91,814 acres,which constitutes approximately 33 percent of the county’s total land area.

4. Forest Land

This category, which by far is the county’s largest land use, is mainly comprised ofboth deciduous and evergreen species, along with other forest vegetation and timberland.In total, this category contains approximately 185,622 acres and constitutes 65 percent of thecounty’s total land area. The heaviest concentration of this land use is found along steeplysloped hillsides and Sideling Hill, Rays Hill and Tuscarora Mountain. According to the PADepartment of Conservation and Natural Resources (PADCNR) 48,693.8 acres or 26.2percent of this category is publicly owned, and includes Buchanan State Forest, Cowans GapState Park, and the county’s six state game lands.

5. Recreational

As shown on the Existing Land Use Map, this category defines the Great Cove Golfcourse area. This area comprises 120.4 acres or .04 percent of the county’s total land area.

6. Transportation and Utilities

Land uses included in this category include various transportation networks andsupport systems, as well as communication and utility rights-of-way. Many of these landuses are characterized by areas of activity interconnected by linear patterns. The county’stransportation network greatly influences other land uses. For example, many land useboundaries are essentially defined by transportation systems. Furthermore, the extent of atransportation system in an area defines the level of access; this, along with otherinfrastructure (e.g., water and sewer) impacts the present and future use of the land. Thisland use category occupies only 1,278 acres, or one half percent of the county’s total landarea.

Land Use Analysis


7. Strip Mines

This category defines extractive mining activities that have significant surfaceexpression. Vegetative cover and overburden have been removed exposing such deposits ascoal and limestone. Current mining activity is not always distinguishable from pastabandoned mining activities and are therefore, this category is considered all inclusive. Theheaviest concentrations of this activity are located in the northwestern (Broadtop Area) andsouthcentral (H.B. Mellot Estates) portions of the county, and comprise approximately 870acres or 0.3 percent of the county’s total land area.

8. Water Bodies

Water as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau includes all areas within the land massof the United States that are persistently covered by water, provided that, if linear they areat least 1/8 of a mile (656 ft. / 200 m) wide and if extended, cover at least 40 acres (16hectares). Specific uses included in this category include streams, lakes, and reservoirs.According to the MRLC data, this category covers 772.4 acres, or 0.3 percent of the totalland area.

B. Development Trends

The Borough of McConnellsburg has remained the population center, and industrial andcommercial nucleus of Fulton County. As a result, a natural pattern of development has occurredwith concentric growth taking place outward from the borough, with localized growth occurringalong the U.S. Route 522 corridor. These local developments have expanded into smallcommunities (e.g., Knobsville, Hustontown, Needmore, Warfordsburg, Crystal Spring, and WellsTannery), with some having established or planning to establish their own utility networks and haveevolved into independent growth areas themselves.

The overall growth of the county has been and continues to be influenced by many factors,internal as well as external. Within the county, roads, utility systems, and topography are often themost important physical factors considered in development. However, other aspects either directlyor indirectly affect the location and shape of development, including, but not limited to schooldistricts and tax rates. In certain situations, external rather than internal influences have the mostimpact on a community. For example, Warfordsburg's close proximity to such commercial centerssuch as Hancock, MD, and Berkeley Springs, WV, and the confluence of Interstates 70 and 68 haveto a large extent contributed to its growth. The intensity and location of future development in theWarfordsburg area will be highly dependent on the existing location and future expansion of therecently implemented Warfordsburg area public sewer system.

One more subtle influence in the development of the county lies in its own geology and soilcomposition. The soil in the Great Cove area is predominantly limestone based and generallyregarded as prime agricultural soil. Productive agricultural operations are the rule rather than theexception in this area, and the farms tend to be contiguous and sizable in relation to those operationslocated elsewhere in the county. Residential developments are localized and well defined. Incontrast, the northern, southern, and western portions of the county lie on soils which are largelyshale and sandstone based. These soils are generally not as productive as those in the Great Cove

Land Use Analysis


area. Consequently, many farms lying outside the Great Cove area are being subdivided into lotsand are being sold to supplement farm income. As a result, farming operations are becoming morewidely scattered, smaller, and less intensive, with interspersed single-family residential dwellings.

In addition to residential growth, commercial and industrial growth has largely occurred nearthe Borough of McConnellsburg. Also, the Warfordsburg area is the county's other principalcommercial and industrial growth area. In addition to these commerce areas, many of the county'ssmaller communities have established, or are closely located to, supporting commercial areas to suittheir daily needs. For example, the Crystal Spring area supports a restaurant and general store, andis in close proximity to the Breezewood commercial center.

Although the residential, commercial, and industrial land uses have been moderatelygrowing, the bulk of the county's acreage remains in forest and agricultural usage. An examinationof the county's existing land use map shows approximately 95 percent of Fulton County's land areain farmland and cropland/pature, with only 4 percent being divided among commercial, industrial,residential, and recreational areas.

C. Land Use Regulations

1. Overview

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) provides the legalframework for local governments to enact, administer and enforce both zoning, andsubdivision and land development regulations. Zoning is a method a community mayuse to regulate the use of land and structures and is designed to protect public health,safety, and welfare, and to guide growth. In contrast, subdivision and landdevelopment regulations do not control which uses are established within themunicipality nor where a use or activity can or cannot locate; rather, it controls howa use or activity relates to the land upon which it is located.

But before any land use regulations are implemented, a well articulatedstatement of community development objectives must be achieved through acomprehensive planning process. These objectives should be supported by sufficientanalysis and documentation to defend the zoning, and subdivision and landdevelopment ordinances.

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), mandates thepreparation of comprehensive plans by counties and mandates that comprehensiveplans include a land use element. However, counties are provided few direct meansby which to implement these plans. The most direct implementation tool of land useplans is the zoning ordinance. Although the MPC authorizes counties to adoptzoning ordinances, it further provides that the adoption of a municipal zoningordinance preempts the county ordinance.

Land Use Analysis


Land use regulations are not prevalent in Fulton County. For example, FultonCounty does not have a county-wide zoning ordinance nor does it have a subdivisionand land development ordinance. In addition, of the thirteen municipalities, onlyMcConnellsburg Borough has adopted a zoning ordinance. However, allmunicipalities except for Belfast Township has adopted a subdivision and landdevelopment ordinance. In terms of comprehensive planning, a regional municipalcomprehensive plan was adopted in 1994 for the greater McConnellsburg region andincludes McConnellsburg Borough, Ayr Township, Todd Township, and DublinTownship.

2. Growing Smarter in Pennsylvania

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, under the leadership of the GovernorRidge Administration, has taken the lead in preparing for the commonwealth’s futuregrowth and development. A common issue facing many Pennsylvania communitiestoday is that of growth management, which serves as an underlying theme to thereport issued by the commonwealth’s 21st Century Environment Commission.

As a result of the Executive Order issued by Governor Ridge in 1997, theCommission set out to establish Pennsylvania’s environmental priorities for the 21st

Century. Following the recommendations set forth by the commission, theGovernor's Center for Local Government Services and other state agencies held 53community land use forums throughout the state. The purpose of these forums wasto provide an opportunity for citizens to speak out on how they envision theircommunities to grow and develop in the 21st century. The outcomes of these forumshave proved invaluable to decision makers and their efforts to implement programsand prepare legislation enabling local governments to promote sound land useplanning strategies.

One tool that has resulted from these efforts is the Governor’s “GrowingGreener” initiative, which is coupled with his “Growing Smarter” budget. The“Growing Smarter” initiative is a new plan to help Pennsylvania communitiesprovide for improved land use control measures. As part of the “Growing Smarter”plan, the Governor’s Administration has:

a. Implemented Pennsylvania’s largest-ever investment in local land-useplanning and assistance -- $3.6 million, the first land-use line item ever in agovernor’s budget.

b. Worked with the General Assembly to achieve several important revisions tothe Municipalities Planning Code–Senate Bill 300 and House Bill 14.

The Ridge Administration has worked closely with Sen. Gerlach andRep. Steil to ensure the two bills include the four components of the““Growing Smarter”” legislative plan that Gov. Ridge said are necessary forany land-use bill he would sign.

Land Use Analysis


Those components now will revise the Pennsylvania MunicipalitiesPlanning Code (Act of 1968) and will:

� Amend the code to clarify the authority of counties and municipalitiesto create Locally Designated Growth Areas as part of theircomprehensive land-use plans;

� Amend the code to encourage and enhance ““TransferableDevelopment Rights”” as a tool to preserve open space and farmland,and to drive growth to areas where it is wanted. This voluntaryprogram would empower property owners to realize the full value oftheir land by selling development rights to another owner;

� Amend the code to give local governments greater ability towithstand legal challenges while effectively planning for growth intheir communities; and

� Amend the code to facilitate consistent planning at the local, countyand regional levels while retaining local control.

� Complete a top-to-bottom review of state government, to ensure thatall state funding programs support local land-use planning.

These amendments also have direct bearing on county comprehensiveplans that require the following:

� County comprehensive plans must be updated at least every 10 years;� Countywide planning must provide opportunity for more input from

municipalities and school districts; and� Counties must consider amendments to their county comprehensive

plan when proposed by municipalities.

D. Trends and Issues

� The county's future growth is largely influenced by its transportation network and thelocation of existing sewer and water facilities, but is also limited due to topographyconstraints. As a result, growth in the county is expected to occur in five (5) distinctgeographic areas:

Greater McConnellsburg Region - Growth is highly influenced by several factors includingpublic sewer and water, the confluence of U.S. Route 30 and 522, availability of land, andthe existing high level of employment opportunities. Development will continue toconcentrate on the U.S. Route 522 corridor in Ayr, Todd, and Dublin Townships.

Warfordsburg Area - Growth is highly influenced by the confluence of Interstates 70 and 68,and U.S. Route 522. In addition, the implementation of the Bethel Township SewerAuthority will greatly increase development potential along U.S. Route 522 north ofWarfordsburg and along PA Routes 484/3001 (Buck Valley Road) towards Hancock,Maryland.

Land Use Analysis


Hustontown/Clear Ridge Region - The availability of land and the planned implementationof a public sewer system will greatly increase residential development opportunities alongPA Route 475 (North Clear Ridge Road).

Ft. Littleton Region - The confluence of U.S. Route 522 and the Pennsylvania Turnpikefacilitates the region's growth potential, but the lack of public sewer and water restrainsdevelopment opportunities.

Crystal Spring Area - The Crystal Spring interchange in Brush Creek Township is locatedapproximately four miles from the confluence of U.S. Route 30 and Exit 12 of thePennsylvania Turnpike. Although development opportunities exist, the lack of public sewerand water facilities serve as limitations.

As these growth patterns continue, county and local officials need to become increasinglyaware of these development impacts. Specifically, ordinances should be developed toproperly direct and locate commercial and industrial growth, and limit the encroachmentupon productive agricultural soils. Furthermore, public utility services should be frequentlyreviewed to determine if they are meeting current and future growth impacts.

� Land use regulations are not prevalent in Fulton County. For example, Fulton County doesnot have a county-wide zoning ordinance nor does it have a subdivision and landdevelopment ordinance. In addition, of the thirteen municipalities, only McConnellsburgBorough has adopted a zoning ordinance. However, all municipalities except for BelfastTownship has adopted a subdivision and land development ordinance.

� In terms of comprehensive planning, a regional municipal comprehensive plan was adoptedin 1994 for the greater McConnellsburg region and includes McConnellsburg Borough, AyrTownship, Todd Township, and Dublin Township.

� Senate Bill 300 and House Bill 14 amend the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.A summary of these legislation pieces are provided in the Appendix.

Recreation and Open Space Analysis



Photo R-1Eagle Lake Dam, Valley-Hi Borough

Introduction

Parks and open space are valuablecommunity facilities. Open space consistsof both developed and undeveloped land.Developed open space includes parks andrecreational areas. Undeveloped openspaces are areas which reserve land forfuture recreation, protect streams andstream valleys, forest land, woodlands,preserve scenic and historic resources, andact as buffers between developed areas.

Open space serves three basic functions:(1) It satisfies human need throughrecreation, by providing: fresh air,sunlight, space for exercise, and psychological relief from stress; (2) It enhances and protects thenatural resource base, including air, water, soil, plant, and animals; and (3) It affects economicdevelopment factors, such as real estate values and land development patterns. Recreation expertsclassify parks into five distinct categories, based upon their size, service population, and intendeduse. The Community Features map illustrates many of the county's major open space areas,including state, county, and local parks; state game lands, and campgrounds. Table R-1 lists thecounty's public recreation and open space facilities.

A. Park Facilities

1. Regional Parks

First, are regional parks which generally contain 100 or more acres and should belocated within one-half to one hours driving time from the population served.Accommodating a wide variety of recreational activities, these parks often have a naturalorientation with hiking, camping and picnicking facilities; however regional parks manyalso have "activity-orientated" facilities.

Cowans Gap State Park serves as an excellent example of a regional park. This1,085 acre facility nestled in a scenic valley within the Tuscarora Mountains offers visitorswith a variety of recreational opportunities, which include, swimming, boating, fishing,hunting, picnicking, hiking, camping, organized group tenting, environmental educationand interpretation, ice fishing and skating, and cross-country skiing.

Other regional facilities located within Fulton County include the Buchanan StateForest, Meadowgrounds Lake, and six State Game Land areas.



Table R-1Fulton County’s Recreation and Open Space Facilities, 1998

Facility Ownership/Maintenance Acreage Classification

American Legion MemorialPark

American Legion Post 561 5.0 Neighborhood Park

American Legion Picnic &Rec. Grounds

American Legion Post 561 18.0 Picnic Area

Buchanan State Forest,District #2

PA Bureau of Forestry 29,001.0 State Forest

Buck Valley Park Buck Valley Park Association 13.0 Community Park/Center

Cowans Gap State Park Commonwealth of PA 1,085.0 State Park

Forbes Road Forbes Road School District 180.0 Public School Recreation Area

Forbes Road Lions ClubPark

Forbes Road School District 10.0 Public School Recreation Area

Fulton County YouthLeague

Palmer ConstructionCompany

14.0 Community Park/Center

McConnell Park Fulton County 1.6 County Park

McConnellsburg HighSchool

Central Fulton School District 17.0 Public School Recreation Area

McConnellsburgKindergarden

Central Fulton School District 3.0 Public School Recreation Area

Meadowgrounds Lake PA Fish and BoatCommission

250.0 N/A

Southern FultonElementary School

Southern Fulton SchoolDistrict

130.0 Public School Recreation Area

Southern Fulton HighSxhool



State Game Lands No. 124 PA Game Commission 2,262.1 State Game Lands




State Game Lands No. 65 PA Game Commission 6073.1 State Game Lands


Warfordsburg SeniorCitizens Center

Bethel Township & FultonCounty Commissiners

2.1 Community Park/Center

Warfordsburg ElementarySchool



Wells Tannery CommunityPark

Wells Tannery ParkAssociation

6.0 Community Park

Great Cove Golf Course Great Cove Golf Course 120.4 Recreation/Open Space Land Use

Source: PA DCNR, 1998.



Photo R-2Wells Tannery Community Park, Wells Township

2. Community Parks

The second park type iscalled the district or communitypark. These parks tend to contain25 or more acres. Therecommended travel distance forpeople served by a communitypark is one to tow miles. Theseparks generally involve a fairlyhigh level of improvement withmultiple sets of athletic fields andcourts. Sometimes swimmingpools and indoor recreation centersare situated on the communityparks. Finally, larger school sites(usually middle and senior highschools) have facilities that qualifyas community parks and representvaluable recreation resources that can significantly enhance the level of recreation servicesoffered to a given area.

Both the Wells Tannery Community Park and the Buck Valley Park serve as thecounty's most notable community park facilities. The Wells Tannery Community Park isa six-acre facility located in Wells Township. The park was chartered in 1947 and iscurrently owned and maintained by the Wells Tannery Park Association. The facilityincludes a baseball field, dining hall and a grandstand originally built in 1948. Thegrandstand has been determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. In1998, the park association received a $96,000 grant from the Department of CommunityDevelopment to upgrade restroom facilities, install playground equipment, a picnic table,and an Americans with Disabilities Association approved stream fishing ramp.

The Buck Valley park is a 13.0 acre community recreation facility located in UnionTownship. This park is owned and maintained by the Buck Valley Park Association andincludes a baseball field, tennis court, pavilion picnic area, and food facility. In addition,a five-acre area is set aside for small and big game hunting activities.

Additional community park facilities include the 14.0 acre Fulton County YouthLeague facility near McConnellsburg and the 2.1 acre Warfordsburg Senior CitizensCenter.

3. Neighborhood Parks

Neighborhood parks are the third park type advocated by recreation experts. Theseparks are generally between 5 and 25 acres in size. The recommended service area forthese parks is one-quarter to three quarter mile radius. As implied by the name, these parksare intended to provide close-to-home areas for limited athletic activities, playgrounds, and



passive pursuits. The location and sizing of neighborhood parks are often tied todecentralized elementary school sites that service individual neighborhoods. Accordingto Table R-1, the American Legion Memorial Park serves as the county's onlyneighborhood park. This five-acre facility is owned and maintained by the AmericanLegion Post 561 and is located north of McConnellsburg in Todd Township.

4. Play Lots/Mini-parks

The fourth park type is the play lot or mini-park. These facilities are provided atthe sub-neighborhood level and are meant to serve residents within its immediate vicinity.These parks are generally less than one acre in size, and can be as small as 2,500 squarefeet. Typically, play lots include several pieces of playground equipment and parkbenches, and are aimed at providing close-to-home play areas for small children. FultonCounty's rural setting has not produced the need for these types of facilities.

5. Linear Parks

Linear Parks are another type of park which are quite different from thosepreviously listed, but play a significant role in a community's open-space composition.Generally, these facilities are often considered ribbon parks and take the form of bike pathsand trails.

Although linear parks are not formally present, there are variety of trails and pathsexisting in the throughout the county. In addition to the many trails and paths located inthe state owned lands, there are other recreational trails existing such as the Link Trail,Reichley Brothers Rail/Trail, and the Tuscarora Trail. The Community Features Mapillustrates these trails.

B. Public Recreation Facilities

1. County and Municipal Owned Facilities

The McConnell Park is owned and maintained by the county. This 1.6 acre facilitylocated adjacent to the county courthouse provides picnic and seating areas for theamphitheater, and is heavily used during the Fulton Fall Folk Festival in October andduring the Strawberry Festival in June.

The Warfordsburg Senior Center is the county's second municipally ownedrecreational facility. This 2.3 acre site is owned and maintained by both the county andBethel Township. It currently serves as an open space area, but plans are being made forthe future installment of a baseball field and track

2. Public Facilities - Schools

Fulton County has approximately 354.0 acres of recreational space designated asPublic School Recreation Areas. These facilities are shown on Table R-1 and include theForbes Road School, Forbes Road Lions Club Park, McConnellsburg Kindergarten and



High School, Southern Fulton Elementary and High Schools, and the WarfordsburgElementary School.

3. Dedication (or Fee-in-Lieu) of Open Space

Under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, the county's municipalitiescan require developers to dedicate particular areas within the proposed development forrecreation purposes. As an alternative to the dedication of land, the municipalities maycollect a fee-in-lieu-thereof equal to the fair market value of such land that would haveotherwise been required for dedication.

C. Tourism Promotion Activities

The Fulton County Tourist Promotion Agency, located in McConnellsburg, is responsiblefor promoting the county's many recreational activities and historical sites and attractions. Theagency's primary promotion and public relations tools include advertising and distributing a varietyof print mediums. According to the Agency's 1997/98 fiscal year report, $10,306.48 was expendedfor advertising and printing functions. Primary revenue sources identified included state grants,local cash receipts, contributions, and TPA co-op efforts.

In 1997, the Agency published and distributed 5,000 copies of the "1998 Calendar ofEvents" throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. In addition, 2,500 pre-event FallFolk Festival brochures were printed and distributed throughout the tri-state region. An updatedcounty visitors guide has also been published and will be used as one of the Agency's principalmarketing tools.

The Agency's completed several new advertising projects in 1997. Advertisements wereincluded in the States official travel magazine, Where & When, premier issue of Westsylvania'sFestival Guide - Festsylvania, and in The Juniata River Guide.

Other activities training seminars, conferences, and participation in the county's annual FallFolk Festival and Strawberry Festival.

D. Trends and Conclusions

The variety of recreational facilities located throughout the county have adequatelyfacilitated the populations' need for exercise and social activity. But, future population increaseswill ultimately require an increased need and improvement of parks and, recreation areas andfacilities. In addition, the county is deficient in the number of county and municipal ownedrecreational facilities. Therefore, both public and private entities must work closely together toaddress the provision of additional recreational programs and facilities to support future demands.

Community Facilities and Services Analysis



Introduction

This chapter inventories existing community facilities and services within Mifflin County,and discusses the issues associated with their operation and provision. This is useful in identifyingstrengths as well as inadequacies and needs. The operation and provision of the various facilitiesand services are the duties of both private and public organizations, as noted throughout thischapter.

A. Police Protection

Police Protection is a service demanded by county residents and businesses. The traditionalrole of the police involves three functions: law enforcement, order maintenance, and communityservice. Law enforcement involves the application of legal sanctions, usually arrest, to personswho injure or deprive innocent victims of life or property. Order maintenance involves thehandling of disputes. The third aspect of the police function, and the one most likely to occupythe major portion of the officer's time, varies from community to community according to traditionand local ordinances. These are activities not necessarily related to criminal acts and include suchtasks as traffic control, rescue operations, animal control, ambulance and first-aid services,education and other public services.

The provision of police protection is a primary function of each municipality. Of thecounty's 13 municipalities, McConnellsburg Borough is the only one serviced by a local policeforce. The remaining municipalities have police protection provided by the Pennsylvania StatePolice.

In addition, the county sheriff's office, which is located adjacent to the Fulton CountyCourthouse, is also charged with providing police services. The sheriff is the county's chief lawenforcement officer, with additional policing duties that include providing security to theCourthouse and all county owned park facilities, airport and properties. The sheriff is alsoresponsible for all disturbances, riots, and escapes that may occur at the county jail facility. Thesheriff also performs a variety of administrative duties including serving court issued writs, orders,and notices, jury selection and summoning, execution of judgements of the courts, and sales ofdelinquent real estate and personal property. The sheriff's department employment staff includesa total of 3 personnel, including the sheriff, and two full-time deputy sheriffs.

The demand for public services is a constant challenge for local officials, particularly, thosein charge of overseeing their municipality's police services. Therefore, police force adequaciesand/or deficiencies should be closely examined to determine the current and future police forceprotection requirements.

The allocation of police resources is often a concern in rural areas where staff is limited.According to the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately half of the nation’s local policedepartments employ fewer than 10 commissioned officers; typifying Fulton County’s policedepartment size. But, according to the USDOJ, there are no classifications by size (i.e., manpowerallocation) and no common definition of small town and rural police departments. Furthermore,classifying police departments by size is not reasonable, given that contextual considerations mightaccount for those numerical differences (USDOJ, 1994).



Photo CF-1Fire Apparatus, Hustontown Volunteer Fire

Company

Rural departments are not only small but generally funded at about half the level of urbandepartments, per officer. The small sizes and small budgets of many rural departments does notmean they are ineffective. To the contrary, rural police typically have higher clearance rates thanurban departments. In addition, rural citizens have a more positive image of their police than dourban citizens. As a result, the USDOJ’s suggests that small town and rural police departmentinefficiencies may be best addressed through inter-agency cooperation, rather than formalconsolidation (USDOJ, 1994).

B. Emergency Services

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code (35 Pa. C. S. Section 7101-7707)requires that all counties and municipalities develop and maintain an emergency managementprogram consistent with the state and federal emergency management programs. Each county andmunicipal program is administered by a director who is appointed by the Governor based upon therecommendation of county and or municipal officials (PEMA).

The Fulton County Emergency Management Agency is a department of Fulton Countygovernment and is operated under the direction of the county commissioners. Its mission is tocoordinate all county emergency services during natural or man-made disaster events, procure extraresources during these events, and provide planning and funding resources for its overall operation.The agency also administers the hazardous material safety program as mandated by Act 165, andassists in implementing the county's newly established county wide public safety communications(Enhanced 911) program.

C. Fire Services

Fulton County's municipalitiesare serviced by three volunteer fired e p a r t m e n t s w h i c h a re t h eMcConnellsburg, Hustontown, andNeedmore Volunteer Fire Departments.In addition to responding to fire callswithin their primary fire response areas,each department participates in a mutualaid agreement system with surroundingmunicipalities. The delivery of fireprotection services is highly dependentupon manpower. Many of the fireservice agencies are staffed entirely byvolunteer personnel. As in many ruralcommunities, volunteerism, in general,is declining and is attributed to thefollowing conditions:



First, young people today have more choices for how they can spend their leisure time thanthey did in the past. Lack of interest due to participation in other activities or the lack of free timeare reasons for the decline in volunteerism.

Second, volunteer interest appears to be diminishing because of the large number of hoursthat are necessary to conduct fund-raising activities. Constant fund-raising becomes tiresome tothe typical volunteer fireman who is interested in training and actual fire-fighting. The increasedneed and emphasis on fund-raising has diminished the ranks of these companies, and possiblydissuaded new membership development.

Third, the lack of employment opportunities within the county requires many of the would-be volunteer fire-fighters to commute outside of their local municipality or the county on a dailybasis. This situation results in a lack of manpower during work hours and can lead to increasedresponse times.

In response to the need for increased enrollment in the commonwealth’s numerousvolunteer emergency services, the Pennsylvania Fire Services Institute (PFSI) has established atoll-free 1-800 FIRE LINE number for citizens to gain further information about volunteeremergency service programs. Furthermore, upon receiving calls from interested individuals, thePFSI will forward his or her information to the nearest emergency service organization. In return,local emergency service leaders will contact the individual directly about his or her interest in theorganization.

As manpower decreases, the response time to incidents lengthens. Since response time isused as a critical indicator to determine the effectiveness of an emergency service provider, countyand municipal officials should continually monitor each department's response times.

A municipality's fire-suppression capabilities are evaluated through a fire ratingclassification system implemented through the Insurance Service Office’s (ISO) Public ProtectionClassification (PPC) system. Fire protection classification ratings are based on the quality of alocal fire department and the distance a dwelling is located from a standard public fire hydrant.Local insurers depend on ISO's PPC database for accurate and timely information on amunicipality's fire suppression capabilities to independently determine homeowner’s andcommercial property insurance rates. ISO's PPC database contains detailed information on the firesuppression capability of approximately 43,000 fire districts and municipalities nationwide. KeyPPC information elements include emergency service area boundaries, fire-station locations, andmutual aid agreements. The rating system is based on a scale of 1 (best) to 10 (worst).

Primarily due to Fulton County’s rural environment, the majority of municipalities shownin Table 3-1 have ISO ratings of 7 or greater. However, these municipalities can possibly improvetheir protection ratings by informing ISO of any changes in their fire protection resources. Forexample, the strategic placement of dry hydrants throughout a service agency’s response area canprovide adequate opportunities to access fire suppression water supplies. “Dry hydrants improverural fire fighting abilities resulting in reduced insurance premiums as determined by the ISO. Dryhydrants installed in untreated water sources conserve treated water for domestic use. Shortertraveling distances for fill-ups save fuel and, coupled with a higher


1State of New Mexico. Forestry Division of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. “Dry Fire Hydrants

Reduce Rural Insurance Premiums.” Forest Health: A Burning Issue. 1998.


Table CF-1FultonCounty Insurance Service Office Public Protection Classification Ratings

Municipality (Service Area)ISO Public ProtectionClassification Rating

Municipality (Service Area)ISO Public ProtectionClassification Rating

Ayr Township 7, 9 Taylor Township 9, 9

Belfast Township 9, 9 Thompson Township 9, 9

Bethel Township 9, 9 Todd Township 7, 9

Brush Creek Township 9, 9 Union Township (Unavailble)

Dublin Township 9, 9 Valley-Hi Borough (Unavailble)

Licking Creek Township 9, 9 Wells Township 9, 9

McConnellsburg Borough 7

Note: More than one classification may be provided for a municipality or service area based on differing distances that dwelling unitsare from fire hydrants and responding fire stations.

Source: Insurance Service Office, 1999.

Fire-Fighting capability and lower insurance rates, attract homeowners.”1 Recently, ThompsonTownship officials have identified the need to implement a dry hydrant system, however, theirattempts to implement this system have been negated by the lack of funding sources.

D. Emergency Medical Services

Ambulance and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) can be divided into two general types.First, emergency ambulance service involves the pick-up of patients at the scene of a medicalemergency. Then patients are expediently transported to local medical care facilities for treatment.The second form of ambulance service is called routine transports. In this instance, patients aretransported from one medical care facility to another.

Fulton County is serviced by six ambulance agencies who provide a combination of basiclife support (BLS), advanced life support (ALS), and quick response services (QRS). The majorityof these emergency medical operations are provided through volunteer service personnel and muchlike volunteer fire companies, the ambulance services are in constant need of volunteers.

E. Hazardous Materials Team

In Pennsylvania, each county is required under Act 165 to have or to have a contract witha state-certified hazardous materials response team. The program, managed by the PennsylvaniaEmergency Management Agency, or PEMA, establishes operational, staffing, training, medicalmonitoring, supply and equipment guidelines. Of the 41 state-certified hazmat teams, FultonCounty is serviced by the Cumberland County Special Hazards Operation Team (SHOT) based in



Carlisle, Pennsylvania. The team is responsible for responding to a wide variety of incidentsinvolving the storage and transport of hazardous materials. These services are provided to thecounty through a $6,000 annual contract fee.

F. Library Services

The County's first library program was established in 1955 by the McConnellsburgWomen's Club who catalogued locally donated books in a small building owned by the FirstNational Bank. By 1960, over 2,000 books were transferred to the McConnellsburg SchoolDistrict's library for continued use. In 1974, a $50,000 Library Services and Construct Act (LSCA)Title I Federal Grant was awarded to the Conococheague District Library of Chambersburg toestablish a library system in Fulton County. The new library facility was located at 129 NorthThird Street, McConnellsburg, and was operated by a full-time librarian. A variety of new bookswere added to its collection as well as a county wide operated bookvan service. But, fundingsources were soon exhausted and the library system was shut down.

Another attempt to revive the county's library system was made in 1978 by a group of localcitizens who joined to form the Fulton County Friends of the Library, Incorporated. Theorganization's mission was to establish a trust fund from which interest would be drawn and usedto operate a library system. But, before interest resources were available, Mr. Paul Shockeyspearheaded the opening of a one-room library in the Shockey Annex in 1981. Later that sameyear, the Shockey's purchased the Mary Jane Duffey House at 121 West Market Street,McConnellsburg, and donated the building to the Fulton County Friends of the Library as apermanent home for the county library system. Through additional LSCA grant funding, thelibrary system was operated by a full-time librarian and public relations assistant, and wasfurnished with a computer, photocopier, furniture, additional books and other supplies.

Since 1985, the library system's primary funding sources have come from local donationswith additional support provided through the state and local municipalities. The current librarysystem includes both the McConnellsburg and Hustontown offices which are operated by a part-time librarian who receives assistance through Green Thumb, JTPA, and local volunteers. Thelibrary system catalogues over 30,000 books and subscribes to over 50 magazines and journalsincluding a 10 year plus archive of National Geographic magazine. Additional services andprograms include the following:

� Home delivery of Books to Shut-ins� Weekly Preschool Storytime at the McConnellsburg and Hustontown offices� Summer Reading and Activity Program� Workplace Center� Community Room by Reservation� Special Programs for Community Groups� Paperback Read and Return Centers at various county wide locations� Interlibrary Loan (ILL) system� Internet access at both McConnellsburg and Hustontown offices� Special Educational, Reference, Audiovisual, and Electronic resources



In addition to public libraries, three school districts within Fulton County also possesslibraries. Though public services are offered, collections and materials area geared mainly towardsstudent needs and interests, with service to those students being of priority. Public use is usuallylimited to after-school and evening hours. Other libraries exist which are primarily for the use ofindividual industries and businesses. For the most part, these libraries are not open to the generalpublic and collections are limited to materials relevant to the firm's work and must be available foruse by its workforce. The Fulton County Historical Society's library located in the Fulton House,contains a wealth of historical materials and data.

G. Public Health and Social Services

1. Public Health Services

Fulton County is blessed with a wealth of health care facilities and medical expertise toserve the physical and metal health needs of its population. The Fulton County Medical Center(FCMC), located in McConnellsburg Borough, is a full service hospital and nursing home offeringcomprehensive medical surgical services, skilled and intermediate care, 24 hour emergencyservices, and a wide range of specialty services. The facility, which was constructed in 1950, hasa current capacity of 43 acute care beds and employs nearly 300 persons. This facility serves allof Fulton County and portions of Bedford and Huntingdon Counties. In addition, the FCMC HomeCare services is operated by the FCMC and is the county's only nursing home facility. Servicesprovided include nursing, home health aides, social services, physical therapy and speech therapy.There are 57 licensed beds available. These services are made available to the citizens of FultonCounty and surrounding areas.

Future plans to improve and expand the medical center's capabilities are currently beingcreated and involve the construction of a new 20 acre, $20 million medical facility just west of theborough in Todd Township. In addition to the implementation of improved technology andincreased operating space, improvements will also include increasing the nursing home bedcapacity to 100. However, hospital officials have noted that even these improvements will fallshort of meeting the demands for elderly housing and care.

Recently, the FCMC was awarded a $246,400 U.S. Department of Health grant, which willbe used to fund the necessary architectural and engineering services for the new facility. TheFCMC is also expected to receive a $1 million grant plus a $7 million low-interest loan from theU.S. Department of Agriculture. In total, the project will be financed through a combination ofgrants, loans, and private donations. The FCMC’s long-range strategic plan calls for a newphysical plant that will expand access to care by increasing the number of long term care beds,expanding the array of outpatient service offered to eliminate the need to drive long distances forservices, to provide a full-range of personal care services, to maintain a fully functioningemergency service eventually linking it to a 911 emergency medical service, and centralizing abroad range of health and social services available to county residents.

The Fulton County office of the Pennsylvania Department of Health provides additionalpublic health services to the county. This facility services the entire population of Fulton Countyand provides a wide variety of services which include: immunization clinic, home visits to highrisk infants and children, prenatal home visits, HIV education/community programs, infectious



Photo CF-2Hustontown Senior Citizens Center

disease investigation of all reportable illness, consultants on communicable diseases, rabiesinvestigation, lead poisoning case management, information and referral for all health careissues/illnesses, information for all state-funded chronic disease programs (i.e. orthopedic, cardiac,cleft palate, spina fifida, hemophilia, fluoride treatments. The Public Health Director is assistedby community health staff nurses and secretarial support. Physicians, nutritionists, physicaltherapists, and other public health professionals are available on a referral basis for consultativeservices. The primary objective of the Department is to protect the health of the people of thecommonwealth through health teaching and prevention of illness.

The Family Health Services of South Central PA operates in McConnellsburg and serviceswomen 12-99 years of age. Services provided include women's health care including physicalexams with pelvic and PAP tests, screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),and drivers and work physicals. In addition, cancer screening services are provided to women 50years of age and over who meet program requirements. Also, parenting and teen parentingeducational programs are offered to promote strong and supportive families and are designed tomeet a group's individual needs.

The Fulton County Behavioral Health Services, based in McConnellsburg, offers a varietyof mental health counseling, and drug and alcohol assessment services to all Fulton Countyresidents, regardless of age or ability to pay.

2. Public Social Services

The Fulton County Services for Children is a county administered, state-mandated socialservice agency that is charged with investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, and providesservices to abused and neglected children, incorrigibles, runaways, and truants for county residentsfrom birth to18 years of age. The agency also provides in-home and placement services fordependent children and their families, and offers additional services, which include in-homeparenting, family preservation services, budget counseling, homemaker services, and 24-houremergency assistance.

The Franklin/Fulton CountyMental Health/Mental RetardationProgram (MH/MR) services the mentallyill and/or mentally retarded residents ofFranklin and Fulton Counties.Administrative services, which areavailable through the Fulton CountyMH/MR office, is responsible forproviding a range of services to localcitizens with mental health or mentalretardation needs. A component of theMH/MR office is the Base Service Unit(BSU). The Base Service Unit is an entrypoint where MH/MR clients seekingservice are interviewed and linked to therequired services. Better known as "case



management" services, base services are provided at no charge to all clients of the MH/MRprogram.

The Fulton County Office of Huntingdon/Bedford/Fulton Area Agency on Aging providesall services to persons 60 years of age or over, and selected services to persons 18 to 59 years ofage. Services include congregate meal and center services, home support services, home deliveredmeal services, family care-giver support program, guardianship, employment assistance, flu shots,protective services, Apprise (a volunteer health insurance information program), counseling, longterm care ombudsman, and legal assistance. In addition, the agency provides public transportationservices to citizens of all ages located throughout the tri-county region.

A comprehensive list of health and social services may be found in the "Fulton CountyHuman Services Directory", which was prepared by the Fulton County Human Services Council.

H. Utilities

Electric utility services in Fulton County are provided by Allegheny Power and threemember-owned rural electric cooperatives. Allegheny Power, headquartered in Hagerstown,Maryland., is the county's largest electric provider and services over 3,400 customers throughoutthe eastern and southern portions of the county. The majority of Allegheny Power's revenue isgenerated through the electric utility operations of the Monongahela, Potomac Edison, and WestPenn Power operating units. The three rural electric cooperatives include Valley Rural ElectricCooperative, Inc., Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., and New Enterprise Rural ElectricCooperative, Incorporated. Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., based in Huntingdon, PA,services nearly 19,000 members in eight central Pennsylvania counties, which includes 1,590members in Fulton County. Bedford Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc., based in Bedford,PA, services over 8,100 members throughout 3 southcentral Pennsylvania counties and includes87 members in eastern Fulton County. Finally, New Enterprise Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.,based in New Enterprise, PA, services over 3,100 members throughout three central Pennsylvaniacounties, which includes 928 members in Fulton County.

Natural gas for heating, cooking, and other uses is supplied by three utilities. Columbia Gasof Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of Columbia Energy Group, provides natural gas distribution servicesto approximately 174,000 customers in southwestern Pennsylvania, including Fulton County.

Telecommunication services within Fulton County are supplied by Sprint UnitedTelephone, Frontier Communications, and Bell Atlantic. Sprint, based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania,provides local telephone service to seven municipalities in northeast Fulton County, which includeTaylor, Dublin, Todd and Ayr Townships, McConnellsburg Borough, and portions of LickingCreek Township. Sprint's 4,500 access lines in the County are served out of the McConnellsburgexchange with the prefixes 485 and 987. Sprint's digital network gives Fulton County customersaccess to the latest in telephone technology services, which includes ISDN (both Primary and BasicRate Interface), Centrex services, and high speed digital special circuits for transmission of data,voice, videoconferencing. Fiber optic service to individual businesses or industries is consideredon a case-by-case basis depending upon the need and economic justification. Recently, Sprint



installed a fiber optic cable network from Franklin County to McConnellsburg, which hasdrastically improved the services and options for the area's customers.

Frontier Communications, based in Breezewood, Pennsylvania, is a division of RochesterCommunications, headquartered in New York. Frontier provides local telephone service to sixmunicipalities in the eastern and southern portions of Fulton County, which include Wells, BrushCreek, Union, Bethel, Belfast, and Thompson Townships, and a portion of Licking CreekTownship. Frontier's access lines in the county area are served out of the Breezewood exchangewith prefixes of 735, 573, and 294.

Finally, Bell Atlantic is the county's smallest telecommunication service provider.Currently, it operates only five access lines in the Village of Wood, located in the northwesternportion of Wells Township. According to the Fulton County Economic Recovery Plan (1992),many business owners in the southern Fulton area expressed a need for improvedtelecommunication services.

Television cable service is available to consumers residing within the McConnellsburgregion and is provided by TV Cable of Chambersburg. Services include residential telephoneservices, high speed cable data, paging and wireless services, and mobile phone services. Inaddition, television cable service is also available to citizens residing in the Burnt Cabins region.

I. Public Sewer and Water Systems

1. Public Sewer Systems

Wastewater collection and treatment services in Fulton County are provided by fourmunicipal or on-site systems, which are as follows:

McConnellsburg Sewer Authority: The McConnellsburg Sewer Authority is located justsouth of the Borough of McConnellsburg in Ayr Township and services the Borough ofMcConnellsburg and portions of Ayr and Todd Townships. Wastewater is conveyed to theplant's system by gravity. This system was recently expanded from 0.3 MGD to 0.6 MGD,of which 0.318 MGD (average) is currently being used to service 1,159 equivalentdwelling units (EDUs). This unit of measure applies to both households and industrialoperations and one EDU is assigned to every eight company or industrial employees.

Future demands on the system continue to increase due to the area's significant growth inpopulation and the planned development of a light industrial/business park in AyrTownship. According to the plant manager, the system was originally designed to handledomestic, rather than industrial type uses. As a result, current industrial uses are placingsevere restrictions on the system due to increased Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)loading. The BOD is an index which is used to measure the pollutional strength of abiodegradable pollutant. The BOD of a waste is the amount of oxygen consumed by livingorganisms (mainly bacteria) while utilizing the organic matter of waste (Dunne andLeopold, 1978). To address this problem, the Authority has requested the PennsylvaniaDepartment of Environmental Protection (PaDEP) to re-rate the system to handle currentand future BOD loadings. The Act 537 Plan for the McConnellsburg Sewer Authority's



Photo CF-3Bethel Township Sewage Treatment Facility,

Warfordsburg, PA.

service area identified severalimmediate needs areas. Theseareas are currently serviced by on-lot septic systems and include theCito Road, Back Run Road, PeachOrchard Road, and Great CoveRoad (U.S. Route 522 South)corridors.

Bethel Township Sewer Authority:Investigations conducted by thePennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Protection (PaDEP)during the Spring of 1991,revealed many existing orpotentially malfunctioning on-lotsewer systems located in theWarfordsburg area. A subsequent needs assessment performed by the Departmentconcluded that a public sewer system must be implemented to rectify the situation andultimately bringing the area into compliance with the State's requirements. As a result, anAct 537 Plan Update was prepared for Bethel Township and a needs assessment forWarfordsburg and surrounding areas was evaluated by the Department. Based upon theDepartment's conclusions, the Township Supervisors agreed to implement a public sewersystem and the Bethel Township Sewer Authority was created to finance the project. Thesystem was completed in 1997 and is currently owned and operated by the BethelTownship Supervisors. The system currently uses .027 MGD to service 109 equivalentdwelling units. Continuing growth pressures, which may include the development of alight industrial/business park south of Warfordsburg, surrounding the Village will heightenthe demands placed upon the system. Potential service expansion areas include the GreatCove Road (U.S. Route 522 North) and Buck Valley Road corridors east and west ofWarfordsburg.

Knobsbville Sewer System: The Knobsville Sewer System, located in northern ToddTownship, is designed to serve 56 homes and 3 commercial units in the immediateKnobsville Village area. The Knobsville facility, which is owned and operated by the ToddTownship Supervisors, was implemented in the Spring of 1989. The system has a designcapacity of 20,000 gallons per day (gpd) and currently processes 3,600 gpd, or 20 percentof the total capacity.

Forbes Road School District: The Forbes Road School District operates an on-sitesewage treatment system which currently services both the elementary and high schoolfacilities. The system currently services a population of 565 and considered adequate forexisting and future (two to five years) enrollments.

Hustontown Act 537 Update: The Taylor Township Board of Supervisors arecurrently working with state and local officials to determine the feasibility of implementinga wastewater treatment facility to serve the Hustontown and Clear Ridge areas. This is in



result to the 1997 update of the township's Act 537 plan, which concluded that a "fairamount" of both malfunctioning systems and well contamination are existing throughoutthe Village of Hustontown.

2. Public Water Systems

Public water supply services in Fulton County are provided by one public system,two cooperative systems, and one private system, which include the following:

Burnt Cabins Village: The Village of Burnt Cabins is serviced by a privately owned andoperated water supply and distribution system.

McConnellsburg Borough Water Authority: The McConnellsburg Borough WaterAuthority's provides up to 250,000 gallons per day to customers in McConnellsburgBorough, and Ayr and Todd Townships. Normal daily consumption is between 100,000to 150,000 gallons. The Authority operates a 300,000 gallon storage tank located alongBuchanan Trail (Route 16) in Ayr Township, and added a new 500,000 gallon storage tankin 1989 along Reservoir Lane in Todd Township. The Authority's water supplies emanatefrom four springs which are located throughout the watershed area, which is located to thenorth, east, and slightly south of the Borough. The eastern watershed area encompasses aportion of the Tuscarora Mountain. Recently, the authority's water supplies haveexperienced contamination from a variety of sources and the system's infrastructure hassuffered from declines in its adequacy and stability. Currently, there are no immediateplans to expand the system's service area.

Needmore Water Supply Company: The Needmore Water Supply Companyprovides service to an approximate combined total of over 100 residential and commercialcustomers in the Village of Needmore, Belfast Township. The primary water source is theGordon Spring which has an approximate flow of 10,000 gallons per hour. Maximumdemand is near 18,000 gallons per day. Currently, the Needmore Water Supply Companyis adequately servicing its customer demand and has no plans for immediate futureexpansion.

Well Tannery Village: The Village of Wells Tannery is serviced by a cooperative watersupply and distribution system. Water supplies are obtained from two (2) springs and anunnamed tributary of Oregon Creek, which is located immediately west of the village. Thissystem utilizes a 960,000 gallon capacity storage tank to supply water to a customer baseof over 100 households. There are no plans to expand the service area at this time.

Valley-Hi Borough: A second cooperative water system serves the Valley-Hi area. Thissystem utilizes a 5,000 capacity storage tank to service approximately 26 housing units.This system is designed to service an additional 50 dwelling units and there are noimmediate plans for its expansion.



The Water and Sewer Service Areas Map identifies the approximate location andservice areas of selected facilities.

J. Solid Waste

The Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction, Act 101(July of 1988) requires counties to develop formal plans for managing municipal wastes. Plans aresubject to municipal ratification and approval from the Department of Environmental Protection.Each county must ensure10 years of available disposal capacity and establish a post-closure caretrust fund for landfills.

In 1985, the Tri-County Solid Waste Authority was created to establish a solid wastemanagement system for Bedford, Fulton, and Huntingdon Counties. The authority developed plansunder prevailing legislation, Act 97, and developed a 144 ton per day landfill on a 700 acre site inBroad Top Township, Bedford County. But, due to decreased profitability, the landfill was soldin 1998 to Waste Systems International, Incorporated.

The county's solid waste is collected and delivered to the Broad Top landfill site by RobertWeaver, Community Refuse, and T. Ray Peck. Since 1996, the county has been without anappointed recycling coordinator. Therefore, all county related recycling issues are handled throughthe county commissioners' office. Finally, Diebert's Recycling, is a private, for profit recyclingcenter located along U.S. Route 522 north of McConnellsburg.

Increases in population coupled with existing and planned industrial and commercialdevelopments will ultimately increase the amount of waste generated by the county. Therefore,the authority must continue its efforts in maintaining current and effective solid waste managementstrategies.

K. Education

A total of three school districts provide public education services to 2,527 (1998-99enrollment figures) students, which are the Central Fulton, Southern Fulton, and Forbes RoadSchool Districts. Each school district is governed by a locally elected board of directors consistingof nine members. Operating under the Pennsylvania State School Code, the school boards areresponsible for preparing and approving budgets, and setting rates of taxation. In Pennsylvania,the primary sources of school district revenue are the collection of property taxes and state subsidy.In addition, wage and per capita taxes are also sources of revenue.

The Central Fulton School District provides public education services to the residents ofAyr, Todd, Licking Creek Townships and McConnellsburg Borough, and has a current (1998-99)enrollment of 1,136 students. According to school district officials, 1,156 students are projectedto be enrolled in grades K-12 by the 2002-2003 school year. Additional information provided byofficials also indicated that consideration is being given to renovate the existing high schoolbuilding during the years 2000-2001.

The Southern Fulton School District currently (1998-99) enrolls of 861 students andservices six municipalities, which include Brush Creek, Belfast, Bethel, Thompson, and Union



Photo CF-4Forbes Road Elementary School

Townships, and Valley-Hi Borough. Information regarding enrollment projections and plannedfacility improvements were not available for inclusion in this submission. But, construction of anew elementary building and renovations to the high school building were recently completed toaccommodate for increasing school enrollments and facility improvements.

The Forbes Road School Districtservices the northern tier municipalities ofDublin, Taylor, and Wells Townships andhas a current enrollment of 530 students.According to school district officials,future annual enrollments are anticipatedto increase by 1 percent. Currently, athree-room addition and a seven-roomrenovation is ongoing at the elementaryschool facility. In addition, the currentinstallation of a local area network (LAN)will facilitate computerization and datatransmission capabilities throughout theschool's facilities. Future renovation plansfor the high school facility are currentlyunder consideration.

A statistical comparison of the county’s three public school systems is provided in Table3-2. As shown, enrollments for the 1997-98 and 1998-99 school years have declined for both theCentral Fulton and Southern Fulton School Districts. In contrast, the Forbes Road School Districtexperienced a healthy increase in enrollments during this same period. In terms of low incomepopulations, each district enrolls similar amounts of low income students. However, the higherincome levels for the McConnellsburg region causes a slightly lower poverty level percentage forthe Central Fulton School District. Finally, a comparison of each district’s expenditures perstudent for the 1989-90 and 1997-98 reveals a significant decrease in real dollars for the CentralFulton School District. In addition, the Southern Fulton School District experienced a slightdecrease in

Table CF-2Selected Statistics for Fulton County School Districts

School District

Total Enrollment

Percent LowIncome

(1997-98)

Expenditures Per Student*

1997-98 1998-99PercentChange

1989-90Expenditures

in 1998 Dollars

1997-98Expenditures

in 1998 Dollars

PercentChange

Central Fulton 1,147 1,136 -1.0 34.7% $8,199 $6,444 -21.4%

Forbes Road 510 530 3.9% 36.0% $5,742 $6,456 12.4%

Southern Fulton 899 861 -4.2% 36.8% $5,791 $5,700 -1.6%

* Adjusted by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 1990 and 1998 calender years. Inflation Index for this period equals 1.247



Sources: Pennsylvania Department of Education, Pennsylvania System of School Assessment, 1997-98.Fulton County School District Enrollments, 1998-99.National Center for Education Statistics, 1990 Expenditures Per Pupil.

real expenditures per student. In contrast, the Forbes Road School District experienced asignificant increase in real expenditures per student.

Fulton County's three school districts obtain leadership and educational services throughthe Tuscarora Intermediate Unit (I.U. #11). Specifically, the IU provides such services as planning,instructional materials, continuing professional education, and special education to all localschools. The IU receives funding through both the Pennsylvania Department of Education and thelocal school districts.

The Fulton County Area Vocational-Technical School (AVTS) program provides vocationaland technical programmed courses for county students enrolled in grades 7 through 12. Inaddition, adult education courses are also provided. Vocational-Technical education preparesstudents for employment directly upon graduation and provides courses in agricultural science andmechanics, child care, business, welding, nursing, building construction trades, cooperativeeducation, diversified occupations, and adult education. Certification programs are offered fornursing aids and welding. Senior level students are eligible to participate in the work-studyprogram and job placement service. Enrollment figures for the 1998-99 school year were placedat 425 students.

There are four non-public schools located within Fulton County, which are: Fulton CountyChristian School in Needmore, Sharon Mennonite Bible Institute in Harrisonville, and theMountain View Christian School near McConnellsburg.

Higher education needs are met through services provided by nearby colleges anduniversities, which include: Shippensburg University, Wilson College, Penn State Mont AltoCampus, and Hagerstown Junior College.

Public school enrollments can be expected to increase during the next decade. In light ofthe county's historic birth rate statistics, future birth rates are anticipated to increase due to therecent population increases experienced in the productive age group (Socioeconomic section). Inaddition, a positive net migration rate into the county will also expand enrollments. Schooldistricts must recognize these changes in order to plan appropriate responses so as to ensureadequate facilities, staffing, and curricula. The Pennsylvania Department of Education requiresthat all school districts within the commonwealth prepare a 'Long-Range Plan' for the district everyfive years. These plans, which are submitted to the Department for review, must assessdemographic and economic changes and plan accordingly.

L. Trends and Conclusions

1. Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services

Police, fire, and emergency medical services in the county are adequate. However,their needs to be a frequent review of these services in terms of adequacy and efficiency to



determine that the needs of the community are being met. Also, attracting and maintainingtrained volunteer forces is a continuous concern in the community.

2. Library System

A significant issue facing the Fulton County library system is a shortage of financialresources, which are needed to upgrade and maintain its services. These services supportthe purchase of a variety of books, videos, reference materials and library programs.Therefore, the county's library system is an excellent resource and should receive continuedsupport from state, local and private sources.

3. Public Health and Social Services

The county's many public health and social services continue to provide itspopulation with a wealth of professional service and care. Therefore, continued state andlocal financial support should be provided to ensure these services maintain the adequacylevels needed to meet the population's needs.

4. Utilities

Demand for electricity has increased to serve the increased population of the county,as well as the increased demand generated by technological advances. Existing servicesare adequately meeting the needs of community but, future population increases should beconsidered when planning for future demands.

Electrical service has increasingly become a land use issue at the local level whenutilities attempt to locate additional facilities, such as substations and new or largertransmission lines. Furthermore, telephone service in the past was rarely a land use issue,but the proliferation of cellular phone tower construction in the county has increasinglybecome a decision making issue for local officials. Because of the newness of thetechnology, local officials have had little time to prepare land use controls to deal withthese facilities. As seen throughout the county, the location of cellular phone transmissiontowers can cause significant visual impacts.

5. Public Sewer and Water Facilities

Wastewater collection and treatment in Fulton County are currently provided bythree municipal and one school district owned facilities. These systems provide serviceto over 4,000 people. Public water supply services in Fulton County are provided by onepublic system, two cooperative systems, and one private system. Currently, these systemsare providing adequate service but projected increases in population and subsequentincreases in demand for these services will ultimately require local officials to performfrequent evaluations of their system's ability to meet these anticipated demands and areprotecting the public's health.



6. Solid Waste

Increases in population coupled with existing and planned industrial andcommercial developments will ultimately increase the amount of waste generated by thecounty. Therefore, the authority must continue its efforts in maintaining current andeffective solid waste management strategies.

7. Education

The county's three public school districts provide adequate educational services toits school aged population. According to school officials, existing and planned facilitiesare anticipated to meet enrollment growth. However, both the Central Fulton and SouthernFulton School Districts experienced decreases in real expenditures per student.

Environmental Resources Analysis

Environmental Resources Analysis

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000ER-1

Introduction

The identification of environmentally sensitive areas is an important part of the planningprocess. They identify areas that should be protected while delineating areas where developmentcan be focused. Delineation of these areas serve as the perfect guide for future planning decisions.The following sections of the plan will identify and describe these areas so they can beincorporated into the planning recommendations. This will help ensure that future developmentin Fulton County takes place in an environmentally safe manner. The Sensitive EnvironmentalFeatures Map identifies most of these areas.

A. Prime Farmland Soils and Soils of Statewide Importance

An evaluation of the fertility of the county's soils helps to identify the areas best suited tolong-term agricultural use and most worthy to be preserved. Prime farmland, as defined by theU.S. Department of Agriculture, is the land that is best suited to producing food, feed, forage, fiberand oilseed crops. It has the soil quality, growing season and water supply needed to economicallyproduce a sustained high yield of crops when it is treated and managed using acceptable farmingmethods. Prime farmland produces the highest yields with minimal inputs of energy and economicresources, and farming it results in the least damage to the environment. Prime farmland may bein crops, pasture, woodland, or other land, but not in urban and built-up land or water areas. Itmust be either be used for producing food or fiber, or be available for these uses. Prime farmlandsoils are usually classified as capability Class I or II on a scale of I to VIII.

Farmland soils of statewide importance are soils that are predominantly used for agriculturalpurposes within a given state but have some limitation(s) that reduce their productivity or increasethe amount of energy and economic resources necessary to obtain productivity levels similar toprime farmland soils. Farmland soils of statewide importance are usually classified as capabilityClass II or III. Fulton County prime farmland soils and soils of statewide importance are shownin Table ER-1.

B. Steep Slopes

Slopes that are fifteen percent or greater are considered environmentally sensitive due totheir increased potential for erosion, low degree of slope stability and difficult access in poorweather conditions. Steep slopes can also be a factor in road construction, on-lot wastewatersystems, and stormwater management. Fulton County is entirely located within the Ridge andValley Province of the Appalachian Highlands physiographic region, which is characterized by aseries of parallel valleys and ridges. Map coverages identifying steep slopes were not availablefor incorporation into this report. Therefore, resources such as the Fulton County Soil Survey,aerial photographs, and county topographic maps may be used in identifying these sensitivefeatures.

Though erosion and runoff in slope areas are natural processes, development activitieslocated in slope areas can alter the gradients and upset the natural balance. By redirecting waterrunoff from buildings and impervious surfaces away from the face of steeper slopes, severe soilerosion and drainage problems can be avoided. Development projects in areas with slopes greater

Environmental Resources


Table ER-1Fulton County Prime Farmland Soils and

Soils of Statewide Importance

Map Symbol Soil Map Unit Name Prime Farmland Soils of Statewide

AbB2 Albrights silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

AgB2 Allegheny gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

At Atkins silt loam X

Ba Barbour fine sandy loam X

Bc Basher silt loam X

BdB2 Bedington-Edom shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

BdC2 Bedington-Edom shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

BeB2 Berks Channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

BeC2 Berks Channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

BuB2 Buchanan gravelly loam X

BuC2 Buchanan gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, Moderaltey eroded X

CaC2 Calvin shaly silt loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

CbB2 Calvin-Berks Channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent, Moderately eroded X

CbC2 Calvin-Berks Channery silt loam, 8 to 15 percent, Moderately eroded X

CkB2 Calvin and Leck Kill shaly silt loams X

EbB2 Elliber very chert loam X

ErB2 Ernest slit loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

FrB2 Frankstown cherty silty loam X

HeB2 Hagerstown silt loam X

HeC2 Hagerstown silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

HgB3 Hagerstown silty clay loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, severly eroded X

KaB2 Klinesville shaly silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

KwB2 Klinesville-Weikert channery silt loams, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately X

LaB2 Laidig gravelly loam X

Ln Lawrence gravelly silt loam, coarse subsoil variant X

Ls Lindside silt loam X

Me Melvin silt loam X

MoB2 Monongahela silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

MuB2 Murril gravelly loam X

MuC2 Murrill gravelly loam, 8 to 15 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

Ph Philo silt loam X

Pm Pope fine sandy loam, neutral variant X

Po Pope loam X

Ty Tygart silt loam X

WcB2 Weikert Channery silt loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

WgB2 Wiltshire gravelly loam, 3 to 8 percent slopes, Moderately eroded X

Source: USDA Soil Survey for Fulton County, 1985.



than 15 percent should be carefully reviewed. Areas with slopes in excess of 25 percent should beconsidered unsuitable for development.

C. Wetlands

Contrary to past beliefs and practices, wetlands are complex ecosystems and serve as anintegral component of the environment. By definition, all wetlands have three basiccharacteristics: (1) the presence of water on the service during all or part of the year, (2) thepresence of hydrophytic vegetation, and (3) the presence of hydric soils. The importance ofwetlands in providing wildlife habitat, flood protection, surface water quality improvement, anda variety of other important functions are often overlooked in land use planning practices. Since1950, agriculture alone has been responsible for the loss of 70 to 90 percent of wetlands in UnitedStates (Marsh, 1991). Laws such as the Federal Clean Streams Law and similar state and local lawshave led to the enforcement of wetland protection. In Pennsylvania, development in wetlands isstrictly regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Pennsylvania Department ofEnvironmental Protection. Therefore, any development of these areas is subject to both the stateand federal permitting processes.

Wetlands constitute approximately 721 acres in Fulton County. Wetland areas areidentified on the Sensitive Environmental Features Map as surface water intake areas. Whenwetlands are identified, the county and municipalities need to work with the property owner toprotect these areas from encroachment.

D. Floodplains

Floodplain areas absorb and store large amounts of water, which is a source of aquiferrecharge. Natural vegetation supported by floodplains helps to trap sediment from upland surfacerunoff, stabilize stream banks, and reduce soil erosion. Flooplains also provide shelter for wildlifeand proper stream conditions for aquatic life. Many scenic areas in Fulton County are found withinits floodplain areas. Fulton County’s 100-year floodplain boundaries are shown onEnvironmentally Sensitive Areas, Water Features Map.

The Fulton County Planning Commission maintains a county-wide catalogue of NationalFlood Insurance Maps (NFIP), except for McConnellsburg Borough. These maps are based on the100-year floodplain definition and delineate all flood hazard zones by municipality. In additionto NFIP floodplain maps, other planning tools such as aerial photography, soil and contour maps,and field surveys should be used in delineating floodplain areas. Floodplains should be avoidedfor development purposes and are best left as a open space; however, floodplains are useful areasfor agriculture and passive recreation purposes.

Regulation of floodplains helps to reduce the threat to human life and property caused byperiodic flooding. For regulatory purposes, a floodplain is defined by the 100-year or base floodwhich has a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in a given year.

The Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act (Act 166 of 1978) requires municipalitiesidentified as being flood-prone, to enact floodplain regulations which, at a minimum, meet therequirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is a federal program that



allows property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection againstlosses from flooding.

The NFIP Community Rating System (CRS) was implemented in 1990 as a program forrecognizing and encouraging community floodplain management activities that exceed theminimum NFIP standards. The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 codified the CRS inthe NFIP. Under the CRS, flood insurance premium rates are adjusted to reflect the reduced floodrisk resulting from community activities that meet the three goals of the CRS: (1) reduce floodlosses; (2) facilitate accurate insurance rating; and (3) promote the awareness of flood insurance.

There are ten CRS classes–Class 1 requires the most credit points and gives the largestpremium reduction, where Class 10 receives no premium reduction. The CRS recognizes 18creditable activities, organized under four categories numbered 300 through 600–PublicInformation, Mapping and Regulations, Flood Damage Reduction, and Flood Preparedness.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s), NFIP CommunityStatus Book, all municipalities, except for Valley-Hi Borough, are participating in the NFIPprogram.. No municipalities in Fulton County are participants of the CRS program.

E. Geologic Formation Characteristics and Groundwater Areas

The Ridge and Valley Province is characterized by deeply folded and faulted sedimentaryrocks, which have been eroded into an intricate series of linear valleys and ridges. Figure ER-1illustrates the county’s diverse geologic formations. Table ER-2 presents the engineeringcharacteristics of these formations.

One of the most common sensitive sedimentary rock formations included in this provinceare the carbonates. Areas of carbonate lithology represent sensitive geologic features because oftheir susceptibly of being dissolved by the action of percolating water. Once large volumes oflimestone are dissolved, large underground caverns are created thus increasing the potential forsurface collapse, or sinkhole development As shown on the Sensitive Environmental FeaturesMap, a large area of carbonate lithology, or limestone, is present in Ayr and Todd Townships,located in the east central portion of the county. Smaller areas of carbonate lithology are presentin Bethel, Thompson, and Dublin Townships.

The county's sensitive groundwater areas include surface water intake areas, dams, streamsand lakes. These features represent the county's sensitive groundwater areas due to theirimportance as groundwater recharge areas and uses for public water supplies. Groundwatersupplies in rural communities provide approximately 95 percent of the drinking water and 70percent of the water used for agricultural purposes (Marsh, 1991). Intense land uses have increasedthe threat of groundwater contamination. In Fulton County, major sources of contaminationinclude farmlands, urban stormwater runoff, septic drainfields, mining, and spills and leakages.The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that 12 percent of the wells in farm areas have elevatednitrate levels, while the Environmental Protection Agency figures that 23 million septic systemsand 1.2 million underground storage tanks pose threats to groundwater (George Homsy, 1997).

Table ER-2Engineering Characteristics of Fulton County's Geologic Formations

Formation Description Porosity PermeabilityEase of

Excavation

Allegheny GroupA highly heterogeneous unit composed of cyclic sequences of sandstone, shale, siltstone, claystone, limestone, coal and underclay

Moderate to low Moderate to lowDifficult to moderate

Bald Eagle Formation Crossbeaded sandstone, and quartz-pebble conglomerate Low to moderate Moderate DifficultBloomsburg Formation Predominantly red shale and siltstone Low to moderate Moderate Moderate

Brallier Formation Interbedded light-gray, siliceous sandstone and sitly shale Low LowEasy to

moderately difficult

Catskill Formation Complex unit consisting of shale, siltstone, sandstone and conglomerate Low to moderate Low to moderate Difficult

Clinton Group Fossiliferous sandstone; hematitic, oolitic sandstone and shale Low LowModerately

difficultCoburn Formation Medium-gray to very dark gray, fossiliferous, shaly limestone Moderat to high High DifficultForeknobs Formation Brownish-gray sandstone, silstone, and shale Low to moderate Moderate DifficultHarrell Formation Gray to black, silty shale with thin arg

Irish Valley Member of Catskill Formation

Alternating beds of olive-gray sandstone, siltstone, and shale with red siltstone, mudstone, and shale; olive-gray sandstone commonly contains fossils

Low Low Moderatelt easy

Juniata FormationBrownish-red, fine-grained to conglomeratic, qurtzitic sandstone having well-developed crossbedding

Low Low Difficult

Keyser Formation Dary-gray, highly fossiliferous, crystalline to nodular limestone Moderate Low to moderate DifficultMauch Chunk Formation Calcareous sandstone Low to good Low Difficult

Mifflintown Formation Greenish-gray shale interbedded with medium-gray, fossiliferous limestone Low Moderate to lowModerately difficult to

difficult

Nittany Formation Light to dark-gray, finely to coarsely crystalline dolomite Low to moderate Moderate to high DifficultOld Port Formation Diverse rock types of sandstone, chert, shale, and limestone >20% Moderate to high DifficultOnondaga Formation Medium-gray limestone and calcerous shale Moderate Moderate to low Difficult

Pocono Formation Fine to medium grained, crossbeded sandstone, siltstone and conglomerate High Moderate to low Difficult

Pottsville GroupFine-grained to coarsely conglomeratic sandstone; subordinate amounts of gray shale, siltstone, limestone, coal and underclay occur

High to moderate Moderate to lowModerate to

difficult

Reedsville Formation Dark-gray shale containing thin sandy to silty shale interbeds Low Low Moderately easy

Rockdale Run Formation Very light gray, finely laminated, fine-grained limestone Moderate to high Low to moderate DifficultRockwell Formation Fine to medium-grained, crossbedded agrillaceous sandstone High High Difficult

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan ER-6 Final - May 2000

Environmental ResourcesEnvironmental Resources


Photo ER-1Eagle Lake Dam, Valley-Hi Borough

As required under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, the PADEP has developed aWellhead Protection Program to protect groundwater sources used by public water systems fromcontamination that may have an adverse effect on public health. Participation in the program isvoluntary and builds upon the basic requirements for water purveyors to obtain the best availablesource and to take the appropriate actions to protect the source, thereby ensuring a continual andsafe water supply. The responsibility for wellhead protection in Pennsylvania is shared betweenthe state, local governments, and water suppliers. With the exception of the McConnellsburgBorough area, there have been limited efforts to establish wellhead protection areas in the county.

F. Surface Water Features and Watersheds

Surface waters include rivers,streams and ponds, which provide aquatichabitat, carry or hold runoff from storms,and provide recreation and scenicopportunities. Surface water resources area dynamic and important component ofthe natural environment, but ever-presentthreats such as pollution, construction,clear-cutting, mining, and overuse haverequired the protection of these valuableresources.

Fulton County is included in twowatershed areas; the Potomac andChesapeake/Susquehanna Basins. Sincesmall basins are the building blocks oflarger basins, great care must be taken in developing local watershed planning and managementprograms. Due to their environmental sensitivities, two watersheds are worth mentioning: (1)Sideling Hill, and (2) Cove Creek. The Sideling Hill Watershed has been designated as aconservancy area due to endangered plant species existing throughout the watershed. It isimportant to ensure the impacts from timbering, agriculture runoff, and development patterns arecontrolled to preserve the endangered plant species.

The second watershed area is located in the McConnellsburg region. Here, the Cove CreekWatershed is being impacted through increasing amounts of uncontrolled stormwater runoff. Thishas and will continue to pose serious threats in the form of flooding, erosion and groundwaterpollution effects.

Watershed plans should be developed and used by the county and local municipalities intheir efforts to mitigate stormwater runoff impacts. Currently, the Cove Creek StormwaterManagement Plan is the only PADEP (Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection)approved stormwater management plan existing in Fulton county. This plan, which was developedby the Department in 1994, covers a four-municipality region that includes McConnellsburgBorough, Ayr, Todd, and Dublin Townships. Over the past four years, the region has experiencedincreased development pressures, and as a result, the watershed has been severely impacted fromincreasing amounts of uncontrolled stormwater runoff. Recent actions spearheaded by both county



and local officials have concentrated on identifying and better understanding the sources andimpacts of this stormwater runoff. These efforts must be continued and action must be taken tomaintain and implement the policies and goals set forth in the Cove Creek StormwaterManagement Plan. Specifically, local government officials must ensure the Plan's policies andgoals are implemented and enforced through local ordinances.

State and county agencies have taken an active approach in protecting the county's viablewater resources. In 1995, the Fulton County Conservation District received a $33,000 grant fromthe State Conservation Commission to fund 80 percent of the project costs associated with theinstallation of farm conservation practices designed to improve water quality in the ChesapeakeBay. In addition, the District also received funding totaling approximately $19,000 for stormwater(Chapter 105) and non-point source pollution related projects.

In 1996, the Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the NaturalResource Conservation Service completed $177,705 in emergency flood protection projects locatedthroughout Fulton County. These projects were performed in response to the devastating January1996 floods and were conducted in Ayr, Brush Creek, and Todd Townships, and McConnellsburgBorough.

Information gathered from county officials revealed the need for continued education forboth county and local officials in stormwater management and watershed protection issues. Inaddition, it was noted that local officials must take a more pro-active approach in developing andenforcing ordinances that focus on the protection of the county's water resources. It isrecommended that county officials continue to assist local officials in their responsibilities ofreviewing and approving subdivision and land development plans. Furthermore, county officialsmay consider implementing a county agency that is charged with overseeing or performing themunicipality's sewage enforcement and engineering services.

G. Agricultural Security Areas

To combat the losses of agricultural land throughout the Commonwealth, the AgriculturalConservation Easement Program was developed in 1988 under an amendment to the AgriculturalArea Security Law, Act 43 of 1981. This program allows state and local governments to purchaseeasements, (i.e., development rights) from owners of prime farmland. Prior to being purchased,the selected parcels must be included within an Agricultural Security Area (ASA). The ASAprogram was first created in 1981 under Act 43 and allows farmers, who collectively own 250 ormore acres of viable farmland, to protect their land from non-agricultural uses and obtain specialconsiderations under local ordinances and state regulations. Unlike the Conservation EasementProgram, parcels included within an ASA are reevaluated every seven years and new parcels mayincorporated at any time.

In 1995, the Fulton County Commissioners established the Fulton County AgriculturalLand Preservation Board in accordance with Act 43 of 1981. This seven member boardadministers the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program which authorizes the board topurchase or accept donations for Agricultural Conservation Easements. To date, no easementshave been included in the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. As of January 1997, the



county reported having 32,756.03 acres included in Agricultural Security Areas. Table ER-2shows the number of ASA acres for each municipality.

Table ER-3Total Acres for Agricultural Security Areas in Fulton County

by Municipality, 1997

Municipality Total ASA Acres

Fulton County 32,756.03

Ayr Township 5,893.30

Belfast Township (NA)

Bethel Township 3659.42

Brush Creek Township 1,153.16

Dublin Township 2,059.13

Licking Creek Township 4,793.73

Taylor Township 1,641.99

Thompson Township 3,407.85

Todd Township 3,231.77

Union Township 4,558

Wells Township 2,357.68

Source: Fulton County Assessment Office, 1997

H. Trends and Issues

� The county's rich diversity of natural resources have greatly contributed to its developmentand character. The specific combination of natural elements found in the county gives itan identity unlike any other place. However, recent trends in population growth anddevelopment patterns have impacted both these resources and the human landscape. Propermanagement of these resources is vital not only in sustaining the county's quality of life andscenic beauty but, also its continued economic growth.

� None of the county’s municipalities participate in the NFIP Community Rating SystemProgram.

� The 1994 Cove Creek Watershed Plan represents the county’s sole watershed planningeffort.

� There has been little to no efforts in implementing a wellhead protection program in thecounty.



� The Fulton County Land Preservation Board was created in 1995 to which to purchase oraccept donations for Agricultural Conservation Easements. However, no easements havebeen accepted or purchased to date.

� The carbonate lithology underlying the majority of the Great Cove area is susceptible tosolution caverns, which is a concern for both land development and groundwater quality.

Cultural and Historic Resources Analysis



Introduction

Cultural resources consist of prehistoric and historic districts, sites, structures, artifacts, andother physical evidence of human activities considered important to a culture, subculture, orcommunity for scientific, traditional, religious, or other reasons. A wealth of cultural resources arefound throughout Fulton County and the surrounding region. An review of these resources increasesour understanding and appreciation of our local heritage and improve the quality of life. Manysignificant cultural resources are of value to the local economy because they serve as touristattractions.

A. History

Located in the ridge and valley region along the eastern portion of the Allegheny Mountains,Fulton County's historical and cultural resources were heavily influenced and shaped by itstopography and geologic formations. The county is best characterized by its heavily forested hilltopsand fertile valleys.

Pioneers traveling west entered the Big Cove area by passing through Cowans Gap over thePhiladelphia Road and Forbes Road. The Cove's fertile limestone soils and attractive streamscombined to attract early European migrants to this area. Many of the first settlements weredeveloped in the Big Cove area by pioneers of Scot-Irish decent during the 1730s and 1740s. Smallindustrial sites specializing in tanning and milling were established throughout this fertile valley,thus revealing village names such as Webster Mills, Sipes Mill, Cove Mills, Potts Mills, and BigCove Tannery. English, German, French, and Scot-Irish settlers also entered into the southernportion of the county from Hancock, Maryland and established settlements such as Warfordsburgand Buck Valley.

In November of 1749, the county's first land grant was issued to David Scott and in 1758,Pennsylvania's provincial government purchased land west of the Kittochtinny Mountains from theleaders of the Six Indian Nations, thus beginning legal settlement patterns throughout the county.Then in 1786, Daniel McConnell, who was a prosperous inn keeper and progressive land useplanner, formally designed a town plan that included grid style streets and 196 lots. Thus, becamethe town of McConnellsburg.

The continued westward expansion by way of the Philadelphia and Forbes Roads, allowedMcConnnellsburg and the area's many villages to prosper. By 1814, the town was incorporated intoa borough and had a total population of 107 residents. Finally, in 1850, Fulton County was formallycreated from Bedford County and McConnellsburg was named the County seat.

Transportation developments throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, such as the LincolnHighway and Pennsylvania Turnpike, have further increased the prosperity of Fulton County.

B. Cultural and Historic Resources

Fulton County shares in the rich cultural history of Southcentral Pennsylvania. One of thecounty's most prominent historical sites is the Fulton House (circa 1793) located on Lincoln WayEast. Designated as a historical site in 1977, this Georgian-influenced stone tavern once boarded



governors and four presidents. After a devastating fire that destroyed the majority of the structure's18th century interior in 1944, the building was restored to its present state. Today, the structure'soriginal 1820 east end addition houses the Fulton County's Historical Society's Library and Museum.The log cabin (circa 1770) situated behind the Fulton House served as a settler's home and is one ofMcConnellsburg's oldest structures.

Another prominent and noted historical site is the Burnt Cabins Grist Mill. Built over 200years ago, this operating water-powered mill produces 12 different types of flour and is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places. Although not formally recognized as a historical district, theVillage of Burnt Cabins is a historically rich community located in northern Fulton County. In 1750,William Penn's government ordered the burning of illegal settlers' cabins to avoid conflict withIndians. Hence, the origin of the village's name. The village was later rebuilt and prospered as oneof the county's early industrial communities. In 1794, President Washington stayed overnight here.Table C-1 lists the sites in Fulton County designated as historical properties while Table C-2identifies the properties that the National Park Association considers eligible for nomination ontothe National Register of Historic Places.

Table C-1National Register of Historic Places, Listed Properties in Fulton County,

Historic Name Municipality Address Date Listed

Burnt Cabins Gristmill Dublin Township Grist Mill Road 11/28/1980

Fulton House McConnellsburg Borough 112-116 Lincoln Way East 07/20/1977

McConnell House McConnellsburg Borough 114 Lincoln Way West 11/21/1976

McConnellsburg HistoricDistrict

McConnellsburg Borough Lincoln Way from First St.to Fifth St.

08/09/1993

Cowans Gap State ParkFamily Cabin District

Todd Township Cowans Gap State Park 0211/1987

Source: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1998.

C. Historic Programs

Historic preservation is a broad category of activities with a basic purpose of ensuring thatimportant traditional qualities of the community are passed along to future generations. County andlocal officials, and residents recognize the value of conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, oradaptive reuse of historic features and styles to preserve the county's past, and to create the uniqueidentity that stimulates civic pride. The county's various historic properties provide it with a senseof time and place, and a sense of continuity. They are physical reminders of the accomplishmentsof our predecessors and a stabilizing influence for the county and its many communities. As tangibleobjects of the past, they serve a valuable educational function.



Table C-2National Register of Historic Places, Eligible Properties in Fulton County

Property Name Municipality Address

Cito AME Church Ayr Township Cito Road

Tonoloway Primitive Baptist Church Thompson Township Rt. 655 Just North of the Mason DixonLine

Friendship Farm Bethel Township W Side of Rt 522, 1.5 Mi. S. ofNeedmore

Burnt Cabins Historic District Dublin Township Three Mountain Road and U.S. Rt. 522

Deshong Oil & Gas/Deshong TouristCabins

Licking Creek Township Northeast corner S.R. 30/Little EgyptRoad

Deshong's Cabins Licking Creek Township U.S. Rt. 30, 1 Mi. W. of Harrisonville

Harrisonville Historic District Licking Creek Township Harrisonville

Reamer's Tavern, Kline, C.E.Farmstead

Licking Creek Township Both Sides of U.S. Rt. 30

Rotz, Walter & Eliza House Licking Creek Township South Side of U.S. Rt. 30

Center School House Union Township W. of Buck Valley Village

Kirk Farmstead Wells Township S.R. 0915, North Valley Road

Wells Tannery Park Ballfield Wells Township Cove Road

Source: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1998.

It is a common misconception that the primary objective of historic preservation is toaccurately restore every historically significant site to its original appearance. While this may applyto a limited number of structures, far more often historic preservation merely seeks to maintain andenhance existing historic buildings through the most minimal means possible. Preservation insteadof restoration, and adaptive reuse are often very cost effective because they seek to take the bestadvantage of what is available to repair rather than replace, and to not alter things that are workingwell.

At the state level, the Bureau for Historic Preservation develops, coordinates and administersthe Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commissions' comprehensive program to identify, protectand enhance buildings structures, districts and neighborhoods of historic and architecturalsignificance in public and private ownership throughout the Commonwealth. The bureau providesfederally-mandated professional staff to support the activities of the State Historic PreservationOfficer, designated by the Governor, to receive federal historic preservation funds and implementthe National Historic Preservation Program throughout the Commonwealth. The bureau alsoadministers Commission grants for museums and local history projects (Pennsylvania Historical andMuseum Commission).

A variety of organizations focused on the promotion and preservation of the county's richhistory exist throughout the county. The most prominent is the Fulton County Historical Society.Established in 1928, the society is a non-profit organization comprised of approximately 700



members. The society's mission is to promote an understanding of the history of the community ofFulton County and its relationships to regional and national events through preservation, research,education, and restoration (Fulton County Heritage Plan, 1996). The society takes an active lead inassisting with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission's goals in identifying andprotecting those resources having historical significance. Additional cultural and historic programsexisting throughout the county include:

McConnellsburg PRIDE: In partnership with the Department of Community and EconomicDevelopment's Main Street Program, McConnellsburg PRIDE and the Borough ofMcConnellsburg have been responsible for directing and promoting the revitalization ofdowntown McConnellsburg. With great success, their efforts have been focused onencouraging property owners to maintain and preserve the historic features of their buildings.

Fulton County Heritage Committee: This nine-member board, in cooperation with both theFulton County Planning Commission and Southwestern Pennsylvania Heritage PreservationCommission, developed the Fulton County Heritage Plan (1991). This plan providesoutlines goals and recommendations to be considered regarding a variety of local historicprojects.

Grease, Steam & Rust Association: Originally developed as promotional event for the 1981Fulton County Fall Folk Festival, the Grease, Steam & Rust Association (GSR) was formerlyincorporated in May 1982, as a non-profit organization. The Association represents one ofthe earliest organized efforts in south-central Pennsylvania to promote the preservation andexhibition of antique farm equipment and its significance in the development of our nationduring the industrial revolution.

The Forbes Road Historic Roundtable: Formed in 1994, this organization focuses onidentifying and preserving historical and cultural resources in Fort Littleton and surroundingcommunities.

The Fulton County Improvement Association: Established in 1993, the association's missionto improve the quality of life of the African American community and actively sponsor'sprograms that educate residents about the contributions made by the county's AfricanAmerican citizens.

Fulton County Quilt Club: This organization promotes the traditional art of quilting throughteaching and sponsoring the county's annual quilt show held during the Fulton Fall FolkFestival.

In addition to these organizations, many individuals throughout Fulton County express theirdeep interest in the region's historical and cultural heritage. Their interest is shown through theirown published works and active participation in local historical and cultural events. The CommunityFeatures Map identifies selected historical locations.




Historic landscape considerations play an integral role in the enhancement of the county'snatural, rural, and urban landscapes. County and local officials, and residents recognize the valueof conservation, rehabilitation, restoration, or adaptive reuse of historic features and styles topreserve the county's past. The variety of organizations and programs focused on preserving thecounty's cultural and historical resources should receive continued support from county and localresources.

Government Facilities and Operations Analysis



Introduction

Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan is the responsibility of the administrative bodyof Fulton County. The purpose of this section is to review the responsibilities delegated to FultonCounty under the Pennsylvania County Code. The county’s financial structure, which is animportant element for the implementation of a Capital Improvement Program (CIP), will also besummarized. Finally, a review of the county’s existing facilities will be identified and inventoried.The information reviewed in this section will establish baseline data to facilitate both plan designand implementation.

A. Government Body

There are 12 elected office positions in Fulton County government, which include positionsin the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Of these three branches, the executive andlegislative are pertinent to the planning process. The following sections introduces the variouscounty elected and appointed positions directly responsible for implementing this comprehensiveplan.

1. Board of Commissioners

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners are the chief elected officials. Theboard is comprised of three members, each elected to a four-year term. Their responsibilitiesare numerous and include the preparation of an annual budget, establishment of millage rates,appointment of planning commission members, and hiring of county employees. They alsooversee the construction and maintenance of county facilities, administration of welfare,elections, and county health services. The administration of the county can be delegated tocommittees, but the responsibility for finances, decisions, and legal action is the ultimate andsole responsibility of the commissioners. The exception to this is subdivision regulations,which according to the County Code, is the sole responsibility of the nine member planningcommission. The board of commissioners meets regularly each week in the Fulton CountyCourthouse to conduct official business.

2. Chief Clerk

The highest appointed office in Fulton County government is the position of chiefclerk. The chief clerk is responsible for the daily operation of county business.Responsibilities may include the keeping of accurate records of commissioners’ meetingsand accounts, acting as a liaison between the commissioners and the various countydepartments and other governments, preparing budgets, supervising county electionprocedures, and implementing commissioners’ decisions. Furthermore, the chief clerk’soffice plays a vital coordinative role in the implementation of the comprehensive plan.

3. Planning Functions

Planning activities for the county are provided by the Fulton County PlanningCommission and the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission(SAPDC). Their primary function is to advise the commissioners on planning policies and



encourage coordinated land use and transportation planning through recommendations to themunicipalities. These recommendations are based on the county’s goals and objectivesestablished by the comprehensive plan.

3.a. Fulton County Planning Commission

The commission’s authorities and responsibilities are set forth in the PennsylvaniaMunicipalities Planning Code (MPC), as amended, and reenacted by Act 170 of 1988. Thecommission consists of nine members who are appointed by the board of commissioners toa four year term. All members must meet county resident requirements.

The planning commission developed planning department is currently staffed by afull-time planner and an administrative position. Staff responsibilities include reviewingsubdivision and land development plat applications, and newly proposed local zoning andsubdivision ordinances, and amendments thereto, for advisory action by the planningcommission.

3.b. Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAPDC)

The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission is a regionalmulti-county development agency which, under the guidance of a public policy board,provides leadership, expertise and services to communities, businesses, institutions andresidents. Counties included in the SAPDC Local Development District (LDD) includeFulton, Bedford, Huntingdon, Somerset, Blair and Cambria Counties. The organization isboth a direct service provider and a link to other resources that can be applied to a wide rangeof community and economic needs, including the implementation of the comprehensive plan.

B. Inventory of Existing Facilities

County owned facilities and values are identified in Table G-1. According to the table, totalfacility value was appraised at $3,330,524, with building and contents values equaling $2,878,515and $452,009, respectively.

The Fulton County Courthouse, located at 100-102 West Market Street, serves as the county'scentral office building by serving as the main operations center for the majority of the county's "RowOffices." In addition, the second floor houses the county's main courtroom and law library. Due tooffice space limitations, the commissioners' office and the county planning, emergency management,and 911 offices will be moved to the newly renovated Employment and Training facility located onWest Market Street. Currently, there are no immediate plans for additional facilities or majorrenovations to existing facilities.



Table G-1 Fulton County Owned Facilities, 1998

Facility Name Location Building Appraisal Content Appraisal

Courthouse 100-102 West Market Street $822,335 265,148

Library Rear 200 North 2nd Street $19,500 $2,300

Sheriff's Office 209-213 North 2nd Street $160,000 $5,775

Garage 209-213 North 2nd Street $3,995 $2,300

Storage Rear 209-213 North 2nd Street $3,335 $7,500

Band Shell Rear 108 West Market Street $55,000 $8,586

Courthouse Annex #1 212 North 2nd Street $188,415 $59,000

Probation Office 208 North 2nd Street $118,795 $17,400

Employment and Traning Rear 208 North 2nd Street $33,270 $8,000

Community Center West Market Street $268,250 $10,000

District Justice Contents Fort Littleton --- $10,000

District Justice Contents Needmore --- $14,000

Senior Center Building Warfordsburg $263,120 ---

Pavilion Building --- $9,000 ---

BBQ Building --- $3,000 ---

Services for Children 219 North 2nd Street $60,500 $42,000

Senior Center Building McConnellsburg $250,000 ---

Senior Center Building Hustontown $380,000 ---

Contents/Mapping Chambersburg $240,000

Total --- $2,878,515 $452,009

Total Blanket Value of Properties = $3,330,524Source: Fulton County Commissioners Office, 1998

C. County Budget and Finances

According to Fulton County's 1998 Annual Budget Report, total appropriated funds equaled$4,234,985. Table G-2 provides a brief summary of all funds as reported in the 1998 AnnualBudget Report. Revenues and other financing sources are illustrated in Figure G-1. As shown, themajority of the county’s revenues are derived from taxes, while funds received from federal and statesources comprise the second largest source.

From 1991 to 1998, Fulton County's total fund expenditures increased by approximately 68percent. A comparison of each department's total expenditures for the years 1991 and 1998 isillustrated in Figure G-2. The greatest expenditure increase was experienced by the public worksfund (5,898%), public safety (305%), and administrative and judicial (103%). The large increases



Fines and Forfeits4%

Miscellaneous5%

Taxes38%

Federal and State24%

Charges for Service

9%

Other Financing Sources

12%

Cash and Investments

8%

Figure G-1Fulton County Revenues and Other Financing Sources

Source: Fulton County Commissioners Office, 1998.

Table G-2Total Appropriated Funds, Fulton County, 1998

Fund Total Budgeted Funds

General Government: All Other $726,553

General Government: Judicial $637,060

Public Safety $859,475

Public Works $542,000

Human Services $558,200

Culture - Recreation $5,600

Conservation and Development $161,425

Debt Service $369,315

Miscellaneous Expenditures and Expenses $324,760

Cash and Investments $50,597

Total $4,234,985

Source: Fulton County Annual Budget Report, 1998.



-

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4 0 0

6 0 0

8 0 0

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1 ,2 0 0

1 ,4 0 0

1 ,6 0 0

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Publ

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afet

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Publ

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orks

Hum

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ervi

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/Rec

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1 9 9 1

1 9 9 8

Figure G-2Total Expenditures by Fund Type, 1991 and 1998

Source: Fulton County Commissioners Office, 1998

experienced by the public works and public safety funds may be attributed to the county’sdevelopment and implementation of its county-wide addressing and enhanced 911 services. Slightdecreases were experienced by the following funds: culture/recreation (-0.8%), debt service, (-0.4%),and miscellaneous (-0.3%)


� County government programs and services continue to meet the needs of its population.

� Agencies responsible for overseeing the implementation of the county comprehensive planrests with the county commissioners, chief clerk, and planning commission and staff, withassistance provided by the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission.

Statement of Plan Interrelationships


Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000��

Introduction

As mandated by Section 301(4.1) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC),comprehensive plans shall discuss the interrelationships among the various plan components. Thisdemonstrates that the components of the plan are integrated and do not present conflicting goals,policies, or recommended courses of action.

The following sections demonstrate these interrelationships. However, more detailed aspectsof these interrelationships are addressed in the plan. Examples of the major interrelationshipsamong the various plan components are as follows:

� Economic development incentives for strengthening the county’s agriculture base willencourage preserving the county’s rural open spaces.

� The consideration of noise, air quality, visual blight, glare, and vibration impacts arerecommended during subdivision and land development, which strengthens the goal ofpreserving the existing quality of life.

� The recommendation to support the Fulton County Medical Center’s planned developmentof a new medical facility promotes the goal of providing adequate and accessible communityfacilities and services.

� Little or no development is recommended in natural resource protection areas such asfloodplains, steep slopes, and wetlands.

� Housing should be located near existing job opportunities to reduce commuting distancesand provide opportunities for alternative means of travel.

� The policy of encouraging Planned Residential Developments and clustering techniquesstrengthens both the land use, and community facilities and service policies of the plan.

� The action strategy of supporting continuing education and training programs strengthensthe economic policy of developing a trained and flexible workforce.

� Commercial, industrial, and residential development is encouraged to take place near areasserviced by existing infrastructure.

� The continued improvements to downtown McConnellsburg strengthens the economicpolicies for creating new business opportunities, and promoting and enhancing thedevelopment and expansion of existing businesses.

� The policies of preserving the open, rural character of Fulton County directly relates to thenatural resource protection goals and policies of the plan.

� Economic development is strengthened by promoting the County’s historic and culturalresources through tourism activities.

� Sound development practices are in part achieved through supporting municipal officials inadopting, implementing, and enforcing effective land use regulations.


Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000PI-2

� Expanding the County’s technological capabilities will help achieve the economic goals andpolicies of the plan.

� The continued use and expansion of the Southern Alleghenies Planning and DevelopmentCommission and PADOT’s Transportation Information System (TIS) will help promote thestrategy for expanding the County’s Geographic Information System (GIS) capabilities.

Statement of Municipal Interrelationships


Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000MI-1

Introduction

As mandated by Section 301(5) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC),comprehensive plans shall discuss the relationship of the existing and proposed development of theCounty to the existing and proposed plans in contiguous municipalities.

Contiguous County Developments

Fulton County is bordered by the Pennsylvania counties of Bedford, Franklin, andHuntingdon, and Allegany and Washington County, Maryland. Historic and future developmentactivities in contiguous municipalities have a direct impact on Fulton County’s land uses,infrastructure, and economic vitality. Likewise, the future recommendations included in this planalso impact the development patterns of these neighboring counties.

Bedford County Comprehensive Plan

After the completion of the original Pennsylvania Turnpike (Carlisle to Irwin section) in1940, Breezewood has been the most prolific land development along the Fulton and BedfordCounty border. Located in Bedford County, at the juncture of Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 30, andnear Exit 12 of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the “Town of Motels” serves as an active commercialservice center for both local and non-local residents, as well as a significant employment center forarea residents. Breezewood’s viability is highly dependent on these transportation systems.However, its growth has been limited due to topography and the limited availability of public sewerand water services.

The impacts of Breezewood’s growth has, to a limited extent, influenced developmentactivities in Fulton County; particularly, at Crystal Spring. Located at Exit 30 of Interstate 70,Crystal Spring hosts small scale highway oriented business services, such as a Fisher’s Garage,Motel 70, Dutch Haus Restaurant, and the Crystal Spring Grocery. In addition, efforts of the FultonIndustrial Development Association have enabled Genwove U.S. Limited to establish aninternational wood processing facility at Crystal Spring. Due to these development patterns, thisComprehensive Plan has identified the Crystal Spring area as a limited growth area. Thisrecommendation is expected to produce limited to no impacts on the Breezewood and surroundingcommunities.

Franklin County Comprehensive Plan (June 1999)

The Comprehensive Plan for Franklin County matches very well with this plan. Forexample, Tuscarora Mountain forms a natural, physical boundary between Franklin and FultonCounty. To this extent, the recommended land uses for the entire border include forested andagricultural conservation, or very low density development.

Huntingdon County Comprehensive Plan (November 1999)

The border between Huntingdon and Fulton County is defined by a series of linear valleysand ridges that are associated with the deeply folded and faulted sedimentary rocks of the Ridge andValley Province. These natural features have determined the existing land use patterns, whereby lowto medium residential and commercial development is confined to the valleys while forested and low



intensity land uses are situated along gently to steeply sloping hillsides and mountaintops. Acomparison of the plans’ future land use recommendations reveals an overall consistent low intensitydevelopment pattern along the entire border area. However, future development patterns along U.S.Routes 522 and 655 should be closely monitored to prevent the creation of conflicting land uses.

Washington County Comprehensive Plan (April 1, 1981)

Land use activities in Washington County and the Town of Hancock have direct impacts onFulton County’s existing infrastructure and future economic development opportunities; specifically,near the junction of I-70 and I-68. Washington County’s 1981 plan identified Hancock as a TownGrowth Area. As a result, the County recently prepared a separate growth area study for the town,which provides recommendations for meeting development needs over a 20 year period. In additionto encompassing the Town of Hancock, the growth area boundary also extends north alongWarfordsburg Road and includes the Jefferson Cheese Factory property. Furthermore, the land arealocated adjacent to the Mason-Dixon Line is currently zoned Highway Interchange, which permitsboth commercial and industrial uses. Finally, the area along Warfordsburg Road is included in theHancock Enterprise Zone, which is a tax incentive based initiative to foster community andeconomic development. These activities are consistent with the proposed Growth Area boundarydeveloped for Fulton County’s future land use scenario, whereby, providing adequate infrastructureto support existing and new business and industry is strongly encouraged.

Finally, land use recommendations for the remaining border area are, to a large extent,defined by natural features, such as gentle to steeply sloped hillsides and include forested,agricultural, and low intensity development.

Allegany County Comprehensive Plan (December 1995)

The Allegany County Comprehensive Plan has identified specific areas within its bordershaving the greatest potential for future growth and development. While the majority of the County’sfuture growth will be concentrated near the Cumberland, Lavale, and Frostburg areas, secondarylevels of growth are also proposed west of Hancock, MD in proximity to the I-68 corridor.Specifically, the plan proposes residential, general urban, and commercial development activitiesto occur between Exits 64 and 77 along Interstate 68. However, the plan does not proposeimplementing public water and sewer systems in these areas. Without these utilities, the proposedresidential, general urban, and commercial development activities will most likely be limited in theirintensity. Nevertheless, the I-68 corridor west of I-70 provides the region with adequateopportunities for various levels of growth and development types by providing direct access to majormarket areas such as Baltimore, MD, Pittsburgh, PA, Philadelphia, PA, and points beyond.

To this extent, Fulton County’s Comprehensive Plan is consistent with the developmentproposals contained in the Allegany County Comprehensive Plan. In particular, the WarfordsburgGrowth Area was developed in response to the development potential offered by the accessibilityto Interstates 68 and 70, and the market areas they serve.

Inter-Municipal Developments



A Regional Comprehensive Development Plan was prepared in 1994 for the municipalitiesof McConnellsburg Borough, Ayr, Dublin, and Todd Township. The plan’s recommendations areintended to balance future growth and development within the existing rural and agriculturalcharacteristics of the McConnellsburg region. Consistent with the Fulton County ComprehensivePlan, the regional plan recommends focusing future commercial and mixed village developmentactivities near the Borough and areas having adequate infrastructure capacities. Furthermore, theexisting fertile agricultural areas lying within the Great Cove region are to continue. Finally, theplan recommends avoiding long linear paths of development, which coincides this plan’srecommendation of preserving U.S. Routes 30 and 522 as the County’s principle arterial roadways.

References

References

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000Ref-1

Ayr Township. Fulton County. Act 537 Wastewater Facility Plan for Ayr Township, Fulton County.October 1997.

Bedford and Fulton Counties. A Housing Stock Survey for Bedford and Fulton Counties. June 1994.

Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon Area Agency on Aging. Online. Internet.WWW.nb.net./~hbfaaa/page3.html. 23 Oct 1998.

Bedford and Fulton Counties. A Housing Stock Survey for Bedford and Fulton Counties. October1994.

Bethel Township. Fulton County. Act 537 Official Sewage Plan (Preliminary). November 1991.

Bon Data. Fulton County BonData Book. February 1996.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Dept. of Community Affairs. Annual Budget Report: County ofFulton. 1998.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Department of Agriculture. Farmland Preservation: Looking Outfor Pennsylvania's Future.

Fields, Jack. Personal Interview. 16 March 1998.

Ford, Tom. Personal Interview. 16 March 1998.

Fulton Industrial Development Association. Fulton County Economic Recovery Plan. January 8,1992.

Fulton County. Planning Commission. Fulton County, Pennsylvania Comprehensive Plan: PhaseI & II. 1980.

----. Board of Commissioners. Fulton County Hazardous Materials Transportation Commodity FlowStudy. February 28, 1997.

----. McConnellsburg Borough, et al. McConnellsburg Region Comprehensive DevelopmentPlan.1994.

----. Planning Commission. Fulton County Heritage Plan. August 1996.

----. Planning Commission. Fair Housing Analysis for Fulton County, Pennsylvania. 1991.

----. Planning Commission. Fulton County Transportation Study. 1997.

----. "Statement of Values." 1998.

---. Emergency Management Agency. Hazards Vulnerability Analysis. April 1990.

References


Fulton County Tourist Promotion Agency. "Fulton County Heritage Guide."

Fulton County Human Services Council. Fulton County Human Services Directory. 1997-98 ed.

Malot, Jana. Personal Interview. 16 March 1998.

Marsh, William M. Landscape Planning: Environmental Applications. 2nd ed. New York: JohnWiley & Sons, Inc., 1991.

McConnellsburg Sewerage Authority. Fulton County. Act 537 Plan for the McConnellsburgSewerage Authority Sewer Service Area: Including the Borough of McConnellsburg andPortions of the Townships of Ayr and Todd, Fulton County. November 1992.

McGinnis, Mary Lou. Personal Interview. 16 March 1998.

Mellott, Lindsay. Personal Interview. 1 May 1998.

Montgomery, Carla W. Fundamentals of Geology. 2nd ed. Dubuque, IA. Wm. C. Brown Publishers,1993.

Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association. "New Enterprise Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc." Online.Internet. WWW.prea.com/member/newenterprise.htm. 8 Sept. 1998.

----. "Bedford Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc." Online. Internet.WWW.prea.com/member/bedford.htm. 8 Sept. 1998.

---- . "Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc." Online. Internet.WWW.prea.com/member/valley.htm. 8 Sept. 1998.

Reed, Jennifer. Personal Interview. 16 March 1998.

Sherman, Lisa. Personal Interview. 16 March 1998.

Snyder, Jean. "Farmers: Where Have They Gone?: Part II." The Fulton County News. 18 Sept. 1997.

Snyder, Jean. "Where Have All the Farmers Gone?: Part I." The Fulton County News. 13 Sept. 1997.

So, Frank S., and Judith Getzels, eds. The Practice of Local Government Planning. 2nd ed.Washington, D.C: ICMA, 1988.

Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission. Long Range Transportation PolicyDocument for Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counites. 1997.

Taylor Township. Fulton County. Act 537 Official Sewage Facilities Plan for Taylor TownshipFulton County, Pennsylvania: Book 2, Appendices A-H. February 1997.

References


Taylor, Margaret U. Personal Interview. 1 May 1998.

Todd Township. Fulton County. Act 537 Plan: Todd Township, Fulton County. July 1991.

Truax, Troy D. Personal Interview. 16 March 1998.

United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey: Fulton County,Pennsylvania. November 1969.

United States Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census. 1990 Census of Population andHousing; Summary Population and Housing Characteristics, Pennsylvania. Washington:GPO, 1991.

Definitions

Definitions

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000��

The following words are defined in order to facilitate the use of the Beaver CountyComprehensive Plan.

Affordable: A sales price or rent within the means of a low- or moderate-income household asdefined by state or federal legislation.

Arterial Highway: A Principal Arterial provides land access while retaining a high degree of thrutraffic mobility and serves major centers of urban activity and traffic generation. They provide ahigh speed, high volume network for travel between major destinations in both rural and urban areas.A Minor Arterial gives greater emphasis to land access with a lower level of thru traffic mobilitythan a principal arterial and serves larger schools, industries, hospitals and small commercial areasnot incidentally served by principal arterials.

Cluster Development: A liveable communities practice for rural areas, cluster development is apattern of development in which buildings are grouped on a portion of the tract and the remainingland is preserved for agricultural use, open space, or a park.

Community Park: Focuses on meeting community-based recreation needs, as well as preservingunique landscapes and open spaces; usually serves two or more neighborhoods and a ½ to 3-mileradius; and has an optimal size of between 20 and 50 acres, but should be based on the land areaneeded to accommodate the desired uses.

Comprehensive Plan: A long-range plan intended to guide growth and development of acommunity or region, prepared in accord with the requirements of the Pennsylvania MunicipalitiesPlanning Code. At a minimum the plan includes: (1) a statement of objectives regarding futuredevelopment, (2) a land use plan, (3) a housing plan, (4) a plan for the movements of people andgoods, (5) a community facilities and utilities plan, and (6) a statement of the relationship of the planto contiguous municipalities.

Development: The division of a parcel of land into two or more parcels; the construction,reconstruction, conversion, structural alteration, relocation, or enlargement of any structure; anymining, excavation, landfill, or land disturbance; and any use or extension of the use of land.

Development Timing: Regulating the rate and geographic sequence of development. [Comment:Large-scale developments are often phased in terms of the number of units and geographic area. Theapproving authority has to ensure that each phase can stand on its own in terms of circulation,utilities, and so on, in the event subsequent phases are delayed or canceled. This can be done byrequiring these facilities to be built at the same time or by requiring a performance guarantee.

Effective Agricultural Zoning: Zoning which prevents the extensive or widespread conversion offarmland to non-agriculturally oriented development including, but not limited to, housing,commercial, employment and institutional uses.

Flood Fringe: That portion of floodplain outside the floodway.

Floodplain: A flood plain may be either/or a combination of: (a) a relatively flat or low land areawhich is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, river or

Definitions

Fulton County Comprehensive Plan Final - May 2000D-2

watercourse, during a 100-year design frequency storm; or (b) any area subject to the unusual andrapid accumulation of runoff or surface waters from any source.

Floodproofing: A combination of structural provisions and changes or adjustments to propertiesand structures subject to flooding for the reduction or elimination of flood damage to properties,water and sanitary facilities, and other utilities, structures, and the contents of buildings.

Floodway: The channel of a stream, river, or other body of water, and any adjacent floodplain areas,that must be kept free of encroachment in order that the 100-year flood can be carried withoutincreasing flood heights by more than one (1) foot at any point and without creating hazardousvelocities.

Freeway: Limited access roads designed for large volumes of traffic between communities of50,000 or more to major regional traffic generators (such as central business districts, suburbanshopping centers and industrial areas); freeways should be tied directly to arterial roads, withaccessibility limited to specific interchanges to avoid the impediment of through traffic.

Historic Preservation Ordinance: A regulation that identifies historic districts and protects themfrom major changes, and provides for the appointment of a Historical Architectural Review Boardor a Historical Commission.

Hydric Soil: A soil that is saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season todevelop anaerobic conditions in the upper part.

Impervious Surface: A surface that does not absorb rain, including all buildings and otherstructures, parking areas, driveways, roads, sidewalks, storage areas and areas of concrete andnonporous asphalt and other such areas as shall be determined to be nonporous by the Board ofSupervisors and/or Township Engineer.

In-fill Development: Development of vacant parcels of land within the inner city, or in establishedneighborhoods, which for some reason were passed over when the initial development occurred, orwere cleared of substandard structures and are ready for new development. In-fill development hasthe potential to overtax the capacity of the existing infrastructure if the development density exceedsthe density for which the infrastructure was designed.

Industrial Waste: Any liquid, gaseous, radioactive, solid or other substance which is not sewageresulting from manufacturing or industry or other plant or works. The term shall include substanceswhether or not generally characterized as waste.

Infrastructure: The basic facilities, equipment, services and installations needed to support thegrowth and functioning of an urban area or developing community. Infrastructure includes, but isnot limited to, roads, sanitary sewers and water supply systems.

Interstate Highway: Limited access highways designed for traffic between major regional areasor larger urban communities of 50,000 or more; these highways extend beyond state boundaries, withaccess limited to interchanges located by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Definitions


Local Roads: Those that are local in character and serve farms, residences, businesses,neighborhoods and abutting properties.

Liveable Communities: Alternatives to the conventional patterns of development that haveoccurred in Fulton County since World War II. Liveable communities provide for the everydaysocial, physical and recreational needs of residents; promote a sense of community; and are sensitiveto the natural, historical, architectural, and cultural heritage of the area. Liveable communities arecharacterized by the following elements: multi-purpose interconnecting streets, a variety of housingtypes at a variety of densities, a mix of uses, and open space designed as a focal point for thecommunity.

Mini Park: Addresses limited, isolated, or unique recreational needs; usually serves less than a ¼-mile radius; and is less than 5 acres in size.

Minor Arterial Highway: Minor Arterials give greater emphasis to land access with a lower levelof thru traffic mobility than principal arterials and serve larger schools, industries, hospitals andsmall commercial areas not incidentally served by principal arterials.

Municipal Waste: Waste including garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and othermaterial including solid, liquid, semi-solid or contained gaseous material resulting from operationof residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments, and from community activitiesand any sludge not defined as residual or hazardous waste from a municipal, commercial orinstitutional water supply treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant or air pollution control facility.The term does not include source-separated recyclable materials. Municipal waste does not includeresidue from a municipal waste incineration facility or infectious or chemotherapeutic waste.

Natural Landscapes: Environmentally sensitive features of Fulton County which include streamcorridors, woodlands, wetlands, groundwater recharge areas, steep slopes, and prime agriculturalsoils.

Neighborhood Park: As the basic unit of the park system, serves as the recreational and social focusof a neighborhood with opportunities for informal active and passive recreation; serves a ¼ to ½-mile radius uninterrupted by nonresidential roads and other physical barriers; and is at least 5 acresin size with 7 to 10 acres being optimal.

New Suburban Community: A new suburban community is an alternative to the traditionalsuburban-style, residential subdivision. A new suburban community provides a mix of housingopportunities, smaller lot sizes, common open space areas, parks, greenways, pathways, and a towncenter. These elements provide a community in place of a residential development.

Open Space: Any parcel or area of land or water essentially unimproved and set aside, dedicated,designated or reserved for the public or private use or enjoyment, or for the use and enjoyment ofowners or occupants of land adjoining such open space.

Performance Standards: A minimum requirement or maximum allowable limit on the effects orcharacteristics of a use, usually written in the form of regulatory language. Performance standardsin zoning might describe allowable uses with respect to smoke, odor, noise, heat, vibration, glare,

Definitions


traffic generation, visual impact, and so on, instead of the more traditional classifications of "light"or "heavy" lists of uses.

Performance Zoning: See Performance Standards.

Prime Farmland Soils: Prime farmland, as identified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is theland that is best suited to producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. It has the soilquality, growing season, and water supply needed to economically produce a sustained high yieldof crops when it is treated and managed using acceptable farming methods. Prime farmlandproduces the highest yields with minimal inputs of energy and economic resources, and farming itresults in the least damage to the environment.

Planned Residential Development: An area of land, controlled by a landowner to be developedas a single entity for a number of dwelling units; the development plan for which does notcorrespond in lot size, bulk or type of dwelling, density, lot coverage, and required open space to theregulations established in anyone residential district created, from time to time, under the provisionsof the zoning ordinance.

Principal Arterial Highway: Principal Arterials provide land access while retaining a high degreeof thru traffic mobility and serve major centers of urban activity and traffic generation. They providea high speed, high volume network for travel between major destinations in both rural and urbanareas. There currently no principal arterials classified in Upper Allen Township.

Rural Area: A sparsely developed area, with a population density of less than one hundred personsper square mile and where the land is undeveloped or primarily used for agricultural purposes.

Strip Commercial Development: Commercial or retail uses, usually one-story high and one-storedeep, that front on a major street. [Comment: Strip commercial development is typicallycharacterized by street frontage parking lots serving individual or strips of stores. Some oldercommercial strips, however, are dependent on on-street parking and, in some cases, parking lotsinterspersed among or positioned behind the buildings. Strip commercial differs from centralbusiness districts and shopping centers in at least two of the following characteristics: (1) there areno provisions for pedestrian access between individual uses; (2) the uses are only one-store deep;(3) the buildings are arranged linearly rather than clustered; and (4) there is no design integrationamong individual uses.]

Suburban Area: A predominantly low-density residential area located immediately outside of andphysically and socioeconomically associated with an urban area or a city.

Supplemental Farm Business: An auxiliary use to the primary agricultural use of a property inwhich residents engage in a commercial activity that is secondary to the primary agricultural activityon the property, that is conducted on the farm, and that does not change the primary agriculturalcharacteristics of the property or neighborhood.

Sustainable Development/Community: A community that lives off the “interest” of its“capital”–its natural, human/social, and financial/built resources–and maintains or enhances thatcapital.

Definitions


Timed Development: See Development Timing.

Transitional Area: (1) An area in the process of changing from one use to another or chaning fromone racial or ethnic occupancy to another; (2) an area that acts as a buffer between two land uses ofdifferent intensity and compatibility.

Urban Area: A highly developed area that includes, or is appurtenant to, a central city of place andcontains a variety of industrial, commercial, residential, and cultural uses.

Urban Extension: An extension of the community in place of a residential subdivision.

Urban In-fill: See In-fill Development.

Village Development: A liveable communities practice for rural areas, villages are generallycompact, streets are interconnected, and there is a clear distinction between the village and thesurrounding countryside. Elements of a village include a mix of uses, usable open space, andattractive streets.

Watershed Stormwater Management Plan: Defined in the context of Pennsylvania Act 167, itprovides the framework for improved management of the storm runoff impacts associated with thedevelopment of land. The purposes of the Act are to encourage the sound planning and managementof storm runoff, to coordinate the stormwater management efforts within each watershed, and toencourage the local administration and management of a coordinated stormwater program.

Working Class: The class of people who work for wages usually at manual labor.

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