Karla Schweitzer Farrell, rla, aicp leep ap

land planning portfolio Karla Schweitzer Farrell, RLA, AICP, LEED AP+

land planning portfolio

911 Smith Drive York, PA 17408 Phone: 717.225.6875 e-mail: [email protected]

land planning portfolio land planning portfolio

table of contents

resume

projects

presentations

client remarks

activities

table of contents

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5

18

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1

Karla Schweitzer Farrell, RLA, AICP, LEED AP+

Statement

Registration

Education

Education

Pennsylvania State University, Bachelor of Science

Major in Landscape Architecture

Coursework: Low Impact Development & Stormwater Management, Wetland Identification &

Restoration, Best Management Practices.

Registrations

1989, Pennsylvania, Registered Landscape Architect

1991, Maryland Registered Landscape Architect

2003, Virginia, Certified Landscape Architect

2002, CLARB Certified Landscape Architect

2010, New Jersey, Registered Landscape Architect

2008, LEED AP, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Accredited Professional

2010, AICP, Certified Planner

Statement It is my objective to utilize my site design, planning and project management experience in

a land planning role to preserve historic assets, and develop communities and the built

environment to comply with the principles of economic, social and ecological

sustainability. It is important to me to incorporate green technology, landscape

architecture and innovative design into all projects, so that they are an expression of

sustainable technology.

2

Karla Schweitzer Farrell, RLA, AICP, LEED AP+

current

responsibilities

current

responsibilities

Responsible for directing multi-disciplined

project teams of over forty professional,

including Landscape Architects, Civil

Engineers, Traffic Engineers, Structural

Engineers, Utility Engineers, Architects, GIS

technicians, Cost Estimators, technical writers,

Sales Associates, Surveyors, Environmental

Scientists, CADD designers, CADD operators,

and Administrative Assistants in the

preparation of Masterplans, feasibility studies,

land development plans, recreational plans,

construction document preparation, and

marketing documents. Responsibilities include

sales presentations, contract negotiations,

contract oversight, staff building,

interdisciplinary coordination, sales planning

and Department goal setting.

3

2000-present

Sr Landscape Architect

& Planner

Land Planning Dept. Head

Buchart-Horn, Inc.

“Few things can help an individual more than to place

responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.”

-Booker T. Washington

Karla Schweitzer Farrell, RLA, AICP, LEED AP

past

experience

past

experience

1989-1999

Landscape Architect (RLA)

Project Manager

Buchart-Horn, Inc.

Coordinated all aspects of project design including

permitting, additional services contracts

preparation, PHMC clearances, project encoding,

billing, easement & access agreements, federal,

state and local permitting, condominium lot

development, off-site roadway improvements,

coordination with clients/attorneys. Prepared or

supervised all aspects of site design including

stormwater management, wetland

delineation/mitigation, erosion and sediment

control design, construction administration,

construction management, and landscape design.

Projects included recreational development,

industrial development, state and municipal

development, utility, highway and airport

improvements, site work for public schools,

universities, state and county institutions, historic

planning, and bike trail planning and design.

4

Past experience should be a guidepost, not a hitching post



projects projects

–Recreation/

Transportation

planning

–Community planning

–Sustainable design

5



Project name: Sligo Creek

Hiker/Biker Trail, Stream

Valley Unit I

Site: Silver Spring, MD

Objective: to extend the

Sligo Creek Hiker Biker trail

to Washington D.C. while

minimizing the impact to the

stream valley.

Client: Maryland National

Capital Park and Planning

Commission

Recreation/Transportation

As the project Landscape Architect, I prepared a Feasibility

Study, an Environmental Assessment, and Contract

Documents for the extension of the Hiker / Biker Trail in Sligo

Creek Park. We evaluated the 1929 NCPC development plan,

the coinciding sanitary sewer improvements program, and

developed five alternative designs and their corresponding

impacts on the flora, fauna, and aquatic resources. My team

prepared a recommendation on the basis of environmental

affects, public safety and welfare concerns, and community

and agency input. I conducted a public “walk through” and

participated in televised public presentations. Construction

documents were prepared for 3 miles of trail within the study

and in neighboring Prince Georges County. Rob Bushnell,

former chief of the Maryland Scenic and Wild Rivers Program,

said the design of this portion of the trail "is very, very

environmentally sensitive." The project was strongly

supported by the Washington Area Bicyclist Association,

Anacostia Headwaters Greenway and the Coalition for the

Metropolitan Branch Trail. The trail was designated as a

National Recreation Trail in 2006.

6

http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/trailNRT/SligoCreek-MD.html




Project name: Jonathan

Eshenour Memorial Trail

Site: Hershey, PA

Objective: to provide a trail

that will serve both recreation

and alternative transportation

needs for Hershey residents,

connecting most

neighborhoods with major

employers and all township

parks.

Client: Derry Township


The Eshenours channeled their grief

for Jonathan, their 12-year-old son

killed in a bicycle accident, into a

Foundation that lead to the planning

of a 22-mile biking and walking path

in Derry Twp. As the resident Sr.

Landscape Architect at Buchart-Horn,

I had the pleasure of working with the

Derry Township Recreation

Department for many years, first in

the development of the

Bicycle/Pedestrian Masterplan, and

then in the preparation of construction

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documents for four phases of the trail. The funding sources and Land contributors included the

Federal Highway Administration, PA Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, the

Jonathan Eshenour Foundation, Milton Hershey School Trust, and the Penn State Milton S.

Hershey Medical Center. I coordinated federal and state grants through the township and PA

Department of Transportation. All portions of the trail have been designed to the requirements

of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Official’s (AASHTO) “Guide

for the Development of New Bicycle Facilities” and the Americans with Disabilities Act. One of

my favorite work related moments took place during one of the trail ribbon cutting ceremonies.

As we stood at the presentation, I watched runners, bikers and stroller pushers using the

new trail, stop to personally thank the Eshenours for their community contribution. I was

thrilled to be involved with such a positive institution.


Project name: Barnegat

Branch Trail

Site: Ocean County, NJ

Objective: to utilize an

abandoned rail line as a

continuous recreation trail

through four municipalities.

Increase opportunities for

tourism by creating the trail

as a destination and linking

the historic villages of

Barnegat and Toms River.

Client: Strauss and

Associates/Planners


I attended a Trail Design Conference in Harrisburg in 2004, where I met

Andrew Strauss, AICP, a long term consultant for Ocean County

Department of Recreation and Parks. Andrew was finalizing the Trail

Masterplan and looking for a partner with trail design and construction

experience, who also had experience working with traffic and roadway

engineers. We kept in touch until the County was ready to move on the

construction of the first phase of the trail in 2007. Through Strauss and

Associates, I have wholly enjoyed assisting Ocean County Department

of Recreation and Parks with the design trail amenities for the trail

section previously built and subsequent sections through our continuing

on-call contract for Landscape Architectural and trail planning services.

My team and I developed sign designs for wayfinding along the trail,

9

trailhead facility design; landscape plans to provide shade to trail users, stabilize the

project areas, and enhance the opportunity for recovery of the indigenous flora and

fauna; trail design for environmentally sensitive areas; conceptual stream crossing

alternatives; and modifications to existing roadway traffic patterns to ensure safety of

the trail user. Additional tasks included evaluation of historically significant structures

adjacent to the trail right-of-way, architectural design of visitor centers, construction

administration assistance, and planning for future development.


Project name: Columbia

River Park

Site: Columbia, PA

Objective: to improve a

historic recreation facility

along the Susquehanna River

that would also support

economic Development and

environmental enhancement

Client: Columbia Borough

Recreation Planning Winner of the 2010

Governors Award

for ....Promoting

Community and

Economic

Revitalization

and the

Keystone 20th

Anniversary Award

for an exemplary

Parks and

Recreation project

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Improvements to the boat launching ramp involve an improved circulation

system and better staging areas. The new canoe and kayak loading facility will be

constructed near the storm water outfall on the north side of the river bridge. The project

incorporates several Best Management Features, which will improve the quality of the

stormwater runoff from the park, and provide healthier environments for adjacent flora and

fauna. More than 20 state and local agencies became involved in the project, with a mission

to turn the downtown riverfront into a tourist attraction. Their combined efforts resulted in an

expansion of the boating facilities, walkways, a kayak launching area, picnic tables, and

pedestrian access to the Susquehanna River.

"There have been lots of exciting changes at the riverfront. And you'll see plenty more coming down

the road," says Leo Lutz, Mayor, Borough of Columbia.

Today, things are looking greener for the environment as well as the economy. Columbia

Borough officials' hard work has brought about some eco-friendly side effects. They've

preserved open space, revitalized a community resource, and provided increased opportunities

for non-motorized transportation.


Additional: To the left are

additional projects I have

managed and/or designed.

There are too many projects

for which to include

individual detail in this

venue. However, if there is

anything that looks

interesting, please contact me

and I will be happy to provide

review material.

Contact info: [email protected]

http://www.linkedin.com/pu

b/karla-farrell-rla-aicp-leed-

ap/8/592/1a4

T: 717.225.6875

Recreation/Transportation Planning

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Gelder Park, Hershey, PA

Gywnn Falls Trail Feasibility Study, Baltimore MD

Bell Tavern Park, East Caln Township, PA

Sandy Hills Park Skateboard Park, Lansdowne, MD

Potomac National Scenic Trail, Belmont Bay, VA

Cromwell Valley Park, Cromwell, MD

Hershey Recreation Center, Hershey, PA

Mt. Hope Estate and Winery, Mt. Hope, PA

York Heritage Rail/Trail Feasibility Study, York, PA

Honeygo Run Park, Perry Hall, MD

Dutterer Family Park, Westminster, MD

Wakefield Valley Community Trail, Westminster, MD

Eden Mill Dam Rehabilitation, Harford Co., MD

Stroud Region Levee Loop Trail, Stroudsburg area, PA

mailto:[email protected]


Project name: The

Hershey Story, The Museum

at Chocolatetown Square

Site: Hershey, PA

Objective: to provide

educational and cultural

opportunities to the

community and visitors and

celebrate the life and legacy

of Milton S. Hershey.

Client: The M.S. Hershey

Foundation,

Community Planning

The M.S. Hershey Foundation, engaged Buchart-Horn for landscape architecture and civil

engineering services to develop “The Hershey Story: The Museum at Chocolatetown Square”

The immense building was fitted on a small but prominent W. Chocolate Ave site in the

heart of downtown Hershey, PA. I worked with the building architects, the museum exhibit

designer, Gary Goddard Entertainment, and staff members from the Hershey Museum,

Hershey Foundation, Hershey Trust Company and Hershey Entertainment & Resorts to

ensure the vision for the site and its use and aesthetic, was accomplished while meeting all

the municipal, county and state requirements for Stormwater Management, Highway

Occupancy, Zoning and Land Development.

The museum project necessitated an agreement between several major downtown entities

to share existing downtown parking and the parking garage located immediately behind the

new Museum. Even with this additional coordination, all site related permits and approvals

were obtained as scheduled. Downtown visitors can park in the free parking garage and

visit the Museum, or directly access West Chocolate Ave by the pedestrian Allee

incorporated into the Museum’s site design.

11


Project name: The

Columbia Water Company

Site: Columbia, PA

Objective: to flood-proof

and upgrade the 150+ year

old water plant situated

within the Columbia Borough

Historic District as well at the

Susquehanna River floodplain

Client: The Columbia Water

Company

Community Planning I worked with the environmental engineers in

developing a scope of services that incorporated

sustainable design components that saved space,

energy, the environment and money. The plant fronts

on a prominent street within the historic district and the

waterfront, therefore the local Historic review board

was very interested in historically significant buildings

and aesthetic upgrades. The existing concrete and

rubble ice wall and chain link barbed wire fencing was

replaced with a reinforced brick wall and black picket

fence that complemented the site while maintaining

necessary security.

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The original 1848 buildings were maintained, and the original pump buildings that flooded

were rebuilt to be two stories tall. All the buildings were connected with a second story

walkway system to allow access during emergency events. A cellular confinement

pavement system was used in areas infrequently accessed by vehicle in order to minimize

runoff. The project required many environmental/land development approvals, including a

DEP/COE Joint Permit. All site related permits and approvals were obtained as scheduled.

Plant entrance before…

Proposed plant entrance rendering


Additional: To the left are

additional projects I have

managed and/or designed.

There are too many projects

for which to include

individual detail in this

venue. However, if there is

anything that looks

interesting, please contact me

and I will be happy to provide

material you might wish to

review.

Contact info: [email protected]

http://www.linkedin.com/pu

b/karla-farrell-rla-aicp-leed-

ap/8/592/1a4

T: 717.225.6875

Community Planning 13

Codorus Creek Corridor Revitalization, York, PA

Central York School District Elementary schools, York, PA

Carlisle Barracks Housing, U.S. Army War College, PA

York Water Company, York, PA

Hershey Recreation Center, Hershey, PA

Eden Mill Dam Rehabilitation, Harford Co., MD

Sunbury Riverfront Masterplan, Sunbury, PA

Marietta-Donegal WWTP, Marietta, PA

York City Police Station, York, PA

mailto:[email protected]


Project name: West York

Area School District High

School and Middle School

campus

Site: York, PA

Objective: to expand

education facilities, increase

the recreation facilities, and

maintain the Middle School

campus incorporating the

guidelines of Smart Growth,

(encouraging development

that serves the economy,

community public health and

the environment.)

Client: West York Area

School District

Sustainable Design

communities they serves. In order to maintain the proximity to the borough

population in accordance with Smart Growth, we designed a middle school

within the existing campus rather than looking elsewhere for an easier

building lot. Limiting our project space to the available open space enabled

the existing middle school be in operation until the new school was complete.

We worked with the school district to obtain adjacent vacant properties and

prepared a subdivision plan to combine the lots. While this school was

designed and built prior to the PA edict for LEED (Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design) design, we incorporated many Best Management

Practices into the site design, minimizing stormwater run-off and promoting

pollutant and particulate removal. Expansion to the High School was also

part of the project program.

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West York Area School

District’s middle school and

high school are on a 44 acre

campus straddling the

border of the two

High School courtyard before…

…and after the library addition at the courtyard’s far end


Project name: Hershey

Center for Applied Research

Site: Hershey, PA

Objective: Incorporating the guidelines

of Smart Growth,

(encouraging development

that serves the economy,

community public health and

the environment.)

Client: The Hershey Trust

Company

Sustainable Design

parcel incorporates a restored stream, protection of the associated

floodplain habitat, native vegetation enhancement, and extensive

implementation of Stormwater Best Management Practices. The

development did not disturb areas within the 100-year floodplain

and maintained a minimum buffer from the tributary. Center

employees and visitors have the option of alternative transportation,

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Winner of the

2009 GBACPA

Design Award for

Sustainable Sites

& the 2012

Dauphin County

Premier Award

for Sustainable

Growth

The site development principles specify protecting natural resources

and minimizing negative impact on the environment. The 165-acre

as it is within a quarter-mile of two bus routes and free shuttle to HCAR. The site also includes

a connection to the Jonathon Eshenhour Memorial Bike Trail located on the property.

The stormwater management plan promotes infiltration and control discharge rates from two

stormwater basins. Stormwater runoff is treated by utilization of rain gardens, vegetated

swales,and bio-swales, and is minimized by the use of vegetated pervious pavement for fire

lanes. The parking lot is divided by linear landscaped bioswales that collect runoff. Small dams

spaced in the swales slow the flow of rainwater, promoting infiltration and allowing solids to

settle out prior to entering the inlet at the end of the swale.


Project name: Butler

Street Green Streetscape

Site: Etna, PA

Objective: Remove storm water runoff

from the combined sewer

system while incorporating

the guidelines of Smart

Growth, (encouraging

development that serves the

economy, community public

health and the environment.)

Client: Etna Borough

Sustainable Design

The Borough of Etna is a small Rivertowne

situated NW of the Allegheny River near

Pittsburgh. Etna received a sizable grant from

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Butler Street Roofs

The Borough proposed the use of ‘Green Street’ BMPs which will encourage development that

serves the economy, community, public health and the environment. Because this streetscape is

home to the borough’s commercial district, it is imperative that the final design take into

consideration the needs of the business community. The installation of ‘rain gardens’ within the

narrow pedestrian area was not feasible . We came up with a design that incorporated the

existing conditions of 100 year old infrastructure, Etna’s ‘Ironworks’ history, traffic patterns, a

limited public works budget, and pedestrian safety by designing an ornamental grating system

that collected the water from the roof drains and impervious surfaces that watered the street

trees and promoted infiltration. The sidewalk trench drain will be locally manufactured cast iron

portraying the historic ‘iron works’ concept, and be in a curvilinear pattern, which emanates

water in a natural pattern, and will include the use of an underground modular storage system.

Growing Greener to construct a Green Streetscape to remove runoff

from Butler Street in its Central Business District from

its Combined Sewer System to minimize the frequency and volume

of combined sewer overflows as well as Urban Runoff reduction.


Project name: Spring

Garden Township Municipal

Complex

Site: York, PA

Objective: to provide

administrative, police and

public works space while

providing opportunity for

education recreation and

conservation.

Client: Spring Garden

Township Board of

Supervisors

Sustainable Design

Spring Garden township desired to

expand their municipal facility by

developing an available brownfield

site. Buchart-Horn developed a master

site plan in accordance with DCNR

requirements, then generated

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On site tributary to be protected

construction documents for bidding. We identified the physical and cultural aspects of the

site, and how they might affect development of the 54 acre site which included a proposed

administration building, a public works building and proposed recreation facilities. The site

included some challenging natural and cultural site characteristics including steep slopes,

wetlands, a pond, Mill Creek, a myrid of utility corridors and a railroad right-of-way, limiting

opportunities for development. The previous use had been industrial, and required

contaminant clean up. It was incumbent on us to consider the contaminants when locating site

components and designing stormwater infiltration measures.

The township desired to include Best Management Practice facilities, providing examples of

low impact design and responsible stormwater management to township residents and

developers. The project included several types of pervious pavement, rain gardens, bio-

swales, special surfaces “inlets” (designed to take runoff from the road surface to a vegetated

swale behind the curb, rather than into a piped system.) oil-grit separators, streambank

stabilization, and forest restoration, andeducational and interpretive placards to illustrate and

explain the BMP’s.

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Beyond the Great Recession - South Central Pennsylvania 2020 Summit.

Speaker and Panelist for the Energy and the Environment Workshop. The

South Central Assembly (SCA) has offered several area wide Policy Summits

that have provided leadership and guidance to help its 8 counties through

difficult times since its creation in 1997. This Summit was designed to help

communities and their institutions chart a new course by examining our

difficulties and developing recovery and renewal strategies based on the

Regions' many strengths. My presentation illustrated how Sustainable

Communities can help the economy while complying with social and ecological

sustainability.

Sustainable Rivertownes - Balancing Community, Economy & Environment

Guest Lecturer: Preserving our heritage, bolstering our economy and protecting

our environment can happen at the same time with the same investment! REAL

sustainability promotes ALL components of a healthy planet and a healthy

community, not just one or two. There are cool things we have done in the past

that can be incorporated into our future to help us meet environmental and

economic goals. Learn how the built environment can improve the health,

safety and welfare of not only people and the community, but the environment

as well.

Public presentations for planning purposes: Spring Garden Township Municipal

Complex Masterplan; York County Rail Trail Authority Heritage Trail Feasibility

Study; Broadcreek Trail Masterplan, Stroud Region Open space and Recreation

Commission, Stroudsburg and East Stroudsburg, Columbia Riverpark Master

Site Plan. http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/754491_Columbia-s-River-Park-getting-improvements.html

“Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson -


Public

Presentations

Public

Presentations

A frequent speaker and

presenter on sustainable

planning topics, including:

Beyond the Great

Recession - South Central

Pennsylvania 2020

Summit.

‘Sustainable Rivertownes’

Susquehanna Gateway

Heritage Area

Zimmerman Center for

Heritage

http://lancasteronline.com/article/local/754491_Columbia-s-River-Park-getting-improvements.html











Client &

Colleague

remarks

Client &

Colleague

remarks In my twenty+ years

experience, I have

worked with

consultants, private

developers, non-

profit organizations,

municipalities,

county agencies,

state bureaus and

various arms of the

federal government.

To the left are some

comments about my

work.

(References

available upon

request.)

“Karla - just a quick note to say thanks for you and your team's effort. We had a vision that was

expressed in concept only as far as a site design that would keep this a special place and respect the

setting and tradition of the land. You and your team's site design made that vision a reality.”

-- Ken Gall, Director Real Estate, The Hershey Trust Company.

“Karla - Happy New Year! . . . I look forward to continued progress on the BBT and working w/you

and BH this year. You've been a wonderful partner (and super-sub) on this project.”

-- Andrew Strauss, AICP, Principal, Strauss Associates/Planners

“Karla, Thanks for your continued professional efforts and support for our River Park Project. We

were very pleased with your presentation at our meeting last night and are eagerly awaiting actual

"ground breaking" as we go forward.”

-- Charles Hershey, Secretary, Columbia Riverpark Focus Group

“You Rock!”

-- Lori Yeich, Natural Resource Supervisor, Department of Conservation &

Natural Resources

“Karla, Thanks so much for a great presentation, and for arranging the DEP meeting and getting the

kind of results we were looking for.”

-- Tim Herd, Executive Director, Stroud Region Open Space

and Recreation Commission

“Makes my Friday afternoon just about perfect...after a long week. And 'thank you' to you for this

great result!

-- Gwen Loose, CPRP, Executive Director, YCRTA

“Karla – I know people don’t come right and say things like this, but WELL DONE! I know there was

a reason why I encouraged the Stroud Region to go with you and Buchart Horn. The project is just as

it was envisioned, and it’s great! I was glad to have an opportunity to work with you. “

-- Chuck Reid, former Executive Director, Stroud Region Open space and Recreation

Commission

“Karla, Congratulations! Thanks for keeping Derry Township heading in the right direction.”

-- Glenn Rowe, PE, Chief PA Dept. of Transportation, Traffic Engineering and Permits

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“Most remarks that are worth making are commonplace remarks. The things that

makes them worth saying is that we really mean them.” Robert Staughton Lynd

activities

activities West Manchester Zoning

Hearing Board, Vice-

Chairperson, 2009-

West Manchester Sewer

Authority, Board Member,

2006-2008

Pennsylvania Garden Show of

York 2013, Judge

York County Coummunty

Foundation committtee member

Green Building Council

education committee

York Conservation Society,

Board of Directors, 2008-

Susquehanna Greenways

Guest Lecturer

Team Effort participant (repairing

homes of

families in need)

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When I began my career, I learned Storm water management design

in order to fill out my billable time. This education has been a tremendous

experience because understanding runoff and flood issues helped me to find

ways to incorporate these “engineering” requirements into aesthetic and ecological

site designs; finding a balance between function and form.

In putting together this portfolio, I noticed the components that make

up my career (that have seemed haphazard at times), work together to support my

need for balance. I have supported growth, but campaigned for low impact

development. I have influenced decision-makers to retain schools within the

existing built community rather than develop a remote farm, by finding innovative

ways to expand within limitations. I have found ways to allow businesses to grow

while minimizing the impact on the planet. I have been fortunate to have had

many clients with similar goals.

Bike trails have been my passion since 1999 because of the

numerous ways a slender pavement course can improve life quality. Trails

provide alternative transportation avenues thereby reducing pollution, provide

recreation and exercise venues, promote healthy lifestyles and walking to school,

and revive small communities that historically had busy downtowns and villages

built around rail stops. Trails also help preserve the original rail rights-of-ways

that might someday make it easier to revive mass transportation. In a July 20th

2009 National Cities Weekly article, Neal Peirce wrote, "More fitness. America's

obesity epidemic curbed. Less gasoline burned, fewer carbon emissions, safer

streets, improved access to public transit. Those are just some of the reasons why

biking and walking proponents say it's time for the federal government to focus

less on new and expanded highways, and far more on safe pathways and

'complete streets' for our towns and cities.”

I continue to look to balance the best from the past with opportunities

for the future.

What use is a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"

Henry David Thoreau -

Karla Schweitzer Farrell, RLA, AICP, LEED AP 911 Smith Drive York, PA 17408 Phone: 717.225.6875 e-mail: [email protected]

Karla Schweitzer Farrell, rla, aicp leep ap

Career

Transcript of Karla Schweitzer Farrell, rla, aicp leep ap