TOWNSHIP OF UPPER PROVIDENCE PLANNING COMMISSION AGENDA *MEETING TO BE HELD VIA ZOOM CONFERENCE LINK TO BE PROVIDED ON TOWNSHIP WEBSITE (UPROV-MONTCO.ORG) 24 HOURS PRIOR TO THE MEETING TIME* NOTE: DUE TO FEDERAL HOLIDAY MEETING WILL BE ON THURSDAY DECEMBER 9, 2020– 7:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS GENERAL DISCUSSION ITEMS: Minutes: December 9, 2020
Complete Streets Plan Discussion
Providence Business Park 3 Planning Module APPLICATIONS TO BE HEARD ON DECEMBER 9, 2020: (NONE)
APPLICATIONS PENDING REVIEW: DATE FOR DISCUSSION TO BE DETERMINED 1. 172 Hopwood Road Conditional Use and Tentative Plan Property Address: 172 Hopwood Road Proposed Development: 48-unit carriage home development Township #: 6033-0341-0001 CU / 6033-0341-0002 (T) LD Submission Date: February 5, 2020 Conditional Use Hearing Clock: April 3, 2020 / Extension to February 1, 2021 (per November 4, 2020 letter) Land Development Clock Expiration: May 5, 2020 / Extension to February 1, 2021 (per November 4, 2020 letter)
2. Toll Brothers – Foley Tract Property Address: 301 Rittenhouse Road Proposed Development: 89 total units (62 townhomes; 27 single family detached) Township #: 8001-0362-0001 ZTA / 8001-0362-0002 (T) LD Submission Date: September 9, 2020 No clock expiration date (zoning and signature)
3. Residences at Providence Town Center Final Plan Property Address: Arcola Road and Water Loop Drive Proposed Development: Multi-family and Hotel Township #: 3031-0305-0004 FINAL Submission Date: October 30, 2020 / Clock Expiration: None
FUTURE AGENDA DISCUSSION ADJOURNMENT
1 Minutes: November 12, 2020 PC Meeting
Complete Streets Discussion
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Upper Providence Township
Active Transportation Plan
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 2 Page Reserved for Resolution Adopting Active Transportation Plan
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 3 Acknowledgements
Upper Providence Township Board of Supervisors Helene Calci, Chair Albert Vagnozzi, Vice Chair Laurie Higgins, Supervisor John Pearson, Supervisor Bill Starling, Supervisor
Stakeholder Committee Comprehensive Plan Subcommittee Bill Starling Chris Caggiano Robert Heist Tom Wright Robert Gilinger Matt Caffery Kathleen Drennan Wendy Earle David Gulati Joe Haney James Hoffman Ed Kelly Lisa Mossie Christopher Volpe Joshua Weikert Subject Matter Experts and Stakeholders Anita Nardone, GVFTMA *Former Rob Henry, GVFTMA David Genova, Montgomery County Health Department Matt Edmond, Montgomery County Planning Commission Betsy Mastaglio, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission Mark Cassel, SEPTA Susan LaPenta, PennDOT Dist 6-0 Drew Gilchrist, DCNR Carla Haydt, Spring Ford Chamber of Commerce Catherine Kernen, Collegeville Borough Phil Ronca, Trappe Borough Township Staff McMahon Project Team Tim Tieperman, Township Manager William Deguffroy, AICP Geoff Grace, AICP, Director of Planning Casey Moore, P.E. Sue Hoffman, Director of Parks and Recreation Anthony Valencia, PM Sarah Sato, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Funding Acknowledgment Funding is provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health through the State Physical Activity and Nutrition grant and Preventive HealthDRAFT and Health Services Block Grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 4 Table of Contents
1 | Introduction Community Input ...... 6 Project Timeline ...... 7 Active Transportation Plans ...... 7 Base Demographics ...... 8 Previous Recommendations ...... 13 Ongoing Efforts ...... 18
2 | Existing Conditions
Trail and Sidewalk Network ...... 19 Transit Connections ...... 22 On-Road Bicycling ...... 23 Destinations ...... 24
3 | Recommendations
Network Recommendations ...... 25 Complete Streets Policy ...... 33 Ordinance Recommendations ...... 33 Program Recommendations ...... 34
4 | Implementation Strategies
Priority Capital Improvement Projects...... 36 List of Potential Funding Options ...... 48 Measuring Success ...... DRAFT 49
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 5 1 | Introduction
The Active Transportation Plan identifies strategies for implementing infrastructure improvements and programs that were previously recommended in the Upper Providence Township Trail and Sidewalk Map, Walk Montco / Bike Montco, and the Phoenixville Region Multimodal Transportation Plan. The Trail and Sidewalk Map, completed in 2017, identified priority trail and sidewalk connections throughout Upper Providence Township. Walk Montco (2016) and Bike Montco (2018) established broad policies for improving the walking and bicycling network within Montgomery County. The Phoenixville Region Multimodal Transportation Plan (2018) identified strategies for improving the multimodal transportation network in the broader Phoenixville region in Chester and Montgomery counties. The Active Transportation Plan builds upon these efforts by identifying a clear path towards creating a truly multimodal transportation network in Upper Providence Township. Community Input The public involvement strategy for the Active Transportation Plan was shaped by the Covid-19 Pandemic. Limits on public gatherings for much of 2020 required an approach that focused community engagement efforts to online formats. As such, no in-person public meetings were held during the development of the Active Transportation Plan. Project Website An online platform was created to promote a community conversation on issues related to active transportation in Upper Providence Township. This project website was linked from the township webpage, advertised via social media, and advertised via flyers posted in public locations throughout the township. Over the course of the project, various surveys, interactive maps, and project updates were posted on the project website. Residents were able to provide feedback, and their comments helped shape the recommendations in the Active Transportation Plan. A summary of the feedback received thought the online community engagement platform can be found in the appendix. Meetings A stakeholder committee consisting of community representatives and local subject matter experts met three times during the development of the Active Transportation Plan. A listing of the meetings and primary discussion topic is below. Meeting summaries are included in the Appendix. Additionally, the project team provided a brief project update at the Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled August meeting. • Stakeholder Meeting 1: Project Introduction, Identification of Issues and Opportunities • StakeholderDRAFT Meeting 2: Review of Existing Conditions, Identification of Priority Focus Areas • Stakeholder Meeting 3: Review of Draft Documentation Adoption Process
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 6 The Active Transportation Plan and Complete Streets Policy were adopted at a regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting in January 2021. The documents were advertised for (30) days prior to the Board Action to allow the public to review and provide comment on the draft documents. Project Timeline This project followed an approximately 11-month schedule concluding with the adoption of the Active Transportation Plan and Complete Streets Policy. The process started with a review of existing conditions, existing municipal policies, and ordinances, and projects recommended in previous planning documents. From there, the project team identified approaches to improving Upper Providence Township policies and programs to encourage active transportation in the community. Next, the previously recommended capital improvements were prioritized and strategies to implement the top priorities were developed. It is anticipated that the Active Transportation Plan will be incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan Update. Which is to be adopted sometime in early 2021. The draft project schedule, updated to respond to the Covid-19 Pandemic is located below.
Active Transportation Plans An active transportation plan identifies strategies to better accommodate biking, walking, and public transit in a community. Upper Providence Township's Active Transportation Plan includes recommendations for prioritizing infrastructure investmentsDRAFT and programs that will encourage and enable more people to walk, bike, or use public transit in the community. The plan takes into account key destinations (such as township parks) as identified by key stakeholders and individuals in the community, in order to prioritize recommendations.
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 7 Base Demographics Analyzing the base demographics of Upper Providence Township helps to understand the factors that influence lifestyle and transportation decisions in the community. The demographic data presented below was accessed during the development of the Active Transportation Plan. As such, it is up to date as of the completion of the report in October 2020. Population
Obesity Rate
Physical Activity Among Adults
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 8 Commute Modes
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 9 Walkability Index
The EPA National Walkability Index characterizes each geography in terms of relative walkability on a 1-20 point scale. Higher values, those closer to 20, are areas with a high level of walkability while low values, those closer to 1, are less walkable areas.
Commute Mean Travel Time DRAFT
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 10 Residents Access to Vehicles
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 11 Percent of Income Spent on Transportation
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 12 Previous Recommendations Active transportation and healthy lifestyles have been the subject of multiple planning studies in Upper Providence Township over the years. Recommendations included capital projects to improve the physical infrastructure that supports active transportation and allows people to move about the township without relying on cars alone. Additionally, these previous efforts recommended programs that support healthy lifestyles. Understanding the recommendations that were made in the past and which ones have been implemented helps to prioritize the recommendations for this Active Transportation Plan. For the purposes of this study, the following local and regional planning documents were reviewed: Upper Providence Township Trail and Sidewalk Plan Map (2017) The Trail and Sidewalk Plan Map inventoried existing multimodal features in Upper Providence Township. That inventory was used to identify priority missing trail and sidewalk connections. This map was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2017.
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Courtesy: Upper Providence Township Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 13 Upper Providence Township Comprehensive Plan (2010) The 2010 Upper Providence Township Comprehensive Plan established an objective for the community to: “Provide for the connection of existing neighborhoods to parks and other public facilities through the use of trails and sidewalks as a way of promoting social interaction within the township.” This provided the groundwork for the township to continually work towards improving bicycle and pedestrian connections throughout the community by requiring developers to construct sidewalks and implementing capital improvements to build trails. Phoenixville Region Multimodal Transportation Study (2018) Two of the priority projects identified in the Phoenixville Region Multimodal Transportation Study were improvements to the intersection of PA Route 29 and Jacobs St./Walnut St. in Mont Clare and a trail link along Route 29 between Black Rock Rd. and Providence Town Center. The improvements recommended for the intersection in Mont Clare included improved pedestrian crossings at the realigned intersection and improved sidewalks. These recommendations are illustrated in the graphic below. Upper Providence Township has received grant funding to implement these improvements and the design is nearly complete and permitted, with construction expected to commence in 2021.
Courtesy: Chester County Planning Commission
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 14 The trail link along PA Route 29 was identified to close a gap in the existing trail network in Upper Providence and provide a multimodal connection to major destinations in the area such as the GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Campus, Providence Town Center, and the Arcola Corporate Campus.
Courtesy: Chester County Planning Commission
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 15 Bike Montco (2018) Bike Montco established a Planned Bicycle Network that establishes a vision of a future on-road bicycle network throughout Montgomery County. One of the priority bike routes identified in the Planned Bicycle Network passes through the northern corner of the township along W. Main Street.
Courtesy: Montgomery County Planning Commission Additionally, Bike Montco established guidelines of the type of on-road bicycle facilities that are recommended based on the context of roadways. This guidance could easily be incorporated into township code.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 16 Walk Montco (2016) To implement Montgomery County's vision of improving active transportation opportunities, the County developed Walk Montco in 2016. The Walk Montco study focuses on walkability opportunities and challenges throughout Montgomery County. It recommends standards for improving walkability in general and offers specific recommendations for four selected focus areas. The plan also provides guidance on how to implement and fund walking improvements. Additionally, the report recommends sidewalks for much of Upper Providence Township, as shown on the map below.
Courtesy: Montgomery County Planning Commission
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 17 Ongoing Efforts Upper Providence Township is continually looking for opportunities to improve access to recreational opportunities in the community such as Anderson Farm Park, Black Rock Park, Hess Park, Longford Park, MacFarlan Park, and Port Providence Road Park. Leveraging State, local, and private funds have enabled the construction of the multimodal network the township enjoys today. A clear vision for closing the remaining gaps in the network will be developed through this Active Transportation Plan. The township has been actively involved in improving the multimodal mobility of the community. In addition to requiring sidewalks, the township coordinates with developers to have trails and paths constructed through the land development process. These facilities help to provide local connections to the larger trail and sidewalk network in Upper Providence Township. Recently, paths along GSK's frontages of Black Rock Road and Route 29, and the trail networks within Madison Providence, Arcola Corporate Campus, Reserve at Providence Crossing, and White Springs at Providence were constructed through land development projects. The township plans to continue to work with developers to improve pedestrian connectivity in the community through coordination during the land development process. In addition, the township has actively sought grant funding to leverage local investment in the community’s active transportation network. The construction of a trail connection from the northwest quadrant of Route 29 and Black Rock Road north to Black Rock Park is an example of Upper Providence Township's commitment to providing a connected active transportation network in the community. The township is continually looking for opportunities to improve bicycle and pedestrian connections, and this Active Transportation Plan will coordinate capital investments and township policy. During the development of this plan, Upper Providence Township was actively looking for ways to improve the Perkiomen Trail crossings of Arcola Road and Cider Mill Road and coordinating with regional planning partners to assess the feasibility of improving multimodal connections in the Mont Clare/Port Providence area, including improvements to the Schuylkill River Trail. These two projects are discussed further in Chapter 4 – Implementation Strategies. The efforts of this Active Transportation Plan and Complete Streets policy are being closely coordinated with the Upper Providence Township Comprehensive Plan Update. The Active Transportation Plan will be adopted as an element to the Comprehensive Plan, and the Complete Streets Policy will be a first step in implementing the recommendations in the plan. Additionally, Upper Providence Township offers various "Active Lifestyle" programs that are available through the township's Parks and Recreation Department. These programs include various activities that encourage residents to enjoy the township's various parks and the community center. The offerings include: classes, fitness, cycling, strength training, yoga, camps, silver sneakers, and special events.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 18 2 | Existing Conditions
Trail and Sidewalk Network Like many suburban townships, Upper Providence has a development pattern that relies heavily on automobiles. Many developers have been required to install sidewalks within their developments. As a result, there the linear feet of sidewalks in the township is quite high. These sidewalks improve the character and aesthetic of residential streets while providing a place for people to walk near their homes. However, the sidewalk network has many missing gaps. There is a distinct lack of connections between residential neighborhoods. In recent years, Upper Providence Township has been working towards closing some of those gaps with trail projects. The township has worked with developers to build trail and side path connections along the frontages of developments, and the township has built some trail connections itself. Additionally, the community benefits from having two major regional trails pass through it. The Schuylkill River Trail follows the Schuylkill River along the southern edge of the township, and the Perkiomen Trail follows the Perkiomen Creek along the eastern edge of the township. Both of these trails are part of the regional trail network called “The Circuit”. These facilities provide a regional active transportation connection to the surrounding communities and beyond.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 21 Transit Connections While there is no regional rail station in Upper Providence, there are three SEPTA bus routes in the township that provide connections to Norristown; where commuters can utilize the Manayunk/Norristown Line or the Norristown High Speed Line to connect to Philadelphia. The presence of these bus routes is great for the community and the people who rely on the service. While efforts have been made to provide better transit accommodations in Upper Providence Township in association with newer land developments, many of the existing bus stops lack the basic pedestrian accommodations like ADA accessible landing pads, sidewalk, and/or crosswalk connections to the intended destinations.
Both of the bus stops depicted below for example, technically meet SEPTA’s minimum qualifications for a stable loading surface and accessible path; however, there is a clear discrepancy between the two in practical application. The stop on the left was installed along Ridge Pike as part of a recent land development and includes a bus shelter, trash receptacle, curb-height loading pad, and sidewalk connections to adjacent destinations. The stop on the right is located along Cider Mill Road and consists only of a sign, requiring current transit users to utilize the roadway shoulder as the loading pad and path to adjacent destinations.
Upper Providence Township can use future land development and capital improvements as an opportunity to improve transit infrastructure. SEPTA’sDRAFT Bus Stop Design Guidelines provide a great basis for the design of future transit improvements, but coordination with SEPTA is key to providing improvements that best serve the community. Every land development plan should be checked against this document and SEPTA routes should be coordinated, where applicable, in order to evaluate enhancing bus stop potential. Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 22 On-Road Bicycling Thanks to the burgeoning local trail network and established regional trails in the community, many residents enjoy cycling. On road cycling can be a dangerous proposition for many of the roadways in the township. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) developed a method for identifying the safety of bicycling on roadways in the region. The “Bicycle Level of Stress” measures the number of lanes, effective vehicle speed, and presence/type of bicycle facility to categorize roads into three stress levels: LTS 1 is relaxing and suitable for most riders; LTS 2 is comfortable for most adults; LTS 3 is comfortable for confident bicyclists; and LTS 4 is uncomfortable for most.
Additionally, DVRPC’s analysis of the Bicycle Level of Stress identifies “Islands” where there are small networks of low stress roadways that are disconnected from other low stress roads. This helps to identify the locations that may require an on-road improvement or off-road alternative (trail) to make a safe active transportation connection in the community. More informationDRAFT can be found on DVRPC’s website at: https://www.dvrpc.org/webmaps/BikeStress/
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 23 Destinations Through working with the committee and public outreach efforts, various destinations were identified in the township. The top destinations include: • Schools • Parks • The Schuylkill River Trail • The Perkiomen Trail • Upper Providence Town Center • Oaks (Target, Lowes, BJ’s, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center) • The Court at Upper Providence/Shoppes at Upper Providence • Major Employers (DOW, GSK, SEI) Linking these destinations with opportunities for people to walk, bike, and use public transit is key to improving the overall active transportation network in Upper Providence Township. These destinations were kept in mind when identifying capital improvement recommendations and priorities for Upper Providence Township to focus on in the future.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 24 3 | Recommendations
Network Recommendations Multimodal Toolbox Various transportation infrastructure features, also known as facility types, may be considered to improve active transportation connections in the community. Each of these facility types serve a different purpose to enhance the multimodal network and serve the transportation needs of all individuals, regardless of transportation mode. The Active Transportation Toolbox identified on the following pages is presented in several different categories. Each category is based on the type of improvement appropriate given the local context: • Off-Road Facilities • On-Road Facilities • Bicycle and Pedestrian Road Crossings • Public Transportation • Bicycle Amenities • Access Management • Traffic Calming • Streetscapes • Wayfinding The toolbox includes a brief description and an illustrative photo for each facility type. For some facilities, additional information is provided regarding design guidelines and local examples. These facility types are used to describe the potential connections identified in the Active Transportation Network. However, they can be useful beyond the purposes of this report as a guide for municipalities to determine the appropriate facility type given unique local circumstances.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 25 Off-Road Facilities
Sidewalk
Description: Walkway parallel to the road that is intended for use by pedestrians, often with numerous access points to adjacent land uses. The walkway is typically physically separated from the roadway with a curb and/or verge. The verge may contain grass, vegetation, pavers, and sometimes street trees.
Surface Materials: Concrete, Brick, Pavers, Asphalt
Dimensions: 5 feet wide (minimum) A buffer, when provided, may range in width and 4 feet as a typical width.
Local Examples: Various Locations within the Township
Multi-Use Trail Description: A combined bikeway and walkway that is designed for shared use by bicyclists and pedestrians of all abilities, as well as other non-motorized modes of transportation. Trails along or adjacent to a roadway are physically separated from vehicular traffic by a verge, fencing, or other barrier.
Surface Materials: Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Dimensions: 10-12 feet wide (8 feet is permissible in certain situations) When a trail is adjacent to a roadway, a 5-foot-wide buffer is recommended between the edge of the shoulder and the trail. If this width is not feasible, a suitable physical barrier is recommended.
Local Examples: Schuylkill River Trail; Perkiomen Trail
Improved Path
Description: Walkway for use by pedestrians of all abilities. Improved paths may be through or adjacent to developed or undeveloped land.
Surface Materials: Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Dimensions: < 8 feet wide (6 feet typical) DRAFTLocal Examples: Various Homeowners Association Paths/Trails
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 26 On-Road Facilities
Bicycle Lane
Description: A portion of the roadway that has been designated by striping, signage, and pavement markings for the preferential or exclusive public use by bicyclists. Bicycle lanes are located directly adjacent to motor vehicle travel lanes and operate in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic.
Dimensions: 5-6 feet wide recommended (4 feet minimum in certain situations)
Local Example: Arcola Road south of Route 29.
The township has and should continue to evaluate locations within the township for bike lane accommodations such as along Arcola Road (north of Route 29) and along sections of Black Rock Rd. and Route 113 in the surrounding vicinity of the township building.
Shared Travel Lane (Sharrow)
Description: A roadway with signage and pavement markings to indicate the use of a travel lane by both bicycles and motor vehicles. Pavement markings may include a “sharrow,” which is a bicycle symbol with two chevron arrows denoting the direction of travel.
Dimensions: The dimensions of the shared lane marking symbol (sharrow) shall be 112 inches from the top of the “v” symbol to the bottom of the bicycle symbol and 40 inches wide.
Local Example: Share the Road signs are present along sections of Walnut Street and Port Providence Road within the township.
Bicycle Boulevard
Description: Design treatments to offer priority for bicyclists operating within a roadway shared with motor vehicle traffic. Pavement markings, such as sharrows, and signage make users aware of the priority for bicycle travel and provide wayfinding. A bicycle boulevard can include traffic calming, access management, and other strategies to create a safe and low- stress environment for biking.
Use: Local residential roadways, typically in a small-town context DRAFT Image: NACTO
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 27
Bicycle and Pedestrian Road Crossings
Marked Crosswalk
Description: Pavement markings designating a location for pedestrians to cross a road, often connecting sidewalks, paths, or multi-use trails. Crosswalks must be a minimum of 6 feet wide. Various crosswalk applications are available, including high visibility crosswalk markings, such as continental crosswalks and stamped asphalt crosswalks. Standard painted double line crosswalks are recommended, but certain circumstances will warrant the use of the higher visibility markings. When it is determined that patterned and/or colorized crosswalks are preferred (such as in the surrounded Town Center area), stamped asphalt applications are preferred.
Local Examples: Stamped asphalt crosswalks are present along sections of Arcola Road north of Route 29 as well as within the Providence Town Center and White Springs Development.
Traffic Signal Equipment
Description: Traffic signal equipment for pedestrians can include pedestrian pushbuttons, Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), passive detection for bicyclists or pedestrians, pedestrian signal heads, pedestrian countdown signal heads. APS equipment communicates information about the “WALK” and “DON’T WALK” intervals for pedestrians who are blind or have low vision. Countdown pedestrian signal heads show how much time remains before the traffic signal changes. Refer to the Upper Providence’s Township’s Traffic Signal Specifications should be referenced for further details and requirements.
Flashing Warning Device
Description: A flashing warning device can be used in combination with pedestrian crossing signs and a marked crosswalk at uncontrolled crossing locations. Signs and flashing warning devices can be side-mounted or overhead. Additionally, flashing warning devices can be user activated. Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) are one example of a flashing warning device.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 28
Public Transportation
Bus Bay
Description: Area adjacent and separate from the travel lanes on a roadway that provides space for buses to pick-up or drop-off passengers without impeding the flow of traffic. Bus bays are typically used on roadways with higher traffic volumes, higher speeds, or on congested corridors. They are also typically used for bus stops with higher ridership.
Bus Shelter
Description: Structure located at a bus stop to provide transit riders with protection from the elements while waiting for a bus. Shelters are often placed at stops with higher ridership. Shelters can include signage, traveler information, and benches.
Bus Stop Loading Pad
Description: A level loading area where the front, side, or rear door of a bus open to receive and discharge passengers. The clear area allows deployment of a front door ramp on the bus. The loading pad should be a firm and slip-resistant surface, such as concrete. Additionally, it should be free of conflicts, such as landscaping or street furniture. The loading pad should be a minimum of 5 feet wide along the curb and 8 feet deep.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 29 1 2 SEPTA 93
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 31 Recommended Capital Improvements The recommended capital improvements are identified on the Recommended Multimodal Transportation Network Map and outlined in the table below. Map # Description Linear Feet
1 Sidewalk along N. Township Line Road between Berkshire Lane and Ridge Pike 728 2 Sidewalk along Greenwood Ave. between College Ave. and Main Street 1,390
3 Trail along S. Lewis Road/Rittenhouse Road between Fruit Farm Rd. and Township 1,821 Open Space 4 Sidewalk along Old State Road between Bechtel Road and Marshwood Drive 1,490 5 Pedestrian connection along Bechtel Rd/S. Trappe Rd. between Old State Rd. and 5,046 Corkwood 6 Trail along Hopwood Rd. at Anderson Farm Park 1,794 7 Trail along Hopwood Rd. between Morgan Lane and Dony Brook Way 2,497
8 Complete pedestrian connections along Mennonite Road 3,113
9 Trail along Arcola Road between Route 29 and Water Loop Ln. 4,061
10 Trail along S. Lewis Road to connect Spring Ford Schools 2,412 11 Trail along Yeager Road between Black Rock Road and S. Lewis Road 11,819
12 Trail along Mingo Road between Yeager Road and Nine Oaks Swim Club 2,000
13 Sidewalk along Vaughn Road between Providence Forge Road and Springertown 1,722 Road 14 Sidewalk along Vaughn Road between 5th Ave. and 3rd Ave. 1,358
15 Trail along Black Rock Road between Bennington Road and River Road 2,081
16 Pedestrian connection into SEI property to serve SEPTA bus route 3,054 17 Sidewalk along Black Rock Road between Leatherwood Drive and Gumbes Road 1,491
18 Sidewalk along Oaks School Drive 2,001
19 Sidewalk along the East side of Longford Road between Egypt Road and Lisa 1,888 Marie Lane 20 Sidewalk along Green Tree Road from Egypt Road to MacFarlan Park 1,007
21 Sidewalk along Egypt Road from Summit Drive to Regency at Providence existing 1,351 sidewalk 22 Sidewalk along Egypt Road from Regency at Providence to Page Lane 6,986
23 Sidewalk along Egypt Road from Highland Avenue to Brower Avenue 326
24 Pedestrian connection along Longford Road from Egypt Road to Longford Park/ 5,334 Reynolds’ DogDRAFT Park 25 Sidewalk along Station Avenue from Egypt Road to Montgomery Avenue 2,926
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 32 Complete Streets Policy Concurrent with the development of this plan, Upper Providence Township developed a Complete Streets Policy to guide municipal decision making towards improving the active transportation network. Complete streets policies are documents that identify procedural approaches to designing roadways that serve the needs of all users, regardless of age, ability, or mode of transportation. Upper Providence's Complete Streets Policy will identify the parties responsible for ensuring that complete streets principles are considered in the design process for all transportation projects in the township. The National Complete Streets Coalition identifies 10 core elements that all complete streets policies strive to uphold: 1. Include a vision for how and why the community wants to complete its streets 2. Specify that ‘all users’ includes pedestrians, bicyclists and transit passengers of all ages and abilities, as well as trucks, buses and automobiles. 3. Apply the policies to both new and retrofit projects, including design, planning, maintenance, and operations, for the entire right of way. 4. Make any exceptions specific and sets a clear procedure that requires high-level approval of exceptions. 5. Encourage street connectivity and aims to create a comprehensive, integrated, connected network for all modes. 6. Ensure the policies are adoptable by all agencies to cover all roads. 7. Direct the use of the latest and best design criteria and guidelines while recognizing the need for flexibility in balancing user needs. 8. Direct that Complete Streets solutions will complement the context of the community. 9. Establish performance standards with measurable outcomes. 10. Include specific next steps for implementation of the policy. (Source: Smart Growth America)
Ordinance Recommendations Upper Providence Township’s Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) were reviewed for the Phoenixville Region Multimodal Transportation Plan. This review identifies how active transportation themes are covered in each of the ordinances. This review was used as a basis to develop the list of recommendations below. Upper Providence Township should consider these recommendations when updating the municipal land use regulations: • Update definitions of pedestrian facilities. • Identify clear regulations for requiring bus shelters. • Define trail facilities. • Update the requirements for the installation of trail facilities for new land developments. • Require trails to be installed for every new land development. • Define ownership and maintenance responsibilities of trails related to new land developments. • Define bicycle facilities. • Identify clearDRAFT regulations for where and what type of bicycle facilities are required to be installed for new land developments. • Identify ownership and maintenance responsibilities for on-road bicycle facilities.
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 33 • Identify design standards for on-road bicycle facilities. • Develop standards for required bicycle parking. Sample definitions of active transportation facilities are included in the Phoenixville Region Multimodal Transportation Plan. Upper Providence Township should consider including these definitions in the Zoning Ordinance and SALDO. The Upper Providence Township Official Map should be updated to include the infrastructure improvements identified in this plan.
Program Recommendations There are a number of programs and initiatives that can support active transportation in Upper Providence Township. PennDOT Connects The PennDOT Connects program provides an opportunity for municipalities to coordinate with PennDOT, the county, DVRPC, and other planning partners during the implementation of maintenance and capital improvement projects. This coordination is vitally important to advancing community visions. Increased communication and coordination, during the pre-planning phase is critical for active transportation plan implementation moving forward. It is the local and county governments opportunity to raise awareness of their local pedestrian and transportation priorities/plans. It is critical that local representatives, county planning staff, representatives from SEPTA, as well as other community stakeholders, have the opportunity for input prior to expending resources on engineering/permitting costs. Traffic Calming Traffic calming measures are physical changes to a roadway designed to reduce speeding and cut-through traffic, particularly on residential streets. Traffic calming measures are often implemented in conjunction with bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to create a safer and more comfortable environment for walking and biking. Upper Providence Township may consider developing and adopting a traffic calming policy to outline a process for evaluating and implementing traffic calming measures. These policies often address how municipalities respond when residents’ express concerns related to speeding or cut-through traffic. The policy can include processes for residents to request a traffic calming study, key steps in the evaluation process, and criteria for determining if traffic calming measures should be installed. PennDOT’s Traffic Calming Handbook includes a sample traffic calming process and policy outline. Vision Zero Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increase safe, healthy, and equitable mobility for all users. Vision Zero involves a multidisciplinary and systems approach to improve policies and roadway environments to prevent fatal and severe crashes. This involves a shift from considering traffic deaths inevitable rather than preventable and focus on managing speeds. Municipalities can make a Vision Zero Commitment and develop a Vision Zero Action Plan to outline steps, metrics, and a timeline to achieve zero traffic deaths in the community. In Pennsylvania, Bethlehem, Harrisburg, and Philadelphia have made a commitment to Vision Zero. Enforcement Programs There are a number of state and local laws and regulations that address bicycle and pedestrian safety issues. Ensuring compliance with these laws can help to provide a safe environment for walking, biking, driving, and riding public transit. Listed below are several ideas of ways to enhance the enforcement of laws that impact bicycle and pedestrian safety. • Use of non-motorized patrols • Training forDRAFT law enforcement officials on walking/biking laws • Use of driver feedback speed signs • Targeted speed enforcement, particularly for shared use facilities
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 34 Education and Encouragement Programs Educating people about the health and safety benefits of walking and biking and encouraging people to walk and bike may help to increase walking and biking activity. The following list includes potential activities and events that could be held to promote and raise awareness for active transportation. The activities could incorporate education, exercise, art, history, nature, recreation, and fun for all ages. Municipalities may need to revise or update ordinances and requirements for holding special events, particularly for street closures. • Beautification / Clean-up events • Bike lessons for kids and adults • Bike rodeos for kids • Bike to work day rallies • Block parties / Free street events • Downtown / Historic district walking tours • Public art installations (temporary or permanent) • Charity walks / Running races / Bike races / Triathlons • Trail Opening Events • Walk / Bike tracking and challenge activities • Walk / Bike to School Day activities • Walk / Bike safety lessons offered at schools or libraries • Walk at Lunch Day Activities Programs can be led and managed by a variety of entities or organizations. A regional council or coalition of volunteers who are interested and invested in active transportation can play a key role in implementing programs, as well as advocating for projects and policies. A grassroots coalition can also promote awareness of issues related to walking and biking, provide education, and create accountability. Some of the most successful programs are developed as a partnership between various organizations.
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 35 4 | Implementation Strategies
This Plan is the culmination of years of hard work by Upper Providence Township and planning partners to provide a transportation network that serves the needs of the community. It provides a path forward to continually improve the active transportation network in the community. As demonstrated in this report, the foundation for an active transportation network already exists in Upper Providence Township. The township has been proactive in requiring sidewalks, trails, transit supportive facilities, and other transportation features through land development, and Upper Providence has worked to close some of the gaps in the multimodal network. However, infrastructure projects like these take time; continued development of the network will likely occur in a phased approach over time. It will require commitment and dedication by various project partners to build connections, update policies, and promote programs. These incremental changes over time will help to achieve a truly multimodal transportation network in Upper Providence Township. The following summary of implementation priorities includes priority capital improvement projects, a list of potential funding options, and strategies for measuring success. Priority Capital Improvement Projects Areas of the township were identified as primary focus areas where additional focus on recommendations was given. Recommendations to improve the multimodal network in these areas focused on building off of existing infrastructure and ongoing efforts in the township. Additionally, improvements at a key trail crossing in the township were identified as a third focus area, because Upper Providence Township has been working to advance improvements that will enhance safety of trail users and motorists. The three focus areas are identified on the map below. Further details about the recommendations can be found on the following pages. DRAFT
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 36 Priority 1 - Connections to Providence Town Center & Route 29 Providence Town Center is a large retail complex surrounded by residential, office, and commercial uses. This area of the township has received a lot of land development activity in recent years, which is expected to continue. Upper Providence Township has required developers to build sidewalks and paths that are open for public use through the land development process. Building off of the existing infrastructure, there are still a few missing connections that would need to be retrofitted to create a complete multimodal network in this part of the township. The map below illustrates a few key improvements and identifies a phased approach to implementing the recommended improvements. The phases were determined using priorities identified by the stakeholder committee. Funding availability and other project timing will dictate the implementation of these projects.
Phase 1 2 3 Project S. Mennonite Road Route 29 South Connection Arcola Road & Route 29 Crossing Cost $1,000,000 - $1,500,000 - $2,000,000 $400,000 - $600,000 Estimate* $1,500,000 These recommended improvements are further detailed on the following pages.
*Note: Opinions of cost are in 2020 dollars and are subject to change based on plan/design preparation and revisions with any agency review, field conditions, etc. The approximation of costs indicated are for use in “order of magnitude” budgeting, but in no wayDRAFT intended to be construed as a final cost for each project. Final costs are contingent only on actual bids from contractors, based on the final design plan submission and formal bidding.
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 37 Phase 1 – S. Mennonite Road Components • Trail or path connection along the north side of S. Mennonite Road Benefits • Connects to existing trails and sidewalks in the area • Provides access to Providence Town Center from residential areas Constraints and Cost Drivers • Culvert crossing extensions/impacts • Utility impacts • Tree removal/replacement • Steep embankments • Driveway modifications • New ADA curb ramp construction • Right-of-Way Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • $1,000,000 - $1,500,000 Next Steps • Evaluate available funding sources for project development and construction • Coordinate with affected property owners to identify support or concerns • Develop detailed concept plan and refine cost estimate
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 38
Phase 2 – Route 29 South Connection Components • Trail connection on east side of Route 29 from Goddard school to doe Run Boulevard • Portions of trail pedestrian path would pass under US 422 and within shoulder sections • One signalized crossing of 422 WB off-ramp Benefits • Connects recently constructed Black Rock Trail to destinations to the north • Allows for modification to existing transit stops along Route 29 (e.g. new bus pads, etc.) Constraints and Cost Drivers • Embankment impacts/grading • Swale/Drainage Impacts • Utility Impacts • New installation and modification of existing traffic signal equipment • New ADA curb ramp construction • Guiderail impacts • Right-of-Way Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • $1,500,000 - $2,000,000 Next Steps • Discuss project feasibility with PennDOT District 6-0 • Evaluate available funding sources for project development and construction • Coordinate with affected property owners to identify support or concerns • Coordinate with SEPTA to determine existing bus stop modifications/impacts • Develop detailed concept plan and refine cost estimate
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 39 Phase 3 – Arcola Road & Route 29 Crossing Components • Crosswalk across Route 29 at Arcola Road • Potential pedestrian refuge island • Trail connection along Arcola Road to existing paths in Arcola Corporate Campus Benefits • Provides a desired crossing of Route 29 at a signalized intersection • Connects to existing path network in Arcola Corporate Campus and leads to exiting bike lanes to the south • Connects to future Trails and potential new bike lanes along Arcola Road to the north • Allows for enhancements of existing transit stops (e.g. new bus pads, etc.) Constraints and Cost Drivers • New ADA curb ramp construction • Channelized island and median refuge installation along Route 29 • New installation and modification of existing traffic signal equipment • Existing feature impacts (lighting, fencing, mulch beds, etc.) • Right-of-way Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • $400,000 - $600,000 Next Steps • Evaluate available funding sources for project development and construction • Coordinate with affected property owners to identify support or concerns • Coordinate with SEPTA to determine existing bus stop modifications/impacts • Develop detailed concept plan and refine cost estimate
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 40 Priority 2 - Pedestrian Circulation Improvements in Oaks The Village of Oaks is a residential and retail center in Upper Providence Township. It is home to approximately 1,700 people, various large retailers, the Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, and some light industrial uses. This area of the township has an industrial past, as it was home to a major tire manufacturing facility. Some areas of the village have long had sidewalks to support residents’ ability to walk to work at the nearby factory. Additionally, through recent investment in the transportation infrastructure and land development activity in the area, sidewalks and trails have been built in the village. However, gaps in the pedestrian network still exist. The map below illustrates a few key improvements and identifies a phased approach to implementing the recommended improvements, which as a whole will increase walkability and create a connected network to the Oaks retail center from points from the surrounding community from points west, north, and east. The phases were determined using priorities identified by the stakeholder committee. However, funding availability and other project timing will dictate the implementation of these projects.
Phase 1 2 3 4
Project Egypt Road Station Avenue Mill Road Sidewalk Gumbes Road Sidewalk Sidewalk Sidewalk
Cost $400,000 - $700,000 - $850,000 $850,000 - $400,000 - Estimate* $500,000 $1,000,000 $600,000 These recommended improvementsDRAFT are further detailed on the following pages. *Note: Opinions of cost are in 2020 dollars and are subject to change based on plan/design preparation and revisions with any agency review, field conditions, etc. The approximation of costs indicated are for use in “order of magnitude” budgeting, but in no way intended to be construed as a final cost for each project. Final costs are contingent only on actual bids from contractors, based on the final design plan submission and formal bidding. Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 41 Phase 1 – Egypt Road Sidewalk Components • Crosswalk on Egypt Road at Highland Avenue • Rehabilitate existing sidewalk on north side of Egypt Road from Highland Avenue to Oakland Avenue • Construct small missing sidewalk connection from Oakland Avenue to Oaks Gymnastics • Potential coordination with future land development Benefits • Completes sidewalks along Egypt Road connecting from Page Ln. to Station Ave. Constraints and Cost Drivers • New ADA curb ramp construction • Existing driveway modifications • Right-of-Way/Easements Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • $400,000 - $500,000 Next Steps • Evaluate available funding sources for project development and construction • Coordinate with affected property owners to identify support or concerns • Develop detailed concept plan and refine cost estimate
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 42
Phase 2 – Station Avenue Sidewalk and Potential “Road Diet” Components • Extend sidewalk along Station Avenue from Egypt Road to Montgomery Avenue • Potential coordination with future land development Benefits • Connects to existing sidewalk network along Egypt Rd. further south; eventually connecting to Schuylkill River Trail (SRT) and Perkiomen Trail Constraints and Cost Drivers • New ADA curb ramp construction • Embankment grading • Utilities • Tree removal/replacement • Right-of-Way Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • $700,000 - $900,000 Next Steps • Evaluate available funding sources for project development and construction • Coordinate with affected property owners to identify support or concerns • Coordinate with township staff to determine if a reconfiguration of Station Avenue would be appropriate with current needs and surrounding land development (e.g. three-lane construction, streetscape elements, traffic calming measures, etc.) • Coordinate with SEPTA to determine feasibility of new transit needs • Develop detailed concept plan and refine cost estimate
Road Diet: A transportation engineering technique which involves DRAFTreducing the number of traffic lanes and/or effective roadway width to improve safety or increase efficiency for all users.
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 43 Phase 3 – Mill Road Sidewalk Components • Extend sidewalk along Mill Road from Egypt Road to Marketplace Drive • Potential coordination with future land development Benefits • Connects Egypt Rd. to existing sidewalk network further south Constraints and Cost Drivers • New ADA curb ramp construction • Driveway/access modifications • Utilities • Tree removal/replacement • Right-of-Way/Easements Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • $850,000 - $1,000,000 Next Steps • Evaluate available funding sources for project development and construction • Coordinate with affected property owners to identify support or concerns • Coordinate with SEPTA to determine feasibility of new transit needs • Develop detailed concept plan and refine cost estimate
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 44 Phase 4 – Gumbes Road Sidewalk Components • Extend sidewalk along Gumbes Road to connect to Egypt Road • Culvert Extension Benefits • Closes small gap in sidewalk network • Connects residents between Black Rock Rd. and Egypt Rd. to retail area Constraints and Cost Drivers • Culvert crossing extension • New ADA curb ramp construction • Tree removal/replacement • Steep grades • Right-of-Way/easements • Utilities Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • $400,000 - $600,000 Next Steps • Evaluate available funding sources for project development and construction • Coordinate with affected property owners to identify support or concerns • Develop detailed concept plan and refine cost estimate
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 45 Ongoing Effort - Perkiomen Trail Crossing – Arcola Road and Cider Mill Road Components • Pavement Markings • Advanced Warning Signage • Potential future Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFB’s) • Vegetation Clearing • Modified trail approaches Benefits • Improve site distance for approaching vehicles • Improve visibility of pedestrians using trail crossings • Increase safety for all users Constraints and Cost Drivers • Protected Eagle’s Nest in area limits construction timeframes • Paving existing natural trail sections • Right-of-Way Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • Short Term
o ~$30,000 • Long Term
o ~$375,000 Next Steps • Upper Providence Township is currently advancing the short-term vegetation clearing and sign work in 2020
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 46 Ongoing Effort – Schuylkill River Trail Improvements Components • Potential paving and widening of the Schuylkill River Towpath • Potential complete streets improvements along Walnut Street/Port Providence Road to better accommodate all users Potential Benefits • Continuously paved Schuylkill River Trail from Philadelphia to Pottstown • Improved safety for vulnerable users (pedestrians and bicyclists) along Walnut Street/Port Providence Road • Removal of speed humps along Port Providence Road Constraints and Cost Drivers • To be determined via feasibility analysis Planning Level Construction Cost Estimate • Project costs are currently unknown. Next Steps • Upper Providence Township currently exploring opportunities to fund a feasibility analysis • Perform analysis to determine feasibility of paving Schuylkill River Towpath or improving Walnut Street/Port Providence Road • Identify funding sources for preferred alternatives • Coordinate with affected property owners DRAFT
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 47 List of Potential Funding Options Funding for transportation projects in Pennsylvania can come in a variety of forms. Traditionally, transportation improvements have been funded through the State’s Transportation Improvement Program; however, multimodal improvements like the ones identified in this study, can be funded through competitive grant programs or by other means. Given the variety of improvements identified, additional funding beyond the municipal general budget will likely be needed for the next stage of implementation. From programs to feasibility studies to design and construction, different funding sources are appropriate depending on the type of project. Some of the grant opportunities available for implementation are listed below. The list below is as of November 2020, and is subject to change. Program Types of Funding Administering Agency Projects* Details Annual competitive grant program Green Light – GO Existing traffic signal operations and State funds (Act 101) PennDOT maintenance improvements 20% match Community Conservation Plan, acquire & develop Annual competitive grant program Partnerships Program (C2P2) Greenways & trails Various federal and state funds DCNR Parks & recreation areas 20% - 50% match Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) Bicycle & pedestrian facilities Two annual competitive grant programs Commonwealth Financing Streetscapes State funds (Act 89) Authority (CFA) with DCED Connectivity improvements 30% match Transit improvements $100,000 minimum
PennDOT Noise barriers $3 million maximum
Automated Red Light Enforcement Annual competitive grant program Traffic signal upgrades Funded by revenue from automated red (ARLE) Safety improvements light enforcement PennDOT No match required
Greenways, Trails and Recreation Annual competitive grant program Greenways & trails State funds (Act 13) Program (GTRP) Parks & recreation areas 15% match CFA with DCED & DCNR $250,000 maximum
Transportation Alternatives Federal funds (MAP-21) 20% state/local cost share for all pre- Bicycle & pedestrian facilities Program (TAP) construction Stormwater management PennDOT $50,000 minimum $1 million maximum Federal funds (MAP-21) 20% state/local cost share for all pre- Congestion Mitigation and Air Bicycle & pedestrian facilities construction Traffic flow & congestion reduction Quality (CMAQ) $250,000 minimum for construction Transit improvements DVRPC projects No maximum
Montco 2040 Implementation Physical improvements Annual competitive grant program Grant Program Meet stated goals of County Comp. Plan County funds Montgomery County Planning Bicycle, pedestrian, transit 20% match Commission improvements, etc. $200,000 maximum Construction, maintenance, rehab of 20% Municipal match for Grant, up to Montco County Transportation transportation facilities $250,000 total project. DRAFTTraffic Signal upgrades Program (CTP) 50% match up to total grant award of Line Painting Montgomery County Planning $500,000. ADA Ramps Commission $850,000 maximum total project cost Pedestrian Trails within roadway R/W Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 48 Measuring Success Long-term success of the Active Transportation Plan will be measured by the completion of linear miles of new multimodal transportation facilities, the number of newly connected destinations, enhancements of transit facilities (e.g. number of new bus pads and number of additional of transit stops), and enhancements to destinations. These capital improvements will not happen overnight; it will take diligent work on the part of planning partners and support of the local residents. Community leaders should update the list below periodically to check progress in implementation. Linear Miles This section indicates the potential linear miles of new infrastructure that facilitates biking or walking in the region. The list categorizes the number of existing and planned linear miles by the recommended facility types in this report. The specific location of these recommendations is illustrated on the Recommended Multimodal Transportation Network Map. Potential Linear Miles of New/Improved Active Transportation Facilities
Facility Type Existing Miles Recommended Miles
Sidewalks 166 6.4
Local Multi-use Trails 11 6.6
Regional Multi-use Trails 4 – Paved Pave 1.5 miles of 4.5 – Un-paved existing un-paved
Connected Destinations The recommended facilities listed above will provide connections to various destinations within the region. The connected destinations are places that are desirable, useful, or attractive for people to access by walking, using a bicycle, or taking public transportation. The following table organizes these new connections by the type of transportation facility that would be utilized for a majority of the trip. The location of these destinations is illustrated on Recommended Multimodal Transportation Network Map. Number of Destinations Potentially Connected by Multimodal Infrastructure
Primary Transportation List of Key Destinations Served Feature Type Sidewalks • MacFarlan Park • Spring Ford Area High • Port Providence Road Park School and Middle Schools • The Court at Upper • Oaks Elementary Providence • Oaks Village Multi-use Trails • Anderson Farm Park • Providence Town Center • Black Rock Park • Longford Park/Reynold’s • Hess Preserve Dog Park DRAFT• Schuylkill River Trail • GSK • Perkiomen Trail • SEI
Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 49 Key Location Enhancements The recommended Priority Capital Improvement Projects are intended to be the catalysts for improving the transportation network in Upper Providence Township. Each priority area includes multiple improvements that work together to provide a network of enhancements within a particular area of the township. The table below identifies the key recommendations for these locations. For more details, please see the Priority Capital Improvement Project Section in this chapter.
Enhancements at Key Locations in the Study Area
Priority Capital Improvement Project Enhancements
Priority 1 – Connection to Providence • Phase 1 – S. Mennonite Road Town Center & Route 29 • Phase 2 – Route 29 South Connection • Phase 3 – Arcola Road & Route 29 Crossing
Priority 2 – Pedestrian Circulation in • Phase 1 – Egypt Road Sidewalk Oaks • Phase 2 – Station Avenue Sidewalk • Phase 3 – Mill Road Sidewalk • Phase 4 – Gumbes Road Sidewalk Ongoing Effort – Perkiomen Trail • Short-Term Improvements Crossings – Arcola Road and Cider Vegetative clearing to improve sight distances Mill Road Updated advanced warning signage Pavement markings • Long-Term Improvements Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacons (RRFB) Trail approach modifications Ongoing Effort – Schuylkill River • Paving and potential widening of the Schuylkill Trail Improvements River Canal Towpath • Pedestrian and Bicycle safety improvements along Port Providence Road
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Upper Providence Township Active Transportation Plan 50
Township Office
1286 Black Rock Road Phoenixville, PA 19460 Phone: 610-933-9179 Fax: 610-983-0355
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Complete Streets Policy [DRAFT]
Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County, PA
Vision
“Promote a transportation network that safely serves the needs of all residents and visitors regardless of age, ability, or mode of travel while supporting the Township’s vision of enhancing the character of the community.”
Goals
• Messaging – Coordinate clear messaging on the importance of a balanced transportation network from all township staff, officials, and representatives. • Fund Allocation – Equitably allocate funding whenever possible to improve transportation opportunities for all individuals. • Training – Identify required and ongoing staff and “decision maker” training on the latest Complete Streets concepts. • Public Participation – Enable a community conversation early and often in the planning process. • Partnerships – Build partnerships with implementation partners to advance the transportation goals of the township. • Coordinated Effort – Develop transportation network planning and implementation plans in synergy with the guidance and policies of the County and DOT.
Implementation
Upper Providence Township shall develop an integrated and connected multimodal transportation system of Complete Streets that serves all neighborhoods and populations. Towards this end:
1. All transportation projects shall put forth the effort and planning to result in Complete Streets that allow safe, environmentally healthy, economically sound, equitable, accessible, and convenient travel along, and across, streets and roadway networks. Projects shall be evaluated for users of all ages and abilities and for all modes of transportation, including motorists, bicyclists, public transportation vehicles, and their passengers and pedestrians and strive to meet the following goals: a. Environment: Improve air quality and mitigate traffic congestion. b. Safety: Eliminate all road fatalities, significantly reduce crash severity and injury, and improve personal safety through increasing the number of people walking and bicycling. c. Economy: Stimulate economic prosperity. d. Health: Increase physical activity and social connectivity with the goal of lowering the risk of obesity, reducing chronic disease, and promoting wellness. e. Equity: Implement policies and distribute funding and other resources as equitably and responsibly as possible in all neighborhoods, and to improve non-motor vehicle transportation systems.
Upper Providence Township Complete Streets Policy [DRAFT]
2. This Complete Streets Policy shall apply to all public and/or private transportation projects. For transportation projects using funds awarded by federal, state, regional, county, municipal, or any other public agency where the Township does not have regulatory involvement, the Township will advocate for Complete Streets elements. This shall include new construction, reconstruction, resurfacing, restoration, repaving, rehabilitation, private development projects, and maintenance of highways, roads, and streets.
3. The Board of Supervisors, staff, and consultants shall routinely work in coordination with each other, adjacent jurisdictions, PennDOT, Montgomery County, and any relevant advisory organizations, to promote Complete Streets in Upper Providence Township and to ensure consistency with the Upper Providence Township Comprehensive Plan and Active Transportation Plan.
4. Within two (2) years of the effective date of this Policy, the Board of Supervisors, or their designee, shall inventory and audit all applicable procedures, policies, plans, ordinances, documents, training programs, performance measures and other guidance documents to be consistent with this policy. The purpose of this audit is to identify areas where tenets of this policy will need to be incorporated. This includes, but is not limited to, funding, planning, designing, operating, and maintaining transportation infrastructure. The Board of Supervisors will use this audit to incorporate this policy into updates to its procedures, plans, policies, etc. as they are scheduled.
5. Transportation projects shall include, where identified as appropriate by the Township Traffic Engineer, pedestrian and bicycle design elements and transit amenities, including but not limited to: curb extensions, sidewalks, radar feedback signs, pedestrian countdown signals, pedestrian refuge islands, road diets, lane width reductions, chicanes, roundabouts, bike lanes, protected bike lanes, bike parking, lighting, wayfinding, seating, trash receptacles, transit amenities, etc.
6. The Board of Supervisors, or their designee, shall utilize the most current editions of guides, manuals, and best practices on street design, historic preservation, construction, operations, and maintenance that apply to bicycle, pedestrian, transit, stormwater and highway facilities. All manuals, standards, and guidelines that the Township references shall be made publicly available.
7. The Township Manager, or their designee, shall lead the implementation of this Policy and formally coordinate with the Township Planning Director, Township Engineer, Township Transportation (Traffic) Engineer, the Township Public Works Director, and other members of the Upper Providence Township Traffic Task Force, with advice and input from the Planning Commission, to set measurable goals to ensure the successful implementation of the Complete Streets Policy.
Public Participation
1. The Township Planning Director, or their designee, shall ensure proper implementation of and compliance with the Complete Streets Policy, and will provide ongoing feedback to the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors related to the implementation of the Complete Streets Policy.
2. Beginning with the planning stage, Upper Providence Township shall identify an existing process that allows for public feedback for consideration in the decision-making process concerning the planning, design, and use of streets and roadways covered by the Complete Streets Policy for a specific project.
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Upper Providence Township Complete Streets Policy [DRAFT]
Exceptions
1. The Township shall approach all transportation improvements and every phase of a transportation project as an opportunity to create safer and more accessible streets for all modes and users. Phases include, but are not limited to, planning, design, right-of-way acquisition, subdivision and land development, maintenance, new construction, reconstruction, and repair. Complete Streets accommodations on Township projects and on external projects, may not always be practical due to factors beyond the Township’s control. Exceptions to implementing complete streets elements may be considered under certain circumstances; however, any exception to the policy must be reviewed and approved by the Township Board of Supervisors, or their designee, at the recommendation of the Township Manager, Public Works Director, the Township Planning Director, the Township Engineer, and Township Transportation (Traffic) Engineer; if it determined in writing that: a. The use of the transportation facility by the particular user group is prohibited by law; b. Regulatory compliance requirements preclude accommodations; c. There is a demonstrated absence of both a current and future need to accommodate the category of user (absence of future need may be shown via demographic, school, employment, and public transportation route data that demonstrate, for example, a low likelihood of bicycle, pedestrian, or transit activity in an area over the next 20 years); and d. Routine maintenance of the transportation network that does not change the roadway geometry or operations, such as mowing, sweeping, and spot repair. e. An equivalent project along the same corridor that is already programmed to provide facilities exempted from the project at hand. f. The adverse impacts of implementing this Complete Streets Policy significantly outweigh the benefits. This may include items that require acquisitions and costs to the project that adversely affect the benefits being sought.
2. Exceptions for complete streets accommodations for subdivision and land development applications shall follow the Township’s existing waiver process, but shall consider the aforementioned items, before any waiver is considered and approved by the Township Board of Supervisors.
3. The Township shall make every effort to utilize the most recently adopted industry design standards, design guidance, and design recommendations acceptable to the State, County and Federal Governments in order to guide multimodal design and in order to maximize design flexibility and in order to balance all modes and users for all roadway and transportation projects.
4. An exception shall be granted only if: a. Request for an exception is submitted in writing, with supporting documentation, including agreeable and sufficient justification, and made publicly available with a minimum of 30 days allowed for public input; and
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Upper Providence Township Complete Streets Policy [DRAFT]
b. The exception is approved in writing by the Board of Supervisors at the recommendation of the Township Planning Commission, and the written approval is made publicly available.
Annual Reporting
1. Each year, the Township Planning Commission, with input from the Director of Planning, or their designee for Complete Streets, and the Public Works Department, shall develop a report that evaluates the implementation of the Complete Streets Policy and identifies benchmarks to ensure successful implementation in the coming year. Each annual report shall list ongoing and completed transportation projects during that fiscal year. If any exceptions are applied to transportation projects pursuant to Exceptions to Complete Streets Requirements herein, such projects and the relevant exceptions should be identified in the annual report. All benchmarks and reports shall be made publicly available online.
2. The Township Planning Commission shall monitor and make a recommendation for the Township Manager to assign appropriate responsibility to collect and monitor data, under Upper Providence Township jurisdiction, to determine compliance with the benchmarks identified in the annual report. Such benchmarks may include, but are not limited to: a. Mileage of new and existing bicycle infrastructure, (e.g., on street bicycle lanes, bike parking, off street paths, and boulevards accommodating bicycle infrastructure). b. Linear feet (or mileage) of new and existing pedestrian infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks, trails, transit amenities). c. Number of new and existing ADA-compliant infrastructure (e.g., curb ramps, pedestrian buttons). d. Number of new street trees. e. Number of pedestrian and bicycle lighting improvements. f. Bicycle and pedestrian counts on regionally significant trails (i.e. Schuylkill River Trail and Perkiomen Trail). g. The number and percentage of designated transit stops accessible via sidewalks and curb ramps. h. The number, locations, and causes of collisions, injuries, and fatalities by each mode of transportation. i. The percentage of children walking or bicycling to school.
3. All benchmarks shall be disaggregated by race/ethnicity, neighborhood, and vehicle ownership when feasible.
Adoption of Complete Streets Checklists
1. The Township Board of Supervisors shall develop and adopt one or more Complete Streets Checklists to be used during the project selection, planning, designing, construction, funding and maintenance of all transportation projects.
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Upper Providence Township Complete Streets Policy [DRAFT]
2. Each item in the checklist must include an area to provide a brief description for how the item is addressed, not addressed, or not applicable to the Complete Streets Policy.
3. The checklist shall explain the process for granting exemptions and indicate who is responsible for approving, or recommending approval, for any exemptions before they are granted.
4. The Township Manager, or their designee when clearly defined, shall be responsible for completing the checklists and/or reviewing the Complete Streets checklists.
5. A Complete Streets checklist may include, but is not limited to: a. Existing pedestrian, bicycle, transit, motor vehicle, and truck/freight accommodations (facilities) and operations. b. Traffic volumes. c. Existing safety and/or access issues, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance d. Land use within the study area, including trip generators. e. Existing and proposed streetscape elements including furniture, trees or other environmental and stormwater enhancements. f. Review of existing plans. g. Proposed pedestrian, bicycle, transit, motor vehicle, and truck/freight accommodations (facilities) and desired future operations. h. ADA compliance of the proposed design. i. Compatibility with the surrounding land use and density. j. Consistency with applicable design standards and guidelines. k. Opportunities to improve public health through physical activity and mobility options. l. Opportunities to manage stormwater through green infrastructure.
6. All Complete Streets checklists shall be made publicly accessible online and be considered during the Township Planning Commission’s decision-making processes.
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Providence Business Park 3-Planning Module 3850-FM-BCW0362A 6/2016 Instructions COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU OF CLEAN WATER
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING COMPONENT 4A MUNICIPAL PLANNING AGENCY REVIEW
Remove and recycle these instructions prior to mailing component to the approving agency.
Background
This component, Component 4, is used to obtain the comments of planning agencies and/or health departments having jurisdiction over the project area. It is used in conjunction with other planning module components appropriate to the characteristics of the project proposed.
Who Should Complete the Component?
The component should be completed by any existing municipal planning agency, county planning agency, planning agency with areawide jurisdiction, and/or health department having jurisdiction over the project site. It is divided into sections to allow for convenient use by the appropriate agencies.
The project sponsor must forward copies of this component, along with supporting components and data, to the appropriate planning agency(ies) and health department(s) (if any) having jurisdiction over the development site. These agencies are responsible for responding to the questions in their respective sections of Component 4, as well as providing whatever additional comments they may wish to provide on the project plan. After the agencies have completed their review, the component will be returned to the applicant. The agencies have 60 days in which to provide comments to the applicant. If the agencies fail to comment within this 60 day period, the applicant may proceed to the next stage of the review without the comments. The use of registered mail or certified mail (return receipt requested) by the applicant when forwarding the module package to the agencies will document a date of receipt.
After receipt of the completed Component 4 from the planning agencies, or following expiration of the 60 day period without comments, the applicant must submit the entire component package to the municipality having jurisdiction over the project area for review and action. If approved by the municipality, the proposed plan, along with the municipal action, will be forwarded to the approving agency (Department of Environmental Protection or delegated local agency). The approving agency, in turn, will either approve the proposed plan, return it as incomplete, or disapprove the plan, based upon the information provided.
Instructions for Completing Planning Agency and/or Health Department Review Component Section A. Project Name
Enter the project name as it appears on the accompanying sewage facilities planning module component (Component 2, 2m, 3, 3s or 3m).
Section B. Review Schedule
Enter the date the package was received by the reviewing agency, and the date that the review was completed.
Section C. Agency Review
1. Answer the yes/no questions and provide any descriptive information necessary on the lines provided. Attach additional sheets, if necessary.
2. Complete the name, title, and signature block.
Section D. Additional Comments
The Agency may provide whatever additional comment(s) it deems necessary, as described in the form. Attach additional sheets, if necessary.
3850-FM-BCW0362A 6/2016 DEP Code #: COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA 1-465957-278-3J DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION BUREAU OF CLEAN WATER SEWAGE FACILITIES PLANNING MODULE COMPONENT 4A - MUNICIPAL PLANNING AGENCY REVIEW
Note to Project Sponsor: To expedite the review of your proposal, one copy of your completed planning module package and one copy of this Planning Agency Review Component should be sent to the local municipal planning agency for their comments. SECTION A. PROJECT NAME (See Section A of instructions) Project Name Providence Business Park 3, LLC - 60K Flexspace SECTION B. REVIEW SCHEDULE (See Section B of instructions) 1. Date plan received by municipal planning agency 2. Date review completed by agency
SECTION C. AGENCY REVIEW (See Section C of instructions) Yes No 1. Is there a municipal comprehensive plan adopted under the Municipalities Planning Code (53 P.S. 10101, et seq.)? 2. Is this proposal consistent with the comprehensive plan for land use? If no, describe the inconsistencies 3. Is this proposal consistent with the use, development, and protection of water resources?
If no, describe the inconsistencies 4. Is this proposal consistent with municipal land use planning relative to Prime Agricultural Land Preservation? 5. Does this project propose encroachments, obstructions, or dams that will affect wetlands? If yes, describe impacts 6. Will any known historical or archaeological resources be impacted by this project? If yes, describe impacts 7. Will any known endangered or threatened species of plant or animal be impacted by this project? If yes, describe impacts 8. Is there a municipal zoning ordinance? 9. Is this proposal consistent with the ordinance? If no, describe the inconsistencies
10. Does the proposal require a change or variance to an existing comprehensive plan or zoning ordinance? 11. Have all applicable zoning approvals been obtained? 12. Is there a municipal subdivision and land development ordinance?
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SECTION C. AGENCY REVIEW (continued) Yes No 13. Is this proposal consistent with the ordinance? If no, describe the inconsistencies 14. Is this plan consistent with the municipal Official Sewage Facilities Plan? If no, describe the inconsistencies 15. Are there any wastewater disposal needs in the area adjacent to this proposal that should be considered by the municipality? If yes, describe 16. Has a waiver of the sewage facilities planning requirements been requested for the residual tract of this subdivision? If yes, is the proposed waiver consistent with applicable ordinances? If no, describe the inconsistencies
17. Name, title and signature of planning agency staff member completing this section: Name: Title: Signature: Date: Name of Municipal Planning Agency: Upper Providence Township Planning Commission Address 1286 Black Rock Road, Phoenixville, PA 19460 Telephone Number: 610 933 9179
SECTION D. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS (See Section D of instructions) This component does not limit municipal planning agencies from making additional comments concerning the relevancy of the proposed plan to other plans or ordinances. If additional comments are needed, attach additional sheets. The planning agency must complete this component within 60 days. This component and any additional comments are to be returned to the applicant.
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