Vanderbilt Borough

THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR VANDERBILT BOROUGH

FAYETTE COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA

BECKMAN YODER and SEAY I NC planners and landscape architects wexford, Pennsylvania 15090 TITLE: Comprehens ve Deve opment Plan for Vanderbilt Borough

AUTHOR: Beckman, Yoder and Seay, Inc. Wexford, Pennsy I van i a 15090

S UBJ ECT : A Comprehensive Development Plan for Vanderbi It Borough

DATE : October 1972

PLANN I NG AGENCY: Vanderbilt Borough Planning Commission Connellsville Area Regional Planning Commission Fayette County Planning Commission Bureau of Planning, Department of Community Affairs, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

SOURCE OF COP I ES : Vanderbilt Borough Planning Cornmission Connellsville Area Regional Planning Commission Fayette County P I ann i ng Comm i ss i on Beckman, Yoder and Seay, Inc. Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. HUD Regional Office -- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania HUD Division of Planning Assistance, Washington, D.C.

HUD PRO- JECT NO.: P-34519

NO. OF PAGES : 26

ABSTRACT : The Vanderb i I t Borough Comprehens ive Deve I opment P I an provides carefully coordinated plans including Land Use, Transportation, Community Facilities, Utilities, and a Housing Improvement Program. The plans are directed toward the improvement of existing conditions by recommending specific policies that could improve the physical situation of the community.

The Vanderbi It Borough Comprehensive Development Plan is based upon the activities undertaken in conyunction with the Connellsville Area Regional Planning Program. Reference is in some cases made to the Regional Plan without the repetition of all the background data. TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF PLATES RESOLUTION OF THE BOROUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOROUGH OF VANDERBI LT FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

WHEREAS, the Borough of Vanderbilt Planning Commission has been created and appointed to consider among other things long-range plans for the growth of the Borough; and.

WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has obtained and utilized the services of Beckman, Yoder and Seay, Inc., professiona! Clty Planners; and studies, surveys, and analyses of probable growth trends, objectives and needs have been completed; and

WHEREAS, plans and policies affecting the future of Vanderbilt Borough have been formulated, adopted, and recommended by the Planning Commission; and

WHEREAS, the Vanderbilt Borough Council has held hearings with the Planning Commission on the Comprehensive Plan; and

WEREAS, it is in the best interests of the ccmmunity and its people, both individually and col lectfvely, ro establish a municipa policy for future growth; and

WHEREAS, it is the responsi bi I i ty of the Borough Counc I to ut1 I i ze fore- sight to assist and guide themselves and others in the affai rs of the Borough :

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BORCUGH COUNCIL OF THE BOFiOUGH OF VANDEF431LT, FAYETTE COUNTY, COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:

THAT this document with all pldns, maps, sketches, and text constitutes the Comprehensive P{an for the future development of Vanderbilt through.

ADOPTED THIS /U /2 - A.D. 1973

ATTEST:

/- , 1 I 1 INTRODUCT I ON The Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania Comprehensive Plan provides overal I guidance for the future physical 1 development of the Borough through its statement of objectives, policies and recommendations con- cerning the Borough's future environment and the characteristics of activities and systems locat- ing and functioning within this environment. An inventory and assessment of existing Borough conditions provide the basis for this Plan's sugges- tions for the Borough's future. This analysis of existing conditions and regional planning indluences also provided the basis for the Plan's major positions on Borough land use activities, transportation systems, and community service cons i de rat ions .

The Plan is guided by the following purposes:

Protection of sound and desi rab le Borough character1 sti cs.

The encouragement of additional Borough growth types which are compatible with existing growth, are envi ronmenta I ly sound, 'and servh to improve the Borough's overal I economic, physical, or aesthetic condition.

The provision of an objective basis to evalu- ate alternative development proposals f r the Borough's neighborhoods.

The provision of a legal basis for deve OP- rnent control in response to legislative man- dates contained in the Pennsylvania Mun ci - palities Planning Code (Act 247).

The establishment of an effective wide to I assist the Borough in experiencing and accom- modat i ng change.

I LOCAT ION THE CONNELLSV I LLE AREA REG I ONAL PLANN I NG PROGRAM

Vanderbilt Borough lies on approximately 126 This Comprehensive Plan is based upon Vanderbilt acres just south of the Youghiogheny River in Borough's participation in the Connellsville the northcentral portion of Fayette County Area Regional Planning Program. During this within the Southwestern Pennsylvania Region. program, representatives of the Boorugh, in The Borough lies approximately half way between conjunction with other members of the Regional Pennsylvania's Route 51 and U.S. Route 119, Planning Commission from Connellsville and and utilizes State Route 201 to provide its pri- South Connellsvi Ile and Dunbar Boroughs, and mary access to these two major arterial highways the Townships of Dunbar and Connellsville, and shopping and employment opportunities in worked to cooperatively assess the Region's Connellsville, Uniontown, and other portions of physical and socio-economic positions. the Pittsburgh Metropof itan Area. The Borough's links with Route 51 and Route 119 also provide This assessment was meant to develop meaningful access to Interstate 70 and the New Stanton region-wide goals and policies to provide a Interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. generil guide for overall regional growth and cooperation, as well as to develop the basic inputs needed to adequately produce comprehensive plans for the member communities of the Connel lsvi I le Area Region, which were directly related to the regional members' own unique positions.

Through the regional planning process, communities within the Connel lsvi I le Area Region learned of area-wide problems and opportunities, and po?ential approaches and solutions to them. Further, and perhaps more important the regional program produced an awareness of an overall physical framework for growth and development within neighboring communities in the Region. It is hoped that this regional awareness will produce a Borough Comprehensive Plan which is not only more responsive to Vanderbilt's unique local needs, but also in di rect conformance with the needs of the tota I region and developmental frameworks proposed for the Borough's adjacent communities.

2 REG IONAL BAS I S

Analyses and recommendat'ions produced by the Connel lsvi I le Area Regional Planning Program provide significant indications of the general future character of Vanderbi It Borough. The following summarizes major elements and findings of the regional planning studies as they relate to Vanderbilt Borough and the context of its Plan. These physiographic, developmental, socio-economic, and regional plan influences provide the essentia I f ramework for the positions that will be established in the Borough?s Comprehensive Plan and help maintain the relevance of the Vanderbi It Plan to overal I regional goals and guidelines established during the Connel lsvi 1 le Area Planning Program.

Physiographic Influences

The topographic drainage and soil characteristics of Vanderbi It's site have provided the major determinants as to the type of development that has occurred within the Borough. These natural influences will continue to exert dominant forces upon the characteristics of future development. The Borough is situated in the Dickerson Run Val ley, with major past growth occupying the flatter land near the floor of the valley and the gentler slopes to the east and the west of the stream's course.

The Borough and the neighboring communities of Dickerson Run and Liberty all lie within the Dickerson Run watershed, with runoff in this drainage area carried by Dickerson Run and its tributary streams through the Borough and into the Youghiogheny River at a point just north of Vanderbilt's site. The location of the Ebrough and its adjacent developed areas within one watershed is important in terms of the provision of future sanitary sewerage service. The economic considerations related to pumping sewage in sewage service areas containing more than one watershed, and the basic cost advantages of being able to supply sewage service on a gravity flow basis in a unified drainage area make the Borough's situation a fortunate oneo

3 The soil associations also provide important Yanderbilt presently relies upon Pennsylvania f i nd i ngs re I ated to san i tary sewage servi ce. Route 201 for access to Route 51 and to U.S. Vanderbi It's site and much of the surrounding Route 119 and the City of Connellsvilie. Currently area is covered by soi Is in the Monongahela- Route 201 carries approximately 5,000 vehicles Philo-Atkins Soil Association. Slow permeability per day di rect ly through the center of the Borough, and high ground water table characteristics creating problems in terms of intensity of traf- associated with these types of soils present fic, dust, dirt and noise and other related con- severe limitations for the installation and the di tions detrimental to the general Borough effective functioning of on-lot sewage disposal env i ronment. systems. Thus, these soils and their disadvan- tages related to the use of septic tanks and soil The Vanderbi It Bypass, programmed by the Penn- absorption systems for sewage disposal indicate sylvania Department of Transportation, will a need for a kentra I i zed sewage col lection and eliminate current through-traffic congestion treatment system in the Vanderbi It area, w i thi n the Borough by re-rout i ng Pennsy I van i a Route 201 to the north of the Borough, al lowing traffic not destined for the Borough to pass Developmental Influences around it, and eliminating the congestion and other adverse effects associated with the Route's In addition to natural features, the existing current path through the center of the Borough. bui It character of the Borough provides an important influence on its future composition. The Borough is served by existing water and The "Regional Oeve lopment Characteristics Map" sewer service. Although existing water service indicates Vanderbilt and the adjacent communi- is adequate, there are problems connected with ties of Liberty and Dickerson Run are made up the sewerage system. These problems relate to of established residential uses in terms of the the discharge of untreated, raw sewage cot lected total Connellsville Area Region, centered on a by the Borough system into Dickerson Run at a small, local business district located within point just north of the Borough. Vanderbi It the central portion of Vanderbilt. This map and Borough is aware of this problem and is currently the "Existing Land Use Map", found later on, studying appropriate treatment faci i ities in ind i cated the i ntens i ve I y deve I oped character cooperation with its neighboring community mem- of Vanderbilt and the immediate area. bers of the Yough i ogheny Sanitary Authority .

With much of the buildable land already occupied Vanderbi It's current situation is characterized by land uses, future growth within this portion by a rather intensively built community, with of the Connellsvi I le Area Region wi II be restric- little available vacant land appropriate for ted to a few, scattered level sites. future development. Occupying the gentler topog- raphy adjacent to Dickerson Run, the community is served by water and sewer utilities, with central sewage collection helping to avoid potenti a I prob I ems reI ated to the poor absorption characteristics of Borough soils. Pennsylvania Route 201 currently passes through the center of Vanderbi It and creates problems related to congestion and traffic intensity; however, anticipated highway improvements will eliminate this problem in the future.

4 0, i route 119 corridor ___. chestnut ridge woodlands r I r RnlPnnnnnnU / DEVELOPMENT CHARACTERISTI CS THE CONNELLSTTILLE AREA REGION c:ih'NmLI,SVTLLS, VUNBAH BOBOJGH SOUTH CONNBLLSVlLLK BOROUGH, VANDERBILT BOROUGH. CONNKLLSVILLH TOWNSHIP. DUNBAR TOWNSHIP FAYKTTE COUNTY, PENNSILVANIA Socio-Economic Influences The expansion of housing opportunities, especially for minority and low-income As with other communities within the Connells- groups. ville Area Region, Vanderbilt's population growth closely paralleled to the success and subsequent As indicated, the Vanderbilt area would continue decline of the coal and coke industry in the area. as a moderate density, urban center within the From its historic high population of around 2,000 Region, with Pennsylvania Route 201 and the in 1910, the Borough has experienced progressive Vanderbilt Bypass effectively linking the population declines to a current population Borough to U.S. 119 and employment, educational, of about 750 persons. and shopping opportunities within the Connells- vi I le-Uniontown corridor. Population and economic studies and projections, conducted as a part of the Connellsville Area Regional Planning Program, indicate a future Borough population level of around 800 by the year 2000. This moderate growth is indicative of the bui It-up character of the Borough and a moderate level of impact of anticipated improved regional economic activities on Vanderbilt's situation.

Reaional Plan Influences

The Regional Development Plan summarizes the future developmental policies for the Connells- ville Area Region as a whole. The Vanderbilt area is anticipated to continue as a desirable residential settlement providing a setting which offers the environmental choice of a smaller sized urban community, having both the attri- butes of smal I town character and urban service conveniences.

The "Conne I I svi I le Area Regiona I PIan" states the basic objectives and overall developmental policies to shape the Comprehensive Plans of regional member communities. Major regional objectives which are directly applicable to Vanderbi It Borough include:

The provision of water and sewer service on the basis of drainage basins, not political boundaries.

' The conservation of steep slope areas.

6 THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN The provision of a safe, decent and sanitary home in a suitable environment, within the income capabilities of all families within the Borough. INTRODUCTION These objectives have been the key to the formu- Vanderbilt Borough's Comprehensive Development lation of the Plan Policies that follow, in an Plan provides statements of basic Borough policy effort to provide sound and rational guidance related to the future character of the community. for the future character of Vanderbi It. These policy statements cover the use of Borough land, street systems necessary to move people and goods through the Borough, and community faci I- Plan Conceot ities and utilities such as parks, public build- i ngs, and water and sewer systems, requi red to The listed Borough planning objectives, recom- serve intensively developed portions of the mendations of the Connel lsvi I le Area Development Borough environment and to provide for the basic PI an, and appropriate ana I yses and reg iona I health and convenience of Borough residents. level plan recommendations, provide the founda- tion for Vanderbilt's Plan. The Concept Plan In addition to these major policy considerations, for the Borough provides a synoptic indication the Plan provides guidelines and criteria by of existing conditions and regional pol icy which the Borough can assess proposals for the influences. The essential elements of the development of remaining portions of the commu- Borough Plan include the maintenance of two major nity. In its function of establishing overall residential neighborhoods on either side of a development policies, the Comprehensive Plan commercia I and natura I recreation core wh i ch for Vanderbi It Borough re1 ies on the fol lowing occupies a linear section of the central portion objectives: of the communi ty.

The encouragement of adequately separated The other organization feature of the Plan is concentrations of compatible land uses in the utilization of existing State Route 201 to an efficient and workable arrangement provide access to the core area and to dis- within the community. tribute traffic within the two major housing areas. This local street function is made The preservation, protection and enhancement possible by the construction of the Vanderbilt of natural open spaces, including the respect Bypass which will eliminate high volume through- of the natural landscape in proposed subdivi- traffic from the Borough. sion plans. The physical goal of providing high density A movement system providing good accessibi I ity housing within the core area to provide a housing within the Borough and between Vanderbi it and alternative close to Borough shops and services, externa I destinations. accessible to major highways, and an activity with characteristics that add life to the center The maintenance of existing sound community of the community is also presented. The Plan faci I i ties and the efficient provision of also indicates a commitment to preserve natura expanded facilities to adequately meet future areas adjacent to Dickerson Run, and the slope needs. areas on the peripheral portions of the commun tY

The provision of adequate and healthful water and sewerage systems to serve intens i ve I y deve I oped areas.

7 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN 201, passing directly through the center of the Borough, Is the major artery for through-traff ic Vanderbilt Borough's Future Land Use Plan expresses and interna I Borough trips. With the construc- a desirable pattern of future development which tion of the Vanderbi It Bypass eliminating through- indicates the type, location, and intensity of traffic on this Borough Street, the route wi I I Borough development activities. The Plan is continue to function as the primary Borough traffic structured in direct conformance with general distributor, with al I major new growth relying regional land use policies, and is based on on this route for access. several major deteninants. These influence factors include the existing pattern of land, Steep slope and heavily wooded areas in the south- location of major transportation facilities, ern, eastern and central portions of the Borough and significant physical shapers of development, and areas of Vanderbilt directly adjacent to primari ly including slope and other natural Dickerson Run are not suited to future intensive features. development because of topographic and access problems. In the future, these areas should be exempted from intensive land uses and left Existing Land Utilization to function as community open space and recrea- ti on-re I ated resources. The "Existing Land Use Map1' for Vanderbi It Borough provides a graphic description of past development activities within the community, As shown, single-family uses predominate with over sixty per cent of the Borough's total developed area of around ninety acres occupied by housing.

Commercial uses are I imited to community-oriented retai I and service functions located within the central portion of the Borough along the major State highway which currently passes through Vanderbi It. Other existing land use types are limited to several churches in the central portion of the community. The "Existing Land Use Map'! also indicates the scarcity of land available within Vanderbilt. As shown, only a few vacant lots exist within the western and eastern fringes of the &>rough, which could experience future residentially-oriented growth. Only about thirty- five acres remain in an undeveloped state within Vanderbi It, with a significant portion of this acreage occupied by steep slopes or wooded areas not particularly suited for intensive urban growth.

Other Land Use Plan Influences

In addition to the existing pattern of development, major Borough streets and natural areas will also contribute to the future development character of the community. Pennsylvania Route

Future Land Use Pol icy Commercial activities shall be restricted to compact, accessible locations, The "Future Land Use Plan" indicates the desi red character of the built community, the location The "Future Land Use Plan Map" indicates a con- and extent of land use activities, and the inten- tinuation of commercial activities within the sity of development. In addition to providing central portion of Vanderbilt. This compact a guide for Borough offiCials relative to the commercial and service function area has pro- future public needs related to land use, it also vided, and should continue to provide, community- provides an overal I guide for individual property oriented retail and service uses. The Plan also owners and Iand deve I opers concern i ng the charac- indicates the continuation of the commercial ter of the future Borough environment. area in the northern portion of the Borough. This area is compact enough to continue function- The "Future Land Use Plan Map" indicates the ing as an established commercial area, and could recommended pattern of Borough development. benefit by improved traffic circulation associated The Plan indlcates a direct relationship to with the Vanderbilt Bypass directly to the north. the existing pattern of land use with the con- No other commercial areas would be encouraged to tinuation of two medium density residential develop in other portions of the Borough because neighborhoods to the east and the west of the of the adequacy of size and location of existing Borough's existing commercial spine adjacent commercial areas, limited commercial markets to Pennsylvania Route 201. The Plan suggests within the Borough, and the potential adverse a continuation of this compact commercial core impact additional commercial development may have and the establishment of complementary rnultiple- on the predominately residential character of family and parklng activities within the area. rema i n i ng porti ons of the Borough. The Plan also suggests the protection of the narrow Oickerson Run valley through the center of the Borough, and steep slope areas in peripheral Existing medium density residential portions of Vanderbilt as naturally-oriented neighborhoods s hac Zd be preserved conservation and recreation areas. The Plan and enhanced. further indicates potential major industrial development activities which could occur to the Much of the Borough's past residential develop- northwest of Vanderbilt. In this area, a 142 ment has occurred at moderate densities in two acre industrial area is currently being studied major neighborhoods located east and west of the and considered by the Fayette County Development Borough's commercial core. In the future, these Council. Industrial activities that might locate neighborhoods should be protected at a density on this potential site could include one single consistent with the existlng levels of land utlli- industry or several smaller production facilities zation or approximately six to eight families of the light manufacturing type. per acre. As indicated, this density would be compatible with the existing level of development The following policies are provided as basic in these neighborhoods and possibly because of guides for the type, location and d stribut on the existence of central water and sewerage facll- of the Borough's future development activi t es . i ties to serve these neighborhoods.

High residential densities can occur in areas of the Bornugh with canpatible acaessibility and service characteristics.

The "Future Land Use Plan'' indicates several areas which could experience multiple-family residential growth in the future. These include portions of downtown Vanderbilt and an existing mu1 ti-fami ly area recommended for improvement and - rehabi I i tation in the southern portion of the Borough. In these areas provided with good street access and in close proximity to retai I and service functions, garden apartment or town- house development should be encouraged. This sort of development would provide a choice of a Iternat ive hous i ng types to Borough res i dents and provide some vitality and activity to ths centra I area of Vanderb i It.

Existing natura I, wooded, and steep s lope areas should be preserved and pmtected as natwaZ open space resources,

The "Future Land Use Plan" indica+es preservation of the Dickerson Run Creek Valley and wooded and slope areas in peripheral portions of the Borough as natural areas. The Dickerson Run corridor provides separation between the Borough's commercial core and adjacent residential neighborhoods, open space amenity, and opportunity for limited recreational and trails development through the central portion of the Borough. Steep slope areas offer additional open space amenity and help to frame the existing and projected pattern of land use. In addition to these functions, the natural areas on the northern border of Vander- b i It Borough cou I d he I p buffer Borough housing from the potential industrial tract just to the north of the Borough.

Significant public and recreational sites shalt be identified and protected.

The Oickerson Run Val ley offers many opportunities for recreational development consistent with the natural character of this area. Future intensive growth should be prohibited in this area and recreational facilities, including trails and developed parks, established in this natural corridor.

12 PLRN FOR THE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE AND GOODS To comp Zement the improved circu Zation system, parking Opportunities within the centmZ portion of the Borough should be The Borough's Transportation Plan re1 ies entirely improved. on the utilization of the existing Borough street system to meet Vanderbiltls future traffic dis- W i th the remova I of h i gh-vo I ume, through-traf f i c tribution needs. With the construction of the from the central portion of the Borough, the Vanderb i It Bypass to the north of the Borough, business district will be able to function more existing portions of State Route 201 passing effectively as a commercial and service center. through the central section of Vanderbi It can The "Movement PIan" suggests severa I opportunities then function as local traffic carriers. for parking improvements which would supplement improved business area circulation and provide vehicle storage opportunities close to existing Former eZements of State Route 202 shaZZ commercial and service enterprises. As shown, function as the major Borough traffic- a small parking lot is recommended for a location carrier in the future. on Church Street between Walnut and existing State Route 201. Additional off-street parking With the programmed oonstruction of the Vanderb i I t spaces could be constructed as part of the devel- Bypass, existing Route 201 can function as a cen- opment of the town square proposal just to the tral spine road serving to carry traffic through northwest of the small parking lot. the central portion of the Borough to the Vander- bilt Bypass, and serving to distribute traffic to the commercial core of the Borough and to its Natura 2 Zy oriented pedestrian movement two major residential neighborhoods. As indicated systems should be created within the by the "Movement Plan Map", several improvements Borough. are suggested to improve internal circulation. These include alignment improvements in the north- The "Movement Plan" also suggests the location central portion of Vanderbilt to expedite and for a trail within the Dickerson Run Valley which encourage smoother traffic flow to the central could provide hiking and other recreational walk- business area, and the possible creation of a ing opportunities and serve to link the areals one-way loop street system in the Borough's cen- various residential neighborhoods to the central tral business area. A suggested loop system recreation f aci I ity recommended with in the Vander- would utilize Walnut Street for northbound traffic bilt business district. This trail could also and existing State Route 201 for traffic flow be uti I i zed to provide I inks from the Borough to to the south through the central business area. the Youghiogheny River to the north, and to the These one-way designations, coupled with align- ball field facility just to the south of the ment improvements where Route 201 and Walnut Street Borough . join at the north of the business area, would create an efficient and smoothly functioning central area circulation system. With Walnut Street and existing portions of Route 201 func. tioning as major streets to carry and distribute traffic through the Borough, a I I other Borough streets would essentially function as local streets leading on to these two major streets.

13 Loca I Streets

The cost for the construction of local streets should be borne by the land developer and by the new residents or new users of land gaining from the installation of the streets. All local streets should be constructed in accordance with sound practices and adequate standards to ensure safe, durable and permanent local traffic carrying facilities. The Borough should review all local streets proposed for construction to assure that they are designed to construction standards that are suitable and adequate. In developing local street systems, adequate standards of construction and materials shall be observed to ensure proper performance of local streets in the future, and in order to avoid inor- dinate maintenance costs and other problems .

14 dolo: may 1.72

BOROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION MOVEMENT PLAN

BECKMAN YODER and SEAY INC VAN DERBILT BOROUGH planners and Imdscope architects FAYETJE COUNTY. PENNSYLVANIA COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND UTILITIES PLAN Two small parks are also being proposed for Van- derbilt. The Borough presently owns one site in the eastern res i dent i a I sect i on and i s negot i ati ng for a site near Mi I I Street in the central busi- Community Facilities Plan ness area. These small sites could be quite effectively developed as neighborhood playgrounds. Vanderbi It Borough currently enjoys a fairly adequate range of community facilities including its Access to the central Borough park facilities Borough Bui lding and Volunteer Fire Station. could be provided by the trails suggested by the However, there are opportunities for improvement Borough's "Movement Plan". In addition to this in the range of community faci I ities particularly access, the trails could also expand the recrea- in the area of recreational activities. tional opportunities avai lable within the Borough's park system by establishing access to the natural area along Dickerson Run and by providing linkages An adequate range of cornunity facilities to nearby river recreational and natural areas, shalZ be maintdned and expanded to effi- i nc I udi ng Yough iogheny River to the north. ciently md effectiveZy meet the expanding met needs of the Borough. In addition to developing these locally-oriented facilities, the Borough should support the con- The "Community Faci I ities Plan" indicates the cept of a regional park system. maintenance and continuation of the existing Fire Station, but proposed construction of a new Borough Building. The Plan recommends construc- Vcmderbilt Borough supports the concept tion of a Borough Building in conjunction with of a regional park system for the Connells- the proposed Town Square. The poor condition viZZe Area and shaZZ work tmard the im- of the exi sting Borough off i ces, necess i tate pzementation of the regional park sptem. more immediate action by the Borough. Recently, negotiations have commenced to purchase and utilize The proposed regional parks for the Connel lsvi I le the existing structure on the southern side of Area which could provide significant service to the intersection of Church Street and Pennsylvania the Vanderbilt Area include the Island Regional Route 201. The utilization of this structure, Park directly to the east in the Youghiogheny though not indicated on the "Community Facilities River and the Leisenring Regional Park located Plan Map" could prove to be a successful alter- in central Dunbar Township about two miles south native to municipal needs. of Vanderbilt Borough. The Leisenring facility could significantly augment Vanderbilt Borough's In addition to these municipal facilities, a developed recreational facilities, In addition number of recreational proposals are shown by to this, Borough residents could enjoy other the Plan. Regional recreational need determina- regional parks located in Dunbar and ConneIIs- tions indicate recreational deficiencies of around ville Townships including the Reservoir Hill and seven acres. It is recommended that neighborhood Chestnut Ridge Parks. parks be developed at locations as 'shown on the "Community Faci I ities Plan Map!'. The largest recreational facility would take advantage of the natural area provided by the Dickerson Run corridor and include playground facilities and and community park facilities adjacent to the central business area. The central area park should be integrated with the proposed Town Square and activities developed for both passive and active recreational use,

16 EXISTING PROPOSED

NEIGHBORHOOD PARK -7 PARKS AND OPEN SPACE

FIRE STATION

BOROUGH BUILDING

POST OFFICE

PARKING

TOWN SQUARE

COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN BOROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION VAN DERBI LT BOROUGH FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA Uti I i ties Plan

Vanderbilt Borough is currently served by central water distribution and a central sewage collection system. Whi le both systems are general ly adequate to serve existing and project needs, treatment facilities will be necessary for efflu- ent that is currently discharged from the Vander- bi It system into Dickerson Run just to the north of the Borough. Vanderbi It is currently coopera- ting with Dunbar Township, Dickerson Run, Liberty, and Dawson in the Yough iogheny San itary Author i ty to upgrade the Borough's sewerage system and to provide sanitary sewage collection and treatment to intensively developed areas in this portion of the Connellsville Area Region. Immediate recommendat ions of the Sanitary Authori ty for the Borough would include the extension of trunk sewers to link the Borough's collection system with the proposed treatment plant north of the Youghiogheny River near Dawson.

Solid Waste

Vanderbi It Borough currently generates approxi - mately 380 tons of solid waste annually. Most of this solid waste comes from residential sources. Preliminary findings of the Fayette County Solid Waste Plan indicate two alternatives in meeting the Borough's and the Connellsville Area's solid waste disposal needs.

The first solid waste proposal would be the construction of a new sanitary landfill to serve the Borough and the general Region in a location to the west on a 500 acre site in Franklin Town- ship. A possible alternative to a new landfil I in Franklin Township would be the construction of a transfer station in the vicinity of the City of Connel lsvi I le, with the transfer of sol id wastes from this facility to the J & J Landfill in central Fayette County. Either of these methods should be adequate to solve the future solid waste disposal needs in Vanderbilt.

18 HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM An Improved Physical Setting for Housing -- Physical improvements recommended by the A significant proportion -- over fifty per cent -- Borough's Comprehensive Plan include the devel- of Vanderbilt's housing supply is in substandard opment of a number of recreation facilities in condition. As shown by the "Poor Housing Areas the central portion of the Borough and the Map", much of the Boroughss poor housing is development of trail systems to link these concentrated in three areas -- in the western, faci I ities to the Borough neighborhoods. The northern and southeastern portions of the Borough. Borough Plan also seeks to estab I ish a pattern The Borough's poor housing conditions are related of complementary land uses, with the effective to resident inabi I ity to provide proper mainten- separation of commercial and residential areas ance and upkeep, either because of age and low and the concentration of business areas in income or large family size coupled with insuffi- compact configurations to avoid conflicts cient income. In addition, age has contributed between non-compatible land uses, The Borough to substandard conditions within the Borough, Plan also attempts to improve the overall with practically all of the Borough's housing physical environment for housing through the resources being constructed before 1939. the provision of a more efficient transportation system. These improvements will come about primari ly because of the programmed Hous i ng Resource PIan Vanderbilt Bypass, which will ellminate internal traffic congestion and intensity with the The "Housing Resource Plan" for the Borough is associated blighting influences. The accessi- oriented directly toward the promotion of stable bi I ity of Borough housing neighborhoods to residential environments within the community area jobs and other shopping and cultural and toward the improvement of existing substandard opportunities should also increase. This hous i ng . programmed highway facility utilized an alignment which would cause a minimum dislocation Efforts shall be extended to eliminate of housing within the Borough. Further, substandard housing conditions and to related to an overall improved physical setting 11 expand the supply of low and moderate is the Borough's Comprehensive Plan recommenda- income housing within the Borough. tion for residential densities consistent with the existing intensity of residential I The Housing Resource Plan attempts to achieve growth and consistent with the capabilities this policy in a number of areas, including: of the Borough's facilities and public utilities. This would entail an urban type residen- Public Facilities Improvement -- Recommended tial density within the two major housing neigh- I public facilities improvements include im- borhoods and higher densities associated with proved sewage collection and treatment for multiple-fami ly housing types in the central the entire Borough; upgrading of the Borough portions of the Borough which are more acces- i central business district in terms of improved sible to highway, retai I, and recreational parking as well as recreational and other faci I i ties. I public facilities. I 1 i I 19 The Fostering of Social Viability and a Sense There are a number of programs to expand the of Community -- The "Housing Resource Plan" supply of low and moderate income housing re- indicates a number of areas where activities sources within the Borough. These include the may be implemented to increase the sense of F.H.A.'s Home Ownership Program (Section 235) community present within Vanderbi It. The pro- wh ich encourages deve lopers to provi de new posed Town Square in the central business dis- singfe-family housing for low and moderate in- trict area would serve to provide a cmmunity come families and individuals coupled with the focus and activity center for the Vanderbilt sale of existing sound housing to lower income comm-nity. This type of square would integrate groups. Whi le the "235" Program may be used commercial, recreational, semi-public and high to expand single-family housing resource, the dens ity hous ing opportun it ies to provi de an Federa I Hous ing Adm in istrati on s "236" deve I- outlet for activities of interest to the opments are sponsored by non-profit or I imited- entire Borough in a tangible manifestation of profit developers and rented to low or moderate community spirit. In addition to the Town income persons. Further, the rent supplement Square, oper! space proposals of the Comprehen- feature of the "236" program could serve to sive Plan for the Dickerson Run areas and the further reduce rental costs up to forty per wooded slopes on the periphery of the community cent for occupants. would help to define and add amenity to the Community. In addition to these major physical In addition to these programs which could be improvements, an acti ve and ongoi ng citi Zen carried out in cooperation with the Fayette participation process is recommended to help County Redevelopment Author i ty, a number of instill a sense of community responsibility housing programs could be implemented through in the Borough residents and to allow them to the assistance of the Fayette County Housing participate directly in the planning and local Authority. The more traditional pub1 ic housing governmenta I process. approach could be followed to meet the housing needs of certain groups particularly the aged. The Creation of a Diversity of Housing Choice -- the "Hous I ng Resource Map" i nd i cates severa I In the central portion of the Borough, a number activities to augment housing choice within of potential renewal project areas are shown. the Borough. These include the encouragement These renewal projects carried out under the of higher density housing within the central Neighborhood Development Program offered by area of the Borough including multiple-family the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Devel- units for families and individuals and a sug- opment would be developed in conjunction with gested development of elderly housing. In the Fayette County Redeve lopment Author ity , and addition to these higher density housing oppor- include the clearing of presently blighted areas tunities, the Plan suggests areas within the for re-use as housing for the elderly. This Borough that could be utilized as single-family program would require cooperation with the housing resources to supplement the existing Fayette County Housing Authority. Subsidized supply of housing. multiple-family housing is also recommended for an area in the southern portion of the Borough. This subsidized multi-family housing could be of a variety of types ranging from a public housing development in cooperation with the Fayette County Hous i ng Authority to 1123611 housing developed in cooperation with the Fayette County Housing Authority. In the single-family neighborhoods of the Borough, the F.H.A. 235 Home Ownership Program could be used to augment the range of sing'e-family housing choice in the area. housing conditions

standard

El7conservable substandard undetermined '-bp I I I poor housing concentration LA

date: may1972 BOROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION POOR HOUSING AREAS BECKMAN YODER and SEAY INC VAN DERBILT BOROUGH plmosrr wd londscope o(chilscis FAYETTE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA I 1

The Elimination of Substandard Housing and In addition to a housing code, the Borough Preservation of Sound Housing -- A number of should consider the adoption of a building I programs and controls could be adopted to - code. Building codes general ly fa1 I into help eliminate current substandard housing con- either of two classifications -- Specification ditions within the Borough, and help to pre- or Performance Codes. Specification codes I serve the quality of existing sound housing. indicate the exact materials which can or must These would include housing code enforcement be used in each part of building construction. programs carried out either at the Borough or Performance Codes indicate the standard per- Regional level or, perhaps, in cooperation with formance which must be met by building materials. 1 the Fayette County Redevelopment Authori ty as Because of its structure, the Performance code part of the contemplated Code Enforcement permits a greater latitude with respect to Demonstration Program, and adoption and enforce- acceptable construction materials and allows I ment of a Bui I d i ng Code to provi de proper for both market and design innovations. As a standards for future construction within the result, better housing usual ly can be produced Borough. at less cost because it is less specific in i its workings. Yet the code achieves the same As indicated by the "Housing Resource Map", basic purpose as the Specification Code. It three areas of concentrated poor housing should is strongly recommended that a Performance receive initial emphasis under the code enforce- type code be adopted because of its flexibility 1 ment program. The housing code would be system- and Iongorun savings to the community. atically applied to all existing units within the Borough to make sure that they had adequate Of the Performance codes used extensively in I space, structural fire and safety equipment this country, two are directly applicable to and property maintenance characteristics to Vanderb i I t Borough, These are the Nati ona I ensure the health and safety of the residents. Bui lding Code and the Building Officials Con- - i ference of America Code (BOCA), both of which As indicated, the housing code could be enforced are published in an abridged form which is more by Boro.ugh personnel or with Borough adoption suited for smal ler communities. Both of these of a Modellordinance, enforcement could occur codes are revised on a regular basis to recog- I at either the level of the ConneI lsvi I le Area nize acceptable new products and procedures. Region through a joint program there or in Copies of these codes may be obtained from the cooperation with the Fayette County Redevelop- American Insurance Association, 35 John Street, I ment Authority through some type of housing New York, N.Y. 10038; and the Building Officials code enforcement demonstration program. Conference of America, Inc., 1525 East 53rd Street, Chicago, Illinois. I With Borough adoption of a performance type bui lding code, enforcement could be carried out under options similar to those related to I - the housing code. These include enforcement by Borough personnel, enforcement by regional agencies which could combine building and I hous i ng code enforcement a Iong w i th regi ona I zoning and subdivision administration, or the code may be enforced by a potentially available County enforcement agency, which would contract I with individual communities to provide inspec- tion and enforcement procedures necessary under the code. 1 I 22 1 THE COMPREHENS I VE PLAN

The "Comprehens i ve PIan Map" for Vanderb i It Borough provides a summary of previously dis- cussed Plan elements and indicates the relationship of future land use, transportation systems, and community service facilities such as parks, fire stations, and pub1 ic bui Idings.

Reaional Relationshitxi

The "Comprehensive Plan Map" for the Borough also indicates adjacent area land use proposals suggested by the ConneI lsvi I le Area Plan. As shown, conservation and residential uses recommended for areas of Vanderbi It Borough adjacent to neighboring areas in Dunbar Township are directly consistent with future land use proposals for the Township.