PORTAGE AREA REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Prepared by: Cambria County Planning Commission 40 1 Candlelight Drive Suite 213 Ebensburg, Pennsylvania 1593 1

under the direction of the Portage Area Regional Planning Commission

in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development

for Portage Borough and Portage Township

June, 2001

The preparation of this report was financed in part through a State Planning Assistance Grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development, as administered by the Strategic Planning and Program Operations Officz, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Completion of the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan was made possible through the efforts of elected officials, appointed and volunteer participants, and citizens at-large. To this extent, a special acknowledgment and thanks to the following:

.. .. Portase Area Redona1 Planninu Commission Cambria County CommiSSlOnelS

Greg McDonnell, Chairman Fred L. Soisson, M.D., President Richard Rice, Vice-chairman Ted Baranik Dixie Lewis, Secretary Kathy L. Holtzman Russ Kiel, Treasurer Randy Stager, Member *. Ray Kargo, Member ria Couy Plmna Commission

Robert A. Koban, Borough Manager Sam Valenty, Chairman Mike Mayers, Ex-Officio William R. Clark, Vice-chairman Robert E. Fisher, Jr. , Treasurer Toni-Renee Anderson, Secretary portaae Boroush Council Albert L. Haluska Ronald M. Rovansek Sharon McCarthy, President Donna Cauf fiel Kenneth Gilpatrick, Vice-president Vincent Beyer Jeffery W. Richardson Edward J. Zabrosky Kimberly Cadwallader Joseph L. Leydig Garry L. Bates

Bradford G. Beigay, Exec. Dir. Portase TOwns h mervisors David L. Belz, Principal Planner Colleen A. Bukowski, Admin. Asst. Richard Olshavsky, Chairman Gerald P. Parisi, Principal Planner Philip Zdunczyk Enzo W. Scarton Cambria Co. Redevelopment Authority

Larry R. Custer, Exec. Dir

The Citizens of Portase Townsm TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.

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I I I TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No.

VII. RELATIONSHIP TO COUNTY'S REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Assessment of Land Use Improvements------114 Assessment of Housing Improvements------115 Assessment of Transportation Improvements------116 Assessment of Community Facilities Improvements- 117 Cambria County and Regional-wide Improvements--- 118

1 I I I 1 I I I I I I LIST OF TABLEQ

Tab 1e Page No. Table Headinw NiL

1 2 3 Developed and Undeveloped Land------26 4 Existing Land Use------27 5 Housing Unit Trends and Projections------29 6 Housing Unit Characteristics------32 7 Existing Transportation System------43 8 Twelve-Year Transportation Program------44 9 Existing Bridge Program------45 10 Portage Borough Community Facilities Inventory--- 58 11 Portage Township Community Facilities Inventory-- 61 12 Portage Area Strategies------121

LIST OF EXHIBITS

Page m

130

Mag Title

NA Regional Location Map 1 Existing Land Use 2 Future Land Use 3 Housing 4 Historic District 5 Transportation 6 Community Facilities

ADDENDUMS

Model Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance Model Historical District Ordinance I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Comprehensive Plan has been the cornerstone of American planning theory and practice since the early 1900's. It is a document which contains the basic policies that will guide the future growth and development of the community. The plan is typically of a general nature, long-range in outlook, and includes all factors affecting growth and development.

The comprehensive plan serves three principal functions:

The plan is a statement of goals, a listing of objectives, and a vision of what could be. The plan is an educational tool, helping everyone who uses it understand the conditions, problems, and opportunities of the community through the provision of factual information. The plan serves as a guide to public and private decision-making, thus, shaping the future of the community.

II A Comprehensive Plan by itself is not a solution to all the problems and concerns of a community. The value of a well prepared plan, however, is derived from the process of B preparing the plan and the implementation of the plan after it is prepared. The plan should focus attention on the major issues and concerns of a community and establish a basis for debate, I discussion, and conflict resolution. The plan should never be regarded as a finished project, to be completed every ten years B or so, but as a community-based planning process. Lecral Basis for ComDrehensive Plannins in Pennsv - lvania

In Pennsylvania, both county and local municipal governments have the authority to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans. This authority is contained in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC),Act 247 of 1968, as amended. The MPC mandates that comprehensive plans contain certain basic elements. These elements include, but are not limited to, the I following: a statement of community development goals and I objectives; a land use element; a housing element; a transportation element; I' a community facilities element; I 1. B a statement of the interrelationship among plan components; a statement of the relationship of the community‘s future development to adjacent areas.

Section 304 of the MPC specifies the legal status of the county comprehensive plan within municipalities. It provides for review of certain municipal actions when the municipality is within a county that has an adopted comprehensive plan. The municipality’s governing body (supervisors, commissioners, or council) is required to submit proposed enumerated public improvement activities (e.g.,erection of a new public structure) and land use regulations (e.g., adoption of a subdivision ordinance) to the county planning agency for review and recommendations.

Section 306 of the MPC addresses consistency among comprehensive plans. It states that municipalities that have their own comprehensive plans shall give consideration to other adopted municipal or county comprehensive plans in order to protect the objectives of each plan. The Act thus emphasizes coordination between municipal and county comprehensive planning.

It should be noted that a comprehensive plan prepared in Pennsylvania is only an advisory document. It is not a development ordinance or a zoning map, and does not contain any rules and regulations. The plan, as an official document, however, does serve as a catalyst and guide for the development of various ordinances and other planning tools.

Intent of Plan

The intent of the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan Update is to identify existing problems and/or constraints within Portage Borough and Portage Township and to develop mechanisms and policies that will promote sound “growth management” in support of economic development. The Plan represents a concerted effort by elected and appointed officials, the Portage Regional Planning Commission, local residents, and the State Department of Community and Economic Development to strengthen the regional planning process.

Portage Borough and Portage Township are rural Mainline Railroad (Norfolk Southern and AMTRAK) communities. Over the past 10-year period, both municipalities have experienced a significant decline in their traditional small-town life style. Between 1980 and 1990, the bi-municipal population base declined by 823 people or 10.3%. Most of the population

2. loss was due to employment reductions in the steel manufacturing, coal mining, and the railroad industries corresponding to a similar reduction at both the State and County levels in terms of employment numbers.

Purpose of the Plan

The purpose of this Comprehensive Plan Update is to insure that Portage Borough and Portage Township are provided with a blueprint for community planning, development, and for the management of their natural and built resources. The related chapters of the Plan will inventory existing conditions, attempt to identify specific issues or constraints along with community- wide strengths, and develop some realistic goals and objectives supported by both short- and long-term strategies. The Portage Area Comprehensive Plan will consist of textual material, tables, I and maps and will be consistent with the requirements contained in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247). The following chapter headings will provide the organizational I framework for development of the Plan:

I. Introduction and Background 11. Existing Conditions 111. Portage Area vision IV . Plans and Recommendations I V. Intergovernmental Cooperation VI. Interrelationship Among Plan Components VI1 . Relationship to County’s Regional Development I VI11 * Implementation I County and Local ComDrehensi- ve Plans The County Planning Commission is in the process of completing the Cambria County 2000 Comprehensive Plan Update. I This Plan will provide the County with a regionalized approach to planning based upon an inventory and examination of land use, housing, transportation, and community facilities within each of I the County’s three (3) planning regions. As mentioned earlier, this Plan and all of the County‘s constituent municipalities that have prepared and adopted comprehensive plans under Pennsylvania enabling legislation are only advisory in nature and are not development ordinances.

The difference between the County and the Portage Area I Regional Comprehensive Plans is one of detail. The County Plan is more general in nature with issues and problems being addressed on a regional basis emphasizing county importance. I Municipal plans focus on specific planning issues with the emphasis placed on local importance. However, on a broader

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'I basis, the respective goals and objectives of the County and Portage Area Regional Plans should be consistent in terms of I overall land use management practices. Past Portase Area Plannins Efforts I Municipal planing within Portage Borough and Portage Township began in 1969-70 with the Portage Regional Plan. The Plan consisted of two (2) companion studies: (1) A Background Report (1969); and (2) A Development Plan and Implementation 'I Report (1970). The combined studies are in fact a full Comprehensive Plan with supportive text and mapping, goals and objectives, and planning components such as housing, land use, I community facilities and services, and transportation. The study represents the Portage Area's initial efforts to plan for regional growth and change by assessing community-wide issues and I strengths. The Portage Area Regional Planning Commission was I charged with overseeing the Plan's development which was prepared 11 by Gilbert Associates, Inc. of Reading, Pennsylvania. The Gilbert Comprehensive Plan was replaced with the 1989 Portage Area Development Study and Plan prepared by Richard I C. Sutter and Associates, Inc. The Plan's objectives were to (1) Update and integrate the previous Comprehensive Plan; (2) Develop a framework for community conservation and revitalization; and I (3) to recommend land use ordinances which would effectuate future growth and development. I The study's recommendations, unlike the Gilbert Plan 20 years earlier (which emphasized a detailed Capital Improvement Program), was geared towards non-structural improvements based I upon Land Use Ordinances such as Zoning and Subdivision regulations. I Plannins Accomplishments

The Gilbert Plan (1969-70) and the Richard C. Sutter I Plan (1989) made recommendations for improvements to land use, housing, transportation, and community facilities for the Portage Region. Although many of the Plan's recommendations have been I acted upon by the Borough and Township, no official record has been kept itemizing the improvement and its status. Rather than dwell on improvements not implemented, this section of the Plan will summarize community-wide accomplishments which, on the I aggregate, have been responsive to both the Gilbert and Sutter I Plans. I 4. I Land Use Improvements

Adoption of the Portage Township Subdivision Ordinance with oversight by the Portage Area Regional Planning ~ I Commission Adoption of Portage Borough and Portage Township Storm Water Management Ordinances with Planning Commission I oversight Maintained the urban single-family residential character of Portage Borough and the rural-village character of the I Township Restricted development to areas having highway access I with sewer and water infrastructure Promoted the preservation of farmland, open space, and natural resources in the Portage Region I Made commercial improvements to the Central Business District (CBD) in cooperation with the Portage Area Business Association (PABA) I Created the Portage Area Economic Development Association (PAEDA) to promote economic growth within the region Promoted highway commercial development along the PA I Route 53 corridor and along PA Route 164 (Main Street) Utilized vacant parcels of land for in-fill residential I and commercial development Housincr Improvements

I '0 Utilized Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to rehabilitate housing for low and moderate-income res ident s Adopted Building Officials and Code Administration I International, Inc. (BOCA) uniform construction codes Promoted housing development in areas served by public I sewer and water systems Extended public sewer service to areas previously served by on-lot systems I Supported the construction of new single-family, two- family, and multi-family types of housing Portage Borough became a participating municipality with I the Cambria/Somerset Council of Governments (COG) I Transportation Improvement s Made safety improvements to the PA Route 53 and PA Route 164 (Main Street) intersection Placed the Route 53 and Route 164 intersection on PennDOT's Twelve Year Highway Improvement Program I 5. I Developed a local street maintenance and repair program to include surface and drainage rehabilitation Increased on-street and off-street parking facilities to serve the downtown region Repaired the County-owned Cherry Bottom Bridge (T-418 Jamestown) and replaced on a temporary basis the Jamestown Bridge (T-418) in cooperation with Cambria County and PennDOT Replaced the Borough-owned Caldwell Avenue and Conemaugh Avenue bridges in cooperation with Cambria County and Pe nnDOT Placed the replacement of the Portage Open Grid Bridge (PA 164) on the 12-Year Transportation Improvement Program Placed the Jefferson Avenue Bridge owned by Portage I1 Borough on PennDOT's 12-Year Plan 1 Community Facilities Improvements Upgraded and expanded the public water supply, treatment, and distribution systems I Expanded and upgraded the sewage treatment plant, interceptor, and transmission lines Extended water and sewer lines to village communities and 1 developed areas Created the Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission to oversee the Crichton-McCormick Park and other I recreational sites and facilities Constructed a new high school, middle school, and elementary school in cooperation with the Portage Area I School District Expanded and improved the Portage Public Library System Created the Portage Area Historical Society, the Portage I Historical District, and the Portage Station Museum Constructed a new borough municipal building which also houses the fire and police departments I 0 Created the Portage Area Ambulance Association 0 Adopted a Solid Waste Management Ordinance 1 Why a New Comr,-rehensive Plan? Comprehensive planning is a systematic, creative I approach to manage change in our communities. It is directed toward the future by analyzing trends in land use and community facilities and services. Communities which anticipate change and 1 plan to address the opportunities presented by change will be better communities. Through the planing process, Portage Borough

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M and Portage Township can analyze problems, visualize futures, compare alternatives, and describe the implications of various choices so that citizens and public officials can make M knowledgeable choices. Through careful planning, the Portage Area can make wise use of scarce resources - both natural and financial.

D The Gilbert Plan was a success in that it was the first effort to complete comprehensive planning on a regional- wide basis. The Sutter Study did a good job of identifying M existing problems supported by specific recommendations and implementation strategies. However, a comprehensive plan needs to be periodically updated to reflect community change and to M develop new and more relevant goals and objectives. M Plannins Definitions The following definitions are intended to provide the reader with a better understanding of the terms used in the 1 Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan.

American Planning Association - A national planning organization M open both to professional personnel and to lay officials in the planning field. l Blight - Deterioration; the presence of deficiencies and inadequacies in building, facilities, and their environment or in I relation to their environment. Building Inspector - A municipal employee charged with enforcement of the building code, and such other ordinances I (zoning, signboard, housing, electrical and plumbing, for example) as may be assigned to his department. Often referred to I as a code enforcement officer. Capital Improvements Program - A list of all proposed mun ic ipa 1 projects together with a statement of the priority of their I construction. Comprehensive Plan - A plan for development of an area which recognizes the physical, economic, social, political, aesthetic, and related factors of the community involved.

Dedication of Land - The gift of land for public purpose in a subdivision plan, such as for streets or for recreation areas.

Density Control - The various devices used in zoning and subdivision regulations to limit population densities in various M areas. 1. I I iI Eminent Domain - The power of the state, and its municipal corporations, to take private property for a public use at a fair ‘i price. Floodplain Zoning - The zoning of those areas which have been, or are likely to be, subjected to flooding. The purpose of 1 floodplain zoning is to guard against the loss of life or destruction of property by restraining all construction that is I likely to suffer from the effects of inundation. Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 - The Act established one direct federal Community Development Block Grant I Program to consolidate and replace previous categorical grant programs in the areas of urban renewal, model cities, water and sewer facilities, neighborhood facilities, public facilities loans, open space land, and rehabilitation loans.

Land Use Planning - “Land use planning is basically concerned with the location, intensity, and amount of land development required for the various space-using functions of city life - industry, wholesaling, business, housing, recreation, education, and the religious and cultural activities of the people.” - F. Stuart Chapin, Urban Land Use Planning.

Planimetric Map - A map that is complete with respect to planimetry (the horizontal representation of features) , but which contains no contours or representations of relief.

Planned Residential Development - An area of land, controlled by a landowner, to be developed as a single entity for a number of dwelling units, or combination of residential and nonresidential uses, the development plan for which does not correspond in lot size, bulk, type of dwelling, or use, density, or intensity, lot coverage and required open space to the regulations established in any one district created, from time to time, under the provisions of a municipal zoning ordinance.

Plat - The map or plan of a subdivision or land development, whether preliminary or final.

Property Map - A map showing the dimensions of all property lines by figures and by scale.

Redevelopment Authority - A locally created public body organized in accordance with the “Urban Redevelopment Law“ of Pennsylvania (Act of May 24, 1945, P.L. 991 as amended), which carries out redevelopment programs.

8. Region - An area delineation ordinarily supposed to have some geographic, economic sociological, cultural, or political homogeneity.

Right of Way - The right of passage over ground; the ground over which a right of way has been granted, obtained by lawful condemnation to public use or by purchase.

Special Exception - A special use of property, specifically authorized by a zoning ordinance, but not permitted unless certain stated conditions have been met.

Spot Zoning - The practice of establishing a given use, usually small commercial or industrial zoning districts, usually of one or several lots, which use is not in accordance with an overall plan for the community.

State Planning Assistance Grant - Grants to local government by the State Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) to prepare, update, or implement a comprehensive plan. This is a matching grant program.

Subdivision and Land Development Regulation - Control of the division of open land by compelling its development to meet design standards and procedures adopted by local ordinance.

Topographic Map - A map showing all principal physical features of an,area, including elevations. In city planning work, topographic maps of a scale of 400 to 2,000 feet to one inch are normally satisfactory. Contour lines, which show points of equal elevation, are used on these maps. Contour intervals usually vary between twenty feet in hilly country and five feet in relatively level areas.

Variance - A relief which may be granted by a zoning hearing board to permit the applicant to vary from the terms of the zoning ordinance because unique conditions of a particular piece of property would make compliance an unreasonable hardship.

Zoning Hearing Board - A quasi-judicial agency, appointed by a municipality to aid in the administration of the zoning ordinance. It may not amend the zoning ordinance, but it has the power to hear appeals from a decision of the zoning officer, grant a variance or special exception, decide challenges to the validity of the ordinance, or to interpret the meaning of the ordinance.

Zoning District - An area identified by a zoning ordinance with fixed rules for use of land to be uniformly applied throughout

9. the district unless special overlay provisions are applied for historic buildings or hazardous conditions. The districts are shown on the map which is a part of the zoning ordinance.

Zoning Officer - A municipal employee charged with the enforcement of the zoning ordinance.

A Comprehensive Plan is a general policy for the physical development of a municipality. An understanding of the terms and language is helpful during Plan development and implementation. The planning definitions presented here are valuable reference tools for citizens, planning commissions, and elected officials.

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I 11. EXISTING CONDITIONS The purpose of this section of the Portage Area I Regional Comprehensive Plan is to inventory existing demographic and physical conditions as a prelude to developing a community vision with goals and objectives. In addition to population and housing characteristics, this chapter of the Portage Area I Comprehensive Plan will also review and analyze the provisions for land use, housing, transportation, and community facilities and services. An examination of the Portage Region begins with a I brief discussion of its history. A regional location map has been prepared showing the location of the Portage Region in relation to the existing transportation system and the cities of I Johnstown and Altoona. I Historical PersDective - 1800's Port acre Bo roush

I The Borough of Portage, where you used to get a scenic steam engine ride for three cents, is in southeastern Cambria County, on the line of the old Portage Railroad which crossed the I Allegheny Mountains to connect the eastern and western sections of the Pennsylvania Canal.

I This railroad, completed in 1834, ran westward to Johnstown and to Hollidaysburg in the east. Ascending cars stopped at a dock, now the cement bridge over the Little I Conemaugh River on Route 53. The unloading spot was the highway junk yard, with lodging at the former McGloughan House. Lumbering was the chief industry. The railroads burned wood to I make steam. Soon Portage had four sawmills, the first at the site of the Gauntner Store on Caldwell Avenue, named for a pioneer merchant. Tram roads and later a "Martin Run" railroad I branch were built to the mills.

Portage was incorporated October 7, 1890. The I Pennsylvania Railroad main line ran through town. What's now Lee Street was the main entrance, over which logs were hauled to the New York Tower on S. Railroad Street, which was the town's first I street. Three hotels, four stores, and a railroad station were Portage's business district then. I 0 Portacre Townshi9 I Portage Township, rich in minerals and history, got its name from the famous portage between the Juniata and I 11. I I

I Conemaugh Rivers. It is one of the “more recent” townships in Cambria County, being formed almost three-quarters of a century after the county was started. The township was cut from I Summerhill and Washington Townships on March 4, 1878, a few years before the first sawmill appeared in its then-verdant woodland.

There is a community of interest-economic and social- I between Portage Borough and adjacent Portage Township. Transportation, lumbering, and coal have played an important role in the development of each. First settlers in this area were ~I Welsh, followed quickly by the Irish, English, and Germans. Dense woodland made up most of the countryside, until the first I sawmill was started in Sonman about 1880. About 1890, the year Portage Borough was cut from the parent township, it was discovered that this tract bore rich coal I reserves. Coal mining started late in the Nineteenth Century, but did not reach full bloom until after the start of the Twentieth Century. Piper‘s Mine and Benscreek Shaft were among I the first mines. I Historical Permect ive - 1900’~ Both Portage Township and Portage Borough were incorporated late, nearly three-quarters of a century after I Cambria County was established in 1804, and little is known of the earliest days of settlement in the Region. Johnstown had commenced its era of industrialization and growth in 1809, I producing iron from local iron ore and coal deposits. At that time, Portage has heavily forested with stands I of hardwoods covering its rolling hills and deep ravines. Possibly, the rugged terrain delayed early access to Portage form the east for all but the sturdiest of settlers, the only I transportation routes being Indian trails on the high ground and the natural waterways. I The growing steel-making capacity at Johnstown increased the demand for coal and it wasn‘t until the first few decades in the 20th Century that mining reached its full bloom in I Portage; attracting a diversity of nationalities. The Ben‘s Creek spur of the Pennsylvania Railroad served to carry out the coal from the Sonman, Piper‘s and Ben‘s Creek mines. In those days, the refuse from the mines was stacked in tall piles that I still stand today and loom as black mountains in the green hilly landscape.

I Deep-coal mining in Cambria County began to drop in I the 1930’s and Portage was no exception to the trend. However, 12. I I extensive strip mining continued to take place in the woodlands in eastern and southern Portage Township and has continued into the present time. It was during the 1940's and 1950's that the 1 County's economic base began to diversify from steel manufacturing and coal mining into retail/wholesale, finance, and service employment sectors. The Portage Area followed this trend I and began to change its economy with a focus on commercial and industrial expansion. By the 1960's and 1970'~~the Portage Area's economy had reached it pinnacle in terms of the number of I business establishments and employment. The population of the Portage Borough and Portage Township stabilized at around 8,000 people in 1970 with a large I portion of families still dependent upon employment in the manufacturing, mining, and railroad industries. These employment sectors, however, were located outside the area in the cities of I Johnstown and Altoona. In the 1970'~~the Portage Central Business District was the focal point of community activity, providing for business, social, and cultural activities. The I Crichton-McCormick Park was improved and served as a top-notch recreational facility serving the entire Mainline Region. The 1970's were prosperous years for Portage with progress also being made in areas pertaining to education, infrastructure, historical preservation, and municipal government.

II In the 1980'~~the Portage area began to feel the economic hardships associated with the closing of local steel mills.and coal mining plants in Cambria County. Employment in I the railroad industry had also declined throughout both Cambria and Blair Counties. Unemployment remained high and jobs became scarce and many residents relocated outside the area or worked in I distant places. This economic scenario had a significant impact on the quality of life within the Portage Area and throughout I Cambria County. By the year 2000, the population of Portage Borough and Portage Township had dropped to 6,743 residents and the local I economy was still adjusting to the transformation from a manufacturing/coal production base to one of technology and telecommunications. However, all is well and the Portage Area I continues to make progress. I Portacre Area H istorical District; The history of the Portage Area is dynamically related to the industrial heritage associated with railroads, coal I mining, and related industries such as lumbering. The Allegheny Portage Railroad, which was completed in 1834, served as the only I link between sections of the Pennsylvania Main Line 13. I I Transportation Canal and extended some 36 miles over the Allegheny Mountains summit between Hollidaysburg to the east and I Johnstown to the west. The railroad and canal system played a major role in affecting the cultural and economic heritage of the I Portage Area. Buildings and structures having historical significance in relation to the industrial heritage of the I Portage Area have been inventoried by the Portage Area Historical Society. The Historical Society, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, has recently 1 delineated an area within Portage Borough which contains a sufficient number of historic structures to be recognized as an historic district. The major attraction within the district is I the Portage Station Museum which was built in 1926 to serve as a passenger depot for the Pennsylvania Railroad. The museum contains photo exhibits and artifacts of the coal mining and I railroad heritage of the Portage Area. The museum also contains a gift shop, historical books, and a video on a coal mining disaster. This area has been designated as the Portage Historic I District by the U.S. Department of the Interior and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Portage Historical District and Museum are shown on the Portage Area I Historical District Map (Map No. 4). I DemouraDhic Co nsiderat ions EQDulat ion Trends

I Table 1 presents population trends, projections, and comparisons for the Portage Area from 1950 through 2010. The data shows that the area lost 2,345 persons or 25.8% of its I population between 1950 and 2000. The area's population base peaked in 1950 at 9,088 people and then began a steady decline over the next 30 years until 1980 when it gained 1.5%. The most I significant population loss occurred between 1950 and 1960 when the Portage Area lost 1,095 persons or 12.0% of the population., Between 1950 and 2000, Portage Borough lost 1,534 people or 35.1% I of its population. I 0 PoDulat ion Proi ect ions Population projections are also presented on Table 1 for the 1990-2010 period. The Portage Area is projected to lose I 451 people or 6.7% of its population over the next 10-year period. The data suggests a continuous decline after having I peaked in 1990 at 7,194 people. The projected decline for the I 14. I

I Portage Area from 2000 to 2010 will be 451 people for a loss of I about 45 residents each year. I Pomdation- ComDarisom A comparison of Portage Area population projections with Planning Region 2 and Cambria County indicate that the I projected population decline over the 10-year period (6.7%) will be higher than the percentage loss within the Planning Region, but slightly lower than the projected percentage loss at the I County level. Planning Region 2, or the Central Planning Region, consisting of 27 municipalities, is expected to lose 3.4% of its population while the larger Cambria County will experience a 6.8% I population reduction by the year 2010. Sex and Aae Comparism

I Sex and age population figures for the year 2000 are presented on Table 2 for the Portage Area and Cambria County. The data shows that Portage Borough contains a higher percentage I of female residents (53.5%) than male (46.5%) when compared to Portage Township and Cambria County. The Borough's population is also older. The percentage for the elderly population (age 65 1 and older) is 21.6% compared to 17.6% within the Township and 19.7% for Cambria County.

I Portage Township's population appears to be anchored by the 25 to 54 age cohorts which represented over 42% of the total population in the year 2000. This age group, as a 1 percentage of total population, is higher than in Portage Borough and Cambria County; however, the 25 to 54 aged population has a significant representation in both Portage Borough and Cambria I County. The median age for the Borough, Township, and Cambria County in 2000 was slightly over 41 years of age with the Borough I having the highest median at 41.7 years. The Census data on Table 2 shows that 19.3% of the Portage Area population is aged 65 or older. The elderly are I more concentrated in the Borough, while the 25 to 54 age group is concentrated within the Township. The largest and most dynamic age cohort for both the Borough and Township is between the ages I of 45 and 54 years of age. This age group most often reflects the nucleus of the community in terms of family structure, children, new housing, and the labor force. The elderly I population aged 65 and over represents retirement, fixed incomes, and a higher quality of community services and facilities. I

I 15. I I I SomP Thoushts on Ponulatioq Two significant economic events have affected and perpetuated Portage Area's population decline over the past 50- I year period. The first occurred between 1950 and 1965 when the local steel manufacturing and coal mining industries began to lose their competitive edge because of both domestic and foreign I steel manufacturing. The initial impacts of these market forces were periodic lay-offs and a general reduction in the industrial work force.

I The second economic event took place between 1975 and 1990 and was also directly related to the region's three (3) basic industries. The manufacturing industry, in particular the I primary metals producing sector, began to downsize and close local steel-making facilities. Production costs could not compete with foreign markets and the demand for local steel I declined significantly. This led to a reduction in coal mining and subsequently much less activity on local coal and steel I hauling railroads. The end-result of this economic scenario was high unemployment, out-migration of workers and families, and a 1 general reduction in the overall quality of life within the 1 Portage Area. I II 1 1 1 I I

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I TABLE 1 PORTAGE AREA I POPULATION TRENDS: 1950-00 Portage % Portage % Portage % I -Year Borough Change Township Change Area Chancle 1950 4,371 **** 4,717 **** 9,088 **** 1960 3,933 -11.1% 4,060 -13.9% 7,993 -12.0% 1970 4,151 5.5% 3,750 -7.6% 7,901 -1.2% 1 1980 3310 -1 5.4% 4,507 20.2% 8,017 1.5% 1990 3,105 -1 1.5% 4,089 -9.3% 7,194 -1 0.3% 2000 2,837 -8.6% 3,906 -4.5% 6,743 -6.3% I 1950-00 -1,534 -35.1% -81 1 -I7.2% -2,345 -25.8%

I POPULATION PROJECTIONS: 1990-2010

Portage % Portage % Portage % I Year Borouqh Change Township Channe Area Chancle 1990 3,105 **** 4,089 **** 7,194 **** I 2000 2,837 -8.6% 3,906 -4.5% 6,743 -6.3% 2010 2,569 -9.4% 3,723 -2.6% 6,292 -6.7% 1 2000-2010 -268 -9.4% -1 83 -2.6% -451 -6.7% POPULATION PROJECTION COMPARISONS: 1990-2010

I Portage % Planning % Cambria % Year -Area Change Region 2 Change County Channe 1 1990 7,194 **** 52,071 **** 163,029 **** 2000 6,743 -6.3% 50,336 -3.3% 152,598 -6.4% 2010 6,292 -6.7% 48,601 -3.4% 142,167 -6.8% I 2000-2010 -451 -6.7% -1,735 -3.4% -10,431 -6.8%

1 SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population and Housing; 1950-2000. I Cambria County Planning Commission; 2010. I I I 17. 1 TABLE 2 PORTAGE AREA SEX AND AGE COMPARISON 2000

Portage Portage Portage Cambria Borouah Township Area Countv -# % it % -# !%I -#

Male 1,319 46.5% 1,937 49.6% 3,256 48.3% 74,011 48.5% Female 1.518 53.5% 1.969 50.4% 3.487 51.7% 78.587 51.5% Total Population 2,837 100.0% 3,906 ? 00 .O% 6,743 100.0% 152,598 100.0%

Aae Cohorts Under 5 150 5.3% 193 4.9% 343 5.1% 7,669 5.0% 5 to 9 Years 168 5.9% 223 5.7% 391 5.8% 8,831 5.8% 10 to 14 Years 168 5.9% 265 6.8% 433 6.4% 9,519 6.2% 15-19 Years 161 5.7% 259 6.6% 420 6.2% 10,556 6.9% 20-24 Years 187 6.6% 217 5.6% 404 6.0% 9,204 6.0% 25-34 Years 349 12.3% 44 1 11.3% 790 11.7% 17,435 11.4% 35-44 Years 371 13.1% 586 15.0% 957 14.2% 22,498 14.7% 45-54 Years 395 13.9% 623 15.9% 1,018 15.1% 22,158 14.5% 55-59 Years 128 4.5% 226 5.8% 354 5.2% 7,844 5.1% 50-64 Years 148 5.2% 185 4.7% 333 4.9% 6,797 4.5% 65-74 Years 281 9.9% 357 9.1% 638 9.5% 14,670 9.6% 75-84 Years 258 9.1% 286 7.3% 544 8.1% 11,811 7.7% 85 Years and Over 73 2.6% 45 1.2% 118 1.7% 3,606 2.4%

Median Age (Yrs.) 41.7 NIA 41.3 N/A 41.5 N/A 41.2 NIA Age 65 and Over 612 21.6% 688 17.6% 1,300 19.3% 30,087 19.7%

SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau; Census 2000

18. Land Use Analvsis

Land use analysis is the study and classification of the "man-made" features of a given geographical area. A study of existing land use patterns and their relationship to each other is necessary so that a future plan for orderly growth and development can be formulated.

Land use information has a wide variety of applications such as the planning of future infrastructure (sewer, water, and utilities), housing development, transportation and recreation facilities, downtown growth and expansion, and future land requirements.

Land Use Catecrories

The Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan considers three (3) major land use components: Developed, Undeveloped or Non-Urban Related, and Surface Water Areas. The specific land use categories employed to define the developed and undeveloped headings are presented below and are further defined on the I Existing Land Use Map (Map No. 1). A. PeveloDed Land

I 1. Acrricultural - Includes agricultural activities and services for the production of crops, livestock, and livestock products. Also considered are horticultural specialties including nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, trees, and flowers, timber, wood, and other wood products. Aquatic plants and animals and their by-products are also included under Agricultural land use.

2. Commercial - Includes neighborhood and highway- oriented commercial activities such as retail trade or eating and drinking establishments, wholesale trade with and without storage premises, and customer or employee parking, loading, service, and other related areas.

Also included in this category are the service activities that are usually classified as a separate land use. Following are the service activities that will be collectively classified as commercial land use: firm headquarters, finance, insurance, real estate, personal services, beauticians and barber shops, banking, warehouses or storage areas, automotive repair and services that do not sell

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1

I petroleum products, miscellaneous business and repair services, medical and health services except hospitals and rest homes, funeral homes, offices and I other professional services including professional associations, labor unions, customer or employee parking, loading service, and other related areas.

I 3. Zndustrial. - This land use includes the refining, fabricating and assembly of the following activities: food kindred products, tobacco and related products, ~I apparel and other finished products made from fabrics and leather, printing and publishing, furniture and fixtures, lumber and wood products, chemicals and I allied products, professional and scientific products, and the storage, parking, and other spaces related to I- these activities. Also included in this category are land use activities normally classified as heavy industrial. I Included are the activities of: electric and steam generation and related industries, primary metals, coal mining, stone, clay and glass products, I fabricated metal products, machinery, transportation, equipment, and the storage, parking and other spaces I incidental to these activities. 4. Residentid - Includes all residential uses such as single-family dwellings, double-houses, multi-family I units and trailers. Yard areas used for residential purposes are also included. I 5. Pub1ic and Semi-public - Includes schools, libraries, museums, historical sites, recreation including federal sites and State Game Lands, hiking trails, I playgrounds, parks and related open space, golf courses, sporting clubs, winter sporting areas, halls, churches and other religious uses, hospitals and I convalescent homes, fraternal organizations, municipal buildings, police and fire stations, non-profit membership groups, public parking facilities, and land I use related thereto. 6. TransDortation - Includes streets, railroads, highways, alleys, dedicated right-of-ways and related I storage, service, parking and other areas incidental to these activities.

I The land use classification employed to define the I undeveloped/non-urban related land uses include: 20. I B. UndeveloDed La nd/Non-Urban Related

1. Vacant - Open, non-wooded land showing no evidence of agricultural or other uses stated above and single lots void of structures or related uses

2. Woodlands - Predominately wooded forest land not improved for any activity or purpose.

3. Mininq - Abandoned surface mining sites either properly or not properly reclaimed to original contour.

C. Water Areas

1. This classification includes wetlands, creeks, rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs.

Table 3 shows the amount of developed and undeveloped land within the Portage Area in the year 2000. The distinction between the two (2) municipalities in terms of land use is readily apparent. Portage Borough contains 425 acres of land with only 34 acres or 8.0% classified as undeveloped. Portage Township, however, contains 14,253 acres with 10,360 acres or 72.4%,classifiedas undeveloped. The Township also has 64 acres dedicated to water usage.

Portage Borough is the urban center within the area and its 425 acres of land is 92.0% developed. Land undeveloped is for the most part comprised of vacant lots. Portage Township is rural and only 3,893 acres or 27.2% of its land is developed. Undeveloped land within the Township is predominately woodlands.

Developed Land

The Portage Area contains 14,742 acres of land and water. The developed portion of this total comprises 4,284 acres or 29.1%. Presented below is a short synopsis of the land use categories which make up the Area's developed land. Table 4 shows the individual land use categories as a percent of total land area.

A4r i cul tu ral - This is the single largest land use category within the Portage Area and all of the 1,775 acres of land are in Portage Township. Agricultural land represents 12.1% of the total land area and 41.4%

21. I

of the land classified as developed. Most of the I agricultural land is dedicated to the production of crops, livestock, and livestock products. Farmland is principally located along the Munster Road (PA Route I 164 North) and along Springhill Road (SR 2006 South) toward Germantown.

I Commercial - Commercial land usage comprises 62 acres of land within the Portage Area. Portage Borough's commercial use is concentrated within the downtown 1 business district along Main Street. Commercial land use within the Township is restricted to the small villages and scattered parcels along major highways. I Commercial land use represents 5.9% of Portage Borough's developed land and 1.0% of the developed land within the Township. Retail and wholesale trade I and service businesses dominate the commercial landscape.

I Industrial - The Portage Area contains 39 acres of industrial land use which represents 0.9% of the area's developed land. The majority of the industrial 1 land (34 acres) is located within Portage Township in the form of a coal mining preparation plant and an abandoned concrete form manufacturing facility. Both I industrial facilities are situated near the Village of Sonman, just east of Portage Borough. I Residential - Residential land use is the second largest land use category within the Portage Area and is responsible for 25.3% of the developed land. Most of the residential land (895 acres) is scattered I within the small villages that dot the landscape within the Township. However, the most concentrated residential landscape (187 acres)is situated within I Portage Borough, whereby 47.8% of the developed land is residential.

I Public/Semi-Public - Public and/or Semi-public land use represents 859 acres or 20.1% of the Area's developed land use total. Portage Township contains 1 the majority (794 acres) of public lands which exist as State Game Lands No. 26 and the Maple Crest Golf Course. Portage Borough contains 65 acres of public I land with the largest area being the Crichton- McCormick Park.

I TransDortation - Land utilized for streets, roads, and 10.9% 1 parking comprise 467 acres or of the Portage 22. I Area's developed land. In addition to the local I street system serving the Borough and Township, the Area contains PA Route 53 and PA Route 164. The Norfolk Southern/AMTRAK Railroad System also contributes to the Area's transportation land use.

The Developed Landscape

The Portage Area is a blend of three (3) primary landscapes: (1) Urban Single-Family Residential which dominates the Portage Borough landscape; (2) Rural Village Residential landscapes situated in the Township; and (3) Large Agricultural landscape blended with single-family residential homes. This primary landscape is situated, for the most part, along the western-most portion of the Portage Area, extending along PA Route 164 South (Munster Road) , incorporating Portage Borough, and continuing south along State Route 2006.

Portage Borough's land use is 44% residential which is complimented by a commercial use emanating from its downtown business district. The Borough is extensively developed with very little vacant land remaining that is suitable for new development. Thus, the land use theme in the Borough is one of conservation and preservation of existing man-made features.

Portage Township's land use is rural village residential mixed with farmland extending along the alignment of the primary highway network. Only 6.3% of the Township is residential with no apparent concentrations of commercial land use. The Township remains largely undeveloped with a distinct propensity for new land development. Thus, the land use theme within the Township is preservation of village life and farmland in conjunction with the promotion and management of new development.

UndeveloDed Land

The Portage Area contains 10,394 acres of land classified as undeveloped. This figure represents 70.8% of the total land area and is mostly classified as wooded forest land, vacant non-wooded land, and to some extent, abandoned surface mining sites. The vast majority of forested land is situated within the southeastern portion of Portage Township and encompasses the alignment of PA Route 164 South.

23. Water Areas

Only 64 acres, or 0.4% of the Portage Area's land mass, is classified as water areas. The Wilmore Dam, Portage Dam Reservoir, farm ponds, and small tributaries of the Little Conemaugh River are included in this category.

Future Land Use

Land use changes within the Portage Area are likely to be of a limited nature, at least for the foreseeable future. The land use changes anticipated for the Portage Area are shown on the Future Land Use Map (Map No. 2).

Residential

Single-family residential land use should see the most significant land use changes as the demand for larger lots and bigger homes increases. Residential growth of this type I will occur in fringe areas outside of Portage Borough where public sewer and water services is available or can be extended to serve new development at a reasonable cost. The I propensity for single-family, two-family, and multi-family housing also exists within this fringe area especially along or near state highways and major local streets as they I extend into Portage Township.

Commercial

Commercial land use can be expected to increase along PA Route 53 as it extends east and west along the northern I fringe of Portage Borough. The areas most likely to experience commercial growth is where PA 53 intersects with PA 164 (Main Street). This highway commercial development I will be complimented by in-fill and new commercial land use along Main Street as it extends the Central Business I District (CBD). Industrial.

Industrial land use will remain concentrated along S.R. 2012 I (Dulancy Drive) in Portage Township near the Village of Sonman. Should new industrial land use take place it will probably be an extension of existing mining facilities or I the reuse of an abandoned manufacturing facility. Industrial land use of a temporary nature could also occur in the form of new surface coal mining activities at or near I existing strip mined land in Portage Township.

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1 Asricultural Agricultural land should remain intact in the near future. Any change anticipated would be in the form of isolated I residential development along farmland which borders state highways and local streets. Pressure to convert existing farmland into large subdivisions will only happen if sewer I and water facilities become available. I Public/Semi-Public This land usage should experience little or no change. However, recreational facilities and activities could be I developed in conjunction with the Wilmore Dam in Portage Township. The eastern-most portion of the Township also has the potential for recreational activities in association I with Blue Knob State Park and winter skiing. Additional future public land use increases could take place in terms of a new community center, new or expanded school I facilities, and new hospital facilities. I Transportat ion Future transportation land use such as local streets, roads, and parking facilities will be directly related to the I growth and expansion of residential, commercial, industrial, and other developed land uses. Local streets to serve new residential subdivisions could become the largest I transportation land use change. Future land use changes within the Portage Area will I primarily occur in Portage Township where large amounts of developable land are available. This new land use will take the form of residential and commercial development and will be I located in areas where infrastructure such as sewer and water facilities can be economically constructed. Overall, the amount of developed land within the Portage Area should increase slightly in the future. The majority of this increase will take I place within Portage Township in fringe areas just outside the I Borough' s boundary. I I I 25. I I

I TABLE 3 PORTAGE AREA DEVELOPEDANDUNDEVELOPEDLANDANDWATERAREAS I 2000 I Portage Borough Percent of Land Use Components Total Acres Total Land I Developed Land 39 1 92.0% Undeveloped Land -34 8.0% Total Land Area 425 100.0%

I Portage Township

Percent of I Land Use Components Total Acres Total Land and Water Developed Land 3,893 27.2% Undeveloped Land 10.360 72.4% I Sub-Total Land 14.253 99.6% Water Areas -64 0.4% I Total Land and Water Areas 14.317 100.0% I Portage Area Percent of Land Use Components Total Acres Total Land and Water I Developed Land 4,284 29.1% Undeveloped Land 10,394 70.5% II Sub-Total Land 14,678 99.6% I Water Areas -64 0.4% II Total Land and Water Areas 14,742 100.0%

~ISOURCE: Cambria County Planning Commission; 2000 Comprehensive Plan Update ‘I I I I 26. I I TABLE 4 PORTAGE AREA I EXISTING LAND USE 2000 I Portage Borough % of % of Land Use Cateqory Acres Developed Land Total Land

I Agricultural 0 0.0% 0.0% Commercial 23 5.9% 5.4% Industrial 5 1.3% 1.2% I Residential 187 47.8% 44.0% Public/Semi-Public 65 16.6% 15.3% Transportation -111 28.4% 26.1% I Developed Land 39 1 100.0% 92.0% Undeveloped Land -34 8.0% I Total Acreage 425 100.0% Portage Township % of % of I Land Use Cateqorv Acres Developed Land Total Land

Agricultural 1,775 45.6% 12.5% I Commercial 39 1.O% 0.3% Industrial 34 0.9% 0.2% Residential 895 23.0% 6.3% Public/Semi-Public 794 20.4% 5.6% I Transportation -356 9.1"/0 2.5% Developed Land 3893 100.0% 27.4% I Undeveloped Land ' 10,360 72.6% Total Acreage 14,253 100.0% 1 Portage Area % of % of Land Use Category Acres Developed Land Total Land

I Agricultural 1,775 41.4% 12.1% Commercial 62 1.4% 0.4% Industrial 39 0.9% 0.3% I Residential 1082 25.3% 7.4% Publidsemi-Public 859 20.1% 5.8% Transportation -467 10.9% 3.2% I Developed Land 4284 100.0% 29.2% Undeveloped Land 10,394 70.8% I Total Acreage 14,678 100.0% i SOURCE: Cambria County Planning Commission; DO Comprehensive Plan Update I 27. I 1 I Housinu Analvsis This section of the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan will examine the existing housing stock. I Adequate housing is a community asset assuring a sound tax base and contributing to the general economic and social well-being of the residential population. Population growth or decline, I household income, and economic growth will be the primary factors influencing housing supply and demand for the next 10 to 20 year period. The purpose of the Portage Area Housing Analysis is to I inventory the existing housing stock and provide a determination of housing needs. The distribution of the Portage Area's housing stock is presented on the Housing Map (Map No. 3).

I A housing unit, as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Census, is a house, an apartment, a group of rooms, or a single room, occupied as separate living quarters. Housing is the I foundation upon which communities are built, and thus an essential element in meeting our need for community and a sense I of belonging. Ecusincr Unit Trends

I Housing unit trends, projections, and comparisons for the Portage Area are presented on Table 5. The number of housing units within the area has increased by 3 units, or 0.1%, between I 1980 and 2000. Portage Borough showed a decrease of 7 homes while Portage Township recorded an increase of 10 units. The most noticeable decrease in housing took place in Portage Borough I between 1990 and 2000 when the number of units decreased by 13 homes or 0.9%. The Township's housing stock increased by 6 units or 0.4% between 1990 and 2000.

Housins Unit Proiections and Cwarisong

The Portage Area is projected to show a total loss of 7 housing units or 0.2% between 2000 and 2010. Portage Borough is expected to lose 13 units and Portage Township will gain 6 over the 10-year period. The projection is based upon the actual housing increases or decreases recorded by the U.S. Census from 1990 to 2000 and extrapolated to the year 2010. The Portage Area's total housing stock is expected to decrease at a lower percentage rate than that projected for Cambria County. The County is projected to lose 1,578 housing units or 2.4% of the total housing stock while the Portage Area's housing stock will only be reduced by 7 units or 0.2%.

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I TABLE 5 I PORTAGE AREA HOUSING UNIT TRENDS AND PROJECTIONS ~D 1980-2010 Portage % Portage % Portage % ~I Year Borouah Chanae Township Chanae Area Chanae 1980 1,374 **** 1,542 **** 2,916 **** 1990 1,380 0.4% 1,546 0.3% 2,926 0.6% I 2000 1,367 -0.9% 1,552 0.4% 2,919 -0.2% i 1980-2000 -7 -0.5% 10 0.6% 3 0.1% 1 HOUSING UNIT PROJECTIONS: 1990-2010

Portage YO Portage % Portage % 1 Year Borouah Chanae Towns hiD Chanae Area Chanae 1990 1,380 **** 1,546 **** 2,926 **** 2000 1,367 -0.9% 1,552 0.4% 2,919 -0.2% I 2010 1,354 -1 .O% 1,558 0.4% 2,912 -0.2% I 2000-2010 -13 -1 .O% 6 0.4% -7 -0.2% I HOUSING UNIT PROJECTION COMPARISON: 1990-2010 Portage Numerical % Cambria Numerical % I -Year Area Chanae Chanae Chanae Change 1990 2,926 **** **** 67,374 **** **** 2000 2,919 -7 -0.2% 65,796 -1,578 -2.3% I 2010 2,912 -7 -0.2% 64,218 -1,578 -2.4% I 2000-2010 -7 -7 -0.2% -1,578 -1,578 -2.4%

NOTES: Housing Unit Projections are based upon a historical housing trend decrease of 1.3 units per year I in Portage Borough and a 0.6 increase in housing units per year in Portage Township between 1990 and 2000. The housing decrease in Cambria County during the same period was 157.8 units I per year. Housing Unit Totals include both occupied and vacant units.

I SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population and Housing; 1980 to 2000.

1 29. 1 I I Housincr Trends and Project ions in Re view New housing growth is an important data item in terms of planning for future community-wide facilities and services. I The Portage Area's housing stock has increased by only 3 units over the past 20-year period and has been projected to decrease by only 7 units through the first decade of the 2lSt Century. I This is a best-case scenario. There are many things to consider when analyzing housing data. For instance, the Portage Area has experienced population declines over the past 20 years while the I number of housing units is stabilizing. This is probably due to one of the following: (1) Smaller families and single households; (2) Conversion rates (single family homes converted into 2 or 3 rental units; and (3) New high-rise apartments, I townhouses, or condominium units.

There is no guarantee that historical housing trends I will in fact be the case in the future. The projected decrease in housing units of 7 homes (0.2%) by 2010 is more than likely on the low side because the Portage Area's population (see Table 1) I is projected to decrease by 451 people or 6.7%. The fact is we don't really know what the area's population and housing unit totals will be in the future. A lot depends on local employment I opportunities, infrastructure development, and the desire of people to live in Portage Borough or Portage Township.

I 0

Table 6 shows relevant housing characteristics for the I Portage Area. The housing stock totals 2,919 units with 74.0% owner-occupied and 18.1% renter-occupied. The area had a 7.8% vacancy rate in 2000. Portage Borough contained a higher I percentage of rental units (28.1%) and a higher vacancy rate (9.9%) than Portage Township. The Township contains a much higher percentage of owned-occupied housing units (84.6%) than I the Borough (62.0%).

Most of the households within the Portage Area are I family households (68.2%). Non-family households which consider a householder living alone or with non-relatives only made up about one-third of the households in 2000. Over 38% of the I households in Portage Borough are non-family households. Female headed households with no husband present comprise 264 units or I 9.8% of all households within the Portage Area. The Portage Area contains 458 (17.0%) non-family households with a householder 65 years of age or older. I Additionally, the number of households containing individuals

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aged 65 or older totaled 957 households or 35.6% in the year I 2000. The average household size or the number of people in households divided by the total number of households (or householders) was 2.27 and 2.62 respectively in Portage Borough 'I and Portage Township. I A Review of Housincr Characteristics The majority of the housing stock within the Portage Area in 2000 was single-family owner-occupied. The 28.1% renter- I occupied rate within Portage Borough is high and more than likely reflects a transient, unstable population and absentee landlords. This housing characteristic may well be a reflection of I population loss in response to economic conditions. The predominate type of household is the family unit comprising 68.2% of all households. However, the percentage of non-family households (31.8%) which contain a householder living ~' alone or with non-relatives only may be considered high and correlates with the above-average renter-occupied rate. The I number of households (35.6%) having a person aged 65+ corresponds to the elderly population figures presented on Table 2.

I There appears to be an inherent need for new single- family homes within the Portage Area. The expansion of existing residential development in conjunction with new residential I subdivision growth within Portage Township should meet this need. The housing stock within Portage Borough will continue to meet the needs of the elderly, first-time homeowners, and renters. I New housing within the Borough will consist of in-fill single- family homes supplemented by town-house and low-rise condominium- I style housing. I I I I I

I 31. I TABLE 6 PORTAGE AREA HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS 2000

Portage Portage Portage I Housina Characteristics Borouah Township Area # %2 # % ft %

Housina Occupancy

Owner-Occupied 848 62.0% 1,313 84.6% 2,161 74.0% Renter-Occupied 384 28.1% 145 9.3% 529 18.1% Vacant Units -135 99% 94 61% -229 7.8% Total Housing Units 1,367 100.0% 1,552 100.0% 2,919 100.0%

Household bv Tvpe Family Household (Families) 759 61.4% 1,078 73.9% 1,835 68.2% I' Non-Family Households -475 38.6% -380 26.1 % -855 31.8% Total Households 1,232 100.0% 1,458 100.0% 2,690 100.0%

I Female Householder (No Husband Present) 141 11.4% 123 8.4% 264 9.8%

Householder 65 and Over [Non-Family) 233 18.9% 225 15.4% 458 17.0%

I Households (With Indiv. 65+) 456 37.0% 50 1 34.4% 957 35.6% I Averaae Household Size 2.27 2.62 2.44 I I I NOTES: A Housing unit may be a home, apartment, mobile home, a group of rooms, or a single room that is occupied (or if vacant, is intended for occupancy) as separate living quarters. I A household includes all of the peopole who occupy a housing unit. A family household includes a householder and one or more people related to the householder. I SOURCE: U.S. Census Bureau, 2000

I 32. I I

I Transportation Analvsia The Portage Area is served by a transportation system I of state and local highways and streets, bridges, and mass transit facilities. Regional and state highways follow topographic features in a linear pattern connecting Portage to I the larger and more extensive regional, state, and national systems. The transportation system comprises approximately 58 miles of state roads and local streets which move people, goods, I and services through Portage Borough and Portage Township. The highways and streets in the Portage Area are further classified according to the character of service they are I intended to provide. Basic to this classification is the recognition that a number of highways, each with its own function and integrated as a system, is necessary to provide for the I mobility of people, goods, and services. Map No. 5 shows the system of state and local highways serving the Portage Area. The four (4) functional classification systems for the Portage Area I are as follows: (1) Principal Arterials and Expressways; (2) Minor Arterials; (3) Rural Collectors; and (4) Local Streets. Presented below is a general description of these highway I classifications with the corresponding roads and streets identified. Table 7, Existing Transportation System, lists detailed highway information for the higher order of federal and I state-owned highways. I .1. pr incipal Arterial These highways serve major centers of activities of a metropolitan area and are characterized by high traffic I volumes. Principal arterials also provide for the majority of trips into and out of an urbanized area and may carry substantial inter-area travel such as between I center-city and outlying suburbs. Principal arterials are further subdivided into interstates. freeways and expressways , and 'other" pr incipal arter ial sub- I classifications. The following summarizes the highways serving the Portage Area within this classification:

I "Other" Principal Arterial :

U.S. Route 22 I U.S. Route 219 I I 33.

2. Minor Arterials

These highways are characterized by a lower level of travel mobility and distribute travel to smaller geographic areas than do principal arterials. They function more as a means of accessing land, may carry local bus routes, and serve as urban connectors to major rural routes. Highways within the Portage Area under this classification include the following:

PA Traffic Route 53 (Portage Street)

3. Rural Col lectors

Rural Collector streets provide land access by providing traffic circulation within residential neighborhoods and villages, commercial, industrial, and other developed areas. These streets distribute trips from arterials to ultimate destinations and from local streets into the arterials. Highways and roads in the Portage Area within this classification include the following State Routes:

0 PA Traffic Route 164 (Munster Road/Main Street/ Puritan Road) 0 State Route 2006 (Springhill Road) State Route 2010 (Frankstown Road) State Route 2012 (Dulancey Drive)

4. Local Streets and Roads

The primary function of this roadway system is to provide direct access to abutting land and to provide access to the other more-used components of the highway system. Local streets within Portage Borough are . classified within the category as are township roads throughout Portage Township. The following listing presents the major local streets and roads that are an intricate part of the Portage Area's existing transportation system:

Portas-e Boroush

Main Street (PA Route 164) South Railroad Avenue Caldwell Avenue Lee Street Webster Avenue

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I 0 Dulancey Drive 0 Gillespie Avenue 0 Jefferson Avenue I 0 Sonman Avenue Johnson Avenue Park Avenue I Mountain Avenue I Portase Towns hip 0 Munster Road (PA Route 164) 0 Cemetery Road i 0 Shady Springs Road 0 Caldwell Avenue 0 Sonman Avenue I 0 Hemlock Drive 0 Frankstown Road (SR 2010) 0 Portage Street (PA Route 53) I 0 Sportsman Road 0 Springhill Road (SR 2006) I 0 Jefferson Avenue 0 Conemaugh Avenue 0 North Blair Street I 0 Dulancey Drive (SR 2012) 0 Lincoln Avenue *. 1 Existins Hishwav Svstem The highway system serving the Portage Area consists of 36 miles of local streets, roads, and bridges which are owned and maintained by Portage Borough and Portage Township. The ~' majority of this local highway system (24 miles) consists of Township streets and rural roads. Portage Borough's 12-mile I urban street system is almost entirely laid out in the traditional grid pattern,. This local transportation system is enhanced by a state-owned highway network containing 22 miles of I roadway. The majority of state roads (21 miles) traverse Portage Township as Rural Collectors. A brief overview of the Portage I Area's major highways and streets is presented below: u. S Rout e 22

I This principal arterial traverses Cambria County east and west and interchanges with U.S Route 219 just west of Ebensburg Borough. Although not located within either the I Borough or the Township, U.S. Route 22 is important to the I overall transportation system serving the Portage Area and 35 * I the Mainline Region. The significance of Route 22 is its connectivity to U.S. 219 to the west and the Johnstown Urbanized Area and U.S. Route 220/Interstate 99 to the east and the City of Altoona. U.S. Route 22 is a four-lane limited access highway connecting the Portage Area to Pennsylvania's major highway, interstate, and turnpike systems.

U.S. Route 219

This major north and south principal arterial interchanges with U.S. Route 22 west of Ebensburg. U.S. 219 extends from the Johnstown Urbanized Area to Carrolltown Borough as a four-lane limited access highway with plans to extend the four-lane system north to Buffalo, New York. The significance of Route 219 is its interchange with Route 22 and its north/south alignment.

PA Route 53

The Portage Area's primary south/north minor arterial is State Route 53, which intersects with U.S. Route 219 in Croyle Township to the south and U.S. Route 22 in Cresson Township to the north. PA 53 also serves to link Portage Borough and Portage Township to other small communities and villages located throughout the Mainline Region in Cambria -County. This major Rural Collector serves the Portage Area in a north/southeast alignment and has its northern-most terminus at U.S. Route 22 in Munster Township. From this interchange, PA 164 extends south through Portage Township and serves Portage Borough as Main Street. The highway system then continues southeast where it serves the village populations within Portage Township before entering Bedford County.

State Route 2006

S.R. 2006 (Springhill Road) serves the Villages of Spring Hill and Germantown in Portage Township. S.R. 2006 intersects with PA 164 just south of Portage Borough and extends southwest through Summerhill and Croyle Township.

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i State Rout e 201Q This Rural Collector begins at the Village of Germantown in i southeastern Portage Township and extends easterly as Frankstown Road where it eventually intersects with PA 164. i State Route 2012 S.R. 2012 (Dulancey Drive) serves the Villages of Sonman and Benscreek extending from PA 164 in Portage Borough i northeasterly through Portage Township. S.R. 2012 ultimately intersects with PA 53 in Washington Township.

i a Plannincr TransDortation Projects

Planning considerations for transportation projects in I Cambria County begin with the placement of candidate projects on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PA DOT) Twelve Year Highway and Bridge Program. The program listing of proposed I projects is re-examined and updated every two (2) years based upon project requests received from area municipalities. Inclusion of a highway project on the 12-Year Program is 'I necessary for funding consideration; however, only those projects placed on the first four years of the 12-Year Program are high priority projects for funding approval. As improvement projects II are scheduled and implemented through the phases of the engineering, right-of-way acquisition and construction, new I projects are added as funding levels permit. The reviewed program of transportation projects is developed at the county level by the Cambria County Planning I Commission in cooperation with local municipalities. The projects are then considered by PA DOT until a mutually agreed upon listing of priority projects is achieved. The project I listing is then submitted to the State Transportation Commission (STC) which is responsible for formal adoption of the 12-Year Program. The Twelve Year Program functions as the formal guide I for budgeting, design, and construction of transportation improvements, and as federal and state funds become available, projects are implemented. The current 12-Year Program of I approved projects in Cambria County extends from the year 2001 to the year 2012. Presented below is a brief description of the transportation improvements listed on Cambria County's Twelve ~I Year Program update which will affect Portage Borough and Portage Township. I I 37. i I

I Transportation System ImDrovements The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PA DOT) I has scheduled three (3) highway improvement projects which will benefit the Portage Area on its adopted Twelve Year Transportation Program for FY 2001 through 2012. The projects are scheduled for the first four-year period (2001-2004) of the I 12-Year Transportation Program. The improvement projects are I listed on Table 8 and briefly summarized below: U.S. Route 22 West - The Route 22 West project will reconstruct the existing 2-lane into a 4-lane roadway with a new alignment from Mundys Corner to the Indiana I County line. The project is scheduled to begin in FY I 2001 and will cost 36 million dollars. W. Portase Turnina Lane - This project consists of turning lane restoration and new signalization at the intersection of PA Route 53 and PA Route 164 at the I Portage Borough and Portage Township municipal boundary line. This project is scheduled to begin during the 2001-2004 period and cost approximately $1,730,000. I Funding for this highway project will be through a combination of state and federal monies.

I 0 y.s* 219 Carrolltown-Clearfield - The Route 219 Carrolltown Borough to Clearfield County project will provide a new 4-lane alignment of U.S. 219 North. The I project engineering phase is scheduled to begin in FY 2001 at a cost of $3,958,000

I State and Local Bridcres

The federal Surface Transportation Act of 1982 I included the provision for the inventory and inspection of municipal-owned bridges, nationwide. The National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) created under this Act require that I all public bridges over twenty (20) feet in length be inspected on a minimum two-year cycle. In Pennsylvania, the PennDOT administers the federal funded NBIS program for all state and I municipal-owned structures.

PA DOT'S master bridge list for Cambria County lists I and describes the bridge characteristics for all state and local owned bridges by municipality. Table 9 presents an inventory of state and local bridges within the Portage Area along with some I relevant characteristics. I 38. I 1

I Helpful in determining the condition and serviceability of a bridge is its sufficiency rating. Sufficiency ratings are indicative of the deteriorated condition of a bridge requiring normal maintenance and/or major I rehabilitation and replacement activities. Generally speaking, bridges rated numerically from 80 to 100 required normal maintenance; ratings from 50 to 79 need rehabilitation I improvements; and bridges rated from 1 to 49 require total replacement. A number of state and local bridges on Table 8 have low sufficiency ratings. Three (3) of these bridges are I currently proposed for replacement or major rehabilitation. I Bridcre Improvements The PA DOT has listed three (3) bridge improvement projects for the Portage Area on the first four years of its 1 current adopted 12-Year Transportation Improvement Program. Table 8 presents a few details of the bridge projects which are I briefly summarized below: Portacre ODen- Grid - This bridge project consists of the replacement of a PA DOT bridge along PA Route 164. The 1 bridge is located about three-tenths (0.3) of a mile northeast of Portage Borough and extends across the Little Conemaugh River. The bridge was built in 1938, is I 116 feet long, has a weight limit of 12 tons, and a 1999 sufficiency rating of 2.0. The project is estimated to cost $1,575,000 with construction work scheduled to begin I as early as FY 2001.

0 Jampstown B ridge #19 - Bridge #19 is listed as a 1 replacement project. This bridge is owned by Cambria County and is located along Township Road 418 (Sportsman Road) in Portage Township approximately five-tenths (0.5) I of a mile north of the Village of Jamestown. The bridge, a temporary wooden structure, was built in 1995 to replace an old single-span steel bridge that was closed I to vehicular traffic in 1993. The bridge replacement I project will cost approximately $790,000. Work is scheduled to begin during the first four-year period of ~I the Twelve Year Plan.

0 Jefferson Avenue Bridse - This bridge is scheduled to be I replaced during the first 4-year period of the 12-Year Plan. The bridge is owned by Portage Borough, extends 27 feet over Trout Run, was built in 1924, and has a I sufficiency rating of 26.7. I 39. I I

I Public Mass Transit The majority of transportation needs within the Portage Area is met by privately-owned vehicles; however, public I mass transit service is provided on a daily basis. The rural division of the Cambria County Transit Authority (CamTran) provides both fixed-route and specialized transit services to the I Portage Area. CamTran’s rural division is headquartered in Patton Borough from which it provides public transportation to I and from rural communities throughout Cambria County. Railroad Fac ilities

I The railroad system serving the Portage Area is part of the Norfolk Southern system which traverses east and west through Cambria County and the Mainline Region. The rail system I provides both passenger and freight car service and operates along the mainline of the Norfolk Southern Railroad (formerly ConRail). The passenger rail service, operated by AMTRAK, 1 utilizes the tracks of the Norfolk Southern and operates passenger terminals in both Johnstown and Altoona and cities throughout the United States. The rail freight/truck hauling I network is owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad. The network once revolved around the steel manufacturing, coal mining, and railroad car manufacturing facilities in Johnstown and Altoona. I However, today’s freight rail system carries numerous consumer products including steel, coal, automobiles, grain, fuel, corn, I sand, plastic, and wood, just to name a few. 0 Some T houshts on TransDort at ion

I The system of state and local highways serving the Portage Area is adequate to meet the needs of both the residential and business community. State roads PA 53 and PA 164 I are the main traffic routes connecting the area with the larger system of federal and state routes. The system of Borough streets and Township roads is extensive and serves both the urban 1 and rural populations of the area. Some transportation issues to consider would be the I traffic signalization at the intersection of PA 53 and PA 164. This intersection should be priority number one for both Portage Borough and Portage Township; however, the responsibility and cost of the new signal is the responsibility of PA DOT. Both I municipalities should continue their respective highway maintenance programs. A sharing of responsibilities on streets that extend municipal boundaries and serve both communities is I currently taking place on an informal basis. To this extent, the u 40. I Borough and Township share equipment and jointly purchase material for street and road maintenance. The Portage Municipal Water Authority also lends equipment and material to the municipalities on an as-needed basis. With the exception of potholes and some deteriorated shoulders, local streets are in fairly good condition.

According to PA DOT's bridge inventory on Table 9, the Portage Area contains 19 bridge structures owned by PA DOT, Norfolk Southern, Portage Borough, and Portage Township. The majority of these bridges have adequate sufficiency ratings. However, some bridges will eventually need rehabilitated and/or replaced. The Portage Open Grid Bridge along PA 164, the County- owned Jamestown Bridge #19, and the Jefferson Avenue Bridge need to be replaced. The new bridge replacements will benefit the entire Portage Area.

Bridaes Not on PA DOT's Master L ist

Two (2) local bridges within the Portage Area are not listed on the PA DOT Master Bridge List because they do not meet the required twenty (20) feet in length. The two (2) bridges are briefly described below based upon field inspection by the County Planning Commission. In order for the bridges to be eligible for future funding, they must initially be placed on the State's Bridge Bill Program. The process for the Bridge Bill Listing is for the municipality to contact its state representative for assistance in determining, in conjunction with PA DOT, whether the repair or replacement of the bridge is eligible for state funding. PA DOT should be notified of these two (2) bridges and they should be identified on the Bridge Maintenance System (BMS) Master List. For planning purposes, the Lee Street and Caldwell Avenue No. 2 Bridge have been included on Table 9.

Lee Street Bridse

Located at the northern end of Lee Street in Portage Borough, perpendicular to PA Route 53, this bridge is approximately 14 feet in length and is posted at 4 tons. The bridge surface is black-topped as part of Lee Street and spans Spring Run. The concrete surface guardrails are deteriorated and the stream bed underneath the bridge needs to be cleared of debris. The bridge substructure is concrete, however, no investigation as to its condition was made. The Lee Street Bridge needs to be inspected on a regular basis and placed on the PA DOT's Master Bridge List for Cambria County and on the State's Bridge Bill Program.

41. I

I Caldwell Avenue Bridge No. 2 Located along Caldwell Avenue (T.R. 354) in Portage Township, this bridge is about 16 feet long and is posted at I 10 tons. The bridge spans Kane Run and has a black-topped surface with metal guardrails. The substructure is comprised of three (3) concrete pipes hinged to the bottom I of the bridge. One (1) of the concrete pipes was completely blocked and was embedded in the bank of the stream. No detailed inspection of the concrete pipes was conducted. iI Signs posted at the bridge indicate that fishing is permitted along Kane Run on either side of the bridge. The Caldwell Avenue Bridge No. 1 needs to be inspected on a I regular basis and placed on PA DOT'S Master Bridge Maintenance Program. I I I I I I I I I I I I 42. I I TABLE 7 PORTAGE AREA EXISTING TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM I CHARACTERISTICS OF FEDERAL AND STATE ROUTES 2000

I Average Length Daily Year in Total Surface Traffic Truck Traffic I Highway Classification Built Miles Width TVpe Volume Volume I Principal Arterial US. Route 22 1982188 17.6 24' Portland 6,486-13,012 11-15% 4-Lane (Cambria Township) Cement (2 Way)

I US. Route 219 1967190 19 24' Bituminous 2,199-5,608 10-15% 4-Lane (Cambria Township) Pavement (2 Way)

I Minor Arterial

PA Route 53 1922-24 3.9 22' Bituminous 5,804 - 8,810 5-7% 2-Lane I Pavement

I Rural Collector PA Route 164 1934-53 8.5 22' Bituminous 5,275 - 13,110 7-9% 2-Lane I Pavement State Route 2006 1933-50 2.5 20' Bituminous 2,016 - 2,374 3-9% 2-Lane I Pavement State Route 2010 1939-70 4 20' Bituminous 470 6% 2-Lane I Pavement State Route 2012 1936 3.3 20' Bituminous 309 1% 2-Lane I Pavement I I SOURCE: PA DOT, Roadway Management Information System (RMS); February 23, 2000. I I 43. I I

:I TABLE 8 PORTAGE AREA JOHNSTOWN METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION (MPO) 11 TWELVE-YEAR TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM 2001 -2012 II Transportation Improvements I Project Improvement Project Total Program ;ITraffic Route Name Type Location costs Period us. 22 Indiana County- 4-Lane Reconstruction1 Mundys Corner $36,245,000 1st 4 Years Mundys Corner New Realignment (Cambria County) (FY 2001 - West to Indiana 2004) I County Line

US. 219 Carrolltown to EngineeringlbLane Carrolltown $3,958,000 1st 4 Years ‘I Clearfield County Construction Borough to (FY 2001) New Alignment Clearfield County ~I Line PA 53 W. Portage Turn Lane Turning Lane Restoration, Portage Township1 $1,730,000 1st 4 Years New Signalization Portage Borough (FY 2001 & ‘I at Intersection of FY 2002) SRs 53 and 164

PA 164 Portage Open Grid Bridge Replacement Portage Township $1,575,000 1st 4 Years I Bridge over Little (FY 2001) Conemaugh - 0.2 1 Miles West of PA 53 T 406 or T 418 Jamestown Bridge #19 Bridge Replacement Portage Township $135,000 1st 4 Years Bridge over Little (FY 2004) I Conemaugh River 0.5 Mile North of I Jamestown

II Jefferson Jefferson Avenue Bridge Replacement Portage Borough $443,000 1st 4 Years Avenue Bridge Bridge over Trout (FY 2001) ‘I Run I

SOURCE: Johnstown Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO); Twelve Year Transportation Program I (TIP) 2001-2012. June 19,2000 I I 44. 1 TABLE 9 PORTAGE AREA EXISTING BRIDGE INVENTORY CHARACTERISTICS OF STATE AND LOCAL BRIDGES 1997-99

Average Traffic Intersection Structure Year Daily Weight Sufficiency Route Features Location Owner Lenath Built Traffic Limit Rating

PA 53 Little Conemaugh River Portage PA DOT 72 Feet 1992 5,804 NIA 95.6 Borough Line

PA 53 PA 53 1 Mile North Norfolk 23 Feet 1895 5,326 NIA .o of Portage Southern Railroad

PA 53 Bens Creek 0.2 Mile South PA DOT 18 Feet 1832 4,396 NIA 71 .I of Cassandra

PA 164 Little Conemaugh River 0.25 Mile NE PA DOT 116 Feet 1938 5,275 12 Tons 2.0 of Portage Borough

PA 164 Sonman Run Portage PA DOT 24 Feet 1918 10,901 NIA 36.0 Borough

PA 164 PA 164 Portage Norfolk 30 Feet 1896 10,901 NIA .o Borough Southern Railroad

PA 164 Trout Run Portage PA DOT 32 Feet 1947 13,448 NIA 82.9 Borough

PA 164 Abandoned Mine 0.5 Mile East PA DOT 8 Feet NIA 847 NIA 97.4 Entrance of Portage Borough

45. TABLE 9 (CONTINUED) Average Traffic Intersection Structure Year Daily Weight Sufficiency Route Features Location Owner Lenath Built Traffic Limit Ratinq

PA 164 Farren Run Village of PA DOT 15 Feet 1938 847 NIA 84.5 Puritan

PA 164 Trout Run Village of PA DOT 22 Feet 1953 847 NIA 97.4 Martindale

S.R. 2012 Sonman Run Portage PA DOT 12 Feet 1937 309 NIA 90.9 Borough

T-418 Conrail Railroad 1 Mile NE of Portage 79 Feet 1931 150 NIA 55.9 Sportsman Rd. Portage Towns hip Norfolk Southern

T-4 18 Little Conemaugh River 0.5 Mile North Carnbria ' 68 Feet 1902 500 5 Tons 13.7 Sportsman Rd. of Jamestown County

T-418 Noels Creek 1 Mile NW of Carnbria 38 Feet 1979 500 NIA 75.3 Sportsman Rd. Cassandra County

T-354 Trout Run Portage Portage 46 Feet 1992 600 NIA 100.0 Caldwell Ave. Borough (West) Borough

Conemaugh Trout Run Portage Portage 29 Feet 1995 250 NIA 100.0 Avenue Borough Borough

Gillespie Trout Run Portage Portage 27 Feet 1924 250 7 Tons 31.7 Avenue Borough Borough

Jefferson Trout Run Portage Portage 27 Feet 1924 250 4 Tons 26.7 Avenue Borough Borough

Sonman Trout Run Portage Portage 30 Feet 1924 450 7 Tons 39.9 Avenue Borough Borough

46. ==-==Dm==-====DDD= TABLE 9 (CONTINUED) Average Traffic Intersection Structure Year Daily Weight Sufficiency Route Features Location Owner Lenath Built Traffic Limit Rating

* Lee Street Spring Run Portage Portage 14 Feet NIA NIA 4 Tons NIA Borough Borough Across From PA Route 53

*T-354 Kane Run Portage Portage 18 Feet NIA NIA 10 Tons NIA Caldwell Ave. Township Township Bordering Summerhil Township

*Not Listed on PA DOT'S Current Bridge Maintenance System Master List as of July 12, 1999.

SOURCE: PA DOT, Bridge Maintenance System (BMS), Master List; July 12, 1999

47. Comunitv Facilities Analvsis

Community Facilities are buildings, land, and services which serve the public. Examples of community facilities serving the Portage Area would include (1) Police, Fire, and Ambulance Service; (2) Water and Sanitary Sewer Service; (3) Recreational Facilities; (4) Schools and Libraries; (5) Municipal Buildings; (6) Public Utilities; (7) Solid Waste Management; and (8) Stormwater and Floodplain Management. Community facilities in the Portage Area are owned, operated, and/or maintained by Portage Borough and Portage Township for the benefit of both communities. Table 10 presents the Community Facilities Inventory for Portage Borough and Table 11 shows the Community Facilities Inventory for Portage Township.

Collectively, community facilities and services are known as the infrastructure of the community and are necessary to insure the general health, safety, and welfare of local residents. Presented below is a brief description of the relevant facilities and services provided to the Portage Area under direct 'control of Portage Borough and Portage Township. Also presented are community-wide facilities and services that are provided by Cambria County and those public and semi-public agencies acting on behalf of the Borough and Township. The location of Portage Area's community facilities and services is shown on Map No. 6, the Community Facilities Map.

Within the Portage Area, police protection falls primarily under the purview of Portage Borough and the Pennsylvania State Police. The Borough is served by the Portage Borough Police which is headquartered in the Borough Municipal Building. Portage Township has no police department and receives I police coverage from the Pennsylvania State Police. The Borough Police respond to emergency calls at the police station and also provide support services to the State Police and other municipal police departments. The Cambria County 911 Emergency Services I Department also provides emergency communication and dispatch services to the Borough and Township. The Portage Police Department employs one (1) full-time and one (1) part-time I officer with two (2) police cruisers on a daily basis. The PA State Police provide service when the Borough's police are off- I duty. The cost for police protection is supported by local tax dollars allocated through the Borough's general fund and through ' the State's COP grant program which pays 75% of the part-time I officers' salaries.

48.

Fire Protect ion

The Portage Fire Department provides fire protection to the residents of the Portage Area and is staffed by 23 volunteers from Portage Borough and Portage Township. The Fire Department is located within the Portage Borough Municipal Building which houses two (2) fire trucks, one (1) rescue truck, one (1) brush truck, and one (1) passenger van. The Department is responsible for all fire-related calls in the Portage Area and serves as a back-up unit to surrounding municipalities. The Fire Company can be dispatched by direct dialing the fire station or by the County's 911 Emergency Services Department. The Fire Department maintains and operates the existing fire station and purchases vehicles and equipment from funds provided by Portage Borough and Portage Township and through private donations and departmental promotions.

Ambulance Service

The Portage Area Ambulance provides emergency medical services to Portage Borough, Portage Township, Cassandra Borough, and Wilmore Borough. The ambulance service provides Basic Life I Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (US) services on a 24- hour basis. The agency is an independent community-based volunteer organization which operates on a budget supported by I membership fees, third-party billings, and private donations. The Portage Area Ambulance is headquartered in Portage Borough and provides emergency services in cooperation with the County I 911 Emergency Services Department and the Portage Area Police and Fire Departments. The Department is staffed by five (5) full- time and 10-28 part-time Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's) I and paramedics. The agency's vehicle roster is made up of two (2) ambulances and one (1) personnel carrier.

I Water Service The Portage Borough Municipal Authority (PBMA) I provides public water service to approximately 7,600 Portage Area residents. The system serves about 2,500 metered residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional customers in Portage I Borough and Portage Township and also provides metered water service to Cassandra Borough. Public water service is provided to approximately 97% of the housing units within the Portage I Area. The Martindale Reservoir on Trout Run and a stream I intake on Bens Creek are the primary water sources. The Authority also utilizes two (2) drilled wells and four (4)

49. storage tanks to supplement the water system. The Martindale Reservoir has a raw water storage capacity of 35,000,000 gallons. The Bens Creek intake has a storage capacity of 200,000 gallons. Water stored in the four (4) storage tanks total 1,100,000 gallons with an additional 630,000 gallons stored in two (2) wells.

Individual water treatment plants serve the Martindale and Bens Creek Water Systems. Both plants include disinfection, sedimentation, and filtration water treatment and are located near the water sources.

The PBMA serves Portage and Cassandra Borough and the Villages of Jamestown, Sonman, Spring Hill, Puritan, Martindale, Bens Creek, and Oil City in Portage Township.

The Tri-Township Water Authority (TTWA) also provides water to the Portage Area, however, its customer base of 1,200 residents is limited to the Frankstown Road and Germantown areas I of Portage Township. The Authority purchases water from the Highland Sewer and Water Authority (HSWA) utilizing both surface and ground supply sources from Highland's Southern End System. I The HSWA's Beaverdam Reservoir Treatment Plant provides chemical injection, disinfection, sedimentation, and filtration to the water purchased by TTWA. The HSWA also provides water service to 1 homes situated near the intersection of Popish Road and Frankstown Road in Portage Township. I The Busch Water Association and the Forest Hills Development Association also provide water to homes in the Germantown area. The two (2) small systems purchase water from I Highland Sewer and Water Authority. I Sewer Service Sanitary Sewer Service within the Portage Area is provided by the Portage Area Sewer Authority (PASA). I Approximately 99% of the housing units in Portage Borough and 41% of the units within Portage Township are served by public sewage systems. Those housing units not served by public systems I utilize on-lot septic tank systems or direct discharge into wildcat ground or stream sources. I The PASA serves over 1,900 metered customers along 50 miles of 8" line in Portage Borough and the Villages of Jamestown, Sonman, Spring Hill, and the Munster Road area of Portage Township. The existing 1.0 million gallon/day (MGD) I extended aeration treatment plant was constructed in 1974 as a regional facility serving Portage Borough and Portage Township.

50. The system provides collection and conveyance of effluent utilizing a conventional gravity system and pump station. Bio- solids (sludge) resulting from the activated sludge treatment process is hauled to the Ebensburg Borough Treatment Plant for disposal. Average daily flows to the treatment plant range between 340 and 350 thousand gallons per day. The Portage Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) is located off North Oak Street in Portage Township.

A second public sewage service provider is being proposed within the Portage Area. The Central Mainline Sewer Authority (CMSA) is a regional sewer system comprised of Cassandra and Lilly Boroughs and the Townships of Cresson, Portage, and Washington. In June 1998, the CMSA completed an Act 537 Official Sewage Plan in accordance with the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act. The Authority proposes to construct a 350,000-gallon per day Wastewater Treatment Plant in Portage Township near Oil City. The gravity sewer system will serve 1,065 Equivalent Dwelling Units (EDU's) including the Villages of Bens Creek and Oil City in Portage Township. At the present time, the Authority is finalizing its Act 537 Plan and seeking I various funding mechanisms to implement the project. Recreational Fac ilities

Recreational Facilities and services within the Portage Area are maintained and operated under the direction of the Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission. The Commission is I comprised of seven (7) members representing Portage Borough and Portage Township. The Commission oversees the maintenance and operation of the Crichton-McCormick Park in Portage Borough and I the Jamestown Village Court in Portage Township. Funding for recreational facilities and services is the responsibility of the Borough and Township supported by community fund-raising I activities and private contributions. Presented below is a listing of the Portage Area's public and privately-owned I recreational facilities. Crichton-McCormick Park - Swimming Pool with Bathhouse and Concession Stand, Tennis Court, 2 Basketball Courts, I Baseball Field, Dugouts, Field House and Bleachers, Peewee Baseball Field, Multi-Purpose Baseball Field, 2 Day Volleyball Courts, Hiking Trails, Apparatus Area, 8 I Pavilions and Picnicking Areas with Tables and Fireplaces, 6 Horseshoe Courts, Kid's Place-Playground 1 for Children; 52.5 Acres; Location - Verba Boulevard

51. I

I + Jamestown Village Playcourt - Basketball Court, Play Area and Equipment; 0.4 Acres; Location - Intersection of I Plane Road and Jamestown Road + Main Street Parklets (Two) - Display Fountains, Benches, Lighting and Landscaping; 0.3 Acres; Location - Main I Street

+ Maple Crest Golf Course - 9-Hole Golf Course, Driving I Range, Clubhouse, Bar and Restaurant, Miniature Golf, Riding Carts; 99.9 Acres; Location - SR 164 North or PA I Route 271 + Portage Area School District Athletic Fields - Football Stadium, Dressing Rooms, Concession Stand, Toilet I Facilities, Press Box, Lights, 2 Practice Fields, Parking; 23.0 Acres; Location - Caldwell Avenue

+ Portage Area Elementary Middle School - Auditorium/ Gymnasium, Art Patio, Tot Lot, Miscellaneous Open Field, Nature Trail; 30.6 Acres; Location - Meade Street

+ Portage Area Junior-Senior High School - Auditorium/ Gymnasium, Track Field, Softball Field, Dugouts and Bleachers, Weight Training Room, Practice Football Field, Four (4) Basketball Courts; 20.0 Acres;, Location - Meade Street

+ State Game Lands No. 26 - Hunting, Fishing, Watchable Wildlife; 561 Acres; Location - Southeast Portage Township

+ Bens Creek Athletic Field - Multi-Purpose Baseball Field; 4.6 Acres; Location - Dulancy Drive

+ Jamestown Rod and Gun Club (Twin Lakes Park) - 2 Fishing Ponds, Picnicking Areas, Dance Hall with Kitchen Facilities, Three (3) Pavilions, Two (2) Horseshoe Courts; 51.2 Acres; Location - Sportsman Road

+ Portage Revolver and Pistol Club - Club House, Parking, Indoor Shooting Range; 6.0 Acres; Location - Allen Street. Outdoor Rifle Shooting Range contains over 50 acres and is located off Route 164, east of the Village of Martindale.

52. I + Portage Sportsmen Club - Club House, Outdoor Rifle Range, I Fishing Ponds; 50+ Acres; Location - Next to the Revolver and Pistol Club’s property off Route 164.

I + Wilmore Dam - Raw water source for industrial use with potential to provide public recreational activities; 1.0 billion gallon storage capacity; 183 acres of water 1 surrounded by 1,360 acres of land. The Dam spillway is 800 feet long with a maximum depth of 40 feet across the i North Branch of the Little Conemaugh River. Schools and L ibraries I The public school system that serves the Portage Area is operated by the Portage Area School District. The school system is managed by nine (9) elected school board members, a I1 school superintendent, and administrative staff. The Portage School District serves Portage Borough, Portage Township, and Cassandra Borough. In school year 2000-2001, the district I employed 80 teachers and five (5) administrative personnel and had a total enrollment of 1,013 students. The Portage Area school system is located within the Educational Service Center I Complex at 84 Mountain Avenue in Portage Borough. The complex contains the administrative offices, high school, and elementary- middle school buildings.

I The residents of Portage Borough, Portage Township, and Cassandra Borough are also served by the following school I systems : Altoona-Johnstown Diocese 1 * Bishop Carroll High School - Ebensburg Borough Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (IU8) - Ebensburg Borough Southern Alleghenies Academy (SAA) - Portage Borough I Wesleyan Holliness Academy - Portage Borough Admiral Peary Area Vocation-Technical School - Cambria I Township The Portage Area is within a short commuting distance from a school system of higher education. This system, comprised I of colleges and universities, is as follows:

+ Cambria County Area Community College I + Saint Francis College - Loretto Borough + Mount Aloysius College - Cresson Township I + University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown - Richland Township

1 53. I I

I + Cambria-Rowe Business College - City of Johnstown + Penn State University - State College, PA + Indiana University of Pennsylvania - Indiana Borough I (Indiana County) + Juniata College - Huntingdon, PA

I 0 Library Facilities

Portage Area residents have access to both public and 11 private library facilities. The Portage Public Library is located in downtown Portage at 704 Main Street. The library is part of the Cambria County Library System and has undergone a I recent upgrade including a computerized library system. The Portage Library also contains a new internet access system which is open to the public. All resources of the County Library I System are available to Portage Area Residents. There are also public libraries in Cresson, Gallitzin, Lilly, and Ebensburg Boroughs and the Cambria County Library System located in the I City of Johnstown. The Portage Area is also served by a library system that is associated with the Portage Area School District, Bishop Carroll High School, Saint Francis College, Mount Aloysius I College, and Penn State University. I Municipal Buildinss The Portage Area contains several municipal/public buildings that are owned and operated by Portage Borough and I Portage Township. A brief description of the facilities are discussed below: I + Portage Borough Municipal Building - The Borough Municipal Building is located at 721 Main Street and serves as the center for local governmental activities. The facility also houses the Borough Fire and Police I Departments. In addition to Borough Council, the building houses offices for the part-time manager and secretary/ treasurer and provides meeting space for the I Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission.

1 + Portage Borough Garage - The Borough's garage is located at 609 Maken Street. The garage houses the vehicles, equipment, and tools necessary to support the Borough's I maintenance department. + Portage Township Municipal Building - The Township I Municipal Building is located along Miller Shaft Road and provides office space for the Township Supervisors and I other elected and appointed municipal officials. 54. I I provides office space for the Township Supervisors and I other elected and appointed municipal officials. + Portage Township Garage - The Township's maintenance and I storage garage is located near the Village of Sonman. I Public utility companies serving the Portage Area are independent providers licensed by the Pennsylvania Public Utility I Commission (PUC). Each utility provider must file with the PUC to provide services within Portage Borough and Portage Township. A listing of public utility providers and their respective I service areas is as follows: + Electricity - Provided currently by GPU Energy. The I entire Portage Area is served by the Southeastern Division. Parts of Portage Township are also served electricity by Southwest Central Rural Electric (REA). I REA serves the northern portion of the Township along PA 164 (Munster Road) and Sportsman Road. South of Portage Borough, REA serves residents in the Spring Hill area and I along PA 164 extending toward the Village of Martindale.

+ Natural Gas - Provided by Dominion Peoples (formerly I Peoples Natural Gas Company), a regional gas supply and distribution company. The service is provided by PNGCO's Johnstown Division. Presently, gas service is provided I throughout Portage Borough. Service in Portage Township is limited to areas along PA 164 and PA 53 north of the Borough and along SR 2006 (Springhill Road) and Cemetery I Road south of the Borough. + Telephone/Telecommunication/Fiber Optics - Provided by I Verizon Communications Inc. (formerly Bell Atlantic Pennsylvania [BAPAI and General Telephone and Electric [GTEI). In addition to basic telephone service, Verizon I also provides Internet access, cellular phone service, and long distance dialing. Service is throughout the I Portage Area. + Cable TV - Cable television is provided by Adelphia and is available to all of Portage Borough and the Villages I of Spring Hill and Jamestown in Portage Township. I

I 55. I I I Solid Waste Manacrement I The collection and disposal of municipal waste in Portage Borough and Portage Township is regulated by Solid Waste Management Ordinances. The Cambria County Solid Waste Management Authority oversees municipal waste management activities 'I throughout the County. Garbage collection is conducted weekly within the Portage Area by Waste Management and hauled to a designated County landfill. Residential and commercial I collection in Portage Borough is under contract with Mainline Sanitation. Portage Township contracts residential collection with Mainline but does not regulate the collection and disposal I of commercial solid waste. Portage Borough also conducts municipal grass clippings, leaf collection, and annual Christmas I tree collection programs. Portage Borough and Portage Township do not have municipal curbside recycling programs; however, under the I County's recycling drop-off program residents can recycle plastic bottles, clear glass bottles, steel and aluminum cans, and newspaper. The two (2) nearest blue drop-off bins for recycling I material are located at the Cresson Township Garage on Old Route 22 next to the Sheetz Store and at the Croyle Township Municipal I Building along Route 53. Stormwater and FloodDlain

I The provisions for municipal stormwater and floodplain management within Portage Borough and Portage Township are regulated by separate state mandates. Act 167, the Pennsylvania I Stormwater Management Act, regulates the interrelationship between development and accelerated run-off. Act 166, the Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act, regulates development in floodplain areas in conjunction with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Portage Borough and Portage Township are located within the Little Conemaugh River Watershed. Stormwater management activities are regulated by municipal ordinances as mandated by the Cambria County Little Conemaugh River Watershed Stormwater Management Plan.

Portage Borough and Portage Township participate in the National Flood Insurance Program as administered by FEMA. Participation in the NFIP have special flood hazard areas identified on municipal flood maps called Flood Insurance Rate I 56. I I

I Maps (FIRMS). If a property is situated in a flood-prone area, flood insurance can be purchased by the owner with part of the costs subsidized by the federal government. In addition, a municipal government has the authority to regulate development in I a special flood hazard area by adopting a specific Floodplain Management Ordinance, Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances, and I Municipal Construction Codes. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 57. I I TABLE 10 PORTAGE BOROUGH 1 COMMUNITY FACILITIES INVENTORY Water Service

1 Public Water Providers Water Source Service Area

* Portage Borough Municipal Authority (PBMA) GroundlSurface Portage Borough; Villages of 1 Population Served: 7,378 Bens Creek, Jamestown, Shoemaker, Sonman, Martindale, Springhill, Puritan, 1 and Oil City (Portage Twp.); Cassandra Borough

I Water SUDRIV Sources: Location:

One (1) Reservoir (Martindale) Village of Martindale I One (1) Stream Intake (Benscreek) Village of Benscreek * Two (2) Wells; Four (4) Storage Tanks Portage Township

I Water Treatment Plant: Location:

* Martindale and Bens Creek Plants - Portage Township I Filtration, Disinfection, Sedimentation I Sanitarv Sewer Service Sewage 1 Public Sewaae Providers Treatment Plant Service Area Portage Area Sewer Authority (PASA) Portage STP Portage Borough, Villages of Customers Served: 1,823 Jamestown, Sonman, I Springhill, and Munster Road Area (Portage Township) I Recreation Facilities I Primarv Recreation Provider: Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission I Recreational Sites within Portaae Borouah: * Crichton-McCormick Park - Swimming Pool with Bathhouse and Concession Stand, Tennis Court, 2 Basketball Courts, Baseball Field, Dugouts, Field House and Bleachers, Peewee Baseball Field, 1 Multi-Purpose Baseball Field, 2 Day Volleyball Courts, Hiking Trails, Apparatus Area, 8 Pavilions and Picnicking Areas with Tables and Fireplaces, 6 Horseshoe Courts, Kid's Place - Playground for Children. I 52.5 Acres. Location - Verba Boulevard Main Street Parklets (Two) - Display Fountains, Benches, Lighting and Landscaping. 1 0.3 Acre. Location - Main Street 58. 1 Schools and Libraries

Portage Area School District; Administrative Office, Educational Service Center, 84 Mountain Avenue Portage, PA 15946 I - School Locations: Portage Area High School - Portage BoroughlPortage Borough I Portage Area Elementary-Middle School - Portage Township * Admiral Peary Area Vocational-Technical School; 948 Ben Franklin Highway, Ebensburg, PA 15931 1 (Cambria Township) * Cambria County Area Community College; Franklin and Locust Streets, Johnstown, PA 15901 1 Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (IU8);.313 West High Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931 Altoona-Johnstown Diocese I - Bishop Carroll High School, 728 Ben Franklin Highway, Ebensburg, PA 15931 Southern Alleghenies Academy (SAA); 1206 South Main Street, Portage, PA 15946

1 Wesleyan Holiness Academy; 115 Poorman Drive, Portage, PA 15946

* Library Facilities: 1 Portage Public Library Portage Area Elementary School Lilly-Washington Public Library Portage Area High School Cresson Public Library Bishop Carroll High School I Gallitzin Free Public Library Saint Francis College Ebensburg Free Public Library Mount Aloysius College

I Municipal Buildinas I Portage Borough Municipal Building; 721 Main Street, Portage, PA 15946 * Portage Borough Garage, 609 Maken Street, Portage, PA 15946

I Fire Service i Portage Fire Department, 721 Main Street, Portage, PA 15946 Police Service

I * Portage Borough Police, 721 Main Street, Portage, PA 15946 1 Ambulance Service * Portage Area Ambulance, 655 N. Railroad Avenue, PO Box 237, Portage, PA 15946 I Public Utilities I Utilitv Providers Service Area GPU Energy - Electricity Portage Borough and Portage Township 1 59. I I Southwest Central Rural Electric - Electricity Portage Township - Munster Road, Sportsman Road, and Springhill Areas

* Dominion Peoples Natural Gas Company Portage Borough and Springhill Road and Cemetery Road in I in Portage Township

* Verizon Communications Inc. - Telephone, Portage Borough and Portage I Telecommunications, and Fiber Optics Township

* Adelphia - Cable T.V. Portage Borough and Parts of I Portage Township 1 Solid Waste Management Type of Collection:

I Contracted (Residential and Commercial) Mainline Sanitation

1 Recvcli n Q Proa ram : Drop-off Bin Location:

Grass Clippings and Leaf Collection Cresson Township (Twp. Garage - Old Route 22) I * Christmas Trees Croyle Township Municipal Building (Route 53) I Stormwater and Floodplain Management * Cambria County Little Conemaugh River Watershed - Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan (Yes) I * Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - Act 166 National Flood Insurance Program (Yes) I - Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) March 5, 1990 1 SOURCE: Cambria County Planning Commission; Community Facilities Update 1998-99. 1 I 1 I

I 60. 1 TABLE 11 PORTAGE TOWNSHIP I COMMUNITY FACILITIES INVENTORY Water Service

1 Public Water Providers Water Source Service Area

* Portage Borough Municipal Authority (PBMA) GroundlSurface Portage Borough; Villages of 8 Population Served: 7,378 Bens Creek, Jamestown Shoemaker, Sonman, Martindale, Springhill, Puritan, I and Oil City (Portage Twp.); Cassandra Borough

I Tri-Township Water Authority (TTWA) Purchased (HSWA) Frankstown Road, Population Served: 1,200 Germantown Area (Portage Township) Busch Water Association Purchased (HSWA) * Forest Hills Development Association Purchased (HSWA) Highland Sewer and Water Authority (HSWA) SurfacelGround I9Municipalities in Population Served: 27,100 Southeast Cambria County

Water Su~plvSources: Location:

One (1) Reservoir (Martindale) Village of Martindale * One (1) Stream Intake (Benscreek) Village of Benscreek * Two (2) Wells; Four (4) Storage Tanks Portage Township

Water Treatment Plant: Location:

Martindale and Bens Creek Plants Portage Township Filtration, Disinfection, Sedimentation

Sanitary Sewer Service

Sewage Public Sewaae Providers Treatment Plant Service Area

Portage Area Sewer Authority (PASA) Portage STP Villages of Jamestown, Sonman, Springhill, and Customers Served: 1,823 Munster Road Area (Portage Township)

Central Mainline Sewer Authority (CMSA) Portage Township Villages of Bens Creek and (Oil City) (Proposed STP) Oil City (Portage Township) (Proposed)

Private On-Lot Sewage Systems Septic Tanks Individual Properties * Wildcat and Direct Discharge NIA Individual Properties

61. I Recreation Facilities Primarv Recreation Provider:

I * Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission I Recreational Sites within Portaae Township: * Crichton-McCormick Park - Swimming Pool with Bathhouse and Concession Stand, Tennis Court, 2 Basketball Courts, Baseball Field, Dugouts, Field House and Bleachers, Peewee Baseball Field, I Multi-Purpose Baseball Field, 2 Day Volleyball Courts, Hiking Trails, Apparatus Area, 8 Pavilions and Picnicking Areas with Tables and Fireplaces, 6 Horseshoe Courts. 52.5 Acres. 1 Location - Verba Boulevard Maple Crest Golf Course - 9-Hole Golf Course, Driving Range, Clubhouse, Bar and Restaurant, 1 Miniature Golf, Riding Carts. 99.9 Acres. Location - SR 164 North of PA Route 271 * Portage Area Athletic Fields - Football Stadium, Dressing Rooms, Concession Stand, Toilet I Facilities, Press Box, Lights, 2 Practice Fields, Parking. 23.0 Acres. Location - Caldwell Avenue * Portage Area Elementary Middle School - Auditorium/Gymnasium, Art Patio, Tot Lot, Miscellaneous I Open Field, Nature Trail. 30.6 Acres. Location - Meade Street Portage Area Junior-Senior High School - AuditoriunVGymnasium, Track Field, Softball Field, Dugouts and Bleachers, Weight Training Room, Practice Football Field, Four (4) Basketball I Courts. 20.0 Acres. Location - Meade Street. State Game Lands No. 26 - Hunting, Fishing, Watchable Wildlife. 561 Acres. I Location - Southeast Portage Township Jamestown Village Playcourt - Basketball Court, Play Area and Equipment. 0.4 Acres. I Location - Intersection of Plane Road and Jamestown Road Bens Creek Athletic Field - Multi-Purpose Baseball Field. 4.6 Acres. I Location - Dulancy Drive * Jamestown Rod and Gun Club (Twin Lakes Park) - 2 Fishing Ponds, Picnicking Areas, Dance Hall with Kitchen Facilities, Three (3) Pavilions, Two (2)Horseshoe Courts. 51.2 Acres. I Location - Sportsman Road

t Portage Revolver and Pistol Club - Club House, Parking, Indoor Shooting Range. 6.0 Acres. I Location - Allen Street. Outdoor Rifle Shooting Range with over 50 Acres - Located off Route 164 east of the Village of Martindale.

1 * Portage Sportsmen Club - Club House, Outdoor Rifle Range, Fishing Ponds. 50+ Acres. Location - Next to the Revolver and Pistol Club's Property off Route 164. I 1 Wilmore Dam - Raw Water Source for Industrial use with Potential to Provide Public Recreational Activities; 1.O Billion Gallon Storage Capacity. 183 Acres of Water Surrounded by 1,360 Acres of Land. 1 The Dam Spillway is 800 Feet Long with a Maximum Depth of 40 Feet.

I 62. I Schools and Libraries

* Portage Area School District; Administrative Office, Educational Service Center, 84 Mountain Avenue Portage, PA 15946 - School Locations: Portage Area High School - Portage Borough/Portage Township Portage Area Elementary-Middle School - Portage Township

Admiral Peaty Area Vocational-Technical School; 948 Ben Franklin Highway, Ebensburg, PA 15931 (Cambria Township)

* Cambria County Area Community College; Franklin and Locust Streets, Johnstown, PA 15901

Appalachia Intermediate Unit 8 (IU8); 313 West High Street, Ebensburg, PA 15931

* Altoona-Johnstown Diocese - Bishop Carroll High School, 728 Ben Franklin Highway, Ebensburg, PA 15931

Southern Alleghenies Academy (SAA); 1206 South Main Street, Portage, PA 15946

* Wesleyan Holiness Academy; 115 Poorman Drive, Portage, PA 15946

rl Library Facilities: Portage Public Library Portage Area Elementary School Lilly-Washington Public Library Portage Area High School Cresson Public Library Bishop Carroll High School Gallitzin Public Library Saint Francis College Ebensburg Free Public Library Mount Aloysius College

I Municipal Buildinas

Portage Township Supervisors, Miller Shaft Road, Portage, PA 15946

Fire Service

Portage Fire Department, 721 Main Street, Portage, PA 15946

Police Service

Pennsylvania State Police, 656 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg, PA 15931

Ambulance Service

rl Portage Area Ambulance, 655 N. Railroad Avenue, PO Box 237, Portage, PA 15946

Public Utilities

Utilitv Providers Service Area

* GPU - Electricity Portage Borough and Portage Township

63. I * Southwest Central Rural Electric - Electricity Portage Township - Munster Road, Sportsman Road, and I Springhill Areas * Dominion Peoples Natural Gas Company Portage Township and Springhill (PUC Authorized Service Area) Road and Cemetery Road in I Portage Township Verizon Communications Inc. - Telephone, Portage Borough and Portage I Telecommunications, and Fiber Optics Township * Adelphia - Cable T.V Portage Borough and Parts I of Portage Township Solid Waste Manaaement

I Tvpe of Collection:

Contracted (Residential) I Mainline Sanitation I Recvclina Proaram: DroD-Off Bin Location: * NIA Cresson Township (Twp. Garage - Old Route 22) I Croyle Township Municipal Building - (Route 53) Stormwater and Flooddain Manaaement

I * Cambria County Little Conemaugh River Watershed - Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan (Yes) * Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 1 - Act 166 National Flood Insurance Program (Yes) - Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) August 15, 1978 I SOURCE: Cambria County Planning Commission; Community Facilities Update 1998-99. I I I I I

I 64. I

I 111. PORTAGE AREA VISION The Portage Area Regional Planning Commission (PARPC coordinated efforts in 1998 to develop a vision for the future I growth of Portage Borough and Portage Township. The Commission held two (2) public meetings whereby approximately 100 area residents provided input on community-wide strengths, issues, and I problems. The results of this visioning process will play a major role in formulating the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive I Plan's Vision Statement and supporting goals and objectives. In 1995, the Portage Area Business Association (PABA) sponsored a town meeting to develop a vision for downtown I Portage. The meeting was attended by 60 representatives of Portage area businesses in addition to community leaders and local citizens. This visioning process considered the assets and I strengths of the Central Business District (CBD) in conjunction with a listing of priority challenges for improving downtown Portage. The results of this visioning process will also be I incorporated into the Plan's overall goals and objectives.

A vision is the overall image of what the community I wants to be like at some point in the future with a plan on how to achieve it. The visioning process includes an assessment of community needs. Such needs can include improved roads, streets, I and sidewalks; sewer and water service; recreation facilities; and housing, just to name a few. The final phase of this visioning will be the development of area-wide goals and objectives. Goals are long-range (5-10 years) desires formulated in light of data analysis, citizen input, and local knowledge all blended together; whereas objectives are usually quantifiable and specif,ic in nature. The development of goals and objectives are designed to guide the implementation of the vision.

Presented on the following pages is a listing of the most relevant community-wide strengths in conjunction with a list of community-wide issues and problems. Collectively, this information represents the Portage Area vision process expressed at the two (2) public meetings conducted by the Planning Commission and the town meetings sponsored by the Business Association.

65. PORTAGE AREA VISIONING

THEMES FROM THE PARPC'S PUBLIC MEETINGS

INFRASTRUCTURE

Strenaths Issues and Problems

1. Regional Highway Accessibility 1. Ingress and Egress along Main Street (PA Route 53 and PA Route 164) (PA Route 164) in Downtown

2. Highway Connectivity to Primary Network 2. At-Grade Railroad Crossing along Main (U.S. Route 22 and U.S. Route 219) Street

3. Active and Progressive Municipal Water 3. Alternative Emergency Access North and Sewage Authorities and South (Railroad In-Use)

4. Water System Improvements in the 4. Upgrading and Expansion of Sewage Benscreek and Cassandra Areas Treatment Plant (New Water Lines, Fire Hydrants, and Service Connections) 5. Inflow and Infiltration - Stormwater Runoff (Flooding) 5. On-Going Improvement and Extensions of Portage Area's Sewage System 6. Inadequate Gutters, Downspouts, and Floor Drains 6. Replacement of Existing On-Lot Septic Tanks and Deteriorated Sewer Lines 7. Old and Deteriorated Sewer Lines - Flow Problems (Flooding) I 7. Portage Township is Eligible for Community Development Block Grant 8. Lack of Sidewalks on Main Street (CDBG) Funding from Route 53 to Southern Portage I Township Line (Main Street Route 164) 8. Portage Area Regional Planning Commission is Alive and Well 9. No Traffic Signal at PA Route 53 and I Main Street PA Route 164 Intersection I I 1 I

66. 1

I THEMES FROM THE PARPC'S PUBLIC MEETINGS - (Continued) I GOVERNANCE Strenaths Issues and Problems

I 1. Good Working Relationship between 1. Duplication of Community Services and Elected Officials of Portage Borough and Facilities between Portage Borough and I PortageTownship Portage Township 2. Strong Intergovernmental Cooperation in 2. More Public Awareness of Municipal I terms of Shared Municipal Services and Government and Cooperation between Facilities Governments

I 3. Continuing Efforts to Regionalized Police, 3. A Regional Police Force Would Help Ambulance, and Fire Services Promote Intergovernmental Cooperation

I 4. Bi-Municipal Responsibility in Areas such 4. A Fuil-Time Borough Manager and as Community Planning, Recreation, and Promotion of Voter Participation I Historical Preservation I AESTHETICS St renat hs Issues and Problems

I 1. Main Street Landscape is Visually Intact 1. Main Street Improvements (Facade and Attractive Restoration)

I 2. Good Street System with Adequate 2. Plant Trees and Flowers throughout On-Street Parking the Community

3. Rural Landscape is Pristine with 3. Camouflage Strategic Sites Like Residential and Farmland Mix Junky a rds

4. Portage Township has Adopted a 4. Enforce Existing Nuisance Ordinances Subdivision and Land Development or Pass New Legislation ,I Ordinance 5. Utilize Land Use Ordinances to I Regulate New Land Development I I 67. I I

I THEMES FROM THE PARPC'S PUBLIC MEETINGS - (Continued) I QUALITY OF LIFE AND IMAGE Strena t hs Issues and Problems

I 1. Strong Ethnic and Cultural Ties - 1. Lack of a Youth Center (YMCAMNCA) I Sense of Community and a Community Center for Sports 2. Above-Average Schools and Libraries, 2. Greater Community-wide Access to Vocational Training, and Colleges the Facilities and Services of the I Portage Area School District 3. Good Residential Base (Safe and Friendly); Housing Stock is Well 3. Improved Winter Recreation Activities I Maintained and Updated (Designated Historical Area) 4. Improved Pedestrian Access

I 4. Police, Fire, and Ambulance Service is 5. Isolation Factor - Outside World Knows Above-Average with Community-wide Little of Portage Area support I 6. Negative Press - Public Relations 5. Local and Regional Arts and Cultural Campaign (Town Slogan with Positive I Activities are Available Focus) 6. Above-Average Recreation Activities and 7. Need Summer Camp Sites and Adult I Services are Provided at the Crichton- Education Classes McCormick Park; Playgrounds and 1 Rails-to-Trails Facilities are Available 7. Potential for Increased Recreational Activities and Residential Development I Associated with the Proximity of the Wilmore Dam

I 8. The Mainline Trail and Martin Branch Rails-to-Trails and the Existing Norfolk I Southern Railroad Will Create Small Business Opportunities (Jamestown I Bridge Overview) 10. Proximity to Undeveloped Pristine Forest Lands Consistent with Passive Recrea- I tion Activities; e.g., Hiking, Backpacking, Bird Watching, and Photography I I 68. I I THEMES FROM THE PARPC'S PUBLIC MEETINGS - (Continued) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

I Strena ths Issues and Problems

I 1. Bedroom Community (Non-Competing 1. Better Promotion and Marketing of Factor with Larger Communities) Existing Businesses (Highways and Geographical Location) I 2. Locational Incentives for Economic Growth (Altoona-Johnstown Market Area) 2. Need to Attract New Businesses and Shoppers to Portage Area I 3. Central Business District (CBD) along State Highways (PA 53 and PA 164) 3. Control Growth and Maintain Rural Character of Area 4. Active and Progressive Portage Area Business Association 4. Keep "Small Town Feel" While Improving Quality of Life and Economic 5. Land Available for Development along Activity State Highways in Proximity to U.S. 22 I and U.S. 219 5. Promote Eco-Tourism, Rails-to-Trails, Railroads, and Historical Significance 6. The Portage Area Economic Develop- of Area I ment Association (PAEDA) can be a Conduit for Grants and Funding toward 6. Convert Main Street to One-way Economic Development I 7. Sewer and Water Service to 7. The Proximity of the Portage Area to the Undeveloped Rural Areas I Altoona, Johnstown, and State College Market Areas is a Positive Location 0. Better Support for Local Businesses I Factor and Type of Business People Want 8. The Housing Stock is Above-Average 9. Declining Tax Base, Elderly Popula- and Affordable Providing an Incentive tion, and Loss of Employment I for People to Move into the Area Opportunities

9. Spin-off Business and Residential IO. The Economic Base Needs to be I Growth Opportunities in Association with Diversified with Industrial, Retail/ Blue Knob State Park and Four Seasons Wholesale and Service Sectors I Resort I

I 69. I 1 I PORTAGE AREA VISIONING THEMES FROM THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION TOWN MEETING

I DOWNTOWN PORTAGE I Strenaths Issues and Problems 1. New Rite-Aid Store, Parking, and 1. Keep the Downtown Growing and I Historical District Clean While Maintaining its Historical Look 2. Location - Downtown is Central and I Accessible to Whole Town (Heart of 2. Fewer Empty Store Fronts, Larger Portage) Stores and Better Parking

I 3. Presence of McCormick Park Near 3. Sidewalks, Store Fronts, and New Downtown Lighting with Beautification

I 4. Downtown Feels "Like Home"; There 4. Develop Downtown Community/ I is a Good Spirit Here Activity and Visitors' Center (Tourism) 5. Good Public Services for Downtown 5. Increase Business Opportunities in and the Community - Police, Fire, and Association with Tourism I Am b uI a nce 6. Build a Gazebo-Entertainment Center, 6. Daybreak Enterprises Commercial Kids Center, and Teen Club 1 Development - 7 New Stores 7. A Clothing Store and 5 and 10 Cent I 7. Active Historical Society and Museum Store (McCrory's) 8. Library on Main Street with Community 8. Crime-Free, Clean, Respectful and I Meeting Rooms Safe Community 9. Senior Citizens' Activity Center Located 9. Store Front Improvements, Downtown (Senior Housing) Streetscaping, Sidewalks, Better I Streets and Traffic Management 10. Three (3) Financial Institutions Located I Downtown 1 11. Active, Involved People Who Volunteer 12. Summerfest, Proposed Center for Allegheny Ridge State Heritage Park, 1 and Proposed Rails-to-Trails (Cresson I to Johnstown) 70. I Portacre Area Needs Assessment

The information collected from the visioning process has provided a snapshot of the Portage Area's strengths and weaknesses which the citizens and business community feel are important to the present and future development of both Portage Borough and Portage Township. The visioning process asks the questions: Where do we want to be? (Vision Statement) and How do we get there? (Goals, Objectives, and Strategies)

A brief assessment of the Portage Area's most strategic needs will help put the two (2) questions in perspective and help to provide some answers.

The water and sewage systems serving Portage Borough and Portage Township will need to be upgraded and expanded. The system is highly integrated and both communities need to be aware of each other's unique problems. Public water and sewer service should not be taken for granted.

Management of stormwater runoff is not easy and can be expensive. The major source of inflow and infiltration (I & I) needs to be determined. The amount of I & I affects the operation of the sewage treatment plant and impacts both municipalities. Flooding can be serious business.

An alternative route consistent with the alignment of Main Street (PA Route 164) north and south through Portage Borough needs to be developed. An emergency access plan with fire, police, and ambulance providers needs to be coordinated with alternative routing. The railroad tracks are probably here to stay.

0 Main Street needs some cosmetic improvements such as facade restoration, trees, flowers, and benches. The downtown streetscape could use better lighting, sidewalks, and parking. The Central Business District (CBD) is a vital community resource.

A multi-purpose community center is needed to serve the young, the old, and anyone who just wants to relax, play games, plan events and activities, or meet old friends. A "sense of community" starts with a community center.

71. 0 There is a need to control growth and maintain the area's rural character while improving the quality of life and economic activity. "Keep that Small Town Feel."

0 The downtown needs to be kept clean and bright with a general focus on the beautification of the streetscape with emphasis on the historical significance of the downtown. An attractive downtown becomes a locational incentive.

The downtown needs to be promoted and marketed by businesses with support from elected officials and customers alike. Promotional efforts geed to be centered on cultural heritage, historical downtown, and regional tourism. Tourism industry is large and growing in the Southern Alleghenies.

The rural character (farmland and open space) attributes of Portage Township need to be preserved as natural resources. The rural landscape and urban (downtown) landscape need land use regulation I for continued viability. Land use planning is a State "Growing Greener" initiative. I A traffic signal is needed at the intersection of PA Route 53 and PA Route 164 (Main Street) at the northern end of town. Existing traffic flow and I commercial development warrant signalization. PennDOT, the Borough, and Township need to I coordinate efforts. Intergovernmental cooperation or the sharing of municipal services and facilities needs to be I promoted. Local elected officials and residents need to be educated and informed about what consolidation will mean to both entities. The Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic I Development (PA DCED) is the conduit. I Consideration needs to be given to creating a regional police force as a starting point for the regionalization of municipal services. A regional police force is a win-win situation.

A full-time manager is needed for the Portage Area. The manager could share responsibilities between I Portage Borough and Portage Township. The PA

72. DCED's Main Street Manager Program would work nicely here.

Community Vision Statements .. Portage Boroush Vision Statement

The vision for Portage Borough is one of a small-town, bedroom community with improved sewage and stormwater runoff facilities enhanced by a downtown that is safe, clean, and bright with updated store fronts and a pedestrian-friendly streetscape. The theme is preservation of the cultural and physical environment while promoting new small business growth and economic development.

Portaae Township Vision Statement

Portage Township envisions a rural community made up of small villages served by adequate water, sewer, and transportation systems interlaced with a landscape of farmland, trees, and open space. The theme is conservation of the natural environment, residential expansion, and economic growth.

Portaae Area VisionI. Statement

The Portage Area's vision is to preserve the quality I of life by promoting the community's historical and cultural resources while achieving economic growth that is based on a dynamic business district. The theme is the promotion of a strategically located bedroom community that maintains its small town character and way of life.

I I

73. I I d Obiectives The Portage Area Visioning has provided an opportunity to highlight community-wide strengths, issues, and problems that are apparent and unique to the Portage Area. The last phase of I the visioning is the development of goals and objectives which will form the basis for future community development and growth. In addition to the input received at the two (2) public meetings, I the goals and objectives will also reflect the technical findings from the land use, housing, transportation, and community facilities inventories conducted in Chapter 11, Existing I Conditions. The output from the process is presented below. I Statement of Goals and Obiecti‘V es Infrastructure Goal, : Provide adequate water, sewage, public utilities, and stormwater management facilities and I services. I Dbi ec t ivea : + Maintain a safe and sufficient supply of surface and ~I groundwater resources + Maintain and upgrade the existing water treatment and I distribution facilities + Coordinate water service expansion with sewage I infrastructure and other basic services + Reduce inflow and infiltration by replacing deteriorated I sewer lines + Promote the replacement of inadequate gutters, II downspouts, and floor drains to reduce stormwater runoff ~I + Upgrade and’expand the existing sewage treatment plant ‘I I I

I 74. I TransDortation Goal: Enhance the movement of people, goods, and services throughout the Portage Area I Objectives : + Install a traffic signal at the intersection of PA Route I 53 and PA Route 164 + Provide better ingress and egress along Main Street (PA I 164) in downtown area I + Improve at-grade railroad crossing along Main Street + Consider an alternative emergency access north and south through town

+ Replace the deteriorated Open Grid Bridge along PA Route 164

+ Create pedestrian sidewalks along Main Street

Governance Goa 1: Promote the sharing of municipal facilities and services between Portage Borough and Portage Township

I' Obi ec t ives : I1 + Identify and integrate those municipal services and facilities that are being duplicated

I + Increase public awareness of local government and the benefits of municipal cooperation

I + Consider the social and economic benefits of a regional or duel-municipal police force

I + Investigate the feasibility of a full-time manager to serve both Portage Borough and Portage Township I' Aesthetics Goal: Promote the beautification of downtown Portage and preserve the natural rural landscape within I Portage Township Obiectives:

I + Develop a program designed to improve building facades and the streetscape along Main Street

75. I I + Develop guidelines and standards for the preservation of I historic structures and buildings + Conserve and protect land resources such as wooded and forested areas, water sources, and significant natural i features + Minimize the negative visual and environmental impacts I associated with abandoned strip mines, vacant industrial sites, and junkyards

I + Preserve prime agricultural land for farming and protect exiting farms from development

I Duality o f Life and Imaae Goa 1: Preserve local ethnic, cultural, and historical attributes while promoting an image I of a safe and friendly community Obi ectives : I + Support efforts to market and promote the people, places, and events that make Portage a good place to live and I visit + Support local fund-raising activities that sponsor police I fire, ambulance, and recreational facilities and services + Promote a community-wide fix-it-upprogram directed at I individual homes and properties + Determine the extent of community support for a new multi-purpose community center

~ I + Sponsor cultural and ethnic events that celebrate the history of Portage and the Pennsylvania Railroad

Economic Develomnent Goa 1: Pursue a diversified local economy that helps support existing business and employment I opportunities while creating incentives for new business development

Obi ectives :

Create and maintain an economic environment that fosters a balanced and diversified local economic base

76. Establish a local economic base that supports regional efforts to attract computer and related high-tech industries

Coordinate economic development initiatives through public/primate partnerships, programs, and funding sources

Encourage adequate education and training that reflects changes and shifts in the structure of the economy

Downtown Portaae Goa 1: Promote and market the Downtown Business District as the "commercial hub" of Portage and the Mainline Region

Obiectives:

+ Keep the downtown growing and vibrant while maintaining its historic buildings and structures

+ Institute a streetscape improvement program emphasizing I facade restoration, new sidewalks, and improved lighting + Develop a downtown marketing plan designed to increase I business opportunities in conjunction with tourism + Seek to fill vacant commercial buildings by designing I creative marking aimed at a Main Street approach to business location

77. I

I IV. PLANS AND RECOMMENDATIONS This section of the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan will consider four (4) community plans and I corresponding recommendations for future development in Portage Borough and Portage Township. The information being presented is based upon a further examination of the information and findings I discussed under the Existing Conditions and Portage Area Vision chapters. Plans and recommended improvements will be developed for the Comprehensive Plan's major study components as required I by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247). The major components are: Land Use, Housing, Transportation, and Community Facilities and Services. Information relating to the I planning components will be depicted graphically on community maps whenever applicable.

I Land Use Plan-Portaae Borouah

The Land Use Plan for Portage Borough envisions the I future preservation of the residential and commercial land uses that are significant to its urban landscape. (Please refer to the Future Land Use Map.) The Borough's future land use is I assessed below: I Peveloped Land Single-family residential land use will continue to buffer existing commercial usage that is centered upon I Main Street (PA Route 164).

The Downtown Business District will continue to serve as I the commercial \\HUBN,focusing upon the expansion and growth of its retail and service sectors. ~1 Residential growth within the Borough will be limited to the in-fill of vacant lots, conversion of existing single-family homes into two (2) or more housing units, ~I and mid-rise apartment buildings.

Industrial land use will remain concentrated along South 'I and North Railroad Avenues within the Borough and will continue to co-exist with residential land use.

I The future expansion of industrial land use is limited by the lack of available land and physical constraints such I as the Norfolk Southern Railroad. I 78. I I

I Public and Semi-public land use, which is scattered throughout the Borough, will continue to blend with I residential and commercial usage. Future public land use will primarily take place through the expansion of recreational, municipal, and I institutional facilities. Land use dedicated for public right-of-ways such as streets, roads, railroads, and supportive activities will I remain in place.

Future transportation land use growth will be limited I because of the finite nature of developed land within the Borough.

I UndeveloDed Land

Vacant lots within Portage Borough will be utilized for I in-fill single-family residential development. Larger parcels could be developed for multi-family housing 1 and/or commercial buildings. Vacant land within the Borough is also limited by both topographical and physical constraints that prevent I future development. 1 1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan as a 1 tool for making responsible land use decisions. 2. Consider adopting a Joint Municipal Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance with Portage Township as a means to 1 regulate how a use or activity relates to the land and infrastructure.

I 3. Consider adopting a Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance and Map with Portage Township to regulate the location, density, and use of land and structures.

4. Seek the advice of the Portage Regional Planning Commission concerning any activity that impacts land use.

5. Promote the reuse of vacant parcels of land for new in- fill neighborhood residential and main street commercial growth.

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6. Preserve and maintain the existing residential land use I and small-town sense of place that the landscape exhibits.

I 7. Consider the Main Street Manager Program to market, promote, and stimulate land use devoted to business I retention and expansion. 8. Review all land development proposals in terms of their overall compliance with the Borough's Stormwater I Management and Flood Plain Management Regulations.

9. Coordinate and integrate land use changes and subsequent I new infrastructure development that is taking place in Portage Township in terms of any potential impact on I Portage Borough. 10. Make all land use planning decisions based upon consistency with the objectives of the Cambria County I "Pathways to Progress" Master Plan. I Land Use Plan - Portacre Township The Land Use Plan for Portage Township envisions the future preservation of small village residential and farmland I uses that are the basis for its rural landscape. (Please refer to the Future Land Use Map.) The Township's future land use is I assessed below. Peveloped Land I Single-family village residential land use will continue to be the most visible land cover within the Township. I Agricultural land use will dominate the rural landscape and will continue to blend with residential usage. I Agricultural/residential land will be visible along PA 164 (Munster Road) and along State Routes 2006 and 2010 I in the southwestern portion of the Township. Residential land and, to some extent, commercial land use growth can be expected to follow the linear expansion of I public infrastructure extending out from the Borough. Commercial and any future industrial growth will most 'I likely occur along state roads where public sewer and water is available. I 80. I I The Township's public/semi-public land, which is predominately in recreational usage, should remain intact. New public/semi-public usage will likely be an I extension of existing facilities. Land devoted to transportation and related usage will be I limited in terms of future growth except for new streets which will serve residential and commercial development.

0 Land use changes and patterns within the Township will I continue to reflect the expansion of public sewer and water facilities and will be of a residential/commercial I nature. Undeveloped Land

I The Township's vast amount of undeveloped land, the majority of which is woodlands, will remain intact.

Vacant non-wooded areas have the potential for new land usage, however, the lack of sanitary public sewer and water systems and new roads will limit development.

Abandoned surface mining sites, which are evident in the southeastern portion of the Township, may be reclaimed or re-mined but will remain undeveloped land.

1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan as a tool for monitoring and evaluating future land use changes.

2. Consider adopting a Zoning Ordinance and Map to supplement the Township's existing Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

3. Seek the review and approval of all subdivision and land development activities from the Portage Area Regional Planning Commission.

4. Promote the growth and development of residential, commercial, and industrial land use in areas where sewer, water, and transportation infrastructure are in place.

5. Review land development activities in terms of being consistent with the Township's Stormwater and Flood Plain Management Regulations.

81. I I 6. Protect and preserve farmland from development pressures through the creation of Agricultural Security Areas and 1 agricultural easements. 7. Protect and preserve forest land and open space from undesirable land use impacts such as clear-cut timbering I and surface coal mining.

8. Adopt and enforce ordinances that protect the landscape 1 from negative impacts such as junkyards, abandoned industrial facilities, abandoned vehicles, and I deteriorated buildings. 9. Coordinate and integrate all land use changes within the Township that may have a negative impact on land usage I within Portage Borough.

10. Make all land use planning decisions based upon /I consistency with the objectives of the Cambria County "Pathways to Progress" Master Plan. I

82. Housing Plan - Portage Bo rough

The Housing Plan for Portage Borough envisions a future residential community comprised of housing units that are affordable, well-maintained, and in compliance with municipal housing codes. An assessment of the Borough's housing issues is presented below:

Single-family residential dwelling units will continue to be the predominate type of housing within the Borough.

The construction of new single-family housing will be limited to in-fill development on vacant parcels and lots that have been subdivided.

The construction of multi-family housing has a greater I propensity due to the lack of available land and the potential demand for elderly housing.

I Housing costs within the Borough are a community asset and should be an influencing factor for new homeowners.

I The number of rented housing units will remain high due to past conversion rates and a high demand for rental I units. Housing turn-over rates will increase as senior citizens sell their homes in favor of smaller housing and/or I apartment units. 1 Housincr Recommendations - Portacre Boroucrh 1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan to help make responsible housing decisions for the residents I of Portage Borough.

2. Adopt and implement Pennsylvania's new Uniform I Construction Code (UCC) which establishes the BOCA National Building Code as its minimum standard.

I 3. Consider adopting a joint Municipal Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance with Portage Township to regulate housing development and its impacts on community I facilities and services.

4. Consider adopting a joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance with I Portage Township to regulate housing development that may impact both municipalities. I 83. I I

5. Seek the advice and endorsement of the Portage Area I Regional Planning Commission in all matters pertaining to housing .

6. Develop a housing rehabilitation program directed toward replacing the plumbing, electricity, roof, and windows in homes not meeting required housing codes.

7. Support the construction of affordable housing units to meet the needs of the elderly, low-income, and physically-challenged residents.

8. Promote the rehabilitation of substandard homes and I rental properties that serve income-eligible occupants.

9. Develop single-family housing geared toward home- I ownership and first-time buyers either through rehabilitation or new construction.

I 10. Reference the Cambria County “Pathways to Progress” Master Plan when making decisions on housing issues.

I Housing Plan - Portase- TownshiQ

The Housing Plan for Portage Township envisions the I future preservation of a village-centered housing stock supplemented by new single and multi-family housing that is in compliance with municipal housing codes and subdivision I ordinances. An assessment of the Township‘s housing considerations is presented below:

I Single-family homes will remain concentrated within existing villages and as residential dwellings attached I to farms. The construction of new housing will take place adjacent to existing villages that are served by public sewer and 1 water systems. New housing growth will also occur through the I subdivision of large tracts of land along existing Township streets and roads. I Two-family and multi-family housing may also occur on land adjacent to existing residential homes and within 1 proximity to Portage Borough. I 84. I I

Specialized housing such as nursing care homes and mid- I rise elderly apartments will be needed to provide for the housing needs of an aging population.

Available land and infrastructure within the Township are positive incentives for the construction of new housing of various types.

Housincr Recommendations - Portase TownshiD

I 1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan as a guide for making responsible housing decisions for I residents of Portage Township. 2. Adopt and implement Pennsylvania's new Uniform Construction Code (UCC) which establishes the BOCA I National Building Code as its minimum standard.

3. Utilize the Portage Township Subdivision and Land I Development Ordinance to monitor and regulate housing growth and its potential impact on community facilities 1 and services. 4. Consider adopting a joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance with Portage Borough to regulate the location, density, and I type of new housing.

.5. Seek the advice and endorsement of the Portage Area I Regional Planning Commission in all matters dealing with housing .

6. Support the construction of affordable housing units to meet the needs of the elderly, low-income, and I physically-challenged residents. 7. Promote the rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing that serves very low-income families and low-income handicapped or disabled persons.

8. Support the construction of new housing in areas served by public streets, sewer and water facilities, and public utilities.

9. Develop single-family housing geared toward home- ownership and first-time home buyers either through rehabilitation or new construction.

10. Reference the Cambria County "Pathways to Progress" Master Plan when making decisions on housing issues.

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I Transportation Plan - Portaue Bo rouGh The Transportation Plan for Portage Borough envisions a future transportation system that provides for the safe and I efficient movement of pedestrian and vehicular traffic along local streets, highways, and bridges. The Borough's I transportation system is assessed below: Main Street (PA Route 164) will continue to be the primary highway serving the Borough and its Central I Business District (CBD).

PA Routes 164 and 53 are the most important highways I serving Portage Borough and the Mainline Area.

The local system of streets is adequate in terms of I meeting the daily transportation needs of residents and businesses.

I State and local streets and highways will continue to need scheduled maintenance and repair programs.

I State and local bridges that are unsafe for vehicular traffic must be repaired or replaced.

I A new traffic signal at the intersection of PA 164 and PA 53 will help eliminate congestion.

I Tranmortation Recommendations - Portaqe Borouqh

1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan as a I reference tool for coordinating and implementing transportation improvements.

I 2. Place candidate highway and bridge improvement projects on the PA DOT'S Twelve Year Highway and Bridge Program.

I 3. Consider adopting a joint-municipal Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance with Portage Township to regulate I the construction of new streets and roads. 4. Develop a program to coordinate and integrate the ~I maintenance and repair of local streets and roads with I Portage Township.

5. Work with PA DOT and County officials to complete the I turning lane restoration and signalization project at the intersection of PA Route 53 and PA Route 164.

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6. Provide assistance to PA DOT to finalize the replacement I of the Portage Open Grid Bridge along PA 164.

7. Work with PA DOT and Cambria County officials to replace I the Jefferson Avenue Bridge owned by Portage Borough.

8. Consider the advice of the Portage Area Regional Planning I Commission on transportation projects and issues.

9. Continue to use the purchasing power of the Cambria- I Somerset Council of Governments (COG) for transportation supplies and equipment.

I 10. Utilize the Cambria County “Pathways to Progress” Master Plan to help make transportation decisions.

11. Place the Lee Street Bridge on the State‘s Billion Dollar Bridge Program and on the PA DOT’S Twelve Year Highway and Bridge Program.

Transportation Plan - Portase Township I The Transportation Plan for Portage Township envisions a future transportation system that is both safe and efficient in terms of moving pedestrian and vehicular traffic along local I streets, highways, and bridges. The Township‘s transportation system is assessed below: I The transportation network serving Portage Township is centered upon PA Route 53 and PA Route 164.

The intersection of Routes 53 and 164 will continue to be pivotal to the transportation system serving the Township.

Local streets and roads serving the Township and its villages are adequate for the movement of people, goods, and services.

Township streets and roads will require a program directed toward on-going maintenance and repair.

0 State and local bridges that are deteriorated will have to be repaired or replaced.

A traffic signal at the intersection of PA 164 and PA 53 will enhance traffic flow in both the Township and Borough.

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I Transportation Recommendations - Portacre Township 1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan to I help make decisions on transportation issues. 2. Place candidate highway and bridge improvement projects I on the PA DOT's Twelve Year Highway and Bridge Program. 3. Consider adopting a joint-municipal Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance with Portage Borough to regulate I the construction of new streets and roads.

4. Coordinate and integrate the maintenance and repair of I local streets and roads with Portage Borough.

5. Consider the overall impacts that new subdivisions and I land development will have on the existing transportation system serving the entire Portage Area.

I 6. Work with PA DOT and County officials to complete the restoration and signalization project at the intersection I of PA Route 53 and PA Route 164. 7. Cooperate with State and County officials to implement I the Jamestown Bridge #19 replacement project. 8. Consider the input of the Portage Area Regional Planning I Commission on transportation projects and issues. 9. Utilize the Cambria County "Pathways to Progress" Master I Plan as a reference for making transportation decisions. 10. Consider membership in the Cambria-Somerset Council of Governments (COG) as a purchasing tool for transportation I supplies and equipment. 11. Place the Lee Street Bridge and Caldwell Avenue Bridge No. 2 on the State's Billion Dollar Bridge Program and on I PA DOT's Twelve Year Highway and Bridge Program. I I I I 88. I I I Comm unitv Facilities and Serv ices Plan - Portaae Borouah The Community Facilities Plan for Portage Borough envisions the future delivery of safe, reliable, and cost- effective municipal facilities and services in cooperation with I Portage Township. Major issues in terms of community facilities and services have been assessed as follows:

I Police, fire, and ambulance service are above-average but I will need continued financial and community support. Water supply, distribution, and treatment facilities will require on-going maintenance, upgrading, and expansion to I meet future demands. Sewage collection, conveyance, and treatment facilities I should be upgraded and expanded in the near future. Inflow and infiltration into the Borough's existing I sewage system causes stormwater run-off problems. Old and deteriorated sewer lines will have to be tested I and replaced if necessary to prevent I and I problems. Recreation facilities such as the Crichton-McCormick Park 'I are a community asset and will need on-going public and private support. I The infrastructure necessary to support telecommunication is lacking and needs to be developed for both private, D business, and educational use. The Borough of Portage could use a multi-purpose I community center for local events and activities.

I 1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan as a guide and reference source for community facilities and I services improvements. 2. Consider adopting joint-municipal subdivision and land development regulations with Portage Township to insure ~I that new development has proper infrastructure. D

I 89. I 3. Seek the input of Portage Township when expanded or new community facilities and services are being planned within the Borough.

4. Develop a multi-municipal approach to providing facilities and services that benefit both the Borough and Township and also surrounding municipalities.

5. Continue to maintain and expand existing recreational facilities by employing the resources of both the Borough and Township.

6. Secure the necessary state and/or local grants and/or loans to help upgrade and expand the borough's water and sewage systems by emphasizing a regional approach.

7. Institute a multi-municipal program aimed at reducing inflow and infiltration into the existing sanitary sewer I system. 8. Work with the Cambria County Redevelopment Authority to utilize state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) I monies to rehabilitate and expand water and sewer facilities. I 9. Seek to develop a modern telecommunications fiber optics system in Portage Borough in cooperation with private I utility and telephone companies. 10. Review and seek the advice of the Portage Area Regional Planning Commission on community facilities and services I projects. 11. Consider utilizing the Cambria County "Pathways to Progress'' Master Plan when making plans for new or I expanded community facilities and services. I The Community Facilities Plan for Portage Township envisions the future delivery of safe, reliable, and cost- 1 effective municipal facilities and services in cooperation with Portage Borough. Community facilities issues and concerns within the Township are assessed below:

Police protection within the Township is not adequate in terms of coverage and response time.

90. Fire and ambulance service is of high quality but will 1 need continued financing and community support.

Water supply, distribution, and treatment facilities will I require future maintenance, upgrading, and expansion to meet future demands.

I Sewage collection, conveyance, and treatment facilities will need upgraded and/or expanded in the near future.

I The existing sewage system experiences inflow and infiltration problems causing stormwater run-off 1 problems. Sewage lines that are deemed deteriorated will need I replaced to help eliminate future I & I problems. Township residents have adequate telephone service but I are currently required to pay a toll for local calls. Modern telecommunications infrastructure in rural areas of the Township will be needed for future economic 1 development.

The Township, in cooperation with the Borough, should I explore the idea of developing a community center for the Portage Area.

I Communitv Facilities Recornme ndations - Portacre Township

1. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan to I provide input when making improvements to the Township's community facilities.

2. Explore the idea of adopting a joint-municipal Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance with Portage Borough to streamline the provisions for community facilities.

3. Examine the positive and negative aspects of utilizing the Borough's police department to provide joint- municipal police protection.

4. Coordinate and integrate any improvement to existing community facilities and services with Portage Borough.

5. Develop a multi-municipal mindset when considering the cost-effectiveness of community facilities and services.

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I 6. Emphasize a multi-municipal approach to securing state and/or County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) I funding for water and sewer improvements. 7. Reduce inflow and infiltration into the existing sewage system by coordinating and integrating the improvements I on a regional basis.

8. Promote the development of telecommunications technology 1 in conjunction with private and public providers so as to serve the less populated areas of Portage Township.

I 9. Develop open space, wooded areas, and other natural resources for alternative recreational facilities such as walking trails, bicycling, cross-county skiing, and other I outdoor recreation uses.

10. Utilize the Portage Area Regional Planning Commission to I review and endorse all projects having to do with community facilities and services.

I 11. Make all community facilities and services improvements consistent with the Cambria County "Pathways to I Progress" Master Plan. I 1 I 1 I 1 I

I 92. I I

I V. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COO PERATION The delivery of cost-effective municipal services and I facilities within the Portage Area can be greatly improved through joint or multi-municipal financing. The decision-making process at the municipal level is generally best served through the consultation, cooperation, and combining of local resources. I Portage Borough and Portage Township exhibit a moderate degree of regionalism in terms of certain municipal facilities such as water, sewer, and recreational services. However, other I municipal services such as police protection, public works, and professional services are not formally shared by the Borough or I Township. Purpose and Authorization

I Intergovernmental cooperation is a mechanism for providing services and programs that involve more than one (1) municipality or one (1) or more municipalities and Cambria I County. The Intergovernmental Cooperation Act (1972 P.L. 762, Act 180) has afforded Pennsylvania municipalities one of the nation's most liberal grants of authority for intergovernmental I cooperation. This law enables any municipality, by act of its governing body or upon voter initiative and referendum, to cooperate or agree in the exercise or transfer of any function, I power, or responsibility with any other municipality or district in Pennsylvania, the Federal government, or any other state or I its governmental units. Areas of CooDeration I Each local unit of government in Cambria County provides municipal services and facilities to its citizens. These primary responsibilities can be further divided into what I has been called functional arenas. There are five (5) major functional arenas: (1) Sewer, Water, and Transportation; (2) Police, Fire, and Ambulance Service; (3) Recreation Services; I (4) Cultural/Historic Activities; and (5) Economic Development. Presented below is a discussion for each of the five (5) functional arenas with a few examples of how functions in Portage I Borough, Portage Township, and Cambria County are delivered. 1. Water, Sewer and TransDortatio- n

I There are many reasons why local communities may find it advantageous to rely on the assistance of employees, equipment, treatment plants, and technology of other I local governments, authorities, and sectors to help I provide this category of services. This applies 93. I I

especially to water supply, wastewater treatment, and I transportation systems in Cambria County.

Water Service - General local units of governments, I municipal water authorities, and regional water authorities are the primary delivers. The provisions for water service warrant a clear justification for I the creation of regional or multi-municipal water authorities because of associated supply, distribution, and treatment costs. Some examples of I multi-municipal or regional providers of public water I service are listed below.

* Cambria Somerset Authority I * Highland Sewer and Water Authority * Blacklick Valley Regional Authority I * Portage Borough Municipal Authority e Sewer Service - Local units of governments, municipal sewer authorities, and multi-municipal authorities are I the primary providers of wastewater collection and treatment. The need for multi-municipal and regional sewer authorities is apparent because of the high costs of financing, building, and operating a wastewater treatment plant. Some examples of these multi-municipal authorities are listed below.

* Johnstown City Bureau of Sewage * Forest Hills Municipal Authority * Central Mainline Sewer Authority * Portage Area Sewer Authority

e Roads, Street-, Hlqhwavs, and Brids- - Contracting is a useful alternative for the delivery of these functions. They are easy to define; they often require specialized, expensive, and infrequently used equipment; and several private providers are usually available. Local and county road and street construction and bridge repair/rehabilitation work is usually carried out by private contractors working under local, state, or federal government specifications and supervision.

94. Examples :

* PA DOT’S 12-Year Highway and Bridge Program I * Cambria-Somerset Council of Governments * 12th Congressional Regional Equipment Center * Portage Borough and Portage Township I Intermunicipal Agreements 2. Police. Fire. and Ambu lance Service

I Local governments are accustomed to cooperation with the police departments of adjacent municipalities and counties and with state and federal law enforcement I agencies. There also are many opportunities for cooperation with private organizations. For instance, in an increasingly difficult and controversial I environment, training requirements for police officers are far different from what they used to be. Police departments cannot rely entirely on on-the-job or in- housing training. They must call on the resources of universities, professional associations, and I consultants. For the police patrol function, service delivery is primarily by local government, regardless of size. This is being increasingly supplemented by neighborhood volunteers and self-help efforts. However, communications, detective, laboratory, and other technical specialties are often provided by intergovernmental agreement, including regional networks and the state police.

ExamDles :

* Pennsylvania State Police * Northern Cambria Regional Police * Portage Area Ambulance * Portage Borough Police * Portage Fire Department

3. Parks and Recreation

Parks and recreation facilities often are prime targets for cutbacks in times of economic constraint. However, in many cases they can be provided more cost effectively by using alternative service delivery programs. Contracting and using volunteer personnel are the alternatives most often employed.

95. Recreation Services and Fac ilities - An extensive use of volunteers is found in this category, along with modest use of intergovernmental agreements. In recreation service, most municipalities use their own employees, some use volunteers, and a few make intergovernmental arrangements. In terms of operation and maintenance of recreation facilities, the majority of local governments use their own employees, some depend on volunteers, and a small number make intergovernmental agreements.

ExamDles:

* Cambria County Conservation and Recreation Author it y * Hastings Area Park and Recreation Commission * Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission * Portage Area School District

Many private groups work closely with local governments in providing facilities and programs that add to the quality of life in a community. Organizing an advisory group such as an historical society can be a way of stimulating community-wide interest. This can lead to more tangible contributions.

Non-profit corporations often provide the management for cultural and historic activities. Local government subsidies constitute useful incentives for private contributions as well as community centers or other facilities that attract volunteer workers for these activities. The possibility that businesses, non-profit organizations, and civic groups might finance, or at least help raise funds for, new cultural facilities should not be overlooked. Businesses, like other segments of the community, have a stake in a community's cultural environment. With leadership from the local government, their contributions can be significant.

Services are primarily delivered by local government employees, with some intergovernmental agreements. Non- governmental deliveries are primarily voluntary non- profit organizations, with considerable use of volunteers and subsidies.

96. Examples : I * Cambria County Tourist Council, InC. * Gallitzin Area Tourist Council * Portage Area Historical Society I * Mainline Heritage Association I 5. Economic Development Most local units of government are eager to stimulate economic development. If a community is trying to I attract a manufacturing plant or, to a growing extent, a "high tech" service enterprise, it can reasonably expect to find allies among the existing business community, particularly the service sector. Informational I exchanges among state and local economic development agencies and their program directors have led many to conclude that, in a large number of cases, aid, counsel, and support to existing businesses in expanding their enterprises are more cost-effective than "chasing after" new businesses.

In any event, careful planning is necessary to mobilize potential partners and make effective use of them. Just I seeking financial support for anything obtainable is not a good way to go. The local businesses should be involved in the entire project, including the planning I process.

Public/private partnerships among local government I units, builders/developers, and a variety of other private firms for purposes of economic development have been commonplace for many years. Often the partnership I agreement exchanges a local unit's contribution of access roads or other public physical infrastructure for the firm's agreement to locate or expand within the I jurisdiction's boundaries at a mutually agreed upon site, or, in the case of a developer, to build and operate a shopping mall, hotel, office building, or I other project or to provide a designated amount of low/moderate income housing. Often the local unit exercises its power of eminent domain to assemble the I necessary land. Sometimes the local unit takes another route and offers a tax break or other financial incentive or agrees to regulatory changes in land use or I in other areas in exchange for the new development. I 97. I ExamDles :

* Cambria County Industrial Development Authority/Corporation * Johnstown Area Regional Industries * Northern Cambria County Development Corporation * Portage Area Economic Development Association * Local Economic Tax Revitalization Act (LERTA) Cambria County, Portage Borough, Portage Area School District

Methods o f Coope ration

Various methods of organizing inter-municipal cooperation within the State of Pennsylvania are currently being utilized. Four (4) major approaches relevant to Portage Borough and Portage Township will be subsequently discussed: (1) I Handshake Agreements; (2) Act 180 Agreements; (3) Council of Governments; and (4) Joint Authorities. Intergovernmental cooperation is a highly flexible activity. The methods outlined here should be used as examples, not as formal rules. It is also possible and often desirable for a municipality to have different intergovernmental arrangements with different neighboring municipalities. A municipality need not be contiguous to cooperate. There is no legal requirement that cooperating municipalities share common boundaries. There is also no size requirement for participating in intergovernmental cooperation.

1. Handshake Asreementa

Handshake agreements are informal. That informality is both the benefit and the bane of such agreements. As a result of their informality, handshake agreements are easy to arrange. Often the informality, the ‘lets just work it out“ approach, is the only way municipalities can work together. The parties shake hands only if cooperation is of mutual benefit, and no formal or long- lasting commitment is required which may be threatening to the participants.

The informality of handshake agreements also leads to their shortcomings and limitations. Because there is no formal agreement, misunderstandings often result and the intergovernmental partnership dissolves with a residue of hard feelings. In addition, major concerns such as liability and workers’ compensation coverage are often 1

I overlooked. This may be fine for many years but once a problem occurs, it's too late.

Handshake agreements are also limited to activities I which do not entail formal joint ownership of property, borrowing funds, or other legal responsibilities. This limitation may seem minor for municipalities just I beginning to work together, but in the long run it is better to work out all the details in a formal I agreement. 2. Act 180 Aureements

I The Intergovernmental Cooperation Law was enacted by the General Assembly in 1972 to implement the provisions of Article IX, Section 5 of the new Pennsylvania I Constitution, the Intergovernment Cooperation Provision. The language of Act 180 is very broad. It includes "any function, power, or responsibility" that a municipality I may have. The required features of an intergovernmental cooperation agreement established according to the terms i 180 includes the following. agreement must be enacted by ordinance;

I ordinance must specify: I The conditions of the agreement. The duration of the agreement 1 The purpose and objectives of the agreement, including the powers and scope of authority I delegated in the agreement. The manner and extent of financing the agreement.

The organizational structure necessary to I implement the agreement.

The manner in which property, real or personal, shall be acquired, licensed, or disposed of; and

That the entity created under this section shall be empowered to enter into contracts for policies of group insurance and employee benefits, including social security, for its employees.

99. I

I An agreement enacted under the provisions of Act 180 is essentially a legal contract among two or more municipalities. Separate agreements (or a clearly stated multiple purpose agreement) are needed for two or I more different functions. The terms of the agreement are whatever is negotiated among the participants, I subject to the general requirement of the law.

3. councils ' of Government B

I Councils of Governments or COGs are a special kind of Act 180 organization. COGs are general or multi-purpose organizations that provide municipal services. The I Cambria-Somerset COG was established to enable local municipalities to work together on programs and services for their mutual interest. The Cambria-Somerset COG I provides services to 54 participating municipalities including Portage Borough. A Council of Governments is both a method of cooperation and a cooperative program B in and of itself. COGs differ from the typical Act 180 joint program in several ways:

I (1) A COG has a broad responsibility. Not only may it oversee specific joint (Act 180) programs, but it may be responsible for studying and proposing new I joint programs and projects and for coordinating other municipal activities.

I (2) Several existing or proposed Act 180 agreements among COG municipalities can be included under the I umbrella of a COG. (3) No specific program must be undertaken.

I (4) The COG board or council is almost always composed of elected officials. Other Act 180 programs may be I overseen by either elected or appointed officials. 4. Joint Aut hori t ies I The Municipality Authorities Act of 1945 authorizes the creation of municipal authorities by two or more local governments. These are termed joint authorities. Joint authorities received their main impetus in the 1960's I when the federal Environmental Protection Agency embarked on a program of regionalization of municipal I sewage treatment facilities. I 100. I I

I Joint authorities are most often used when major capital investments are required. In addition to sewage treatment, joint authorities have been formed for water supply, airports, bus transit systems, swimming pools I and others. Joint authorities have well-established powers to receive grants, borrow money, and operate revenue-generating programs. The Municipality I Authorities Act specifically enables authorities to sell bonds, acquire property, sign contracts, and take similar actions. Handshake agreements do not convey such I powers; Act 180 agreements do so only when the agreements are specifically drafted to do so.

I The Portage Borough Municipal Authority and the Portage Area Sewer Authority are joint municipal water and sewer authorities representing Portage Borough and Portage I Township collectively.

Other Methods of CooDeration

In addition to the general legislation enabling intergovernmental cooperation (Act 180) and joint authorities (the Municipality Authorities Act), there are provisions for intergovernmental cooperation in a number of laws relating to specific governmental activities including planning, tax' collection, transportation, and the environment.

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968 as amended) establishes the authority for municipalities to exercise land use controls through comprehensive planning, subdivision ordinances, and zoning ordinances. The Department of Community and Economic Development publishes copies of Act 247 including the most recent amendments and can provide technical assistance and informational services to I municipalities. Act 247 has several provisions that require coordination of specific municipal planning activities; and it contains enabling provisions for joint planning commissions and joint municipal zoning. The coordination provisions are incidental to regular municipal planning activities, and include requiring, as part of the municipal comprehensive plan, a statement indicating the relationship of the municipality and its proposed development to adjacent municipalities; and mandating notice to an adjacent municipality if an

101. I official map is adopted which shows a street or public lands leading into that municipality. Not only are these actions required, they are good ideas and can become the basis for further coordination and I cooperation.

The Portage Area Regional Planning Commission is a joint I effort by Portage Borough and Portage Township to regulate land development. Portage Township has adopted a subdivision and land development ordinance to control I the development of land and its associated impacts on the Township infrastructure. The ordinance also considers any potential sewer, water, and stormwater I run-off impacts on the Borough of Portage. I Tax Collection The Local Tax Enabling Act (Act 511 of 1965 as amended) gives municipalities the power to make joint agreements I for the collection of Act 511 taxes (earned income, occupational privilege, amusement or business gross receipts). The Department of Community and Economic I Development can provide assistance to municipalities exploring this idea.

I Section 10.a of Act 511 provides for voluntary joint agreements for the collection of Act 511 taxes. Action to establish joint collection should be done by I ordinance (and by resolution of school boards if school taxes are included). The Act provides for the creation of tax collection bureaus and/or the hiring of employees I to do the work, and allows maximum flexibility for municipalities. For example, a municipality may join with a school district to collect a shared earned income 'I tax, collect its own per capita tax, and contract with an adjacent municipality to collect an occupation tax; or all of these collections can be combined into one I central tax collection bureau. Section 10.b of Act 511 specifically authorizes joint I collection when a school district levies the earned income tax. This section provides that the selection of the joint collector, unless otherwise agreed, shall be I by municipal voting weighted according to population. I I 102. I I Transportation Partners hips The Transportation Partnership Act (Act 47 of 1985) enables municipalities to work together, and with the II private sector, to improve transportation facilities and services in a designated area. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation can provide assistance to I municipalities interested in forming transportation partnerships.

I Transportation networks, and problems, often cross municipal boundaries. Act 47 provides a mechanism for improvements on both municipal roads and state highways. I Local roads may take a public/private effort; state roads may include state and federal funding resources as well. The participating municipalities each adopt an I ordinance to designate all or part of that municipality as part of the transportation development district. The municipal share of funds for projects in the district can be raised by assessments on business property in the district, by assessments on all benefited properties in the district, general tax revenues, loans, and donations. The special appeals of a transportation development district are the joint municipal approach to shared problems and the possibilities for public/private partnerships to complete key projects on state highways that may be locally important but long delayed because of a low state and federal funding priority.

Environmental ImDrovement ComDacts

Act 39 of 1972 provides for the establishment of an Environmental Improvement Compact (EIC). An EIC, when formed under the act, is empowered to deliver one or more municipal functions involving two or more municipalities. The Department of Community and Economic Development can provide assistance to municipalities exploring this concept.

An environmental improvement compact is quite different from any other form of intergovernmental cooperation discussed in this handbook. Some of the key characteristics of an EIC include the following:

a. An EIC must be created by referendum in the participating municipalities, not by action of the governing body.

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b. The EIC Board is directly elected by the citizens of I the participating municipalities, rather than being appointed by municipal governing bodies.

I c. An EIC has corporate powers similar to those of a municipality, including the right of eminent domain.

1 d. An EIC has the power to fix and collect property taxes up to two mills.

I Why would a municipality support the establishment of such an independent body as a means of intergovernmental cooperation? There are several possibilities. It may be I desirable to separate the function, perhaps a controversial multi-municipality storm water management system, from control by individual municipal governing bodies. A separate tax for this I purpose may be needed because of municipal tax limits or political realities. And, the mandate of a referendum may be needed to get the project started. An EIC may be just the answer I for the thorniest problem. I Intersovernmental Prosrams When developing intergovernmental cooperation programs, it is important for those involved to have an I understanding of the following basic factors: who is in charge of the program; who is responsible for carrying out the program; what is to be accomplished by the program; and how are the !I program costs to be allocated. An organizational approach to intergovernmental programs should consider the following factors:

~I Intergovernmental cooperation is a highly flexible activity. The programs discussed herein are examples I that can be adjusted to meet individual community needs. It is possible and often desirable for a municipality to have different intergovernmental agreements with I different neighboring municipalities. Municipalities do not have to be contiguous to cooperate. I There is no legal requirement that cooperating municipalities share common boundaries. I There is no municipal size limitation. Some municipal officials believe their municipality is too small (or too I large) to work with an adjacent municipality. I 104. I The intergovernmental cooperation programs that are I relevant to Portage Borough and Portage Township are presented below. The programs serve to substantiate the need for the continuation of existing shared programs while referencing the I defined benefits of some additional programs. I Councils of Government or COGS are general or multi- purpose organizations. The Cambria-Somerset COG was I established as a coordinating agency for local governments within Cambria and Somerset counties. As a member of COG, Portage Borough, along with other I participating municipalities, is provided with the I following types of programs and/or services: BOCA Code Enforcement Program

- Building Codes - Plumbing Codes - Fire Prevention Codes I - Electrical Codes - Existing Structure Codes I - Building Permits Building Inspector/Codes Officer Preparation of Grant Applications Sponsorship of Municipal Credit Union Cooperative Municipal Purchasing Program Dilapidated Housing and Playground Survey Coordination of Regional Police Studies Regional Equipment Sharing I Administrative and Technical Advice

The basis for a joint purchasing program is to obtain municipal materials and equipment at the lowest possible price, a lower price than that which can be obtained by a single municipality. Joint purchasing is provided to Portage Borough through the Cambria-Somerset COG. Cost savings to the Borough from the joint purchasing program fall into two (2) major categories: (1) the cost of equipment and materials; and (2) the cost of administration (advertising, bid specification preparation, and copying) .

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I Equipment Sharinq The sharing of municipal equipment is a way to overcome I the inefficiency of idle equipment and the money saved makes it possible to acquire the next piece of equipment by pooling resources and usage. Equipment can be shared through several mechanisms: joint ownership, rental 1 arrangement, and equipment trades. The 12th Congressional Regional Equipment Center maintains a roster of over 60 pieces of equipment available for I lease to participating municipalities in Cambria and six (6) other counties in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Center, which is presently located in Blairsville I Borough, Indiana County, is run by a Board of Directors consisting of 11 members representing the seven (7) I counties. Contract Police Services

I Regional police forces constitute one of the most important, and one of the most difficult, intergovernmental cooperation programs. There are two I (2) major approaches: contract police services and a joint police force. Contract services are provided to adjacent municipalities, but the ‘home” municipality I controls the department and appoints the Chief of Police. In contrast, a joint police force is one that serves two (2) or more municipalities and is under the I joint control and direction of the participating municipalities.

I Service Scheu

+ Hours and days of police service I + Preventive patrol and incident response I Prosram InDut + Coordinating and discussing level of service 1 + Cooperation in solving mutual safety issues Prosram Costs

I + Hourly rates for police protection + Budget annual amount of contract services I I 106. I Shared Recreat ion Facilities

Pennsylvania municipalities frequently combine efforts to provide shared recreational facilities and services Small communities may join together with adjacent municipalities to restore existing facilities or to develop new facilities that are mutually beneficial. There are a number of factors affecting the overall scope of recreational facilities. These include the identified needs of the community, public and private facilities already in place, size of population base, and available resources.

The Portage Area Joint Recreation Commission is comprised of seven (7) members representing Portage Borough, Portage Township, and Portage Area School District. The Commission’s main responsibility is to oversee the operation of the Crichton-McCormick Park.

A circuit rider is a professional municipal manager who serves two (2) or more municipalities at the same time. By joining together, several small municipalities can hire a circuit-rider manager bringing in expertise that no one municipality is able to obtain on its own. For example, the Boroughs of Portage, Cassandra, and Lilly, along with Portage Township, could put together a I circuit rider program that might consider the following cooperative activities:

I 1. Manage the day-to-day activities of the municipalities.

I 2. Prepare agendas for meetings of the municipal governing bodies. I 3. Attend all meetings of the governing bodies to report on municipal operations and advise the board/council I on policy issues. 4. Prepare, present, and administer municipal budgets. I 5. Appoint, supervise, and direct municipal employees. (Appointment of department heads may require governing I body approval, as desired.) I 107. I I

6. Represent the municipalities at public meetings and I forums, communicate with the media, and serve as a key contact point for the citizens.

I Econom ic Development

Pennsylvania communities have faced severe job crises in I the past. Economic development and recovery are critical concerns for our communities and citizens. Economic development programs must recognize this I interdependence and address problems on a regional basis. Efforts to develop a commercial or industrial center to build the tax and employment base in one I municipality may succeed only at the cost of drawing businesses or jobs from a nearby municipality. This is not a solution to a problem; it is a transfer of the I problem to ''the other guy." An effective economic development program must serve all the municipalities in an area. This can be accomplished by a cooperative I approach to economic development. Grants for such programs are often available from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and I priority for such funding is given to regional efforts. Public/private partnerships where local businesses and industries provide some of the funds are frequently used I in programs such as the Main Street Manager. Local governments should work together to provide the impetus and leadership for such efforts. An existing COG or an I informal organization of local government officials can accomplish this task, often working in concert with the private sector. And, a more extensive program can be I organized under a regional industrial and commercial development authority which can earn some income to I support such efforts. I I I I

I 108. I I

I VI. INTERRELATIONSHIP AMONG PLAN COMPONENTS This chapter of the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan will discuss two (2) planning issues relevant I to Portage Borough's and Portage Township's overall management and development. First, the interrelationship of the major Plan components will be considered; and secondly, a determination will I be made of the impact that any recommended improvements will have upon certain community-wide factors. The Portage Area's Land Use, Housing, Transportation, and Community Facilities Plans are I interrelated and consistent in terms of managing and encouraging orderly and balanced community and economic growth. Collectively, the Plan components should interrelate and I complement each other in a positive manner.

A positive interrelation of Plan components I necessitates that an estimation be made as to the particular consequences that planning activities will have on key community factors. The community factors that are most likely to be impacted and affected by comprehensive community planning within the Portage Area are (1) economic development; (2) environmental ~' (3) (4) issues; historic preservation activities; and energy ~I consumption and conservation.

Presented below is a statement of the ~I interrelationship of each Comprehensive Plan component followed by an estimate of their respective impacts on the four (4) community factors listed above.

'I The effective and efficient utilization of land as a major resource for growth and development within the Portage Area is directly interrelated with the other Plan components in the I following manner: Housing: Land use regulations such as zoning and subdivision/land development regulations will affect I the location, density, use, and character of housing growth.

I TransDortation: Land use patterns and changes may require a system of new and/or expanded local streets, I highways, and bridges to serve new development. Community Fac ilities: Community services and facilities are directly related to land use changes II and will need to be upgraded or expanded in order to I meet future growth. 109. I I

I Land Use Community Factor Impacts

1. Economic DeveloDment : Zoning and Subdivision Ordinances I will allow for new and innovative land use practices that are oriented toward economic growth and business I diversification. 2. Environmental Issues: Zoning and subdivision regulations will have a positive impact on protecting and preserving I natural resources such as steep hillsides, floodplains, waterways, and wetlands.

I 3. Historic Preservation Act1'vities: Land Use Ordinances I and Regulations which preserve and protect historical buildings can have a positive impact on economic growth I by promoting tourism.

4. Eneray Consumption and Co nservation: Future residential, commercial, and industrial land development will increase ~' the overall demand for electricity, natural gas, oil, I wood, and coal resources. B. Housin9 Component Interrelationship I The maintenance and preservation of high standards for existing residential housing units, while encouraging the development of affordable housing for the Portage Area, is I interrelated with the other Plan components in the following ways : I Land Use: The development of new housing of different densities and dwelling types will necessitate the utilization of in-fill construction on vacant lots and undeveloped tracts of land, thereby changing existing I land use patterns.

Transportation: The zoning of land for single, two- I four family and multi-family housing densities will create the need for new and/or extended municipal I streets and may change existing traffic flow patterns. Community Facilities: Housing growth through new construction and rehabilitation will increase the need I for sewer, water, and recreational facilities. Additional police, fire, and ambulance services will I be needed to serve new housing developments. I 110. I 1

I Housincr Community Factor Impacts 1. Economic Development : The construction of new housing and the rehabilitation of existing substandard homes will I provide jobs for local contractors. An improved economic base and job expansion will in turn create a demand for I housing of different densities and types. 2. Environmental Issues : Subdivision and land development ordinances will regulate the construction of new housing which will help prevent stormwater run-off, erosion, and flooding problems that can result from the improper siting of residential development.

3. Historical Preser vat ion Activities: Historically significant residential properties can be preserved and protected by including housing preservation language within the Zoning Ordinance. The restoration of historical housing often creates new and innovative housing opportunities.

4. Ene rclv ConsumDtion and Conservation : Revised building and housing codes will establish minimum standards for construction materials and insulation which will help promote the efficient use of home heating fuels such as electricity, natural gas, oil, and coal.

C.

The provisions for the maintenance and upgrading of the existing system of streets, roads and bridges, curbs, sidewalks, and related drainage facilities in the Portage Area are interrelated to the other three (3) Plan components in the following manner.

Land Use: The construction of new streets, roads, and bridges can substantially change existing land use patterns by providing access and egress within I undeveloped areas and by promoting residential, commercial, and/or industrial growth.

Housincr : The location and design of new residential housing development will be dependent, to a large extent, upon direct access to local streets, roads, I and bridges.

Community Facilities:. There exists a high degree of interdependence between the local transportation

111. system and the adequate provisions for police, fire, and ambulance service.

Transportation Community Factor Impacts

1. Economic Developnent : Improvements to the existing transportation system will have a positive impact on the local economic base by providing for the adequate movement of people, goods, and services.

2. Environmental Issues : The development of new highways and the expansion of existing streets will require that location and design criteria be sensitive to noise levels, air quality parameters, erosion, and excessive stormwater run-off.

I 3. Histor ical Preservation: The design and construction of new highway facilities should consider any impacts on structures which are historically significant. Such I structures should not be demolished or encroached upon by highway construction activities.

I 4. Enersv ConsumDtion and Conservation : Highway design criteria should reflect the efficient and cost-effective use of gasoline consumption. Fuel consumption and I conservation design techniques are relevant to traffic signalization and speed controls along local streets and highways. I ... D. Community Facilities ComDonent Interrelatiorlsh ip

The maintenance and expansion of community facilities and services such as fire and police protection, ambulance service, sewer and water facilities, and recreational activities I in the Portage Area is interrelated to each Plan component as f01 lows : I Land Use: The location and extent of new residential, commercial, industrial, and other land development will place additional demands on existing community facilities and services.

Housing: The construction of new residential housing units will place increased demands on fire, police, I and ambulance service, and upon recreational facilities and sewer and water systems.

Transportation: The construction of new highways and the expansion of existing streets and roads will

112. provide locational incentives for new business and industry which will require additional community facilities and services. .. Community Facility Factor ImDacts

1. Economic DeveloDment : Upgraded and expanded community facilities and services will have a positive impact upon the growth and expansion opportunities of local businesses, industries, and institutions.

2. Environmental Issues: The maintenance and repair of sewer and water lines, stormwater drainage pipes and culverts, and river channel repair will have a positive impact upon the general public's health and safety.

3. Historical Preservatio n Act ivities: The location, extent, and degree of community facilities and services such as police, fire, and ambulance services are positive I community factors in terms of protecting and preserving historical structures and landmarks.

4. Energv ConsumDtion and Censervation : The maintenance and construction of energy-efficient housing units and commercial and industrial buildings will help minimize I the consumption of water, petroleum, natural gas, and electricity. I I 'I I I I I I 113. I I I VII. RELATIONSHIP TO COUNTY'S REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan considers a number of recommended area-wide improvements that are designed I to promote orderly growth and development. Recommended improvements, whether considered individually or collectively, within Portage Borough or Portage Township should have a positive I relationship to on-going growth and development efforts in adjacent municipalities. Conversely, projects and improvements taking place in communities adjacent to Portage may have a I positive reciprocal impact on the proposed developmental improvements recommended within both Portage Borough and Portage I Township. This section of the Plan will make two (2) determinations: (1) an assessment of major improvements outlined I for the Portage Area in terms of those projects having a significant impact on existing and proposed development in contiguous municipalities and (2) a description of those County I and regional-wide projects existing or proposed to take place outside of the Portage Area that could have a positive affect on I development within Portage Borough and/or Portage Township. Presented below is a listing of recommended community development improvements within the Portage Area followed by an I assessment of probable impacts on adjacent communities and facilities. Probable impacts can be expected to occur within the four (4) major Plan component areas. These are (A) Land Use; I (B) Housing; (C) Transportation; and (D) Community Facilities. I

Adopt and implement the revised Portage Area Regional I Comprehensive Plan, the proposed Joint Zoning Ordinance, and proposed Joint Subdivision/Land Development I Ordinance. Assessment of Land Use ImDrovements to Adiacent- Municipalities

0 The development of vacant land within the Portage Area will be regulated and monitored so as to reduce any possible negative impacts within nearby communities.

The revised land use ordinances will improve the awareness of the overall compatibility of existing and

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new land development to that which exists in bordering I municipalities.

Efforts to identify and resolve negative land use I impacts such as stormwater run-off that can impact roads, streets, and other infrastructure in I neighboring municipalities will be enhanced.

0 The beautification of the downtown Portage streetscape to include improved sidewalks and parking will have a I positive impact on the local economy and will provide spin-off opportunities for new businesses in 1 surrounding communities. Growth management regulations will protect and preserve Portage Township's small-town/village I lifestyle with surrounding farmland which will provide a positive focus on land preservation when it crosses municipal boundaries.

The promotion of the natural extension of residential, commercial, industrial, and other land uses across municipal boundaries will help reduce haphazard land use development in adjacent communities.

Adequate management of stormwater run-off resulting from new land development will reduce flows and velocities to other municipalities within the watershed.

Flood Plain Management, including reasonable regulations on new development within Special Flood Hazard Areas, will help control flood events in downstream communities.

Adopt and implement Pennsylvania's new Uniform Construction Code to help restore the economic and social value of the Portage Area's housing stock.

Assessment of a Uniform Construction Code t o Ad1 acent Municipalities

Standardized construction codes will help to insure that the construction and/or rehabilitation of housing is uniform and consistent to housing codes in nearby communities.

115. I Home ownership repair and on-going maintenance will have a positive influence on individual home-owners in I neighboring communities. The demolition of vacant abandoned housing and the rehabilitation of substandard housing will have a I positive influence on the housing programs of neighboring communities.

I The construction of new housing in conjunction with on-going housing rehabilitation will set a positive example for housing programs in adjacent I municipalities.

The provisions for affordable single-family owner- I occupied housing will help meet the housing needs of I lower income people from adjacent municipalities. 0 The rehabilitation of vacant substandard housing will provide new affordable rental housing opportunities for low and very low income residents of adjacent I municipalities. I C. TransDortation ImDrovement Place candidate highway and bridge projects within Portage Borough and Portage Township on the Pennsylvania I Department of Transportation (PA DOT) Twelve Year Transportation Program (2001-2012).

I Asses sment .. of 12-Year TransDortation p roqram to Ad1 acent Municipalities

I The improvement of local streets, roads, and bridges will enhance traffic accessibility and circulation I patterns to and from adjacent communities. 0 Candidate projects submitted for the 12-Year Program are prioritized based upon their overall impact to both the local and regional transportation system.

The proposed PA 53 and PA 164 intersection project will have a positive impact on the movement of people, goods, and services to and from adjacent municipalities.

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I The replacement of the Portage Open Grid Bridge along PA Route 164 will improve traffic safety and flow for I surrounding communities. The coordinated and integrated maintenance and repair of local streets should extend into bordering municipalities who have shared transportation I interest.

Adjacent municipalities should support the efforts of I each other to seek funding for highway and bridge improvements that benefit movement between I municipalities. D. Community Facilities ImDrovement

I Seek an intergovernmental approach to providing community facilities and services that focuses on I providing efficient yet cost-effective shared services. - .. t.. of Intersovernmental CooDeratlon on Adjacent I unicipalities Shared police, fire, and ambulance services with adjacent communities will provide cost-effective yet I efficient municipal services.

Residents in adjacent municipalities that do not have )I adequate police and fire departments will be provided a greater sense of safety and well-being from the I enhanced protection. Providing public sewer and water service to adjacent municipalities will help to promote a safer and I healthier living environment.

Regional water and sewage treatment plants require a I multi-municipal approach to long-term operating and maintenance costs.

The sharing of municipal purchasing of equipment and supplies with adjacent communities will reduce the costs of materials and supplies for residents in both I communities.

Stormwater run-off and flooding problems can only be rectified by regulating and monitoring potential run- off in adjacent municipalities.

117. I I Cambria Countv and Recrional -wide - Maj 0 r Imr,rovement s

County-wide proposed improvement projects and regional I development initiatives that are in-place or scheduled to take place outside of Portage Borough and Portage Township that may affect growth and development within the Portage Area are I described below. County and regional type major projects that are expected to have a positive impact upon the Portage Area can be perceived from four (4) improvement areas: (A) Land Use I Planning; (B) Infrastructure Development; (C) Transportation Improvements; and (D) Economic Development.

I A. Land Use Planninq

The Cambria County "Pathways to Progress" Master Plan I The Cambria County 2000 Comprehensive Plan Update The Little Conemaugh River Watershed Stormwater Management Plan I The Cambria County Agricultural Land Preservation Program

I B. Infrastructure Develox,- ment

0 The Central Mainline Sewer Authority Project I 0 The Forest Hills Wastewater Treatment and Collection System The Highland Sewer and Water Authority's Water System I Telephone, Telecommunication, and Fiber Optic Service D C. Tranmortation Imx,rovement The reconstruction of U.S. Route 22 West as a 4-lane highway to Pittsburgh, PA I The extension of U.S. Route 219 North as a 4-lane highway to Buffalo, New York The extension of U.S. Route 219 South as a 4-lane 1 highway to Cumberland, Maryland The reconstruction of Interstate 99 (U.S. 220) from I Tyrone to Interstate 80 D. Econom ic Development

1 The expansion and upgrading of the Johnstown-Cambria County Airport The commercial development in association with Johnstown's Galleria Mall

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The commercial and industrial growth at the U.S. 219 i and U.S. 22 interchange The retail and wholesale commercial expansion at I Altoona's Logan Valley Mall I I I 1 I I I I I I 1 I I I

I 119. I I

I VIII. IMPLEMENTATION The implementation of the Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan will be accomplished through a series of I Strategies which have been prepared for the Portage Area. The Strategies are specific to the plans and recommendations made in Chapter IV which alluded to 'the Plan's major planing components. I These comprehensive planning components are: Land Use, Housing, Transportation, and Community Facilities. In addition, the strategies are designed to incorporate the themes of the Portage I Area Vision for the future of Portage Borough and Portage Township.

I The implementation of the Portage Comprehensive Plan's recommended improvements will also be considered through the preparation of a model Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance and Map I for the Portage Area. This legal document, if adopted by both municipalities as a joint regulation, will be vital to the I overall and long-term implementation of the Portage Plan. The implementation schedule as presented on Table 12 has been developed so as to be flexible and cross-referenced in I terms of who is responsible for the Strategy implementation. The schedule identifies the Strategy, Primary Responsibility, County Advisory Agency, State and Federal Administrative Agency, and I Tentative Time-frame for carrying out the proposed recommended improvement. The schedule alludes to a time-frame for immediate and on-going projects and those improvements scheduled from the I year 2001 through the year 2004. I St rat eqv- Evaluation As part of an on-going monitoring and evaluation program, an internal quarterly review of the Plan's Improvement I Strategies should be conducted by the Portage Area Regional Planning Commission. The evaluation program will consider the overall status of all completed and proposed improvements along I with a reference to the particular strategy as listed on Table 12. To supplement the quarterly review, an annual review by the Planning Commission should also be conducted and presented to the I Portage Borough Council and Portage Township Supervisors. The Portage Area Strategy Evaluation Form is presented I as Exhibit I and follows Table 12, Portage Area Strategies. I I 120. I TABLE 12 PORTAGE AREA REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PORTAGE AREA STRATEGIES

A. LAND USE PLANNING

County Administrative Tentative Land Use Strateaies Prima? Responsibilities Advisorv Aaency AdvisorvlFundina Agency Time-Frame

A.1 Strateav: Adopt and implement the Portage Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2001 Area Regional Comprehensive Plan Commission Planning Commission Economic Development Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

A.2 Strateav: Adopt a Joint Municipal Subdivision Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2002 and Land Development Ordinance Commission Planning Commission Economic Development Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

A.3 Strategy: Adopt a Joint Municipal Zoning Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2003 Ordinance and Map Cornm i s s io n Planning Commission Economic Development Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

A.4 Strategy: Review and Approve All Land Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 Immediate Development Plans on a Joint-Municipal Commission Planning Commission Economic Development and Level Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Ongoing Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

A.5 Strateay: Utilize Small Vacant Parcels of Land Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 Immediate for New In-Fill Residential Development Commission Development Corp. Economic Development and Portage Borough Council Program: HOME Investment Ongoing Partnership

A.6 Strategy: Approve Commercial and Industrial Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of community 8 Immediate Land Use Development in Areas Where Commission Planning Commission Economic Development and Infrastructure is in Place Portage Township Supervisors Program: Infrastructure Ongoing Development Program

121. A.7 Strategy: Preserve the Existing Historic and Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Historical and Museum Immediate Small Town and Village "Sense of Place" Commission Historical Society Commission and Portage Area Historical Society Program: Certified Local Ongoing Mainline Heritage Association Government Program

A.8 Strategy: Keep the Development of Land Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Infrastructure Investment Immediate Consistent with Stormwater and Floodplain Commission Conservation District Authority and Management Portage Borough Council Program: Construction Loan Ongoing Portage Township Supervisors Program - Water/Sewer/ Stormwater

A.9 Strategy: Use the Main Street Manager Portage Area Business Assn. Cambria County PA Dept of Community 8 2003 Program to Stimulate Downtown Business Portage Borough Council Redevelopment Authority Economic Development Growth Portage Township Supervisors Program: Pennsylvania Main Street Program

A.10 Strateav: Create an Agricultural Security Area Individual Farmers Cambria County PA Dept. of Agriculture 2003 to Preserve Farmland Township Supervisors Agricultural Land Program: Farmland Preservation Preservation Board Program

A.ll Strategv: Remove All Environmental Hazards Individual Property Owners Cambria County PA Dept. of Environmental Immediate such as Abandoned Junkyards and Vacant Portage Borough Council Redevelopment Authority Protection and Deteriorated Buildings Portage Township Supervisors Program: Pennsylvania Ongoing EnviroHelp Hotline

A.12 -: Protect and Preserve the Buildings Portage Area Historical Society Cambria County PA Historical and Museum 2003 and Structures Located within the Portage Portage Area Business Assn. Historical Society Commission Historic District Portage Borough Council Program: Certified Local Government Program

A.13 -: Protect Forest Land and Open Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Conservation and Immediate Space from Clear-cut Timbering and Strip Commission Conservation District Natural Resources and Mining Portage Township Supervisors Program: Keystone Land Trust Ongoing Program

122. A.14 Strateay: Make Land Use Planning Decisions Portage Regional Planning Cambria County Dept. of PA Dept. of Community and Immediate Consistent with the Cambria County Master Commission Community and Economic Development and Plan Portage Borough Council Economic Development Program: Governor's Center Ongoing Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

A.15 Strateav: Conduct a Feasibility Study to Portage Regional Planning Cambria County Dept. of PA Dept. of Community and 2004 Determine the Possibilities for a Municipal Commission Community and Economic Development Consolidation or Merger Portage Borough Council Economic Development Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services Cassandra Borough Council

Sources: Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan; November 1,2000 The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 2000; Pennsylvania Rural Access Guide

123. TABLE 12 (Continued) PORTAGE AREA REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PORTAGE AREA STRATEGIES

B. HOUSING DEVELOPMENT

County Administrative Tentative Housing Strateaies Primary Responsibilities Advisory Aaency Time-Frame

B.l Strateav: Utilize the Portage Area Regional Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria Community PA Dept. of Community 8 2001 Comprehensive Plan as a Housing Cornm i s s io n Development Corporation Economic Development Reference Tool Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

8.2 Strateqy: Adopt and Implement Uniform Portage Borough Council Cambria-Somerset PA Dept. of Labor and Industry 2002 Construction Codes for Buildings and Portate Township Supervisors Council of Governments Program: Pennsylvania Structures Uniform Construction Code (BOCA Codes)

B.3 Strateav: Adopt a Joint Municipal Subdivision Portage Borough Council Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8. 2002 and Zoning Ordinances to Regulate New Portate Township Supervisors Planning Commission Economic Development Housing Growth Program: Governor's Center for Local Government Services

8.4 Strateav: Review and Approve New Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 Immediate Residential Development Consistent with Commission Planning Commission Economic Development and the Portage Township Subdivision Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Ongoing Ordinance Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

B.5 Strateav: Develop a Multi-Municipal Housing Portage Borough Council Cambria-Somerset PA Dept. of Community 8 2003 Rehabilitation Program that Focuses on Portage Township Supervisors Council of Governments Economic Development Plumbing, Electrical, and Other Non- Program: Community Dev. Cosmetic Improvements Block Grant Program

B.6 Strateav: Support the Construction of Portage Borough Council Cambria Community Pennsylvania Housing 2004 Affordable Housing for the Elderly, Low- Portage Township Supervisors Development Corp Finance Agency Income, and Physically-Challenged Program: Statewide Howeownership Program

124. B:7 Strategy: Promote the Rehabilitation of Portage Township Supervisors Cambria Community PA Dept. of Community 8 2004 Owner-Occupied and Rental Housing based Development Corp. Economic Development upon Income Guidelines Program: HOME Investment Partnership

8.8 Strategy: Develop Housing for Single-Family Portage Borough Council Cambria Commuqity USDA Rural Development 2004 Home Ownership and First-Time Home Portage Township Supervisors Development Corp. Mission Area Programs Buyers Program: Single-Family Home Ownership Loans Stormwater

B.9 Strategy: Support the Construction of New Portage Borough Council Cambria Community PA Dept of Community 8 Immediate Housing in Areas Served by Public Sewer Portage Township Supervisors Development Corp. Economic Development and and Water Program: Community Dev. Ongoing Block Grant Program (CDBG)

B.10 Strateqy: Protect Historically Significant Portage Area Historical Society Cambria County USDA Rural Development 2004 Residential Buildings within the Portage Portage Area Business Assn. Historical Society Mission,Area Programs Historical District from Major Alterations Portage Borough Council Program: Housing Preservation Grants

B.ll Strateqy: Make Housing Decisions based Portage Area Regional Cambria County Dept. PA Dept. of Community 8 Immediate upon Consistency with the Cambria County Planning Commission of Community and Economic Development and Master Plan Portage Borough Council Economic Development Program: Governor's Center Ongoing Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

Source: Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan; November 1, 2000 The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 2000; Pennsylvania Rural Access Guide

125. TABLE 12 (Continued) PORTAGE AREA REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PORTAGE AREA STRATEGIES

C. TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS

County Administrative Tentative Transportation Strateaies Primary ResDonsibilities AdvisorvlFundinq Aaency Time-Frame

C.1 Strategv: Use the Portage Area Regional Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2001 Comprehensive Plan to Help Make Commission Planning Commission Economic Development Transportation Decisions Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

C.2 Strateav: Place Candidate Highway and Portage Borough Council Cambria County PA Dept. of Transportation 2002 Bridge Improvements Projects on PA DOT'S Portage Township Supervisors Planning Commission Program: PA 12- Year 12-Year Program Transportation Program

C.3 Strateqv: Adopt a Joint Municipal Subdivision Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2002 and Land Development Ordinance to Commission Planning Commission Economic Development Regulate New Street Construction Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

C.4 Strateav: Develop a Formalized Joint- Portage Borough Council Cambria-Somerset PA Dept. of Community 8 2001 Municipal Program for the Maintenance and Portage Township Supervisors Council of Governments Economic Development Repair of Local Streets Program: Shared Municpal Services Program

C.5 Strategy: Complete the Turning Lane and Portage Borough Council Cambria County PA Dept. of Transportation 2002 Signalization Project at the Intersection of Portage Township Supervisors Planning Commission Program: 12-Year PA Routes 53 and 164 Transportation Program

C.6 Strateav: Replace the Jefferson Avenue Portage Borough Council Cambria County PA Dept. of Transportation 2003 Bridge and the Jamestown Bridge #I9 Portage Township Supervisors Planning Commission Program: PA Local Bridge Program

C.7 -: Seek the Advice and Approval of Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Transportation Immediate the Portage Area Regional Planning Commission Planning Commission Program: LTAP - The and Commission on Highway and Bridge Portage Borough Council Pennsylvania Local Roads Ongoing Projects Portage Township Supervisors Program

126. C.8 Strateqy: Utilize the Purchasing Power of Portage Borough Council Cam bria-Somerset 12 Congressional Regional Immediate the CambriaSomerset COG for Supplies Portage Township Supervisors Council of Governments Equipment Center and and Equipment Ongoing

C.9 Strateqy: Continue the Historic Restoration Portage Historical Society PA Dept. of Transportation Immediate of Portage Railroad Station Museum Portage Borough Council Program: Transportation and Enhancements Ongoing

C.10 Strateqy: Place the Lee Street Bridge and Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County 73rd District State 2001 Caldwell Avenue Bridge No. 2 on the State's commission Planning Commission Representative Billion Dollar Bridge Program Portage Borough Council Program: PA Local Bridge Portage Township Supervisors Program

C.ll Strateqv: Place the Lee Street Bridge and Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Transportation 2002 Caldwell Avenue Bridge No. 2 on PA DOT'S Commission Planning Commission Program: PA Twelve Year Twelve Year Highway and Bridge Program Portage Borough Council Transportation Program Portage Township Supervisors

C.12 Strategy: Make Transportation Improvements Portage Township Supervisors Cambria County Dept. of PA Dept of community 8 Immediate in Conjunction with the County's Master Portage Township Supervisors Community 8 Economic Economic Development and Plan Development Program: Governor's Center Ongoing for Local Government Services

Source: Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan; November 1,2000 The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 2000; Pennsylvania Rural Access Guide

127. TABLE 12 (Continued) PORTAGE AREA REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN PORTAGE AREA STRATEGIES

D. COMMUNITY FACILITY PROJECTS

County Administrative Tentative Community Facility Strateaies Primaty ResDonsibilities Advisoty Agency AdvisorvlFundina Aaency Time-Frame

D.l Strategy: Reference the Portage Area Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2001 Regional Comprehensive Plan for Commission Planning Commission Economic Development Community Facility Improvements Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

D.2 Strateav: Adopt a Joint Municipal Subdivision Portage Area Regional Planning Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2002 and Land Development Ordinance to Commission Planning Commission Economic Development Regulate Community Facilities Improvements Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

D.3 Strateav: Institute a Formalized Joint- Portage Borough Council Cambria County Dept. USDA Rural Development Immediate Municipal Program to Provide Community Portage Township Supervisors of Community and Mission Area Programs and Facilities and Services Economic Development Program: Community Facilities Ongoing Program

D.4 Strateav: Develop a Multi-Municipal Mindset Portage Borough Council Cambria County Dept. PA Dept. of Community 8 Immediate to Providing Cost-Effective Municipal Portage Township Supervisors of Community and Economic Development and Services and Facilities Economic Development Program: Shared Municipal Ongoing Services Program

D.5 m:Study the Possibility of Providing Portage Police Department Cambria County Dept. of PA Dept. of Community 8 2003 Joint-Municipal Police Protection Portage Borough Council Emergency Services Economic Development Portage Township Supervisors Program: Regional Police Assistance Program

D.6 Strateay: Employ a Regional Approach to Portage Borough Municipal Cambria County Dept. USDA Rural Development 2003 Upgrading and Expanding the Existing Authority of Community and Mission Area Programs Water System Portage Area Sewer Authority Economic Development Program: Water and Waste Disposal Loan Guarantees

128. D.7 Strateqy: Utilize a Multi-Municipal Approach Portage Borough Council Cambria County Dept. PA Infrastructure Investment Immediate to Upgrading and Expanding the Existing Portage Township Supervisors of community and Authority and Sewer System Economic Development Program: Construction Loan Ongoing Program - Water/Sewer/ Stormwater

D.8 Strateqv: Seek Community Development Block Portage Borough Council Cambria County PA Dept. of Community 8 2003 Grant (CDBG) Funding to Upgrade Water Portage Township Supervisors Redevelopment Authority Economic Development and Sewer Facilities Program: Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG)

D.9 Strategy: Extend Municipal Water and Sewer Portage Borough Municipal Cambria County Dept. PA Infrastructure Investment 2004 Lines so as to Provide Parallel Service Areas Authority of community and Authority Portage Area Sewer Authority Economic Development Program: Construction Loan Program - Water/Sewer/ Stormwater

D.10 Strategy: Develop the Necessary Tele- Portage Borough Council Cambria County Dept. USDA Rural Development 2004 communications Infrastructure to Enhance Portage Township Supervisors of Community and Mission Area Programs Private, Business, and Educational Economic Development Program: Electric and Opportunities Telecommunications Loans and Grants

D.ll Strateqv: Review and Seek the Advice of the Portage Area Regional Cambria County PA Dept. of community 8 Immediate Portage Area Regional Planning Commission Planning Commission Planning Commission Economic Development and on Community Facility Issues Portage Borough Council Program: Governor's Center Ongoing Portage Township Supervisors for Local Government Services

D.12 Strategy: Make Decisions on Community Portage Borough Council Cambria County Dept. PA Dept. of community 8. Immediate Facilities and Services with Consideration Portage Township Supervisors of Community and Economic Development and to the County's Master Plan Economic Development Program: Governor's Center Ongoing for Local Government Services

SOURCE: Portage Area Regional Comprehensive Plan; November 1,2000. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, 2000; Pennsylvania Rural Access Guide

129. I

I EXHIBIT I PORTAGE AREA REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN I STRATEGY EVALUATION FORM Date

I Item 1 - During the past three (3) months, has the status or condition of any of the major Plan Components been improved I upon or changed? Land Use Planning Transportation Improvements I - Yes - No - Yes - No Housing Development Community Facility Projects I - Yes - No - Yes - No

Item 2 - Briefly describe the existing status of the improvement I initiated within the component areas for all "Xes" responses above. I t rat eav ImDrovement; - Plan Component Area: I Strategy No. (See Table 12): Time Frame (Yr.) Improvement Made: I 1 Completion Date:

Item 3 - Briefly explain the status of programs or improvements I which have been discussed or proposed during the previous three (3) months but as yet, have not been completed.

I Strategy J&provement; ( ProDosed) Plan Component Area: I Strategy No. (See Table 12): Time Frame (Yr. Proposed Improvement: I I Anticipated Completion Date: I 130. I