American Planning AssociationPennsylvania Chapter

Making Great Communities Happen

THE VANTAGE POINT

April/May 2011 • Number 159 • www.planningpa.org

APAPA A Publication of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association

THE VANTAGE POINT 1

APAPAPromotinga Culture ofPlanning

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

PENNSYLVANIA AGAIN SELECTEDFOR SOME OF APA’S “GREAT PLACES”

GREATPLACES

APA’s

in AmericaEVERY YEAR, APA HIGHLIGHTS “GREAT PLACES” inthree categories: neighborhoods, streets, and public spaces.The designations are based on many criteria, including cul-tural importance, design quality, and community involvement.Most important is the extent to which selections reflect aplanning vision, foster a community’s sense of place, enhancethe quality of life, and promote sustainability. To qualify fordesignation, places must be at least 10 years old.

All of the places chosen are described in full on APA’s web-site. The site includes photographs, comments from localplanners, and media coverage. It also includes material on past

designations, information about proposing othergreat places, selection guidelines, and answers tocommonly asked questions about the program.

On the Streets Where We LiveAs visual corridors, streets are an important part ofthe public realm. All kinds of streets are eligible for“Great Streets” designation, from alleys to arterials.The best candidates, according to the guidelines, are“complete streets,” which serve a variety of users

CONGRATULATIONSto Philadelphia, PAand Franklin, PA!Both were recentlyrecognized by theAmerican PlanningAssociation in itsannual list of “GreatPlaces”—Franklin fora Great Street andPhiladelphia for aGreat Public Space.They were featuredin the December2010 issue of Plan-ning; excerpts of thearticle appear here.

Jane Jacobs called the CenterCity area around the six-acreRittenhouse Square “the perfectneighborhood” because of itsvibrant mixture of housing,shops, and cultural institutions. Rittenhouse

THE PA CHAPTER Annual Conferenceoffers excellent opportunities tosponsors, exhibitors and advertisers.Be a part of the largest annual gath-ering of Pennsylvania’s professionalplanners and planning officials bysponsoring, exhibiting or advertisingat the event. The ConferenceAnnouncement, distributed in July2011, is expected to reach 5,000members of Pennsylvania’s planningcommunity. This detailed bookletincludes all sponsors, exhibitors,and advertisers who have confirmedtheir support by June 22, 2011,together with detailed informationabout the full conference program.

Be sure your company or organi-zation maximizes the benefit of theseopportunities—confirm yourarrangements with the PA Chapteroffice no later than June 22, 2010. Details are available online at www.planningpa.org. Click on “Annual Conference.”

Connect! at the PA Chapter

Annual Conference

with planners

Exhibitors!

NEW THIS YEAR!

Confirm your exhibit space

at the time of booking.

See the Sponsor, Exhibit

, and

Advertise packet for more details

AVAILABLE AT

www.planningpa.org.

Click on “Annual Conferen

ce”

Sponsor, Exhibit

& Advertise!

by Ruth Eckdish Knack, AICP

2 APRIL/MAY 2011 • NUMBER 159

ACTIVEALLEGHENY is a blueprintfor improved access and choicesto connect people to communi-ties, work sites, transit, schools,attractions and residences. Theplan integrates non-vehicularmodes of transportation, specifi-cally walking and biking, intoour transportation system toincrease “livability”. Benefits andrewards of active transportationrange from: cost savings; low-cost exercise opportunities forhealthier lifestyles; a morevibrant, safe community withneighbors-out-on-the-street andpotential for revitalized localbusiness districts; reductions incongestion, air pollutants andgreenhouse gas emissions; andincreases in neighborhood desir-ability and value. The activitiesrecommended in the plan assistin promoting “placemaking”.

The ACTIVEALLEGHENY plan,published in December 2010,lays the groundwork for a com-plete transportation networkwith active transportation con-nections within AlleghenyCounty (the County) and south-western Pennsylvania. Due tothe size of the County and itsevolving nature, the plan is nei-

ther a static document nor onethat identifies every desirableactive transportation project inthe County. Instead the Plan is afoundation for the planning andimplementation of pedestrian,bicycle, and active transportationmodes within the County. Forexample, the plan identifies rec-ommended major arterial com-muter bike facilities, for eachquadrant of the County, as wellas a circumferential route. Thatenables the various stakeholderswho will implement segments ofthe plan, to work toward andcreate a comprehensive com-muter bike system.

The plan focuses on connectivity,access and mobility through five specialized plan components:• Bike Allegheny – Dedicatedcommuter bikeway connectionsto activity centers and othertravel modes;• Walk & Roll Allegheny –Improved walking routes forconnectivity and mobility,including ADA access;• Other Active Transportation –Improved access for alternativemodes, such as kayaks and skate-boards;• Complete the Street – Three

“Complete Streets” prototypesdemonstrate accommodation forall modes; and• Action for Active Transportation– The action plan including costsfor implementation, by variousentities, and potential fundingsources.

An extensive data collection effortsupported the plan development.Mapping the existing facilitieshelped to identify connectivity to thelarger transportation network andbetween desired land use origins anddesignations. The data collectionefforts included:• Facility inventories to establishbaseline conditions; • Site visits to confirm the pres-ence and condition of bicycleand pedestrian facilities in iden-tified focus areas and major com-muter corridors; and• Information gathering from all

stakeholders including thepublic, Core Committee meet-ings, Advisory Committee meet-ings, a project website, a Face-book page, an online survey,several open houses and atten-dance at events and specialtymeetings.

Development of the ACTIVEALLEGHENY plan was a collabo-rative effort between planningprofessionals, local agencies,active transportation enthusiastsand other interested AlleghenyCounty residents. Implementa-tion of the plan will requireactions by many agencies andstakeholders to achieve a morewalkable and bikeable trans-portation system in AlleghenyCounty. The County’s topog-raphy is famously challenging—creativity is key to implementa-tion.

by Lynn Heckman, Assistant Director-Transportation Initiatives, Allegheny County Economic Development,and Carla Dietrich, Technical Manager, Transportation Planning, Michael Baker Jr., Inc.

ACTIVEALLEGHENY is Allegheny County’s first compre-hensive active transportation plan with sustainabletravel choices for destinations throughout the County.

TOP: Bicyclists, pedestrians, carsand buses share Smithfield Street,in downtown Pittsburgh, during AMpeak travel time. ABOVE: The Overthe Bar Bicycle Cafe, in Pittsburgh’strendy and bike-friendly South Sideneighborhood, is a gathering placefor bicyclists and other outdoorenthusiasts. LEFT: Public steps, pro-viding exercise and connectivity, aretucked-into steep hillsides allaround Allegheny County.

Visit www. activeallegheny.com todownload the ACTIVE ALLEGHENY plan.

ActiveTRANSPORTATION PLAN

Allegheny County Releases First Comprehensive

GREATPLACES

APA’s

in America

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

(particularly pedestrians), con-nect to the broader transporta-tion network, and make use ofgreen infrastructure (in man-aging stormwater runoff, forinstance). Parking, lighting, andsignage are also considered inthe criteria.

Liberty Street (Franklin, Pennsyl-vania) is part of the westernPennsylvania oil region, and thefour blocks designated as a greatstreet are lined with impressive19th century brick buildings,including the Italianate VenangoCounty Courthouse. In 1989, alocal music group, the FranklinCivic Operetta, bought an emptybuilding and, with the help ofhundreds of volunteers, turned itinto a 500-seat theater. Next toit is a children’s theater, carvedout of a former drugstore, and amuseum dedicated to preservingold musical instruments. Adowntown building fund estab-lished in 2004 has helped tocreate upper level housing.

This article is reprinted with permission from Planning,December 2010, copyright by the American Planning Association, Suite 1600, 122 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603-6107.

People PlacesThey’re the places we remem-ber, where we gather on holidaysand special occasions, where wemost feel part of the community.

Rittenhouse Square (Philadel-phia) is the most intact of thefive public squares William Pennlaid out in 1681. Jane Jacobscalled the Center City areaaround the six-acre square “theperfect neighborhood” becauseof its vibrant mixture of housing,shops, and cultural institutions.Paul Cret’s 1913 landscape planput a Beaux Arts stamp on thespace. Its modern planning his-tory goes back to 1947 and theorganization of the Center CityResidents Association, whichdefeated a proposal to build aparking garage beneath thesquare. Today the Friends of Rit-tenhouse Square keeps watch.The square was designated anational historic district in 1981and a local historic district in1995. ¿

The four blocks of Liberty Street designated as a greatstreet are lined with impressive 19th century brick build-ings, including the Italianate Venango County Courthouse.

Liberty St.

THE VANTAGE POINT 3

The ACTIVEALLEGHENY plan provides a number of recommendations and acts as an important resource:• Bicycle system improvementsincluding designation of BicycleCommuter Routes to connectthe City of Pittsburgh and itssuburbs and a “beltway bicycleroute” to provide connectivity torecreational facilities such asparks, greenways and trailsthroughout the County; • Identification of improvementsalong key pedestrian corridors,particularly those which provideconnections to transit, schools,commercial centers and parks,and intersection improvementsto facilitate connectivity;• Discussion of the County’sabundant “public steps” networkrelative to connectivity of the

active transportation network; • An outline of investmentstoward sustainable improve-ments for short-, mid- and long-term community benefits;• A planning and designresource manual for active trans-portation efforts through theBicycle Facilities Toolbox, thePedestrian Facilities Toolbox,and a guide for the developmentand advancement of local Com-plete Streets projects; • A Complete Streets model ordinance for use by localmunicipalities;• Recommendations in supportof a diverse group of usersincluding specialized “Kids” rec-

ommendations; and • Policy and programmatic rec-ommendations, models and pro-grams for governmental agen-cies, funding sources, publiceducation strategies and mar-keting efforts.

ACTIVEALLEGHENY is an imple-mentation activity ofALLEGHENYPLACES, theAllegheny County Comprehen-sive Plan; it facilitates andincreases “place-making” activi-ties. Allegheny County devel-oped this plan in partnershipwith the Pennsylvania Depart-ment of Transportation (Pen-nDOT). Funding resulted froma competitive PA CommunitiesTransportation Initiative (PCTI)grant of $300,000. Plan resultsand recommendations reflect

guidelines from PennDOT andthe American Association ofState Highway and Transporta-tion Officials (AASHTO).

The plan has been distributedto Allegheny County’s 130municipalities and other keyagencies and stakeholders. The plan is available on theproject website www.activeallegheny.com.

On February 9, 2011, the Airport Corridor TransportationAssociation (ACTA) presentedAllegheny County EconomicDevelopment with the Exemplary Achievement in Planning Award for ACTIVEALLEGHENY. ¿

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato onACTIVEALLEGHENY: “This Plan shows how we canintegrate walking, biking, and other active,healthy travel modes into our existing transporta-tion system. Planning and prioritizing invest-ments in commuter bike routes and walking facil-ities will enhance our transportation network and

provide sustainable travel choices to move people to-and-from theirdestinations. The ACTIVEALLEGHENY plan is a blueprint for improvedaccess and choices to connect people to communities, work sites,transit, schools, attractions and residences.” Dan “hopes you read andenjoy the plan and become inspired by the possibilities. By workingtogether we can provide active transportation infrastructure toincrease connectivity, sustainability and an enhanced quality of life forCounty residents.”

Onorato with County Employees walking on theSmithfield Bridge to promote healthy lifestyles.

American Planning AssociationPennsylvania Chapter

Making Great Communities Happen

587 James DriveHarrisburg, PA 17112717 671-4510 (P)717 545-9247 (F)www.planningpa.org

Susan Shermer, CMPAdministrative Directorsshermer@shermer-assoc.com

Sarah Galbraith Laucks, CMPChapter Administratorsgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com

APAPA

The Vantage Point is published six times a year by the Pennsylvania Chapter ofthe American Planning Association andis available at www.planningpa.org.Material may be reprinted provided The Vantage Point is credited. The viewsexpressed in The Vantage Point are notnecessarily those of the PA Chapter ofAPA. Send comments and subscriptionrequests to Sarah Galbraith Laucks,CMP at 717-671-4510 orsgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com.

The Vantage Point is printed on RolandOpaque30 Smooth Bright White 70#and contains FSC certified 50% post-consumer fiber. The paper is EcoLogoand FSC Mixed Sources certified and ismanufactured using renewable biogasenergy. Roland papers are produced byCascades, an environmentally friendlycompany whose paper production prac-tices saves 30 million trees a year. Inclu-sion in this newsletter of ads does notimply endorsement by PA APA.

Please help us close the loop and recycle this newsletter.

A Message from President Alexander J. Graziani, AICPINSIDER

4 APRIL/MAY 2011 • NUMBER 159

ATTENDING THE APANational Conference is botheducational and inspirational.Once again Pennsylvania waswell represented with over 100planners from the Common-wealth plus a large number ofstudents from our planningschools. In addition Philadel-phia’s own WRT won the first APA

Excellence Award for a PlanningFirm (see page 6).

I echo Rich Bickel’s com-ments (see page 6), Boston is veryinteresting, walkable city. Myhotel in Beacon Hill was about1.5 miles from the Hynes Con-vention Center, which was in theBack Bay section of town. I fellin love with the city as I madethe 30 minute walk back andforth. The “T” subway systemprovided a convenient trip fromthe airport and over to Harvardin Cambridge, MA. I did catch aRed Sox Game and experiencedthe regional commuter rail witha trip to Providence.

My thanks goes to people likeRich Bickel as well as Susan Elks

(our Chapter ProfessionalDevelopment Officer), JeannetteBrugger and Kathleen Lambertwho joined Rich in Representingthe Chapter at the APA DelegateAssembly. I appreciate the effortit takes to attend the meetings inaddition to the normal confer-ence functions. Our Chapter isspecial due to the many dedi-cated volunteers.

Besides the numerousmeeting that I attended asChapter President, I was able totake in a number of sessions, andmost enjoyed the DiversityForum, Planning the ShrinkingCity and the mobile workshop oncommunity planning: PlymouthPlantation to Pinehills.

At the Diversity Forum I wasmotivated to form a “DiversityTask Force” for our Chapter. Thetask force will review the diver-sity of our membership relatedto the diversity of Pennsylvaniain the present and set bench-marks for the future. It willresearch the efforts of APA andother Chapters looking for bestpractices to integrate diversityand opportunity in leadershipand the profession. Most impor-tantly the task force will developgoals, objectives, and strategiesto be adopted by the ChapterBoard of Directors. The TaskForce will give a report at theannual conference in Scranton.

The Diversity Task Force isconsistent with the values andbenchmarking goals of our cur-rent Development Plan. If youhave a commitment to diversityand are interested in beingappointed to the PA APA Diver-sity Task Force please send me anemail by May 25, 2011. ¿

ONCE AGAIN I HAD THE PRIVILEGE of representing the Pennsylvania Chapter of theAmerican Planning Association at the 2011 APA National Conference in Boston. I under-stand that attending the national conference annually is beyond the affordability of mostplanners; however, it should be a goal of any professional planner to attend once everyfive to ten years and for planning officials to make the conference once.

APA Chapter Annual AwardsReminder: Applications due May 20, 2011EACH YEAR, PENNSYLVANIA RECOGNIZES THE BEST and thebrightest plans and planners through the highly competitive PAChapter Annual Awards Program. The Annual Awards applicationis now available online at www.planningpa.org or by calling the PAChapter office at 717-671-4510. The deadline to apply for thisyear’s awards is Friday, May 20, 2011. The winners will beannounced at the Annual Awards Program, scheduled for Tuesday,October 18, 2011 during the PA Chapter Annual Conference.Many thanks to the Awards Committee members for their commit-ment to this program each year!¿

MANY COMPREHENSIVEPlans were first written in themid 1960’s and 70’s when theUnited States Department ofHousing and Urban Develop-ment distributed grants tomunicipalities for the purpose ofcreating a local plan that wouldbe the basis for the redevelop-ment of cities. The use of thesegrants, referred to as “701”spread to small communities andrural areas to meet the planningneeds of these growing areas.

In Pennsylvania all counties(except Philadelphia County) aremandated to prepare and adopta Comprehensive Plan andreview that plan every ten (10)years. Municipalities, on theother hand, do not have thesame mandate. However, if amunicipality does choose to pre-pare and adopt a ComprehensivePlan it must be consistent withthe County Plan.

There are certain elementsthat make up the Comprehen-sive Plan. First and foremost areyour goals and objectives. Second, isa land use Plan. Planning Offi-cials know that the land use planis the basis for your zoning map.The zoning map shows the dif-ferent zoning districts, such as,residential, agricultural, com-mercial, institutional, industrial,

open space, etc.Most Comprehensive Plans

contain chapters dealing specifi-cally with a plan for futuredevelopment and/or redevelop-ment, history, demographics,housing, natural and environ-mental features, circulation(roads/transportation), the rela-tionship of the municipality toadjacent municipalities and, mostimportantly, a statement as tohow your municipality’s visionwill be implemented.

If you were to look into thehistory of your ComprehensivePlan you might find that since itwas first prepared severalupdates have occurred. Yourmunicipality may have gonethrough a period of rapid resi-dential growth during the 1970sand 1980s and the commercialdevelopment known as the “bigbox” stores could have emerged.Your farms were rapidly beingconverted to suburban subdivi-sions. Your open space wasbecoming scarce. The StateHighway that runs through yourmunicipality may have beenwidened by PennDOT as moreand more retail and office usesemerged along the corridor.Traffic jams and new traffic sig-nals may have occurred at thecrossroads that was once the

intersection of your historic vil-lage.

Now, during a period ofdeclining development applica-tions and the results of the 2010United States Census databecoming available, is the perfecttime for your Planning Commis-sion to review your Comprehen-sive Plan. Update your housingelement, which is based on yourpopulation. Discourage leapfrogsubdivisions by connecting newsubdivisions to your open spaceplan. Analyze the vacancy rate inyour shopping centers. Amendyour zoning ordinances to reflectbest management practices incontrolling storm water. Eval-uate the impact of MarcellusShale Gas drilling on your roadsand water supply. Attend Penn-sylvania Municipal PlanningEducational Institute’s (PMPEI)classes and learn more aboutComprehensive Planning andhow important your Comp Planis to your municipal budget.

Don’t let the narrow views ofspecial interests control yourlandscape. Make your Compre-hensive Plan a living documentthat reflects how you want yourmunicipality to work and growin the future. As a Planning Official the future is in yourhands. ¿

YOUR COMPREHENSIVEPLAN by Shirley Yannich, PP, AICP, Planning Officials Development Officer

& Chair, Planning Officials Development Committee

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code grants authority to the municipal governing body to prepare a municipal Comprehensive Plan

and gives this responsibility to their Planning Commission. This duty is one of the most important tasks that a Planning Commission performs.

t h e f u t u r e i s i n y o u r h a n d s

THE VANTAGE POINT 5

PA Chapter Executive CommitteePRESIDENTAlexander J. Graziani, AICPSmart Growth Partnership VICE PRESIDENTCharnelle Hicks, AICP, PPCHPlanning, Ltd.SECRETARY/INTERIM TREASURERJohn Pickett, AICP, PEDelaware County Planning DepartmentCENTRAL SECTION REPRESENTATIVETara Hitchens, AICPLancaster County Planning DepartmentLEHIGH VALLEY SECTION REPRESENTATIVEAnthony P. Toth, AICPProfessional PlannerNORTHEAST SECTION REPRESENTATIVEPeter T. Wulfhorst, AICPPenn State Cooperative ExtensionNORTHWEST SECTION REPRESENTATIVERoy Brant, PhDCrawford County Planning CommissionPAST PRESIDENTCarl Hess, AICPBorough of State College

Section ChairsCentralTara Hitchens, AICPLancaster County Planning CommissionLehigh ValleyAnthony Toth, AICPProfessional PlannerNortheastChristine DettoreMonroe County Planning CommissionNorthwestRoy Brant, PhDCrawford County Planning CommissionSoutheastGraciela Cavicchia, AICPThe Reinvestment FundSouthwestJeff Grim, AICPSouthwestern Pennsylvania Commission

Committee ChairsProfessional Development Officer/Professional Development Committee ChairSusan Elks, AICPPlanning Officials DevelopmentOfficer/Chair of the Planning Officials Development CommitteeShirley A. Yannich, PP, AICPCommunications Committee ChairDennis Martinak, AICPEducation Committee ChairCliff Kanz, AICP2011 Conference Co-ChairsHoward Grossman, AICPJanet SweeneyLegislative CommitteeShannon Debes, AICP, ChairSusan Smith, Esq., AICP, Vice Chair

Contact information is available at www.planningpa.orgunder “About Us”.

6 APRIL/MAY 2011 • NUMBER 159

APA

The City: Boston is an inter-esting, walkable, and transit-ori-ented city with many greatrestaurants. (The ball team isanother story; at least while Iwas there.) I had a chance todrive through the “Big Dig” (I-93) twice (north and south-bound); while rather grungylooking inside it is certainly animprovement over the formerlyelevated structure, and it hasspurred tremendous growth inSoutheast Boston. The orienta-tion tour was excellent.

State of APA/AICP: According toPaul Farmer, APA CEO, thetotal membership is around40,000, down from a high of45,000 a few years ago. How-ever, this is better than someprofessional organizations thathave lost up to 30% of theirmembership. Without being spe-cific, he said that there was someAICP membership loss frommembers who failed to gainAICP credits; 17 members arefacing loss of AICP at thepresent time. There is optimismthat members will seek theadvance specialty certificationfor transportation and environ-mental planning. Mitchell Silverfrom the DC area is the newAPA President and AnnaBreinich of Maine (formerly ofPA) was installed as AICP Chair.

Delegate Assembly: I was one ofthree PA Chapter delegates toparticipate in the Assembly thatvoted to approve an excellent,90-page Climate Change policy

paper. Most of the amendmentsthat our Chapter proposed wereaccepted prior to the conference.Thanks to Rob Graff and Eliza-beth “Liz” Compitello forhelping to review the paper andmotions.

Sessions: The opening keynoteon Sunday was outstanding byProf. Michael J. Sandel of Har-vard. It focused on some ethicaldilemma case studies and hegave a pep talk for the nobilityand usefulness of the planningprofession in our current time ofdistress and protest. (He has avideo on the Harvard website.) Ialso attended several interestingsessions on BRT planning inCleveland and elsewhere, VisualPreference Surveys for WindFarms off the Cape Cod coast,creating age-friendly communi-ties (with an excellent presenta-tion by Deborah Howe, PhD,FAICP, Chair of Temple Univer-sity’s planning program) andspreading the cost of develop-ment with a form of impact fee.I tried to get into a corridorplanning session and one onTOD, but, as usual, if you showup a few minutes late gettingfrom one level of the conventioncenter to another the popularsessions are standing room onlyor worse. The APA National Plan-ning Awards luncheon and theAPA/AICP Awards session werealso interesting.

Overall, an interesting and successful conference; now it’son to Los Angeles in 2012! ¿

APA National Planning Conference –

A Pennsylvania Perspectiveby Richard G. Bickel, FAICP, Director, Planning Division Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission

The National American Planning Association Conference in Boston (April 8 to 12) was well-attended;nearly 5,000 total with a record 1500 students!

The award recognizes planningfirms that have produced bodiesof distinguished work influ-encing the professional practiceof planning. WRT will receivethe award at a special luncheonat APA’s National Planning Con-ference in Boston on April 11,2011.

“WRT has cultivated a pioneeringapproach to planning while fos-tering a renowned culture ofcooperation and teamwork,” saidMarie L. York, FAICP, APA Boardmember and 2011 NationalPlanning Awards Jury Chair.“The extensive body of workproduced by WRT is truly dis-tinguished and continues toinfluence the planning profes-sion today.”

WRT integrates planning withlandscape architecture, urbandesign, and architecture,resulting in a broad under-standing of the implications ofcity and regional planning onthe built environment. Thedevelopment of the environ-mental planning method, theinvention and application of the“susceptibility to change”analysis in urban planning, andthe development of “values-

based” planning are significantexamples of our firm’s influenceon the planning profession.

“WRT’s work has always beengrounded in two ethical stances,”said the firm’s Managing Prin-cipal, Joe Healy. “First is thebelief that there are principles ofplanning that derive fromnature. This belief is reflected inWRT’s focus on sustainableplanning and design. Second isthe belief in the moral role andprofessional planner’s responsi-bility as agents for the generalpublic welfare, helping to makeenvironments better places inwhich to live and work.”

In the course of nearly 50 yearsof practice, WRT has receivedmore than 300 awards fromnational, state, and local organi-zations, including over 150awards for planning. Over half ofour 50 national planning awardshave been won just in the pastdecade, including six from theAmerican Planning Association.

The Pennsylvania Chapter of APA is pleased to congratulateWRT on this outstandingachievement. ¿

WRT Receives Inaugural APA National Excellence Awardfor a Planning FirmThe American Planning Association selected WRT to receive the first National Planning Excellence Awardfor a Planning Firm for its innovative, collaborative, andethical approach to planning.

“First is the belief that there are principles of planning thatderive from nature. This belief is reflected in WRT’s focus on sus-tainable planning and design. Second is the belief in the moralrole and professional planner’s responsibility as agents for thegeneral public welfare, helping to make environments betterplaces in which to live and work.”

—Joe Healy, Managing Principal, WRT

THE VANTAGE POINT 7

THE ENVISION LeadershipAwards Program is intended toraise design and planning aware-ness in the community, whileencouraging the support of plan-ning activities and projects thatfoster smart growth. This pro-gram recognizes the work ofmunicipalities, developers, con-sultants, non-profits and otherswho embrace smart growthplanning concepts.

To date, Lancaster Countyhas recognized 51 projects withawards. James Cowhey, LCPCExecutive Director, said that“this year’s winners continuedthe tradition of outstandingsmart growth projects at the

local level in Lancaster County.” Winner of a Leadership

Award in the CommunityDesign Category was Lititz Bor-ough’s Form-Based Zoning Code.This code was prepared byThomas Comitta Associates inconjunction with Lititz Boroughand Venture Lititz. The Form-

Based Code is intended to pre-serve the relatively compact, tra-ditional community whileencouraging appropriate infilldevelopment opportunities.Form-Based Codes enable thecreation of walkable neighbor-hoods, compact communitieswith a true “sense of place” andmixed land uses while respectinghistoric context and incorpo-rating sustainable “green” infra-structure for healthier, morevibrant communities.

Winner of an AchievementAward in the SustainableGrowth category was ParkAvenue Apartments in LancasterCity. Project partners for the

Park Avenue Apart-ments included FultonBank, the Redevelop-ment Authority of theCounty of Lancaster,the City of Lancaster,Pennsylvania HousingFinance Agency, Lan-caster CountyMH/MR/EI, TheLodge, Inc. of Pennsyl-vania, Architectural

Concepts, and Caldwell Hecklesand Egan. Park Avenue Apart-ments will provide 24 new 1 & 2bedroom apartments for individ-uals 55 years of age or older.This project is built within whatonce was a blighted and crum-bling building – the formerFraim Lock Company and sub-

sequently the Davidson Shoebusiness. This unique buildingwas extensively renovated whilepreserving defining features ofthe 27,000 sq. ft. structure.

The Townhomes on HendricksPlace at Moravian Manor inLititz Borough was also a winnerof an Achievement Award in theSustainable Growth category.Project partners for this projectincluded Moravian Manor, RGSAssociates, and RLPS Architects.Moravian Manor is a continuingcare retirement community thatprovides a wide range of residen-tial options for residents withvarious health care needs andincome levels. The Townhomesat Hendricks Place provide anew independent living cottageoption for residents. This infillproject will reflect the architec-tural styles and land use patterns

of Lititz Borough. Winner of a Certificate of

Merit in the Infrastructure cate-gory was the Renewable WindEnergy Project at the Frey FarmLandfill in Manor Township.Partners in this project includedLancaster County Solid WasteManagement Authority, PPLRenewable Energy, Turkey HillDairy, and the PennsylvaniaDepartment of EnvironmentalProtection. Through thisproject, the adjacent Turkey HillDairy will receive 25% of itsannual electricity needs fromclean, renewable wind energy.Generating 7.76 million kilowatthours of electricity annually, theoutput from this project isenough to make 6 million gal-lons of ice cream or power 700homes. ¿

by Mary L. Frey, AICP, Principal Planner,Lancaster County Planning Commission

Lancaster County AwardsWinners Announced

The Lancaster County Plan-ning Commission held its 8thannual Envision LeadershipAwards Program on February10th. The winners of 2010 Envi-sion Leadership Awards wererecognized at this event.

2010EnvisionLeadership

TOP TO BOTTOM: LititzBorough's Form-BasedZoning Code; HendricksPlace at MoravianManor; RenewableWind Energy Project atthe Frey Farm Landfill;Rendering of ParkAvenue Apartments

2011 Leadership Award Winners.

The 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania 2011 Commonwealth Awards are now accepting entries.The entry deadline is June 15, 2011. For details, including project and individual entry forms visitwww.10000friends.org

The Commonwealth Awards help 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania put smart land use, smart design,and smart growth in the spotlight. Through these awards, 10,000 Friends aims to raise awareness ofprojects that successfully demonstrate sound land use principles around the Commonwealth — projects that are development or redevelopment; in settings from urban to suburban to rural. In addition to honoring smart growth projects, we also recognize individuals that help further the mission and goals of 10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania and smart growth principles.

Save the Date — September 20, 2011Commonwealth Awards Ceremony, Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA For any questions, please contact Andrea McCormick at 717-234-6070, ext. 10 oramccormick@10000friends.org. ¿

10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania

2011 Commonwealth Awards Call For Entries Now Open!

8 APRIL/MAY 2011 • NUMBER 159

The 2011 PA Chapter of APA Annual Conference willbe held October 16 to 18 at the Hilton Scranton &Conference Center inScranton, PA. The Conference Announcement,including descriptions of all workshops, registrationand hotel details, will beavailable in late July 2011.For additional information,visit the Chapter website,www.planningpa.org and click on “Annual Conference.” ¿

APAPAThe Pennsylvania Chapter ofthe American Planning Associ-ation provides leadership in thedevelopment of vital communi-ties by advocating excellence incommunity planning througheducation, empowerment, part-nership, and public policy. ¿

Mission

CHANGINGOUR

LANDSCAPE

PA Chapter of APAAnnual ConferenceOctober 16-18, 2011

MARK YOUR CALENDARSNOW!2011 is an election year for the chapter. This summer we will hold

elections for the Chapter’s Board Officers—the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

Are you interested in serving the chapter? • Review the Chapter Bylaws for descriptions of the Officer roles and responsibilities. The bylaws are available at: http://www.planningpa.org/about_ppa_bylaws.shtml• Determine if your schedule will allow sufficient time for the position. Officers servethe Chapter for 2 year terms which begin in January 2012 and conclude in December 2013.• Talk with current officers for additional information.• Share your interest with the Nominating Committee. Send an email of interest toChapter Administrator Sarah Galbraith Laucks at sgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com by June 10, 2011.• Have additional questions? Please contact us!

Reminder to all members—The official elections ballot will be distributed onAugust 8 2011. Voting will be open for 30 days and concludes September 9.

The election results announced at the Chapter Annual Meeting and via The VantagePoint, email news and the website. ¿

A Few Good PlannersPA Chapter of APA is Looking for...

Announcing Elections for Chapter Officers

THE VANTAGE POINT 9

by Susan Elks, AICP, Professional Development OfficerPDOcorner

Up next is Zoning Matters: TheProcess of an Update and theLegal Issues that Should ConcernYou. This 3 CM-credit session isbeing offered across the state,and will focus on the creation orupdate of a zoning ordinance. Aplanner will present on theprocess of updating or rewritinga zoning ordinance, followed byan attorney providing their takeon specific elements of a zoningordinance that can create legalhazards for a municipality ifdone incorrectly. These includefair housing, signage, alternativeenergy provisions, historicpreservation, effective agricul-tural zoning, gas extraction,RLUIPA, spot zoning, and com-munications towers. Somemunicipalities regulate beyondgood planning and legal guide-lines; others stop short in fear oflawsuits. This session will pro-vide a legal and planning base-line on what's required, what’slegal, what's pushing the enve-lope, and what's illegal. Thistraining is funded in part by thePA Local Government TrainingPartnership, enabling theChapter to offer this in-depthtraining at a minimal cost in sev-eral locations. Registration infor-mation is available on the PAChapter website or by con-tacting the office at 717-671-4510.

Transportation trainingoffered in several locationsacross the state has wrapped up.Focused on PennDOT’s Publica-tion 662: Improving the LandUse-Transportation Connectionthrough Local ImplementationTools, presenters Steve Deck,AICP and Brian Funkhouse,AICP provided attendees with

detailed information and exam-ples of tools such as transit ori-ented development, transit revi-talization investment districts,tax increment financing, andtransportation impact fees. If you missed the training, check out the publication onPennDOT’s website: Publication 662: Improving the Land Use - Transportation Connection through Local Implementation Tools.

As part of the free planningwebcast series sponsored bychapters, divisions, and universi-ties, the PA Chapter providedthe April 8 session on ethics.Many thanks to Dr. Steve Gimbelof Gettsyburg College, who onceagain assisted the PA Chapterwith this topic. The PA Chapteris developing a second webcastfor later this year, focusing onthe planning implications of nat-ural gas extraction. Details onthe webcast series and upcomingtopics can be found online at thePA Chapter’s Events Calendar.

In addition to providingtraining on specific planningtopics, the PDC also assists plan-ners who are preparing for theAICP exam. The annual in-person, all-day prep session washeld on February 26 and pro-vided general testing tips andfocused review of test contenttopics for 26 attendees. Manythanks for my fellow presentersfor the day, Rebecca Ross, AICP,Jessica Fieldhouse, AICP, andDave McFarland, AICP. Good luckwith exam preparations to allthose taking the exam, andremember to visit the Chapterwebsite for a variety of exampreparation resources. ¿

IT ’S SPRING, AND TRAINING IS IN THE AIR. Fromtransportation to ethics, zoning to AICP exam prep,the PA Chapter’s Professional Development Committee (PDC) is keeping busy facilitating multipletraining opportunities for the planning community.

PMPEI IS PENNSYLVANIA’S PRIMARY EDUCATIONoutreach program for planning commissioners, zoningboard members, zoning officers, and elected officials. TheInstitute is a collaborative effort of the PA Chapter of theAmerican Planning Association and Penn State UniversityCooperative Extension. The Course in Subdivision and LandDevelopment Review is one of PMPEI’s four, 10-hour, in-depth courses that are presented throughout the Com-monwealth.

THE TRAIN-THE-TRAINER SESSION IS A FAST-paced 16 hour program over two days in which new instruc-tors review and discuss the course materials, techniques forteaching adults, how to team teach with other instructors,and ways to present the course material to make it excitingand understandable. Upon completion of the traininginstructors become certified to teach the course for whichthey receive compensation and travel expenses. CM creditfor AICP members is pending for portions of the course.

THE TRAIN-THE-TRAINER CLASS WILL BE HELDat the Hilton Garden Inn in State College, Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, 2011. Citizen and professionalplanners with a minimum of five year’s experience in planning are eligible to become certified instructors. Theregistration fee for the training is $160, which includesinstruction, materials, meals, and breaks. The deadline forapplications is May 25, 2011.

For more information or an application for the training contact Stan Lembeck, AICP, at 814-237-2382, or emailsml1@psu.edu.

For information about the Institute and its courses checkthe PMPEI website: http://cax.aers.psu.edu/pmpei/. ¿

PMAnnounces 2011Train-the-Trainer Sessionby Stan Lembeck, AICP

The PA Municipal Planning Education Insti-tute (PMPEI) will hold a train-the-trainer classJune 10-11, 2011 to prepare new instructorsto teach The Course in Subdivision and LandDevelopment Review. If you are interestedin helping local planning and zoning offi-cials learn how to effectively carry outtheir responsibilities consider becoming aPMPEI Certified Instructor.

10 APRIL/MAY 2011 • NUMBER 159

The PA Chapter of APA is pleased to make “Tools for an Effective PlanningCommissioner” available for FREE viewing. The video, produced by the PAChapter of APA in association with Penn State Cooperative Extension, is available by visiting www.planningpa.org. Click on Video under the Events&Training section.

This video provides both new and experienced planning commissioners withan overview of what planning commissions do and where they fit in their city,borough, township or county government. The basic tools of comprehensiveplanning, subdivision and land development regulation, and zoning aredescribed so commissioners can learn how they can effectively contribute tothe quality of life in their municipalities.

"Tools for an Effective Planning Commissioner"

Quick link to free video: http://www.planningpa.org/events_video.shtml

VIDEOTOWATCHPLANNING OFFICIALS:Video Training Now Available

News &articles

forThe Vantage Point

DEADLINES FOR UPCOMING 2011 ISSUES:June: May 20, 2011August: July 8, 2011October: September 16, 2011December: November 11, 2011

Submit to: sgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com

Grow our Lending Libraryby donating your AICP

Exam study materials

LEGISLATIVE

New Legislative Services ProviderThe Legislative Committee hasbeen very busy this year workingto set a direction that will con-tinue to benefit the PA Chapterof APA and assist in its growthand visibility. Chair ShannonDebes outlined the professionalservice needs of the Committeein January and subsequentlyreleased an RFP at the end ofthat month which was posted tothe PA Chapter website. Afterreviewing several responses withan RFP committee comprised ofBoard members and LegislativeCommittee members, GSP Con-sulting was selected to be thenew legislative services providerand their contract was finalizedin February.

Planners Day on the Hill Planned for May 23, 2011In March, Debes spent timemaking contacts with the APAnational office as well as estab-lishing a relationship with GSP(who has both a state andnational presence) to guide theorganization through thiscoming year. Talks during Marchyielded the idea to have a Plan-ners Day on the Hill on May 23,2011. Planning for the eventtook place through the month ofApril and details are now avail-able on how members can takethe future of Planning into theirown hands in a very purposefuland orchestrated visit to theHill. Visit www.planningpa.orgfor details. ¿

by Shannon Debes, Chair, Legislative Committee

committee update

Planning for the event took place through themonth of April and details are now available on howmembers can take the future of Planning into theirown hands in a very purposeful and orchestrated visitto the Hill. Visit www.planningpa.org for details.

CMPtipseMAILnews from the PA Chapter

The PA Chapter now sends a significant amountof our updates and news by email. Because weknow that everyone receives a lot of email, wemake every effort to send you information that isrelevant and timely – updates you can use.

Help Us Reach You with Important News and UpdatesFor us to reach you with this information we need yourcorrect email address. Please keep the PA Chapter officeposted of changes to your email address. APA membersmust also notify APA of these updates.

Other Ways to Receive NewsIf you prefer to not receive email from the Chapter, simplyunsubscribe using the link at the bottom of an email youreceive from us. We will understand! Much of this infor-mation is also posted on the PA Chapter website, so checkthe website frequently to stay current on news that isimportant to you. ¿

THE VANTAGE POINT 11

PSATS

PA Chapter Represented at the 2011 PSATS Annual Convention

Thank you to the following PA Chapter members for volunteering to staff the PA Chapter booth at this year’s PSATS Convention.

Tara Hitchens, AICPTerry Ruby, AICPPam Shellenberger, AICPDanny Whittle, AICP

Free and Low-Cost CM Courses – Many Opportunities Available! Are you challenged with finding quality CMprograms at low or no cost? There are many opportunitiesto earn CM credits via free and low-cost programs.

Free! You can currently earn up to 48 CM credits throughthe Planning Monthly Webcasts, sponsored by many of theAPA chapters (including Pennsylvania) and several APA divi-sions. Watch webcasts from your office – just tune in throughyour computer and your phone. For the current schedule visitwww.utah-apa.org/webcasts. Be sure to check out the “PastWebcasts” link on the website – many previous webcasts alsoqualify for distance education CM credits.Free APA Web Events Offering CM Credits! APA makesmany webcasts available at no charge. Visit www.plan-ning.org/cm/free for the full list. Be sure to click on the“learn more” text link under the Tuesdays at APA headingon this same page. You will find a long list of 1-2 hourwebcasts – most are CM approved.The PA Chapter of APA Lending Library offers CD pro-grams for loan at just $10.00 per program (for shippingand handling). Earn a total of 18.25 CM’s! View the full list of available programs at www.planningpa.org/events_cd_lending_library.shtml. ¿

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Access to the Healthy Foods in the Built EnvironmentMay 24, 2011Embassy Suites, Newark, DESponsored by Delaware Chapter of APAwww.delawareapa.org

First Annual Community Development SummitMay 25, 20118:00am – 8:00pmOmni William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PAwww.pcrg.org/summit2011/registrationform.php

PMPEI 2011 Train-the-Trainer SessionJune 10-11, 2011State College, PAwww.planningp.pa.org/events.shtml

2011 PA Chapter of APA Annual ConferenceOctober 16-18, 2011Scranton, PAwww.planningpa.org

APA Federal Policy & Program BriefingSeptember 18-20, 2011Washington, DC ¿

training opportunitiesEVENTS&

Events are added regularly. Visit www.planningpa.org for all events and registration details.

12 APRIL/MAY 2011 • NUMBER 159

Making Great Communities Happen

587 James DriveHarrisburg, PA 17112

APAPA

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDHarrisburg, PAPermit No. 561

logonwww.planningpa.org

Renewable Local Energy, 1.5 CMMay 11, 2011Chester County Planning Commission, WestChester, PASponsored by Delaware Valley Regional PlanningCommissionwww.dvrpc.ticketleap.com

Statewide Conference on Heritage – CM CreditsAvailable!May 17-19, 2011Hilton Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PAwww.pennbyways.com

2011 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference –10.5 CMMay 19-21, 2011Harrisburg Hilton, Harrisburg, PAwww.conserveland.org

PA Chapter of APAAnnual ConferenceOctober 16-18, 2011

October 16-18, 2011PA Chapter of APAAnnual Conference

“Our Changing Landscape”

MARK YOUR CALENDARSNOW!

CHANGINGOUR

LANDSCAPE