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COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR

ROYALTON BOROUGH DAUPHIN COUNTY

PENNSYLVANIA

1981

The p r e p a r a t i o n . o f t h i s r e p o r t w a s f i nanced i n p a r t th rough a Planning Grant from t h e Pennsylvania Department of Community A f f a i r s under t h e P r o v i s i o n s o f A c t 17A, approved June 18, 1980 as admin i s t e red by t h e Bureau of P lanning , Pennsylvania Department of Community A f f a i r s .

Th i s r e p o r t w a s p repared fo r t h e Royalton Borough Counci l by t h e Tri-County Regional P lanning CommisSion S t a f f , w i t h t h e a s s i s t a n c e of t h e Royalton Borough Planning Commission.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . .: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phase I .

A B C D E F G H

Basic Studies Municipal Administration . . . . . . . . . . Natural Environmental . . . . . . . . . . . Existing Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Population/Socio-Economic Profile . . . . . . Transportation/Circulation . . . . . . . . . Community Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . tlunicipal Finances . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phase I1 . Development Plan Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Goals and Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . B Community Facilities Plan . . . . . . . . . C Transportation Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . D Futilre Land Use Plan . . . . . . . . . . . .

Phase 111 . Implementation Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

A Codes and Ordinances . . . . . . . . . . . . B Capital Improvements Plan . . . . . . . . .

Community Attitude Survey Form . . . . . . . Compilation of Survey Results . . . . . . .

Paqe No . 1

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46 51 57

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78 80 82

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. . . LIST OF MAPS

T i t l e

Reg iona l L o c a t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . S o i l s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contoi l rs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F l o o d p l a i n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E x i s t i n g Land U s e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C i r c u l a t i o n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C o m m u n i t y . F a c i l i t i e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F u t u r e Land Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Facing Page

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INTRODUCTION

I n 1 9 8 0 , Royalton Borough Counci l adopted Ordinance 1980-1, t h u s c r e a t i n g t h e f i r s t Royalton Borough Planning Commission. The

Commission w a s tasked w i t h t h e development of a Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance, and Subd iv i s ion and Land Development Ordinance. Royal ton, l i k e m o s t of t h e other m u n i c i p a l i t i e s i n Dauphin County, has o f f i c i a l l y r ecogn ized t h e importance of t a k i n g a comprehensive approach t o g u i d i n g f u t u r e development w i t h i n i t s c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s t o p rov ide f o r t h e h e a l t h , s a f e t y , we l f a re , and convenience of i t s c i t i z e n s .

Purpose of t h e Plan The Comprehensive P lan i s a p o l i c y gu ide t o o r d e r l y mun ic ipa l development i n an e f f o r t t o promote t h e h e a l t h , s a f e t y , welfare, morals, and convenience of i t s r e s i d e n t s . I t i s i n t e n d e d t o o r g a n i z e and c o o r d i n a t e t h e i n t e r r e l a t e d c o l l e c t i o n o f peop le , l and , f a c i l i t i e s , ideas, services, l a n d u s e s , and envi ronmenta l e lements which comprise the Borough as a whole. "comprehensive" i s used t o e x p r e s s t h e overal l scope of p l a n con ten t .

Thus t h e term

The p l a n , i n effect , c h a r t s the cour se f o r mun ic ipa l growth and

change by:

o o

e x p r e s s i n g t h e a i m s and ambi t ions of t h e r e s i d e n t s ; d e l i n e a t i n g t h e munic ipa l f o r m and c h a r a c t e r it s e e k s t o ach ieve ;

o be ing r e s p o n s i v e t o change (dynamic); and o be ing s u b j e c t t o c o n t i n u a l review and r e v i s i o n as

necessary .

Planning as a Concept Comprehensive p l ann ing i s normally iewed as a p r o c e s s r a t h e r -han as a c o n c l u s i v e s t a t e m e n t . The Plan should be modi f ied as c o n d i t i o n s a l t e r t h e a f f a i r s of people. I t should r e p r e s e n t c e r t a i n short-

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term and long-range decisions of vital importance to the welfare of the Borough and its residents. Primarily, comprehensive planning is a continuing function of government and local citizenry; with the Plan serving as the blueprint or guide for action oriented programs which will bring about more orderly growth and development of the entire Borough.

Organization of the Plan Preparation of a Comprehensive Plan involves three major steps: first, the collecting of all essential community information necessary to identify and express its existing form and related characteristics; second, after careful evaluation of this information, the development of plans which will encourage the most appropriate future development of the Borough; and third, upon completion of the planning phase, putting the planning recommendations into action oriented programs. This is accomplished through the adoption and administration of land management ordinances such as zoning and subdivision and land development. Financial support for plan implementation should take the form of a capital improvement program, prepared and evaluated on an annual basis.

The Royalton Borough Comprehensive Plan is divided into three major plan elements. Phase I, Basic Studies, includes discussion of the Natural Environment, Population/Socio-Economic Profile, Municipal Administration, Existing Land Use, Housing, Transporta- tion and Circulation, Municipal Finances, and Community Facilities/ Utilities. Phase 11, Plan Development, includes Community Goals and Objectives, Future Land Use Plan, Community Facilities Plan, and Transportation. Phase 111, Implementation, consists of a presentation of existing and proposed land management codes and ordinances which are intended to implement and achieve planning objectives.

Legislative and Legal Base for the Plan and Implementation As stated previously, the Comprehensive Plan is an official statement of Borough Council setting forth its major policies concerning'desirable future municipal development. The Plan

,

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n e c e s s a r i l y encompasses a l l geograph ica l p a r t s of t h e Borough and i t s f u n c t i o n a l e lements . p lanning o b j e c t i v e s , Counci l needs an i n s t r u m e n t which e s t a b l i s h e s g e n e r a l po l ic ies f o r t h e development of the Borough i n a c o o r d i n a t e d , u n i f i e d manner and which can be c o n t i n u a l l y r e f e r r e d t o i n d e c i d i n g upon development - ' iiisues.

I n o r d e r t o e f f e c t i v e l y c a r r y o u t i t s

The l e g i s l a t i v e a u t h o r i t y f o r Pennsylvania local governments t o p l an f o r and manage development w i t h i n t h e i r r e s p e c t i v e c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s is based on t h e Pennsylvania M u n i c i p a l i t i e s P lann ing Code, A c t 247

as amended. l i n e s , as w e l l as, s p e c i f i c a d m i n i s t r a t i v e and p r o c e d u r a l r e q u i r e - ments t h a t m u n i c i p a l i t i e s must adhere t o i n deve loping and implementing munic ipa l comprehensive p l a n s .

T h i s e n a b l i n g l e g i s l a t i o n sets f o r t h g e n e r a l guide-

The r i g h t of a m u n i c i p a l i t y t o e x e r c i s e i t s a u t h o r i t y i n l e g i s l a t i n g r e g u l a t i o n s govern ing t h e u s e of l and has been upheld by S t a t e and F e d e r a l c o u r t s . They g r a n t t h a t a m u n i c i p a l i t y h a s t h e r i g h t t o manage i t s own development and growth ac t iv i t i e s , w i th in c e r t a i n l e g a l c o n s t r a i n t s . One pr imary method, upheld by t h e U n i t e d States Supreme Cour t , t o p r o t e c t and p rov ide f o r t h e i n t e r e s t of c i t i z e n s of a m u n i c i p a l i t y i s through adop t ion of a zoning o rd inance . However, t h i s method of s a f e g u a r d i n g t h e

p u b l i c w e l f a r e i s n o t s u f f i c i e n t by i t se l f .

I n o r d e r t o p rov ide a r a t i o n a l basis f o r t h e management of l and

use p r e s c r i b e d i n zoning o r d i n a n c e s , t h e c o u r t s acknowledge t h e need fo r a m u n i c i p a l i t y t o p r o p e r l y e v a l u a t e t h e use of a l l l and w i t h i n i t s p o l i t i c a l j u r i s d i c t i o n and g i v e c o n s i d e r a t i o n t o l a n d u s e s i n a r e a s a d j a c e n t t o i t s borde r s . To i n s u r e t h a t zoning d i s t r i c t s are n o t a r b i t r a r i l y de te rmined , t h e c o u r t s r e q u i r e ev idence t h a t t h e v a r i o u s d i s t r i c t s are related t o a l a n d u s e p l an of t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y . Through adop t ion of t h e Pennsylvania M u n i c i p a l i t i e s Code, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania h a s g r a n t e d l o c a l governments t h e a u t h o r i t y t o e n a c t a zoning o r d i n a n c e t o implement t h e comprehensive p l a n . Therefore, an adopted "Compre- hens ive P lan" f o r l a n d use is c l e a r l y needed t o p rov ide t h e p rope r foundat ion f o r i t s implementat ion through zoning.

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Regional Loca t ion The Borough of Royalton i s l o c a t e d i n s o u t h e r n Dauphin County, a t t h e conf luence of t h e Swatara Creek and the Susquehanna River . Its n o r t h e r n c o r p o r a t e l i n e ex tends t o t h e middle of Swatara Creek ,

where i t a b u t s t h e c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s of Middletown Borough. I ts s o u t h e r n and e a s t e r n c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s a b u t t h e l a n d area of Londonderry Township. Its wes tern boundary t e r m i n a t e s a t t h e l o w water l i n e of t h e Susquehanna R ive r , where it a b u t s t h e River area inc luded i n Londonderry Township.

Royalton si ts a t t h e sou the rn m o s t e x t r e m i t y of t h e u rban ized c o r r i d o r of t h e Harr i sburg m e t r o p o l i t a n area and t h e Har r i sbu rg Area Transpor t a t ion Study Cordon A r e a , be ing approximate ly 1 4 m i l e s from c e n t e r c i t y Harr i sburg . S e v e r a l o t h e r major c e n t r a l Pennsylvania c i t i e s are w i t h i n s h o r t d r i v i n g d i s t a n c e , i n p a r t i c u l a r , t h e c i t i es of York, Lancas t e r , and Lebanon.

Historic P r o f i l e The Borough of Royalton, n e s t l e d between t h e Susquehanna River and Swatara Creek , has a h i s t o r y t h a t can b e t r a c e d back t o as e a r l y as September 3 , 1 7 7 2 when an 87.5 acre t r a c t of l a n d w a s "surveyed unto" W i l l i a m Breden by Thomas and John Penn. Two yea r s l a t e r , a f te r t h e t r a c t had been s o l d and subd iv ided i n t o 416 l o t s , it came t o be known as P o r t Royal; a f l o u r i s h i n g r ive r t r a d i n g p o s t and the l o c a t i o n of Wagner's Fer ry .

Due t o i t s l o c a t i o n a long a nav igab le waterway, it w a s a t t rac t ive n o t o n l y t o sett lers b u t i n d u s t r y as w e l l . Furnaces , producing charcoal, s e t u p o p e r a t i o n on w h a t is today known as "Furnace H i l l " . The p l a n t w a s l a te r known as t h e Glen- Gery Shale Br ick Corpora t ion . It o p e r a t e d from 1939 t o t h e mid- 1960's when it w a s c l o s e d . A sawmill w a s e s t b l i s h e d i n 1886 near t h e o l d F e r r y House by E. and I. McCreary. The m i l l produced r a f t s , and inc luded a s a s h and door f a c t o r y and a p l an ing

I n 1830 t h e C h r i s t i a n a

m i l l .

The Pennsylvania R a i l r o a d w a s e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1846; and c h a r t e r e d i n 1847. Soon a f t e r w a r d , t h e j u n c t i o n of t h e Mount Joy and Columbia d i v i s i o n s of t h i s r a i l r o a d w a s es tab l i shed i n P o r t Royal.

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I 1

I

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:

L I C

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BY t h e l a t e 1880 ' s t h e s e t t l e m e n t had grown t o such a s i z e t h a t

i t w a s i n c o r p o r a t e d as a Borough i n 1891. A t t h e t i m e of Royal ton ' s i n c o r p o r a t i o n t h e r e w e r e t w o churches located i n t h e community: t h e United Bre th ren ( i n c o r p o r a t e d i n 1897) i s today t h e Royalton United Methodis t Church; and t h e Zion B a p t i s t Church e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1864. by a s m a l l p a r t y of "underground railroad" s l a v e s , i s now l o c a t e d i n Middletown. The o r i g i n a l cemetery s i te of t h i s church i s located n e a r t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of Dock and Shippen Streets.

Other n o t a b l e e v e n t s i n t h e h i s t o r y and growth of t h e Borough i n c l u d e :

o The c r e a t i o n of t h e Met ropo l i t an Royalton Electric

company on November 7 , 1923;

o The Dauphin County G a s Company w a s g r a n t e d pe rmis s ion t o l a y and ma in ta in a g a s p i p e l i n e f o r Borough service on May 23, 1 9 2 4 ; and

o The B e l l Telephone Company w a s g iven approva l t o m a i n t a i n and o p e r a t e phone service f o r Borough r e s i d e n t s on June 5 , 1935.

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REGIONAL M A P

.. . .

BASIC STUDIES

PHASE I

A. f4UN I C I PAL A D M I N I S T R A T I O N - Royalton w a s o f f i c i a l l y inco rpora t ed as a Borough i n t h e y e a r 1891.

t h e g e n e r a l l a w fo r t h e government of Pennsylvania Boroughs, and o p e r a t e s under t h e mayor/council f o r m of local government admin i s t r a t ion . t i o n and policy-making f u n c t i o n s of t h e community are sha red by t h e c o u n c i l and mayor. e l e c t e d by t h e r e s i d e n t s of t h e Borough.

I t has s i n c e adopted t h e Pennsylvania Borough Code,

Under t h i s form of government t h e admin i s t r a -

The mayor and c o u n c i l are d i r e c t l y

The Borough i s l o c a t e d i n t h e 1 7 t h United S t a t e s Congress iona l Dis t r ic t : t h e 1 5 t h Pennsylvania S e n a t o r i a l D i s t r i c t ; and t h e 106th Pennsylvania House of Represen ta t ives Distr ic t . Reg i s t e red v o t e r s of t h e Borough, t h e r e f o r e , cast ba l lo t s fo r cand ida te s running f o r e l e c t i v e off ices i n t h e s e r e s p e c t i v e Dis t r ic t s . Royalton i s d iv ided i n t o t w o Wards, each Ward

having f o u r ( 4 ) elected r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s s i t t i n g as Counci l m e m b e r s . The mayor is elected a t - l a r g e .

A t t e r m i n a t i o n of t h e development of t h i s Comprehensive P lan , Borough Counci l and t h e Mayor c o n s i s t e d of t h e fo l lowing i n d i v i d u a l s :

Counci l P r e s i d e n t : Alton Goodling Counci l Vice-president : Fred Re ig le Mayor: Edward G. P o r t

1st Ward Counci l Members Char l e s Bolton M. Ruth Hurley

2nd Ward Counci l M e m b e r s

Al ton Goodling J u d i t h Oxenford

Donald Sad le r George Rudy

Fred Re ig le Gary Nagle

Borough Counci l has e s t a b l i s h e d t h e fo l lowing s t a n d i n g committees: 1

:I / '

i

6 b

Highways George Rudy, Chairperson Gary Nagle Fred Re ig le

Donald-Sadler , Chairperson Gary Nagle J u d i t h Oxenford

Park and Bui ld ing

F i r e

M. Ruth Hurley, Chairperson George Rudy J u d i t h Oxenford

Budget and Finance J u d i t h Oxenford, Chairperson M. Ruth Hurley Donald Sad le r

Electric

Gary Nagle, Chai rperson Fred Re ig le Char l e s Bol ton

Ordinance and S a n i t a t i o n Charles Bolton, Chai rperson Donald S a d l e r M. Ruth Hurley

Pol ice Fred Reigle , Chai rperson Char l e s Bolton George Rudy

I n a d d i t i o n t o C o u n c i l ' s s t a n d i n g committees, o t h e r e l e c t e d and appointed o f f i c e s are e f f e c t i v e i n Borough a d m i n i s t r a t i v e a c t i v i t i e s , as fol lows:

Tax Collector ( e l e c t e d ) Doris Bra tz

Borough Audi tors ( e l e c t e d Ruth Burke t t Jeanne Miller Nancy Updegraff

Borough Secre ta ry /Treasurer (appoin ted) Boni ta Young

Borough C l e r k (appoin ted) Nancy Barton

S o l i c i t o r (appoin ted)

Planning Commission (appointed) J e r e d Hock, Esqu i re

J u d i t h Oxenford, Chairperson (vacant ) , Vice-Chairperson Donna Cle land , S e c r e t a r y Monica Drayer, M e m b e r

Rodney Keefer , Member Ronald V u l a t i c , Member

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I

Planning Commission (appointed) ( v a c a n t ) , Member

Royalton Borough Author i ty (appoin ted) Robert Updegraff, Chairperson Rodney Keefer, Vice-Chairperson Donald W i l l i a m s , S e c r e t a r y Ronald V u l a t i c , T reasu re r Anna Finegan, A s s i s t a n t T r e a s u r e r

Emergency Preparedness (appoin ted) Edward Por t , Director

Code Enforcement O f f i c e r (appoin ted)

Borough E l e c t r i c i a n (appointed) Thomas S toner

Ray Kennedy O l m s t e a d Recrea t ion Au thor i ty Represen ta t ives (appoin ted)

Alton Goodling J u d i t h Oxenford

Police Chief (appoin ted) W i l l i a m Eynon

Borough Engineer (appoin ted) s h e r r i c k Associates

E f f e c t i v e January 1, 1982, Dauphin County h a s been upgraded i n s t a t u s f r o m a f o u r t h . c l a s s county t o a t h i r d class county. The Thi rd C l a s s County Assessment Law a b o l i s h e s t h e p o s i t i o n of t h e loca l e l e c t e d Assessor, t h e r e f o r e , t h e elected p o s i t i o n of Assessor w i l l no longe r be p a r t o f t h e Borough's loca l government s t r u c t u r e .

The Pennsylvania Borough Code a u t h o r i z e s Borough Counci l t o create a v a r i e t y of committee and i n d i v i d u a l loca l government p o s i t i o n s , as t h e need arises. loca l government p o s i t i o n s and t h e number of appointments p e r p o s i t i o n Counci l may create:

Following i s a l i s t of o p t i o n a l

,

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O f f i c e

Borough Manager A s s i s t a n t Borough

S e c r e t a r y A s s i s t a n t Borough

Treasu re r A s s i s t a n t S o l i c i t o r C i v i l Se rv ice Commission

Zoning Hearing Board

Recrea t ion Board Shade T r e e Commission Board o f Heal th

Number of P o s i t i o n s Pe rmi t t ed 1

1

1 1 3 (where p o l i c e force or

pa id f i remen a r e main ta ined) 3 o r 5 (mandatory wi th

Zoning Ordinance adop t ion ) 5-9 3

5

The Royalton Borough H a l l i s l o c a t e d a t t he i n t e r s e c t i o n of Dock and Burd Streets. weekdays, excep t ho l idays . Borough H a l l houses t h e Borough Sec re t a ry /Treasu re r , C le rk , P o l i c e Department, Counci l Chambers, and meet ings of t h e Borough Author i ty . With Counci l approval , local s e r v i c e o r g a n i z a t i o n s may schedule and ho ld m e e t i n g s / a c t i v i t i e s a t t h e Borough H a l l .

was c o n s t r u c t e d i n 1 9 6 8 . I t i s an a l l - b r i c k b u i l d i n g and w e l l maintained. P o r t i o n s of t h e grounds c o n t a i n s e v e r a l p i c n i c t ab le s . and lawn a r e a for p a s s i v e r e c r e a t i o n use .

O f f i c e hours are from 9 a .m. t o 5 p.m.

The Borough H a l l

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B. NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

T o he lp provide o r d e r l y , i n t e l l i g e n t , and e f f i c i e n t growth f o r Royalton Borough, it i s e s sen t i a l t h a t t h e a p p r o p r i a t e f e a t u r e s of t h e n a t u r a l environment be d i s c u s s e d and i n t e g r a t e d w i t h t h e planning process . The purpose of t h i s s e c t i o n i s t o provide a p r a c t i c a l compi la t ion of available environmental data a s an a i d t o p lanning fo r t h e Borough. I t i s impor tan t t h a t government decision-makers and t h e p u b l i c i n g e n e r a l be aware of t h e c o n s t r a i n t s and b e n e f i t s t h e n a t u r a l environment may impose or provide f o r f u t u r e development of t h e Borough.

\

climate Royalton Borough i s dominated by atmospheric f l o w p a t t e r n s common t o Humid C o n t i n e n t a l t ype climate. T h e complex weather systems t h a t i n f l u e n c e t h e area o r i g i n a t e i n t h e C e n t r a l P l a i n s o f t h e United S t a t e s . As t hey t r a v e l eastward, they are g r a d u a l l y modif ied by t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e under ly ing topography. P e r i o d i c a l l y , c o n s i d e r a b l e moi s tu re is picked up by storms developing and moving up a long t h e s o u t h e a s t e r n c o a s t l i n e o f t h e United S t a t e s . A d i s t u r b a n c e of t h i s t ype u s u a l l y b r i n g s moderate t o heavy p r e c i p i t a t i o n t o t h e Lower Susquehanna R i v e r area due t o t h e g e n e r a l upslope motion of moist a i r over t h e area's rugged t e r r a i n . I n t h e c o l d e r months, t h e s e storms o f t e n d e p o s i t heavy amounts of w e t snow throughout t h e area.

The normal success ion of h igh and l o w p r e s s u r e systems moving eastward across t h e n a t i o n produce weather changes i n t h e area every f e w days i n t h e win te r and s p r i n g of t h e y e a r . I n t h e summer and f a l l , t h e weather changes are less f r e q u e n t due t o a slowing down of t h e g e n e r a l a tmospheric c i r c u l a t i o n du r ing t h e w a r m e r months.

Hurr icanes o r t r o p i c a l d i s t u r b a n c e s fo l low a n o r t h e a s t e r l y p a t h as they move northward i n t h e middle l a t i t u d e s , producing heavy r a i n f a l l s and s t r o n g s u r f a c e winds i n t h e area.

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Frequent ly a f f e c t i n g water s u p p l i e s and caus ing f l o o d s , t h e s e storms are normally experienced du r ing June through November.

p i t a t i o n February l i g h t t o t h e mean

T h i s area of C e n t r a l Pennsylvania normally receives about 4 1 i nches of p r e c i p i t a t i o n annual ly . N o r m a l monthly p r e c i -

t o t a l s . . average from a minimum of 2 . 6 i n c h e s i n t o a maximum of 4 . 3 inches i n August. Snowfal l i s moderate averaging about 30 i n c h e s annua l ly , w h i l e annual number of days wi th snow cover of one i n c h

o r more i s about 50 days.

The average annual temperature i s about 54OF. f r e e pe r iod i s about 175 days. Because of t h e r e g i o n ' s rugged t e r r a i n t h e f r e e z e - f r e e season i s somewhat v a r i a b l e . The summer mean tempera ture i s about 76 F and i n w i n t e r i s 32OF.

The mean f r e e z e -

0

The p r e v a i l i n g wind d i r e c t i o n s are from t h e n o r t h e a s t i n w i n t e r and from t h e w e s t i n sp r ing . The average wind speed i s 1 0 mph.

The mean monthly re la t ive humid i t i e s f o r t h e months o f January , A p r i l , J u l y , and October are about 68 p e r c e n t , 62

p e r c e n t , 70 p e r c e n t , and 75 p e r c e n t , r e s p e c t i v e l y . The mean annual sunshine i n hours pe r year i s abou t 2,500 hours .

There are s e v e r a l climatic c o n s i d e r a t i o n s t h a t can be advanta- geous t o development i n t h e Borough. Tree l i n e s should be on t h e northwest s i d e of b u i l d i n g s . By breaking t h e v e l o c i t y o f t h e nor thwes t winds, w i n t e r energy conse rva t ion can be r e a l i z e d , e x t e r i o r b u i l d i n g s u r f a c e wearing minimized, and maximum shade provided du r ing t h e s m e r . To t a k e advantage of p a s s i v e o r a c t i v e solar systems, t h e s e systems should be

located on sou th f a c i n g w a l l s t o take advantage of t h e s u n l i g h t . Although t h e climate of t h i s area w i l l n o t have a profound a f f e c t on t h e Borough's land uses , it should be g iven cons idera- t i o n i n r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of e x i s t i n g s t r u c t u r e s , as w e l l as, t he l ayou t of f u t u r e s t r u c t u r e s .

11

S o i l s The q u a l i t i e s and c a p a b i l i t i e s of s o i l s w i t h i n a m u n i c i p a l i t y have a cons ide rab le impact on t h e de t e rmina t ion of types of u s e s and t h e l o c a t i o n of s t r u c t u r e s on l a n d available f o r development. The United States Department of A g r i c u l t u r e S o i l Conservatkon Se rv ice , i n con junc t ion w i t h t h e Environmental Resources, i s s u e d t h e r e s u l t s of a d e t a i l e d s o i l survey f o r Dauphin County i n 1 9 7 2 . De ta i l ed s o i l s informat ion such as c rop s u i t a b i l i t y , s e a s o n a l h igh water t a b l e , depth of s o i l , engineer ing c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , and many other s o i l - r e l a t e d parameters a r e available i n t h i s p u b l i c a t i o n .

I n g e n e r a l , when s o i l i s mentioned i n t h i s r e p o r t , it is i n r e f e r e n c e t o t h e material found above t h e t o p of t h e

weathered bedrock. Th i s i n c l u d e s t h e humus zone, t h e leached zone, and t h e s u b s o i l zone of t h e t y p i c a l s o i l p r o f i l e . The dep th t o unweathered bedrock, or mant le t h i c k n e s s , and h igh water t a b l e are of p a r t i c u l a r importance t o l and u s e planning. A r e a s w i t h a dep th t o bedrock of between 5 and 1 0 feet are f a v o r a b l e t o heavy c o n s t r u c t i o n t h a t depends upon so l id bedrock fo r s t r u c t u r a l foundat ion suppor t . t o bed rock 'o f over 1 0 feet are f a v o r a b l e f o r more l i g h t e r r e s i d e n t i a l c o n s t r u c t i o n where t h i c k , undis turbed s o l i d soil i s s a t i s f a c t o r y f o r s t r u c t u r a l foundat ion suppor t . d e p t h t o bedrock i s too shal low, 1% t o 3 feet , c o n s t r u c t i o n of b u i l d i n g s w i t h basements would be i n h i b i t e d . A t h i n mant le cover might a l so res t r ic t t h e l o c a t i o n of underground u t i l i t y l i n e s o r highway c o r r i d o r c o n s t r u c t i o n .

S o i l p r o p e r t i e s most impor tan t f o r eng inee r ing c o n s i d e r a t i o n are pe rmeab i l i t y , shea r s t r e n g t h , compaction c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , s o i l d ra inage , shr ink-swel l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , g r a i n s i z e and d i s t r i b u t i o n , p l a s t i c i t y , and a c i d i t y . The s u i t a b i l i t y of s o i l f o r grading , excavat ion , f i l l , v e r t i c a l a l ignment of roads, c o n s t r u c t i o n of p i p e l i n e s , etc. , i s an ex t remely impor tan t c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n engineer ing des ign and c o n s t r u c t i o n a c t i v i t i e s .

A r e a s w i t h a d e p t h

I f t h e

,

12

I

Important s o i l p r o p e r t i e s r e l a t e d t o r e s i d e n t i a l , commercial, o r i n d u s t r i a l u s e s of l and are dep th of s o i l over bedrock, degree of s lope , pe rmeab i l i t y , depth t o seasona l high w a t e r t a b l e , s o i l t e x t u r e , and degree of s t o n i n e s s . Upon review of t h e va r ious s o i l s found i n t h e Borough, l i m i t a t i o n s f o r t h e fo l lowing s p e c i f i c u s e s w i l l be h e l p f u l for p lanning purposes. L i m i t a t i o n s are r a t e d a s s l i g h t ( f a v o r a b l e ) , moderate, and s e v e r e ( u n f a v o r a b l e ) . Refer t o t h e S o i l s Map f o r t h e s p e c i f i c l o c a t i o n of t h e s e s o i l s throughout t h e Borough.

I S t r e e t s / S o i l Series/Symbol Landscaping Home Sites/Basement Parking L o t s

Bas he r / B c Moderate Severe ( f l o o d i n g ) Severe ( f l o o d i n

Duncannon/DvA S l i g h t S l i g h t S l i g h t ( f l o o d i n g )

Lindside/Lw Moderate Severe ( f l o o d i n g ) Severe ( f l o o d i n ( f lood ing / a c i d i t y )

( f l o o d i n g )

( f lood ing) ( f l o o d i n g )

4 I I

Tioga/Ta Moderate Severe ( f lood ing) Severe (f l o o d i n

Tioga/Tg Moderate Severe ( f l o o d i n g ) Moderate

Urban A l l u v i a l / Ua Too Var i ab le T o R a t e

Urban Shale/Us Too Var i ab le T o R a t e

,) S lopes d The s l o p e of t h e land i s a major c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n t h e p lanning and development of any a r e a . The Contour Map f o r Royalton d e p i c t s t hose a r e a s i n t h e Borough t h a t are s u i t a b l e o r u n s u i t a b l e f o r development d u e t o t h e l a y of t h e land . A r e a s

having a s l o p e less than 10% a r e t h e most s u i t a b l e for development. A r e a s of s l o p e between 11% and 20% should be considered w i t h c a u t i o n . Those areas i n excess of 20% should have , t h e g r e a t e s t r e s t r i c t i o n s f o r development.

When cons ide r ing t h e s l o p e of t h e l and , it i s impor t an t t o keep i n mind t h a t these n a t u r a l g r a d i e n t s were c r e a t e d by e r o s i o n a l forces t r y i n g t o e s t a b l i s h a s t a b l e c o n d i t i o n .

I I

13

S o m e t i m e s when development alters t h e s e g r a d i e n t s , a n a t u r a l balance i s upse t and l a n d s l i d e s , rock s l i d e s , muds l ides , and s o i l creep may r e s u l t as n a t u r e t r ies t o restore equ i l ib r ium.

Woodlands As can be seen . . on . t h e 1" = 2 0 0 ' a e r i a l photograph of t h e Borough, provided as a s e p a r a t e e x h i b i t a p a r t f r o m t h i s t e x t , Royalton has r e t a i n e d a s i z a b l e p o r t i o n of i t s tree and brush cover. Woodland i s ano the r impor tan t n a t u r a l element i n municipal p lanning and development. N o t on ly does it posses s a e s t h e t i c q u a l i t i e s , it also c l e a n s e s t h e a i r , s t a b l i z e s t h e s o i l , r e t a i n s s u r f a c e water runoff fo r s o i l a b s o r p t i o n , breaks t h e v e l o c i t y of w i n t e r winds, p rovides cool summer shade,

suppor t s w i l d l i f e , and can be u t i l i z e d t o serve as a b u f f e r between land uses . For t h e s e and many o t h e r r easons , wooded areas, and i n p a r t i c u l a r wooded areas i n combination w i t h s t e e p s l o p e s should be preserved as much as p o s s i b l e .

F loodp la in Flooding has h i s t o r i c a l l y occurred i n Royalton. l o c a t i o n a t t h e conf luence of t h e Swatara Creek and t h e Susquehanna River makes p e r i o d i c f lood ing i n e v i t a b l e , and t h e r e f o r e , p roper land u s e management w i t h i n t h e f l o o d p l a i n an extremely impor tan t p lanning o b j e c t i v e . The F loodp la in Map d e l i n e a t e s both t h e Flood E leva t ions are a lso no ted a t i n t e r v a l s a long t h e Swatara Creek and Susquehanna River s h o r e l i n e s .

The Borough's

The Borough, ve ry wise ly , has become a p a r t i c i p a n t i n t h e Na t iona l Flood Insurance Program. I n f u l f i l l i n g Program p a r t i c i p a t i o n requi rements , t h e Borough has adopted a p p r o p r i a t e f l o o d p l a i n management r e g u l a t i o n s . I d e n t i f i c a t i o n of t h e Regulatory B a s e Flood has been provided by t h e U . S . Department of Housing and Urban Development, Fede ra l Insurance Adminis t ra t ion , i n t h e f o r m of a Flood Insurance Study and product ion of a Flood Hazard Boundary Map and Flood Insurance R a t e Map. The s tudy and maps are on f i l e a t t h e Borough Off ice .

14

Of s p e c i f i c b e n e f i t t o r e s i d e n t s l o c a t e d i n t h e f l o o d p l a i n , t h e Borough's p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e Na t iona l Flood Insurance Program enab les t h e m t o purchase F e d e r a l l y s u b s i d i z e d flood

insu rance .

Flooding has had a s i g n i f i c a n t impact on t h e developed p o r t i o n of t h e Borough": Approximately 15% of t h e F i r s t Ward, and 5% of t h e Second Ward land areas are located w i t h i n t h e 1 0 0

yea r f l o o d p l a i n . This amounts t o approximately 20% of t h e t o t a l Borough land area l y i n g w i t h i n t h e f l o o d p l a i n . While no dwe l l ings of t h e Second Ward are l o c a t e d i n t h e f l o o d p l a i n , a t o t a l of 86 s e p a r a t e l and p a r c e l s , c o n t a i n i n g 6 1 dwe l l ings of t h e F i r s t Ward are w i t h i n t h e f l o o d p l a i n area. A complete l i s t i n g of each flood-prone p a r c e l by Tax Map Parcel N u m b e r has been compiled f o r submission t o t h e Borough under s e p a r a t e cover from t h i s t e x t . P a r t i c u l a r in format ion on t h i s l i s t i n c l u d e s t h e Map Number, Parcel N u m b e r , Land U s e , Percentage of L o t i n t h e F loodpla in , and Number of Dwelling U n i t s p e r p a r c e l . I t i s recommended t h a t t h e Borough u t i l i z e t h i s d a t a i n i t s f l o o d p l a i n management ac t iv i t i e s .

Borough Pol ic ies Toward t h e Na tu ra l Environment E f f e c t i v e p lanning f o r t h e f u t u r e development of t h e Borough n e c e s s i t a t e s t h a t s e r i o u s c o n s i d e r a t i o n be g iven t o t h e n a t u r a l e l e m e n t s of t h e environment, as t h e s e e lements a f fec t t h e

d e s i r a b i l i t y and impact of development a t p a r t i c u l a r l o c a t i o n s . The fo l lowing p o l i c y s t a t emen t s concerning t h e n a t u r a l environment are proposed:

o Woodlands are a va luab le environmental and a e s t h e t i c f e a t u r e , t h e r e f o r e t h e i r d e p l e t i o n through development i s n o t cons idered i n t h e p u b l i c i n t e r e s t .

o Flooding imposes d e t r i m e n t a l social and economic impacts t o r e s i d e n c e s and bus inesses l o c a t e d i n t h e f l o o d p l a i n . Therefore , development w i t h i n t h e floodway should c o n t i n u e t o be p r o h i b i t e d , and development w i t h i n f lood- f r inge areas should be undertaken on ly when i n compliance w i t h adopted f l o o d p l a i n management' r e g u l a t i o n s .

15

o The development of land with excessive slope characteristics I increases the potential for land slides, mudslides, erosion, and related surface water drainage problems. Therefore, extensive development of these areas is not considered in the best public interest.

16

a

E C. E X I S T I N G LAND USE

T h e fo l lowing a n a l y s i s of t h e e x i s t i n g l a n d u s e p a t t e r n i n Royalton Borough i s fundamental t o unde r s t and ing t h e c h a r a c t e r of t h e community and i t s problems. Economic factors, development t r e n d s , c u l t u r a l a t t i t u d e s , and p h y s i c a l f e a t u r e s r e s u l t i n a l and use p a t t e r n t h a t e x p r e s s w h a t a community i s , and has been. Such in fo rma t ion serves as p a r t o f t h e Borough's i nven to ry of r e s o u r c e s and, t o g e t h e r w i t h o t h e r f a c t o r s , p rov ides a basis f o r recommendations r e g a r d i n g f u t u r e l and use.

E x i s t i n q Development P a t t e r n Royalton Borough c o n t a i n s approximate ly 214 acres of l a n d ( . 3 3 squa re m i l e ) , of which 59% can be cons ide red developed.

A f i e l d survey w a s conducted by t h e c o n s u l t a n t . The informa- t i o n w a s coded on each t a x map p a r c e l , mapped, t a b u l a t e d and analyzed. A complete set of l a n d use coded Tax Maps and t a b u l a t e d p a r c e l c o u n t s is be ing provided t o t h e Borough under s e p a r a t e cover . A 1"=200' scale E x i s t i n g Land U s e

Map i s a l so be ing f u r n i s h e d t o t h e Township f o r on-going p lanning purposes . T h i s map c o n t a i n s s c a l e d d e l i n e a t i o n s of every p a r c e l of l a n d i n t h e Borough, and i s color-coded t o expres s t y p e s of l a n d uses .

Table 1 p r e s e n t s t h e r e s u l t s of t h e e x i s t i n g l and u s e i n v e n t o r y conducted f o r Royalton. Where more t h a n one u s e w a s p r e s e n t , bo th u s e s were t a b u l a t e d and d e p i c t e d as Mixed-Use on t h e p a t t e r n coded E x i s t i n g Land U s e Map i n c l u d e d i n t h i s t e x t . R e s i d e n t i a l l a n d i s t h e predominant l a n d u s e i n t h e Borough. I t accoun t s f o r approximately 45% of t h e t o t a l developed l a n d area. Public/Semi P u b l i c l and i s second, compr is ing a b o u t 1 0 % o f t h e developed l and area. A g r i c u l t u r a l and Vacant Land c a t e g o r i e s comprise t h e undeveloped p o r t i o n s of t h e Borough, t o t a l i n g some 4 0 % of t h e t o t a l Borough l and area.

The p r o p o r t i o n of l a n d i n r e s i d e n t i a l u se , compared t o t h e

ve ry s m a l l amounts of commercial and i n d u s t r i a l used l a n d ,

17

s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e Borough i s a bedroom community. R e s i d e n t s r e l y on l and uses i n o t h e r m u n i c i p a l i t i e s f o r employment, and t h e a c q u i s i t i o n of goods and services. S i n c e t h e i n v e n t o r y w a s i n i t i a l l y conducted i n t he s p r i n g of 1981, t h e Borough has l o s t 2 commercial e s t a b l i s h m e n t s ; one be ing r e p l a c e d by a r e s i d e n c e and- . the o ther s t a n d i n g vacan t .

R e s i d e n t i a l Land U s e

Approximately 57 acres are used f o r r e s i d e n t i a l purpos-es; t h i s amounts t o 45% of t h e t o t a l developed l and and 26% of t h e t o t a l Borough area. S ingle- fami ly de t ached dwe l l ings are t h e predominant t ype of r e s i d e n t i a l u s e , followed by s ing le - f ami ly semi-detached dwe l l ings . A more de ta i led p r e s e n t a t i o n of dwe l l ing t y p e s i s p r e s e n t e d i n t h e Housing S e c t i o n of t h i s P lan . R e s i d e n t i a l l a n d ac reage i s s p l i t almost e x a c t l y 50/50 between t h e F i r s t and Second Wards.

Commercial Land U s e

Only one p a r c e l i n t h e e n t i r e Borough w a s devoted t o s t r i c t l y commercial l and use . T h i s b u s i n e s s i s located on a .15 acre l o t a long Route 4 4 1 and comprises a minute pe rcen tage of developed l a n d area.

p u b l i c Land U s e P u b l i c Land consumes approximate ly 5 acres, or 4% of the

developed l a n d and 2% of t o t a l Borough l a n d area. Inc luded i n t h i s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n are t h e Borough S t o r a g e Yard, Borough H a l l , Borough Garage, Sewage Pump S t a t i o n , Borough Park , and Northumberland Elementary School (vaca ted w i t h i n t h e p a s t y e a r ) . Approximately 60% of t h i s ac reage i s located i n t he

Second Ward.

Semi-public Land U s e

T h i s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n r e p r e s e n t s approximate ly 8.5 acres, compris ing a l i t t l e more t h a n 6.5% of t o t a l developed area, and 4 % of t h e t o t a l Borough a r e a . Land u s e s i n c l u d e d i n t h i s c a t e g o r y are the Kiwana'sl P a r k and Methodist Church.

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Approximately 9 2 % of t h i s l and area is located i n t h e F i r s t

Ward.

Mixed Residential/Commercial

P a r c e l s c o n t a i n i n g r e s i d e n t i a l and commercial u s e s t o t a l e d 2 . 4 acres, or. . l .9% of t h e t o t a l developed area and 1.1% of t h e t o t a l Borough area. A s w i t h t h e r e s i d e n t i a l ac reage , t h i s t ype of l a n d use i s s p l i t 50/50 between t h e F i r s t and Second Wards.

Mixed Res ident ia l /Semi-Publ ic T h i s t y p e of l a n d use i s l o c a t e d on one p a r c e l i n t h e Second Ward. s m a l l p o r t i o n of l and area i n t h e Borough.

I t c o v e r s an area .55 acre and c o n s t i t u t e s a v e r y

I n d u s t r i a l Land U s e

Two p a r c e l s are u t i l i z e d f o r what i s cons ide red i n d u s t r i a l l and use . I t consumes 4.7 acres, and comprises 3.7% of t h e developed l and area and 2.3% of t o t a l Borough l a n d area. A s m a l l warehouse s t r u c t u r e i s l o c a t e d i n t h e Second Ward, and a s a l v a g e o p e r a t i o n located on 8 acres i n t h e F i r s t Ward

a long Route 441.

A g r i c u l t u r a l Land U s e

A 22 a c r e c u l t i v a t e d f i e l d is l o c a t e d i n t h e Second Ward, behind Shippen S t r e e t . T h i s p a r c e l c o n s t i t u t e s 10% of t h e t o t a l Borough area. The r e s i d u a l of t h i s p r o p e r t y is l o c a t e d i n adjacent Londonderry Township. l a n d , t h i s p a r c e l has s o i l and s l o p e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s s u i t a b l e f o r f u t u r e development.

A s w i t h most a g r i c u l t u r a l

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Land U s e

T o t a l s treet and r a i l r o a d r i g h t of way amounts t o 46 acres, t h u s c o n s t i t u t i n g 21.5% of t h e t o t a l Borough area. The

nor th-south r a i l r o a d c o r r i d o r d i v i d e s t h e Borough i n t o t h e F i r s t and Second Wards, and creates a phys iog raph ic s p l i t of t h e Borough.

1 9

Vacant Land The remainder of t h e Borough c o n s i s t s of v a c a n t l a n d n o t be ing u t i l i z e d f o r any p a r t i c u l a r l a n d u s e other t h a n woodland, open space , or p o s s i b l y misce l l aneous temporary s t o r a g e . Almost 30% of the t o t a l Borough area i s v a c a n t , however, due t o s t e e p s l o p e and fJoodpla in characteristics it i s n o t a l l

sb i t ab le f o r development.

The e x i s t i n g land u s e inven to ry and map i l l u s t r a t e s e v e r a l l a n d use characterist ics t o be g iven c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n t h e

p lanning p rocess :

o The s i g n i f i c a n t amount of v a c a n t and developed r e s i d e n t i a l l a n d area w i t h i n t h e f l o o d p l a i n ,

o Only a very s m a l l p o r t i o n of l a n d l o c a t e d i n t h e floodway is c u r r e n t l y developed. T h i s

p rov ides t h e o p p o r t u n i t y o f c r e a t i n g p u b l i c open s p a c e and w a t e r access a long t h e Swatara Creek

and Susquehanna R i v e r , o The l a r g e p a r c e l of a g r i c u l t u r a l l a n d p h y s i c a l l y

s u i t a b l e f o r development i n t h e Second Ward,

o A l m o s t t h e e n t i r e vacan t l and a c r e a g e i n t h e Second Ward i s c o n t a i n e d on one l a n d p a r c e l . Due t o t h e f l o o d p l a i n and s t e e p s l o p e charac- t e r i s t i c of t h i s area, t h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n of m u l t i - f ami ly u n i t s on t h e s u i t a b l e l a n d area and open space on t h e r e s i d u a l might be an a p p r o p r i a t e f u t u r e land u s e , The predominant l and u s e of t h e Borough i s r e s i d e n t i a l i n c h a r a c t e r . T h i s , i n combinat ion w i t h t h e s m a l l pe rcen tage of commercial area, i l l u s t r a t e s a dependency on o t h e r m u n i c i p a l i t i e s f o r a c q u i s i t i o n of goods and s e r v i c e s , and employment. Should t h e

Borough expec t t o remain a "bedroom community"?

i l l u s t r a t e d by t h e ex t remely small p e r c e n t a g e of l and i n commercial and i n d u s t r i a l u se . How much expansion i s d e s i r a b l e ?

o

o The Borough has ve ry l i t t l e economic base, as

20

o Possible

of-way t r a b u f f e r nearby r e

o The p o s s i i n d u s t r i a

u t i l i z a t i o n of t h e electric u t i l i t y r i g h t - , a v e r s i n g a p o r t i o n of t he F i r s t Ward as between t h e s a l v a g e ya rd i n d u s t r i a l u s e and s i d e n c e s . b l e expansion of e x i s t i n g commercial and 1 l a n d u s e s a long R t . 441.

21

TABLE C . l

~ Tota l Acreage 213.65 1 0 0 . 0

EXISTING LAND USE INVENTORY

Land Use Category

R e s i d e n t i a l

Commercial Mixed: R e s i d e n t i a l /

I n d u s t r i a l

p u b l i c

Semi-public

Mixed: R e s i d e n t i a l /

A g r i c u l t u r e

. . .

Commercial

Semi-publ ic

T r a n s p o r t a t i o n (S t r ee t s /RR)

Vacant

Acreage 56.82

.15

2.40 8.10 4.73 8.49

.55 22.43 46.11 63.87

%Total Borough Land A r e a

26.5 .1

1.1 3.7 2.3

4.0

.3 10.5 21.5

30.0

22

D. HOUSING A t t r a c t i v e houses and wel l -main ta ined r e s i d e n t i a l neighborhoods are one of t h e m o s t impor t an t assets of any community. Good housing n o t on ly a s s u r e s a sound t a x base t h a t w i l l con t inue t o a p p r e c i a t e i n v a l u e , b u t a l so a s s u r e s t h a t r e s i d e n t s are l i v i n g i n an environment t h a t i s conducive

t o h e a l t h f u l and sa t i s fac tory day-to-day l i f e .

The f u t u r e q u a l i t y and c o n d i t i o n o f housing i s ext remely i m p o r t a n t t o t h e growth and p r o s p e r i t y of Royalton Borough. Where subs t anda rd or d e t e r i o r a t e d c o n d i t i o n s e x i s t , p o s i t i v e p u b l i c ,and p r i v a t e a c t i o n i s r e q u i r e d t o p r e v e n t t h e s p r e a d of t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s and t o restore t h e s e areas t o sound c o n d i t i o n . and e v a l u a t i n g housing c o n d i t i o n s , t h o s e areas of t h e Borough which r e q u i r e such a t t e n t i o n can be i d e n t i f i e d , and recommendations f o r t h e a p p r o p r i a t e a c t i o n s can be made.

By a n a l y z i n g e x i s t i n g hous ing characteristics

Types of Dwellings I n p r e p a r a t i o n of t h i s p l ann ing e lement , a f i e l d su rvey w a s conducted t o i d e n t i f y t he type and amount of dwe l l ing u n i t s l o c a t e d i n t h e Borough. A t o t a l of 354 d w e l l i n g s w e r e i d e n t i f i e d ; 149 dwel l ings i n t h e F i r s t Ward and 205 d w e l l i n g s i n t h e Second Ward. a v e r y s l i g h t d i f f e r e n c e . The fo l lowing Table i n d i c a t e s t h e number of v a r i o u s t y p e s o f r e s i d e n t i a l dwe l l ing arrangements .

The Second Ward c o n t a i n s 56 more d w e l l i n g s ,

TABLE D . l

DWELLING U N I T S

Single-Family Single-Family Mul t i - T o t a l Detached Semi-Detached Duplex Family U n i t s

F i r s t Ward 1 1 7 16 2 14 149 Second Ward 125 64 4 12 205 Borough To ta l 242 80 6 26 354

23

68% - 23% -

2 % - 7% -

Single-Family Detached Dwell ings Single-Family Semi-Detached Dwell ings Duplex Dwellings Muit-i-Fami l y Dwellings

R e s i d e n t i a l u ses of a l l t y p e s consume 60 n e t r e s i d e n t i a l acres of t h e 213 acres compris ing t o t a l Borough l a n d area. On t h e s e 60 acres are l o c a t e d 354 dwe l l ing u n i t s of v a r i o u s types . The Borough, t h e r e f o r e , has a n e t r e s i d e n t i a l d e n s i t y of 5.9 dwe l l ing u n i t s p e r r e s i d e n t i a l acre of land .

Between 1 9 7 0 and 1 9 8 0 a t o t a l of 23 new d w e l l i n g s w e r e added t o t h e Borough's r e s i d e n t i a l housing s t o c k , o r an average of 2 new dwe l l ings p e r yea r . On a pe rcen tage basis, t h e number of dwe l l ings i n c r e a s e d by 6.8%. On t h e average, t h e Borough's i n Dauphin County expe r i enced an 8.2% i n c r e a s e i n dwe l l ing u n i t s . Of t h e 1 6 Boroughs i n Dauphin County, 8 had a lower pe rcen tage of dwe l l ing u n i t increase t h a n expe r i enced by Royalton. Dauphin County, as a whole, expe r i enced a 21%

increase i n dwe l l ing u n i t s from 1970 t o 1980.

Age o f S t r u c t u r e The age of a s t r u c t u r e can be u s e f u l i n t h e e v a l u a t i o n of s t r u c t u r a l c o n d i t i o n s . Although t h e age of a s t r u c t u r e does n o t n e c e s s a r i l y imply i t s c o n d i t i o n , it does p o i n t t o an area where r e p a i r s , h e a t i n g costs , and inadequa te plumbing and e l ec t r i ca l systems could be a problem.

I n Royalton Borough, 6 4 % o f t h e r e s i d e n c e s w e r e c o n s t r u c t e d p r i o r t o 1939, compared t o 4 1 % f o r t h e e n t i r e County. The fo l lowing Table compares t h e age of housing i n Royalton with t h a t of t h e e n t i r e County.

2 4

c m

U

C m

TABLE D. 2 AGE OF H O U S I N G

1981

Royal-on Borough Dauphin County Year S t r u c t u r e B u i l t N u m b e r P e r c e n t N u m b e r P e r c e n t 1980-1981 (1) 1975-1979 (1) 1965-1974 (2) 1960-1964 (3)

1950-1959 (3)

1940-1949 (3) 1939 or ear l ie r (3)

TOTAL

2 1% 10 3% 14 3% 34 8% 39 9% 52 12%

269 64%

420 100%

1,315 1% 8,153 9%

15,871 17%

6,475 7% 15,404 16% 8,142 9%

38,900 41%

94,260 100%

SOURCE: (1) Tri-County Regional P lanning Commission Annual

(2) Years 1965-Apr., 1970 - U.S. Bureau of Census, Bui ld ing P e r m i t Surveys

1970 Census of Housing Years May, 1970-1981 - TCRPC Annual Bu i ld ing P e r m i t Surveys

(3) U . S . Bureau of Census, 1970 Census of Housing

Housing Cond i t ions One r e l i ab le i n d i c a t o r of subs t anda rd housing u n i t s i s t h e l a c k of complete plumbing f a c i l i t i e s i n a dwe l l ing . Based

upon t h i s c o n d i t i o n , t h e number of subs t anda rd dwe l l ing u n i t s i n Royalton dec reased d r a m a t i c a l l y s i n c e 1970 . The number of subs t anda rd u n i t s has dec reased from 63 t o on ly 1 0 , or a r e d u c t i o n of 8 4 % . Comparat ively, t h e number of subs t anda rd u n i t s i n t h e County dec reased by 58%. T h i s i s

a s i g n i f i c a n t improvement f o r t h e Borough, and i s probably a t t r i b u t a b l e t o t h e p r o v i s i o n of p u b l i c w a t e r and s e w e r . E f f e c t i v e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f t h e Borough's Bui ld ing and P r o p e r t y Maintenance Codes should e v e n t u a l l y e l i m i n a t e sub- s t a n d a r d housing u n i t s l a c k i n g plumbing f a c i l i t i e s .

25

TABLE D.3

H O U S I N G C O N D I T I O N S

1970-19 80

Royalton Borough Dauphin County 1 9 7 0 1980 1 9 7 0 1 9 8 0

Complete Plumbing Fac i l i t i e s (TOTAL) 250 326 7 2 , 0 3 8 86 ,827

Owner-occupied 1 9 3 254 4 6 , 5 7 9 5 5 , 2 1 5

Renter-occupied 5 7 72 2 5 , 459 31 ,612

Lacking Complete Plumbing F a c i l i t i e s (TOTAL) 6 3 1 0 3 , 0 3 7 1 , 2 6 1 Owner-occupied 39 6 1 , 3 6 7 434

Renter-occupied 24 4 1 , 6 7 0 827

TOTAL Occupied Un i t s 313 336 1 5 , 0 7 5 8 8 , 0 8 8

SOURCE: U . S . Bureau of Census 1970 and 1 9 8 0

I n o r d e r t o assist i n i d e n t i f y i n g areas of c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f d e f i c i e n t s t r u c t u r e s , an e x t e r i o r survey was conducted t o de te rmine t h e number and l o c a t i o n of d w e l l i n g s which appear t o be d e t e r i o r a t i n g and p o s s i b l y s t r u c t u r a l l y d e f i c i e n t . F e d e r a l l y e s t a b l i s h e d c r i te r ia w e r e used t o c l a s s i f y s t r u c t u r e s as be ing sound, d e t e r i o r a t i n g , or d e l a p i d a t e d . The c o n d i t i o n of t h e dwe l l ing w a s de te rmined by e x t e r i o r charac te r i s t ics and r eco rded on t h e Borough Tax Maps on a p a r c e l by p a r c e l b a s i s . Tabula ted r e s u l t s are p rov ided t o t h e Borough t o be handled as c o n f i d e n t i a l i n r e s u l t s , by Ward, are p r e s e n t e d below:

TABLE D . 4

STRUCTURALLY DEFICIENT DWELLINGS

No. Dwellings

F i r s t Ward 15 Second Ward 22

Borough T o t a l 37

n a t u r e . The

% Tota l Dwellings 1 0 %

1 0 . 7 %

1 0 . 4 %

26

e:

The survey d i d n o t r e v e a l any s e v e r e o r h a z a r d o u s - t o - l i f e

s t r u c t u r a l c o n d i t i o n s . Many d w e l l i n g s i n t h e Borough appeared t o be i n need of m i n o r t o moderate main tenance

and w e r e t h e r e f o r e n o t c o n s i d e r e d s t r u c t u r a l l y d e f i c i e n t . I t shou ld be n o t e d t h a t many a c c e s s o r y b u i l d i n g s appea red t o be i n need pf moderate maintenance and r e p a i r . The & t a i l e d su rvey r e s u l t s shou ld p rove t o be o f great a s s i s t a n c e t o t h e Code Enforcement O f f i c e r i n h i s b u i l d i n g and main tenance code a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d u t i e s , and p o s i t i v e r e s u l t s can t h e r e f o r e

be expec ted .

Occupancy and Vacancy S t a t u s I n 1980, Royal ton had a vacancy r a t e of 7% compared t o an 8%

o v e r a l l vacancy ra te for Dauphin County, i n c l u d i n g H a r r i s b u r g

C i t y which h a s approx ima te ly 55% of all t h e v a c a n t u n i t s i n t h e County. The vacancy r a t e f o r t h e Borough h a s n o t decreased by much between 1 9 7 0 and 1980. A s m a l l r e d u c t i o n of .8% h a s

been expe r i enced . I n comparison, t h e vacancy ra te f o r Dauphin

County h a s i n c r e a s e d by 3 % .

TABLE D. 5 OCCUPANCY AND VACANCY STATUS

1970-1980

1 9 80 1970 Royal ton Dauphin Royal ton Dauphin Borough County Borough County

Occupied 372 75,075 336 88 , 088

Vacant 32 3 , 773 2 6 7,274

366 Vacant ( s e a s o n a l ) --- TOTAL 4 0 4 79 , 007 362 95 , 728

--- 159

SOURCE: U . S . Bureau o f Census, 1970 and 1980.

Household S i z e A s w a s p r e v a l e n t t h roughou t t h e Uni ted States , household s i z e i n Royal ton d e c r e a s e d d u r i n g t h e 1970 ' s . The household s i z e i n Royal ton d e c r e a s e d . 4 per sons p e r household, compared

27

t o a d e c r e a s e of .3 pe r sons p e r household exper ienced by

Dauphin County. household w a s expe r i enced ove r t h e l a s t decade.

A na t ionwide d e c r e a s e of .36 pe r sons p e r

TABLE D . 6

HOUSEHOLD S I Z E (pe r sons p e r household)

Royal ton Borough Dauphin County 3.32 2 . 9 1 1 9 7 0

1980 2.92 2.58

SOURCE: U . S . Bureau of Census, 1970 and 1980

Housing Value O f major impor tance is t h e cost of housing. t i m e , because o f t h e r a p i d ra te of e s c a l a t i n g hous ing costs, t h e c o n s t a n t s h i f t s i n hous ing supp ly and demand, and t h e

i n n a t e d i f f i c u l t i e s of e s t i m a t i n g t h e a c t u a l "worth" of a house, t h e v a l u e o f hous ing i s one of t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t

areas t o g e t a t r u e , c u r r e n t f i g u r e .

A t t h e same

During t h e 1 9 7 0 ' s h i g h i n f l a t i o n rates caused a dramatic

i n c r e a s e i n t h e cost of l i v i n g , i n c l u d i n g hous ing costs. During t h i s p e r i o d , it i s estimated t h a t Royal ton exper ienced an i n c r e a s e of 220% i n t h e median v a l u e of hous ing , compared

t o a 1 9 2 % i n c r e a s e f o r Dauphin County.

TABLE D.7 MEDIAN HOUSING VALUE

1970-1980

1970 1980 S; Change

Royalton Borough $7,997 $25,600 220%

Dauphin County $13,800 $ 4 0 , 3 0 0 1 9 2 %

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census, 1970 and 1980.

28 ,

9

The f o l l o w i n g Tables i l l u s t r a t e t h e changes i n hous ing v a l u e f r o m 1 9 7 0 to 1 9 8 0 , and compare Royal ton Borough w i t h Dauphin

County.

TABLE D.8 H O U S I N G VALUE OWNER-OCCUPIED H O U S I N G U N I T S

1 9 7 0

Royal ton Borough Dauphin County Number P e r c e n t Number P e r c e n t

L e s s t h a n $5,000 11 5 % 3,172 8%

$5,000-$7,499 8 1 34% 4,657 11%

$7,500-$9,999 46 20% 5 , 092 1 2 %

$15,000-$19,999 1 0 4 % 8,285 2 0 %

$20,000-$24,999 0 0% 4,899 1 2 %

$25,000-$34,999 8 3 % ' 3,575 9 %

$35,000-$49,999 0 0% 1 , 2 7 1 3%

$50,000 or more 0 0% 5 4 4 1%

$10,000-$14,999 80 34% 1 0 , 0 4 1 24%

*TOTAL 2 3 6 1 0 0 % 41,536 1 0 0 %

*Total does n o t i n c l u d e t a b u l a t i o n s f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g u n i t s : 1. U n i t s a t a n a d d r e s s w i t h t w o o r more u n i t s ;

2. U n i t s on 1 0 acres or more; 3. U n i t s w i t h a commercial e s t a b l i s h m e n t or medical o f f i ce

on t h e p r o p e r t y ; or 4. Mobile homes or trailers.

SOURCE: U . S . Bureau of Census, 1 9 7 0

29

TABLE D. 9

H O U S I N G VALUE OWNER-OCCUPIED H O U S I N G UNITS

1 9 8 0

Royal ton Borough Dauphin County Number P e r c e n t Number P e r c e n t

L e s s t h a n $ 1 0 , 0 0 0 1 5 6.7% 2,352 5.0%

$ 1 0 , 0 0 0 - $ 1 4 ~ 9 9 9 1 9 8.5% 2,585 5.5%

$15,000-$19,999 25 1 1 . 2 % 3,206 6.8%

$20,000-$24,999 48 21 .5% 3,927 8.4%

4 0 17 .9% 3 ,524 7.5%

2 9 13 .0% 3,797 8.1%

1 7 7.6% 3,735 8.0%

2 2 10.0% 8,365 17.9%

8 3.6% 12 ,578 26.9%

$80,000-$99,999

$100 I 000-$149,999

$150,000-$199,999

$200,000 or more

0 0% 1 ,615 3.5%

0 0% 883 1 .9%

0 0% 1 5 6 .3%

0 0% 8 3 .2%

*TOTAL 223 1 0 0 % 46,806 1 0 0 %

* T o t a l does n o t i n c l u d e t a b u l a t i o n s f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g u n i t s : 1. U n i t s a t an a d d r e s s w i t h t w o o r more u n i t s ;

2. U n i t s on 1 0 acres o r more; 3. U n i t s w i t h a commercial e s t a b l i s h m e n t or medical o f f i ce

on t h e p r o p e r t y ; o r 4. Mobile homes o r trailers.

SOURCE: U . S . Bureau o f Census, 1 9 8 0 .

Renta l U n i t s

Out of 336 occup ied d w e l l i n g u n i t s i n Royal ton , 76 are ren te r -occup ied u n i t s . T h i s r e p r e s e n t s a 3% r e d u c t i o n i n t h e

pe rcen tage of r en te r -occup ied u n i t s s i n c e 1970 , compared t o a 1% r e d u c t i o n f o r t h e County as a whole o v e r t h e same t i m e span. Approximately 23% of R o y a l t o n ' s housing s t o c k i s

30

c u r r e n t l y r e n t e r - o c c u p i e d , compared t o 37% ren ter -occupancy f o r Dauphin County

Median c o n t r a c t r e n t f o r Royal ton has i n c r e a s e d 130% over t h e

p a s t decade, compared t o a 1 5 9 % i n c r e a s e for Dauphin County. Ren t s have i n c r e a s e d s u b s t a n t i a l l y o v e r t h e p a s t t e n y e a r s , b u t no t a t a s h igh 'a ra te as f o r owner-occupied hous ing . t r e n d h e l d t r u e f o r t h e County also.

. . . .

T h i s

31

E. POPULATION/SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE

I n o r d e r t o e s t a b l i s h g u i d e l i n e s f o r p l ann ing d e c i s i o n s i n v o l v i n g t h e p h y s i c a l , economic, and soc ia l development

of t h e Borough, it i s i m p o r t a n t t o s t u d y t h e p o p u l a t i o n and i t s r e l a t i o n t o t h e su r round ing r e g i o n . A q u a n t i t a t i v e a n a l y s i s of p o p u l a t i o n t r e n d s and a q u a l i t a t i v e a n a l y s i s

oi p o p u l a t i o n composi t ion e n a b l e s u s t o make r e a s o n a b l e p r o j e c t i o n s f o r f u t u r e p o p u l a t i o n levels and needs.

Analyses and p r o j e c t i o n s such as t h e s e are a basic p re - r e q u i s i t e f o r t h e development of a sound Comprehensive P lan .

Land area requ i r emen t s , f o r example, f o r f u t u r e r e s i d e n t i a l ,

commercial , i n d u s t r i a l , and o t h e r development needs are d i r e c t l y r e l a t e d t o t h e amount and t y p e of p o p u l a t i o n which must be se rved . F u t u r e p o p u l a t i o n demands w i l l a lso de te rmine t h e amount and scope of f u t u r e s c h o o l , p a r k ,

playground and o t h e r p u b l i c f a c i l i t y needs . All of t h e s e

e l emen t s are i m p o r t a n t t o c r e a t i n g t h e m o s t s u i t a b l e envi ron- ment f o r f u t u r e r e s i d e n t s of t h e Borough.

P o p u l a t i o n Trends

Over t h e p a s t 40 y e a r s Royalton h a s e x p e r i e n c e d a c o n s i s t e n t r e d u c t i o n i n p o p u l a t i o n . S ince 1940, t h e Borough h a s

expe r i enced an 1 8 . 3 % r e d u c t i o n i n p o p u l a t i o n , o r a b o u t 4 .6%

p e r decade. Over t h i s same t i m e p e r i o d Dauphin County and t h e Tri-County Region have i n c r e a s e d 4 6 % and 6 2 % r e s p e c t i v e l y .

During t h e p a s t decade Royal ton h a s e x p e r i e n c e d a 5.7%

r e d u c t i o n i n p o p u l a t i o n . On t h e ave rage , Boroughs i n Dauphin

County expe r i enced a 7 .5% r e d u c t i o n i n p o p u l a t i o n , w i t h

Dauphin County as a whole showing a 3 . 8 % i n c r e a s e over t h e same t i m e p e r i o d . There appea r s t o be a c o n t i n u i n g t r e n d of popu la t ion decrease i n t h e C i t y and Boroughs due t o r u r a l / suburban m i g r a t i o n . The fo l lowing T a b l e s compare Royal ton w i t h t h e State, SMSA, County, and selected Boroughs.

32

7-

TABLE E.l POPULATION TRENDS

1940-1980

1 9 4 0 1 9 5 0 1 9 6 0

Pennsylvania 9,900,180 10,498,012 11,319,366

Har r i sbu rg SMSA 275 , 429 317 , 023 3 7 1 , 6 5 3

Dauphin County 177,410 197,784 220,255

Royalton Borough 1 , 2 0 1 1,175 1 ,128

Dauphin Borough 6 2 0 667 6 3 8

Highsp i r e Borough 2 , 3-71 2,799 2 , 999

Middletown Borough 7,046 9 , 1 8 4 11 ,182

1 9 8 0 1 9 7 0

11,793,909 11 ,863,895

447 , 6 5 6

2 3 2 , 317

1 ,040 9 8 1

998 9 0 1

2,947 2,959

9,080 1 0 , 1 2 2

410 , 505

2-23 , 713:

w

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census

TABLE E. 2

POPULATION CHANGE

1 9 5 0 - 1 9 8 0

1 9 5 0 - 1 9 6 0 1 9 6 0 - 1 9 7 0 1 9 7 0 - 1 9 8 0

Number P e r c e n t Number P e r c e n t Number P e r c e n t

P e n n s y l v a n i a 8 2 1 , 3 5 4 8% 4 7 4 , 5 4 3 4% 6 9 , 9 8 6 1%

Harr isburg SMSA 5 4 , 6 3 0 1 7 % 3 8 , 8 5 2 1 0 % 3 7 , 151 9 %

D a u p h i n C o u n t y 2 2 , 4 7 1 11% R o y a l t o n Borough -47 -4%

Highspire B o r o u g h 2 0 0 7 %

D a u p h i n Borough -29 -5%

Middletown Boro. 1 , 9 9 8 1 8 % w rp

3 , 4 5 8 2 %

-88 -8%

360 3 6 % -52 -2%

- 2 , 1 0 2 -23%

8 , 6 0 4 4%

-59 -6% -97 -11%

1 2 . 4 %

1 , 0 4 2 1 0 %

~~ ~~ ~~

SOURCE: U . S . Bureau of C e n s u s

A g e The d i s t r i b u t i o n of t h e t o t a l p o p u l a t i o n a c c o r d i n g t o t h e

age of r e s i d e n t s i s a key fac tor which can a f f e c t popula- t i o n growth. I n g e n e r a l , a b a l a n c e among c e r t a i n age groups m u s t be s u s t a i n e d i f p o p u l a t i o n growth is t o t a k e

p l a c e . The age group f r o m 1 5 t o 34 y e a r s , f o r example, i s t h e range of pe r sons e l i g i b l e f o r m a r r i a g e and m o s t f r e q u e n t l y engaged i n new household f o r m a t i o n s . T h i s i s a l s o t h e prime c h i l d b e a r i n g age group, and any s u b s t a n t i a l

d e c l i n e o r imbalance i n t h e i r number w i l l a f f e c t t h e b i r t h r a t e . The age group from 25 t o 4 4 is t h e basic segment o f

t h e p o p u l a t i o n t h a t comprises t h e local l a b o r f o r c e and

t h e group most f r e q u e n t l y engaged i n home buying or b u i l d i n g . T h e v a r i o u s age groups o v e r 45 a l so form an i m p o r t a n t segment of t h e p o p u l a t i o n . Trends i n t h e upper age g roups from 65 and over shou ld be examined c l o s e l y , f o r t h e y may r e v e a l a need f o r hous ing and community f a c i l i t i e s t h a t

a r e s p e c i f i c a l l y s u i t e d t o t h e needs of t h e e l d e r l y .

The median age of Royal ton Borough r e s i d e n t s i n 1 9 8 0 w a s 2 9 . 1 y e a r s ; 30.2 y e a r s f o r females and 27 .9 y e a r s f o r m a l e s . Compara t ive ly , t h e median age i n Dauphin County w a s 32 y e a r s ; 33.6 years fo r females and 30.3 y e a r s f o r males.

The f o l l o w i n g Tab le i l l u s t r a t e s t h e p e r c e n t a g e of 1980

p o p u l a t i o n c o n c e n t r a t e d i n 4 major c a t e g o r i e s : p re - schoo l

a g e s 1 - 4 , s c h o o l a g e s 5-17, working ages 1 8 - 6 4 , and r e t i r e d sen io r c i t i z e n a g e s 65 and over.

35

TABLE E . 3

AGE CONCENTRATIONS BY PERCENTAGE O F POPULATION

65 Years 1 - 4 Years 5-18 Years 18-64 Years & O l d e r

R o y a l t o n B o r o u g h 7 % 24% 5 9 % 9%

A v e r a g e A l l D a u p h i n C o u n t y

A v e r a g e D a u p h i n C o u n t y

B o r o u g h s 6%

6 %

1 8 %

2 0 %

60%

6 1 %

1 5 %

1 2 %

SOURCE: B u r e a u of C e n s u s , 1 9 8 0

Compared t o t h e o t h e r Boroughs i n t h e County and Dauphin County as a whole, Royal ton h a s a g r e a t e r p e r c e n t a g e o f i t s p o p u l a t i o n a t t h e p re - schoo l anh s c h o o l age g r o u p i n g s , one t o two p e r c e n t less i n t h e working a g e g roup , and t h r e e t o s i x p e r c e n t less i n t h e r e t i r e d s e n i o r c i t i z e n group.

. . . .

Sex Male-female d i s t r i b u t i o n d i r e c t l y a f f e c t s f u t u r e f a m i l y f o r m a t i o n and s u b s e q u e n t b i r t h ra tes . T r a d i t i o n a l l y , i f t h e age g roups o f 1 5 t o 4 4 y e a r s o l d m a i n t a i n a b a l a n c e , one can a n t i c i p a t e t h e f o r m a t i o n of new househo lds a t a r a t e n e c e s s a r y t o a s s u r e p o p u l a t i o n growth. I n m o s t cases, a h i g h e r p r o p o r t i o n of f ema les t o males i s c o n s i d e r e d t o b e more f a v o r a b l e f o r a s t a b l e p o p u l a t i o n .

O f t h e t o t a l 1980 Borough p o p u l a t i o n of 981, 52% were female and 48% w e r e m a l e . I n 1970 t h e o p p o s i t e w a s t r u e , t h e Borough p o p u l a t i o n w a s composed of 45% fema le and 55% m a l e . The p e r c e n t a g e of t h e Borough's female p o p u l a t i o n w i t h i n t h e

c h i l d b e a r i n g age b racked i s 37%. The f o l l o w i n g f i g u r e i l l u s t r a t e s male-female d i s t r i b u t i o n f o r 1970 and 1980.

3 7

FIGURE E . l

AGE AND SEX DISTRIBUTION ROYALTON BOROUGH

1970 - 1980 MALE FEMALE

W 03

5 - 1 4 Years

15 - 24 Years

25 - 34 Years

35 - 44 Years

45 - 54 Years

Under 5 Years

55 - 64 Years

65 - 74 Years

Over 75 Years

B 8 1 I

200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 1970 n

Race

The 1980 Census i n d i c a t e s t h e rac ia l compos i t ion o f Roya l ton t o be 979 White, 1 F i l i p i n o , and 1 Korean.

Educa t ion

U n f o r t u n a t e l y , ~ ' 1 9 8 0 Census d a t a p e r t a i n i n g t o e d u c a t i o n a l a t t a i n m e n t h a s n o t been r e l e a s e d as of t h e date of t h i s s t u d y . However, it w i l l s u f f i c e t o review t h e 1970 Census d a t a f o r compara t ive pu rposes .

I n 1 9 7 0 , 27% of a l l Borough r e s i d e n t s o v e r 2 5 y e a r s of age w e r e h i g h s c h o o l g r a d u a t e s , compared t o County and S ta t e

a v e r a g e s of 39% and 34.5%, r e s p e c t i v e l y . The f o l l o w i n g T a b l e i s i l l u s t r a t i v e of Borough and County e d u c a t i o n a l a t t a i n m e n t by number, s e x , and p e r c e n t a g e .

39

TABLE E . 4

POPULATION 2 5 YEARS AND OLDER BY YEARS OF SCHOOL COMPLETED

1 9 7 0

NUMBER PERCENT ROYALTON BOROUGH DAUPHIN COUNTY ROYALTON D A U P H I N COUNTY

MALE FEMALE MALE FEMALE

N o School ing E l e m e n t a r y :

1-4 Years 5-6 Years

7 Years 8 Years

4 0 High School

1-3 Years

4 Years

C o l l e g e

1-3 Years

4 Years 5 Years o r more

0 0 6 2 4 6 7 9 0 % 1%

0 1 3 1 ,509 1 ,444 2%

5 1 45 3,182 3,909 1 3 %

3 2 2 2 2,334 2,398 7%

6 5 5 5 7 , 7 5 1 9,138 1 6 . 5 %

9 5 1 1 0 12 ,499 15,344 2 8 %

1 1 6 7 7 21,272 28 ,959 2 7 %

33 0 4,004 4,509 5 %

0 0 3,284 2,785 0%

11 0 3 , 0 6 1 1,312 1 .5%

2%

5 %

4%

1 3 %

2 1 %

39%

7% 5%

3%

SOURCE: U . S . B u r e a u of C e n s u s , 1 9 7 0

Income Another i m p o r t a n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of p o p u l a t i o n i s f a m i l y income. Because 1980 Census d a t a re la ted to income i s n o t a v a i l a b l e , w e must r e l y on 1970 Census data supplemented by Tri-County Reg iona l P l a n n i n g Commission P r o j e c t i o n s .

I n 1970, f a m i l y income i n Royal ton w a s somewhat l o w e r t h a n t h e County average . Higher p e r c e n t a g e s o f f ami l i e s i n Royal ton w e r e w i t h i n t h e income r a n g e o f $5,000 t o $14,999, w h i l e f o r Dauphin County most f a m i l i e s w e r e w i t h i n t h e

$5,000 t o $24,999 income range . The f o l l o w i n g Table

i l l u s t r a t e s f a m i l y income d i s t r i b u t i o n .

TABLE E.5 * D I S T R I B U T I O N OF FAMILY INCOME

1970

ROYALTON BOROUGH DAUPHIN COUNTY Number of % of Number of % of F a m i l i e s Fami l i e s F a m i l i e s F a m i l i e s

Under $ 1 , 0 0 0 $ 1 , 0 0 0 - $1,999 $2,000 - $2,999 $3,000 - $3,999 $4,000 - $4,999 $5,000 - $5,999 $7,000 - $7,999 $6,000 - $6,999 $8,000 - $8,999 $9,000 - $9,999 $lO,OOO - $11,999 $12,000 - $14,999 $~5,000 - $24,999 $25,000 - $49,999 Over $50,000

4 0 9 21 29 25 39 35 71 38 54 32 6 0 0

1% 0% 2% 6% 8% -7% 11% 10% 19% 10% 15% 9% 2% 0% 0%

1,314

1,848 2,309 2 I 611 3,401 3,791 4,465 4,887 4,584 8 , 501 8 I 795 8,460 1,616

401

1,218 2% 2% 3% 4% 4% 6% 6% 8% 8% 8% 15% 15% 15% 3% 1%

TOTAL 363 1 0 0 % 58 , 201 100%

SOURCE: Bureau o f Census, 1970

41

These f a c t o r s t e n d t o b r i n g t h e median f a m i l y income f o r Royal ton below t h a t f o r t h e County, SMSA, and selected n e i g h b o r i n g Boroughs. i n g r e a t e r d e t a i l .

The f o l l o w i n g Table i l l u s t r a t e s t h i s

TABLE E. 6

MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME

1970-1990

1 9 7 0 1 9 7 7 1 9 8 0 1 9 9 0

$9,948 $ 1 5 , 1 6 2 $17,777 $31,478 H a r r i s b u r g SMSA

16,360 16 ,773 2 8 , 9 2 1 Dauphin County 9,710

Royal ton Borough 8,275 1 2 , 228 14 ,270 24 ,607

Dauphin Borough 1 0 , 3 3 3 15 I 269 17 ,818 30 I 726

H i g h s p i r e Borough 9,635 14 ,316 16 ,706 2 8 , 8 0'9 28 , 216 Middletown Borough 9 , 485 1 4 , 059 1 6 , 467

SOURCE: Tri-County Reg iona l P l a n n i n g Commission, Housing P l a n ,

Phase I11 (19731 , Table 51.

Employment I n 1970 , t h e 45-64 y e a r s age g roup w a s t h e Borough ' s s j . ng le l a r g e s t a c t i v e l y employed age g roup followed by the 25-34

y e a r s g roup , compared t o Dauphin County r e p r e s e n t e d by t h e 45-64 y e a r s age g roup and 35-44 y e a r s age g roup r e s p e c t i v e l y .

A l m o s t 88% o f t h e t o t a l employed p e r s o n s of t h e Borough f e l l w i t h i n t h e a g e r a n g e o f 22 t o 64 y e a r s .

Tab le p r o v i d e s more d e t a i l e d i n f o r m a t i o n on t h i s s u b j e c t .

The f o l l o w i n g

4 2 E

TABLE E. 7

POPULATION 1 6 YEARS AND OVER I N LABOR FORCE BY AGE AND SEX 1

1 9 7 0 I

ROYALTON BOROUGH DAUPHIN COUNTY Male . Female To ta l Male Female T o t a l

16-17 Years 8 0 8 1 ,443 9 4 7 2,390

18 -19 Years 1 4 11 25 1 ,883 2,062 3,945

2 0 - 2 1 Years 4 9 1 3 2,143 2,209 4,352

. . .

22-24 Years 2 0 25 45 3,990 3,318 7,308

25-34 Years 1 0 5 23 1 2 8 11 ,215 6,687 17 ,902

35-44 Years 6 0 1 9 79 1 2 , 4 2 8 7,829 20,257

45-64 Years 1 0 7 64 1 7 1 2 2 , 0 1 4 1 5 , 3 5 7 3 7 , 3 7 1

6 5 and ove r 7 5 1 2 2 , 5 1 2 1 ,543 4 , 0 5 5

TOTAL 325 1 5 6 4 8 1 5 7 , 6 2 8 39,952 97,580

SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Census, 1 9 7 0

I n 1970 , Borough r e s i d e n t s he ld e m p l o ~ e n t i n s e v e r a l f i e l d s . The predominant one, employing 3 3 % of t h e Borough's work force, w a s O p e r a t i v e - t y p e p o s i t i o n s such as machine o p e r a t o r s i n f a c t o r i e s . T h i s w a s fo l lowed by Craf tsmen Workers, 23% of a l l employed, and Cler ica l and Kindred Workers employing 23%. T h e f o l l o w i n g Tab le p r o v i d e s a numer i ca l and p e r c e n t a g e

breakdown of t h e Borough and Dauphin County employment sectors i n 1970 .

I

43

TABLE E.8

EMPLOYED POPULATION 1 6 YEARS AND OVER BY OCCUPATION 1 9 7 0

ROYALTON DAUPHIN BOROUGH COUNTY

N % N %

P r o f e s s i o n a l , T e c h n i c a l and Kindred Workers 11 3%

Managers /Adminis t ra tors e x c l u d i n g Farms 2 3 5 %

13 ,158 1 4 %

7,350 8%

Sales Workers 6 1% 6,308 6 %

C l e r i c a l and Kindred Workers 82 10% 22,159 23%

Craf t smen, Foreman and Kindred \ o r k e r s 1 0 5 23% 12,663 1 3 %

O p e r a t i v e e x c e p t T r a n s p o r t 1 4 6 3 3 % 1 2 , 1 5 1 1 3 %

T r a n s p o r t Equipment O p e r a t i v e s 2 3 5% 3 , 7 5 1 4%

L a b o r e r s e x c e p t Farm

Farm Laborers/Foreman

S e r v i c e Workers

TOTAL

2 6 6 %

3 1%

22 5 %

4 4 7 1 0 0 %

4,560 5%

1,950 2%

11,036 1 2 %

95,086 1 0 0 %

SOURCE: U . S . Bureau of Census, 1 9 7 0

P o p u l a t i o n P r o j e c t i o n s P o p u l a t i o n p r o j e c t i o n s f o r t h e y e a r s 1 9 9 0 and 2 0 0 0 i n d i c a t e c o n t i n u e d p o p u l a t i o n d e c l i n e i n Royal ton . I t i s a n t i c i p a t e d

t h a t between 1 9 8 0 and 1 9 9 0 t h e Borough p o p u l a t i o n w i l l d e c r e a s e by 5.7%, and between 1 9 9 0 and 2;OOO d e c r e a s e by 4.9%. The f o l l o w i n g T a b l e compares Royal ton w i t h Dauphin County and s e l e c t e d Boroughs.

44

m m

c TABLE E.9

POPULATION PROJECTIONS

1990-2000

1 9 9 0 2 0 0 0 % I n c r e a s e

12,421,704 12 ,632,185 1 . 7 .. . . Pennsy lvan ia

Dauphin County 253 ,579 276 , 866 9.2 H a r r i s b u r g SNSA 491,929 538,488 9.5

Royal ton Borough 9 2 6 880 -4.9

Dauphin Borough 8 3 1 789 -5.0

H i g h s p i r e Borough 3,012 3,065 1.7

Middletown Borough 11,100 11 , 0 7 2 -0.3

S tee l t o n Borough 5,138 5,344 4.0

SOURCE: Tr i -County Reg iona l P l a n n i n g Commission, 1 9 8 2 .

The Tri-County Reg iona l P l a n n i n g Commission p o p u l a t i o n

p r o j e c t i o n s w e r e p r e p a r e d by e s t a b l i s h i n g a growth p a t t e r n b a s e d on t h e h i s t o r i c a l growth ra te of t h e Borough. U n a n t i c i p a t e d s u b d i v i s i o n or l a n d development a c t i v i t y c o u l d s u b s t a n t i a l l y a l t e r t h e p r o j e c t e d p o p u l a t i o n d e c l i n e v e r y e a s i l y .

I "

45

F. TRANSPORTATION/CIRCULATION

A d e s c r i p t i o n and a n a l y s i s of t h e l o c a t i o n and f u n c t i o n of t he

e x i s t i n g c i r c u l a t i o n s y s t e m ' s e l e m e n t s c o n s t i t u t e s a c r i t i c a l component of t h e p l a n n i n g p r o c e s s . An e f f i c i e n t , f u n c t i o n a l t r a n s p o r t a t i o n network n o t o n l y maximizes a c c e s s i b i l i t y , and therefore t h e c o o r d i n a t i o n , among a c t i v i t i e s both w i t h i n and o u t s i d e t h e Borough, b u t serves as a framework f o r t h e

l o c a t i o n of f u t u r e a c t i v i t i e s as w e l l .

I n order t o p r o v i d e a logical basis fo r a n a l y z i n g t h e Bo'rough's

s t reet sys tem, each s t ree t must be c lass i f ied as t o i t s c i r c u l a t i o n f u n c t i o n . Based on f u n c t i o n , t h e s t reet sys tem can t h u s be grouped i n t h e f o l l o w i n g categories:

A r t e r i a l Streets:

Col lec tor Streets:

Loca l Streets:

A r t e r i a l streets p r o v i d e d i r ec t c o n n e c t i o n s between t h e r e s i d e n t i a l ne ighborhoods and t h e commercial , i n d u s t r i a l , and p u b l i c employment c e n t e r s of t h e Borough and t h e r e g i o n ; t h e y i n t e r c o n n e c t t h e p r i n c i p a l t r a f f i c g e n e r a t o r s w i t h i n a n urban area as w e l l as t h e i m p o r t a n t r u r a l r o u t e s . I n a d d i t i o n , a r t e r i a l highways g i v e access t o t h e i n t e r c h a n g e p o i n t s of r e g i o n a l l i m i t e d access highway sys t ems o r c o n n e c t t w o o r more a r te r ia l highways.

These s t reets co l l ec t local r e s i d e n t i a l , commercial , i n d u s t r i a l and p u b l i c t r a f f i c and direct i t t o a r t e r i a l s or expressways . Col lector streets s h o u l d be d e s i g n e d t o d i s c o u r a g e t h r o u g h movements i n r e s i d e n t i a l areas and t o encourage highway movement on a r te r ia l s and expressways .

The p r i n c i p a l f u n c t i o n of a Local Street i s t o p r o v i d e access t o i n d i v i d u a l p r o p e r t i e s a b u t t i n g t h e r igh t -of -way. Local streets s h o u l d be d e s i g n e d t o d i s c o u r a g e n o n - l o c a l and th rough t r a f f i c movement.

T h e v a r i o u s s t reets i n t h e Borough t h a t m e e t these d e s c r i p t i o n s are shown on t h e C i r c u l a t i o n Map. Route 4 4 1 , t r a v e r s i n g t h e

Borough i n a n o r t h - s o u t h d i r e c t i o n , i s c lass i f ied as a n a r t e r i a l . Based on a t r a f f i c c o u n t conducted i n J u n e , 1 9 8 2 ,

this c o r r i d o r carried a t o t a l of 6 ,984 motor vehic les over a

4 6

2 4 h o u r p e r i o d . The t r a f f i c c o u n t e r w a s located n e a r t h e

i n t e r s e c t i o n o f R t . 441 and Derry S t r e e t . T h i s r o u t e , b e i n g

t h e major c o r r i d o r a long t h e Susquehanna River , h a s carried a f a i r l y heavy t r u c k volume. S i n c e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of Route 2 8 3 , i t i s b e l i e v e d t h a t t r u c k volume h a s been reduced c o n s i d e r a b l y f r o m p r e v i o u s y e a r s . The r e c e n t l o c a t i o n of t h e C e n t r a l Penn A i r F r e i g h t t e r m i n a l , approximate ly 2 m i l e s s o u t h of t h e Borough i n Londonderry Township, h a s r e s u l t e d i n a n i n c r e a s e of loca l th rough t r u c k t r a f f i c a long R t . 441, t r a v e l i n g t o and f r o m Har r i sbu rg I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t .

The c o l l e c t o r streets i l l u s t r a t e d on t h e C i r c u l a t i o n Map are Canal S t ree t , Burd Street, Grubb Street, a p o r t i o n of Dock S t ree t , Wyoming S t r e e t , and Shippen Street. These streets co l lec t t r a f f i c from t h e Borough's minor street system and

channe l it o u t of t h e Borough. They also channe l t r a f f i c i n t o t h e Borough t o be d i s p e r s e d o n t o t h e v a r i o u s minor

s t reets f o r access t o i n d i v i d u a l p r o p e r t i e s . I n some cases, t h e y f u n c t i o n t o c a r r y t r a f f i c th rough t h e Borough t o and from Middletown Borough, Londonderry Township and beyond.

The b a l a n c e o f streets shown on t h e C i r c u l a t i o n Map are minor streets whose p r i n c i p l e f u n c t i o n i s t o p r o v i d e access t o p r o p e r t i e s a b u t t i n g t h e street r ight-of-way. The movement

o f t h rough t r a f f i c i s n o t a pr imary f u n c t i o n of loca l streets, and shou ld n o t be encouraged. The local s t ree t sys tem a l s o s e r v e s as a c o r r i d o r i n which t o locate underground p u b l i c sewer, water, and storm d r a i n a g e l i n e s , a e r i a l u t i l i t y p o l e s and l i n e s , and p rov ide motor v e h i c l e pa rk ing . The C i r c u l a t i o n

Map a l s o i d e n t i f i e s t h o s e s t ree t segments i n t h e Borough where Counc i l has p r o h i b i t e d street pa rk ing .

Pavement Width The pavement o r car tway wid th i s t h a t p o r t i o n of t h e s t ree t r ight-of-way which h a s been improved f o r v e h i c u l a r t r a v e l . The number and wid th o f t r a f f i c l a n e s are t h e m o s t c r i t i c a l f a c t o r s which de te rmine t h e amount and t y p e o f t r a f f i c a

4 7

roadway can c a r r y . These d e s i g n f e a t u r e s can a lso be a f f e c t e d by p a r k i n g , s i g n a l i z a t i o n and o t h e r f a c t o r s which impede t h e f r e e f low of t r a f f i c . A pavement wid th of 2 0 t o 2 4 f e e t i s g e n e r a l l y c o n s i d e r e d t h e a b s o l u t e minimum wid th f o r t w o t r a f f i c l anes ( 1 0 t o 1 2 fee t p e r l a n e ) . If a s t reet i s a l s o t o p r o v i d e foz, .curb p a r k i n g , an a d d i t i o n a l 8 f ee t should be

p rov ided f o r each p a r k i n g l a n e .

I n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h i s p l ann ing e lement , a street survey w a s conducted t o g a t h e r s p e c i f i c data on each street . T h i s

d e t a i l e d i n f o r m a t i o n i s p o r t r a y e d on a 1" = 2 0 0 ' Borough

Street Map. D a t a i t e m s i n c l u d e right-of-way w i d t h s , car tway w i d t h s , l o c a t i o n of no-parking areas, and l o c a t i o n of s t o p

s i g n s . T h i s map i s b e i n g p rov ided t o t h e Borough as a s e p a r a t e submiss ion from t h i s t e x t .

I n t e r s e c t i o n s and T r a f f i c C o n t r o l

Improper ly des igned s t reet i n t e r s e c t i o n s a r e major d e t e r r e n t s

t o t h e f r e e f l o w of t r a f f i c and are t h e m o s t f r e q u e n t l o c a t i o n

of t r a f f i c a c c i d e n t s . I n g e n e r a l , s treets s h o u l d i n t e r s e c t a t r i g h t a n g l e s , and i n t e r s e c t i o n s of more t h a n t w o streets a t one p o i n t shou ld d e f i n i t e l y be avoided . Where streets e n t e r i n g o p p o s i t e s i d e s of a n o t h e r s t ree t c a n n o t be des igned

t o i n t e r s e c t d i r e c t l y t o f o r m a fou r -co rne r i n t e r s e c t i o n , a m i n i m u m o f f - se t of 125 f ee t between t h e c e n t e r l i n e s o f

i n t e r s e c t i n g s i d e streets should be p rov ided .

The i n t e r s e c t i o n of Burd, Dock and Wyoming S t r e e t s i s an example of an imprope r ly des igned s t reet i n t e r s e c t i o n ,

where more t h a n t w o streets i n t e r s e c t w i t h one a n o t h e r a t improper ang le s . A s i m i l a r s i t u a t i o n o c c u r s a t t h e i n t e r -

s e c t i o n o f Canal , Burd, and S t r a s b u r g S t r e e t s . Most of t h e o t h e r i n t e r s e c t i o n s i n t h e Borough comply w i t h t h e above noted s t a n d a r d s . The p r i n c i p l e i n t e r s e c t i o n i n t h e Borough,

i n t e r m s o f t r a f f i c volume and speed , i s Burd S t r e e t and

Route 4 4 1 . During peak t r a f f i c p e r i o d s it i s d i f f i c u l t and

somewhat dangerous t o cross Route 4 4 1 w h i l e t r a v e l i n g on Burd

S t r e e t .

4 8

While t h e Borough does n o t have any t r a f f i c l i g h t s , it does c o n t a i n many i n t e r s e c t i o n s t o p s i g n s . The Borough h a s approximate ly 40 main s t reet i n t e r s e c t i o n s , n o t i n c l u d i n g a l l e y s . Of t h e s e , 6 are three-way s t o p i n t e r s e c t i o n s and 6 a r e four-way s t o p i n t e r s e c t i o n s .

Route 441 i s t h e on ly s t reet i n t h e Borough w i t h a p o s t e d speed l i m i t (35 mph). An e n g i n e e r i n g s t u d y i s expec ted t o t a k e p l a c e i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e t o e v a l u a t e t r a f f i c f l o w f o r t h e purpose of e s t a b l i s h i n g reduced speed zones on v a r i o u s s t reets .

R a i l r o a d The Borough i s t r a v e r s e d , i n a no r th - sou th d i r e c t i o n , by t h e

r a i l r o a d . A t r a c k s p l i t occu r s approx ima te ly i n t h e c e n t e r of t h e Borough, d i v i d i n g CONRAIL and AMTRAK l i n e s . The r a i l r o a d r ight-of-way acts as a d i v i d i n g l i n e f o r t h e

Borough's two Wards. N o r a i l s t o p s are l o c a t e d w i t h i n t h e

Borough, however, an AMTRAK commuter s t o p and new park-and- r i d e f a c i l i t y are l o c a t e d i n ne ighbor ing Middletown. The commuter l i n e p r o v i d e s pas senge r r a i l s e r v i c e between

P h i l a d e l p h i a , H a r r i s b u r g , and c o n n e c t i o n s t o p o i n t s beyond.

Bus T r a n s i t Bus t r a n s i t s e r v i c e does n o t ex tend i n t o t h e Borough. However, t h e C a p i t o l Area T r a n s i t A u t h o r i t y p r o v i d e s s e r v i c e t o Middletown, v i a Route 7 , Cameron S t r e e t . T h i s p a r t i c u l a r r o u t e p r o v i d e s d i r e c t s e r v i c e t o Middletown, H ighsp i r e , Bressler,

O b e r l i n , Enhaut, S t e e l t o n , Downtown H a r r i s b u r g , and t h e S ta te C a p i t o l Complex.

Br idges T h r e e of t h e f i v e s t reet a c c e s s r o u t e s t o Royal ton r e q u i r e

b r i d g e c r o s s i n g s . The Burd S t r e e t Bridge is owned by t h e

r a i l r o a d and s e r v e s as t h e o n l y i n t e r n a l s treet c o n n e c t i o n

between t h e F i r s t and Second Wards. A r e c e n t e n g i n e e r i n g s t u d y r e p o r t s t h e b r i d g e t o be i n s a t i s f a c t o r y s t r u c t u r a l c o n d i t i o n ,

4 9

w i t h s l i g h t approach d i f f i c u l t i e s , and recommends i n s t a l l a t i o n

of a weight l i m i t s i g n .

The Canal S t r e e t Br idge , County Br idge Number 54 South, w a s r e c o n s t r u c t e d by Dauphin County i n 1977 and p r o v i d e s access f r o m lower Royal ton across t h e Swa ta ra Creek t o l o w e r Middletown.

The Grubb Street Bridge, County Br idge # 1 4 , a lso p r o v i d e s access t o Middletown across t h e Swatara Creek. T h i s br idge i s 6 4 y e a r s o l d and has r e c e n t l y been s t u d i e d t o de te rmine p o s s i b l e r e c o n s t r u c t i o n needs. The most r e c e n t r e c o n s t r u c t i o n cost estimated i s $ 5 7 0 , 0 0 0 . A s an a l t e r n a t i v e , t h e County i s c o n s i d e r i n g r e p a i r of t h e b r i d g e , i n c l u d i n g s t r u c t u r a l improvements, p a t c h i n g , new roadway seal, and c u r b rep lacement a t an es t imated cost of $ 6 , 0 0 0 . ,

The major b r i d g e , i n t e r m s of span , t r a f f i c volume, and speed

i s t h e Route 4 4 1 bridge. T h i s b r i d g e a l so c o n n e c t s Royal ton

w i t h Middletown by c r o s s i n g over t h e Swatara Creek. The

b r i d g e i s owned and ma in ta ined by t h e Pennsy lvan ia Department of T r a n s p o r t a t i o n .

50

G . COMMUNITY F A C I L I T I E S AND SERVICES

There are numerous p u b l i c s e r v i c e s and f a c i l i t i e s t h a t s e r v e t h e d a i l y o r s p e c i a l i z e d needs of Borough r e s i d e n t s . The need f o r t h e s e services and t h e degree t o which t h e y can be p rov ided depends t o a great e x t e n t on t h e t y p e s and d e n s i t y of development i n t h e community, t h e composi t ion and d i s t r i -

b u t i o n of t h e r e s i d e n t p o p u l a t i o n , and t h e f i n a n c i a l r e s o u r c e s and a b i l i t y of t h e community t o s u p p o r t t h e r ange of f a c i l i t i e s t h a t are needed.

The purpose of t h i s p l a n n i n g e l emen t i s t o e v a l u a t e t h e scope of R o y a l t o n ' s community and p u b l i c service f ac i l i t i e s . Such a

s t u d y i s p r i m a r i l y concerned w i t h t h e p h y s i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and f u n c t i o n a l adequacy o f t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s , w i t h t h e n e c e s s a r y e v a l u a t i o n s be ing made f r o m t h e s t a n d p o i n t of d e t e r m i n i n g t h e i r a b i l i t y t o m e e t p r e s e n t and a n t i c i p a t e d f u t u r e needs. The

adequacy and a v a i l a b i l i t y of t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s are ex t r eme ly

i m p o r t a n t t o a l l Borough r e s i d e n t s s i n c e t h e y r e f l e c t t h e

q u a l i t y , convenience , and g e n e r a l c h a r a c t e r of t h e Borough as a p l a c e i n which t o l i ve .

P u b l i c Schools The s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s s e r v i n g Royal ton Borough are p a r t of t h e Middletown A r e a School Dis t r ic t , and as such are a d m i n i s t e r e d

by t h e D i s t r i c t School Board, c o n s i s t i n g of 1 0 members elected a t l a r g e , and t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t of Schools . Middletown Borough and Lower Swatara Township are i n c l u d e d i n t h e School

D i s t r i c t . as a j o i n t D i s t r i c t s i n c e 1 9 6 4 and i s p r e s e n t l y housed i n t h e D i s t r i c t A d m i n i s t r a t i o n Bu i ld ing on E a s t Water Street i n Middletown.

The Middletown A r e a School D i s t r i c t h a s o p e r a t e d

The D i s t r i c t c u r r e n t l y m a i n t a i n s and o p e r a t e s t h e f o l l o w i n g

f a c i l i t i e s :

51

TABLE G - 1

SCHOOL FACILITIES

School Grades Classrooms

Middletown A r e a Sen io r High 9-12 48

George W. Feaser J u n i o r High 7-8 2 4 Grandview Elementary K-6 23 L y a l l Fink Elementary K-6 1 2

Mansberger Elementary K-4 7

Kunkle Elementary K-6 1 5

SOURCE: Background S t u d i e s 1 9 7 9 Middletown Borough

The D i s t r i c t ' s en ro l lmen t f i g u r e s appear t o be q u i t e s tab le , and overcrowding of t h e p r e s e n t s c h o o l f a c i l i t i e s does n o t appear t o be an immediate i s s u e . U n t i l t h e 1981-82 s c h o o l

t e r m , t h e Northumberland Elementary School w a s o p e r a t e d i n

Royalton Borough. The D i s t r i c t vacated t h e s t r u c t u r e as a n o p e r a t i n g s c h o o l p r i o r t o t h e 1981-82 s c h o o l y e a r , r e s u l t i n g i n Royalton e lementary s t u d e n t s b e i n g bused t o t h e Grandview Elementary School l o c a t e d i n Middletown. The s t r u c t u r e i s s t i l l owned by t h e D i s t r i c t , w i t h t h e o u t d o o r r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s c u r r e n t l y b e i n g avai lable f o r d a i l y use .

R e c r e a t i o n

R e c r e a t i o n a l areas and open s p a c e serve t o p r o v i d e f o r t h e

needs of people t o en joy bo th act ive and p a s s i v e a c t i v i t i e s d u r i n g t h e i r l e i s u r e t i m e . A wel l -p lanned l o c a t i o n of open space can assist i n c r e a t i n g order and beau ty f o r t h e Borough,

as w e l l a s , an environment w i t h i n which it i s a p l e a s u r e t o l i v e . Open space a l so creates an environment which c o n t r i - b u t e s t o t h e economic v a l u e of r e s i d e n c e s and o t h e r

p r o p e r t i e s . The re fo re , t h e development and maintenance of r e c r e a t i o n a l space is a g o a l t h a t shou ld be g i v e n s e r i o u s

c o n s i d e r a t i o n .

Royal ton c i t i z e n s have many v a r i e d r e c r e a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s

a v a i l a b l e to them. S t a t e f o r e s t s and p a r k s , commercial

52

NORTHUMBERLAND PLAYGROUND

Lot #2- 14.542.6 SQ. FT. 0.3339 ACRES

CELEBRATION PARK 41,153 SQ. FT. 0.9447 ACRES

KIWANIS PARK 5.4267 ACRES

r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s , w a t e r - o r i e n t e d a c t i v i t i e s , and

p r i v a t e p a r k s a r e a l l w i t h i n a s h o r t d r i v e from t h e Borough. Royal ton has s e v e r a l r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s w i t h i n t h e Borough t h a t a r e w i t h i n s h o r t walking d i s t a n c e f o r a l l t h e r e s i d e n t s . R e f e r t o t h e Community F a c i l i t i e s Map f o r t h e

l o c a t i o n of th-e f o l l o w i n g f a c i l i t i e s :

o Borough Park - T h i s 1 . 4 5 acre p a r k , l o c a t e d n e a r t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of Marke t and Donegal S t r e e t s , i s owned and ma in ta ined by t h e Borough. The e n t i r e area i s fenced and c o n t a i n s a v o l l e y b a l l c o u r t , swings, s l i d i n g board , and a see-saw.

o Kiwanas Park - Owned by t h e Kiwanas Club and available f o r p u b l i c u se , t h i s park i s 6 acres i n area and i s l o c a t e d a long R t . 441 and t h e Swatara Creek. I t has a v a r i e t y of f a c i l i t i e s , i n c l u d i n g a l i g h t e d l i t t l e l eague b a s e b a l l f i e l d w i t h b l e a c h e r s and dug-outs ,

a l a r g e e n c l o s e d s t r u c t u r e f o r b o t h s t o r a g e and i n d o o r

e v e n t s , a band s h e l t e r w i t h d r e s s i n g room, c o n c e s s i o n s t a n d , t o t - l o t a p p a r a t u s , and d i r e c t access t o t h e Swatara Creek. The annual Kiwanas Club F a i r is h e l d h e r e .

o Northumberland Elementary School - Although no l o n g e r

o p e r a t e d a s a s c h o o l , t h i s 2.4 acre s i t e has ou tdoor r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s t h a t are available t o t h e p u b l i c and p r o v i d e s r e c r e a t i o n a c t i v i t i e s s u p e r v i s e d by t h e

Olmstead R e c r e a t i o n Board S t a f f . fenced and c o n t a i n s a sma l l b a l l f i e l d , t e a t h e r b a l l , v o l l e y b a l l , b a s k e t b a l l c o u r t , p i c n i c t a b l e s , b i c y c l e r a c k s , s l i d i n g board , and swings.

The s i t e i s comple t e ly

Based on N a t i o n a l R e c r e a t i o n and Park A s s o c i a t i o n s t a n d a r d s ,

Royal ton has adequa te pa rk and r e c r e a t i o n a c r e a g e f o r i t s p o p u l a t i o n s i z e . Through i t s membership i n t h e O l n s t e a d

Regional R e c r e a t i o n A u t h o r i t y , Royal ton r e s i d e n t s have

expanded r e c r e a t i o n a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s and a c t i v i t i e s a d m i n i s t e r e d by a p r o f e s s i o n a l r e c r e a t i o n s t a f f .

5 3

L i b r a r v

The Borough does n o t have a l i b r a r y w i t h i n i t s c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s . However, i t s c i t i z e n s do have a l i b r a r y s e r v i c e b e i n g provided by t h e Dauphin County L i b r a r y System. A branch l i b r a r y i s l o c a t e d nearby i n Middletown.

. . . .

P o l i c e P r o t e c t i o n The P o l i c e Department i s housed i n t h e Borough H a l l and u s e s t h e f a c i l i t i e s of t h e Dauphin County P r i s o n . The f o r c e c o n s i s t s of one f u l l - t i m e c h i e f , and 3 p a r t - t i m e o f f i c e r s s chedu led t o work 5 0 hour s a month. The Department h a s one rad io-equipped p a t r o l car, and an Excessive Speed P r e v e n t o r

d e v i c e . Royalton p a r t i c i p a t e s i n t h e Dauphin County Mutual

Aid Program. The Pol ice Emergency Number (944-4311) p r o v i d e s d i r e c t c o n t a c t w i t h t h e Middletown d i s p a t c h , who i n t u r n c o n t a c t s Royal ton. I f Royal ton c a n n o t respond immedia te ly ,

t h e Middletown Police Department w i l l r espond t o t h e s c e n e

u n t i l a Royalton O f f i c e r arr ives . The Mayor s u p e r v i s e s t h e

Department w i t h t h e Pol ice C h i e f .

F i r e and Ambulance Royal ton depends upon Middletown Borough f o r f i r e and ambulance s e r v i c e . Borough Counci l p r o v i d e s an annua l a p p r o p r i a t i o n f o r t h i s s e r v i c e . Middletown has 3 v o l u n t e e r f i r e companies,

Union Hose Company, L i b e r t y F i r e Company, and Rescue Hose Company. The F i r e and Ambulance Emergency Number (944-6344) p r o v i d e s d i rec t c o n t a c t w i t h t h e Middletown d i s p a t c h , who

i n t u r n n o t i f i e s t h e f i r e companies by r a d i o . F i r e h y d r a n t s

have been i n s t a l l e d throughout t h e Borough.

Maintenance Department

The Borough Maintenance Department cons i s t s of 2 f u l l - t i m e employees. The Borough m a i n t a i n s a g a r a g e on Burd Street

(Second Ward) and a s t o r a g e yard a t t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of A l l e n

and Burd Streets ( F i r s t Ward). The Department i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e maintenance of local streets and o t h e r Borough p r o p e r t y .

54

" I

i

Maintenance equipment i n c l u d e s an open dump t r u c k , pick-up t r u c k , back-hoe, a i r compressor , t w o a t t a c h a b l e plows, a c i n d e r s p r e a d e r a t t a c h m e n t , m o w e r s , and m i s c e l l a n e o u s t o o l s .

Refuse C o l l e c t i o n The Borough, by Ordinance, c o n t r a c t s w i t h a p r i v a t e h a u l e r ts c o l l e c t and d i s p o s e of r e f u s e . C o n t r a c t d u r a t i o n i s based on 3 y e a r inc remen t s . Fees are c o l l e c t e d by t h e Borough and c o l l e c t i o n s e r v i c e p rov ided weekly on Sa tu rday mornings. Once a y e a r t h e Borough makes a v a i l a b l e a l a r g e dumpster f o r l a r g e i t e m d i s p o s a l .

- Water S e r v i c e P u b l i c w a t e r s e r v i c e i s a v a i l a b l e i n b o t h Wards of t h e Borough

and i s a d m i n i s t e r e d by t h e Royal ton Borough Author i ty . The water system i n t h e F i r s t Ward i s owned by Royal ton , w h i l e

t h e w a t e r system i n t h e Second Ward i s o p e r a t e d on a 4 0 y e a r lease from Middletown Borough. Both sys tems are ma in ta ined by Royal ton.

Water i s purchased from Middletown Borough. Middletown o p e r a t e s a water t r e a t m e n t p l a n t located a t M i l l and P o p l a r

S t r e e t s . Water s o u r c e s i n c l u d e 3 w e l l s and s u r f a c e w a t e r drawn from Swatara C r e e k . More s p e c i f i c i n f o r m a t i o n can be

o b t a i n e d from t h e Borough o f Middletown Comprehensive Water Study, J u l y 1 9 7 8 . T h i s Study concluded t h a t t h e r e a p p e a r s t o be s u f f i c i e n t groundwater a v a i l a b l e w i t h i n a r e a s o n a b l e d i s t a n c e t o t h e w a t e r system t o s u p p l y f u t u r e w a t e r demands w i t h o u t r e l y i n g on s u r f a c e water s o u r c e s .

sewer S e r v i c e

The Royalton Borough A u t h o r i t y owns and o p e r a t e s t h e sewerage s y s t e m p rov id ing sewage c o l l e c t i o n i n b o t h Wards. Sewage t r e a t m e n t s e r v i c e i s purchased from Middletown and commenced

i n i t i a l o p e r a t i o n i n Royal ton i n August, 1978.

55

I t should be no ted t h a t t h e Royal ton Borough A u t h o r i t y w a s c r e a t e d as a j o i n t w a t e r and sewer a u t h o r i t y by Reso lu t ion adopted by Counci l on J u n e 2 1 , 1977. The A u t h o r i t y c o n s i s t s

of 5 inembers a p p o i n t e d by Counci l and m e e t s t h e t h i r d Tuesday of t h e month.

Er?ergency Management I n October , 1 9 8 0 Borough Counc i l , p u r s u a n t t o p r o v i s i o n s of t h e Pennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code, A c t 1978-323,

adopted t h e Royal ton Emergency Management S e r v i c e s Code.

T h i s Ordinance creates t h e Emergency P repa redness Committee and c a l l s for t h e development and adop t ion of a n Emergency Evacuat ion P lan .

The Borough h a s deve loped and adopted such a P l a n , which h a s

i n - t u r n a l so been approved by t h e Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. A copy of t h e P l a n i s ma in ta ined a t t h e Borough H a l l . The Emergency P repa redness Committee Director i s Mayor Ed P o r t . R e s i d e n t s o f t h e Borough are encouraged

t o f a m i l i a r i z e themselves w i t h t h e P lan .

E lec t r i ca l Service The Borough purchases e l e c t r i c i t y from t h e M e t r o p o l i t a n

Edison Company and p r o v i d e s i t s own e lectr ical d i s t r i b u t i o n

system. The Borough i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e g e n e r a l o p e r a t i o n

and maintenance o f t h e system.

and f e e s c o l l e c t e d by t h e Borough.

Electric b i l l s are d i s t r i b u t e d

56

H. M U N I C I P A L F I N A N C E S

The s u c c e s s of a P lanning Program i s also t o a g r e a t e x t e n t dependent upon t h e f i n a n c i a l r e s o u r c e s of t h e community t o implement s p e c i f i c a s p e c t s of t h e p l a n . Therefore, it i s impor tan t t o s t u d y t h e f i n a n c i a l r e s o u r c e s and governmental s e r v i c e s b e i n g - p r o v i d e d by t h e Borough i n order t o o b t a i n some knowledge of t h e f i n a n c i a l a b i l i t y of t h e Borough t o proceed w i t h such recommendations.

F i n an c i a 1 An a 1 y s i s Within t h e framework of t h e Comprehensive P lan , c o n c u r r e n t w i t h loca l goals and o b j e c t i v e s , a number of community improvements and p u b l i c works p r o j e c t s w i l l be recommended. For t h e m o s t p a r t , these p lanning p r o p o s a l s w i l l d e a l w i t h s p e c i f i c recommendations f o r a d d i t i o n s and improvements t o p rov ide any needed a d d i t i o n s o r p r o v i s i o n of munic ipa l b u i l d i n g f a c i l i t i e s , s t ree t and highway improvements, adequa te p a r k i n g and o t h e r

a m e n i t i e s and new/or needed p u b l i c u t i l i t y and s e r v i c e f a c i l i t i e s .

T r a d i t i o n a l l y , such improvements and/or p r o j e c t s are g e n e r a l l y r e f e r r e d t o a s " c a p i t a l improvements" which s h o u l d be planned and i n i t i a t e d as p a r t o f a munic ipa l " C a p i t a l Improvement Program." Usual ly , such a program i s d i s t i n g u i s h e d from t h e normal d a i l y and annual costs of o p e r a t i n g a m u n i c i p a l i t y , i n t h a t such improvements may r e q u i r e c e r t a i n sho r t - r ange and long-range e x p e n d i t u r e s t h a t may n o t be f i n a n c i a l l y f e a s i b l e s o l e l y from c u r r e n t g e n e r a l revenues i n a g iven yea r . To be s u r e , most communities are accustomed t o c a r r y i n g o u t ce r t a in c a p i t a l inves tments each y e a r ; however, from t ine t o t i m e , a combinat ion of needs and improvements acc rue which , t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e i r scope and cost , r e q u i r e c a r e f u l f i n a n c i a l p lanning over a longe r pe r iod . More o f t e n t h a n n o t , v a r i o u s combinat ions of community f i n a n c i a l and f i s c a l r e s o u r c e s must be brought i n t o p l a y t o e f f e c t needed improvements f a c i l i t i e s . The p l ann ing f o r and p r e p a r a t i o n of t h e " C a p i t a l Improvements P rogram" i s b a s i c a l l y a f u n c t i o n of t h e loca l p lanning commission.

I

57

The i n i t i a t i o n and e x e c u t i o n of p a r t or a l l of t h e program rests p r i m a r i l y w i t h t h e elected l e g i s l a t i v e a u t h o r i t y . The u l t i m a t e s u c c e s s of such a program, however, rests w i t h t h e a b i l i t y and w i l l i n g n e s s of local t a x paye r s t o s u p p o r t t h e cost o f t h e program.

P r i o r t o f i n a l i z i n g a l l of t h e basic p r o p o s a l s t h a t may be c o n t a i n e d i n t h e Development P lan and C a p i t a l Improvements Program t h a t w i l l be p repa red f o r t h e Borough, some knowledge o f t h e c u r r e n t f i n a n c i a l and f i s c a l s t a t u s of t h e m u n i c i p a l i t y must be p r e s e n t e d i n c o n s i d e r a b l e d e t a i l , as a p r e r e q u i s i t e t o t h e fo rmula t ion of a " C a p i t a l Improvements Program."

The purpose of t h i s f i n a n c i a l a n a l y s i s , t h e r e f o r e , i s t o examine t h e v a r i o u s s o u r c e s of revenue t h a t t h e Borough has been u t i l i z i n g , t o g e t h e r w i t h a n a n a l y s i s of t a x rates, e x p e n d i t u r e s , i n d e b t e d n e s s and o t h e r f i n a n c i a l o p e r a t i o n s and procedures t h a t t h e Borough i s i n v o l v e d i n . Based on t h e s e d e t e r m i n a t i o n s , t h e Borough's c u r r e n t f i n a n c i a l s t r u c t u r e and c o n d i t i o n can be evaluated, s o u r c e s o f p o t e n t i a l revenue can be i d e n t i f i e d , and t h e Borough's a b i l i t y and p o t e n t i a l t o c a r r y o u t a c a p i t a l improvements program can be determined.

T o t a l Revenues: 1977-1981

Tota l revenues f o r t h e p e r i o d 1 9 7 7 t o 1 9 8 1 showed a s t e a d y i n c r e a s e as shown on Table F-1. The r evenues are divided

i n t o t w o c a t e g o r i e s , t ax and m i s c e l l a n e o u s revenues .

Tax revenues i n t h e Borough have i n c r e a s e d 1 9 . 0 p e r c e n t i n t h e p e r i o d f r o m 1977 t o 1981 w h i l e t o t a l r evenues have i n c r e a s e d 63 .5 p e r c e n t f o r t h e same p e r i o d . Misce l l aneous revenue r e c e i p t s i s t h e major s o u r c e of revenue i n t h e Borough and has cont inued t o i n c r e a s e . are d e r i v e d from t h e e lectr ic s e r v i c e p rov ided by t h e Borough. The Borough d i s t r i b u t e s and s e l l s e l e c t r i c i t y which i s purchased from M e t r o p o l i t a n Edison Company and d i s t r i b u t e d t o the Borough to i t s cus tomers . S u r p l u s f r o m t h e e lec t r ic sales

These m i s c e l l a n e o u s r e c e i p t s

58

ROYALTON BOROUGH

R E V E N U E S : 1977-1981 TABLE H-1

1977 1978 1979 1980 1961

T A X REVENUES

Real E s t a t e Act 511 L e v i e s

15,582 15,873 20,602 15,677 15,270 26,562 29,317 33,499 27,912 34,633

KISCELLANEOUS REVENUES

L i c e n s e s ar.d p e r m i t s 564 1,012 868 1,217 1,567 F i n e s , forfe i t s and costs 1,052 1,465 1,539 3,609 6,355 I n t e r e s t and r e n t s 1,004 2,796 6,747 5,521 7,303

yl Grants and g i f t s 14,633 14,720 21,884 12,550 69 3 Departmental e a r n i n g s - - - - - - - - - lC,O3d 24,355

M i s c e l l a n e o u s r e v e n u e r e c e i p s 106,367 107,366 122,438 167,216 153,536 Non-r evenu e r e c e i p t s - - - - - - - - - 2,150 27,056 T r a n s f e r s be tween f u n d s - - - - - -

W

- - - S p e c i a l a s s e s s m e n t s and l i e n s - - - - - - 875 198

- - - - - - - - -

TOTAL REVENUES 165,764 172,549 208,452 254,084 271,054

go t o t h e Genera l Fund.

The major t a x s o u r c e i n t h e Borough comes f r o m t h e t a x i n g power g r a n t e d to the m u n i c i p a l i t y under A c t 511, 1 9 6 5 , P.L.

1 2 5 7 . T h i s l a w p e r m i t s t h e Borough t o l e v y t h e f o l l o w i n g t a x e s :

. .

T y p e General Purpose Debt & Sinking Fund

Housing a p p a r a t u s , pu rchas ing and ma in ta in ing f i r e a p p a r a t u s Procur ing a l o t and/or e r e c t i n g a mun ic ipa l b u i l d i n g Pens ions and r e t i r e m e n t Car ing of trees under s u p e r v i s i o n of the Shade Tree Commission P a r k s , p laygrounds and o t h e r rec. f a c i l i t i e s

L i g h t i n g of streets and p u b l i c p l a c e s Revolving fund f o r permanent improvements Garbage d i s p o s a l L i b r a r y Suppor t ing ambulance & r e s c u e squads S p e c i a l Taxes ( A c t 511) - Boro. may l evy :

P e r C a p i t a or P o l l

Occupation

M e r c a n t i l e Wholesale R e t a i l

Income Real P r o p e r t y T r a n s f e r Amusement ( e x c e p t m o v i e theaters) Occupa t iona l P r i v i l e g e

G

Annual L i m i t a t i o n s 30 m i l l s maximum S u f f i c i e n t t o pay debts due by Borough 3 m i l l s max. ( h i g h e r if au thor i zed by t h e electors) 2 m i l l s max. (wi th c o n s e n t of electors ) + m i l l m a x i m u m 1 /10 m i l l m a x i m u m

Appropr i a t e and c a u s e t o be raised by t a x a t i o n a n amount n e c e s s a r y t o m a i n t a i n and o p e r a t e r e c r e a t i o n areas 8 m i l l s maximum

5 m i l l s maximum

Assign r e a s o n a b l e fees 3 m i l l s m a x i m u m + m i l l m a x i m u m

$10 maximum $ 1 0 maximum ( n o t u s i n g mi l l age or pe rcen tage as a bas i s )

1 m i l l maximum 1?-j m i l l maximum 1% maximum 1% maximum 1 0 %

$10 maximum ( n o t u s i n g m i l l a g e o r or p e r c e n t a g e as a bas i s )

60

R e t a i l S a l e s 2% maximum

The o t h e r major t a x sou rce i s t h e rea l es ta te t a x . Table

F-2 shows t h e assessment and t a x d a t a f o r 1 9 7 7 t o 1981. Aside from t h e changes between 1977 t o 1978 r e s u l t i n g from t h e reassessment, t h e a s s e s s e d v a l u e s have showed a v e r y slow ra te of i n c r e a s e . The re fo re , r ea l estate t a x e s canno t be cons ide red as a major i n c r e a s i n g revenue s o u r c e w i t h o u t i n c r e a s i n g t h e t a x rate.

Expendi tures : 1977-1981 To ta l expend i tu re s fo r t h e y e a r s 1977 t o 1981 are p r e s e n t e d on Tab le F - 3 . The l a r g e s t e x p e n d i t u r e i s p u b l i c service e n t e r p r i s e s (54.7% i n 1981) which i n c l u d e s t h e costs invo lved i n p rov id ing e l e c t r i c i t y . Genera l government i s t h e second l a r g e s t expend i tu re which has i n c r e a s e d from 12 .9% i n 1 9 7 7 t o 18.0% i n 1981. For 1981, p e r c a p i t a expend i tu re i n Royalton Borough w a s $269.85. T h i s compared to $130.69 i n 1977, which means t h e bottom l i n e i s t h e c o s t of government,has gone up.

61

ROYALTON BOROUGH

A S S E S S M E N T AND TAX DATA: 1977-1981

TABLE ti -2

R e ~ j i n i nq M a r k e t % A s s e s s e d % A s s e s s m e n t Tax Rate A d j u s t e d Eorrox i n7

Y E A R V a l u e Increase V a l u e Increase Rat io (Mills) H i l l Rate CA:,azi t y

1 977 2 , 5 5 0 , 0 0 0 - - - 5 1 0 , 0 0 0 - - - 20 .o 30 .O 6 .OOO 3 4 4 , 4 9 5

1978 3 , 1 9 2 , 0 0 0 2 5 . 2 1 ,001,000 9 6 . 3 3 1 , 4 15 .O 4 . 7 i o 3 9 7 , 0 2 0

1979 3 , 2 0 4 , 000 . 3 1 , 0 1 0 , 0 0 0 .9 31.5 15 .O 4 . 7 2 5 4 5 5 , 6 3 8

1980 3 , 3 8 5 , 3 4 0 5 . 7 1 , 0 1 5 , 6 0 2 .6 N / A 15 .O N / A N / A

1981 3 , 4 7 0 , 2 6 3 2 . 5 1 , 0 4 1 , 1 8 3 2 . 5 N/A 1 5 . 0 N / A N / A

N / A : N o t A v a i l a b l e m h)

f

ROYALTON BOROUGH

EXPENDITURES: 1 9 7 7 - i g a i TABLE H-3

1977 1978 1979 1980 1581 r" UNCT ICN

cn W

General Government P r o t e c t i o n to Persons and

Hea l th and S a n i t a t i o n Highways Library Parks and R e c r e a t i o n M i scel 1 an eous P u b l i c S e r v i c e E n t e r p r i s e s T r a n s f e r s between Funds

Property

1 7 , 4 3 4 6 , 2 5 4

1 9 , 0 2 2 7 , 7 5 9

4 8 , 3 6 1 2 6 , 7 8 1

4 7 , 7 5 5 2 0 , 5 1 3

1 2 , 5 2 0 1 2 , 1 8 4 - - -

2 , 2 5 0 1 , 9 5 6

8 3 , 3 1 6 - - -

1 2 , 7 7 4 1 6 , 3 5 7 - - -

1 , 1 2 5 2 , 6 0 9

8 7 , 2 7 3 1 0 , 3 2 7

1 2 , 5 2 0 2 5 , 2 2 2 - - -

2 , 7 8 8 6 , 2 1 9

1 0 7 , 5 3 7 2 , 3 8 0

1 2 , 6 7 0 2 5 , 9 6 9 - - -

1 , 6 9 0 5 , 1 2 7

1 3 3 , 2 7 9

1.6.052 2 3 , 8 0 9 - - -

1 , 6 9 0 1 0 , 1 4 5

1 4 4 , 7 5 4

TOTAL EXPENDITURES P A I D 1 3 5 , 9 1 4 1 5 7 , 2 4 6 2 1 8 , 0 4 8 2 5 3 , 0 7 7 2 6 4 , 7 1 8

DEVELOPMENT P L A N

PHASE I1

INT RO DUCT I ON

The p rev ious elemen-s of t h i s s tudy have - d e n t i f i e d and d i s c u s s e d t h e v a r i o u s i n f l u e n t i a l facets of Royal ton Borough, i t s munic ipa l a d m i n i s t r a t i o n , n a t u r a l environment, e x i s t i n g l a n d u s e , hous ing , popu la t ion c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , t r a n s p o r t a t i o n and c i r c u l a t i o n , and community f a c i l i t i e s . Each of these p lann ing e lements have i n t e r a c t e d w i t h one ano the r over t h e y e a r s t o con t inuous ly i n f l u e n c e development a c t i v i t i e s i n t h e Borough.

T h i s p o r t i o n of t h e p l ann ing p r o c e s s , t h e Comprehensive Development

P l a n , i s based on t h e a n a l y s i s of t h e p r e v i o u s p l ann ing e lements , and c u r r e n t and f u t u r e needs. The Development P lan c o n s i s t s of t h e fo l lowing elements:

A. Statement of Goals and O b j e c t i v e s B. Community F a c i l i t i e s P l a n C . T r a n s p o r t a t i o n P l a n D. F u t u r e Land U s e P l an

6 4

A. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The p r e p a r a t i o n of t h e Comprehensive P lan i s t h e r e s u l t of a p lanning program which seeks t o re la te , ba l ance and harmonize t h e economic, s o c i a l and p h y s i c a l f u n c t i o n s of t h e community. I n p r e p a r i n g t h i s P l an a s t a t e m e n t of g o a l s and objectives i s necessa ry to set t h e g e n e r a l d i r e c t i o n f o r t h e P lan . These

mul t i -purpose o b j e c t i v e s i n c l u d e :

1. T o p rov ide an o v e r a l l agreed-upon framework of p o l i c y a g a i n s t which i n d i v i d u a l p r o p o s a l s can be e v a l u a t e d

by t h e Borough Counci l .

2. . To p rov ide a framework w i t h i n which p h y s i c a l p l ann ing f o r needed f a c i l i t i e s can be accomplished.

3 . T o e s t a b l i s h long-range development r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s and p o l i c i e s t o which i n d i v i d u a l p r o p e r t y owners and

bus inesspe r sons can p r e p a r e and c o o r d i n a t e t h e i r p l a n s f o r development.

4 . T o e s t a b l i s h a concensus about long-term growth p o t e n t i a l s , o b j e c t i v e s and p r i o r i t i e s so t h a t t h e community can unde r t ake development p r o j e c t s based upon l o g i c , realism, c o o r d i n a t i o n and economy.

P u b l i c P a r t i c i p a t i o n I n an e f f o r t t o p rov ide community i n p u t , Borough res idents

were r eques t ed t o a t t e n d in fo rma l meet ings of t h e P lanning Commission and Borough Counci l . Requests f o r p u b l i c p a r t i c i p a t i o n appeared i n t h e Middletown Press and J o u r n a l , a l o c a l newspaper of g e n e r a l d i s t r i b u t i o n i n Royal ton, p u b l i s h e d i n nearby Middletown. r e c e i v e p u b l i c comment on both s p e c i f i c i s s u e s and g e n e r a l a r e a s of p lanning took t h e form of a Community A t t i t u d e Survey. Approximately 300 survey forms w e r e d i s t r i b u t e d by Borough employees. A t o t a l of 76 surveys w e r e r e t u r n e d ; 2 5 from t h e F i r s t Ward and 5 1 from t h e Second Ward. The r e s u l t s

An a d d i t i o n a l e f f o r t t o

65

were a g r a t i f y i n g 25% rate of r e t u r n . form and compi l a t ion of r e s u l t s a p p e a r s as an Appendix t o t h i s s t u d y .

Copies of t h e Survey

S ta t emen t of Community Goals and Objectives

SOCIAL OBJECTIVES A . S o c i a l S e r v i c e P lanninq . T o deve lop a mechanism f o r s o c i a l

s e r v i c e p l ann ing t o m o r e a d e q u a t e l y m e e t t h e unmet or p a r t i a l l y served needs of a l l t h e community.

B. Hea l th and Environment. T o p r o v i d e and make available t o a l l members of t h e community t h e best h e a l t h care and

envi ronmenta l q u a l i t y p o s s i b l e .

-- Suppor t loca l , county and s t a t e a g e n c i e s i n overal l h e a l t h p l ann ing and development of p r e v e n t i v e h e a l t h programs.

i -- Enforce a l l o r d i n a n c e s i n such areas as s a n i t a t i o n ,

a i r and water p o l l u t i o n .

-- Encourage materials r e c y c l i n g and e c o l o g i c a l l y sound d i s p o s a l of un recyc led waste.

C. Housing. T o promote d e c e n t hous ing f o r e v e r y m e m b e r of t h e

community i n order t o m e e t t h e i r p h y s i c a l and p s y c h o l o g i c a l needs . 1 -- Adequate enforcement of a l l codes and o r d i n a n c e s which

w i l l i n s u r e t h e h e a l t h , s a f e t y and welfare of Borough r e s i d e n t s .

-- Develop r e s i d e n t i a l o p p o r t u n i t i e s which are f l e x i b l e and open, p e r m i t t i n g a m i x t u r e of p e o p l e i n a l l areas.

-- Encourage hous ing and l a n d development p rocedures which p e r m i t improvement and e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n i n hous ing t y p e s and c o n s t r u c t i o n , l o t s i z e s , open s p a c e and community

f a c i l i t i e s .

66

D.

E.

Energy. T o encourage p u b l i c and p r i v a t e a c t i o n s which

w i l l decrease dependence on e x t e r n a l f u e l s u p p l i e s and encourage t h e use of r e n e w a b l e energy r e s o u r c e s .

-- Adopt p o l i c i e s t o reduce non-renewable energy i n t h e h e a t i n g , c o o l i n g and o p e r a t i o n s of b u i l d i n g s .

-- Adopt p o l i c i e s t o reduce energy consumption and v e h i c u l a r emis s ions i n t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n sector.

Rec rea t ion . T o enhance and e n r i c h t h e l i v e s of t h e

members of t h e community by p rov id ing t h e means f o r a more s t i m u l a t i n g and rewarding u s e of i n c r e a s i n g l e i s u r e t i m e .

-- R e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s such as playgrounds and p a r k s a r e t o be improved and expanded.

-- Reserve si tes f o r a c t i v e and p a s s i v e r e c r e a t i o n i n

areas of p o t e n t i a l r e c r e a t i o n v a l u e , i n p a r t i c u l a r floodway and s t e e p s l o p e d areas.

ECONOMIC OBJECTIVES

The community c u r r e n t l y relies h e a v i l y on t h e economy of t h e sur rounding r e g i o n f o r employment and a c q u i s i t i o n of goods and s e r v i c e s . The Borough w i l l , t o t h e b e s t o f i t s a b i l i t y , encourage new commercial and i n d u s t r i a l development, however, it i s r e a l i z e d t h a t f o r m a j o r i t y of i t s r e s i d e n t s

Royalton w i l l remain p r i m a r i l y a bedroom community.

PHYSICAL OBJECTIVES

A. Land U s e . T o e s t a b l i s h a l and u s e p a t t e r n which p rov ides t h e maximum o p p o r t u n i t y for meeting human needs w h i l e

. complementing t h e d i s t i n c t i v e f e a t u r e s of t h e n a t u r a l and manmade environment.

-- Adopt and e n f o r c e e f f e c t i v e l a n d use c o n t r o l s .

-- Minimize t h e c o n f l i c t s between l and uses i n t h e Borough.

67

-- Coordina te and i n t e r - r e l a t e l o c a l p l ann ing t o t h e

p l a n s of t h e county , r e g i o n and s t a t e .

-- Encourage a r e l a t i o n s h i p between l and u s e and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n which p rov ides v i a b l e a l t e r n a t i v e s t o v e h i c u l a r use.

B. T r a n s p o r t a t i o n . T o deve lop a community-wide c i r c u l a t i o n system f o r s e r v i n g e x i s t i n g and a n t i c i p a t e d f u t u r e l and

u s e , p rov id ing m a x i m u m convenience of movement t o t h e popu la t ion and shaping t h e e x t e n t and d i r e c t i o n of

community growth.

-- Design t h e l o c a l s t reet system t o d i s c o u r a g e t h r u t r a f f i c i n r e s i d e n t i a l neighborhoods.

-- Encourage t h e growth and convenience of p u b l i c

t r a n s p o r t a t i o n i n t h e Borough.

-- Encourage b i c y c l i n g and walking a s a l t e r n a t i v e s t o v e h i c u l a r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n .

68 I-'

B. COM4UNITY FACILITIES PLAN

The F u t u r e Land U s e P l an has i d e n t i f i e d s p e c i f i c geograph ic areas where f u t u r e r e s i d e n t i a l , commercial, and i n d u s t r i a l development shou ld t a k e p l a c e . The Community Fac i l i t i es

P lan w i l l p r o v i d e a n e v a l u a t i o n of e x i s t i n g f a c i l i t i e s , and make recommendations on f u t u r e needs.

Schools School f a c i l i t i e s s e r v i n g Royal ton are p a r t of t h e Middletown A r e a School D i s t r i c t . Royal ton e l emen ta ry s t u d e n t s a t t e n d t h e Grandview Elementary School located i n Middletown. Grandview i s t h e l a r g e s t , i n number of classrooms and t e a c h i n g s t a f f , of t h e f o u r e l emen ta ry s c h o o l s i n t h e D i s t r i c t . Seventh and e i g h t h g r a d e s t u d e n t s a t t e n d George W. F e a s e r J u n i o r High School , a l so located i n Middletown. High School s t u d e n t s a t t e n d t h e Middletown A r e a High School , l o c a t e d a d j a c e n t t o t h e Pennsylvania Turnpike i n Lower Swatara Township. School bus service i s p rov ided f o r a l l s t u d e n t s . A l l of t h e D i s t r i c t s c h o o l s are expec ted t o p r o v i d e adequa te service i n t o t h e f u t u r e . The D i s t r i c t i s w e l l s t a f f e d and ma in ta ined , h a s r e l a t i v e l y s tab le e n r o l l m e n t , and overcrowding does n o t a p p e a r t o be an i s s u e .

R e c r e a t i o n

Based on N a t i o n a l R e c r e a t i o n and Park A s s o c i a t i o n S t a n d a r d s , Royal ton h a s more t h a n enough r e c r e a t i o n l a n d se t a s i d e f o r i t s p o p u l a t i o n s i z e . I t shou ld be no ted t h a t t h e Kiwana's Club P a r k ( 6 acres) and t h e Northumberland Elementary School r e c r e a t i o n s i t e ( 2 . 4 acres) a r e t h e t w o major r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t y p r o v i d e r s . The Borough h a s shown an a c t i v e i n t e r e s t i n r e c r e a t i o n through i t s r e c e n t pu rchase o f t h e 1.4 acre Borough P a r k S i t e and i n s t a l l a t i o n o f r e c r e a t i o n equipment. I t i s recommended t h a t t h e Borough c o n t i n u e t o deve lop t h i s s i t e . P a s s i v e r e c r e a t i o n o p p o r t u n i t y , i n t h e form o f p i c n i c

t a b l e s is p rov ided on t h e Borough Bu i ld ing p r o p e r t y . A d d i t i o n a l b e n e f i t s are a v a i l a b l e through t h e Borough's membership i n t h e O l m s t e a d Regional Rec rea t ion Au thor i ty . I t i s recommended

69

t h a t t h e Borough c o n t i n u e i t s A u t h o r i t y membership, and t h a t r e s i d e n t s a c t i v e l y p a r t i c i p a t e i n i t s programs. The Borough shou ld c o n s i d e r p o s s i b l e a c q u i s i t i o n o f p r o p e r t y located i n t h e floodway a l o n g Swatara Creek and t h e Susquehanna River

f o r p a r k and w a t e r - r e l a t e d r e c r e a t i o n purposes .

P o l i c e P r o t e c t i o n

Royal ton has one f u l l - t i m e p o l i c e c h i e f and t h r e e pa r t - t ime patrolmen. A g e n e r a l " r u l e o f thumb", f o r p o l i c e f o r c e s i z e i s one policeman f o r e v e r y 1 0 0 0 t o 1 4 0 0 p o p u l a t i o n . T h i s can o f c o u r s e vary . Responses t o t h e Community A t t i t u d e Survey i n d i c a t e a g e n e r a l s a t i s f a c t i o n w i t h t h e p o l i c e services provided . Because Roya l ton ' s p o p u l a t i o n i s n o t expec ted t o expand g r e a t l y , a d d i t i o n a l p r e s s u r e f o r i n c r e a s e d f o r c e s i z e and s e r v i c e s i s n o t a n t i c i p a t e d . I t i s recommended t h a t t h e Borough m a i n t a i n t h e c u r r e n t f o r c e s i z e and p rov ide t h e

funding t o purchase equipment n e c e s s a r y f o r it t o f u n c t i o n as e f f e c t i v e l y as p o s s i b l e .

@re P r o t e c t i o n Niddletown Borough's t h r e e v o l u n t e e r f i r e companies appear t o be a b l e t o p r o v i d e adequa te f i r e r e s p o n s e services t o Royal ton i n t o t h e f u t u r e . One f i r e company, Rescue Hose Company i s l o c a t e d a d j a c e n t t o t h e new Canal S t r e e t b r idge , g i v i n g i t a v e r y r a p i d emergency r e s p o n s e t i m e . I t i s recommended t h a t t h e Borough c o n t i n u e t o p r o v i d e i t s annual a p p r o p r i a t i o n f o r t h i s s e r v i c e . E f f e c t i v e enforcement of

t h e Borough Housing and B u i l d i n g Codes w i l l r e d u c e t h e

p o t e n t i a l f o r f i res i n Royalton.

Maintenance I t is recommended t h a t t h e Borough a p p r o p r i a t e funds t o r e n o v a t e t h e r e c e n t l y purchased Borough g a r a g e and t h e Borough s t o r a g e b u i l d i n g . Both s t r u c t u r e s are i n a d e t e r i o r a t e d c o n d i t i o n and shou ld be e v a l u a t e d f o r p o s s i b l e recondi t ion ing . The Borough Munic ipa l Bu i ld ing i s w e l l main ta ined and appears adequate i n s i z e t o serve t h e p r e s e n t and f u t u r e needs of Borough Government.

70

Water - and Sewer S e r v i c e Both of these s y s t e m s are r e l a t i v e l y new i n s t a l l a t i o n s and s h o u l d therefore n o t r e q u i r e c a p i t a l inves tment , o t h e r t h a n r e g u l a r maintenance. Both systems are d i s t r i b u t e d throughout t h e Borough t o provide s e r v i c e t o a l l l a n d p a r c e l s , t h e r e f o r e , expansion of t h e system i n f r a s t r u c t u r e is n o t expec ted . The Middletown sewage treatment p l a n t , r e c e n t l y upgraded, and t h e w a t e r t r e a t m e n t p l a n t and w e l l s have t h e c a p a c i t y t o provide adequate s e r v i c e i n t o the f u t u r e . Again, due t o t h e l i m i t e d growth expec ted t o occur i n Royalton, l i t t l e i n c r e a s e i n demand f o r t h e s e s e r v i c e s i s a n t i c i p a t e d .

71

C . T R A N SPORTAT I O N AND C I RCULAT I ON

The q u a l i t y and n a t u r e of e x i s t i n g and f u t u r e development i n t h e Borough i s d i r e c t l y related t o t h e a b i l i t y of t h e Borough's s t ree t system t o e f f i c i e n t l y and e f f e c t i v e l y c a r r y t h e volume of t r a f f i c g e n e r a t e d and p rov ide f o r t h e park ing of motor v e h i c l e s . T h e r e are b a s i c a l l y two t y p e s of t r a f f i c u t i l i z i n g Roya l ton ' s street system: through t r a f f i c w i t h o r i g i n s and d e s t i n a t i o n s o u t s i d e t h e Borough; and local t r a f f i c g e n e r a t e d w i t h i n t h e Borough. Recommendations f o r improvements t o e x i s t i n g streets and t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of new streets, i n c l u d i n g t r a f f i c c o n t r o l devices, are i n t e n d e d t o p rov ide a more safe and e f f i c i e n t c i r c u l a t i o n sys tem f o r bo th t y p e s of t r a f f i c movements.

Proposed T r a f f i c C i r c u l a t i o n P l a n The e x i s t i n g s t reet system i n t h e Borough w i l l be r e t a i n e d i n t h e T r a f f i c C i r c u l a t i o n P lan . I t i s , however, recommended

t h a t t h e fo l lowing be cons ide red :

o e s t ab l i sh Dock Street as a one-way street w i t h t r a f f i c f lowing from i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h

Shippen Street t o i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h

Wyoming and Burd Streets (South t o North t r a f f i c

f l o w ) . T h i s i s recommended due t o t h e narrowness of car tway and res t r ic ted o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o widen

bo th t h e r ight-of-way and car tway t o manage t w o - way t r a f f i c flow. The proposed one-way d i r e c t i o n w i l l p e r m i t motor v e h i c l e p a r k i n g t o c o n t i n u e a long t h e east side of t h e s t reet and p r o v i d e d i rec t c u r b access t o a b u t t i n g d w e l l i n g s . The e x i s t i n g no- pa rk ing r e s t r i c t i o n s shou ld remain unchanged a l o n g

t h i s street segment.

o i n i t i a t e a t r a f f i c e n g i n e e r i n g s t u d y t o e v a l u a t e t h e need t o p l a c e a t r a f f i c s i g n a l a t t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n o f Burd Street and R o u t e 441. At t i m e s o f peak t r a f f i c f low t h i s i n t e r s e c t i o n can become hazardous

7 2

f o r t r a f f i c a long Burd S t r e e t t o cross Route 441.

o i n i t i a t e a t r a f f i c s tudy t o e v a l u a t e t h e need t o e s t a b l i s h reduced speed l i m i t s th roughout t h e Borough's street system. T h i s should i n c l u d e b o t h

minor and c o l l e c t o r streets. . . . .

o i n i t i a t e a s t u d y t o e v a l u a t e t h e need f o r t h e twelve s t ree t i n t e r s e c t i o n s c u r r e n t l y ,posted as 3-way and 4-way s t o p i n t e r s e c t i o n s . I t would appear t h a t t r a v e l t i m e and energy consumption b e n e f i t s might be r e a l i z e d wi thou t a f f e c t i n g t r a f f i c and p e d e s t r i a n s a f e t y .

o pursue eng inee r ing recommendations t o have weight- l i m i t a t i o n s i g n s pos t ed on t h e Burd S t r e e t b r i d g e .

o excep t for Dock S t ree t , e x i s t i n g s t reet right-of-ways and car tway widths appear s a t i s f a c t o r y f o r two-way t r a f f i c f low. S a f e t y haza rds created by o n - s t r e e t park ing could be minimized by e s t a b l i s h i n g reduced speed zones. A l l f u t u r e development should be

r e q u i r e d t o p rov ide off-s t reet pa rk ing , based on s t a n d a r d s con ta ined i n t h e proposed zoning ord inance .

o t h e opening and c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e sou the rn t e r m i n a t i o n of Wyoming S t r e e t and Market S t r e e t i n t h e Second Ward would f a c i l i t a t e development of t h e commercial d i s t r i c t proposed i n t h i s a r e a . The

r ight-of-ways f o r t h e s e s t ree t segments are c l a s s i f i e d a s being " p u b l i c " on t h e Borough's Tax Map.

o pursue r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of County Bridge # 1 4 th rough t h e Board of County Commissioners.

T h e T r a f f i c C i r c u l a t i o n P lan f o r t h e B o r o u g h . e s t a b l i s h e s t h e

fo l lowing street c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , a s shown on t h e C i r c u l a t i o n Map:

7 3

1. A r t e r i a l Streets

o Route 4 4 1 : e n t i r e l e n g t h of roadway t r a v e r s i n g t h e Borough.

2 . C o l l e c t o r Streets o N e w Canal Street: f r o m County Bridge N o . 5 4

South t o i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h Route 441.

o Burd Street: f r o m i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h Route 441 t o i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h Dock and Wyoming Streets.

o Wyoming Street: from i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n wi th Burd and Dock Streets t o i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h Shippen Street.

o Shippen Street: from i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n wi th Wyoming Street t o t h e Royal ton Borough/ Londonderry Township c o r p o r a t e boundary.

o Grubb Street: f r o m County Br idge N o . 14 t o i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h Dock Street.

o Dock Street: f r o m i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h Grubb Street t o i t s i n t e r s e c t i o n w i t h

Wyoming Street. 3 . Minor Streets

All remaining streets are i d e n t i f i e d as minor streets.

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D. FUTURE LAND USE

Royalton Borough i s p r i m a r i l y a "bedroom community". I n o t h e r words, Borough r e s i d e n t s r e l y v e r y h e a v i l y on o t h e r m u n i c i p a l i - t i es f o r employment and t h e purchase of goods and services. T h e Borough has exper ienced v e r y l i t t l e development p r e s s u r e , and h a s been c o n s i s t e n t l y l o s i n g popu la t ion t o o t h e r m u n i c i p a l i t i e s . Th i s t r e n d i s g r a d u a l , t a k i n g p l a c e over a 40 yea r pe r iod . Very l i t t l e commercial and i n d u s t r i a l base has been e s t a b l i s h e d , w i t h t w o s m a l l commercial b u s i n e s s e s c l o s i n g w i t h i n t h e p a s t yea r o r so. I t can be r e a l i s t i c a l l y expec ted t h a t t h e Borough w i l l remain a "bedroom community",

w i t h no expec ted s u r g e i n r e s i d e n t i a l , commercial, o r i n d u s t r i a l growth. There i s no th ing wrong w i t h t h i s , however, e f f o r t s can be made through zoning t o more s p e c i f i c a l l y p rov ide f o r compat ib le r e s i d e n t i a l , commercial, o r i n d u s t r i a l development t o o c c u r i n a coord ina ted manner. I t i s ext remely

impor t an t t h a t t h e Borough e s t a b l i s h a more s u b s t a n t i a l economic base , n o t o n l y t o provide employment, and convenience i n t h e purchase of goods and s e r v i c e s , b u t t o create a b e t t e r f i n a n c i a l base t o s u p p o r t t h e s e r v i c e s r e q u i r e d by t h e Borough i n a manner t h a t r educes t h e t ax burden on t h e i n d i v i d u a l homeowner. I n deve loping t h e F u t u r e Land U s e P lan , an e f f o r t w a s made t o r e a l i s t i c a l l y p r o p o r t i o n t h e amount of l and a s s igned f o r v a r i o u s l and uses . t h e Fu tu re Land U s e P l an w a s developed on t h e b a s i s of t h e fo l lowing assumptions:

'Considering t h e above,

o T h e v a c a n t l and i n Royalton would be d i s t r i b u t e d t o v a r i o u s land u s e s w i t h primary emphasis on t h e e x i s t i n g l a n d u s e p a t t e r n e s t a b l i s h e d over t h e y e a r s .

o The g r e a t e s t p o t e n t i a l for r e s i d e n t i a l growth would be i n t h e Second Ward, c o n t a i n i n g t h e g r e a t e s t amount of v a c a n t l and s u i t a b l e f o r r e s i d e n t i a l development.

o The g r e a t e s t p o t e n t i a l f o r i n d u s t r i a l growth would be a long Route 441 on a r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e p a r c e l c o n t a i n i n g t h e s a l v a g e yard . T h i s l o c a t i o n h a s

75 1

d i rec t access t o t h e Borough's o n l y Ar t e r i a l Street and i s less l i k e l y t o cause l and use c o n f l i c t s due t o i t s i s o l a t i o n from c o n c e n t r a t e d r e s i d e n t i a l development . The greatest p o t e n t i a l fo r highway-related commercial development would a lso be a long Route 4 4 1 . A c c e s s t o Route 4 4 1 i s d i rec t , and would n o t r e s u l t i n a c c e l e r a t e d t r a f f i c f l o w through r e s i d e n t i a l neighborhoods.

T h e g r e a t e s t p o t e n t i a l f o r r e t a i l commercial development would be a t t h e t e r m i n a t i o n of Wyoming Street i n t h e Second Ward. The Second Ward c o n t a i n s t h e h i g h e s t d e n s i t y of r e s i d e n t i a l p o p u l a t i o n , t h u s c r e a t i n g more of a demand f o r convenient r e t a i l s e r v i c e s . A c c e s s t o t h i s area would be v i a Wyoming Street . Wyoming Street i s d e s i g n a t e d as a Col lec tor Street and would t h e r e f o r e p r o p e r l y f u n c t i o n t o p rov ide access t o commercial e s t a b l i s h m e n t s .

Development i s n o t s u i t a b l e w i t h i n t h e floodway, however, r e s i d e n t i a l development can be p e r m i t t e d i n t h e f l o o d - f r i n g e a r e a s a t a l o w d e n s i t y and provided it i s des igned and c o n s t r u c t e d so as t o reduce t h e danger t o l i f e and p r o p e r t y damage d i r e c t l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h f l o o d i n g .

I n o r d e r t o promote f u r t h e r commercial development w i t h i n t h e Borough, a s p e c i a l i z e d d i s t r i c t be created t o pe rmi t l i m i t e d commercial a c t i v i t i e s t h a t

would be compat ib le when i n t e g r a t e d w i t h r e s i d e n t i a l u s e s . Two areas are e s t a b l i s h e d , one i n each Ward,

t h a t would pe rmi t both r e s i d e n t i a l and commercial u s e s . T h i s D i s t r i c t f o l lows t h e t r a d i t i o n a l p a t t e r n of v i l l a g e s and sma l l Borough's c o n t a i n i n g a concen t r a t ed area of mixed uses .

F u t u r e development of t h e Borough would be based on t h e u l t i m a t e development of t h e Borough w i t h i n i t s p r e s e n t c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s .

76

The following Table illustrates a summarization of acreage proposed for future land use categories:

Residential Single-Family Residential Multi-Family Residential/Commercial

Mixed Commercia 1 Industrial Public/Semi-Public Streets and Alleys TOTAL

Area in Acres P, of Total Area 86 40

47 2 2

9 6

25 13 2 7

213

4

3 1 2

6

13 1 0 0 . 0

Land Use Compatibility With Adjacent Municipalities The geographical location of assigned future land uses included consideration of their compatibility with land use districts in the adjacent municipalities of Londonderry Township and Middletown Borough.

The Residential Multi-Family land use assigned along the eastern Borough line is compatible with the multi-family district in abutting Londonderry Township.

The Residential-Single Family land use assigned to the southern Borough line is compatible with the single-family district in abutting Londonderry Township.

Although the location of Industrial land use along a segment of the southern Borough line is not entirely compatible with the abutting residential district in Londonderry Township, it is most practical for the Borough in that one industrial use is existing at this location, and the remainder is comprised of railroad right-of-way and an electric transformer sub-station facility.

The Swatara Creek physically separates Royalton Borough from Middletown Borough, thus providing a satisfactory buffer between the land use districts of both municipalities.

77

IMPLEMENThTION

PHASE I61 1

INTRODUCTION ri'

Plan implementat ion can t a k e many gorms. i n f l u e n t i a l a s p e c t of P lan Implementation i s t h e s i n c e r e committment and cont inuous suppor t o f loca l o f f i c i a l s t o e f f e c t i v e l y ach ieve t h e g o a l s and o b j e c t i v e s of the Plan . Local o f f i c i a l s should f u l l y r e a l i z e t h e i m p l i c a t i o n s of t h e i r p l ann ing commitment. I t w i l l r e q u i r e t h e u t i l i z a t i o n of human r e s o u r c e s t o c a r r y o u t t h e a d m i n i s t r a t i v e , p r o c e d u r a l , and regdi la tory a s p e c t s of p l a n maintenance and implementat ion, as w e l l as , t h e f i n a n c i a l a p p r o p r i a t i o n s f o r s u p p o r t i v e purposes . I n o r d e r t o more e f f e c t i v e l y and economical ly pursue t h e achievement of p l ann ing g o a l s , t h e Borough should t a k e f u l l advantage of F e d e r a l , S ta te , County, and Local human and f i n a n c i a l r e s o u r c e s .

The m o s t i m p o r t a n t and

F e d e r a l , State , and County governments m a i n t a i n p r o f e s s i o n a l '

p lann ing s t a f f s and o f f e r f i n a n c i a l aid i n t h e form of g r a n t s and l o a n s . The Borough has a l r e a d y u t i l i z e d t h e County and S ta te l e v e l s of government by p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e Tri-County Regional P l ann ing Commission's Local P lanning A s s i s t a n c e Program, and t h e Pennsylvania Department of Community A f f a i r s ' s S ta te Planning A s s i s t a n c e Grant Program f o r p a r t i a l funding of t h e development of t h e proposed Comprehensive P l a n , Zoning Ordinance, and Subd iv i s ion and Land Development Ordinance.

Another v a l u a b l e r e s o u r c e i s t h e Pennsylvania S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y C a p i t o l Campus, located i n nearby Lower Swatara Township. PSU

C a p i t o l Campus ma in ta ins a g r a d u a t e l e v e l cu r r i cu lum i n Urban and Regional Planning and t h e I n s t i t u t e for S ta te and Regional A f f a i r s .

The U n i v e r s i t y has a wea l th of p l ann ing r e l a t e d r e f e r e n c e documents, and human resources i n t h e f o r m of P r o f e s s o r s and s t u d e n t s . The

Borough h i r e d a g r a d u a t e s t u d e n t , on a p a r t - t i m e basis , t o a s s i s t i n t h e e x i s t i n g l and use su rvey and d e f i c i e n t housing survey d u r i n g t h e Basic S t u d i e s Phase of t h i s P l a n .

78

The Implementat ion Phase w i l l c o n s i s t of reviewing t h e implementing r e g u l a t o r y d e v i c e s adopted and proposed t o be

adopted by Counci l , and t h e b e n e f i t s of deve loping a loca l c a p i t a l improvements program t o p rov ide f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t i n t h e f o r m of planned budgeted expend i tu re s .

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A. CODES AND ORDINANCES

Regula tory d e v i c e s f o r implementing t h e Comprehensive P lan t a k e t h e f o r m of codes and o rd inances , f o r m a l l y adopted by Borough Counci l as local government l e g i s l a t i o n . I n m o s t cases a code enforcement o f f i c e r i s appo in ted t o a d m i n i s t e r and e n f o r c e local p l ann ing o rd inances . The s p e c i f i c powers of t h e enforcement off icer must be c l e a r l y s e t f o r t h i n t h e o rd inance or code so t h a t t h e r e i s no q u e s t i o n of lega l a u t h o r i t y t o a c t on behal f of Borough Counci l . Some o rd inances r e q u i r e a d d i t i o n a l pe r sonne l a p p o i n t s t o c a r r y o u t admin i s t r a - t i v e f u n c t i o n s , such as t h e Zoning Hearing Board, Bu i ld ing Code Board of Appeals, and t h e Bui ld ing Code Board of Survey. I n a l l i n s t a n c e s appoin ted o f f i c i a l s must be competent t o p r o p e r l y c a r r y o u t t h e i r a s s igned r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s . The s i g n e d and dated o r i g i n a l t e x t of e v e r y o rd inance must be

main ta ined a t t h e Borough O f f i c e i n an O f f i c i a l Ordinance Book.

E x i s t i n s Codes and Ordinances Royalton Borough h a s adopted many of t h e codes and o r d i n a n c e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h implementat ion of t h e Comprehensive P lan , i n c l u d i n g e s t a b l i s h m e n t of t h e O f f i c e of Code Enforcement.

Ordinance T i t l e Ordinance Number Bu i ld ing Pe rmi t /Spec ia l Flood

Hazard P r o v i s i o n s 1973-2 Junkyard Ordinance 1973-3 Sewerage Connection Ordinance 1976-2 Flood P l a i n Management Ordinance 1977-5 C r e a t i o n of P lanning Commission 1980-1 O f f i c e of Code Enforcement 1980-2 BOCA Basic Bui ld ing Code (1978 E d . ) 1980-3 BOCA Basic Plumbing Code (1978 Ed.) 1980-4 BOCA P r o p e r t y Maintenance Code (1978 Ed.) 1980-5 N a t i o n a l E lec t r ic Code (1978 Ed.) 1980-6

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Proposed O r d i n a n c e s Two major p lanning related o rd inances remain t o be adopted i n o r d e r t o es tab l i sh a complete se t of implementing o rd inances - Zoning and Subdiv is ion and Land Development.

T h e Zoning Ordinance r e g u l a t e s t h e u s e of l a n d through the

c r e a t i o n of Zoning Distr ic ts . i n d i v i d u a l set of s t a n d a r d s f o r l and use , t h e l o c a t i o n , h e i g h t , coverage , and bulk of s t r u c t u r e s , open space , parking, e tc . f o r a l l p a r c e l s g e o g r a p h i c a l l y located i n t h a t p a r t i c u l a r Dis t r ic t . The Zoning Ordinance, p r i m a r i l y through i t s land u s e s t a n d a r d s , i s t h e p r i n c i p l e means o f adhea r ing t o land u s e s d e l i n e a t e d i n t h e Fu tu re Land U s e P lan .

Each D i s t r i c t has an

The Subdiv is ion and Land Development Ordinance establishes s t a n d a r d s for t h e g r a p h i c a l d e p i c t i o n of l and d i v i s i o n and land development. T h i s o rd inance a l so e s t a b l i s h e s procedures t o be fo l lowed t o a s s u r e uniform and e q u i t a b l e p r o c e s s i n g of a l l s u b d i v i s i o n or l and development p l a t a p p l i c a t i o n s . I n a d d i t i o n , it sets f o r t h s t a n d a r d s f o r r e q u i r e d improvements such a s street, curb , s idewalk , storm sewer, p u b l i c sewer/and p u b l i c water system i n s t a l l a t i o n , a s w e l l as, r e q u i r i n g f i n a n c i a l g u a r a n t e e s for t h e i n s t a l l a t i o n t h e r e o f .

The Tri-County Regional P lanning Commission s t a f f , w i t h t h e

assistance of t h e Royalton Borough Planning Commission, has d r a f t e d and submi t ted proposed t e x t s f o r both a Zoning Ordinance and Subd iv i s ion and Land Development Ordinance.

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B. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM

A c a p i t a l improvement i s normally cons ide red any non-recur r ing e x p e n d i t u r e o r any expend i tu re f o r p h y s i c a l f a c i l i t i e s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h a governmental body, i n c l u d i n g c o s t s for a c q u i s i t i o n of l and or i n t e r e s t s i n l and ; c o n s t r u c t i o n and major a l t e r a t . i o n s t o b u i l d i n g s or o the r s t r u c t u r e s ; s t reet c c n s t r u c t i o n or u t i l i t y i n s t a l l a t i o n ; f i x e d equipment; landscaping; and o ther s i m i l a r expend i tu re s .

A c a p i t a l improvement budget i s a l i s t of p r o j e c t s t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e amounts and sources of funding f o r t h e coming f i s c a l o r c a l e n d a r y e a r . I t i s o f t e n i n c l u d e d i n t h e c a p i t a l

improvement s e c t i o n of t h e annual munic ipa l budget .

A c a p i t a l improvement program is a mul t i -yea r s chedu le of p r o j e c t s and t h e planned budgeted e x p e n d i t u r e s necessa ry t o f i n a n c e them. The program normally covers a s i x - y e a r p e r i o d ; t h e upcoming budget y e a r and a 5-year p e r i o d beyond. I t i s customary t o p r e p a r e a c a p i t a l improvement budget and c a p i t a l improvement program annua l ly ; r e v i s i n g t h e e n t i r e program as necessa ry and adop t ing t h e budget a n n u a l l y as

p a r t of t h e r e g u l a r munic ipa l o p e r a t i n g budget .

T h i s method i s recommended t o t h e Borough Counci l as a means t o a s s u r e t h a t a f i n a n c i a l p l an i s provided f o r t h e r e a l i z a - t i o n of comprehensive p l a n recommendations. Due t o t h e

procedure of annual review and p o s s i b l e r e v i s i o n of t h e budget

and program, it i s recommended t h a t t h e C a p i t a l Improvement Program adopted p u r s u a n t t o t h i s P lan n o t be inc luded i n t h e

t e x t , b u t main ta ined as a s e p a r a t e s u p p o r t i n g document.

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APPENDIX

COMMUNITY ATTITUDE SURVEY FORM

COMPILATION OF SURVEY RESPONSES

8 3

ROYALTON I30KOUGlI COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

COMMUPJITY ATTITUDE SURVEY

The R o y a l t o n Borough Planning Commission is c u r r e n t l y p r e p a r i n g a C o m p r e - hensive Community P l a n , which w i l l p r e s e n t f o r C o u n c i l ' s c o n s i d e r a t i o n r e a l i s t i c i d e a s toward growth and o v e r a l l improvement of c o n d i t i o n s w i t h i n t h e Borough and h o p e f u l l y promote c o n s t r u c t i v e p u b l i c p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n Borough a f f a i r s . A s t h e p l a n develops d e c i s i o n s w i l l be made which w i l l a f f e c t a l l Borough r e s i d e n t s . Th i s survey i s a way f o r you t o g i v e your o p i n i o n o n some of t h e s e d e c i s i o n areas. Please answer a l l t h e q u e s t i o n s and r e t u r n t h e survey form t o Borough H a l l : your o p i n i o n i s impor tan t .

I n answering t h e fo l lowing q u e s t i o n s , c i rc le t h e answer which b e s t d e s c r i b e s your f e e l i n g s o r f i l l on tiic blank space (as i n d i c a t e d ) . 1.

2.

3 .

4 .

3.

6 .

7.

a . 9.

How do you f e e l abou t t h e Borough a s a p l a c e t o l i v e ? Very d e s i r a b l e Somewhat d e s i r a b l e

Somewhat u n d e s i r a b l e Very u n d e s i r a b l e

Assuming t h e Borough w i l l c o n t i n u e t o o p e r a t e w i t h o u t a Comprehensive P lan , do you expec t t h a t w i t h i n t h e n e x t f i v e y e a r s t h e Borough w i l l become :

More d e s i r a b l e W i l l s t a y abou t t h e same L e s s d e s i r a b l e

A r e you f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e c o n t e n t and purpose of a Comprehensive P lan? Y e s N o

Would you be i n t e r e s t e d i n l e a r n i n g more abou t your local plaiining commission's a c t i v i t i e s ? Y e s N o

How f a m i l i a r are you w i t h t h e d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of services provided t o you through Borough Counci l? Very fami l ia r

Somewhat f a m i l i a r N o t ve ry f a m i l i a r

How do you f e e l abou t t h e fo l lowing p u b l i c services? Fire P r o t e c t i o n adequa te less t h a n adequa te should be b e t t e r Pol ice P r o t e c t i o n adequa te less t h a n adequate should be b e t t e r Water S e r v i c e adequa te less t h a n adequate shou ld be bet ter Sewerage S e r v i c e adequate less t h a n adequa te should be b e t t e r Recreation adequa te less t h a n adequate should be be t t e r Street ielaintenance adequate less t h a n adequate should b e bet ter Would you u t i l i z e p u b l i c bus s e r v i c e i f made ava i lab le i n t h e Borough?

Y e s N o

D o you belong t o a ca rpoo l? Y e s N o

A r e you a r e g i s t e r e d v o t e r ? Y e s N o D i d you vote i n t h e l a s t e l e c t i o n ? Y e s NO

1 0 . A r e t h e r e any handicapped i n d i v i d u a l s i n your household? Y e s N o

11. How many s e n i o r c i t i z e n s (ove r 6 5 y e a r s ) l i v e i n your household? 1 2 . How long have you l i v e d i n Royalton? y r s . 13. D o you l i v e on a f i x e d income on ly (Social S e c u r i t y , Pens ion , e t c . ) ?

How many?

Y e s . N o 1 4 . D o you r e l y on p u b l i c a s s i s t a n c e f o r f i n a n c i a l suppor t ? Y e s No

15. D o you r e n t o r own your home? R e n t Own OVER 84

2

16. Please c i rc le those w h i c h app ly t o you: 1 ! Employed f u l l - t i m e

Employed p a r t - t i m e H o m e m a k e r Re t i red

Unemployed Disabled

1 1 7 , HOW would you g e n e r a l l y d e s c r i b e t h e c o n d i t i o n of hous ing t h r o u g h o u t the Dorough? Good Cond i t ion F a i r Cond i t ion Poor Cond i t ion

18 . Would you p r e f e r t o have s e p a r a t e areas of t h e Borough d e s i g n a t e d t o p e r m i t commercial o n l y , r e s i d e n t i a l o n l y , or i n d u s t r i a l o n l y u s e s , or do you f e e l t h e s e t y p e s of l a n d u s e s s h o u l d be p e r m i t t e d t o dev;lop anywhere i n t h e Borough i n a mixed-use manner?

S e p a r a t e u s e zoning d i s t r i c t s Mixed u s e 19. Would you l i k e t o see m o r e b u s i n e s s e s l o c a t e d w i t h i n t h e Borough?

20. Should r e s t r i c t i o n s be p l a c e d on t h e amount and t y p e of b u s i n e s s o r i n d u s t r i a l u s e s which may be p e r m i t t e d t o locate i n close p rox imi ty t o r e s i d e n t i a l u ses?

Y e s No

Yes No

21. Please u s e t h e remain ing s p a c e below t o of fe r your comments on any a s p e c t s of t h e Borough as a community which you fee l s h o u l d be considered by t h e Borough P lann ing Commission and Borough Counci l .

85

/ i' .

Should be be t t e r 0 3 , h 3 L . L

1 ; 't 0 , 2 6, 14- 4, 11

Total :75

Tota l 76

Tota l 76

Tota l :75

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