2010 Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan Update Final Plan
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2010 Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan Update Final Plan Prepared for: The Township of Upper Southampton Bucks County, PA Prepared by: Upper Southampton Township Planning Commission Pennoni Associates, Inc. Economic Development Associates Date of Adoption: November 3, 2010 Administration Building, 939 Street Road, Southampton, PA 18966-4787, Ph. (215) 322-9700 www.southamptonpa.com 2010 Comprehensive Plan Update Upper Southampton Board of Supervisors Lola G. Biuckians, Chair Marguerite C. Genesio, Vice-chair Walter C. Stevens, Secretary/Treasurer Stephen Wallin, Asst. Secretary/Treasurer Keith E. Froggatt, Member Joseph W. Golden, Township Manager Upper Southampton Comprehensive Plan Committee (Planning Commission) Stanley Gawel, Chair Franz Kautz, Vice-chair Lisa Deubel, Secretary (former member) David Faust, member David George, member Ray Grossmuller, member Lou Ann Hingley, member Stephen Stadler, member Nancy Triscoli, Recording Secretary (Special thanks to the many public participants for their valuable comments and input) Professional Planning Assistance Provided by Pennoni Associates Inc. 3001 Market Street, Second Floor Drexel Plaza Philadelphia, PA 19104 P: 215-222-3000 – F: 215-222-0598 www.pennoni.com This document was prepared with financial assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development through a Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program (LUPTAP) Grant. 2010 Upper Southampton Comprehensive Plan Update TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapters Description Pages Chapter 1 Introduction & Purpose 1-1 to 1-5 • Background • Planning Process • Structure of the Plan • PA Municipalities Planning Code Compliance Chapter 2 Guiding Goals and Objectives 2-1 to 2-8 • Vision for the Future • 1998 Plan’s Goals, Objectives, Policies • 2010 Plan’s Overall Goals and Objectives • Summary Chapter 3 Existing Land Use & Zoning 3-1 to 3-6 • General Description and Development Patterns • Current Land Use Plan (2010) • Recent Changes in Land Use • Zoning • Summary • Recommendations Chapter 4 Township Characteristics 4-1 to 4-8 • Introduction • Brief History • General Demographics • Analysis • Summary Chapter 5 Natural and Historic Resources 5-1 to 5-14 • Introduction • Natural Resources Elements, Recommendations, Summary • Historic Resources Elements, Recommendations, Summary Chapter 6 Economics & Economic Development 6-1 to 6-4 • Economics and the Comprehensive Plan • Current Economic Conditions • Projected Economic Conditions • Economic Status of the Township • The 2010 Census Data • Review of the Objectives of the 1998 Plan’s Economic Development Chapter • Relationship to the Revitalization Plan Chapter • Considerations for the Future TC-1 Chapter 7 Transportation & Circulation 7-1 to 7-17 • Introduction • Goals and Objectives • Inventory of Travel Modes • Prior Planning Studies & Planning Principles • Recommendations • Funding Programs Chapter 8 Recreation and Community Facilities 8-1 to 8-15 • Parks, Recreation, and Open Space • Educational Facilities • Southampton Free Library • Municipal Services • Health Care Facilities • Goals and Objectives • Summary Chapter 9 Utilities 9-1 to 9-8 • Introduction • Utilities Services • Solid Waste Management • Stormwater Management • Electricity Service • Energy Efficiency and Sustainability • Issues and Recommendations for Action Planning • Relationships to Growth, Land Use, and Revitalization Chapter 10 Housing 10-1 to 10-12 • Overview • Existing Housing Characteristics • Recommended Actions: Residential Development • Sustainable Design Applicability Chapter 11 Revitalization Plan 11-1 to 11-13 • Introduction and Purpose • Past Planning Efforts • Current Regional Influences/Patterns • Corridors for Revitalization • Current Land Uses/Gap Analysis for Future Land Uses • Measures for Revitalization • Revitalization and Sustainability • Goals, Objectives, Implementation Recommendations, and Next Steps • Summary Chapter 12 Growth Areas & Future Land Use Plan 12-1 to 12-11 • Introduction and Purpose • Overall Planning Issues • Special Study Areas • Vacant Parcels in Existing Residential Districts/Neighborhoods • Parks, Floodplains, and Wetlands • Recommendations Summary – Future Directions TC-2 Chapter 13 Plan Relationships and Compatibility 13-1 to 13-11 • Introduction • Relationship Between Plan Components • Compatibility with Surrounding Municipalities, and Planning Documents • Summary Observations and Conclusions Chapter 14 Plan of Action 14-1 to 14-15 • Understanding • Development Today and Projected Changes • Plan Chapters’ Goals and Objectives, Funding Sources, Time Frames, and Responsible Parties • Summary LISTING OF TABLES, EXHIBITS, MAPS (by Chapter) Chapter 3 Existing Land Use and Zoning Table 3.1 – 2005 Land Use (square miles and percentages) 3-4 Table 3.2 – Land Use Zoning Category Breakdown 3-5 Map 1 – Zoning Map 3- 5 a. Chapter 4 Township Characteristics Map 2 – General Features Map 4- 2 a. Table 4.1 – Population, 2000 4-3 Table 4.2 – Projected Population, 2000-2035 4-4 Table 4.3 – Population by Age group, 2000 4-4 Table 4.4 – Population Age Cohort Analysis 4-5 Table 4.5 – Racial Composition, 2000 4-5 Table 4.6 – Educational Attainment, 2000 4-6 Table 4.7 – Income and Poverty, 2000 4-6 Table 4.8 – Occupation, 2000 4-7 Table 4.9 – Employment Forecast, 2000-2035 4-7 Chapter 5 Natural and Historic Resources Map 3 – Natural Resources Features – Hydrology 5- 4 a. Chapter 7 Transportation and Circulation Table 7.1 – Urbanized Area Functional Classification characteristics 7-3, 4 Table 7.2 – Average Daily Traffic Volume 7-4 Table 7.3 – SEPTA Regional Rail Locations 7-6 Figure 7.1 – Bike Route Map 7-7 Table 7.4 – Funding Programs 7-16, 17 TC-3 Chapter 8 Recreation and Community Facilities Table 8.1 – Upper Southampton Recreational Facilities 8-2 Table 8.2 – Enrollment in Elementary Schools, 2005-2008 8-6, 7 Table 8.3 – Enrollment in Middle Schools, 2005-2008 8-7 Table 8.4 – Enrollment in High School, 2005-2008 8-7 Table 8.5 – Centennial School District Elementary Schools – 8-8 Existing Conditions Table 8.6 – General Hospitals, 2000-2001 8-13 Table 8.7 – General Hospital Statistics, 2000-2001 8-14 Table 8.8 – Nursing Homes, 2006 8-14 Table 8.9 – Nursing Home Statistics, 2006 8-14 Chapter 9 Utilities Map 4 – Sanitary Sewerage Service Areas 9-1.a Map 5 – Water Supply Service Areas 9-1.b Chapter 10 Housing Table 10.1 – Residential Composition & Characteristics, 10-2 Definitions, 2000 Table 10.2 – Housing Types, 2000 10-2 Table 10.3 – Occupied Housing Units, by Year Built, 2000 10-3 Table 10.4 – Value of specified Owner-occupied Housing Units, 10-6 2000 Table 10.5 – Nursing Homes, 2006 10-7 Table 10.6 – Nursing Home Statistics, 2006 10-8 Table 10.7 – Housing Units Authorized by Residential 10-8 Building Permits, 2000-2007 Table 10.8 – Projected Housing Growth, 2000-2020 10-9 Chapter 12 Growth Areas & Future Land Use Plan Map 6 – Future Land Use Plan Map 12- 1 a. APPENDIX A. Glossary of Terms, Zoning Tables, and Acronyms A-1 to A-11 B. Summary of Public/Resident Survey Responses B-1 to B-11 C. Minutes of Meetings with the Southampton Business and Professionals Association, C-1 to C-4 and the Owners, Occupants, and Operators of the Industrial Area Businesses D. Library Strategic Plans D-1 to D-4 E. Data Sources and Resources E-1 TC-4 2010 Upper Southampton Comprehensive Plan Update Chapter 1, Introduction and Purpose A. Introduction, Purpose, and Background Upper Southampton last updated its Comprehensive Plan in 1998. Certain recommendations of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan materialized, indicating that such planning provides a proactive approach to accommodating change and can assist the Township in realizing many of its goals. In 1998, the now- recognized need for sustainable actions and activities was not a current issue then. The intervening years have shown that planning for sustainability is a paramount concern, therefore this Plan update seeks to address this topic from the prospective and with the principles of Smart Growth, Green Growth, and Sustainability. Although changes within the Township over the past 11 or so years have been modest because of its urban/suburban condition, Upper Southampton must plan for a sustainable future, one that enhances the quality of life and promotes economic vitality with renewed vigor. Thus, the Township’s initiative to update the 1998 Comprehensive Plan is very timely. This update of the Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan is prepared under the authority granted by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to municipalities to prepare comprehensive plans in accordance with the provisions of the PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC). Article III of the MPC provides requirements regarding the content and information that must be included as part of a comprehensive plan. A comprehensive plan should provide a foundation for local planning in a regional-context, a ready resource containing the policies that guide land use decisions in a community. It can help a community to shape and/or re-shape its future by guiding the formulation of zoning and subdivision ordinances, the acquisition/preservation of open space, transportation improvements, the protection of natural and historic resources, the provision of community facilities, and appropriate commercial, retail, and industrial revitalization. This update is intended to ensure that the Upper Southampton Township Comprehensive Plan continues to serve as such a resource. The plan provides a road map for housing, land use, community facilities, and transportation.