Conneaut Township Comprehensive Plan Crawford County, Pennsylvania

CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CRAWFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

BOARD OF TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS Robert Laird - Chairman Rankin Manning John Uzarski Sally A. Gillette - Secretary

TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION George Sparber - Chairman Ed Shelatz - Vice Chairman Larry Schmidt - Secretary Russell Loucks Lois Denison Herb Giles Lina Stark

THIS PLAN WAS PREPARED BY THE CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP PLANNING COM- MISSION WITH TECHNICAL HELP FROM THE. CRAWFORD COUNTY PLANNING COM- MISSION UNDER A GRANT FROM THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION.

SEPTEMBER 1981 CRAWFORD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION STAFF MEMBERS WHO PARTICIPATED IN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP

Edward P. Edinger Planning Director

Christopher C. Chaffee Branch Office Director

* John T. Peck Project Planner

Cindi Lou Burnley Secretary

Terry Oaks Draftsman

Lois J. May Secretary

Robert Hopkins Draftsman

Lynne Kardosh Cover Design

.. Page

INTRODUCTION 1

BACKGROUND INFORMATION EARLY HISTORY OF CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP 3 NATURAL CONDITIONS - PHYSIOGRAPHY 7 EXISTING LAND USE 9 Introduction 9 Land Use Patterns 10 NATURAL RESOURCES 21 Introduction 21 Soils Influence on Development 21 Ground Water Resources 25 Surface Water and Flooding 29 Gas and Oil Resources 30 Vegetation, Forest Resources, and Wildlife 32 COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES 33 Introduction 33 Municipal Governance 33 Utilities 35 Police Protection 39 Fire Protect ion 39 Health and Emergency Services 40 Parks and Recreation 41 Schools 41 Library 42 Solid Waste Disposal 42 Social Opportunities and Services 43 Transport at ion 43 POPULATION 49 Introduction 49 Current Population 49 Population Trends 50 Population Forecast 55 U. S. Steel Related Growth 56 MUNICIPAL FISCAL ANALYSIS 58 Introduct ion 58 Township Revenue Sources 58 Township Expenditures 62 Summary of Receipts and Expenditures 63 Debt Limitat ion 64 Overall Tax Burden 64 Conclusion 65 HOUS I NG 66 Introduction 66 Existing Conditions 66 Growth Indicators 68 ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 70 Introduction 70 Employment 70 Income 75

ii REGIONAL CONTEXT 78 Introduction 78 Relationships to --d.jacent lun icipal it -es 78 Social, Economic, and Institutional Ties 79 Relationships on a County-Wide/Regional Planning Basis 80 U. S. Steel Plant Site 81 -THE PLAN 83 Plan Introduction 83 Community Development Goals 83 FUTURE LAND USE PLAN 87 Introduction 87 Land Use Goal 87 Land Use Policies 88 TRANSPORTATION PLAN 97 Introduction 97 Transport at ion Goal 97 Transportation Policies, Programs, and Projects 97 Road System 97 Airport 106 Railroad 107 Other Transportat ion Modes 107 COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES PLAN 108 Introduction . 108

Community Facilities and Services Goal 108 ~ Community Facilities and Services, Policies, Programs and Projects 1 108 ~ HOUSING PLAN 114 Introduction 114 Housing Goal 114 Housing Policies 114 IMPLEMENTATION 117 Introduction 117 Programs and Projects 117 Implement ation Tools 118 The Plan as a Continuing Process 125

APPENDICES APPENDIX 1 126 Supporting Material 126 APPENDIX 2 127 Total Municipal Revenues 1976-1980 127 Total Municipal Expenditures 1976-1980 128 APPENDIX 3 129 Revision Page 129

TABLES 1. Land Use Accounts for Existing Land Uses Conneaut Township - January 1981 20 2. Population by Age and Sex - Conneaut Township - 1970 49

iii 3. Population Comparisons 1810-1980 50 4. Population 1940-70 Percentages by Age Group and Sex 52 1 5. Comparison of Population Trends - Conneaut Valley Area 1940-1980 6. Comparison of Population Trends - Linesville 53 Area, Crawford County, Pennsylvania, 1 United States 1970-80 7. Summary of Receipts and Expenditures - Conneaut Township 1976-1980 5458 1 8. Trends in Assessed Valuation and Millage Rates Conneaut Township 1976-1980 9. Effect of Taxes on Average Family - Conneaut 59 I Township 1978 65 10. Supply and Condition of Housing - Conneaut Valley Area - 1970 11. Iiousing Units by Condition - Conneaut Township - 1970 66 12. Trend Indicators - Growth Since 1976 13. Labor Force Characteristics - Conneaut Township and Crawford County - 1969 14. Employment by Major Industry - Conneaut Township and Crawford County - 1969 7072 1 15. Employment by Major Occupation - Conneaut Town- ship and Crawford County - 1969 16. Location of Employment by County, State and 73 Municipality - Conneaut Township - 1980 74 1 17. Five Year Income Comparisons - Conneaut Valley and Crawford County - (1970-1975) 18. Incorrle Ranges for Persons 14 Years and Older 75 I by Sex Conneaut Township Residents 1969-1979 76 1 MAPS AND FIGURES Three County Regional Map 2 1 Map of Corxeaut Township (1876) 6 Existing Land Use Bedrock Geology - Conneaut Township 27l9 1 Figure 1. - Geologic Cross Section, Running West to East Approximately Along Line of Wheeler Road 28 Electric Utilities 3836 1 Other Utility Lines ’ Average Daily Traffic Figure 2. - Average Revenue and Expenditures Conneaut Township, 1976-1980 4660 I Future Land Use Plan 96

iv INTRODUCTION

Spurred by the U.S. Steel Corporation's proposal to build a fully integrated steel making plant on the shores of Lake Erie only fourteen rnjles to the north, the Applachjan Regional Cornrnission (ARC) responded admirably to requests from state and county officials and agreed to fund a planning program for the municipalities in western Crawford County. This program was established to assist these local municipalities in preparing plans in anticipation of growth impacts from this industrial complex. Conneaut Township determined that it would be wise to get involved in such a program.

U. S. Steel officials indicate that there could be 8,500 workers at their "greenfield" plant by 1988, if construction starts in the early ~O'S,and the number of construction workers at the peak of construction is estimated at 10,500. The total impact population for Pennsylvania and Ohio combined is estimated at about 40,000 people with each state gaining about 20,900 new people in the impact area. Crawford County could see a population increase from U. S. Steel related growth of between 5,500 and 5,800 people by 1990. The planning grant provided by ARC was adrninistrered by the North- west Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Cornrnission. The grant was received locally by the CrswPord County Planning Corn- mission whose staff helped the Conneaut Township Supervisors establish a planning cornrnission in December of 1980. Since then the Plan- ning Commission, which consists of seven cjtizen members, has worked long hard hours toward the completion of chis comprehensive plan. The Cornrnission is appointed by the Supervisors and members serve without compensation. The plan's goals, policies, and recornrnended programs and projects were formulated primarily by the Conneaut Town- ship Planning Cornrnission. They were developed in order to represent the expectations, preferences, and future needs of Township residents.

The Planning.Cornmission emphasizes the fact that this document is purely an advisory document. Statements of policy are to be clearly considered recommendations and are -not to be misinterpreted in any other way.

This comprehensive plan report is organized into four areas;

Introduction Background Information

, Regional Context The Plan

For the reader who is not aware of Conneaut Township's location in relationship to the proposed U. S. Steel plant site, the balance of Crawford County, and the neighboring counties to the north and west, a Three County Regional Map follows this introduction.

I EARLY HISTORY OF CONNEAUT TOWb!SHIP I Conneaut Township was organized on July 9, 1800 as one of the 11 original townships in Crawford County. The following areas were included within its original boundaries: the southern half of 1 present Conneaut Township (the northern half was part of the original Beaver Township), the southwest corner of Summerhill Township, the western part of Summit and Sadsbury Townships, all 1 of Pine Township, and most of North Shenango Township. Later, in 1829, Conneaut was reduced to its present limits by a re-f ormat ion of township lines. I Settlement of the Township began in 1797 or earlier. By this time Jabez Colt, an agent of the Pennsylvania Population Land Company which owned most of the land in the township, had built a grist 1 mill and saw mill at the settlement 'called Colt's Station. This was done to stimulate immigration to these lands; however, the place did not flourish and after remaining there several years 1 the settlement was abandoned. (Research indicates that the sitel of this settlement may have been near present day Center Road.) 1 During the first years of settlement, around 1800, a large number of the tracts of land obtained from the land company were either sold or abandoned by the first settlers. This was because the labor of clearing timber was extremely ardous and because the soil I often was found too low and wet to produce crops.

Therefore, the Township settled slowly. As late as 1830 there I were still few settlers in Conneaut, but as the land was cleared it became drier and more tillable and settlers flocked in. (The population increased from 547 in 1830 to 1,526 in 1840.) Farms I were well stocked and highly improved by the late 1800's with a peak of development occuring in 1860 when the population was recorded at 1,867. i The first grist and saw-mill was built by Issac Paden, prior to 1800, on Padens' Run (presumably present day Paden Creek) in the southwest part of Conneaut. The grist mill was a small affair, 1 and was operated only at intervals when sufficient head of water had accumulated to run the mill. i The first school was probably taught about 1810, by Thomas McGGire, in a cabin which stood near the deserted Colt's Station. In 1818 the first log schoolhouse was built with Messrs. Smith, Spaulding, and Marshall as its early teachers. Schools were also built at li Pennline in 1820 and at Summit Station in 1821. I

'See "Research Report for Historic Sites Survey, Crawford County, Pennsylvania" , 1980. (Preliminary report , Crawford County Planning I Commission). p. 17 (1838 Map); and Samuel P. Bates, R.C. Brown, J.B. Mansfield, et .al. History of Crawford County, Pennsylvania. (Chicago: Warner, Beers, and Co., 1885). p. 523. .I 1 1 An early society of Quakers, consisting of about 30 members, existed in the Township. Meetings were held in the house of Cornelius Lawson until a log church was built in 1840. A few years later 1 the society disbanded.

Frey's Chapel, a methodist Episcopal Church, was built in 1851 1 in the southern part of the Township and had a membership of about 50 by 1885. The First Congregational Church of Conneaut formed in May 1833 and in 1841 a church was erected at Conneaut Center. I The building was replaced in 1873 by what may be the same structure that is present there today. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Steamburg was organized in 1867 by Rev. R.C. Smith and a frame type church was built in 1870. By 1886 the membership was less I than the original twenty.

Three transportation facilities were important to the development I of this area in the late 19th century. The Beaver and Erie Canal, , which connected Pittsburgh to Lake Erie, ran north and south through neighboring Summerhill Township in the Conneaut Creek Valley. It D remained in operation from about 1845 until the coming of the railroads which later spelled its doom as a useful transportation facility.

In 1866 the Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad, later known as the I Pennsylvania Railroad, began operation and ran north and south through the eastern part of Conneaut a few miles west of the canal. . It provided excellent access to markets for the crops and stock 1 produced in the Township. Although Summit (now the Village of Center Road) was the only station of the Erie and Pittsburgh Rail- road in Conneaut, it did not seem to have stimulated development 1 in the area as there was only a store, a post office, and a cheese factory located there by 1885. This may be because Linesville served as Conneaut's trade center due to the fact the Erie and Pittsburg Railroad and the Meadville-Linesville Railroad lines 1 converged there. Throughout the coming of the canal and the railroads the area's economy remained essentially farming oriented.

I What today is known as the Bessemer and Lake Erie Railroad was completed by 1888 along the towpath of the old canal and performed the services once provided by the canal. The Bessemer still serves D the area as the major rail line from Pittsburgh to the proposed U.S. Steel mill site on Lake Erie, while the Pennsylvania Railroad (Penn-Central) is now abandoned.

1 It is interesting to note that no major population center emerged in Conneaut; however, villages did appear at Steamburg and Penn- line. About 1885 Steamburg consisted of about 15 dwellings, a post office, a methodist church, a schoolhouse, a store, a cheese factory, and a blacksmith shop. Pennline was a village of similar or larger size which contained a store, a post office, two blacksmith shops, a shoe shop, a schoolhouse, and a cheese factory.

-4- This cheese factory was owned by Alexander H. Bates and was thought to be the largest cheese factory in Pennsylvania. The presence of cheese factories in Pennline, Steamburg, and Summit indicates good dairy production during these early years. 2

The following map depicts Conneaut Township as it was during the 19th century. This map is taken from an 1876 publication entitled Combination Atlas Map of Crawford County, Pennsylvania by Everts, Ensign, and Everts.

‘Samuel P. Bates, R.C. Brown, J.B. Mansfield, et.al., History of -I Crawford County, Pennsylvania. (Chicago: Warner, Beers and Co., 1885). pp. 522-526. I

-5- I 1 1 I I ~1 I ~1 I I I I i 1 1 I 1 m I I NATURAL CONDITION - PHYSIOGRAPHY 1 Conneaut Township is located in northwestern Crawford County, Pennsylvania north of Linesville Borough and Pymatuning Reservior. It shares its northern boundary with Beaver and Spring Townships and its eastern boundary with Summit and Summerhill Townships. I The southern border is shared with Pine and North Shenango Town- ships. To the west are Pierpont and Richmond Townships in Ashtabula County, Ohio. (See Three County Regional Map). The I geometric shape of Conneaut is basically rectangular. It runs 6.7 miles east to west on the northern and southern borders, 6.2 miles to north to south on the eastern border, and 6.8 miles north I to south on the western border. The Township covers an area of 25,949 acres or 40.55 square miles. I In general, the landscape is gently rolling hills, or slopes in a rural setting of fields and woodlands. However, these hills are not uniformly distributed throughout the Township. The most hilly area is located in the southeastern section and relatively. I flat areas occur in the central portion, in the southwestern corner, and in part of the northwestern corner of the Township. A number of streams drain the land in the Township with the most I significant of these being Paden Creek, Linesville Creek, and Foster Run. However, the most important water body is Pymatuning Reservoir, the northern most portion of which is located in the I southwestern corner of the Township. This man-made lake, the largest in the state, is a flood control facility which was completed in 1934. As part of the Shenango River watershed, it receives most of the water drained from the land in the Township. 1

Paden Creek, the largest stream in the township, begins in Beaver Township to the north entering Conneaut near Beaver Center Road I (L.R. 20039). It flows south through Steamburg, draining most of the western portion of the Township, until it enters Pymatuning Reservoir southwest of Finley Bridge. Numerous small branching I streams enter the creek which create changes in relief in an otherwise gently rolling landscape. During certain periods in the spring, waters in Paden Creek are high enough to flow over U.S. Route 6 at Finley Bridge. 1 Conneaut s second largest stream, Linesville Creek, begins north of Center Road and flows south to Linesville and into Pymatuning I Reservoir east of the Pennsylvania State Fish Hatchery. The creek, along with its small tributaries, cut through the most hilly portion of the township creating a shallow valley that I ranges in elevation from 1,050 to 1,200 feet above sea level.

Foster Run is a tributary of Conneaut Creek that forms from a few small streams that drain the northeastern corner of the town- I ship. Unlike Paden and Linesville Creeks, which flow south as part of the Shenango River watershed, Foster Run flows northeast through Conneautville Borough to Conneaut Creek. Therefore, it I is part of the Conneaut Creek watershed which drains north into Lake Erie. This brings up a point of at least academic significance. I -7- I A major watershed divide (possibly a Continental Divide). exists I in Conneaut Township. This is an imaginary line that runs northwest along the high points of the land from a plateau in the southeastern corner of the Township to a point in Beaver Township I (north of Pa. Rte. 198 between Beaver Center Road and Maple Road) and then back through the most northeastern corner of the Township. All waters in the Shenango River watershed system-which includes Paden Creek, Linesville Creek, and most of the streams in the 1 Township-flow south into the Ohio-Mississippi River system and eventual1y"into the Gulf of Mexico. However, just a few feet away on the other side of this dividing "line" water drains north I into the Conneaut Creek System to Lake Erie and eventually into the Atlantic Ocean. II I The Township's topography varies in elevation from less than 1,010 feet above sea level along the shoreline of Pymatuning Reservoir to greater than 1,280 feet above sea level. This high point I. occurs on a plateau in the southeastern corner of the Township which is part of the major watershed (continental) divide. Despite this variation, most elevations in the Township are between 1,050 and 1,200 feet above sea level. This helps to indicate that there I are no major changes in relief. In general, elevations decrease as one goes south and/or west to Ohio or northeast toward Conneaut- I ville on the other side of the watershed divide. As part of Crawford County, the Township has a humid, continental climate marked by extreme changes in seasonal temperature. For I-example, records from the Meadville weather station (presented in the 1979 Crawford County Soil Survey) indicate an average annual high temperature of 93'F and average annual low of -1lOF for the period 1941-1970. Also reported are an annual precipation I of 42.1 inches and a mean annual temperature of 52'F. More recent data obtained from the 1980 Pennsylvania Statistical Abstract indicates that at the Meadville weather station for the year 1978 I the annual average precipation was 39.99 inches and the annual average temperature was 45.4'F. I Normal daytime temperature range from the low 30's to the upper 30's in the winter and from the upper 70's to low 80's in the summer. Nighttime temperatures generally are in the teens in the winter and in the 50's in the summer. Summers are generally I pleasant with an average rainfall of 19.7 inches. This rainfall occurs nearly uniformly during the growing season of May through September and can be considered generally adequate for farming. I Winters are generally cold and snowy with an average annual snowfall of 93.4 inches. Therefore, as pazt of the northwestern snowbelt, the Township receives some of the heaviest snowfall I in Pennsylvania. In the spring and fall wide variations in temperature occur which may effect the length of the growing I season. 'Soils Survey of Crawford County; Pennsylvania, 1979. U.S.D.A. I Soil Conservation Service. p. 69 (Table 11) I -8- EXISTING LAND USE

INTRODUCTION

An inventory and mapping of the existing uses of land in Conneaut Township is essential in formulating plans for the Township, since planning for the future reljes heavjly on what has been done in the past. Through the process of analyzing the patterns of existing land use it is possible to identjfy areas where development has occurred in the past and where it may rnake sense to encourage or discourage future growth and development. It is important to have a good record of existing land uses at the begjnning OP the planning process for the followjng reasons: - A baseline or starting point of land use informatjon can be established from which changes caused by new development can be followed and mapped. - Potential land use problems such as conflicts between uses, flooding, and congestion can be reduced, or prevente d. - Possible areas of future growth can be identjfied. - New development can be planned for in relation to existing land uses - i.e. similar uses such as industrial or commercial uses can be encouraged to locate/occur close together. - Safe and efficjent provision of the cornmunjty facjlities and services made necessary by new growth and development can be planned for more easily. - Existing problem areas can be evaluated in relatjon to land uses around them. Information concerning the exjsting uses oP land in Conneaut Township is presented in the form of an Existing Land Use Map (see end of this section), an analysis of land use patterns, and a set of tables showjng land use statistics. These will hopefully serve as a good graphic, written, and statistical record that can be used for plannjng purposes. This information was collected.by the staff of the Crawford County Planning Commission with the help of the Conneaut Township Planning Committee, made up of the Townshjp Supervisors. A field survey of land uses was conducted in the fall of 1979 and later updated in October of 1980. Additional revjsions were made in January 1981 with the help oP the newly formed Township Planning Cornmjssion. From thjs field work and the use of aerial photographs, each parcel of land was classified

-9- according to its existing use and was recorded as shown on I the Existing Land Use Map. The statistical informatjon was computed from county property assessment records and a rnechanjcal analysis of the land areas in each land use category as shown I on the Existing Land Use Map. I LAND USE PATTERNS If one looks at the Existing Land Use Map found followjng thjs narrative, one will notice that Conneaut Township is a rural ~I area. (Of course, thjs is obvious to those who live here.) This observation of Conneaut's rural character is supported by the fact that most of the land (approximately 87 percent) is being used for agriculture, woodland or brush. (See Table I 1-Land Use Accounts.) It can further be seen that a major amount , approximately 44.6 percent , of the land in the Townshjp is used for agriculture. It follows that the second major I user of land is woodland and brush, which consists of 42.1 percent of the land area. OP the 13 percent that remains aPter these two major uses are accounted for, approxjmately 6 percent I (almost one half of the rernajning land) is desjgnated as "Conservation Lands" and "Water". This area consists of those portions of Pyrnatuning State Park and Pymatuning Reservoir which lie within Conneaut Township. The rest of the land is I divided among the followjng categories of land use: residential, multi-dwelling residential , vacant subdivjded lots, mixed cornmercial/residential, cornrnercial, industrial, recreation , I semi-public, public, and roads. A description of each land use category and an explanation of land use patterns follows. These categories are generaljzations and are not def injtive I or f jnal.

Residential ': I Approximately 953 acres or 3.6 percent of the Townshjp's total land area is devoted to residential uses. (See Table 1.) These residential uses "outnumber" other uses. In fact , there I are a total of approximately 660 residentjal dwellings/structures in Conneaut Township. Of these, 493 are sjngle farnjly homes (either permanent or seasonal), 151 (or 23 percent) are mobile I 'hornes, 8 are vacant hornes and 8 are abandoned homes. Most residential development is located along exjstjng road frontages and is dispersed throughout the Townshjp. In general, I hornes are located closer together on state roads rather than on Township roads. Six subdivisions are located in the southwestern portion of the Township - four of these are along U.S. 1 Route 6 and adjacent to Pyrnatuning State Park. Thjs area has the highest concentration of residential development in the Township, although much of it is seasonal. The least developed I area is found in the northwestern portion of the Township.

- 10 - I I

Although there are no rnajor population centers, there are three small village areas - Penn Line, Stearnburg, and Center Road I (formerly Summit Station). There is some clustering of homes in these village areas but not enough to consider any one area as the Township's center of activity. I In determining acreage figures for Table 1 - "Land Use Accountst1 homes located on small parcels up to approximately five acres were considered entirely in residential use. For homes on I larger parcels, including farms, an area of approximately two acres was arbitrarily assigned as being "residential". This accounts for the house, accessory structures, and yard space I which are used for actual residential purposes. Multi-Dwelling Residential I This land use category delineates those parcels of land on which more than one residential structure or dwelling is located. Most often the additional dwelling is a mobile home located on a particular property where a home already exists. I Although only approximately 118 acres or 0.5 percent of the Township's total land area is classified as ffrnulti-dwelling residential" it is signjficant to note that 32 parcels of land I are involved. One can note a concentration of "multi-dwellingft parcels on U.S. Route 6 just as one enters the Township. I The number of residential dwellings involved in this land use category are included in the total figure for residential dwellings/struc tures presented earlier in the "Resi dent ial" land use category. The calculation of acreage was done in I the same manner as for "resjdential" uses.

Although a number of multi-family residences (i.e. duplexes, I apartment buildings, etc.) rnay exist in the Township, a separate land use category was not defjned. This is be,cause of the difficulty of determining, from visual observations made during I the existing land use field survey, whether or not a particular residence was actually being used by more than one family.

Vac ant Sub divi de d Lot s I Vacant subdivided lots are parcels of land which have been divided up for future use usually. as resjdential lots. Approximately 182 acres or 0.7 percent of the Township's land I area is currently being used in this manner. There are a few such lots scattered over the Township; however, most, of the vacant subdivided lots are located within the six subdivision/ I allotments in the southwestern part of the Township. The location of these lots rnay indicate where future residential development will most likely occur. I Mixed Resident ial/Cornmercial A mixed residential/cornrnercial use occurs when a cornrnercjal use is located on ,the same property or within the same structure I as a residence. Sixteen of these rnjxed residential/cornmercial uses occupy approximately thirty-seven acres of land in the Township. I - 11 - I I

The cornrnercial uses which mix with residential uses are quite 1 varied as indicated by the following list:

Barackrnan Oil Service - Beaver Center Road I (L.R. 20039) Brown Is Hoss-pi tality Stables - Wheeler Road Brownie's Feed Service - Carpenter Road I Charlie Hutching's Fruit Stand - U.S. Route 6 Hart's Chainsaw Repair & Woodstoves - Beaver Center Road (L.R. 20039) Jean Arnold's Beauty Shop - Airport Road I Joyce Jones' Beauty Shop - Turkey Track Road (L.R. 20117) Leonhart s Greenhouse - (L.R. 20042) I Phelp s Ceramics - U.S. Route 6 Ned Thompson, Woodstoves - Phelps Road Reinhart, Home Photography Studio - Carpenter Road I Sandak Sandals and Shoes - U.S. Route 6 The Farm House Yarn Shop - Pennljne (U.S. Route 6) WVCC, FM 102 Radio Station - Maple Road I Warren Brothers Truck Repair - Center Road Zola Gillette's Beauty Shop - U.S. Route 6 I Nearly one-half (7) of the above mixed uses are located along or in close proximity to U.S. Route 6; however, in general they are found in scattered locations. This situation seems to indicate an important characteristic of the nature of I cornmercial/economic activity in Conneaut Township.

C omner c i a 1 I Cornrnercial uses include businesses involved in the selling of goods and services rather than manufacturing. In Conneaut these cornrnercial uses occupy approximately seventeen acres I or only about 0.1 percent of the land area. However, they are important to the residents and the local economy. The eleven cornrnercial uses present in the Township are listed as I follows: David Oskin , General Contractor - U.S. Route 6 Depot Junction Auction - Center Road I Forestvi ew Delicatessen - U.S. Route 6 Auction in former Huffman's Farm Service building - U.S. Route 6 I (Pennl i ne ) J and K Garage - (L.R. Route 20043) Junk Yard - Turkey Track Road (L.R. 20117) I Pennline Gardens Bowling Alley - U.S. Route 6 Russell's Cottages and Motel - U.S. Route 6 Rustic Pines Saloon - Center Road 1 Wally's Bait Shop - U.S. Route 6 Whelcheck Sherretts Auto - (L.R. 20043) I I - 12 - I

As is apparent from the above list most cornrnercial uses are located along U.S. Route 6 or in the village of Center Road. 1 One will also note that all of these businesses are located on main roads in order to make them more accessable to the consumer. I Industrial Industria7 uses include such -things as manufacturing plants, I saw mills, or other goods producing establishments. There are only a few such industrjal uses in the township: however, each contributes to the local economy. Approximately twenty-f ive acres of land are devoted to six industrial uses which are 1 listed as follows: IS Buckeye Aluminum Foundry Inc. - Center Road I Professional Tire Corporation (Vacant) - Center Road Saw Mill, Thompson s Lumber - Center Road I Saw Mill (Vacant) - (L.R. 20043) Gravel Pit - L.R. 20107/ Phelps Road Gravel Pit - Phelps Road I One will note that the few industries which are present in Conneaut are located mainly in the Village of Center Road. One 1.- of these, the Professional Tire Corporation, had its manuPacturing building destroyed by fire on December 26, 1980. The saw mill on L.R. 20043 remains idle and is designated as vacant on the I' Existing Land Use Map. Of the two gravel pits in the southwestern corner of the Township, only the one located on Phelps Road next to Pymatuning State Park appears to be in active operation. I A gr i cult ura 1 The Existing Land Use Map and Table 1 show that more land in Conneaut Township is devoted to agriculture than to any other I single land use; therefore, it is generally considered important both economically and socially. Approximately 11,800 acres or 44.6 percent of the Township's land is used for agriculture, I which includes crop production, pasture and other agricultural uses. According to the existing land use field survey there are about seventy-six full-time and part-time farm scattered throughout the Township. Of these it is believed that about I one-half rnay be full-time farms. There are also about fifty- five hobby farms. I For the purposes of this report, full-time farming operations include farrns that currently yield a substantial amount of agricultural products and where farrnjng activity is the major I occupation of the owners or the persons leasing the land. Part- time farms are considered to be those operations in which farming is done as an avocation (i.e. hobby), the prjrnary source of the landowner's income corning from other sources. Active part- I time farrns are those operatjons yielding a substantial amount I - 13 - I I

of agricultural products, but wherein the farmers have a full- I time non-farm occupation. Most active farmers are in the dairy business, which exhjbits good production. Therefore, most of the agricultural land is used as pasture or is planted in corn or hay. Cash crops of mainly corn, wheat, and oats are raised I by a relatively small number of farmers; however, the number of grain farmers may be increasing.

I In general, agricultural land is spread throughout the Township as is shown on the Existing Land Use Map. The fields naturally follow the road network and are separated by areas of woodland I and brush, which helps to create the rural character of the area. The Planning Cornrnission recognized that although there is a close relationship between the amount and location of farmlands and the number and location of the different farm I types, these two things are somewhat different. Therefore, it was considered most important to prepare a map which illustrates the areas in the Township which are actively being farmed and I by whom. (See the Map Reference in Appendix I. ) This rnap shows that, in general, most of the land is being actively farmed in the north-central, south-central, and southeastern I portions of the Township. The existing land use field survey data recorded on tax assessment maps of the Township can be used to help locate which farms are full-time and part-time !I farms or hobby farms, if this information is needed. Using either source - the Existing Land Use Map and survey or the Active Farmlands Map - one will note that most areas of the I Township experience some agricultural activity. Woodlands and Brush- Woodlands and brush occupy approximately 11,142 acres or 42.1 I percent of the total land area, whjch makes thjs the second largest use of land in the Township. Only 2.3 percent more land is occupied by agricultural uses (See Table 1). This report does not separate woodlands from brush because of the II difficulty of determining definite boundaries between tree- covered and brush-covered areas. But, from field observation one can say that roughly two thirds of the land in the "Woodlands ~I and Brush" category is covered with trees and one third is covered with brush. I Tree stands contain mainly northern hardwoods and are dominated by maple, oak, and beech trees. Areas considered to be brush are over-grown with scrub trees and heavy brush which is not I easily plowed under or cut with a brush hog. As the Existing Land Use Map shows, woodland and brush areas occur throughout the Township in a pattern defined by the I clearing of land, in the past, for other uses. Because of this, the woodland and brush areas occur as large irregularly shaped blocks of land which naturally separate the agricultural I and residential land located along the road.network. The two most extensive areas of woodland and brush are located in the I I - 14 - 1 northwest, west of Beaver Center Road (L.R. 20039) and north of Center Road (L.R. 20038); and in the northeast, east of Maple I Road between Turkey Track Road (L.R. 20117) and Center Road (L.R. 20038). In addition, it should be noted that much of the land that was once farmed has grown up to brush and trees. 1 This was made apparent from a comparison of aerjal photographs taken in 1969 and field observatjons made during the land use field survey in 1980. As was mentioned earlier, it is the areas of trees and brush in combination with fields and the country I roads that help to create Conneaut's rural character. Conservation Lands 1 The Tonservation Lands" category is composed of the northern most portion of Pyrnatuning State Park, which is located in the southwestern corner of Conneaut Township. It is the third I largest land use category, accounting for 1,560 acres or approximately six percent of the Township's total area. As Table 1 - Land Use Accounts - shows, this area has been subdjvided into 1,121 acres of State Park land and 439 acres of water in 1 the Pyrnatuning Reservior. The area is not considered to be "Woodlands and Brusk" or "Recreation" because of it's significance as a state park conservation area. If this area were included I in the "Woodlands arid Brush" category, as one might expect it to be, then "Woodlar,ds and Brush" would account for over forty- eight percent of Conneaut's total land area. 1 Because Pyrnatuning State Park is partially located within Conneaut, the Townsh.ip shares in the Inany conservation and recreation uses associated with the Park. Faciljties located I in Conneaut Township include two public boat launching areas - Wilson's Boat Landing located off U.S. Route 6 and an unnamed boat launch at the southern end of Phelps Road. Also located 1 within the Park, at the end of Phelps Road, is a camp for water safety training operated by the Pittsburgh-Allegheny Chapter of the Arnerican Red Cross. I The Park has influenced the pattern of land use in the Township, because of people's natural attraction to the Pymatuning Lake area. Allotments, or subdjvisions, contajning both seasonal I and permanent residences as well as private campgrounds have located adjacent or close to the Park. This.influence may continue to effect the location of future development in I Conneaut Township. Recreation, Public 2nd Private 1 Recreation uses, which include campgrounds and a church recreation field, occupy approximately 111 acres or only 0.4 percent of the land area in Conneaut. (In calculating acreages figures for recreation, the area that was actually used for recreation I was determined as well as possible, rather than arbitrarily assigning the entire parcel of land on whjch the use was located to recreation.) Though the total land area is small, the five I following uses are an important addition to the recreation uses provided by Pyrnatuning State Park: I - 15 - I I

Camp Iroquois (Vacant) - West sjde Maple I Road south of Carpenter Road Crystal Sprjngs Campgrounds - Beaver Center Road I (L.R. 20039) Moon Valley Campgrounds - (L.R. 20107) Shady Acres Camping Area - U.S. Route 6/ Maple Road I Recreation field - Center Road (L.R. 20038) adjacent to Calvary Baptist Church 1 Wh i sper i n g Tra i 1s Campground - (L.R. 20107)/ Phelps Road I A. look at the Existing Land Use Map will show that the campgrounds are located adjacent or close to Pyrnatuning State Park. They are all privately operated and primarily serve the camper I with a travel trailer. Camp Iroquois is a summer camp that was used for publjc and prjvate recreatjon between 1948 and 1979. It is no longer used and is indicated on the Existing 1 Land Use Map as a vacant recreational use. The field adjacent to the Calvary Baptist Church is used as a ballfield or for other recreation activities associated with this church. I I Public Public uses involve ownership and use of a bujlding, facility, or land by the general public. Only approximately eight acres I of land are devoted to public uses in Conneaut Township. They include the following: Graham Elementary School on Center Road (L.R. 20038) just west of Beaver Center Road (L.R. 20039); a I U.S. government radio tower on a small hill just north of Waring Road; the Township Garage on the southwest corner of the Maple Road/Center Road intersection; and the Center Road Grange/ I Cornrnunity Building on the northwest corner of the Maple Road/ Center Road intersection. At the time of this writing, ownership of the Center Road Grange hall is in the process of being transferred from the Grange to the Township Supervisors for I use as a community bujlding. Semi-Pub1 ic I Serni-public uses are those which are privately owned or are operated by certain public groups. They usually serve only a limited portion of the public and include such uses as: I churches, granges, cemeteries, and public utilities. In Conneaut Township there are thirteen uses in the "Semi-Public'' category: one airport, one church, two granges, three public I utility uses and six cemeteries. I I I - 16 - Merry's Airport is a privately owned grass-covered airstrip located at the southern end of Airport Road, which is open to public USE'. It accounts €or most of the land area devoted to serni-public uses. Calvary Baptist Church is located on Center Road (L.R. 20039) easdt of the intersection of Center Road and Dicksonburg Road (L.R. 20042). The Pennline Grange is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 6 and L.R. 20037 in the Village of Pennline. A second grange, Center Road Grange No. 502, is still active; however, it will soon become a public use because of the pending transfer of ownership to the Township. There are two AT&T (American Telegraph and Telephone) substations in the Township. One is located on the west side of Tighe Road; the other is found on Center Road (L.R. 20038) just east of Calvary Baptist Church. The third utility use is a gas line valve station located on the Conneautville-Linesville Road (L.R. 20043) north of Wheeler Road owned and operated by Consolidated Gas Supply Corporation. It is part of a gas transmission line which diagonally crosses the Townshjp in a northwest-southeast direction as it travels between Ashtabula, Ohio and Mercer, Pennsylvania. The remaining semi-public uses are the following six cemeteries: Baldwin C ernet ery - Center Road east of Tighe Road Center Road Cerne t ery - Maple Road south of Center Road Frey Cemetery - U.S. Route 6/ Maple Road intersection Ma nn :i n g C erne t e r y - Center Road/Tighe Road intersection P enn 11 ine C erne t e ry - Phelps Road (Penn 1ine ) S t earnb urg C erne t ery - Beaver Center Road, L.R. 20039 (Stearnburg) The above semi-public uses account for approxirnately forty- one acres or 0.2 percent of the Township's total land area. Roads and Railroads- There are 75.46 miles of public roads in Conneaut Township of which 44.69 miles are Township roads and 30.77 miles are state roads. The roads use approximately 457 acres or 1.7 percent of the Townshjp's land area. This acreage figure was calculated by rnultiplying the total length of the roads by a right-of- way width of 50 feet and then dividing by 43,560 square feet per acre. All the roads in the Township have a right-of-way width of 50 feet.

- 17 - It is interesting to note the grid-like pattern created by the road network, Thls may have occured because of an influence * from road development patterns in Ohio. As mentioned earlier, agricultural and residential development naturally is located along the road network. The Penn-Central Railroad right-of-way enters the southern part of the Township east of Russell Road and travels north through Center Road (formerly Surnrnit Station) and continues into Spring Townshi:, east of Cole Road. The railroad has not been used since October, 1977 when service was terminated by Penn-Central Railroad. The tracks and ties were taken up in 1979 and sold for salvage. However, the right-of-way is stjll owned by the Penn-Central Trustees and has not technjcally been abandoned. This existing' 'land use analysjs recognjzes that the right-of- I way exists but has not included its land area as part of the transportation acreage figure because it is no longer devoted to this use. Roads and railroads will be discussed further in the Cornrnunity Facjlities and Services section of this report.

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I I I I I .I I

I -iI EXISTING LAND USE CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP CRAWFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA I SCALE IN mrn FEET --.a -.*-e 1 I I

TABLE 1 I

LAND USE ACCOUNTS FOR EXISTING LAND USES CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP - JANUARY 1981 1 USE CATEGORY ACRES SQUARE MILES % TOTAL 1 Residential 953 1.5 3.6% Multi-Dwelling Residential 118 0.2 0.5% 1 Vacant Subdivided Lots 182 0.3 0.7% Mixed Residential / I Come rc ia1 37 0.1% Commercial 17 0.1% 1 Industrial 25 0.1% Agr icult ura 1 11,799 18.4 44.6% 1 Woodlands and Brush 11,I42 17.5 42.1% 1 Conservation : Land 1,121 1.8 4.2% Water 439(l) 0.7 1.7% 1 Recreation 111 0.1 0.4% Public 8 -% 1 Semi-public 41 0.1 0.2% 1 Roads (75.46 miles) 457 .7 1.7%

TOTALS 26,450 (3) 41,3(2> 100.0%

Notes: (1.) Portion of Pymatuning Reservior located in Conneaut Township. 1 (2) Square mile figure is based on total acreage figure. I (3) Crawford County Assessment records show a total area of 25,949 acres or 40.5 square-miles. These I figures do -not include the water area. If this area is included the total area would be 26,388 acres or 41.2 square miles. 1 Source : Crawford County Planning Commission (CCPC) staff calculations. - 1 - 20 - I I I NATURAL RESOURCES INTRODUCTION

I Aside from the hman resources and the existing man-made environment, there are also the gifts and potentjal problerns which the natural environment has bestowed upon the Township. 1 As one will quickly see in driving through the Township, it is the natural resources; such as, the hills, valleys, streams, and trees which combine their beauty to help give Conneaut I Township it Is cherished rural character. This section will briefly look into. these natural surroundings to determine how they influence development. Such areas as soils, water resources, flooding problems, gas and oi 1 resources , and other I natural resources will be discussed.

Mans Puture use of these resources will determine the character 1 of the Township in the years to come. The information provided here hopefully will lend itself to being useful in future decisions by residents and Township Officials. To ignore the effect I of future land use decisions on the natural environment will be to ignore the essence of rural character and environmental protect ion.

I SOILS INFLUENCE ON DEVELOPMENT

Introduction 1 Soils influence how the land is used because the characteristjcs of each particular soil determine its suitability for various uses. In a rural area, such as Conneaut Township, the suitability I of soils for agricultural development and for on-lot sewage disposal are the two most significant ways soils influence I development. First, soil conditions alone may determine whether or not farmland will be productive. Second, soil conditions deterrnjne whether or not residential development can be accomrnodated I because where public sewers do not exist development depends on on-lot sewage disposal. In much of Northwestern Pennsylvania standard on-lot sewage disposal systems, or septic systems, I will not work properly because of poor sojl conditjons. Information on soil conditions in Conneaut Township was collected I from the Soil Survey of Crawford County, Pennsylvania pub1 i shed in May 1979 by the U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Servjce. From this information, maps showing agricultural quality and on- lot sewage suitability have been prepared. These maps provide I the basis for the following evaluation of soil suitability and can be seen at the Township Building (Center Road Grange) or the Offices of the Crawford County Planning Commission in 1 Meadville. (See Appendix I-Supporting Material. )

- 21 - Agr i c ult ur a 1 Qual i t y

I ~~ The- Soil Conservation Servjce has classified soils into eight "capability classes" which indicate progressively greater limitations for production of field crops as the class I numerals increase from I to VIII. In order to simplify matters, these eight soil classes were grouped into the 1 following three categories: -Good (Classes I and 11): Soils well suited for cropping - generally well-drained and fertile. Fair (Class 111): Soils fair for cropping - soil I drainage is the chief lirnjting factor. Poor (Classes IV through VIII): Marginal to poor soils for cropping - limitations include poor I drainage, high water table, steep slopes, susceptibility to flooding or low fertility. The Agricultural Quality Map shows that about ten percent of I the soils in the Township are rlgood" quality agricultural soils. They are concentrated mainly in the southwestern corner close to or within Pyrnatuning State Park and along I Linesville Creek south of Center Road. Scattered concentrations are found in the general area around Pennline and along Paden Creek just south of Stearnburg and near U.S. Route 6. Small I pockets of these "good" soils appear haphazardly in other areas of the Township which generally lje south of L.R. 20037 and I Turkey Track Road (L.R. 20117). Approximately eighty-two percent of the soils in the Township are considered r7fairfffor agricultural production, and are located throughout the bulk of the Township. These soils have I definite limitations for the farmer (chiefly soil drainage), but with good management and conservation practices, such as the use of drainage tiling, they are capable of supporting 1 profitable agricultural operations. Over the past ten years many area farmers have used these practices to improve the productivity of field and forage crops. As a result many of these "fair" soils could be- considered locally as Irgood" quality I agricultural soils.

Approximately eight percent of the Township's soils remain I as "poor'( soils for agriculture use, because they are either poorly drained, have a high water table, are susceptible to flooding, or are located on steep slopes. The largest I concentrations of these soils are found in the southwestern corner of the Township and are generally along the northern end of Linesville Creek. Scattered concentratjons of these soils are also found close to small streams in the area north I of Center Road. I 1 I - 22 - I

On-Lot Sewage Suitability The suitability of the soil for on-lot sewage disposal is the I most critical land constraint to residential development because there are no cornrnunity sewer systems in the Townshjp. It is the soil's ability to properly filter liquid waste that I determines how well suited a particular soil is for on-lot sewage disposal. This filtering capability depends on: 1) soil permeability, 2) the soil depth to bedrock or some other impervious layer and 3) the slope of the land. 1 The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (DER), using the soils information of the Soil Conservation Service, I has included the general capability of the various soil groups for on-lot sewage disposal in its rules and regulations governing the issuance of permits for disposal The State has I also defined four "suitability" categories for on-lot disposal. Each soil group falls into one of these categories depending on its limitations. These categories are as follows: 1 "None to slight - Soils that are suitable for on-lot disposal of sewage". A standard system; septic tank and leach field, can be used. I "Moderate - Soils that may be suitable provjding the subsoil is permeable". A modified or alternate disposal system may be required. High seasonal water I table or poor absorption rate are the usual limitations. "Severe - Soils which are not satisfactory for use due to the presence of impervious water restrictjng layers, high water tables, periodic flooding, or other lirnjt ing I charac terist i cs. If "Hazardous - Soils generally not suited for use due to the probgbility of ground water pollution or contarnjn- I ation. If These are generally gravelly soils which drain too quickly.2 I The On-Lot Sewage Suitability Map shows that about eighty percent of the Township has soils with "severe" limitations for on-lot sewage disposal. It also shows that there is no area with only ''slight'' limitations. This situation obviously I indicates that the installation of septic system can be a problem and that many older system may cause periodic problem because of poor soil conditions. I

The On-Lot Sewage Suitability Map is only a general guide to soil conditions, because the Soil Survey from which it was I taken is general. A field investigation may reveal pockets of good soil within larger areas of soils indicated on the map as having "severe" limitations. Thus, anyone considerjng the use of an on-lot sewage disposal system would be advised I to see that a thorough on-site inspection be conducted. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources Title 25, I1 Rules and Regulations, Chapter 73. 2 DER Rules and Regulations. Chapter 71, Administration of Sewage Facilities Program, Sec. 71.14 (a.) I~ - 23 - I About eleven percent of the soils in Conneaut have "moderate" limitations. They are the sojls best suited for on-lot sewage disposal in the Township. Since certajn limitations do exist, a modified or alternate system such as an over-sized leach I field or an elevated sand mound system rnay be required to properly dispose of sewage waste. These soils are located generally in the southeast along Linesvjlle Creek; around the Village I of Pennline; and along Paden Creek. Scattered pockets occur in the remaining areas of the Township generally south of Lester Road and Turkey Track Road (L.R. 20117).

I About nine percent of the soils are classified by the sojls map as "hazardous". Such soils are generally the least sujted for on-lot disposal because of potential ground water contamjnation I in gravelly soils which drain too qujckly. The largest concentrations of these soils are found in the southwestern corner of the Township, and along Paden Creek south of Stearnburg. 1 Two large pockets are found along Waring Road, otherwise there are only a few srnall pockets of "hazardous" soils found in * the remainder of the Township. Recent experience of the Sewage Enforcement Officer in the southwest portion of the Township I has shown that the soils rnap may be too strict in calling some of these soils "hazardous", because septic system have been approved on some of these type soils. This points up the fact I that the "Soil Survey" is only a general gujde to individual conditions and a field investigation is required to determine actual conditions. I -. The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act - Act 537 (1968) requires that a permit be obtained for an on-lot sewage disposal system; however, it exempts "rural residences" on ten or more acres of land from this requirement. As a practical matter, thjs means there is no regulation over the installation of septic systerns on more than ten acres of land. This does not mean I that a septic system will work properly in poor soils and it does not exempt property owners from the legal obligation not I to pollute the waters of the Cornmonwealth. Sand and Gravel Deposits The five soil series, or soil types, in Conneaut Township which can be used as a source of sand and gravel are called Chenango, 1 Halsey, Haven, Red Hook, and Wyoming. These: soils are shown on a map of the Township grouped together as."sand and gravel deposits". This map, entitled Sand and Gravel Deposits, has been prepared based on soils information contained in the Soil Survey of Crawford County, Pennsylvania, U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. It can be seen at the Conneaut Townshjp Building (Center Road Grange) or at the Offices of the Crawford County Planning Cornrnjssion in Meadvi lle. The map shows that these sand and grav.el deposits are found primarily in the southwest corner of the Township and along Paden Creek, which are both areas of glacial outwash. Mediurn- sized deposits (about 10-15 acres) are located along Waring Road and irnrnediately south of the Village of Center Road. Also, a group of srnall deposits is found near Foster Run.

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As was mentioned in the Existing Land Use Section of this report, gravel is currently being mined from one of two gravel I pits on Phelps Road. These sand and gravel deposits are found in about eight percent of the Township; therefore, there may be more mining of sand and gravel in the future. M GROUNDWATER RESOURCES

Good information is available on groundwater resources in I western Crawford County from a recently completed geological report entitled: "Geology and Groundwater Resources of Western Crawford County, Pennsylvania" by George R. Schiner and John I T. Gallaher, and published by the Pennsylvanja Geological Survey. The material in this section is based primarily on this report. In Conneaut Township, as in nearly all of Crawford County, water must be obtained from the ground. Thus, the M availability of groundwater throughout the township is a condition to reckon with in developing a plan for growth. I Groundwater resources in Conneaut Township are determined by geologic features underlying the ground we live on. There are two major geologic features: glacial drift and bedrock I formations. The entire Township is covered at its surface by glacial drift. This drift.is the "leavings", so to speak, of the galciers which once covered our area. The drift varies in depth from about eight to thjrty feet except for the I Linesville Creek Valley and the southwestern portion of the township by Pyrnatuning Reservoir. In these areas the drift may be as deep as 70 feet. I

Glacial drift is the term given to all material deposited by the glaciers. Material deposited directly without any sortjng I is called fftillrr,which could be anything from clay to boulders. Firm till is called "hardpan" by well drillers. In some cases, till deposits were accompanied by a sorting process caused by streams or ponds of melting water which I1consolidated" large I amounts of sands and gravels. These deposits are called "out- washes", and usually provide a plentiful source of groundwater. I Of seven wells drilled in outwash, two have yields of one GPM and two have yields of four GPM. The remaining three wells yield ten, twenty, and thirty GPM. Upon closer examination I of data, however, we discover that the four low yielding wells were drilled through the outwash and into Devonian bedrock, and the three higher yielding wells were drilled less deep, terminating in outwash material. I

The situation being what it is in term of the Devonian shales, it is often wise in seeking water for a household to install I a dug well, tapping only the till layer. Such wells should be at least three feet in diameter and must be protected from contamination. I I - 25 - I I

The second major geologic feature is the underlying bedrock. I There are five major geologjc "layers" in Conneaut Township. 1. Devonian shales aEe the oldest layer of bedrock and cover almost the entire county. Wells completed in Devonian I bedrock are sometimes unsuccessful and water yields are low. Water is generally hard and iron content may be high. One-hundred percent of Conneaut Township consists of Devonian shales at depths varying from about ten to fifty- I seven feet below the surface. Salt water infiltration is particularly dangerous in the Devonjan shales. It is important to just catch the weathered top course of the I Devonian in drilling a well to avoid salt water. 2. Cussewago sandstone is considered the best aquifer in the county. Only a few wells completed in Cussewago sandstone I yield less than three GPM and water quality is usually good. Forty-two percent of the township has this formation, and where it is the top layer of bedrock it is between eight and twenty-four feet below the earth's I surf ac e. 3. Bedford shale is generally a poor aquifer and yields water which is both hard and high in iron. Thirteen percent I of the township has this bedrock at depths of eight to sixteen feet. 4. Berea sandstone generally yields abundant supplies of I water although the quality ranges from hard to very hard and is often high in iron. About fjve percent of the township has this deposit and only a very srna11 portion of it is exposed beneath the glacial till where it is I about twelve feet below the surface. This layer may produce gas or oil, which rnay be a problem if it is tapped as a water supply. I 5. Orangeville shale is a poor aquifer and few wells are completed in it. Water yields are low and quality is hard and high in iron. About four percent of the township has I this formation. It is found only in the southeastern corner and is twelve to twenty-four feet below the surface.3 The average amount of water used per day per person is between I sixty and seventy gallons. The average household uses three hundred-fifty gallons per day, and can be supplied by a well pumping on demand if a three GPM capacity exists. Where a I household can obtain only one GPM this will suffice if storage * facilities are available and the household exercises care in I water use. i

I Percentages given are for each bedrock in relation to the entire township. Since bedrocks are layered upon each other, several formations rnay be below at any I particular spot in the township. I - 26 - 1 I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I

LEGEND

FRACTURE TRACES +OOO- BEDROCK CONTOURS - CUssfwAGO SAND- \ FORMATIONS CONM&AUT TOWNSHIP MtSTtNG WATER VILU, LOCATIONS 7470 REDUCTlOCY Of A 1*=4000’+ MAP

SOURCE :REPORT BY 0. SCHCWOI 8 J. GALLAGHER, ‘GEOLOCI AND GROUNDYTER AWALACHlAN REGIONAL COMMISSION RESOURCES of WEqERN CRAWFORD COUNTY SEPTEMBER 1986 I FIG, 1, GEOLOGIC CROSS SECTION, RUNNING WEST TO EAST I APPROXIMATELY ALONG THE LINE OF WMEELER RD, I I A B C D 1 FEET 1300 --GLACIAL DRIFT - ORANGEVI LLE SHALE 1200 - BEREA SANDSTONE 'BEDFORD SHALE 1100 \ CUSSEWAGO SANDSTONE II 1000 I 900. -DEVON IAN SHALES 80G.

-. . I A - STATE LINE B - VICINITY, FINLEY BRIDGE C - LINESVILLE CREEK I D - CONNEAUT-SUMMIT TWP, LINE I

I Source: "Geologic and Water Availability Map of Western Crawford County, Pennsylvania by George Schiner and John T. Gallaher." I NOTE: Figure re-drawn by Crawford County Planning Cornrni ssi on staff I I I I I I - 28 - I SURFACE WATER I The major surface water features of Conneaut are the many creeks and streams which crisscross the Township and the northern most portion of Pyrnatunjng Reservoir. These were discussed in detail earlier in I the sectjon entitled "Natural Condjtjons - Physiography." The Res- ervoir was given further explanatjon in the "Existing Land Use" section. Other water features include 35 to 40 ponds, natural and 1 man-made, and swampy areas. There are twelve man-made ponds located in the Townshlp. The Linesville Volunteer Fire Department has a map which indicates the locatjons of these ponds for fire fighting purposes. I

Flooding Periodic flooding does occur along the streams in Conneaut Township: I however, there is usually little darnage because of the sparce development located along these streams. The greatest such problem does occur at Findly Bridge on U. S. Route 6 where the road is often cover- I ed with the overflow from Paden Creek. This is due mainly to the local topography rather than any obstruction of the waterway by the bridge. Because floodjng problerns are slight no records of flooding exist for the Township. I

In 1980 Conneaut Township became certified to qualify its residents for flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance Program in co- I operation with the Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs and the Federal Insurance Admjnjstratjon. This certification entitles residents owning property within designated flood hazard areas to I qualify for federally subsidized flood insurance. It also aids persons selling or buying property within flood areas to obtain a mort- gage from a federally insured lending institution, because flood iri.- surance can be guaranteed. Previous to Township certification, most 1 banks would not lend money on floodable property wjthout such an insurance guarantee. I As part of the Federal Flood Insurance Program an official Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM) was published by the Federal Insurance Adminjstration. The map, whjch is a cornposite of four maps, out- I lines the flood hazard areas in the Township based on generalized engineering calculatjon formulas for the watersh,od area runoff of each stream. The rnap is used by the Township's Building Permit Of- ficer to determine those areas of the Township where development must 1 be restricted accordjng to a set of Injnirnurn standards. The flood hazard areas from the official map are included on the Future Land Use Plan map because they indicate areas with limitations to future I devel oprnent . I I I

- 29 - I I I GAS AND OIL RESOURCES Introduction The current fuel shortage and the resulting high prices have caused I exploration for gas and oil to be more economically feasible in our area of the country. Previously, the high cost of completing a well, approximately $170,000 as of December 1979, along with the chance that the well might never actually produce gas, discouraged investors. I Recently, however, several large companies have increased their explorations in the Crawford County area. Several companies are planning large scale drilling operations in northern Pennsylvania. I Some of this drilling can be expected in Conneaut, as the Township has already shown itself to have some profitable wells. Most of the gas and oil wells in western Crawford County are located in I ei ther Beaver, Conneaut, Spring or Surnrnerhill Townships. As of February 4, 1981, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources, Division of Gas and Oil Regulation, 215 well permits had been issued in Spring Township since 1956. Of I these, 162 were actually drilled wells. Surnrnerhill Township ranked second wjth 54 permits and 49 wells. Beaver and Conneaut Townships ranked third and fourth with 36 permits, 28 wells and 26 permits I and 18 wells respectively. This section of the background con- siders some of the advantages and problems associated with gas and I oil production. Wells in Conneaut Of the eighteen wells in Conneaut Township, eight are gas producers; six produce both gas and oil; and four show no yield. I Though oil is not produced in great volume, it is significant enough to make its recovery profitable.

I Most wells are concentrated in the northeastern portion of the Township bounded approximately by Spring Township, LR 20117 and MapL,e Road. In this general area there are about twelve wells. A I few more wells can be found at the north end of Maple Road. A map at a scale of 1 inch equals 1,000 feet has been prepared showing the location and type of wells in the township. It can be seen at the Township Building or at the offices of the Crawford County I Planning Cornmission. (Refer to Appendix 1.) The map shows that as of January 1978 twenty-one wells had been drilled in Conneaut. There is no information on four of these other than their location. I This discrepancy points out how djfficult it is to obtain accurate. up to date information on gas drilling activity. I Drilling Operations A company interested in drilling uses a geologist to study the rock formations and select an %rea which is considered to have gas potential. Then land is leased from a landowner. The actual I drilling is supervised by an engineer and constantly monitored by a geologist who examines the different samples of rock brought up during the drilling. It is only after the drilling is completed;, I however, that the capacity of the well can be tested. I I - 30 - I

The dang: r of xnlosion or fire durin:r the actual drilling Drocess is rninirnal since several safety Dreca.ations are used. One is the I insertion of casine to about two hundred feet sealed in concrete before the well is even drilled. This Drevents leaks either from above or below. Also. most drillers are extrernelv careful in the I selection of nersonnel and materials :For drilling. because careless- ness or use of inferior materials cou'ld endanger the entire oDer- ation. If a well is Doorlv constructed. the eas could either be tramed beneath the surface with no wav of extraction, or it could I be released too soon or too quickly. Either problem could result in the loss of that well. I Aside from safety precautions by drillers there are also Pennsyl- vania laws which helD to insure safe and environmentallv. sound drilling: oDerations. These laws regulating: well drilling are I respected by most operators as being common sense regulations geared toward insuring safety. Since careless construction of wells invites both legal and financial trouble, TownshiD officials Drobablv will not need to adopt any additional regulations con- I cerning the actual drilling process. Existing and Potential Problems I There are, however, some problem whi=h the Township should consider. One such difficulty is the fact that in many cases the drillers rnust use Township roads to move heavy equipment to and from drilling sites. I This equipment can do great darnage to roads, particularly during spring thaw. The Township should consider ways of addressing this problem. (See Transportation Plan. ) I Another problem is the danger posed by exposed pjpelines. When a drilling company leases land from a landowner, there is generally an agreement which entitles the landowner to free use of gas pro- I duced by the well for home heating. If a productive well is drilled, the landowner may run his own pipeline from the well si$e to his home at his own expense. These pipelines are often above ground 1 and are of materials varying from steel pipe to rubber tubing. There is no state regulation governing these private pipelines. The danger is clear; a broken pipeline could mean an explosion or a fire. I

The drilling company itself runs a pipeline from the drilling site which connects :to a main pipeline. This main pipeline transports I the gas to major collection points from which the gas is sold or distrjbuted. These pipelines, however, are metal and are located underground below plough level, causing few if any problem. 1 Another possible problem sterns from the fact that in most drilling operations around thjs area a lot of salt water, or salt brine, is extracted during the drilling process. In most cases this salt I brine is pumped into storage pits at the drilling site until it can be hauled away and safely stored or properly disposed. If, however, the storage pits are not properly constructed or are improperly used I the salt brine can leak into the soil or the water table below. It could also get into streams and kill €ish or vegetation. Although this activity is currently undergoing a regulatory review I - 31 - I I

by tlle Departrnent of Environmenta Resources, the Township rnay want I to investigate current methods of salt brine disposal being used by drillers in the area to assure that there are no problems. As part of a solution to salt brine disposal the Township might con- I sider using the liquid salt for dust control on roads or ice control in the winter.

Other problems which the Township should consider are: Access I roads to drilling sites which may have erosion problems or improper sluice pipes; unmarked salt brine storage pits; set backs from the road for storage tanks and other equipment; and maintenance, 1 including painting, of holding tanks and equipment.

The recent flourish of gas and oil extraction appears to be pro- I fitable to all concerned. The Township, however, must look beyond the blessings of these profits. It must also evaluate the short term and long term environmental, social and economic impacts such drilling rnay have on the cornmunity. An honest evaluation could I determine whether any local policies or regulations need to be adopted to minimize any potential negative impacts. I VEGETATION, FOREST RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE About forty-two percent of the Township's land area is covered with I woodlands and brush, as described earlier in the Existing Land Use section. Roughly two-thirds of this area is tree cover consisting mainly of second growth hardwood tree stands where maple, beech and oak predominate. Vegetation in the brush areas consists of I srnall trees, woody shrubs and tall grasses. These brush areas often mix with both tree stands and natural or man-made open areas - farmlands. The trend in recent years has been toward a reforestation I of the idle farmland in the Township. Therefore, there is more brushland than there was ten years ago. More land also is being I devoted to harvesting timber and other forest uses. The forest areas not only provide resources such as quality hardwood lumber and firewood, they provide wildlife habitat and are areas for hunting, walking, skiing and other recreation uses. Stands df I soft-maple trees are used as "sugar-bushes" in which rnaple sap is collected for producing rnaple syrup.

I An in-depth natural resource inventory of wildlife habitats was not made; however, there may be natural areas; such as marshes, which I need protection from the harmful effects of development. Besides Pyrnatuning State Park there are no garnelands or public preserves in the Township. However, there is an ample area of land where wjldlife can coexist with the farmer and rural resident. Of I course the many species of wildlife typical of Northwestern I Pennsylvania are found in Conneaut Township. I I - 32 - I COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES I INTRODUCTION

This section of the "Background Information for Planning" is I a collection of current information concernjng the cornrnunj ty facilities and services available to the Conneaut Township cornrnunity. These facilities and servjces include: rnunicjpal I government; utilities; fire and police protectjon: schools; library; recreation; solid waste disposal: rnedjcal and emergency services; social opportunities; and transportation. I Appreciable population growth beyond what the Townshjp accorn- rnodates today will require, most likely, the exdansjon of existing cornrnunity faci1it:ies and servjces due to increased I demands for these facilities and services. The following information provides the basis necessary to assess current facilities and services and to begin to plan for meeting future I needs. MUNICIPAL GOVERNANCE 1 This subsection describes .she facilities and services provided by the municipal government in Conneaut Townshjp. As a Second Class Township under Pennsylvania law, all governmental powers 1 lie with a Board of Supervisors consisting of three Supervisors elected at large by the Township residehts for six year staggered terms. The Board of Supervisors meet at the Center Road Grange I Hall (Township Building) on the second Tuesday of the month at '7:30 P.M. to conduct the business of the Township. (On occassion, these meetings are held at the home of the Township 1 Secretary.

In Conneaut, the Supervisors are all considered road Foremen in line with their major responsibjlity for road maintenance I and supervision. Other elected Township Off icicals include three auditors (6 year staggered terms) and a tax c,ollector (4 year term) - who collects the Township's Real Estate and I Per Capita taxes. No assessor is elected because property assessment is conducted at the county level. At the present time, Township employees include: a part-time secretary/treasurer; I a wage tax collector; a sewage enforcement officer and building permit officer (same person) on a "as needed" basis; and a solicitor paid "as needed". 1 Conneaut Township is part of the 24th U.S. Congressional District; the 50th State Senatorial District; the 5th State Representatives District and Magesterial District 3-1. 1

The Township has several ordinances related to cornrnuni ty development : I 1. An ordinance defining and regulating sewage djsposal systems. (Ordinance No. 11, Adopted June 6, 1981.) 2. An ordinance regulating the collection, storage and I disposal of ashes, garbage, and rubbish. (Ordjnance No. 15, Adopted December 29, 1967.) - 33 - I I

3. An ordinance regulating the construction and installation I of individual and cornrnuni ty sewage di sposal system. (Ordinance No. 16, Adopted December 29, 1967.) 4. An ordinance governing road encroachment. (Ordinance I No. 74-1, Adopted June 11, 1974.) 5. A building permit ordinance requiring the issuing of building permits in compliance with federal and I state flood management legislation. (Ordinance No. 80-1, Adopted July 8, 1980. ) 6. An ordinance creating a plannjng cornrnission. (Ordinance No. 80-2, Adopted December 2, 1980.) I 7. An ordinance regulating junkyards. There are no zoning, subdivision, or land development ordinances I in the Township at this time. The Township Supervisors are presently in the process of I purchasing the Center Road Grange Hall, located at the Center Road/Maple Road intersection, for use as a cornrnunity building. Center Road Grange No. 502 will continue its use of the building as long as it remains active. The Township garage which is I located irnrnediately south of this grange hall, consists of a cement block and wooden "shed" with four bays built in 1955 and a metal building with two bays added on in 1972. An I overhead oil furnace was recently added to provide some heat. The garage houses the following maintenance equipment: I One 1977, 950 Unloader (High-ljft) with a Frink snow plow and wind plow. One 1971 International truck with a Roth snow plow and wing plow. One 1973 E-14 Caterpillar Grader (used) with an Ornstead wing blade. One 1981 International truck equiped with a hydraulic snow plow and a spreader. One York rake. One Bondline road planer. One Oshkosh truck (no longer used).

This expensive equipment is used to provide one of the most important services of the municipal government - road maintenance. The Township Supervisors are responsible for the maintenance of all Township roads and bridges which includes the task of snow removal. The Township's transportation system is discussed in the last portion of this section.

The Conneaut Township Planning Cornrnission is also.part of the rnunicipal government function. It consists of seven volunteer residents appointed by the Township Supervisors to staggered four year terms. Cornmission meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month and are open to the public. It is the function of the Planning Cornmission to undertake many responsibilities as provided in The Pennsylvania Munjcipalities Planning Code, act 247 and to adivse and make recornrnendations

- 34 - I to the Board of Township Supervisors. This comprehensive planning effort is being done through the recently formed I (Dec. 1980) Conneaut Township Planning Cornmission, with help from the Crawford County Planning Cornmission staff. UTILITIES I

Sewage Disposal There is no public sewer system in Conneaut Township; therefore, I all sewage disposal must be handled by on-lot disposal methods. (See the "Soils" portion of the Natural Resources section for information on soil capability for on-lot sewage disposal I system. The Crawford County Planning Cornmission staff expects to complete, in 1981, an update of the Township's Sewage Facilities Plan, which is required by Pennsylvania's Act 537. 1

--Water Conneaut Township residents must rely on individual water wells I because there is no public water system. (See the "Ground Water Resourcest1 portion of the Natural Resources section for more information on the availability of water supplies.) 1 Electricity Electric power is provided to Township residents from two I sources: The Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec) and the Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative Association (REA). (It is interesti.ng to note that REA is a rural electric cooperative - a non-profit organization which requires a 1 membership. ) Beth companies provide single-phase, two-phase, or three-phase power to their customers. Most electric power is distributed through regular single-phase lines, 7.2 K.V. I (kilovolts) or '7,200 volts, which provide sufficient energy for normal use but not 'enough to run a motor greater than ten horsepower. However, one can wire a three-phase system in order to run small three-phase motors up to twenty horsepower. I Norrnal three-phase lines, 12.47 K.V., provide sufficient energy for large rotors and can be used for cornrnercial and light industrial uses. Two-phase lines are 12.47 K.V. but carry I power for smaller horsepower loads. The 12.47 K.V. lines distribute the power obtained from larger 34.5 K.V.. three- phase transmission lines, which can be used' for heavy industrial 1 uses as well as for cornrnercial and residential service. No 34.5 K.V. lines directly serve Conneaut Townshjp. I REA serves the western and the northern most portions of Conneaut Township and the eastern boundary. Penelec serves the remaining central and eastern portion of the Townshjp. I (See accompanying Utilities Map.) REA receives the power it distributes through Penelec transmission lines. Therefore, REA has a three-phase 12.47 K.V. line, beginning at a substation I north of the Village of Dicksonburg in Surnrnerhill Township, that distributes power obtained from a 34.5 K.V. Penelec transmission line. This three-phase distribution line enters Conneaut from along Fish Road in Surnmerhill, it travels north I - 35 - I I I I 1 I I I I I I I

.111 BBB BBBB BBBBmmm PENELEC SERVICE AREA ELEC7RIC UTILITIES R.E.A. SERVICE AREA CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP NOTE: SERVICE AREAS NOT DRAWN TO SCALE PREPARED BY THE CRAWFORO COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION UNDER A GRANT FROM THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION , MARCH 1981

SOURSE: UTILITY CO. SERVICE MAPS MARCH 1981 1 along Conneautville-Linesville Road (LR 200431, west along Carpenter Road, south along the Beaver Center Road (LR 20039), south I along U.S. Route 6, and south along Gilliand Road into Pine Township where it dead-ends at the Linesville Beach House in Pyrnatuning State Park. From the same entry point, this line also travels south along I Center Road (LR 20038) and the Townline Road (T. 360). The line becomes a two-phase line along Townline Road south of Wheeler Road (T. 609). Single-phase service is provided in the rest of the REA I service area, wh.ich includes Pennline and the allotments in the southwestern portion of the Township. Penelec provides three-phase service from Linesville along the 1 Linesville-Conneautville Road (LR 20043) and to the Village of Center Road. Two-phase service continues along Center Road (LR 20038) to Conneaut Center and south along Maple Road back to Linesville. I Single-phase service is provided in the remainder of Penelec's service area, which interestingly includes Graham Elementary School. 1 Penelec and REA have defined jurisdictional areas governed by the New Territorial Act of 1975 and neither company can encroach on the other's terrj tory. The Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requires that each company must be capable of serving 1 increased demand within their service areas. Both companies are able to do this adequately. Penelec uses "34.5 K.V. construction" on all new three-phase lines and REA has plans to double its 1 distribution voltage on its three-phase line in Conneaut. Gas 1 Natior,al Fuel Gas serves a limited area o€ Conneaut Township. This area is located primarily along the six mile natural gas distribution pipeline that runs from Linesville to Conneautville along the Lines- ville-Conneautville Road (LR 20043 and LR 20038). (See "Other 1 Utilities" map.) A three inch spur branches of€ this main line in order to serve the Rustic Pines Saloon, Buckeye Aluminurn Foundry, Thompson's Saw Mill, the former Pro Tire Factory and a Pew homes in I the Vlllage of Center Road. Extension of this service area is possible based upon demand. 1 It is important to note that National Fuel Gas does purchase gas Prom local producers, which ties some of the Township's gas wells into their supply network. Those who have a gas well on their property normally will receive natural gas free-of-charge. Most Township 1 residents, however, use propane gas to meet their needs for gas heating and cooking. It should be noted here that the Consolidated Gas Supply Corporation owns a high pressure natural gas transmission 1 pipeline that crosses the township in a northwest-sautheast direction as it travels between Ashtabula, Ohio and Mercer, Pennsylvania. I T e 1ep ho ne The Mid-Penn Telephone Corporation provides telephone service to Conneaut Township. This system is currently meeting needs but not without some facilities problems. In the. last five years there has I not been much development activity. However, with any new surge of development, the system will require improvements. Mid-Penn plans for expansion qf facilities based over five year periods of growth. I

- 37 - I 6"MAIN TO CONNEAUTVILLE .& I

I I I i I 9- -= - CQNSOtl DATED G AS OTHER UIPlLlTY LINE§ j ~I SUPPLY CORP [ -I-a-I- NATIONAL FUEL GAS CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP 'I r.--- AMERICAN TELEPHONE F a TELEGRAPH SCALE 1"=5280' OR 1"=1 MILE I PREPARED BY THE CRAWFORD COUNlY PLANNING COMMISSION UNDER A GRANT FROM THE APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMlSSlON I SOURCE: EXISTING MAP RECORDS SEPTEMBER 1981 It should be noted that American Telegraph and Telephone Corporation has an underground cable that crosses the Township. (See "Other Utilities" map.) POLICE PROTECTION

The Pennsylvania State Police presently provide police protection to Conneaut Township residents out of the Meadville Barracks, located on Murray Road in Vernon Township. Thjs Barracks, which is part of Troop E headquartered in Erie, is presently manned by thirty-three State Troopers with fourteen patrol cars. They provide protection for the western and central portions of Crawford County and surprisingly use only one car for routine night patrol.

The State Police radio network.is tied into the Crawford County Central Radio Control by cross-monitoring. Thjs helps improve public safety since the State Poljce can use thjs system to call on the Linesvjlle or Conneautvjlle Police for back-up assistance. It should be noted that the police officers in these cornrnunities do not have direct jurisdiction within Conneaut Township. FIRE PROTECTION

Conneaut Township residents are protected by two volunteer lire departments: the Linesville Volunteer Fire Department and the Conneautville Fellows Club Fire Department. The Linesvillz Department responds to fires south of Turkey Track RoaL (L.R. 20117) and LR 20037 - roughly two-thirds of the Township's arez. The Conneautvi lle Department serves the remaining one-third of the Township north of this "dividing line" and south along the Linesville- Conneautville Road (LR 20038 and LR 20043) to the Village of Center Road.

Both fire departments are part of the Crawford County Radio Control System. Through this system emergency servjces in the county are coordinated through a central control center, located in the County Courthouse. The control room receives calls from anywhere in the County and then contacts the appropriate agencies to handle fire, police and ambulance calls. As many agencies as necessary can be reached to handle almost any emergency. Most emergency vehicles in the county are equjpped with radios operating on the emergency frequency, which enables them to travel jmmediately to a site. The control room operates twenty-four hours a day and has been effective in producing coordinated emergency services. By means oP this system, Harmonsburg, Springboro or Conneaut Lake Park fire companies can be called to provide aid in the event oP large fires. Mutual aid agreements also exist with the fire companies in Pierpont and Andover, Ohio.

Funds for the Linesville and Conneautville Departments come from bingo and other activities such as dances, auctions, membership drives and contributions from local governments. Conneaut Township currently contributes to both departments.

39 - I The following describes the facilities, equipment and future plans 1 of the two fire departments: Linesville: The fire station, built in 1975, has five truck bays and is located between Penn Street and Erie Street in the center of Linesville Borough. Equipment is as follows: 1 - 1980 Hi/Lo Pressure Purnper/Tanker (1,000 Gal.) 1 - 1969 Punper/Tanker (1500 GPM/1,000 Gal.) 1 - 1957 Hi/Lo Pressure Purnper/Tanker (500 Gal. ) 1 - 1956 Brush Fire Truck 1 - 1974 Squad/Rescue Van 1 - 1945 Amphibious Vehicle The amphibious vehicle, call the ttducktf, is a unique piece of equjprnent used for water rescues and possibly snow rescues. It is equipped with helligen lights, which shine through light snow and rain, and an air compressor for raising swamped boats. It is made available to other cornrnunities as needed. In terms of future plans, a fund has been started to replace the 1956 Brush Fire Truck. As development in the area increases a ladder or snorkle truck may be needed. Conneautville: The Conneautville Fire Station, originally built in 1953 and added to in 1974, has fiae truck bays, a large hall and an office. It is located behind the Post Office in the center of the Borough. Equipment is as follow: 1 - 1979 Pumper/Tanker (1200 GPM/l,000 Gal.) 1 - 1962 Pumper/Tanker (750 GPM/1,000 Gal.) 1 - 1967 Grass Fire Vehicle (250 GPM/250 Gal.) 1 - 1978 Rescue Squad Van 1 Hirst Tool The Hirst Tool is a special piece of equipment that can be described as metal jaws used to pry open wreckage in car rescues. In terms of future plans, a new truck may be purchased when the 1979 Pumper/Tanker is completely paid for. Ladder trucks may be needed if new buildings exceed the thirty-six foot limit of the existing ladders. HEALTH AND EMERGENCY SERVICES Ambulance and Rescue Service Ambulance and Rescue Squad Service is provided through the Linesville Volunteer Fire Department and the Meadiille Area AmnbGlance operated by the Conneautvi lle Fellows Club Fire Department. Linesville has a 1980 modular ambulance and a 1976 maxi-van ambulance that is used for back-up and transports to hospitals. These units are equipped with high-frequency radios making them the only ones in the county able to cornrnunicate with emergency vehicles in Ohio. Conneautville also has a 1980 modular arnbulance owned by the Meadville Area Ambulance Squad, Both ambulance units take patients to hospitals in Meadvi lle, Greenvj lle, Erie and, in some cases, Conneaut , Ohio. Health Services for residents are provided at these hospitals or more locally the Linesville Medical Center, a private facility, and the Conneaut Valley Medical Center in Conneautville. The "Valley" Medical Center is operated by Cornrnunity Health Services of Crawford County, Inc. which provides "fee for service" medical service to the general public five days a week. Its staff includes a physician as medical director; a nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, a

- 40 - 1 family health speci list nd receptionist. Primary care servi S are. emphasized along with emergency service. Cornrnunity Health I Services also provides the following health services to Township residents: Therapeutic Home Health Service; Nutrition Services or WIC (Women, Infants and Children); Homemakers and Home Health Aide 1 Services; Chore Services; Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment; Multiple Sclerosis Treatment; and Home Delivered Meals. In 1980-81 Cornrnunity Health Services has 674 clients from Conneaut Township. Of these, 500 were clients of the Conneaut Valley Health 1 Center and the rest were participants in their home-oriented programs. There is a dentist in Conneautville. Other medical services must be 1 obtained in larger service areas; such as Meadville, Greenville or Erie. I PARKS AND RECREATION

Pyrnatuning State Park is the only public recreation facility within Conneaut Township. Approximately 1,121 acres of land and 439 acres I of water lie within the Township and are available for recreation use. The facilities located in the Park are described under "Con- servation Lands" in the "Exjsting Land Use" section of this report. 1 Boating and fishing are the main activities associated with use of the Park. Camping and other recreation activities occur at private facilities in proximity to the Park. School facilities at Graham 1 Elementary and in Linesvjlle are open to the public. SCHOOLS 1 Current Status and Needs Connesut Township is included in the Conneaut School District, Lines- ville Attendance Area. This district covers all of western Crawford 1 County, except for South and West Shenango Townships. Elementary aged children from Conneaut Township attend Graham Elernen- I tary School located on Center Road (LR 20038) immediately west of the Beaver Center Blacktop (LR 20039). Kindergarten and special service students, four to six students, had attended Alice L. Schafer Zlernentary School in Linesville until it was destroyed by fire in 1981. Since 1 that time they have been temporarily using the Fredericksburg Elernen- tary School in Vernon Township near Meadville. 1 Junior and Senior high school students attend Linesville-Sumnit High School located in Linesville. These facilities provide basic education as well as programs for gifted students, Special Education, I Mental Retardation, Learning Disabilities, Reading Services, and Vocational/Agricultural opportunities through the services of Intermediate Unit No. 5. Existing facilities are analyzed as follows: 1980-81 Age and I Grades Classrooms Enrollment Condi t ion Gra ham Elementary 1-6 6 136 1938/1951 1 Aged Linesville Joint High I School 7-12 30 583* 1953/1966 Good * This figure includes students enrolled in special programs. I - 41 - I

I The high school includes the following facilities: playing fields, greenhouse, forty-eight acre tree farm, wood shop, 1,000 person I combination gym/auditoriurn, full-service cafeteria and a library. Current school board policy indicates that Graham Elementary School should be phased out, and elementary aged children from Conneaut I Township should attend Aljce 'L. Schafer 21ementary in Linesville when this facility is rebuilt.

I/ B LIBRARY Public library facilities are available to Township residents from Stone Memorial Library in Conneautville Borough and through the I library in the Linesville Joint High School. Stone Memorial Library is located near the center of Conneautville along the east side of Water Street at its intersection with Main Street. Operation of the library began in 1904 and is governed by a seven member Library Board. I This library is freely open to Township residents by-virtue of the fact that the Board of County Commissioners has created a County Library Board and provides funding on the condition that all county I residents obtain free service in all participating libraries. Stone Memorial participates in this system as well as the inter-library loan program sponsored by the State Library Board. This system makes it I possible for a patron to obtain virtually any book from large metro- politan library facilities.

Stone Memorial has a collection of over 5,000 books managed by a part I time librarian. Hours of operation are as follows: Tuesday and Thursday 2:OO to 5:30 P.M., Friday 6:OO to 8:OO p.m. and Saturday 9:00 to 12:OO a.m. The library is trying to expand these hours. If I there is any problem with this library, it is a lack of space due to the condition and size of the library building. I The Linesvjlle Joint High School library is open for public use by Township residents during the school year on Monday and Thursday evenings from 7:OO to 9:OO p.m.; and during eight weeks of the surnmer. Surnrner hours are posted in the Linesville Herald. The facility has 1 25,000 volumes and is well used by adults in the Linesville area and by surnrner visitors.

I SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL

The Township does not provide garbage or trash pick-up services for its I residents. As there are no durnps or landfills in the Township or in the surrounding area, most residents either arrange for private refuse services or handle waste disposal on their own property. Those 1 choosing the second alternative must abide by state regulations. It is felt that there is a county-wide solid waste disposal problem primarily because none of the local governments in the county are 1 financially able to provide a solution to the problem. Landfills and alternative disposal systems are extremely expensive' to run given modern environmental quality standards. Solid. waste disposal is seen as I a particularly serious problem at the local level in Conneaut Township.

I - 42 - SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICES 1 This brief section identiPies the churches, granges and clubs available to residents within Conneaut Township. There currently is one active church in the Township - The Calvary Baptist Church of Center Road. I Township residents also attend churches in Linesville and Conneautville Boroughs and in Dicksonburg. There are two granges in the Township, the Center Road Grange and the Pennline Grange. Both granges are active; however, activities are not what they were in the past, as 1 indicated by the need €or the Center Road Grange to ask the Township to take over its building responsibilities. Clubs, such as the Sportsmen's Club in Linesville, are available for Township residents in Linesville I and Conneautville. There are many federal and state .social services available to residents I at the county level. They are usually headquartered in Meadville and are too numerous to name in this report. I TRANSPORTATION

Penn-Central Railroad This railroad served the Township with freight service up until October 1 of 1977 when service was terminated. Since then the ties and tracks have been removed. This rail right-of-way runs north from Linesville Borough, passes through the Village of Center Road, (formerly Surnmjt I Station), into Spring Township on its way north to Lake Erie. It now has the potential for recreation uses which would also reserve it for possible transportation if needed in the future. I Road System One of thernost important services provided by the Board of Township Supervisors is the maintenance of a large segment of the road system I within the Township. Conneaut's road system is extensive and is its most important public investment. There are a total of 75.46 miles clf roads, of which 44.69 miles are Township roads and 30.77 miles are state I roads. On a percentage basis the township maintains about 59 percent. of the roads, and the state about 41 percent. All Township roads are unpaved gravel roads except for two small segments 1 oP Maple Road and a portion of Townline Road, whjch is maintained primarily by Surnrnit Township. State roads are bituminous surface or a tar and chip pavement with two exceptions. Turkey TrackRoad (LR 20117) I has an oiled surface, and LR 20037 has a gravel- surPace. All Township roads have a right-of-way width of 50 feet and the cartway, or travelway, varies from 16 to 18 feet. State roads all have a 50 foot I right-of-way and a pavement or cartway width from 18 to 22 feet. I 1 I

- 43 - 1 The following is a list of Township roads: 1 Name . Route Nurnber Mileage- Airport Road T 340 6.20 mi. I Atroskin Road T 364 0.30 mi. Carpenter Road T 725 4.20 mi. Cole Road T 348 3.05 mi. I Debow Road T 314 0.37 mi. Gilliand Road T 324 0.30 mi. Lee Road T 310 0.04 mi. Leste r Roa d T 721 2.60 mi. 1 Maple Road T 338 6.25 mi. Partch Road T 304 2.30 mi. Phelps Road T 302 3.50 mi. I Reeds Road T 308 2.30 mi. Rockwell Drive T 313 0.23 mi. Russell Road T 346 0.70 mi. I Swiden Road T 362 0.80 mi. Tighe Road T 326 1.70 mi. Townline Road T 360 1.90 mi. Waring Road T 687 0.40 mi. I West Road T 605 2.00 mi. Wheeler Road T 609 5.05 mi. I Woodward Road T 603 0.40 mi. The state contributes a certain amount of money, called ',liquid fuels" money for maintenance of Township roads. Liquid fuels monies are I collected by the state through the taxes paid by motorists at the gas pumps. These revenues are then distributed to all municipalities in the state according to a forrnula based on road mileage and population.

1 Besides providing year-round maintenance for these roads, the Super- visors must also maintain all ditches, culverts and bridges on Township

roads. There are seven bridges maintained by the Township, one county I: I brjdge and nine state bridges. According to a bridge conditions field survey conducted by the staff of the Crawford County Planning Cornmission, all Township bridges are considered single-lane bridges. A roughly I determined rating of their condition follows: Condition *Bridge Nurnber

I Good None Fair to Good 10, 19 Fair 3, 8 I Fair to Poor 1, 9 Poor 6 I * Refers to location on Road Informatjon Map - (See Appendix 2) Thee of the Township bridges are over 20 feet in length, which makes them eligible for Federal Off Systems Eunding. The County-maintained bridge located on Lester Road is a single-lane bridge considered in 1 "fair to good" condition. Eight of the state bridges are considered in "good" condition, one is in "fair" condition and one is rated 'lpoorfl. The latter bridge is a one-lane bridge located on LR 20037, crossing I Paden Creek, which was given a ''poor" rating by the Pennsylvania Depart- ment of Transportation (PennDOT) in the surmner of 1978. PennDOT recently I - 44 - 1

constructed a new bridge on LR 20042 just west of the border with Sunrnerhi 11. I

Posted Roads and Bridges Up to the present the Township has not found it necessary to post I weight limits on Township roads; however, the state has posted Center Road (LR 20038) at 15 tons due to the presence of frost heaves in the spring. The Township bridges on Wheeler Road are posted at 6 tons, 1 and the bridge on West Road is posted at 4 tons. The County bridge is posted at 10 tons and the State bridge on LR 20037 is also posted at 10 tons. I Averate Daily Traffic (ADT) The Average Daily Traffic count is a system for expressing the number of vehicles which use roads on a daily average. PennDOT keeps ADT 1 statistics for the important roads in its system. The following are ADT's for state roads jn Conneaut Township as updated through 1978 by the Crawford County Planning Cornmission in cooperation with PennDOT: I Road -ADT U.S. Route 6 4,520 (Linesville to Township line) I 1,469 (Township line to Perinline) 1,695 (Pennline to Ohio line) 440 (Ohio line to Ohio Route 7) I Lin esvi 1le/Conneaut- ville Rd. LR 20043 2,034 (Linesville to Wheeler Rd..) 1,808 (Wheeler Rd. to Center Rd. LR 20038) I LR 20038 1,356 (LR 20043 to LR 20042 Intersection) 1,017 (LR 20042 Intersection to Convl.) Center Rd.. LR 20038 396 (Pennline to LR 20039 Beaver Cntr.Rd.1 452 (LR 20034, Beaver Cntr. Rd./Center Rd. r 565 (Center Rd. to LR 20043 Intersection) Beaver Center Rd. LR 20039 565 (Finley 3ridge to Stearnburg) I 452 (Stearnburg to Route 198) LR 20107 255 {Finley 3ridge to Ohjo ljne) LR 20042 904 (Intersection in LR 20038 to Rte.18) 1 Note: LR 20037 and LR 20017 (Turkey Track Road) have no ADT's.

The Federal Functional Classification System I The Federal Government through staff. assjstance from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) maintains a classification system for all roads throughout the State. This system is called the I Federal Funckional Classification System. Federal funding and in many cases state funding priorities for highways are allocated according to this system. The categories listed below show how the roads in Conneaut I Township are classif jed under the Federal System: I I

- 45 - I I 1 I I 'i I

I I I I I I I I AVERAGE DAJLY TRAFFIC 1 . (ADTI STATE HIGHWAY COUNT UPDATED THROUGH 1978 I NETWORK CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP I -1234 ADT COUNT WHERE SCALE 1"=5280' OR l"=l MILE AVAILABLE PREPARED BY THE CRAWFORD COUNIY PLANNING I COMMISSION UNDER A GRANT FROM ME APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMISSION I SOURCE : PENNOOT COUNTS JULY 1981 1 Classification Road I Major Collectors U. S. Route 6 L.R. 20038 (Surnrerhill Township to L.R. 20043) L.R. 20043 (L.R. 20038 to Pine I Township)

Minor Collectors L.R.20038 (L.R. 20043 to L.R. 20039) I L.R. 20039 Local All remaining state and Township 1 roads. It is important to realize that Minor Collector and Local roads do I not receive federal funding assistance for upkeep; but Minor Arterial and Major Collector roads are eligible for such aid.' Minor Collec- tor and Local roads must be maintained through state and local money. The one exception to this rule is the Fedem1 Off-Systems Funding I Program which does make federal money available through the State for specific projects on Minor Collector or Local roads. At the present time most of thjs Off-Systems money is going into bridges. I Also, to qualify for the Off-Systems program any road must have a rninirnurn cartway width of twenty feet. The Federal Functional Classi- fication System is an important guide to planning for the level of I service on roads, and thus is an important factor in planning for future use of land.

Probl ern Analysis I An analysis of the existing transportation system in the Township for safety concerns, road alignment and general maintenance has raised several concerns. These concerns are listed below as determined by theI Plannj ng Cornrni ssi on. TOWNSHIP ROADS I - There is a blind intersection at Phelps Road and L.R. 20107 due to overgrown brush. A four-way stop may be needed. I - A steep hill at the eastern end of Wheeler Road may cause a hazardous situation in the winter months at the L.R. 200431 Wheeler Road Intersect ion. I - There is a hazardous line of sight situation at the Center Road (L.R. 20038)/Townljne Road intersection. I - A steep bank on Maple Road causes a 'line of site problem at the U. S. Route 6 intersection. I - The Rustic Pines Saloon entrance at the Cole Road/Center Road (L.R. 20038) intersection can be hazardous. I - Trees need to be cut at the Airport Road/West Road intersection. - Possible hazards exist where the Penn-Central Railroad right- I of-way causes a rise when crossed by Cole Road, L.R. 20117, - 47 - I I I and Carpenter Road. - The Township bridges on Cole Road, Wheeler Road, and West Road may need repairs to upgrade weight limits so that school I busses can safely cross. The Township does a good to excellent job of maintaining it's gravel I roads and it's brjdges. There are weather conditions in the spring which make maintenance of gravel roads very difficult, but most residents accept this temporary inconvenience as just part of rural liv- I ing. STATE ROADS I - On U. S. Route 6 at the state boundary with Ohio the first curve south is improperly banked. It should be banked south- I west not northeast. - The Phelps Road/U. S. Route 6 intersection is blind. Cut or fill would be necessary to improve this hazard. I - The curve irnrnediately south of Finley Bridge is improperly crowned . I - The curve immediately south of Debow Road on U. S. Route 6 at Clark's Hollow may need a speed warning sign. I - The two sluices on Center Road (L.R. 20038) near the Village of Center Road rnay be considered too narrow to accommodate two-way traffic easily. I - There is a bad rise immediately south of the L.R. 20117/Beaver Center Road intersection on Beaver Center Road (L.R. 20039)

1,: 1,: which may be considered hazardous for vehicles entering this I intersection. The normal maintenance of state roads is inconsistant and allows far I too many dangerous pot holes to exist, particularly in the spring of the year. I I I

- 48 - I POPULATION

INTRODYCTION I

This section deals with population - current, past, and future. It is important to know how many people there are in the Township and I something about these people in terms of their age and sex distribution. Schools, roads, utilities, health care facilities, fire and police services, and all other services are directly affected by the I number of people living in a cornrnunity. As a general rule, the more people there are the greater the demand will be for services and cornrnunity facilities. Thus, cornrnunjty planning becomes increasingly irnportant as population increases. Shortly we will see that Conneaut I Township is a growing cornrnunity, but first let us establish a baseline fkorn which to plan. That baseline will be the current population. I IITJRRRNT------. - PCIPTTT,ATTON------. I The 1980 Census is the most recent "official" count of Conneaut Town- I ship's population, which places the 1980 population at 1,388 people. At the time OP this writing there is no breakdown of this total count, such as population by age and sex. The 1980 Census figures were re- I ceived by the Crawford County Planning Cornrnission on April 1, 1981. The more detailed 1980 Census infcrmation is expected to be available in 1982. At that time the Conneaut Township Planning Cornrnission can obtain 1980 Census statistics from the Crawford County Planning Corn- I mission in order to make an analysis similar to that shown in Table 2, Population by Age and Sex - 1970. This table shows the 1980 population broken into different age grcups by Sex. I I

TABLE 2 !: POPLLATION BY AGE AND SEX CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP - 1970 - AGE GROUP % MALE MALE % FEMALE FEMALE T3TAL 2 TOTAL

0-4 9.6% 65 7.5% 48 113 8.6% 5-14 22.2% 151 24.9% 160 31 1 23.5% 15-24 18.8% . 128 17.8% 114 24.2 18.3% 25-34 8.2% 56 8.7% 56 112 8.5% 35-44 10.9% 74 12.0% 77 151 11.4% 4 5- 54 11.3% 77 10.6% 68 145 1.1.0 % 55-64. 9.0% 61 9.51 61 122 9.2% 65+ 10.0% 68 9.0% 58 126 9.5% 100.0% 680 100.0% 64 2 1,322 1qo.ox ------.- SOURCE: U. S. Census Bureau - 1970 I

- 49 - I Several observations can be made from Table 2. For example, there were 247 women of childbearing age (ages 15-44); 772 people were I in the work force age group (15-65); and there were 126 senior citizens (age 65 and over). The 5 to 14 year old group had the most people (311) and contained 23.5 percent of the total population. This age group also contained the largest percentage of rnales and fe- I males in any one group. There were 38 more males than females in the total population. I It is also interesting to note that Table 2 shows a decrease in the number of people from the 4 to 15 age group to the 25 to 34 age group. In general, there is a greater decrease in the number of females. This I can be explained by the fact that in many rural areas young people leave home to seek education and ernployrnent elsewhere. More women than rnen seem to leave because ernployrnent opportunities are fewer for women than men in the Township and because rnany marry someone from out- I side the cornmunity. The fact that there were more men than wornen over 65 years of age disagrees with the national trend that women generally live longer than rnen; however, this fact may change depending on the I results OP the 1980 Census. I POPULATION TRENDS As shown by Table 3., Conneaut Township has experienced fluctuating trends in population since the 1310 Census when the population was recorded at 285. It is interesting to note that this data was gathered I only ten years after the Township was established in 18aO. The Town- ship's peak population of 1,867 occurred in 1860 during the height of a strong agricultural period and close to when the Erie and I Pittsburgh Railroad was established in 1866. The lowest population since 1860 occurred 70 years later when the population dipped to 1,109, which was probably due to the depression of the late 1920's and early I 1930's. Since 1930 Conneaut Township has been growing gradually. TABLE 3 POPULATION COMPAFlISONS 1810-1980 I CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP ______TOTAL ACTUAL PERCENT I DECADE WPDLATION CHANGE CHANGE 1810 28 5 1820 56 2 -277 97.2% 1830 547 - 15 - 2.7% I 1840 1,526 +979 +179.0% 1850 1,807 +2R1 + 18.4: 1860 1,867 + 83 + 3.3% I 1870 1,729 -138 - 7.4% 1880 1,601 -128 - 7.4% 1890 1,559 - 42 - 2.6% 1900 1,477 - 82 - 5.3% I 1910 1,230 -247 - 16.7% 1920 1,219 - 11 - 0.9% 1930 1,109 -110 - 9.0% I 1940 1,208 4. YO + 8.9% 1950 1,235 -r 27 J. 2.2% 1960 1,295 + 40 + 4.9% I 1970 1,322 + 27 + 2.12 1980 1,388 + 66 + 5.0%

SOURCE: Crawford County Planning Co~lSsionStaff I Analysis of U. S. Census Data - 50 - It is difficult to identify specific reasons for the sharp changes in population as shown in Table 3. The greater fluctuations in population occurred between 1810 and 1840 as the Township was becorning settled. Between 1810 and 1820 the population nearly doubled jumping from 285 to 562. There was a slight decrease in 1830 and then a sharp increase, 179.0 percent, from 547 to 1,526. The reason for this more than doubling of the Township's population may be that the land was I cleared and thus became drier and more tillable. This permitted the population to increase rapidly until it peaked in the 1860's. It is believed that there was also an influx of construction workers asso- I ciated with the construction of the Beaver and Erie Canal and the Er5-e and Pittsburgh Railroad. The sharpest decrease in population occurred between 1900 and 1910 for undetermined reasons. I During the seventy year period from 1860 to 1930, Conyeaut experienced steady declines in populatjon, with an average decrease of 7.0 percent per decade. This is explained in part by the advent of the industrial I revolution in our society and the resulting decline in the nurnber of farmers. This trend reversed in the 1930's when the Township experienced the largest increase in population since 1850. The population I of Conneaut has continued to increase gradually since 1940, at an average rate of 3.6 percent per decade. There was a total increase of 149.0 percent over the 1940 population, or 180 people. This increase I is probably due to general national population increases and the more recent trend,, as identified by the 1980 Census, for people to leave the cities for rural areas. I Table 4 , Populatjon by Age Group and Sex 1940-1973, graphically shows different age groups by sex for the decades of 1940, 1950, 1960, and 1970. This "population pyramid" allows one to follow any age group I through the decades and note changes.

As the table shows, the 5 to 14 age group has been the largest €or the I four decades. It also shows that in almost all cases there have been more males in each group over the decades in question. One can clearly see from this table that young men and women over the age of 14 began I to leave the Township due to marriage, employment, or continued education, etc. The recession during the 1950's must have greatly aPfected the Township as one looks at the difference between the number of young) people in the 5 to 14 age group in 1950 and that same group, ten years later, at ages 15 to 24 in 1960. A further decrease is shown for this group at ages 25 to 34 in 1970. I It was mentioned earlier that male senior citizens outnumbered females in 1970. Table 4 shows that this was the case in Conneaut during all four decades. This fact is contrary to the national trend that women generally live longer than men. The table also shows the median age I of all people in the Township- for the Pour decades. The median age of 24.7 years is not an average, but rather the mid-point in age between the youngest person and the oldest. I

A table such as this can be a useful planning tool since it can give some indication of the size of various age groups over a period of I years. This can be very helpful in school planning, and in the planning of other facilities such as housing and services for the elderly. I

- 51 - TABLE 4.

CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP POPULATION I9 4 0-70 PERCENTAGES BY AGE GROUP AND SEX

MALE FEMALE TOTAL 1940 6 46 562 1,208 1950 650 585 1,235 1960 676 619 1,295

' 1970 680 642 1322

I WALL PERCENT OF TOTAL POPULAflON PCyIU 15% 10%. 5% 0 % 0% soh 10% IS% I - I 4- --+---I 61 a OVER .. .. --- -I I - I I I. I

55 -64 I --A-- I -- 45-54 I -

I 25-44 I 21-34 I 1 I 15-24 I - 5 -14 I

IS% 10% 5% 0% 0% 5% 10% 15% __

Source: U. S. Census M.A. - Median Age

- 52 - 04 I-hz (D W (DG ocn m(D I-J (Do H, n

TABLE 5 COMPARISON OF POPULATION TRENDS CONNEAUT VALLEY AREA 1940-1 980* . -- _- PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT PERCENT -0 MUNICIPALITY PERCENT OP OR CllANGE C II ANGE CHANGE CHANGE CHANGE YJ AREA 1040 1950 4 0- 50 1960 50-60 1970 60-70 1980 70-80 40-80 - __. __-__--- ab 1,388 + 5.0% +14.9% -* (D Conneaut Twp. 1 ,208 1,235 + 2.2% 1,295 +4.9% 1,322 -2.0% H, 930 +13.1% 910 -3.1% 96 3 +5.8% 1,196 +24.2% +44.1% H,(D Swnerhi 11 Twp. 8 30 (D3 Spring Twp. 1 ,296 1,362 + 5.1% 1,305 -2.7% 1,287 -2.9% 1,500 +16.6% +15.7% YS (DPJ Spri ngboro 570 611 + 7.21 58 -4.6% 58 4 +o. 2% 557 - 4.6% - 2.3% 33 I 3 do Connea u t vi 11 e 96 5 1,177 +22.0% 1,100 -6.5% 1,032 -6.2% 971 - 5.9% + 6.6% (D aa w0- Beavei. Twp. 740 759 + 2.6% 800 +5.4% 775 -3.1% 827 + 6.7% +11.8% (0 Ob 1 Conneaut Valley 5,609 6,083 - 8.5% 6,013 -1.2% 5,963 -0.8% 6,439 + 7.4% +14.9% Fsw a CrawFord County 71,644 78,948 +10.2% 77,956 -1.3% 81 ,342 +4.3% 88,869 + 9.3% +24.0% (Do cno 0 cj NOI'E: * Cotineaut Valley Area for the purposes of this report iiicludes: Conneautville and Sl)rin6%oro Boroughs and O Deaver , Conneaut , Spring and Suinoerhjll Townships. 0 a w. SOURCE: Criiwtord County Planning Corrunission StiiTf Analyses 01 U. S. L'eiisus data. J m rt z (D cn PJ B (D m Y 0 G Table 5 , Comparison of Population Trends, provides a comparison of total populatjon from 1940-1980 for the six municipalities in the Conneaut Valley area. During the 1940's all of these cornrnunities experienced increases in total population with the growth rates of Surnrnerhill Township and Conneautville exceeding those of the others. In the 1950'~~Beaver and Conneaut Townships grew while the other cornrnunities decreased in population. During the 1960's Conneaut Town- ship continued to grow, Spring Township and Conneautville Borough continued to loose population, and the other cornrnunities reversed their respective growth trends. The 1970's brought a continuation of growth in Conneaut and Surnrnerhill Townships, a continued decline in Conneautville Borough, and reversed population trends in the remaining three communities. The overall population change from 1940 to 1980 for the Conneaut Valley Area was an increase of 14.8 percent, which compares to a 24.0 percent increase for Crawford County. Con- neaut Township- experienced a 14%9percent increase for this same time period. Surnrnerhj 11 Township had the largest increase, 44.1 percent, and Springboro Borough was the only cormunity in the Conneaut Valley to experience a net decrease (-2.3 percent) in population during the forty year period.

TABLE 6 COiMPARISON OF POPULATION TENDS LINESVILLE AREA, CRAWFORD COUNTY, PE3nTSYLVANIA, UNITED STATES 1970-1980*

PERCENT CHANGE 1970 1980 1970-80

Conneaut Township 1,322 1,388 f 5.0X I Linesville Borough 1,265 1,198 f 5.3% Pine Townshjp 392 4 35 +ll.O% 1 Penn s y lvan i a 11,800,766 11,864,728 + 0.6%

~~ ~~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~ ~ 2 I United States 221,800,000 203,800,000 + 8.8%

NOTES : 1. 1980 U. S. Census of Population and Housing Report No. PHC 80-V-40, Pennsylvania - Final Popu1a.t ion I and Housing Unit Counts 2. 1980 Statistical Abstract of the United Statbs, lOlst Editjon, U. S. Dept. of Comnerce, Bureau of the Census - (Resident Population as of May I 1, 1980) . . _. .. SOURCE: * Crawford County Planning Comrnission StafP Analysis I of U. S. Census data. I I I - 54 - Table 6 gives a comparison of population growth for the decade of 1970-80 among Conneaut Township, the two adjacent municipalities of Linesville Borough and Pine Township, and the larger areas of I Pennsylvania and the Unjted States. One can see from the table that Conneaut and Pine Townships apparently have received an increase in population, which has come from Linesville Borough. This would be I consistent with the national trend. of population movement from the cities and towns into the suburban and rural areas. Conneaut Town- ship is growing at a faster rate than the State, but at a slower rate I than the United States. POPULATION FORECAST I There are several different methods which can be used to calculate future population; some of them are simple, while others are extremely complicated. All, however, are estimates based upon our knowledge of past trends and our understanding of future constraints. As such, the forecasts discussed here reflect different assumptions concerning the future population of Conneaut Township. One such assumption is I that U. S. Steel rnay build its large steel making complex in nearby Erie County. These forecasts should not be interpreted as anything more exact than educated guesses. 1 Three methods were used to project population. These methods are as follows: (1) Arithmetic Extrapolation - a projection of past population changes into the future; (2) Linear Regression - the mathematical I line technique which best expresses past population changes and projects an adjusted trend into the future; and (3) a consideration of the proposed U. s. Steel plant impact population on Conneaut Township. The I following is an explanation of these methods and the accompanying results. Arithmetic- Extrapolation Method I This method involves the calculation of previous population trends and the projection of these trends into the future. Two previous trends were calculated for this projection. These are the population I changes according to the U. S. Census between 1940 and 1980 and between 1970 and 1980. (See Table 5 , Comparison of Population Trends, Conneaut Valley Area.) The resulting forecasts are based upon the 1 assumption that future growth will follow these past trends.

Between 1940 and 1980, Conneaut Township averaged an increase of 3.6 percent per decade. Projecting this same rate of growth over the next I two decades we obtain the following results: Year 1990 2000 I Population Forecast 1,438 1,490 These projections show Conneaut's population in the year 2000 increasing over the 1980 population by 7.3 percent (102 people). I I

- 55 - I The rate of growth between 1970 and 1980 (5.0 percent) was higher I than the average between 1940 and 1980 (3.6 percent) causing a higher population forecast when projected to the year 2000. If the 1970 to 1980 growth rate is used, the following projection results: I Year 1990 2000 Populatjon Forecast 1,457 1,530 I These forecasts in,dicate an increase of 10.2 percent, or 142 people, between 1980 and 2000.

Linear Regress i on Met hod I This method is best explained by saying a "best pitting" straitght line is drawn through past 2opulation figures which have been plotted on graph paper. This line is then extended into the future for the fore- I cast. The "best fitting" line is actually the straight line which comes as close as possible to all of the plotted points. This calculation is normally done mathematicaly, but the forecast can also be I read from the graph paper, if the drafting work is accurate. By using population figures from the U. SI Census for the years 1940, I 1950, 1960, 1970, and 1980 the following projection was calculated. Year 1990 2000- I Population Forecast 1,424 1,468 According to these forecasts 36 people will be added by 1990 and 44 added between 1990 and 2000 for a total addition of 80 people by 2000. This represents an projected increase of 5.8 percent over the 1980 I population of 1,388. When compared to Table 5 , thjs projection indicates a smaller net population increase then between 1940 and 1980. I The Linear Regression Method forecasts are the most conservative developed in this report; however, they are believed to be the most accurate projection -based on the inherent character of this method. I The arithmetic extrapolation forecasts have been given for comparison purposes. I U. S. STEEL RELATED GROWTH In light of U. S. Steel's proposal to construct the world's largest steel making facility along Lake Erie in nearby Ashtabula and Erie I Counties, the Northwest Pennsylvania Futures Cormnittee developed potential population impact figures for all cornrnunities expected to be impacted in Crawford and Erie Counties. These population "targets" I were based on an expected primary and secondary growth in our entire area of approximately 40,000 people by 1990. This assumes that construction would begin in the first half of the 1980's. For planning purposes the 40,000 people were divided equally between Ohio and I Pennsylvania giving each state an impact of approximately 20,000 new people. The Futures Cornrni ttee predicted that Crawford County can expect between 5,500 and 5,800 people out of Pennsylvania's share of the I 20,000. I

I - 56 - I‘ The Futurei’s Committee staff s work is based on empirical data obtained through a number of attitude surveys, A distribution formula, so to speak, was set up based on the relative attractiveness of the I various cities, boroughs, and townships in the defined impact area. Factors, such as closeness to work, closeness to recreation, closeness to hospital services were important things considered in the i forurnla. Figuring in constraints which operate on municipal facilities and services, i.e. difficulty in obtaining sewer and water service; inadequate fire protection; etc., Conneaut Township would I pick up 248 people through U. S. Steel impact by 1990.

The linear regression forecast of 36 additional people between 1980 and 1990 plus the 248 people related to U. S. Steel growth, yields I a total projection of 284 additjonal people by 1990. Thus, Conneaut Township’s population could be 1,672 by 1990. This represents a 21.5 percent increase over the 1970-population of 1,325 and a 20.5 1 percent increase over the 1980 population figure. Population Forecast 1980* 1990 2000 I Without U. S. Steel Impact 1,388 1,424 1,468 With U. S. Steel Impact 1,388 1,672 NIA I * U. S. Census Data

Usi ng the national average of 2.75 persons per household the ad- I ditional persons added by 1990 translates to 103 new households. Of course more people could settle in Conneaut iP public semei- and water systems were available. Nonetheless, the closeness 13)’ I the Township to the U. S. Steel site (about fourteen miles to Lils north) is a key factor to be considered. Should land be a-Jsi1.able at reasonable prices, developers may find it feasible to construct their own sewer and water systems to service large housing projects. I It should also be remembered that the Township is attractive €or development because of its proximity to the Pyrnatuning Lake area. I The population forecasts presented in this report should help Township, school, and other officials plan for change in the Puture. Present trends in population and future events such as the U. S. Steel plant I construction should be watched. I I I I I - 57 - I I

I MUNICIPAL FI SCAl MIY SIS I INTRODUCTION This analysis presents a summary of previous trends in receipts and expenditures for Conneaut Township as well as a summary of assessed valuation and tax millage rates in past years. The in- I tent of this analysis is to determine the Township's financial capability to support existing and future programs and services. I TOWNSHIP REVENUE SOURCES A listing of revenue receipts for the Township from 1976 through I 1980 is presented in Appendix 2 of this report. Table 7, "Sum- mary of Receipts and Expenditures-Conneaut Township 1976-1980", is a simplified version of this listing. Total receipts have fluctuated throughout this five year period; however, within that I time there was a net decrease from $155,747 in 1976 to $124,278 in 1980. This is a 22.9 percent decrease over five years or an I average yearly decrease of 4.6 percent. I I RECEIFTS 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980

~~ I Taves $ 47,407 $ 46,840 $48,981 s 46,970 S flA,446 Other Revenue 54,797 17,983 2l,470 14,878 12,827 Grants 53,236 55,690 58,501 55 ,os GO ,669 I Nm-Revenue 307 1,448 4,547 2,093 2,336 Net Total $155,747 $121,961 $133,499 $118 37 $124,278 Previous Years Balance 8 33,634 $ 85,854 $ 44,4888 s 44.779 $ 31,065

~~ I WTAL RECEIPTS $20G,381 $237,815 s177,987 $163.726 $175,343 I

General Gixemnt S 10,427 $ 12,981 s 12,263 S 9,702 s 10,138 I Roads 104,993 140,270 107,117 93,945 75,681 Miscellaneous 8,370 10,076 13,828 9,014 8,924 Non-Government - - - - - I ma EmimITuRES $123,790 $163,327 $133,208 $112,661 $ 94,743 -

I Source: Conneaut Tmship Annual Audits, 1?76-1%0. I

I - 58 - 1 Receipts are classified in two different categories, revenue receipts and non-revenue receipts. Revenue receipts such as taxes, I grants, or fines increase net assets without increasing debt li- abilities. Non-revenue receipts include all income which does not alter the Township's net value, such as sale of property, se- I curities, and equipment as well as transfers of money from other township funds. Revenue receipts comprise the vast majority of receipts; non-revenue receipts averaged only 1.7 percent of total I receipts. Figure 2 shows the relative importance of one type of revenue compared to another. The table in Appendix 2 shows this also. ,I I Revenue Receipts Tax Revenues: The Township receives it's tax revenues from four different sources: real estate tax, earned income'or wage tax, I per capita tax, and real estate transfer tax. The real estate tax rate for the past five years has been ten mills, or one cent for each dollar of assessed property value. Property is assessed I by the county and is currently set at thirty percent of the replacement value in 1971 dollars.

Revenue from real estate taxes averaged 13.0 percent of the total I revenues received for the five year period. The dollar amount of this revenue increased from 1976 to 1980 with one slight decline in 1978. (See Appendix 2 for detail.) These real estate tax trends 1 can be better understood by examining Table 8, "Trends in Assessed Valuation and Millage Rates. '' - - __ I TABLE 8 TREMDS IN ASSESSED VALUATION AND MILLAGE RATES I CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP 1976-1380

ASSESSED MILLAGE 100% TAX ACTUAL 1 YEAR VALUATION* RATE YIELD YIELD

~ ~~~~ 1976 $1,554,880 10 $15,548 $16,378 i 1977 $1,587,750 10 $15, 876 $16 ,478 1978 $1,622,000 10 $16,220 $16,774 I 1979 $1,729,500 10 $17,295 $16,855 1980 $1,797,850 10 $17,979 $17, 877 I NOTE: * Assessed Valuation is computed at 30 percent of replacement value using 1971 dollars. I SOURCE: Township Audit reports and records of the Crawford County Assessor's Office.

This table shows that although the millage rate of ten mills has I remained constant over the five years, the total assessed valuation has increased steadily from $1,554,800 in 1976 to $1,797,850 I in 1980, an increase of 15.6 percent. I - 59 - FIGURE 2

AVERAGE REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES 1 CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP, 1976-1980 / 13.0% I REAL ESTATE -TAX

13.5% AiMISCELLANEOUS 43.8% REVENIJE SOURCES -GRANTS

Interes, & Rents -/23.8% \ Fines & Forfeits 0.2%--55 PER CAPITA, WAGE, Licenses & & REAL ESTATE Non-Revenue 1.7% TRANSFER TAXES

82.9% MISCELLANEOUS EXPENDITURES --ROADS

Fire Protection Tax Collection Building Regulations, Planning & Zoning 0.9% Municipal Buildings 0.8% Police Protection Negligible Interests 0.0% Non-government 0.0% - 60 - I The wage tax brings in revenue from all employed Township resi- I dents. Currently, each worker is taxed at one-half percent of his income by the Township. This same tax is imposed by the Con- neaut School District. For persons who work outside of the Town- ship and the school district boundaries the tax collectors must I request this payment from these ffforeignf'employers.

The per capita tax amounts to $5.00 for every resident eighteen I years of age and older. This tax can be seen in relation to other Township, school district, and county taxes in the subsequent section entitled "Overall Tax Burden." The real estate transfer tax I amounts to two percent of the sales price of real estate, but is only collected when real estate is transferred. One percent of this goes to the State, one-half percent to the Township, and the I remaining one-half percent to the school district. The wage tax, the per capita tax, and the real estate transfer tax provided an average of 23.8 percent of total annual Township revenues I from 1976 to 1980. As Figure 2 shows, this group of revenue sources is second in importance only to grants. I Grants: Outside revenues from the federal, state, and county governments are indeed the largest source of income for Conneaut Town- ship. Together they averaged 43.8 percent of the total receipts for the past five year period. In 1980 grants were a greater percentage of total revenues than in any other year. In 1977 the amount increased sharply and then remained within six percentage points of its 1977 level.

In each of the years analyzed, state liquid fuels grants made up the largest share of such monies. These grants are derived from taxes at the gas pumps, totalled 64.2 percent of all grants from 1976 to 1980 - a sum of $181,738. Such monies, however, must be used by the Township strictly for road related expenses. They are distributed to each municipality in Pennsylvania by means!:of a formula based on local public road mileage and population.

The federal government was another major contributor with Federal Revenue Sharing funds, which added 25.1 percent or $71,091 to the total grants over the five year period.

Other Revenue: This category contains revenue from such sources as licenses and permits, fines and forfeits, interest and rents, and miscellaneous revenues. During the five years studied, the average annual receipts were 17.7 percent of total revenues. The largest source of this revenue was the miscellaneous category, which provided an annual average of 13.5 percent of total receipts. Non-Revenue Receipts Non-revenue receipts, or funds which do not alter the net value of municipal assets, came either from transfers from existing Township, State, or Federal funds or from the sale of Township property. These receipts averaged 1.7 percent of the total annual receipts. The yearly amounts were extremely varied, however, In 1976 total

- 61 - I non-revenue receipts were $306 and in 1978 they were $4,544. Se- curities and investments if held by the Township would not be considered to be revenue receipts nor are they non-revenue receipts. I They are simply investments which the Township would have made in previous years. Conneaut Township has not yet acquired such securities or made investments. I Previous Cash Balance: The previous cash balance is the amount of cash left over from expenditures made the year before. It I comes from several sources: the general fund, State liquid fuels funds, and Revenue Sharing funds. This figure becomes especially important when working out any budget considerations for the fol- I lowing year. It's important to note that Conneaut Township has maintained an average "Previous Cash Balance" of $55,364 over the five year period analyzed. (See Table 7.) I TOWNSHIP EXPENDITURES

Total payments or expenditures, like total receipts fluctuated I over the five year period, 1976 to 1980. This was mainly due to large capital improvements. Expenditures showed a net decrease of $29,047, which is a 23.5 percent decrease. 1977 was the year I when the largest expenditures were made ($163,327); 1980 was the year with the smallest expenditures for the five year period ($94,743). (Refer to Summary Table 7 .) There itre two different categories of expenditures, governmental and non-governmental. I Governmental expenditures are those that cover the actual cost of government protection, roads, and capital improvements. All expenditures which do not relate directly to governmental opera- I tion, such as repayment of debts, investments, and transfers to other township funds are classified as non-governmental expenditures. I Governmental Expenditures !: As Figure 1 shows, governmental expenditures made up all of the total expenditures over the five year period. Total expenditures I were made in Conneaut Township at the annual average of $125,546 between 1976 and 1980. One should note that expenditures varied greatly over the five year period. I Administration: All salaries, wages, materials, and other expenses incurred during the operation of the Township are included in this I category. An average of 4-4 percent of total expenditures were spent on administration. Between 1976 and 1980, administrative expenses rose quickly and then declined; however, the percentage of total expenditures remained about the same until 1980 when it I rose to 5.5% of total annual expenditures. Tax Collection: This expense averaged $1,725 for each of the five I years and was used to pay for the Wage Tax Collector's commissions and materials. I Municipal Buildings and Offices: This category includes all expenses incurred for the maintenance and repair of municipal buildings and offices. It averaged 0.8 percent of total expenditures I'

- 62 - I for the five year period fluctuating moderately within that time. This expense was the highest in 1978 when a large maintenance pay- I ment was necessary. Police Protection: Although Conneaut Township does not have a I police force, expenses related to the protection of residents were incurred. These expenditures occurred in 1976 and 1978 only and account for a negligible percentage of total expenditures. I They were for a dog catcher and general services. Fire Protection: This category covers Township contributions to the Linesville and Conneautville Volunteer Fire Departments. These I annual contributions averaged 1.4 percent of the Township's total expenditures. They varied slightly with the largest percentage I contributed in 1980 because of coverage for workmen's compensation. Building Regulations, Planning, and Zoning: This broad category covers building permit ordinances, operating a planning commission I and/or a zoning program, and sewage enforcement. The expenditures that have occurred over the five year period were chiefly for payment of sewage permits to the Township's Sewage Enforcement Officer. I The Township is required by the Pennsylvania Department of Environ- mental Resources (PennDER) to pay the Sewage Enforcement Officer (SEO) $50 for each permit issued. The applicant pays the remaining $50 needed to obtain a sewage system permit. The Township pays I PennDER the full amount for all permits issued in the Township and then receives a 50% reimbursement for the funds it contributed. This category accounted for 0.9 percent of average total expendi- I tures. Highways: This category includes all expenses for maintenance, I snow removal, and improvement of Township roads. This was indeed the largest expense for the Township, averaging 82.9 percent of total annual expenditures. In 1977 it was exceptionally high because a high lift and snow plow were purchased. The average ex- I penditure for the five year period was about $104,401, with a significant drop from $93,945 in 1979 to $75,681 in 1980. It is also important to note that, of the average annual highway expenditures I between 1976 and 1980 the General Fund supplied 49.3 percent of the funds and the Liquids Fuels money and Revenue Sharing funds provided 39.7 percent and 10.0 percent respectively. I Non-Governmental Expenditures Non-governmental expenditures, as stated earlier, are expenditures which do not relate directly to governmental operation. It is I interesting to note that Conneaut Township had no such expenditures reported for the years between 1976 and' 1980. I SUMMARY OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES Several points can be made from the preceeding analysis (Refer II to Summary Table 7 , Figure 2, and Appendix 2.): -1. Conneaut Township received a total of $654,432 and spent

- 63 - I

a total of $627,729 in the five year period between 1976 and 1980. 1 2. Total.revenues decreased by 20.2 percent between 1976 and 1980; however, total expenditures decreased at the greater 1 rate of 23.5 percent giving the Township a net decrease in the difference between receipts and expenditures.

3. Grants were the major source of revenue receipts comprising I 43.8 percent of the five year total. The largest single source of grants was the State Liquid Fuels funding, which provided 64.2 percent of the total revenue. I 4. The major expenditures between 1976 and 1980 was for highway services. This expense averaged 82.9 percent of total I expenditures. 5. The amount of tax revenue increased slightly from 1975 to 1980 due to an increase in total assessed valuation for 1 real estate.

6. As of December 31, 1980, Conneaut Township had saved a 1 cash balance of $80,600. DEBT LIMITATION I The Local Government Unit Debt Act, Pennsylvania Act 185, restricts the amount of debt that a local municipality can incur. According to the Act, a township can incur a debt, without voter approval, I of up to 250 percent of the arithmetic average of total revenues, not including grants, for three years preceding the debt. Using 1980 as an example, the debt limitation (2.5 times the average of I total revenues from 1978 through 1980) for Conneaut Township is $248,585. Since Conneaut Township has no debt at the present time and carries an acreage cash balance of $55,364 (Refer to Summary I Table 7 .), it is evident that the Township could finance programs and projects within present funding levels or by incurring a debt. OVERALL TAX BURDEN I

The individual tax burden upon each taxpayer in a community is an important consideration in any review of local finances. As dis- I cussed previously, a 10 mill tax on real estate was levied through the five year periods from 1976 to 1980. The Township also has a per capita tax and a one-half percent wage tax, which must be I paid by all working residents. The following list shows these taxes as well as school district and county taxes that Conneaut Township residents were subject to in the five year period. I Taxing Body Real Estate Tax Per Capita Tax Wage Tax Township 10 mills $5 0.5% School District 64 mills $ 15 0.5% I County 13 mills $5 N/A TOTALS 87 mills $ 25 1.0% I

- 64 - I The following example shows how Township taxes affect the average I resident. These figures represent the 1978 tax burden using a hypothetical family of our (two adults and two children under 18 years of age) earning the mean family income of $14,398 (1970 I U. S. Census plus seven percent per year) and living in an average $22,268 home (mean value for owner occupied units, 1970 U. S. Census plus ten percent per year) assessed at thirty percent which I equals $6,680. TABLE 9 EFFECT OF TAXES ON AVERAGE FAMILY CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP 1978 I TOWNSHIP TAXES Real Estate Tax (0.010 x $6,680) $ 66.80 Wage Tax (0,005 x $14,398) $ 71.99 I Per Capita Tax (2 adults x $5) $ 10.00 Total $148.79 I SCHOOL DISTRICT TAXES Real Estate Tax (0.064 x $6,680) $427.52 I Wage Tax (0.005 x $15,398) $ 71.99 Per Capita Tax (2 adults x $15) $ 30.00 Total $529.51 COUNTY TAXES Real Estate Tax (0.010 x $6,680) $ 66.80 Per Capita Tax (2 adults x $5) $ 10.00 Total $ 76.80

GRAND TOTAL $755.10

In 1979, discounting inflation, the tax burden for the typical family shown above increased by another $180.36, which brings the total to $935.46. This was due to a school district real estate tax increase of twenty-five mill ($167.00) and a county real estate tax increase of two mills ($13.36) for 1979. This total tax burden remained the same in 1980. CONCLUSION

Conneaut Township appears to be operating on a sound financial basis. There is no Township debt and a considerable amount of moeny has been saved. This situation suggests that there is no immediate need for the Board of Supervisors to raise taxes. It also suggests that, within sound budget limitations, the possibility for increased government services exists. Areas where such services might be provided will be I explored in the Plan section of this report. I - 65 - 1IOUSING

INTRODUCTION

'The condition and availability of housing is important in that it affects a community's ability to attract new residents and maintain present ones. Conneaut Township, being primarily a rural community, has few apartmen: buildings. Thus,the Township attracts people mainly interested in single family housing or mobile homes. This section of the background analyzes the current housing situation based on the available information.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

The 1980 U. S. Census reported a total of 713 housing units in Conneaut Township. This represents an increase of 37.9 percent or 196 housing units added to the 517 units reported in the 1970 U. S. Census. It is believed that a major portion of this increase is in seasonal housing and mobile homes. Of the 517 housing units reported by the 1970 Census, 295 were occupied by the owners, 67 were occupied by renters, 71 were vacant, 74 were vacant seasonal units, 3 were "for sale" units and 1 was a rental unit. As with population and econJmic data there is no further breakdown available to date for housing statistics from the 1980 Census.

Table 16 is a compilation of the results of an exterior field survey conducted by the Crawford County Planning Commission in the summer of 1970 to assess th3 quality of area housing and to determine the extent of dilapidation in the County's housing stock. It should be noted that this survey was a "windshield" survey (i.e. field observations from a car) done on a county-wide basis. This survey, however, gives a valid comparison of what the housing conditions were like during 19'70 in Conneaut Township, in the Conneaut Valley area, and in the entire County. Residential structures were rated in one of three classifications as shown in the following table:

TABLE 11 HOUSING UNITS BY CONDITION CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP - 1970

~~~ ~

Con dit ion Number of Units Percentage of Units

Sound (Good) 96 18.6% Deteriorating (Fair) 222 53.5%

Pilapidated (Poor) 144 27.9%

Source: Data from field survey by Beckman and Associates, I consultants to the Crawford County Planning Commission.

- 66 - I TABLE 10

SUPPLY AND CONDITION OF HOUSING CONNEAUT VALLEY AREA - 1970

BEAVER CONNEAUT CONNEAUT- SPRING SPHING- SUMMER- CONNEAUT CRAWFORD TWP . TWP. V I LLE TWP. BORO HILL TWP. VALLEY AREA COUNTY TOTAL

IlOUS ING SUPPLY Total NO. or Units 232 517 36 1 4 14 182 294 2,000 31,110

Year Round Units 2 32 443 36 1 407 181 291 1,915 27 ~ 834 Seasonal Units 0 74 0 7 1 3 85 3,276

YEAR HOUND VACANT UNITS Total 33 81 22 35 a 28 201 2,390 For Rent 2 1 -1 0 0 3 7 515 For Sale 4 9 9 4 0 2 28 218 Other 27 71 12 31 2 23 166 1,657 Percent Vacant 14.2% 18.3% 6.12 8.6% L .1% 9.6% 10.1% 8.6% Percent Available 3.9% 2.3% 2.8% 1.0% . 0% 1.7% 1.8% 2.6%

COND I T I ON OF tIOUS I NG Percent Deteriorating 66.8% 53.6% 27.7% 47.1% 22.0% 41.2% 44.4% 25.2% Percent Dilapidated 22.0% 27.9% 8.9% 11.8% 11.5% 19.0% 17.7% 10.9% -~

SOURCES: U. S, Census - 1970; Crawford County Comprehensive Plan; data compiled by CrawPord County Planning Commission staff. A house was considered to be dilapidated if the original construction was ina.dequate; if any major structural flaw was obser- vable; if it lacked a foundation or if a large accumulation of I minor deficiencies was observed. Minor deficiencies included a lack of normal maintenance such as painting, lack of windows, broken steps, deficient roofing, and other similar items. Three I or more minor deficiencies observed in any one structure would place that structure in the dilapidated classification. I Deteriorating structures were those where one or two minor de-

ficiencies were noted. Structures were classified as sound if ,( no major structural deficiencies or minor problems were observed. Adequacy of internal features, however, was disregarded as there I was no way to easily judge them.

I, In Conneaut Township a large number of structures, as shown in I Table 11, were considered to be dilapidated. The fact that many homes were built before 1940 would lead one to assume that deter- ioration of housing has continued since 1970. Recent casual I fielu observations in 1979 and 1980 seem to indicate that deter- ioration is apparently continuing; however, the percentage of dilapidated housing units does not seem to have increased. I The availability of housing for sale or rent in rural areas is generally much lower than in urban areas. However, normally when fewer than one percent of all housing is for sale or for I rent there is a Geficiency in the quantity of housing. At the time of the 1970 Census there were nine housing units available for sale and one for rent in Conneaut Township. Obviously the I selection was limited. Although the 1970 figures are now ten years old, the situation in the Township has not changed signi- ficantly. It is estimated that there are 20 units for sale currently. I

GROWTH INDICATORS

An arithmetic extrapolation of the 37.9 percent increase in housing units from 1970 to 1980 gives the following indicator of growth if this trend were to continue over the next twenty years. I Year 1980* 1990 2000 Housing Units Forecast 713 983 1;356 * 1980 U. S. Census This represents a.n increase of 643 additional housing units by I the year 2000 or a 90.2 percent over the 1980 Census figure. Such rapid growth makes it difficult to predict present and future availability of housing. I However, an idea of housing growth trends can be obtained from a look at the issuance of building permits from 1976 to 1980. According to Table 12, which follows, there has been a slowdown I in the number of building permits issued. This is not considered I

- 68 - to be contradictory to the 1970 and 1980 Census data, because it covers only a five year period and because the Township be- 1 gan to keep its own building permit records after July of 1980 when a building permit ordinance was passed. This building permit ordinance requires all persons, partnerships, businesses, I and corporations to obtain a building permit for the construction, reconstruction, enlargement, alteration, or relocation of any building or structure in the Township. Table 12 shows a break- I down of the types of housing growth. It is important to note the lack of permits issued for commercial and industrial devel- I opment.

TABLE 12 I .TREND INDICATORS - GROWTH SIXCE 1976 CONNEAUT TO!VNSHIP

..Home - .. - Total New Additions Mobile Farm Storage Commercial Industrial All /I Tear Homes Sr Garages Homes & Misc. Bldgs. Space Space Permits

I 1980 - 6 5 1979 3 7 5 I 1978 9 3 6 1977 10 5 6 I 1976 1 8 3 Totals 23 29 25 31 1 1 110 I Source: County Assessment Records I I I I I I 1

I - 69 - I ECONOM I C Ai4ALY S IS 1 INTRODUCTION

This section of the Background Information for Planning presents I an analysis of economic trends in Conneaut Township using employment and income statistics from the 1970 U. s. Census and more recent information from the local tax collectors. Jobs and in- I come are important indicators of a community's economic vitality. Thus, the narrative which follows is divided into two sections, one on employment and one on income. This analysis should pro- I vide a good baseline against which future economic information can be compared. It can be improved by making a similar analysis using 1980 Census data when they become available. 1 EMPLOYMENT

The Labor Force II The la.bor force generally includes persons fourteen years of age- and older who are classified as employed or unemployed. This. classification excludes members of the armed forces, people who I work less than fifteen hours a week, students, housewives, re- tired persons, inmates of institutions, and persons who cannot work due to long-term physical or mental illness. I I

!..\131,E L 3 LA BO H FORCE CH.l RACTER I STI CS TOVNSdIP CRAWFORD CO(JNTY I CONNEAUT AND - 1969

- IN LABOR FORCE QUTSIDE LABOR FORCE --I CROUP TOTAL I STATUS EhIF'LOYED UNEWLUYED (TOTAL) SERVICE INST. SCIIUOL OTIiER (TOI'AL) GROUP F bfates 367 - ( 367 1 - - 53 64 (117) 484 N Females 161 30 ( 192 f - - 61 242 (303) 494 N E Both (558) - - I 978 I 578 30 114 306 (420 - A % TOTAL 54.0% 3.1% 57.1% - 11.6% 31.35 42.9% 100% GROUP

~ C Males 20,183 636 (10,189) 20 320 3,360 6,946 (10,646) 31,465 I U Females 10 .-675 483 (11,108) - 520 3,659 16,042 (20,229) 31,337 N Both 30,808 1,119 (31,927) 20 848 7,019 22,988 (30,875) 62,802 T Y 7, TOTAL 49.0% 1.8% 50.8% - 1.4% 11.2% 36.6% 42.9% 100% I GROUP SOURCE: 1970 U. S. Census 1 I I

- 70 - I As shown in Table 13, Conneaut Township's labor force in 1969 I totalled 558 people. Of these, 528 were employed and 30 were un- I employed. The table also reveals that 54.0 percent of the Town- ship residents over 14 years old were employed and 3.1 percent were unemployed. By adding these percentages (54.0% + 3.1%) we I can see that 57.1 percent, or over one-half of Conneaut's residents in this age group were members of the labor force. Of those in the labor force, 65.8 percent were men and 34.2 percent II were women. Of the 42.9 percent not included in the labor force, 11.6 percent of the residents were in school and 31.3 percent in the I "other" category. These figures are close to those for Crawford County . I Table 13 does not show the unemployment rate, but rather the percent (3.1%) of non-employed persons in the entire age group when the 1970 Census was taken. The unemployment rate for the Town- I ship is calculated by dividing the number of unemployed by the total labor force (30 + 558 x 100 = 5.4%). Notice that this percentage is different than the 3.1 percent unemployed mentioned earlier. This is because 3.1 percent of all Township residents I fourteen years of age and older were not employed, whereas 5.4 percent of the Township's labor force were unemployed. This emphasizes the difference between those people actually in the labor I force and that part of the total population old enough to be in the labor force.

I This 5.4 percent unemployment rate compares to a 3.5 percent unemployment rate for the county at the time of the 1970 U. S. Cen- sus. Since no statistics on the current employment picture are available for Conneaut Township it will be difficult to make ac- I curate current comparisons until the 1980 Census data becomes a- vailable. The following unemployment rates released by the Penn- sylvania Department of Labor and Industry in March 1981 provide I current data for the Meadville area, the state and the nation.

Meadvi 11 e I (80% of Crawford County) Pennsylvania U.S. January 1980 8.2% 7.6% 6.8% I January 1981 12.375 9.1% 8.2% It is important to note the sharp increase in these unemployment I rates during the one year period. Employment By Major Industry Table 14 provides data on employed persons by industrial classification and sex. Each employee is placed into the category which best describes the industry in which he or she is employed. As shown in Table 14, the largest number of workers were employed in manufacturing. These workers totalled 32.2 percent of those Townshlp residents who were employed, with 18.2 percent in the durable goods sector and 14.0 percent in the non-durable goods I sector. It is important to note that 23.5 percent were employed I - 71 - 1

in the agriculture/forestry category, which indicates a strong agriclutural employment base. Professional service and whole- I sale/retail trade ranked third and fourth with 15.9% and 9.8% respectively . I I TABLE 14 I EMP LOY MENT BY MAJOR INDUSTRY CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP AND CRAWFORD COUNTY - 1969

% TOTAL % TOTAL INDUSTRY TYPE MALE FEMALE TOTAL CONNEAUT COUNTY I

Agriculture/Forestry 108 16 124 23.5% 4.2% Mining - - - - 0.2% I Construction 24 - 24 4.5% 5.31 Manufacturing (Durable Goods) 78 18 96 18.28 28.9% hlanuf acturing ( Non-Durable Goods ) 50 24 74 14.0% 11.0% I Transportat ion 9 - 9 1.71 7.0% Wholesale and Retail Trade 19 33 52 Y.8% 16.0% Finance/ Real Est ate - - - - 2.6% I Business and Repair Service 20 - 20 3.8% 1.4% Personal Services 8 10 18 3.4% 3.58 EntertainrnentlRecreation Service 13 - 13 2.5% 0.7% I Professional Service 32 52 84 15.9% 16,5% Pub1 ic Service 6 8 14 2.7% 2.7% Industry not reported 5 6 11 NIA NIA I TOTAL EAlPLOYED 367 161 528 100.0% 100.0%

SOURCE: 1970 U. S. Census I I

Men outnumbered women in the manufacturing and agriculture/ I forestry categories; and women outnumbered men in the wholesale/retail trade and professional services categories. I Conneaut Township includes 19.3 percent of its employed residents in the agriculture/forestry major industry classification. This further indicates the agricultural nature of the Township. I Manufacturing and wholesale/retail trade, however, employed a lower percentage of Conneaut residents than County residents. This is probably due to the lack of large service areas in and close to the Township. The percentage of employed Township re- 1 sidents in professional service was close to the County percentage (15.9% vs. 16.5%).- I - 72 - I Employment By Major Occupation I The occupations of employed Township and County residents fourteen years and older are examined in Table 15. This table gives one a better idea of the skills and trades Conneaut Township resi- I dents rely upon for employment.

TABLE 15 EMPLOYMENT BY MAJOR OCCUPATION CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP AND CRAWFORD COUNTY - 1969 % TOTAL % TOTAL MALE FEMALE TOTAL CONNEAUT COUNTY

Professional/Technical 28 19 47 8.9% 11.3% Managers /Admin istrators 10 - 10 l.Y% 7.0% Sal cs 4 22 26 4.9% 5.3% Clerical 5 45 50 9.5% 12.7% Craftsmen/Foremen 78 8 86 16.3% 17.8% I Operatives 74 26 100 18.9% 21.3% Transportat ion Operators 23 - 23 4.4% 3.6% Laborers (Except Farm) 25 4 29 5.5% 4.9y, I Farm Laborers 62 16 78 14.3% 1.3% Farmers/Farm Managers 46 - 46 8.7% 2.6% Non-Household Services 12 21 33 6. 3% 10.2% I Household Workers - - - - 1.4% Unreported Occupation 5 6 11 N/A N/A I TOTAL EMPLOYED 367 161 528 100.0% 100.0% SOURCE: 1970 S. I U. Census

I The largest single classification is that of operatives, or skilled workers; 18.9 percent of employed Township residents are in this field. This category covers a wide variety of job activities, I including insulation workers, assemblers, manufacturing checkers, station attendants, furnace workers, meat cutters, and welders. Craftsmen/foremen is the second largest occupational group with 16.3 percent of those employed. This is followed by farm labor- I ers with 14.8 percent. When combined with farmers/farm managers this group makes up 23.5 percent of those employed in the Town- ship. Thus, the greatest percentage of those employed are associa- I ted with farming or skilled labor. Clerical and professional/technical workers ranked third and fourth with 9.5% and 8.9% respectively. Except for farmers and farm laborers, the percentages for employment occupation groups on a county-wide basis ranked the I same as in Conneaut Township. I . I - 73 - TABLE 16

LOCATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY COUNTY, STATE & MUNICIPALITY CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP - 1980

~~~~~ ~~ COUNTY , STATE , NUMBER OF PERCENT MUNICIPALITY JOBS OF TOTAL I Crawford County 307 65.7% State of Ohio 92 19.7% Erie County 31 6.7% I Mercer County 17 3.6% Commonwealth of Pa. 14 3.0% Pittsburgh & Vicinity 6 1.3% I TOTALS 46 7 100.0% I Meadville 104 22.2% Linesville 55 11.8% Pine Twp. 54 11.6% i Ashtabula , Ohio 37 7.9% Andover , Ohio 27 5.8% Con n eaut v i 11e 26 5.5% Erie 14 3.0% I Commonwealth of Pa. 14 3.0% North Shenango Twp/South Senango Twp. 14 3.0% Conneaut /Kingsville ,. Ohio 13 2.8% I Penncrest School District 11 2.4% Summerhill Twp. 11 2.4% Greenwood Twp. 11 2.4% Greenville/Jamestown 11 2.4% I Cleveland/Akron, Ohio 10 2.1% Albion / Cranesv il le 9 1.9% Conneaut Lake 8 1.7% I Girard 7 1.5% Summit Twp. 7 1.5% Pittsburgh & Vicinity 6 1.3% I Sharon/Hickory Twp. 6 1.3% Spr ingboro 4 .9% Jefferson , Ohio 2 .4% West Fallowf ield Twp. 2 .4% I Edinboro 1 .2% Burghill, Ohio 1 .2% Warren, Ohio 1 .2% I Columbus , Ohio 1 .2% TOTALS 467 100.0% I Note: These employment figures do not include full-time farm workers, or residents working inside the township. Also, these figures indicate total jobs held which may I represent part time as well as full time employment, thus, a'particular person may be employed in more than one location; I Source : Wage Tax Collector , Conneaut Township , January, 1981; data organized by Crawford County Planning Commission staff . I

- 74 - I

Employment Locations of Residents I The information in Table 16 provides a reasonable accurate accounting of where Conneaut Tbwnship residents worked in 1980. This table reports a total of 467 jobs by their locations and arranges them in order of their relative percentages. One should I note that this is the number of jobs rather than the number of those employed. A particular person may be employed in more than one job location at one time. Approximately 66 percent of I the jobs were located in Crawford County with most of them in Meadville, Linesville, or Pine Township. Ohio claimed nearly 20 percent of the jobs with the largest number of these jobs lo- I cated in Ashtabula, Ohio and Andover, Ohio. It is interesting to note that about 6 percent of the jobs are located a considerable distance from Conneaut, such as in Cleveland and in the Pittsburgh vicinity. This -may be due to the fact that formerly I seasonal residents in the allotments close to Pymatuning State Park, are remaining to live in Conneaut Township.

I About 103 residents work inside the Township with most of these being full-time farmers or self-employed persons. Seven, and at times more, people are employed by the Township government. Hom- I ever job opportunities are relatively few in the Township, and most of Conneaut's labor force seeks employment elsewhere. I INCOME The economic vitality of a municipality is usually measured by the unemployment rate and the incomes of those residing in the com- I munity. These statistics are most meaningful when compared with the income indicators of surrounding areas. The following table I provides the information necessary for such a comparison. I TABLE 17

FIVE YEAR INCOME COMPARISONS I CONNEAUT VALLEY AND CRAWFORD COUNTY 1970 1975' 1969 1974 %INCREASE 1970+ 1975* POPUWT ION FAMILY FAMILY PER PER PER TOTAL TOTAL MUNICIPALITY I MEAN MEAN CAPITA CAPITA ' CAPITA MEAN MEAN 1970 1575 Summerh ill Township $8,333 $12,158 $2,369 $3,456 45.9% $6,972 $10,172 963 893 Beaver Township $9,724 $14.343 $2,312 $3,410 47.5% $9,412 $13,883 775 8 76 I Conneaut Township $8,380 $11,740 $2,205 $3,090 40.18 $7,715 $10,809 1,322 1,418 Conneautville Borough $9,225 $13,146 $2,491 $3.550 42.5% $7,653 $10,906 1,032 1,082 Spring Township $8,269 $12,618 $2,041 $3,114 52.6% $7,308 $11,152 1,287 1,402 Spr ingboro Borough $7,570 $11,665 $2,231 $3,438 54.1% $6,913 $10,653 384 6.13

I Crawford County $9,323 $13 173 $2 I 637 $3,726 41.3% $7,580 S10,711 81,342 85,357

* 1975 Family Mean Income is a linear projection based on the percent I increase of per capita income. + Total Mean Income is the average of all mean family incomes and all unrelated individual mean incomes. SOURCE: U. S. Census - 1970; 1977 "Population Estimates and Projections", Series P-25, I No. 686 and Crawford County Planning Commission staff computations.

- 75 - 1 In 1969, according to the U. S. Census, the per capita income for Conneaut Township was $2,205 and ranked last our of the six municipalities listed. This figure was obtained by dividing I the total income for the Township by the total number of resi- 'dents in the Township. By the end of 1974, the Township's per capita income was projected at $3,090 which represents a 40.1 I percent increase. This increase, however, did not improve Con- neaut's lowest ranking among the six municipalities., In the "family mean"'income category the Township ranked third in 1970 I and fifth in 1974.

On a county-wide basis, Conneaut's income figures were always less than the county average except for the "total mean" income I in 1975. The 1970 family mean income for the Township was $943 below the County's and the 1975 family mean was $1,433 less. The per capita income for Conneaut was $432 less than the County's; I in 1970 and $636 less in 1975.

Table 18 compares the relative numbers of people in a given income I range and shows the changes in these incomes between 1969 and 1975. The table is based on two sources. The 1969 source is the 1970 U. S. Census and the 1979 source is from information obtained I through the local wage tax collector. This means that only those persons who filed 1979 wage'tax returns are included. This accounts for the lack of information in the "no income" category for 1979, and for any possible limitations in the comparison of I the data from these two different sources. I

TABLE 18 - I INCOME RANGES FOR PERSONS 14 YEARS AND OLDER BY SEX CONNEAUT 'IDWNSHIP RESIDENTS - 1969 AND 1970 - 1969 1969 1969 1969 INCOME I 1979 1979 1979 1979 .% TOTAL MALES FEMALES MTAL RANGE TOTAL FEMALES MALES X TOTAL -- 39 206 24 5 No income - - - - 24.7 86 95 -mi- Below 1 000 31 20 11 6.0:! I 15.3 32 80 112 1 000 - 1 999 49 33 16 9.4z 7.6 33 23 56 2 000 - 2 999 23 15 8 4.4% 7.1 31 21 52 3 000 - 3 999 37 21 16 7.1:; 8.1 23 37 60 4 000 - 4 999 28 12 16 5.4% 7.1 47 05 52 I 5 000 - 5 999 12 9 3 2.3% 5.9 43 0 43 6 000 - 6 999 15 7 8 2.9% 5.9 38 05 43 7 000 - 7 999 21 13 8 4 .O?: 12.3 68 22 90 8 000 - 9 999 55 26 29 10.6% 6.0 44 0 44 10 000 - 14 999 112 27 85 21.6% I 0.0 0 0 0 15 000 - 24 999 116 .3 113 22.4% 0.0 0 0 0 Over 25 000 20 1 19 3.92- - - ,_ lr?r?.OX 44 5 2R8 733 TflTA1.R 51 9 187 332 100.02 I Note : Persons with "No Income" are not included in grand total or percentages. 1969 information is based on 1970 Census data. 1979 information was obtained from wage tax collector. I Sources. U.S. Census - 1970; and Wage Tax Collector, Connearit Township, January 1981. I

- 76 - I In looking at the table one sees that in 1969 there were no in- I comes over $15,000, but in 1979 there were 136 incomes over $15,000. In 1969, 40.0 percent of all people reporting incomes earned $2,000 or less; by 1979 only 15.4 percent reported earning incomes in this range. Between 1969 and 1979 the total num- I ber reporting incomes apparently dropped drastically. This may be explained by the incompatibility between these two data sources; however, this comparison remains the best available data until I the 1980 Census is completely available. Table 18 shows that in 1969 only 6 percent of t'he incomes were 1 over $10,000. By 1979 this figure rose to about 48 percent. In 1969, 89 percent of females earned less than $5,000; by 1979, 54 percent of women's incomes were in this range. No women earned $10,000 or more in 1969; however, in IY79, 16.5 percent earned i this income. This compares to men earning $10,000 or more, which was 65 percent of the total. To sum up, Table 18 shows an overall increase in the incomes of Township residents during the 10 I year period. This, of course, is consistent with the national trend during this same time period. I 1 I I I I I 1 I I I I - 77 - I I INTRODUCTION

A comprehensive plan for the Conneaut Township community must I describe how the community relates to the region which sur- rounds it. This is because, just as "no man is an island", "no municipality is an island." The Township is part of a much larg- I er social/cultural, economic, political, and environmental system. Planning for the future can not ignore the realities associated with Conneaut's interrelationships to other areas, especially municipalities immediately adjacent to the Township. This section I discusses three aspects of how Conneaut Township fits into the context of the regional picture: relationships to adjacent municipalities; relationships on a county-wide/regional planning basis; I and possible secondary growth impacts from the construction of a U. S. Steel plant in Conneaut, Ohio. . I RELATIONSHIPS TO ADJACENT MUNICIPALITIES Local Land Use Relationships and Planning Program Status- I Land use patterns are oblivious to municipal boundaries as are community ties and natural ecosystems. Except for the bo~-oughsof Linesville and Conneautville, the land use patterns in the adjacent municipalities are essentially the same as those ?.n Conneaut. I Farm uses predominate interspersed with patterns of woodland and scattered residential development. I One finds that most residents identify more with Linesville and the Pymatuning Lake Region than with the Conneaut Valley area and Conneautville. This is partially explained by people's natural attraction to Pymatuning State Park and Reservoir, as previously I mentioned. However, before the Reservoir was constructed in 1934 Linesville was historically a focusing point for Township residents because of early settlement patterns, the railroads, and I later highway development from Meadville to Cleveland. Residents in the northeastern part of the Township do identify with Conneaut- ville since they are affected by land use patterns which spread I out from this settlement.

Of the adjacent municipalities all have comprehensive plans, five have zoning ordinances and two have zoning ordinances in progress. I The plans in Beaver, Spring, Summerhill and North Shenango Town- ships and Conneautville Borough were all done since 1978 with the assistance of the Crawford County Planning Commission. Linesville I Borough and Pine Township are part of the Pymatuning Plan done by Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. in 1971. The five municipalities with zoning ordinances are the Townships of Beaver, Summit, Pine, Pier- m pont, Ohio and Linesville Borough. Zoning is in progress in North Shenango and Summerhill Townships. Pierpont and Richmond Townships in Ohio are governed by Ashtabula County's subdivision regulations. I I

- 78 - I Conneaut's Future Land Use Plan was designed to be compatible with the land use plans of adjacent municipalities. The Ag- I ricultural area in Conneaut carries over'into agricultural areas along the borders wkth Beaver, Summit, and North Shenango Town- ships. There is partial compatibility with Pine Township and I a contrast with the rural development area around Conneautville in Spring Township. Conneaut's rural development area along the northern portion of the Linesville-Conneautville Road (L.R. 20038) I contrasts with the agricultural area in Summerhill; however, this was developed because of some expected growth from Conneautville. The "Seasonal Development" and Special Conservation areas in Conneaut are generally extensions of similar areas in the Pine I Township Land Use Plan.

This is significant to note the tie that the Linesville Creek I watershed creates between Linesville Borough and Conneaut Town- ship. Linesville Creek is thought to partially feed the springs which supply water to the Borough - thus, the natural ecosystem I link as well as the land use pattern relationship. A Special Conservation District is described in the Future Land Use Plan, which is designed to protect this water source from possible con- I t aminat ion. It should be noted here that Conneaut Township annexed a portion of North Shenango, which was located generally south of Woodward I Road (T. 603), in the late 1950's. This was done because of the transportation barrier caused by Pymatuning Lake. I SOC I AL , ECONOMIC, AND INSTITUTIONAL TIES As pointed out in several sections of the Background Information for Planning, Conneaut Township residents have close social, ec- I onomic, and institutional ties to the region around them. Lines- ville, Conneautville, Harmonsburg, Andover, Ohio, Spsingborq and Meadville are all centers providing various socidl, religious and I fraternal contacts.

From an economic standpoint Conneaut is totally dependent on the I surrounding region. Farms in the Township market their products to nearby urban areas. As pointed out in the Economic Analysis section few residents are actually employed in the Township and very few goods and services are avaislable in the Township. Mead- I ville and Linesville provide about thirty-four percent of all jobs to residents. Linesville, Conneautville, and Meadville are major suppliers for goods and services. Linesville, for example, I is the major center for groceries, banking needs, automotive services, library facilities, medical facilities, and fire and emer- I gency services. Institutional ties are probably most visable through the schools and churches. Children in Conneaut attend schools in Linesville. They are part of the Conneaut School District which covers most I of western Crawford County; Since there is only one church in the Township, most residents attend churches located in other I communities, such as Linesville and Conneautville. I - 79 - Government institutions are less noticable, but the Township Gov- I ernment and its residents are closely tied to various counay, state and federal government services and functions. Two state government functions are well known to Township residents - state I. highway and State Police services. Though these state functions may be less than desirable in many minds, they are nonetheless important elements of the regional picture. I RELATIONSXIPS ON A COUNTY-WIDE/REGIONAL PLANNING BASIS

Land Use I The Land Use Plan for Crawford County was updated in 1979 by the Crawford County Planning Commission as part of an effort to update the Crawford County Comprehensive Plan compl.eted in 1973. This I plan is a general guide for growth ani devel.opment throughout the County's fifty-one municipalities. The Township Plan was completed after this 1979 update; therefore, few deviations were recommended I by the Conneaut Township Planning Commission.

The Township's Future Land Use Plan is remarkably similar to the county's land use plan. It deviates from tkiis plan only by show- I ing a village development area in Penn Line rather than near Graham School and less rural development area in the northeast section and along U. S. Route 6. The County's 1973 Land Use Plan I identified the Penn-Central Railroad right-of-way as a recreational use. This idea was subsequently omitted from the 1979 up-date; however, recent interest in developing the right-of-way for rec- I reational use may bring back this idea. The Township supports this idea. Although the differences between the Land Use Plans is relatively minor, it may be proper for the Township to ask the County Planning Commission to revise the County's Land use plan. I Transport at ion As part of the County's contribution to the Appalachian Regional I Commissions!s U. S. Steel impact planning program, a major highways plan update was undertaken by the County Planning Commission. This update was also part of the County's Comprehensive Plan and I addressed the entire County. Because of the significant impacts U. S. Steel's development might have on transportation systems, the County's Highways Plan update recommends one significant change which affects Conneaut Township. That change is to upgrade I U. S. Route 6 from a Major Collector highway to a Minor Arterial highway on the Federal Functional Classification System. In light of the U. S. Steel potential this change is considered necessary I because U. S. 6 is a major east-west link between Houte 7 in Ohio and 1-79 leading to Meadville and the eastern part of the County. Of the two other important highways in Conneaut; the Linesville-Conneaut- I ville Road is classified as a Major Collector and Center Road as a Minor Collector. Conneaut's Transportation Plan agrees with the Highway Plan update of the County Comprehensive Plan in regard to upgrading U. S. Route 6. However, the Township planners think I that the Beaver Center Blacktop (L.R. 20039) should be upgraded I - 80 - 1 to a Major Collector, because it provides a straight-line route through the agricultural areas in Crawford and Erie Counties to I the U. S. Steel site.

In August of 1979 the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional- Planning I and Development Commission completed a Highway Improvement Plan for the U. S. Steel Impact Area. This Plan looks at transportation needs for the Crawford-Erie County U. S. Steel Impact area. The only significant recommendation of the Plan in relation to I Conneaut Township is the same recommendation to upgrade U. S. Route 6 from a Major Collector to a Minor Arterial highway classification. Thus the regional plan, the County Plan and the Town- I ship Plan all agree on the importance of U. s. 6 in Conneaut's future. I The Ashtabula County Planning Commission has also agreed, in principle, that U. S. Route 6 should be upgraded under the federal system.

1 U. S. STEEL PLANT SITE Conneaut Township's northwestern corner is about fourteen miles I directly south from the proposed U. S. Steel plant site. (See Three-County Regional Map following the Introduction to this report.) Driving time was calculated by Crawford County Planning I Commission staff to be between 30 and 40 minutes because the direct mileage is increased as one uses the road system. As mentioned in the "Population" section of this report, Conneaut Township can expect moderate growth related to the construction I and operation of the plant, should it be built. This is further explained by the following description of the Northwest Penn- sylvania Futures Committee, a regional planning effort con- I ducted in the plant's impact area. The impact area includes the following municipalities in Crawford County: Beaver Township, Con- neaut Lake Borough, Conneautville Borough, Cussewago Township, 1 Hayfield Township, Linesville Borough, North Shenango Township, Pine Township, Sadsbury Township, South Shenango Township, Spring- boro Borough, Spring Township, Summerhill Township, Vernon Town- I ship, West Shenango Township. Northwest Pennsylvania Futures Committee In March of 1977 the state government, aware that the U. S. Steel I Corporation was expecting to construct a large steel making complex on Lake Erie at the Pennsylvania-Ohio boundary line, organized the Northwest Pennsylvania Futures Committee (NWF). The I leadership at the state level in organizing this Committee came from the Department of Community Affairs and the Governor's Office. Membership included persons from the state representing interested and involved departments of state government; local members; per- 1 sons appointed by the Crawford County Commissioners; persons appointed by the Erie County Executive, and a person from Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission. Also I invited to serve as non voting members were officials from Ohio I and U. S. Steel. I - 81 - I' The purpose of NWPF was to insure coordination of county and municipal planning in the impact area of the proposed mill, to provide staff to handle issues of a regional concern, to pro- I vide a forum for the exchange of information and to develop an organization that could assist the local municipalities and the counties in competing favorably for state and federal grants. The Committee provided a forum for the exchange of ideas in con- I nection with the planning for impacts expected from this large complex. It was through aid from the Futures Committee that planning funds were provided to the Crawford County Planning Com- I mission to undertake municipal planning in western Crawford County. The Futures Committee did not see fit to develop a regional plan for settlements relative to the impact population. I It was the feeling of most people involved with the Committee I! that each municipality itself along with each of the two counties should do its own planning and cooperate among themselves in terms of the regional context. The Committee, however, did a de- I tailed projection of where the impact population is most likely to settle. The population "targets" may have to be modified due to U. S. Steel's delay in actually starting construction of their I plant. The NWPF was abolished in 1980 and impact planning left to the Crawford and Erie County planning staff's backed by a federal grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission. I In formulating the Plan policies and programs which follow this section, Conneaut Township's relationship to the region around it was both consciously and unconsciously meshed into the plan- I ning process. This is because the Township recognizes the need for regional cooperation in planning. I I I I I I I I I - 82 - I I I PLAN INTRODUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS

PLAN INTRODUCTION I The purpose of this Comprehensive Plan is to guide the long- range growth and development of Conneaut Township. It has been formulated in order to meet future goals that will protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of Township residents I as well as provide for wise use of the land and other environmental resources. The "Planr1 section, which follows, is the actual plan for the Township. As such, it provides directjon for I dealing with changes in the Township's future growth and development. It offers recornrnendations for meeting immediate and future needs and seeks to minimize both existing problem and problerns I which can be foreseen. Each of the separate plans within the "Plan" section includes a goal and a set of policies to guide decisions along with I an explanatory narrative, and projects and programs, where appropriate. The "goals" are statements that express the Township's long-range directions for development. "Policies" I are specific guidelines to be followed by community decision makers. "Projects and programs" are specific actions to be I taken to implement the policies. As with most community comprehensive plans, this plan is based on a 20 year time period. This thinking, however, must be I qualified because the U.S. Steel plant proposal is so elusive and because of ever present uncertainties which make it almost impossible to establish land and facility plans 20 years into the future. Thus, this plan should be up-dated no later I than five years from the present date based on a re-evaluation of growth, needs, and trends. I This report combines the mapped physical plan approach and the policies plan apprcach. By establishing meaningful goals and policies the 1i:nita.tions of a physical plan for the next 20 years are reduced and a useful lrcompasslffor the Township I thereby developed.

Therefore, the Plan includes a land use plan rnap and a set I of goals and policies which can guide decisions in the Township; especially in regard to growth and development over the period I of at least five years. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT GOALS I The following goals are, in effect, statements of "the ends" that the Conneaut Township community desires to reach during the next 20 years. They provide the basic framework for guiding I the Township's long-range development. I I - 83 - I Growth Goal I To achieve limited gnowth by guiding and contholling du,tune g/towth and development thhough policiea and phoghama which will phea ehve the huhal chahacten o 6 I the Towna hip. The population of Conneaut Townshjp is expected to grow over I the next twenty years based on the population data reported in this comprehensive plan; the possibility of the U.S. Steel plant being built, and the natural attraction of people to the Pyrnatuning Lake area. The Township accepts this future I growth; however, it desires to keep it to a "ljmited" amount which generally means to maintain the present approximate per decade growth rate, as reported by the 1980 Census. I This can be done, at least in part, by exercising public guidance over growth and development for the cornrnon good. Township residents value hjghly the natural landscape including: I woodlands, streams, and fields. The low density scattered agricultural and residential development along country roads are major parts of the idea of "rural character". This seems to be a main reason why people want to live in the Township. I Therefore, there is an overall desire to maintain the Township's "rural character". The following policy should be followed I in order to help meet this growth goal. Policy: I Tu expeclt and accept limited ghowlth and development in the Townahip and to encouhage. auch gtrowth and developmenlt to accuh in a guided, conthoLled, and ondetrly manneh I compatible with the Towna hip'a hunal chanactett. Goals for Aspects of Growth

The following are goals for the various aspects of growth and development. When each of these goals is achieved they will help to meet the overall growth goal of the Township. The first four are given separate ltplanllconsideration and are fully explained in separate plan elements whjch follow this goals section. The last two are explained here and may be considered for "plan" consideration at a later date.

Land Use Goa1 To guide the location 06 buttuhe development into auitable meaa 06 the Townnhip, aa ahown by the Conneaut Townahip Futu/re land Uae Plan map, ao aa to maintain the nuhal chahacten 06 the Township. The Futtuhe Land Uae Plan map deaignatea aghicultuhal, maal development, aeaaonal developmen$, village developmen$, conaehvation, apecial conaehvation, and dlaod hazaxd aheaa.

- 84 - Transportat ion Goal

To ptrovide dotr the hade, eddicient, and economical ttranapoJLt 06 people and gooda in a mannetr which auppotrta the Towrzship'a Land Uae and community Facilities Plan.

Cornrnunity Facilities and Services Goal To ptrovide andlotr maintain community dacilittiea and I aetrvices to meet the ptreaent and dututre needa 06 the CanneauZ Towna hip community. I Housing Goal

To help inAUtre an adequate, hade, and enetrgy eddicient supply od houaing that sutia6iea the needa and deaikea 06 all age and income gtroupa in the Townahip. Economic Deve loprnent Goal

To achizve a motre bulanced economy by ptromuting commetrc.Lal and induat~aldevelopment which ia compatible with the Towna hip' a trutral ChUkUC-teh and natutral envitronment.

The Township's economy is based prirnarily an agriculture which provides most of the employment; however, most jobs for residents sre non-agricultural jobs located outside the Township. Thereeore, the Township desires to improve this unbalanced economic situation I and strengthen the local area's self-sufficiency. This could be done by promoting commercial and industrial development in Conneaut TI3wnship from the County as well as the local I level. This type of development will provide more local jobs and improve the Township's tax base. The Townshjp strongly desires that all such cornrnercial and industrial development I be compatible with the existing rural character and natural environment. Therefore, small cornrnercial operations compatible with agricultural uses and light non-polluting industrial uses are preferred. The Township, however, feels that it is important I to be open to potential opportunities for large cornrnercial operations and heavy industrial uses. (See the policies under "Village Development Areas" in the Future Land Use Plan €or I further detail.) Environment and Natural Resources Goal I To conaehve and ptrotect the Townahip'a natutral envitronment treaoutrcea itrum hatrmdul eddects 06 d ev elopment . The natural environment and resources of the Township have been a major factor in shaping the mainly agricultural economy I of the Township and in making the area a desirable place to live. Thus, the Township desires to conserve the natural I

- 85 - I

environment and resources as valuable assets to the cornrnunity I in the future. As development occurs, care must be taken in order to insure that darnage to the land, water, air and other resources is kept to a minirnurn. When implemented the Townshjp's I Future Land Use Plan will help sjgnificantly to meet the above . goal. In addition to the environmental concerns addressed in this plan, the Township desires to: 1) have forest, mineral, and petroleurn resources extracted properly; 2) protect I unique or critical natural areas; 3) control problems associated with sludge pits used by gas and oil well drilling operations; I and 4) control problems with improper on-lot sewage disposal. I I I I I I I I I I

- 86 - I' I FUTURE LAND USE PLAN I I NTROD UC T I ON The Land Use Plan is the most important part of the Comprehensive Plan because it addresses how the land, a basic cornrnodity to human life, should be used in the long-range future. This plan, which I follows, should be used as a guide for future growth and development in Conneaut Township. As such, it is designed to meet the general goal of limited growth in the Township. I

The plan was formulated to provide for the best uses of the land, as changes occur in the future, and to maintain the attributes I of rural character which make Conneaut Township a desirable place to live and work. It is based on the following: background information concerning existing land uses, identifjed active farrnlands, cornrnunity facilities and services, and envjronmental I characteristics of the Township; sound land use planning principles; and (,lie expectations, preferences, and future needs of Township resitlents. Most of the background information can be found, in I detalled form, in the "Background Informatjon for Planning" port ,on of this comprehensive plan. I The ?uture Land Use Plan consists of two major parts - a narrative and ;he Future Land Use Plan map. The following narrative includes an o..t3rLi11 goal and a set of poljcies. These should be studied toge,her with the Future Land Use Plan map found at the end of I this narrative. The policies should be referred to by cornrnunjty decision makers and members of the publjc when making decjsjons affecting land use in the Township. They were written to reflect I the best long-range directions for development from today's viewpoint. However, they should be periodically evaluated and up-d,ited to meet the changing needs of Conneaut Township. I LAND USE GOAL To gLde the location ad dutune development into auitable I aneaa ad ,the Tawnahip, aa ahawn by the Conneaut Townahip FLlltune Land Uae PLan map, ao aa to maintain the &mal chatrac,ten 06 the Towmhip. The Fu;tutre Land Uae Plan map I dehignatea agnLculXunal, nunal development, a eaa0na.l development, village development, co na envaXio n, apecial conaenvation, and 6laod hazand aneaa. I In order to maintain the Township's rural character, it is considered important to influence the placement of future land uses. Therefore, various land uses are grouped together I according to the major activity determined to be suitable for each particular area in the Township. The designation of these different land use areas is based on a combination of objective I and subjective information. It is made in order to help prevent conflicts between incompatible land uses, for example, agricultural I - 87 - I I

versus industrial uses. This separation of certain land uses I can protect property values and help create more efficient, attractive settlements. Furthermore, the proper placement of land uses serves to protect the public's general health, safety, I and welfare as well as to provide community faciljtjes and services more efficiently. I The following specific policies describe the courses of action which should be taken, by the Planning Cornrnissjon and the Board of Township Supervjsors in order to make land use decjsjons that I will help meet this land use goal. LAND USE POLICIES

I In addition to the primary concerns of accepting limited growth and preserving rural character the following land use policies emphasize conserving productive agricultural land, properly I disposing of sewage waste, encouraging the proper mixture of compatible land uses, controlling seasonal and recreatjon development, encouraging economic development, protecting environmental/natural resources, and preventing damage caused I by flooding. These policies should be studied together wjth the Future Land Use Plan map in order to recieve their complete I mean ing . Agricultural Area: I To WnaehVe p/toduc,ttive aghicuLZuhaL Luvid, by encouhaging aghicultukal opetra;tiona to trernain dunc,tionting and to expand in lthe Futuhe Land Ua e Plan' a 'I Agkicul;tuna.t" I mea. Agriculture historically has been and currently is the most important industry in the township. Despite this, its contribution I to the Township's economy may be on the decline. It is the predominant user of land, using approximately 44.6 percent of the Township's land area, and is the dornjnant feature creating I the Township's rural character and attractjveness. (See Existing Land Use and Active Farmlands Maps.) Therefore, agriculture is considered invaluable to the Township and should be majntained I as a vjable and rnajor land use in the future. In the face of the nation-wide trend of a loss of productive farmland and a decline in the number of farmers, it is considered I very important to keep the Township's farmland actively producing food and other agricultural products. Therefore, farm are encouraged to remain in active operation throughout most of the I Township as the fundamental way to conserve agricultural land. Land use changes caused by growth and development are inevitable, thus all agricultural land can not be preserved. Rather, agricultural land should be conserved in a way that allows (only) I minor changes and maintains agricultural productjvi ty. Marginal or idle farmland should also be put back into productjon, where I f eas ible .

I - 88 - I

To encouhage aghicultuhal uaea, low denaitg heaidentiat development, mixed heaidentiallcornmehcial uaea, and amall I commenciat opetatio na compatible with aghicultuhe to locatte in the Futute Land Uae PLan'a "Agaicultunal" attea.

Primarily agriculture and uses related to it should locate in I the designated ffAgriculturalffarea. Full-time cornrnercial and family farm are encouraged as well as part-time and hobby farms, in order to keep agriculture an econornjcally viable occupation. I It has been recognized that it is increasingly difficult to earn a living soley from farming; therefore, other land uses compatible with agriculture are desirable in this area. These land uses I include mixed residential/commercial uses, such as repair shops, feed mills, beauty shops, and woodstove sales; and small cornrnercial operations, such as farm equipment sales and service shops. Other cornrnercial activities are acceptable provided they do not use I large mounts of productive farmland and do not harm or interfere with agricultural activities. I To encouhage u6ea hahrndul oh incompatible to the continuation 06 agnicultuhe to locate in aheab otheh than the "Ag/ticulltuhcr.~" attea ob the Tolunahip. I Uses harmful or incompatible with agriculture should locate.in areas of the township which are more suitable to these activities. These uses include, but are not limited to the following: high I density residential development; seasonal development; certain cornrnercial uses; and industrial uses, excluding gravel pits and forestry operations. I In ohdeh to encouhage tow denaitu develonment, new hoada ahauld not be conaahucXed in the "AghicuLXuhaL" I mea and pahcela Tland aae hecommended $0 be a minimum 06 5 achen with a minimum 06 500 deet 06 dhontage on a public mad. I Low density residential development should be encouraged in order to preserve rural character and conserve agricultural land. It is thought that there are enough roads to sufficiently I serve the "Agricultural" area, in keeping with the objectjves of this Land Use Plan. Therefore, because new roads would promote in,-depth development, break up contiguous parcels of land needed I for farming, and become an added maintenance burden on the Townshjp; no new roads should be constructed. Minirnurn lot size and frontage recommendations are made to insure: that lots will not unduly cut into or away from the contiguous tracts of land behind them; I that the land is kept in some type of agricultural use; and that neighbors have an opportunity to be separated from each other. I Rur a1 Development Area : To accommodate expected ghowth and to encoutage tow denailty I devetopment in cehtain meaa 06 lthe Townahip, which included the "Ruxal Vevetopment" ahea. Nan-aghicuLtutaL ua ea entehing the Townahhip me encouhaged to locate in thia ahea hatheh than in the "AghicuLtuha,t" shea.' I - 89 - I I

A limited amount of growth is expected in the Township before I the year 2000, especially if the U.S. Steel plant is bujlt. It should be the policy of the Township to accornrnodate much of this growth in areas of the Township, where growth will most likely I occur; where the land is better sujted for development; and where community facilities and services can be provided more easily. The "Rural Development" area, located along the Township's two main transportation routes - U.S. Route 6 and the Ljnesville- I Conneautville Road (L.R. 20043) - and in proxjmjty to Pyrnatuning State Park; is one of these areas. It is important to.note that natural gas is available along the Linesvi lle-Conneautvi lle Road I and that three-phase electrical service is available in portions of the "Rural Development" area. I The "Rural Development" area would encourage mainly residential uses, but would include other land uses which may be incompatible with agriculture yet are still rural in nature. In effect, non- agricultural uses are encouraged to locate in this area rather I than in the "Agricultural" area, which would help to conserve productive farmland. Furthermore, the "Rural Development" area is delineated so that it does not interfere unduly with land I in the adjacent "Agricultural" area. (See Active Farmlands Map reference in Appendix 1.) I Pahcela 06 land in the "Rutral PeveRopmenX" shea ahauld be lakge enough to adeyuaXely AUppVhX the uae 06 an- lot aewage ayakema. The hecommended minimum 1oX aize ia 2 aches wiXh a minimum ad 175 dee3 ad @vn;tage an I a public mad.

Due to generally "severe" soil conditions, as described in the I "Soils" portion of the Natural Resources background inforrnat ion section, the suitability of the soil for proper disposal of sewage waste is the most important limiting factor on development. I Thus, relatively large lots may be needed to prevent hazards from possible contamination of wells on neighboring properties or pollution of surface waters. Minimum lot size and frontage recornmendat ions are made in order to insure low density development. I The recornmended frontage, which allows a rnaxjrnurn depth of approximately 498 feet, is designed to prevent lots from unduely I cutting into agricultural lands. New mada, which meet Townahip koad atandahda, may be conathucted in the "Ruhal Development" shea to allow I do& in-depth development; howevetr, aaid mad4 a hall not be pehmitted to enckoach on the deaignated 'I A ghic ulX utr alp' atr e a.

I The opportunity to build new roads should guide development into the "Rural Development" area rather than the "Agricultural" area. Although this allows for the subdivision of land back away from I existing road frontages - in-depth development, roads shall not be permitted to intrude gradually into the adjacent "Agricultural" I

I - 90 - area. Roads shall be constructed by the developer as public roads which meet Township road standards. This is to provide I for the public's safety and for the proper cost efficjent maintenance of these new roads. The recornrnended minirnurn frontage of 175 feet applies to these new public roads. I Seasonal Development Area:

To encounage aeaaonal developmenk, which pnimutrily includea aeaaonal neaidencea and necheakian-nelaked ea, to locake in .the "Seasonal Vevelopmenkll ahea deaignaked on khe FuAutte land Uae Plan map.

This land use area provides for the limited expansion of seasonal development in the ,Township, immediately south of U.9. Route 6 and south of Finley Bridge. Locally owned tourist businesses I and other recreation-related uses are desirable provided they are developed in a manner compatible with seasonal residential development. All new development must meet Township regulations. I To accepk high denaiky developmenk in the "Seaaonal Development" anea pnavided khak aoila atte accepkable I don pnopett on-lak aewage diapoaal. Lata ane necammended ko be a minimum 06 12,000 aquane 6eek. In order to prevent pollution and health problems proper sewage I disposal should be assured before high density seasonal development is permitted. A rninirnurn lot size of 12,000 square feet is recornrnended to insure that problems associated with higher densi ty development are avoided. However, soil conditions must be acceptable, otherwjse larger lots will be necessary. The "Seasonal Development" area is now dominated by seasonal developments and should be served by a public sewage system. (See Cornrnunity Facilities and Services Plan. )

Vi11 age Deve loprnen t Areas :

To encounage Cenkeh Road and Pennleine Ita gnow and develop a6 cenkena 06 communiky and village developmenk, I &Lowing don compa;tible mixkuhea 06 neaidenkial, commexcial, fighk induaknial, inakikukianal, and public Mea. BoZh vi.i%uJeh ahauld be conaideked aneaa pne6ehttLed I Bot concenknaZed gnowkh. Future growth and development should be encouraged to locate in the villages of Center Road and Pennline so.that the economic I and social growth potential of these existing villages can be developed. With a greater concentration of growth, cornrnunity facilities and services can be provided more easily to Township I residents.

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Mixtures of the designated land uses is considered acceptable 1 in these villages; however, these activities should be as compatible with each other as possible so that land use conflicts are kept at a minirnurn. The "Village Development" I areas are generalized on the Future Land Use Plan map to ,show that their boundaries are flexible. 1 To encourrage commetrcial and Light indualt/rial unea to Locate in Cenzetr Road and PennLine auch tha2 theae uaea atre aited in loca2iona compa2ible with 2he.h au/r/rounding envi/ronment. Waten and aewage needa ahould be I adequately met and ttrraddic congeation ahould not be c/re&ed. I Cornrnercial and light industrial uses should be encouraged to locate in the "Village Development" areas in order to provide needed economic development. Although they are encouraged , care I should be taken in locating cornrnercial and light industrial uses in these village areas so that the rural character of the Township is preserved as much as possible. In order to be compatible with the surrounding environment pollution, traffic hazards, I and very high density development should be avoided. Proper on-site sewage disposal should be provided which will severely limit the concentration of any development. For the purposes I of this Land Use Plan, light industrial uses are considered non- polluting enterprises such as distribution plants, woodworking, electrical , plumbing, heating, or sheet metal shops , and light I manufacturing. It should be noted that natural gas and three-phase electrical service currently is available in Center Road, which rnakes it I Inore attractive for cornrnercial and industrial development. Three- phase electrical power could be extended to Pennline from the I Beaver Center Road (L.R. 20039) in the future. Large cornrnercial operations and heavy industrial uses are not encouraged in the "Village Development" areas; however, it is I recornrnended that the Township be open to potential opportunities of this nature. Proposals for these types of development should be reviewed carefully on a case by case basis with possible help from the Crawford County Planning Cornmission. This is to be I certain that environmental resources are protected and that the Township's rural character is preserved.

I Conservation Area:

To /recognize Pymatuning State Patth aa an impotrltant I envinonmenzal /reaou/rce which ahould be conaekved and ptro2ected d'tom adweme eddecta 06 developmen2 I in adjacent atreaa. 1 I - 92 - The portions of Pyrnatuning State Park and Reservoir which lie in Conneaut Township are designated as a conservation area. In this way the Park is recognized as an important environmental resource. .Conneaut Township benefits from the Park's recreation, aesthetic, and conservation values. Therefore, development is I expected to be attracted to the area adjacent to the Park. This development should occur in a manner that does not adversely effect the Park and the Reservoir. 1 Special Conservation Area: To heatthict development in the Lineaville Cheek 1 wcLtehahed in ohdeh to paeven$ the ponaible contamination 06 an aquideh which aehvea aa a pahXial watch .supply doh Lineaville Bohough. Linesville Borough, located south of Conneaut Township, depends on two areas of springs for approximately two-thirds of its water supply. The "lower springs" area is located just east of Linesville Creek and is thought to be fed, in some way, by Linesville Creek. Therefore, as a matter of public health, the Township should consider it important to protect this water supply from possible contarninat ion.

The "Special Conservation" area, as shown on the Future Land Use Plan map, is based on a delineation of the Linesville Creek watershed. The topography or lay of the land determines the actual locat ion of the watershed's boundaries. Development which rnay contaminate Linesville Creek or any of its tributaries should -not be located within certain determined setback distances from these streams. Such development may include but is not limited to: sewage disposal systems; gas and oil wells; and storage of fuels, or hazardous chemicals.

Program : The Planning Commiaaion ahouLd detetrmine the aetbach diatancea &om Lineaville Cheek and ita thibutahiea, which atre neceaaahy to tteaktnict development that may contaminate the Lineaville Bohough wateh aupply. The Planning Commission rnay need to obtain assistance from the Crawford County Planning Commission staff or the Pennsylvania Department of Envi ronrnental Resources. Program: The Planning Commiaaion ahould hequeat the Penna ylvania Vepahtment 06 Envihonmental Reaouhcea to pehdohm a teak to dekehmine id the watteh quality ob Lineaville Cheek edbecta lthe watch quality in the "~5~wetAphinga" mea 06 Lineaville Bohough wateh aupply..

- 93 - I I Flood Hazard Areas: Policy : I To manage land aubjeclt to the hazahda 06 dlooding accotrding to guidelines eatablia hed by atate and dedenal tregUkU%Onh in otrdetr to phevent damage to I ptropetrty aBd human tide in theae atreaa. The Future Land Use Plan shows those are,as in which development is restricted due to the possjbl'e hazards of flooding. These I "Flood Hazard Areas" were taken directly frarn the official Flood Hazard Boundary Maps produced by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Conneaut Townshjp has qualified for the I National Flood Insurance Program and has a building perrnjt ordinance which outlines the restrictions on development in the I Township's "Flood Hazard Areas". Program : \

The Conneault Towna hip BLLiLding Pehmilt Ohdinance, which I 6ul6il.l~ altate and bedehal trequihementa, ahall be ptropehly endoaced and up-dazed when necebhahy. I Conneaut Township's Building Permit Ordinance, Ordinance 80-1, fulfills the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program and Pennsylvania law. It is useful in implementing flood management activities and shall be properly administered by the Building I Permit Officer. The Board of Township Supervisors shall properly enforce this ordinance and should up-date it when necessary.

I Program for the Entire Township: I Program : The Planning Commiaaion ahauld begin .to atudy the uae 06 gtrowlth managemenlt hegulationa in the Towns hip. I To implement this Plan growth management regulations, such as a zoning or a subdivision ordinance, would have to be adopted. Should the U.S. Steel Corporation announce its intentjon to I construct the proposed plant at Lake Erie, the Townshjp is . certain to receive a lirnjted amount of growth and development. In order to prepare for this change or any change, work should I begin, when necessary, on wrjting a set of regulatjons that will enable the Township to exercise reasonable control over expected development. It is important to note that in order to provide for proper review by Townshjp residents, no regulatjons or I ordinance can be enacted by the Board of Township Supervisors I without open public hearings. I

I - 94 - I Progr arn : I To inauhe heanonable hegula&ion 06 land aubdiviai.on and developmen2 the Boahd 06 Townahip SUpLhVihOhd ahould enact a aubdiviaion and land development ohdinanse, only adteh cahedul atudy 06 such an ohdinance by the SUpeh- I ViaOhb and the Planning CommLadion. Thia ohdinav!ce ahould be athuctuhed in auch a wag that the Counl:y Planning Comrn,Laaion atadd may ptrovide adminiattral:ive 1 aid, but dinal aubdiviaion plat apphoval La in th.e handa 06 the Towndhip. I The Planning Cornrnission and the Board of Township Supervisors should make a careful study of land subdivision regulations. These regulations would provide the Township with the.assurance that newly formed lots would be correctly dimensioned, marked I on the land and publicly recorded. Land subdivision regulations also would insure that new roads built by developers would meet Township standards. The County Planning staff may be used for I administratjve aid whjch would insure that the Townsh:ip gets the benefit of full-time staff who specialize in the 1;echnical process of land subdivision. I I I I I I I I I I I - 95 - 1 Program : To inaue neasonabLe aeguLa2ion 06 Land aubdiviaion and development the Boand 04 Townahip Supenviaona ahouLd enact a hubdiviaion and land deveLopment omfinance, only adten cme6uL atudy 06 4uch an ondinance by the Supea- vi~oa~and the PLanning Commiaaion. This ondinance ahodd be htnuctuhed in auch a way tha2 the Counzy Planning Commiaaion h.ta66 may pnovide adminiaZaa2ive aid, burt 6inaL aubdXviaion plat appnovaL ia in the handa 06 the Townahip. The Planning Commission and the Board of Township Supervisors should make a careful study of land subdivision regulations. These regulations would provide the Township with the assurance that newly formed lots would be correctly dimensioned, marked on the land and publicly recorded. Land subdivision regulations also would insure that new roads built by developers would meet I Township standards. The County Planning staff may be used for administratjve aid which would insure that the Township gets the benefit of full-time staff who specjalize in the technical I process of land subdivision.

I I I I I I I

I - 95 - I I I I I I I I

LEGEND 1

AGRICULTURAL FUTURE LAND USE PLAN RURAL DEVELOPMENT CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP . SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT SCALE I"=5280' OR 1°=1 MILE CONSERVATION ...... PREPARED BY THE CRAWFORD COUNTY PLANNING ...... FLOOD HAZARD COMMlSSleN UNDER A GRANT FROM THE I APPALACHIAN REGIONAL COMMl SSlON SPECIAL CONSERVATION AREA . I I TRANSPORTATION PLAN INTRODUCTION I In Conneaut Township, as in other rural areas of Pennsylvania, the primary function and responsibility of ].oca1 government is to provide and maintain an adequate road system. Because this is considered one of the most important cornrnunity facilities and I services it has been given separate "Plan" consideration. This Plan addresses mainly the existing and Putui-e needs concerning the road system. However, Merry's Pymatuning Airport, the I "abandoned" Penn-Central Railroad right-of-way, and modes of transportation other than the automobile are briefly discussed. Policies are based on an analysis of local, county, state, and I federal records; existing road and bridge conditions; road policies of other government bodies; knowledge of hazardous road conditions; maintenance problems; sound planning prjnciples; and the expectations, I preferences and future needs of Township residents. TRANSPORTATION GOAL

I To pmvide dah the bade, eddicienlt, and economical lt&anapaklt 06 peopLee and good4 in a manizetr which ~uppotrka I lthe Townahip'a land Uae and CommuniRg facifiRiea Plana. The Township's most important facility is its road system. Therefore, proper upkeep of the 75.46 miles of road - 44.69 miles of Township roads and 30.77 miles of State roads - is essential. I These roads should transport people and goods in a safe, efficient, and economical manner. Because roads are essential to new development, road policies can be used as a tool for directing I development to appropriate areas of the Township as indicated in the Future Land Use Plan. Whether roads are maintained with a gravel or a ,paved surface could affect the amount and location I of new development. The adequate provision OP other cornrnunity facilities and services, as described in the Cornrnunity Faciljtjes and Services Plan, is also dependent upon the proper maintenance I of the Township's road system. TRANSPORTATION POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND PR0J:ECTS I The following policies describe the courses of action whjch should be taken to meet the general transportation goal of the Township: I ROAD SYSTEM Classification of Roads I Policy: The fedetral Func;tional ClaaaidicaXion Sgaltem a hall I be accepted UA the apptropniaZs aya;tem dotr ;the cXaaaidicaZion 06. mad4 in ,the Townahip. I

- 97 - In order to be consistent with federal, state, county and other local municipal roads policies, the Township accepts the Federal I Functional Classification System for the classification of its roads. This classification system outljnes a hierarchy of roads based on the varying degree of importance a road is.given, depending 1 on the type of service it provides. Some roads serve only local Township traffic while others serve inter-county or interstate travel needs. The Federal Functional Classification System defines 1 the hierarchy of roads in the following way: Minor Arterial: .A road which serves interstate and inter-county travel, and where trips are normally of I long duration. Major Collector: A road serving inter-county and intra- 1 county travel and which connects development centers within a county. I Minor Collector: A road which collects traffic from the local road system and funnels it to the major collector and minor arterial systems. I Local: A road which serves local traffic needs whjch rnay include inter-township travel. I Besides providing a convenient way to organize one's thinking on the Township road system, the Federal Functional Classification System has another important characteristic. It denotes the amount of federal and, in many cases, state funding that may be allocated I to a particular road category. To a lesser extent, it also is a key to relative road importance and to priorjties for major road improvements. I It is important to realize that Minor Colleqtor and Local roads do not routinely receive federal funding assistance for up-keep, I but Minor Arterial and Major Collector roads are eligible for such aid. Minor Collector and Local roads must be maintained through State and local money. They do, however, qualify for the Federal Off-Systems Funding Program if they have a minirnurn I cartway width of twenty feet. To sum up, the Federal Functional Classification System is an important guide to planning for the level of service on roads and an important factor in plannjng I for the future use of land. Policy : I The Townakip trecommenda thtree changea in the cuhaent deaignation od troada undetr the Fedettal FuncZional CXaa4idication Syatem. A new hoad deaignation called I the "Local Acceaa" toad, id aleao added to .the Fedehal Syatern dotr athictly local planning pccrrpodea. I I

- 98 - I In keeping with the recormendations for Major Highways contained 'I in the updated Transportation Element of the Crawford County Comprehensive Plan, U.S. Route 6 should be upgraded from a Major Collector to a Minor Arterial because it serves interstate travel I as well as the needs of the Pymatuning Lake Region. The Township also recommends that the ffLocalffcategory under the Federal Functjonal Classif icatioii System be subdjvided into two I categories because of the difference in the. continujty characteristic of certain local roads. From the perspectjve of local people most "township" roads have continuity throughout the Township I and serve rnany areas of land. Other roads could be built "out- from" the so called township roads serving newly formed subdivisions. If thjs were to happen it would be easy to demonstrate that these I so called "Local" roads are collector roads. Consequently, the normal township road is considered a collector road if it has reasonable continuity. The two categories as defined below are I simply a Townshjp designatjon to be used for local purposes: Local Collector: This category includes most Township I maintained roads and some State roads. Local Access: This is the true ''local" road; a road which does not and will not carry appreciable through traffic 1 because it serves only as an access for abutting property owners. This category adds to the federal system and is simply a Township designation. It may prove important in the future if very local roads or roads wjth cul-de- I- sacs are constructed.

Based on the above policies, the recommended highway classification I designations for Conneaut Townshjp appear as follows: I Ptopoa ed Highway CLahai6ication Minot AtZeniaL: - U.S. Rou.te 6 (Upgtaded 6nom a Majot CoLLec.tot.) I Majot CoCCec.tot: - LineaviLLe-Conneautv~LLe Road: L. R. 20043 and I L.R. 20036. (L.R. 20043 .to Summethill Township). Minot CoCLec.tona : - L.R. 20036 (L.R. 20043 .to L.R. 200371, (Potrtion 06 I L.R. 20036 dtom L.R. 20037 .to L.R. 20039 upgnaded dtom a LocaL toad) - L.R. 20039 (Beavet Cenlteh BLack Top): See ExpLanaXion BbLow.

I LocaL CoL1ec;tota : (Called l'LocaLsll in ExisXing CLaasi6icafion.) - ALL tremaivzing htalte toada: L.R. 20107, L.R. 20042, L.R. 20017, L.R. 20037, L.R. 2003b. (PennLine .to I L.R. 20039) - ALL Township troadn exceplt "L0ca.t Accesa" hoada. I

I - 99 - I

Local Acceaa: (CcLtegohy Added to Exiating Claaaidication. ) - Cole Road (T. 725 to Beaveh Townahip); I - Vebow Road (T. 314); - Lee Road (T. 310); - Rockwell P/ti~e(T. 313). I

L.R. 20039 ahould be conaidetted 604 upghading to a "Majotr C~llectoh~~ to phovide adequate accehb to exihting hecheational aheaa and 1 poaaible majoh indualthial hittea. Project: I The -Boahd 06 Townahip Supehviaona ahall communicate the Towna hip'a troad claaaidication policiea to the Penna ylvania 1 Vepakltment 06 ThanbpOh.ta$iOn and aha& worrk with the Sltalte to change o66icia.t deaignationa ao that they ahe in agheement with Towna hip policy. I This my be accomplished by providing the proper PennDOT officjals with a copy of the above "Proposed classifjcation" along wjth an appropriate explanation of the reasons for needing to change I the existing official designations. General Road Standards I Policy: The tthavel-way width, /Light-od-way width, and aukdace I chahactehiatica ad hoada ahall be baaed on theitr clasaidication categohy. The dollowing $have&-way wid.th, ~ghk-od-waywidth and aukdace ma.ttekia1b aha11 be 1 bltandahd doh Conneaut TOWnhhip. Classif icatjon Travel-Way Width Right-of -Way Width Surface I Minor Arterial 22-24 feet 80 feet Paved Major Collector 22-24 feet 50-60 feet ' Paved Minor Collector 20 feet 50-60 feet Paved 1 Local Collector 20 feet 50-60 feet Graveled Local Access 18 feet 50 feet Graveled I This policy establishes a set of general standards which can be used as a basis for more specific standards at a later date. These standards are desjgned to provide for safety, efficiency, I and economy. Road Surf aces: I Pol icy : All Tow~~akiphoada ahall be maintained with a ghavel I aukdace and genehal toad conditiona imptroved aa dunding petrmits. I

- 100 - I Gravel roads contribute to the Township's rural character and 'I require less costly and less complicated maintenance than paved roads. Therefore, it is considered best to maintain Township roads with a gravel surface. When well-maintainted, gravel roads adequately meet the needs of local traffic; however, improvements I in the general conditions of the roads will inevitably be needed. These improvements should be made based on the avajlability of I local funds. Policy: I Exiating ghavel toad4 within the Townahip ahaLL be conaideked boa paving, dinancea pehmik.ting, when the denaity ad development heachea an avehage ad one land uae activity I dott each 400 deet ob mad @antage peh mile. Roads should not be paved until such paving is justified by the density of population along a road. Once it is determined that I the density justifies paving, funds must be available before such paving can be done. The density criterion has been exceeded when any given mile along a road has an average of one or more land I use activities such as a residence or business, per 400 feet of road frontage along toth sides of the road. I Transfer of State Roads- Pol icy : I ALL ata.te hoada claaaidied aa "Local ColLectoh" mads shouLd be /re.tuhn.ed to .the Townhhip dah maintenance phovided tha.t thehe hoada ahe impmved to a condition I acceptable to th.e Boatd 04 Supehvihohh at the Xime ad thanndeh, and Xh.a.t .the a.tate canthibuXeh a daih ahahe I ad dunda doh up-keep 06 theae hoadh. If some state roads were taken over by the Township, they would most likely be maintained in much better condition than they are now. Perhaps if enough roads were taken over by local governments, I the state could afford to do a better job of majntaining the roads they would have left. The state roads in question are as follows: I - L.R. 20107 - L.R. 20017 - L.R. 20037 I - L.R. 20042 The Board of Supervisors shall determine what constitutes ''a fair share of the funds" to be received from the state and what is I meant by "acceptable road condition". New Roads m For the purposes of this Transportation Plan the term "new road" does not include private or temporary roads used for gas and oil operations, forestry operations, or agricultural field roads. I However, these roads shall be built to minimize soil erosion, environmental darnage, and provide adequate drainage as provi ded for in existing Township regulations. I - 101 - 1 Pol icy: To inautre that all new troada conathucted in the Townahip I meet atandatrda 06 conatkuction, aa6ety, and e66iciency acceptable to the %oakd 06 TownahLp. Supetrviaotra. New /roads ahall be public koada conaXnucted accotrding to these a.tandcurda and paid 6otr by .the: developek. I

Most of the Township budget is spent to maintain the road system. Therefore, new roads should not be accepted in poor condition I in order to avoid unnecessary expenses for road maintenance. Establishment of road standards also is a primary means for assuring safety, efficjency, and economy. & 1

Public roads are needed to assure that both residents and visitors I have use of adequate, well maintained roads. The initial capital investment for construction of new roads should be made by the developer, since it is the developer who initially benefits from 1 the road. After acceptance, these new roads become part of the Towns hip s long-term rnai n t enance costs. I Project: The Planning Commiaaion ahould treview mad design and conattruction atandahdb XhaX the Supekviaoka uae .to 1 accept new troada. These road standards should be specific, yet reasonable, and may 1 be incorporated into a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. Policy : I New traada ahould n0.t be conattructed in .the "Agtricul.tutral" mea 06 the Townahip, a~ ahown on the Fukutre land Uae Plan map, in otrdek to help conaetve agtricuLXutra1 land and 1 pheh ehVe the Towns hip'a hUkal chatacten. For further explanation please see the equivalent of this policy I under the "Agricultural Area" in the Future Land Use Plan. Trees and Brush I Policy: Exiating theca ahould be maintained and tkee plan.tLnga I pkomated on new troada, CLt otr neat troad hight-06-way linea. Theea, which atre cauaing troad maintenance pkoblema ahould be cleaed dkom troad tcigh.t-od-waya. I Shade tree lines enhance the rural character of Township roads giving them a sense of thejr own space and presenting an attractive appearance in the rural landscape. New tree plantings; however, U. should be done with care so that maintenance problem are not created. Existing problem trees should be removed. I - 102 - 1 I I Program: The Boahd 06 SUpehVihOhh ahauld annually inapeclt hoad inXehaecXiana and cut back Xheea and bhuah whehe I ne cea a y . As clear a line-of-sight as possjble should be maintained at road I intersections for the safety of those who travel Township roads. -Storrnwater Drainage and Soil Erosion I Policy:

To minimize hail ehaaiun and mainxenance ptrablema by 1 imptroving dhainage and atuhmwatetL management Xechniquea alang Tawna hip hoadh.

I It is consjdered important to keep the loss of sojl from land abutting Township road ditches at a minimurn. This should be done while providing adequate drainage so that roads are not flooded I or damaged. The following program recormends a method of doing this. Culverts of adequate size to accommodate storrnwater runoff should be used, cleaned out periodically, and re-set when necessary. I Roads should also be graded and sloped so that adequate drainage is provided. I Pro gram : -. The Tuwnakip ahauld uae "tail hacea", which ahe genenally aluped, vegeXaXed diXchea, aa well aa oXhu phaven I aXahmwa.teh management dewicea along Tawnn hip naada. "Tail races" are gradually sloped ditches seeded with grasses I or other vegetation. They are designed to provide proper drainage of runoff and reduce soil erosion to a minirnurn. The initial expense of construction may be high, but the long term maintenance cost is reduced because the ditches do not need to be re-dug periodically I as they do with the "straight-edge" ditching technique. The Township may want to investigate using other devjces or techniques in order I to reduce maintenance cost and to generally improve the road system. Dust Control I Policy: Tawnahip haada ahould be theated doh duaX canthal, when needed and &inancialRy beaaible; howeweh, cake a hauld be I .taken in Xhe applicaXion ad duat con.thol chemicala. I 1 I - 103 - During the dry months of the year dust from the gravel roads can become a nuisance and a possible safety hazard; therefore, it 1 should be controlled and the roads treated when necessary. Calcium Chloride has been used effectively for this purpose for years. Recently, however, salt brjne, a by-product of gas and oil well I drilling, has been used for dust control. There are some serious questions about water pollution and damage to vegetation caused by the runoff from brine treated roads. It is generally accepted . that these problems can be avoided through proper management I techniques . Snow Rernova 1 1 Policy: 1 To continue to ehhectiuely cleah anow and ice anom Tawnahip and atate naoda.

Program: I The Baahd 06 Supehuiaoha ahauld make dohmal oh in&onmal agneementa cancehning anow hemoval, with the atate and wizh 1 the SUpehUiaOha in adjacent municipalities. Existing agheementa hhould be bollowed and changed ab neceahahy. I In order to clear snow in the most effective and economical way, the Township has made agreements with Pine, Beaver, and Surnmerhill Townships. These agreements are to plow certain portions of boardering roads in these Townships in exchange for similar work I on Conneaut roads. Contract agreements have also been made with the State for the Township to plow certain state roads. This program has proved successful and should be continued. I Road Names and Signs I Policv : The Townahip will inauhe thaz haad namea ahe mahhed and atte not duplicated within the Townahip. The Boahd 06 I Supehuiaah~hhauld explohe the paaaibilizy 06 making change4 in hoad nameb whehe cehtain hoad name4 change IM they choaa municipal boundahiea. I This policy should prevent confusion in determinjng locations and directions, especially in the event of an emergency. I Road Problems and Solutions Policv: I The Tawnahip adapta the fiat 06 tnanapoatation ptroblemh hound in the "Ptroblem Analyaia" pohtian 06 the I Community Facilities and Sehuice~aeczion ad the Bachghound 7 naokmation doh Planning. I - 104 - I I

Solutions to these problems shall be sought by the Township using I aid from the County and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation where necessary. I Program : The Planning Commiaaion a hatL eatabtia h p/rio/Likiea dah the Townahip and State hoad and bhidge pnoblema, and 1 ahauld help ;the Townahip Supehuiaota dind aoluXioiza to the4 e ptra btema baaed on thea e p~iotritiea. I Federal Off-Systems Program I Policy: To maintain cloae cootdination with the Baahd ad County Commiaaioneta , ;the Ctawdotrd Caunky Planning Commiaaion, and PennVOJ in connection wikh the liaking 06 phOjeCXd 1 qualeidying 604 dunding undet $he Fedeta1 066-Syakema Phogham.

I The Federal Off-Systems program is a "no strjngs attached" program which can send federal assistance directly to local governments to solve existing road and bridge problems. Project priorities, 1 however, are established by the county and the state. So the Township must take the first step so that specific projects are considered by the county and PennDOT. (Refer to the poljcy on I the Federal Functional Classification system for more information. ) Project: I The Townahip ahauld make needed aepaiha on Townahip bhidgea ao khaX load limika can be incteaaed allowing I achool buaea ab paaa aadely owe& kheae bhidgea. Federal Of f-Systems Program funding should be sought for needed repairs on the two bridges on Wheeler Road and the one bridge I on West Road. PennDOT s Twelve-Year Highway Program I Policy: To maintain cloae coohdinakion wikh the Buahd 06 County I Commiaaioneta and the Chawdotd County Ptanning Commiaaion in connection wikh the detetmination 06 PennVUT'a TwLeue Yea& ffighway 7mpmvemen.t Ptogham. I Major reconstruction and new construction projects must be listed I on the State Twelve Year Highway Program in order to be funded. These are projects which normally require detailed engineering I plans and the purchase of right-of-way. PennDOT utilizes county planning cornrnissions to coordinate and obtain local comment on I what projects should be in this program. The Crawford County I - 105 - 1

Planning Cornrnission in turn has organized a Highway Advisory Cormnittee which is a forum for expressing local rnunicipal needs I in connection with this program. The Board of Township Supervisors is a member of this Advisory Committee. The Board should make sure that the County Planning Cornmission has a listing of all I rnajor highway improvements for state maintained roads which the Township believes should be scheduled for construction over the next 12 years. I Road Darnage

Policv: I ALL Weka 06 Townahip ttoada ahall avoid any damagea which me mote aevetre than that cauaed by nokmal weak and teak. i It ia tecommended that tiabilitq dot aevete damage hut with the teaponaible patty OL pattiea.

Darnage above normal wear and tear shall be deterrnjned by the.Board I of Township Supervisors. The reason for this policy is to avoid unwarranted maintenance expense to Township residents. I Overall Road Policy Policy: 1 The Towna hip ahaLR indotm od diciaLa 06 adjacenz munici- palitiea 06 da toad policiea in an ed6ot.t .to ptomote koad management and claaai6ication policiea in agrreement I with Rhoae in Conneaut Tawnahip.

By following this policy the Township can avoid future problems I caused by incompatible policies in adjacent municipalities, especially in regard to potential development pressures. 1 AIRPORT Policy: I The Townahip ahouLd encoukage Metty’a Pyrnatuning Aitpott to be wed in hade, eddicient, and economical manneh. I This airport is presently maintained as a publjc facility providing a landing strip for smaller types of aircraft. Thus, it offers the opportunity for an alternate mode of travel to be used by I visitors and possibly businessmen, as well as being available for use in the case of an ernergency. Caution should be used concerning the height of structures erected in proximity to the airports runways. Obstructions, including trees, should not I prevent the safe use of this airport. The Township should consider the need for establishing height limitations in the area surrounding Merry’s Pyrnatuning Airport. I I - 106 - I I RAILROAD I Policy: The Townahip encouhagea the Penn-Centnal Railhaad high;t- I ad-way to hemain intact, Zo be. uaed ah a techteaZion dacileiXty. This right-of-way may be needed in order to meet unforeseen transportation needs in the future. Thus, it should be encouraged I to be kept open and used for recreation, i.e. hiking, bjking, skiing or snowmobiling. If the needs of the future dictate it could be reactivated as a transportation corridor. (Please refer I to the Cornrnunity Facilities and Services Plan for further discussion. ) I OTHER TRANSPORTATION MODES I Policy : To encouhage Townahip heaidenZa and viaiZoha Xu uhe modea 06 Zhavel o.theh than the automobile wheneveh poaaible and I phacttical. People should be encouraged to: walk, carpool, ride a bicycle, use a Io-ped, ride a bus, rjde a horse, etc. in order to conserve I energy resources and reduce unneeded wear and tear on the road sy s t ern. 1 I I I I I I I I

I - 107 - I

I COMMUNITY FACILITIES ART! SERVICES PLAN

I INTRODUCTION The Cornrnunity Facilities and Services Plan is important because it addresses the more hurnan aspects associated with future I growth and development, thereby complementing the Future Land Use Plan. This plan has been formulated in order to help insure that the basic public service and facility needs of people in I the cornrnunity are met. With the expectation for ljrnited population growth the following goal, poljcies, prograrns, and projects will serve as a plan to help provide and majntain these I cornrnun i t y f ac i 1i t i es and servj c e s . COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES GOAL I To ptrovide andlotr mainkain communiky daciieikiea und aetrvicea Ito meek k!ze ptreaenk and 6ukuh.e needa 06 kthe I ConneauIt Tawnnhip cornmuuzikq. It is considered an irnportant and basjc goal to ineet the needs of people in the Conneaut Township cornrnunity by providing and maintaining cornrnunity facilitjes and services. Other than roads I and road rnanagernent, which are given separate consjderation in the Transportation Plan, these faciljties and services include sewage disposal, solid waste disposal, fire protection, poljce I protection, emergency services, healxh services, recreation, schools, library, Township buildings, and all other services that are the responsibility of Township government. The following I policies are established in order to meet thjs goal. COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

I General Policy:

To be ptrepatred don new gtrowkh auch 'khak adequake communiZy I BaciliItiea and aetrvicea can be ptrovided. Adequate provision and maintenance of cornrnunity facilitjes and I services should keep pace with population growth. Sewage Disposal I Policy: To auppatrk khe exkenaion 06 sewage Linea inZo the "SeaaonaL I VeveLopmenk" atrea ahown on Ithe Fukutre Land Uae ?Ran map when and id ik ih deaaible duning .the planning petriad 06 I 20 yeaha. I 9

I - 108 - I

The area south of U.S. Route 6, where a few allotments of primarily seasonal development exist, has been suggested as I possibly needing an extension of sewage lines from the Linesville sewage system by the Comprehensive Water Quality Management Plan (COWAMP) a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) I funded study nearing completion. The feasibility for this extension was studied by Northwest Engineering, Inc. and a report prepared in May, 1974. The study's conclusions are reported as follows: I "It is our conclusion that it will not be economically feasible to provide wastewater I collection and treatment for,any parts of Conneaut Township, unless a regional system with either Pine Township or a combination of Pine Township and I Linesville Borough is formed. It is our further conclusion that the only wastewater treatment facilities that can practically be considered for Conneaut Township is either a new plant to be constructed I in Pine Township, to serve both Conneaut and Pine Townships or the Linesvi lle plant to which Conneaut would be connected by an interceptor passing through I Pine Townshjp." 1 Though this study is somewhat dated, it should be considered I when re-evaluating the feasibility of extendjng sewerage lines into this area. These lines may be needed as the density of development increases because the soi 1s are generally "severe" for on-lot disposal in this area and the current Sewage Enforcement I Officer has stated that there is some trouble with obtaining proper on-lot sewage disposal. I The Crawford County Plannjng Cornrnjssion staff is currently updating the Comprehensive Long-Range Area Water and Sewer Facilities Plan for Crawford County prepared by Carol V. Hill I and Associates in June 1970. This work is required by the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) and will make a more detailed study of sewage needs in Conneaut Townshjp than the COWAMP Plan. Based on the research data used in formulating I the Future Land Use Plan - expected growth areas, existing land use, on-lot sewage suitability of soils, inforrnation on local soils conditions obtained from the Sewage Enforcement Officer - I this plan for Conneaut Township flatly disagrees with the COWAMP Plan. COWAMP envisions the sewage extending of sewers beyond the "Seasonal Development" area north along L.R. 20039 and west I to the Village of Center Road. From a local assessment of current and expected future needs, sewage line extensions will not be needed north of U.S. Route 6, if indeed it is economically feasjble to extend them into the "Seasonal Development" area. I I I - 109 - I I I Solid Waste DisDosal Policy:

To auppunk nkaponaible eddonia by highen leevela ad gove/'tnmeni I ko impnave aolid waate diapohal dcZXV.iiceh and ko .inaune khat auch AettViCeh will be available ak a neaaonable cv~k 1 in dutune yeana. Recent regulations enforced by PennDER have caused all of the sanitary landfills to be closed in Crawford County. None of I these landfill sites were operated on a large enough scale to meet stiffer environmental standards. As a result, most solid waste in the western part of the county is hauled to Ohio for disposal. The future of reasonably priced disposal services I is questionable since there is no one munjcipslity in the county large enough to afford a new landfill and other methods appear too costly. A county-wide or regional effort appears to be I the only answer.

Project : The Boand 06 Supenviaaha ahauld paha a henolution ihat nequeaka the Boand 06 Counky Commiaaioneha to kahe a leaden- bhip note in phOpOhing a aakiaQactohy aolution to aolid waate diapoaul pnablema and io tLeWihe ;the Chawdotd County Svlid Waate ManagemenX Plan do khat loc.nL municipalikiei ahe involved in the heWihiOM phoceclb.

Fire Protection

Policy: To continue dinancia1 aupponi 06 khe volunkeeh dine I companiea and ambulance aquada which aenve $he Townahip. The fire companies in Linesville and Conneautville provide needed fire protection and ambulance services; therefore, I financial support should be continued and adjusted as required. I P r o gr am : The Planning Commiaaion ahauld develop a dike and emengency asenvicea plan dun the Townahip. I This plan, is needed in order to desjgnate territorial responsibility and determine future needs. Maps should be used 'I to clearly show the necessary information. Police Protection I Policy: To a eeh incneaa ed police pnokectian dhom khe Penna ylvania I State Police orr. akhett police agenciea. I - 110 - I

There is concern that police protection presently provided by the Pennsylvania State Police is inadequate, especially at I night. Some effort - perhaps along with other municipaljties - needs to be made to provide better police protection. I Health Services Policy: I To continue to canttribute limited dinancial auppotrt to Communit y it ealth S ehViCf2b which ptra videa health and medical ~etrviceato Townahip treaidenta. I

Cornrnunity Health Services of Crawford County, Inc. currently makes the following valuable health services avajlable to I Township residents: Therapeutic Home Health Services; Nutrition Services or WIC - Wornen, Infants, and Children; Home Makers and Home Health Aide Services, Chore Services, Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT); Multiple I Sclerosis Treatment; Home Delivered Meals; and the Conneaut Valley Medical Center's services. Continued contributions should be made at the disc-retion of the Board of Supervjsors. I Recreation I Pol icy : The Township ahall aeeh to aaauhe ihat the public I hecheation needa 04 ita treaidenta ahe met adequately. Thuh, the Townahip auppohta the development 0.6 trecllreation ptrogtrama and dacilitiea. I The Township currently provides no direct recreation servjces to its residents; therefore, residents must use the facilities and programs in Linesville, Conneautville, other cornrnunities I or at Pyrnatuning State Park. The scope of study in thjs plan has not permitted a proper evaluation of recreation needs. Such an evaluation is provided for in the following program in order to implement this policy. I Program : I The Planning Commiaaion ahaLL. inveatigate wheihetr thetre atre any unmet needa in tregahd to public trecheation ptroghamming OK daciliiiea doh Townahip heaidenth . I A survey should be taken of resident needs and attitudes in connection with recreation programs in order to see if the Township itself should consider providing or contributing funds I to existing programs in Linesville, Conneautvjlle, and other areas. I The Planning Cornrnission should appoint a special cornrnittee to conduct this survey. A written report should be developed and transmitted to the Supervisors. 1

- 111 - I Policy: The Townahip auppohta the uae 06 the dohmetr. Penn-Centaal Railnoad hight-ad-way aa a hecheation thail doh hiking, I biking, ahiing, Oh anowmobiling. As described in the Transportation Plan, this railroad right- of-way should be kept open as a possible transportation corridor which may be needed in the future. This strip of land has I potential for providing a good facility to be used for recreation uses. I Schools I Policy: ?uni.otL high and aeniotr high achool needa ahould continue to be met a;t the Conneaut School Viathict achool aitea in Lineaville. tloweveh, elementatry hchool needn , kindehgatrken I thnaugh aixth gtrade, ahould be met at Gtraham Elementahy School in Conneaut Townahip.

I Adequate secondary education facilities and services for Township children are provided by the Conneaut School District at its school site in Linesville. With proper upkeep Graham Elementary I School could provide for the elementary (kindergarten through sixth grade) education needs of Township children. The Township supports the idea OP elementary education at the local level because it best serves the needs of young school age children. I (i.e. less busing, cornrnunity identification etc.) I Library Policy: I To conaideh initiaZing dinancial auppottt doh Stone Memotrial Libhahy in Conneautville ao that it can athengthen ita aehvicea to Conneauk TOWMhhip xeaidenta , and to encouhage the public libhany phogham thtrough the i LineavillelSummit High School to continue to phovide ith hehViCeh.

I The Board of Supervisors should determine whether f inancial support of Stone Memorial Library would encourage Tonnship residents to use this facility and the library at the high I school in Linesvi lle. C omnun i t y / Township Bui 1di n gs I Policy: The Townahip ahould uae the Centeh Road Ghange hall, I once ownetahip in obtained, ah a centeh doh community hexacted activitiea and municipal management. I

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The Township will benefit greatly from the use of a cornrnunity/ township building which can be used for various activities of I a cornrnunity nature. Supervisors' meetings., Planning Cornrnission meetings, and voting can all take place here as well as other activities which will help to improve cornrnunity identif jcation. I Municipal Fiscal Improvement Plan/Capital Improvements Program

Pol icy : I

,I The Townbkip ahould develop a captial imphovementh phogham when and id han been deketLmined that the Townahip muat I imphove Lta dinancial capabilities.

I 'I Townshi p Governance 1 Frogr am :

The Planning Commiaaion ahaLl treview the Townahip'a I exiating ohdinancea and hecommend to the SUpehViaOhA any needed change4 andloh auggeat betteh endohcement 06 exihting heguLaLiona. I I 1 -1 I I I I I I I

- 113 - I I I HOUSING PLAN

INTRODUCT I ON I Housing is another fundamental area of cornrnunity plannjng which warrants separate "Plan" consjderation. This plan was formulated to give a further ernphasjs to the resjdential land use aspect of the cornrnunity. The following goal and policies constitute I the Township's basic housing plan. I HOUSING GOAL To help iname an adequaze, hade and enetrgy e66icient, aupplu 06 houing that aatiadiea the needn and deaitrea I ol; all age and income gtroupa in the Townahip. The provision of housing is primarily a responsibiljty of the private sector; however, the overall housjng situation can I be considered a matter of pub1 ic interest. With an increase in population, housing needs will also increase and should be adequately [net. Therefore, the Township government should I be aware of its housing situation and, as the need exjsts, should take an active role to assure that its policy is Pulfilled. Depending upon need, such a role could vary from I a simple announcement of policy to the adoption and enforcement OP housing related codes. I HOUS ING POLICIES I Policy: The Townahip ahauld encou.#tage typea ad housing which me compaltible with the Townhhip'a trutral aghiculltutral I chatractetr; howevetr, no type 06 houaing ahall be dia ctriminated againat.

Certain types of housing will help maintain the Township's I rural character; however, housjng needs will dictate what type of housing is constructed. The Townshjp should guide this process as rnuch as possible while realizing that fair treatment I is necessary. Low density and small scale permanent housjng is preferred more than high densjty and large sca3e seasonal hous ing . I Policy: The Townahip ahall encoutrage the uae 06 enetrgy eddicient I techi~ueain home size development, houaing deaign, new co na Ittructia n , and home imptro v emenlt . I Based upon recent energy shortages and a renewed awareness in energg- efficiency, it makes sense to encourage such energy and money saving techinques as: solar site orientatjon, cluster I development, underground construction, use of wood fuel, better home insulation, passive solar heat, etc.

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The Township through its policies, its local legislation and its role as the "public servant", can influence the use of I energy. The Planning Commission, for example, could act as the local energy information clearinghouse. I Policy: The Tawnahip ahaLL accept the u~ead two damiRy and otheh Law denaity muLti-damiLy hauaing uaea in I

deaingated aeaa ad the Tawnahip. (1

Given the greatly increased costs in housjng over the past I decade, it is appropriate to expect an increased demand for two family and multi-family housing types. The two family structure could easily be accornrnodated in all areas of the I Township. However, placement in the 'fAgriculturalftarea should be carefully managed so as not to cornprornjse the area's rural character. Because of this sensatjvity to rural character, multi-family structures of more than two units should not I be located in the ffAgriculturalfTarea. Their location in other areas of the Township should be carefully reviewed. The Township Planning Cornmission would carry out this 1 responsibility . Policy: I Tu aaume a hate in aaaiating the canathuctian ad new hauaing dah aLL age ghaups &-;the Tawnahip and in channeling into the Tawnahip dedetal dunda dah hauaing 1 Laana and ghanta 604 new hauaing and aehabiLitatian ah exiaking hauaing. 1 More and more the construction of new housing for persons of average income is becoming impossible without some form of outside help. Programs are available for securing such aid but most programs require, in the case of rural townships, that an administrative structure be lodged at the county level. No detailed housjng survey was completed in this plannjng study. However, from cursory observations two facts are fairly clear about the housing situation: (1) there is an extremely low vacancy rate in housjng for rental or sale and (2) many houses are relatively old and in need of rehabjlitation if the existing housing stock is to remain in a credjble state. Policy: To encouhage the Boatd ad County Cammiaaianehn to heactivate the County Houaing Aulthahity in ohdek to channeL dedetal cLid into houaing hehabiLitatian Loan ptoghama in the Tawnahip.

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Conneaut Township is not able to participate directly in I housing rehabilitation loan programs. It must work through a county-wide authority in order to make low interest rate rehabilitation loans available to its resjdents. The County I created a housing authority in years past, but currently it has no appointed rnernbers and is not functioning. I Project : The Boatrd 06 Townahip Supetrwiaoha ahould paah a heaolultion Ahowing Lta auppotrlt doh lthe Ctrawdohd Counltg Commiaaionetra 1 Ita acltiwaZe the Counlty tlouaing A~thotri-ty, enabling Ithia otrganizaZion to "paaa lthtrough" toan aHd gtrank money bok I ho un i n g he hibililt atio n . Project: i The Planning Cornmiadion a hauld comple-te a "winda hield" houaing condiLiona aut~wey06 the Townakip, 6otr the putrpoae 06 eatablihhing a houaing condition )'baseline". I Such a survey could be accomplished in a relatively short period by the individual rnernbers of the Planning Cornrnission with the technical advice of the Crawford County Planning I Cornrnission. I I I I I I I I I

I - 116 - IMPLEMENTATION

INTRODUCTION Implementation, or the putting in action of the recommendations of this comprehensive plan is the key to its usefulness. Much effort was involved in producing this document that should be put to good use and expanded upon in the future for the I benefit of Conneaut Township. The following section discusses implementation of the ideas in this plan and the continuing I planning process. PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

The progprns and projects contained in the "Plan" section of I this report are the specific recommendations or "calls for action'' for the Township. They are the specific actions that should be carried out to implement some of the policies which I will help meet the Township's goals. As a fjrst step in this process, the Planning Cornrnission should establish priorities for the various program and projects in the Plan. The following is a sumnary listing of recommended actions:

1. Enact a subdivision and land development ordinance only after careful study by the Planning Cornrnission I and the Board of Supervisors. (See Future Land Use Plan). 2. The Planning Cornrnission shQuld review and recommend updating I where necessary road consrruction standards used to accept new roads. (See Transportation Plan.) 3. The Planning Cornrnission shall revjew the Township's I existing ordinances and recornmend needed changes and/or better enforcement. (See Cornrnunity Facilities and Services Plan. ) 4. The existing Bujlding Permit ordinance should be I properly enforced and updated as needed. (See Future Land Use Plan. ) 5. The Township should make needed repairs on Town- I ship bridges through means of the Federal Off-Systems Program. (See Transportation Plan. ) 6. The Supervisors should annually inspect roads and cut I back trees and brush where necessary. (See Transportation Plan.) 7. The Supervisors should pass a resolution that requests the County Cornmissioners to take a leadership role in 'I I finding a solution to solid waste disposal problem and to revise the County's Solid Waste Management Plan. (See Cornrnunity Facilities and Services Plan. 1 8. The Supervisors should cornrnunicate the Township's road classification policies to PennDOT and work with the state to change official designations. (See Transportation Plan.)

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9. The Planning Cornrnission shall establish priorities €or road and bridge problems and help the Supervjsors I find solutions to these problems. (See Transportation Plan. ) 10. The Planning Cornrnission should request PennDER to 1 determine if the water quality of Ljnesville Creek effects the water quality in the "lower springs" area of the Linesville Borough water supply. (See I Future Land Use Plan. ) 11. The Planning Cornrnission should determine the setback distances called for in the "Special Conservation" area designated in the Future Land Use Plan. I 12. The Planning Cornrnission should develop a fire protectjon and emergency services plan. (See Cornrnunity Faciljtjes and Services Plan.) 1 13. The Planning Cornrnission should begin to study the use of growth Management regulations. (See Future Land Use Plan. ) 1 14. The Township should use "tail races", which are generally sloped vegetated ditches along Township roads. (See Transportation Plan.) 15. The Township should make formal and informal agree- 1 ments for snow removal if they do not exist. (See Transportation Plan. ) 16. The Planning Comnissjon shall investigate whether there I are any unrnet needs in regard to public recreation prograrnrni ng or f aci lit ies for Townshj p residents. (See Cornrnunity Facilities and Services Plan. I 17. The Supervisors should pass a resolution supportjng reactivation of the County Housjng Authority. (See Housing Plan. ) 18. The Planning Cornrnission should complete a "windshjeld" 1 housing survey. (See Housing Plan.) IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS I The following discussion attempts to highlight and explain the main tools normally used to implement the comprehensive plan. Such tools 1 can be put into effect as the needs of the Township demand; not nec- essarily all at once.

Subdivision and Land Development: I

Briefly, a subdivision and land development ordinance regulates the design and layout of a housing development or such other developments 1 as a shopping center. It also ensures that necessary improvements such as streets, curbs, drainage facilities and sewers are properly in stall.ed. This type of ordinance cannot dictate in which area 1 or district of the municipality that a given residential or cornrnercial development or mobile home park can or cannot be located. Likewise, a planned residential development (PRD) ordinance, which allows for more flexible and innovative design of housing developrnents, cannot I control where the PRD's may be located within the municipality in the absence of zoning. I

- 118 - 1 I I ---Zon i n g : Based on the comprehensive plan, zoning attempts to protect existing land uses and to guide Puture uses. Simply put, traditional zoning . regulates land uses and structures and so called "bulk" standards. I The latter consist of building setbacks and heights, and allowable density as determined by lot sizes or other techniques. I Di-stricts or zones are mapped in which certain basic uses and structures are permitted by rjght. The zones are usually named for the primary us.3~encouraged in each district such as cornrnercial, industrial, 1 agriculture or residential. In addition, there may be several zones for each primary use. For example , a number of zones rnay be created for residential purposes or uses where different densities or various housing types are encouraged or where mixes of cornrnercial and residential I uses and buildings are permitted.

A zoning ordinance may also regulate rninirnurn oPf-street parking spaces I for various uses and establish controls for special structures or usss. Signs and junk yards are examples. More modern zoning ordinances establish extra safeguards for development in environmentally sensitive I ar?as. One method employs overlay maps to the underlying basic zoning map which are keyed to potentially hazardous or difficult to develop sites due to flooding, steep slopes, subsidence, a high water table I or other limiting physical feature. Another increasingly common zoning techjnique promotes environmental pr3tection and adds flexibility to allowable uses, especially industrial I USBS by means of perf ortnance standards. Under performance standards a rianufacturing plant, for example, would have to meet explicit standards €or measurable levels oP noise, dust, glare or other factors. The I manufacturing use meeting these requirements would then be permitted in the municipality. The flexibility of per€ormance standards does, however, create addi tjonal administrative burdens. I -Building .Permits:

Although the subject oP building permits is not addressed in any .I speciPic section of the Municipalities Planning Code, the permits to build or construct improvements to real estate are inextricably related to land use controls. When a subdivision plan complies with I municipal standards and the plat is recorded, the developer rnay apply €or building permjts. When a particult use or structure meets the requjrernents of the zoning ordinance, the bujlding permit is frequently combined with zoning approval and sometimes even referred to as a I zoning perrni t.

The building permit I (and/or zoning permit) is a fundamental tool I in regulating and monitoring a community's growth. Tax equity aside, the main purpose of the buildjng permit ordinance is to ensure that all construction will cornply with rnunjcipal subdivision and zoning.. I regulations as well as any construction codes. I I - 119 - If the municipality has enacted a zoning ordinance, the zoning officer, I who is charged with seeing that construction conforms to that ordinance and other land use regulations, is an appropriate person to issue building permits. In some communities, the code enforcement officer, often the zoning officer, will issue the building permits. When 1 no zoning exists, the building permit can be issued by the Township Secretary, or as in Conneaut's case, by the Sewage Enforcement Officer. I Local governments derive the power to regulate the construction, alteration or removal of any building through their respective codes, i.e., the Second Class Township Code et cetera. In cornrnunities I that have no bujlding permit ordinance, the county is empowered to require that the property owner provide information to keep the pkoperty tax rolls equitable. After all, certain sums of money need I to be raised for governmental functions, and if some properties are underassessed, the millage rates will increase. The result is that you and I would be paying unnecessarily higher tax bills.

Mobile Home Parks:

Each municipality has the responsibility to provide for a range of housing opportunities. The courts have made it clear to those municipalities who try to flwish-away'f reality and exclude growth that development plans must be nonetheless processed and permits issued. I Therefore, each municpality should ensure that adequate mobile home park provisions are adopted to encourage quality design and construction. I According to state law, provisions to regulate mobile home parks must form a separate and a distinct article of either a subdivision and land I development ordinance or a planned residential development ordinance. Most mobile home park provisions are, in fact, used in conjunction with the subdivision and land development ordinance. A mobile home park is actually a "land-development;" if the mobile home pads are sold as lots I instead of leased or rented, it would constitute a subdivision.

In addition to the processing requirements, the design standards and the improvement construction requirements that are normal items of a 1 subdivision and development ordinance, a mobile home park article usually contains density, setback and buffer provisions cornrnon to a zoning ordinance. Unlike subdivision controls, rnobjle home park pro- I visions usually add a continuing regulatory function in the form of annual municipal licensing to ensure that the park is properly operated and maintained. Likewise, campground provisions are often included I as a section, or incorporated on a privately owned lot deserved to be treated as a single family residence subject only to standards that otherwise apply to conventionally built homes. 1 Planned Residential Developments:

Dissatisfaction wiOh the rigid and unimaginative results of some sub- I division regulations led to the flexible planned residential develop- I

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ment, or PRD, concept. The PRD principle breaks away from the uni- 1 formity shackles of conventional zoning that fosters the lot by lot housing tracts sprawled acre upon monotonous.acre without the relief afforded by open spaces. Conventional subdivisions are jnherently I more costly because extra miles of expensive streets, curbs, sidewalks and utility lines are needed to serve equal numbers of dwelling units and results in higher housing prices.

1 A planned residential development ordinance encourages a variety of design and types of housing arranged in an atractive and efficient manner on the land thereby conserving cornrnon open space for recreational purposes. More widespread acceptance of clustered and multi-family housing cornrnon to the PRD concept will also help to conserve energy. The PRD ordinance may also permit non-residential uses, but they are 1 to be subordinance to the residential nature of the development. As a practical matter, as the flexibility of controls increases, so does the task of administeriiig and reviewing the application which usually I is assigned to the planning agency. A few major points in the following paragraphs should illustrate the attributes and characteristics of the PRD ordinance.

The zoning ordinance can establish in which areas of the municipality that a PRD is perrnjtted. In the absence of zoning, a section of the enabling act indicates that the location of PRD's would be based on and interpreted in relation to the rnunjcipal Comprehensive plan. However , recent legal decisions have stated that a comprehensive plan is only recornrnendatory , thus the preceding statement is questionfib! $3. The PRD I ordinance can requjre that a rninirnurn number of dwelling units be built or that a rninirnun acreage is necessary for a PRD by controiling the rnaxirnwn allowable density. Thjs density may differ from the underlying I zoning. To encourage extra land to be reserved in open spaces or made available I to public use, the PRD ordinance may allow an incentive bonus to increase the otherwise allowable density. The PRD ordinance should also provide for the perpetual maintenance of the cornrnon open space by requiring and accepting an offer of dedication or by mandating that an organization I or association of homeowners b,e established for that purpose. Finally, special processing procedures are mandated by the Pennsylvania Munici- palities Planning Code, including a public hearing requirement , to by- I pass the normal subdivision plan procedures and zoning regulations. I OPficial Map: The official rnap is a seldornused land use tool that can be adopted by rnunjcipal ordinance. It should not be confused with a rnunicpal base map or an existing or future land use rnap or a zoning map. The official I map could be an important initial method to rneet some of the pressing problems of rapid growth by buying time to prepare for expected change and to forestall certain private actions that would unnecessarily raise I costs or damage the integrity oP plans for future piibljc facilities and I

- 121 - and roads. For instance, the official map device permits the reservation of larger rights-of-way for roads that will need widening, or the saving of sites for future public purposes such as schools, parks, land- I fills or sewage treatment facilities. To make an official map a municipality must survey the exact location 1 of the lines of existing and proposed streets, watercourses and public grounds including widening or closing of the same. Recent technological advancements such as photogrammetry may make the official map economical feasible for townships too. 8 The governing body fixes the time for which streets, watercourses and I public grounds identified on the official map can be deemed reserved for future acquisition for publjc uses. However, if an owner OP such reserved property submits notice to build or develop and applies for necessary permits, the reservation for public grounds shall lapse within I one year unless the governing body begins condemnation proceedings. Any person who builds within the reserved lines of an official map in I violation of the notjce and the one year acquisition period (or start of condemnatjon proceedings) may be liable to pay the costs of removing any such building or improvement. Flood Plain Management:

Almost all munjcipalities in Pennsylvania that have been designated as 1 "flood-prone" by the Federal Insurance Administrat ion have begun to enact the necessary measures to regulate development within f lood-prone areas. This task is accomplished by a variety of efforts including 1 cautious control of building permit issuance, and incorporating certain safeguards into zoning and subdivision ordinances and into the standards of building codes. Once a municipality has gained eligibility under the federal flood insurance program by demonstrating a willingness to exercise flood plain management techniques, its citizens are autornat- ically eligible to purchase low cost flood insurance. Conneaut Township I officially joined this program in July of 1980.

Capital Improvements Program:

Each municipality should consjder institutjng a capital improvements program to provide an orderly means of acquiring public facilitjes or accomplishing capital projects based on a priority schedule and the I ability of the municipality to finance them. Much of this information on future projects is readily available in the minds of key officials, but is rarely written down in a future budgeting format. Capital irn- provements or expenditure mean: I 1. Physical betterment, including furnishings, machinery, or equipment. apparatus 2. Any preliminary study or survey related to any physical improve- I rnent . 3. Land or rjghts in land. At this time, the governing body or planning agency could begin an in- I ventory of the physical equipment of the municpality. This inventory - I

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would be needed prior to the formulation of a capital improvement pro- I gram. The inventory of physical equipment should include the following data: description, location, age, condition, maintenance costs, and probable replacement date and cost. More details on developing a capital improvements program can be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department I of Cornrnuni ty Affairs. I Codes: The adoption of various construction, property maintenance and fire pre- vention codes is becoming a widely accepted function of local government. I These various codes provide the necessary regulatory function for new and old construction and safeguards from fire and other life safety hazards.

I When properly adopted, administered and enforced, these codes can increase the quality of housing through the regulation of new and old construction. They can also promote the improvement and rehabilitation I of older sections of the cornmunity. Codes can therefore be a vital step in the achievement of the goals in the community's comprehensive I plan. There are certain types of codes which may be adopted by a municipality to regulate existing and new construction. These codes establish mini- I mum standards for safety to life, health and property. Please note that the idministration of the zoning ordinance can be coupled wjth the administration of the other construction codes (building, plumbing and electrical) since applicants for a zoning permit will usually need to I apply' for a building, plumbing or electrical permit under the various construction codes. 13uilding Code: The Building Code is the basic regulation €or new I construction in the community. It also regulates the expansion, alteration and repair of existing structures. It includes requirements for the various special Pacilities and equipment which must be I placed in buildings, such as air-conditioning, electrical, plurnbing, heating, and other facilities, signs and outdoor displays and elevators. I Plumbing and Electrical Codes: Plumbing and Electrical Codes are used to supplement the building code requirements described above. They control more detailed requirements relative to the installation I of plumbing, drainage, water supply, gas pipe and electrical systems of all types. Fire Protection Code: The Fire Protection Code is concerned with I those uses and conditions which present special hazards from fire. The code provides for the inspection of existing structures for the purpose of identifying hazardous conditons and it also provides for I the issuance of permits for certain specific hazardous uses which are to be located in a building or structure. Ilousing Code: The importance of the Housing Code has been increas- I ingly recognized in recent years. This code applies only to existing housing units and structures, as opposed to the Building, Plurnbing I and Electrical Codes which apply primarily to new construction.

I - 123 - The housing code provides minirnurn requirements which ensure healthy living conditions. It establishes standards for living space and m facilities for residents .and provides for the proper maintenance and upkeep of residential structures and yards. I The housing code sets responsibilities for cleanliness of structures, for the disposal of garbage and rubbish and for other activities needed to keep the structure and surrounding yard in livable condition. I

I8 Since this code applies to existing structures, no permits are required and it is the responsibjlity of the Code Enforcement Officer I to originate a systematic inspection system. Usually inspections :'are made only in rental properties, unless requested by a horne- owner. I Property Maintenance Code: The Property Maintenance Code is similar to the housing code, except that it extends its coverage to include the upkeep and maintenance of non-residential structures. Sorne- I times both the housing and non-residential requirements are contained in the property maintenance code thereby eliminating the need €or a separate housing code. I Even though rnany of these types of codes may appear to be complex, the adoption, implementation and enforcement further enhance solid cornrnuni tyI development. It should be noted that the "Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code" empowers local planning agencies to prepare and present building and housing codes. I Coordination- with Other Planning: Local plans and controls may effect and be affected by actions and de- I velopments beyond the municipal boundaries. Thecgfore, the elected officials and plannjng cornrnission members should coordinate their effort with a nurnber of other planning efforts and studies. Examples of other efforts to insure coordination include: - Adjacent municipal comprehensive plans and ordinances. - Official "Act 537" sewage facilities plans. - County comprehensive plans including any housing or other studies. I - School district long-range development plans. . - State level land use, environmental and transportation plans. - Plans prepared by utility companies to meet expected demands within I their service areas. I

- 124 - I I THE PLAN AS A CONTINUTING PROCESS This message is to underscore something which the writers of this plan hope is already in the reader's mind. That the I policies which are set forth in the Plan section are not "chiseled on stone tablets. It The Plan, it is true, has taken clear stands on important ~ I issues of concern to the Township. It should do this. It should take positions on the issues. Everyone, perhaps, will not always agree with these positions because the plan cannot ~I be all things to all people. If it were, it wouldn't be worth reading. As private and public actions occur over the weeks, months and years ahead, new realities will be introduced into I township life. Peoples' attitudes will change and this could change the Plan's goals and policies. To be meaningful to the Township it rnust change in some regard. The Plan is a guide for cornrnunity growth and development; but a flexible I guide. As changes in the Plan are introduced in the future, hopefully they will be well thought out and not just careless I suggest ions. Many persons who work in the cornrnunity planning field full time will say that more than anything else "planning is a 'I process''. That the day after any plan is adopted it begins to become out of date because new events are always occurring - especially through the individual development decisions of the citizens. These planners say that the orderly problem I solving process which was used to create the plan, the cornjng together of township people to thrash out issues and make decisions, is the most meaningful thing. The writers of this I report are unwilling to stretch the concept of flexibility quite this far. It is felt that there are goals and policies in this plan which will be true and good for the township for I years to come. This extreme position on plans and planning by some professionals is meaningful because it emphasizes that a plan is evolutionary and can change and should change in some respects over the years ahead. Good cornrnunity planning I is a continuing activity; it is not a "once done then over" situation. The Township Planning Cornrnissjon, the Supervisors, and the Township citizens are urged to use this document well, I to mold and shape it so that it is always important and useful in Township affairs. The Planning Cornmission has the key role and responsibility in keeping the Plan tfaljveff. They have I accepted this and plan to follow through on the following program : I Progr am : The PLanning Cammiaaion ahould he-evaluaze and up-daze I ;the compuhenaive plan a minimum of, evety dive yeaha. 1 II - 125 - - :-

APPENDIX 1

SUPPORTING MATERIAL

This appendix contains a listing of mapped studies developed as background to the Plan which could not be entirely included in this document. However, this important supporting information is on file either with the Conneaut Township Officials or in the Office of the Crawford County Planning Commission:

1. Active Farmlands Map; Conneaut Township, May 19, 1981 2. Bedrock Contour Map of Western Crawford County; G. R. Schiner 1976. 3. Composite Soils Map; Compiled from Soil Survey of Craw- ford County, Pennsylvania U.S.D.A., Soil Conservation Service, 1979 4. .Composite Topographical Map, Compiled from 7.5 minute I quadrangle series, U. S. Geological Survey 5. Existing Land Use Draft Maps; Conneaut Township, July, I 1980, October 1980 6. Flood Hazard Areas, Analysis for National Flood Insurance Program Application, Conneaut Township, November, 1980 I 7. Future Land Use PLan Ideas and Drafts; Conneaut Townsl?i.p, May, June, July, 19SO I 8. Gas and Oil Well Locations; Conneaut Township, March, 1981 9. General Agricultural Quality; Conneaut Township, May, 1981 10. General On-Lot Sewage Suitability; Conneaut Township, I May, 1981 11. General Sand and Gravel Deposits; Conneaut Township, May, I 1981 12. Inventory Map of Conneaut Township residents by property ownership, (overlay); Conneaut Township, 1981, Based on I 1979 County Assessment Records 13. Road Information Map; Conneaut Township 1981 14. Topographic Map (overlay); Conneaut Township, 1980

- 126 - fuYlam2 TOTAL MUNICIPAL HEVENUES CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP 1976 - 1980

REV EN UE 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 b YEAR SOURCES $ % $ a $ % $ 46 $ 0 % AVERAGE t Real Estate 16,378 10.5 46,478 13.5 16,774 12.6 16,855 14.1 17,874 14.4 13.0 Per Capita, Wage, lfeal Estate 31,028 19.9 30,362 24.9 32,207 24.1 30,116 25.3 30,569 24.6 23.8 I Transfer Taxes P IAcenses & Permits 3,250 2.1 1,050 0.8 1,019 0.8 675 0.6 696 0.6 1 f3 .o 41 Fines 290 0.2 259 0.2 398 0.3 169 0.2 293 0.2 0.2 I Interests & Rents 1,151 0.7 1,704 1.4 2,016 1.5 2,243 1.9 11,838 9.5 3.0 Grants 53,236 34.2 55,690 45.7 58,501 43.8 55,096 46.3 60,669 48.8 43.8 Miscellaneous 50,108 32.2 14,970 22.3 28,037 13.5 11,700 9.8 - - 13.5

Total Revenue 155,441 99.8 120.513 98.8 i28,952 96.6 116,854 98.1 111,942 98.1 98.3 Total Non-Revenue 306 0.2 1,448 1.2 4,544 3.4 2,093 1.8 1,336 1.9 1.7

~~ ~~ ~ ~ ~~ TOTAL RECEIPTS 155,747 100.0 121,961 100.0 133,499 100.0 118,947 200.0 124,248 100.0 100.0

Beginning Balance 50,634 N/A 85,854 N/A 44,488 NfA 44,779 N/A 51,065 N/A N/A Beginn irig Securities - N/A - NIA - Nf A - N/A - N/A N/A

TOTAL 206,381 N/A 207,815 N/A 177,987 NfA 163,726 N/A 175,343 N/A N/A

SOURCE: Annual Audit and Financial Reports for Conneaut 'I'ow~iship. TOTAL MUNICIPAL EXPENDITURES CONNEAUT TOWNSHIP 1976 - 1980 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 5 YEAR EXPENDITURES $ % .$ x $ % $ % $ % % AVERAGE Administration 4,908 4.0 6,541 4.0 5,285 4.0 5,283 4.7 5,238 5.0 4.4 Tax Collection 1,520 1.2 1,639 1.0 1,742 1.3 1,813 1.6 1,911 2.0 1.4 Municipal Bldgs. 337 0.3 1,835 1.1 2,512 1.V 514 0.4 498 0.5 0.8 Police Protection 42 * - - 30 * - - - - * Fire Protection 1,839 1.5 2,054 1.3 1,121 0.8 1,438 1.3 1,789 1.9 1.4 Building Regs. Planning & Zoning 1,780 1.4 912 0.6 1,573 1.2 654 0.6 704 0.8 0.9 Ili g hway s 104,993 84.8 140,270 85.9 107,117 80.4 93,945 83.4 75,681 79.9 82.9 Interest ------Miscellaneous 8,370 6.8 10,076 6.1 13,828 10.4 9,014 8.0 8,924 9.4 8.1

Total Government 123,790 100.0 183,327 100.0 133,208 100.0 112,661 100.0 94,743 100.0 99.9 ? Total Non-Government ------

- ~ ~~ TOTAL EXPENDITURES 123,790 100.0 163,327 100.0 133,208 100.0 112,661 100.0 94,743 100.0 99.9

CASH LEFT 82,594 - 44,488 - 44,779 - 51,065 - 80,600 - NfA

~- ~ NOTE: * Negligible Percentage SOIJRCE: Annual Audit and Financial Reports for Conneaut Townsliip. I 1

REV IS I ON PAGE I DATE REV I S ION I I I 'I I I 1 I 1 I I I I I I I I

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