Richmond Township & Fleetwood Borough

N I NG CO M IV~IC; Ji3PI .BERKS COUNTY

JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP & FLEETWOOD BOROUGH

Adopted by the Richmond Township Board of Supervisors on March 10, 1997

Adopted By the Fleetwood Borough Council on March 10, 1997

Planning Advisor

Urban Research & Development Corporation Bethlehem, Pennsylvania RICHMOND TOWNSHIP FLEETWOOD BOROUGH I Board of Supervisors Borough Mayor

I Gary Angstadt, Chair Samuel Borrell Earl Mertz, Vice Chair I Donald Brumbach I Borough Council Planning Commission Alex Szoke, President I Dale Dietrich, Vice-president Jack Krause, Chair Marsha Anderson, Secretary David Bascelli Sandra Harding, Assistant Secretary I Leo Beck Lester Hoch, Treasurer Larry Kehl I Peggy Rennick I Planning Commission Jay Burkert, Chair Harry Rhoads, Jr. I Russell Anderson Blaine Martin I Loretta Link I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough I Joint Comprehensive Plannins Committee I Richmond Township Members Fleetwood Borough Members Linda Partridge, Co-Chair Jay Burkert, Co-Chair I David Bascelli Gary Ebeling Jack Krause Joseph Kuzmann I Earl Mertz Loretta Link l I 1 I I 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I 1 This document was largely financed by Berks County’s Federal Community Development Block Grant Program. Berks County I has established a policy for finding local planning with CDBG funds that implements the principles defined in the Berks County Comprehensive Plan Revision. A major objective is to promote I joint municipal planning, intergovernmental and regional cooperation. As a result, the County initiated a Local Planning Partnership Fund to find the preparation of local comprehensive I plans for municipalities that engage in joint planning efjonk The Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough Plan is the sixth joint plan to be funded under this policy. The County I commends municipal officials of both Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough, as well as the joint committee members, for their participation in this program. 1 I I I 1 I I I 1 I CONTENTS I PAGE INTRODUCTION ...... 1 I BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN Regional Influences ...... 3 I Brief History ...... 5 I Natural Features ...... 10 Government Profile ...... 22 'I Population. Housing and Employment ...... 26 Existing Land Use ...... 40 Community Facilities and Services ...... 47 ~1 Circulation ...... 60 Land Use Policies and Zoning in the Region ...... 65 'I Summary of Assets and Concerns ...... 74 A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

I Goals of this Plan ...... 76 Plan Interrelationships ...... 79 Timing of Development ...... 80 1 Land Use and Housing Plan ...... 81 Environmental Conservation Plan ...... 91 Agricultural Preservation Plan ...... 100 I Community Services and Facilities Plan ...... 102 Historic Preservation Plan ...... 104 I Parks and Recreation Plan ...... 106 Transportation Plan ...... 108 Economic DevelopmentDowntown Revitalization Plan ...... 112 I Energy Conservation Plan ...... 116 I ACTION PROGRAM Planning Commission Role ...... 122 Governing Body Role ...... 123 1 Prioritizing Plan Recommendations ...... 123 Popular Funding Sources ...... 124 I APPENDIX I Mandatory Dedication in Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough ..... 129 I I I CONTENTS (Cont.) 1 PAGE MAPS I Regionalbcation ...... 4 Historic Sites - Richmond Township ...... 8 Historic Sites - Fleetwood Borough ...... 9 1 Hydrology ...... 12 GeologicFormations ...... 14 Topography ...... 16 1 Vegetationand Wildlife ...... 18 AgriculturalSoils ...... 20 Soil Suitability for OnSite Septic Systems ...... 21 1 Generalized Existing Land Use - Richmond Township ...... 45 Generalized Existing Land Use - Fleetwood Borough ...... 46 Major Community Facilities - Richmond Township ...... 55 1 Major Community Facilities - Fleetwood Borough ...... 56 Highway Classification ...... 64 Existing Zoning - Richmond Township ...... 67 Existing Zoning - Fleetwood Borough ...... 69 1 Adjacentzoning ...... 72 Richmond Township - Future Land Use Map ...... 89 Fleetwood Borough - Future Land Use Map ...... 90 1 Properties Where Development Rights Were Sold Map ...... 95 Proposed Traffic Management and Major Road Improvements ...... 111 Fleetwood Borough Town Center Improvements Area ...... 115 1 TABLES 1 Table 1&2 . General Fund Revenues ...... 24 Table 3&4 . General Fund Expenditures ...... 25 Table 5 . Total Population -1970-1995...... 27 1 Table 6 . Population Projections .1995-2010 ...... 27 Table 7 . Total Population ...... 28 Table 8 . Gender ...... 29 Table 9 . Persons By Age ...... 30 1 Table 10 . Racial Characteristics ...... 30 Table 11 . Average Persons Per Household ...... 31 Table 12 . Income and Education Characteristics ...... 32 1 Table 13 . Total Housing Units ...... 33 Table 14 . Building Permits Granted for New Housing Units ...... 33 Table 15 . HousingType ...... 34 1 Table 16 . Housing Tenure and Value ...... 35 Table 17 . Housing Age and Overcrowding ...... 36 Table 18 . Employment By Industy ...... 37 1 Table 19 . Employment BySector ...... 38 Table 20 . Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment ...... 39 Table 21 . ExistingPublicSchools ...... 47 Table 22 . Regional Recreation Lands ...... 53 1 Table 23 . Local Recreation Lands ...... 54 1 I CONTENTS (Cont.)

PAGE TABLES (Cont.)

Table 24 - Publicly Accessible Local Recreation Lands Available for Active Recreation ...... 57 Table 25 - Existing and NRPASuggested Acres of Publicly Accessible Local Recreation Land Available for Active Recreation ...... 58 Table 26 - Publicly Accessible Recreation Facilities ...... 59 Table 27 - Zoning Adjacent to Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough ...... 71 Table 28 - Guidelines for Protecting Important Natural Features ...... 92 Table 29 - Highway Functional Classifications & Recommended Design Features . , . 108 I Table 30 - Summary of Recommendations ...... 117 Table 31 - Popular Funding Sources ...... 124 I I I I I I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan 1 Background Report

I INTRODUCTION

I The Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan provides policies for guiding the growth and preservation of the Richmond-Fleetwood area over the next 10 I to 15 years. The Plan's real value will be in evaluating proposed changes in the two communities against the Plan's policies for land use, roads and community facilities and services. The test of each change affecting any one of these elements should be a question: I "Does it conform with our Comprehensive Plan?", or "Does it carry out the goals of our I Plan?"

D A Joint Committee

I The eight-member Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Committee was formed to prepare the Joint Comprehensive Plan. The Richmond Township Board of Supervisors appointed 4 representatives from the Township, and the Fleetwood I Borough Council appointed 4 representatives from the Borough.

The committee considered the following when preparing the Plan:

0 What are our area's assets and concerns? 0 How do we build on our assets and overcome our concerns? What do we want to change and what do we want to preserve? 0 How do we achieve the changes we desire, prevent the changes we want to avoid and preserve what is valuable to our area?

The Commehensive Plan

This Comprehensive Plan describes the Township's and Borough's official policies for conservation, development and future public improvements. These policies are illustrated on the Comprehensive Plan Map and are described in the text of this document. Residents, businesses and community groups will assist both local governments in carrying out these policies.

The Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan has three major parts:

1. Background for the Plan 2. A Plan For the Future 3. Action Program

1 Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan Back-wound Revort I

Background For The Plan summarizes existing conditions and trends in the Richmond- t Fleetwood area. 1 A Plan for the Future describes goals and recommendations which, when carried out, will lead Richmond and Fleetwood toward the future that the Township and Borough envision for their area. I The Action Program outlines actions Richmond and Fleetwood can take to ensure the Plan is put into practice. The Plan addresses joint concerns, as well as issues related specifically 1 to each municipality. I 1 1 1 I I I I I 'I I 1 1 2 I BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report 1 BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

I This part of the Plan summarizes major findings in the following subject areas:

Regional Influences 1 Brief History Government Profile Natural Features I Population Housing and Employment Existing Land Use Community Facilities and Services 1 Circulation Land Use Policies and Zoning In The Region

1 REGIONAL INFLUENCES 1 A community’s regional setting is a prominent influence on its growth and development. Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough are located in northcentral Berks County, a rural area at present but one likely to be in the 1 path of future development steadily approaching from the Lehigh Valley, Kutztown and Reading areas. I Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough are situated in north/central Berks County in southeastern Pennsylvania. Berks County lies along the edge of the Delaware Valley region, which is part of a growing urban corridor between New York and Washington D.C. and one 1 of the leading industrial and commercial trade regions of the United States. Fleetwood lies in the southern portion of Richmond Township and is surrounded by the 1 Township on three sides. Richmond Township is bordered by Greenwich Township to the north, Maxatawny Township to the northeast, Lyons Borough and Rockland Township to the southeast, Ruscombmanor Township to the south, Maiden Creek Township to the I southwest and Perry Township to the northwest. The Township and Borough together comprise 24.6 square miles, 23.6 square miles in Richmond Township and 1.0 square miles in Fleetwood. Richmond Township is the 18th largest of Berks County’s 76 municipalities. 1 Fleetwood Borough is the 54th largest municipality in Berks County.

Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough are influenced by their close proximity to the a growing Lehigh Valley, Kutztown and Reading areas. Direct access to the Richmond- Fleetwood area via Interstate 78, Route 143 and Route 737 increases the likelihood of future development in the area, especially in Richmond Township which has an abundance of 1 vacant developable land. The northern tip of Richmond Township at Virginville is located just 3.5 miles south of Route 143 interchange of Route 78. Reading is situated approxi- I mately 8 miles to the south of the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Kutztown is located just over 1 mile east of Richmond. The growing Route 222 corridor bisects the Township and the I western terminus of the Route 222 Kutztown bypass is located within Richmond. 3 Rfchmond Tomnshfp- Fleetroood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue Plan I Background Report I I I I I I I I 1 BOY ERTOW N I I I Richmond Township is a scenic farming community that encompasses old and new residential development, a commercial strip along Route 222 that bisects the Township, and some I industrial uses. However, the Township is still among Berks County’s least densely developed municipalities. Winding roads, hilly terrain, farmland, scenic creek corridors and other undeveloped land characterize much of Richmond. Historic churches, farmsteads and I other remnants of the area’s unique heritage are scattered throughout the Township.

Fleetwood Borough is a small, mature community with a variety of residential, commercial I and industrial uses, including newer, suburban style residential development in the northwestern sector of the Borough. Only a small amount of undeveloped land still exists in Fleetwood. Adaptive reuse of currently underutilized property and appropriate in-fill uses I are the Borough’s primay opportunities for future growth. The Borough’s housing stock is a mix of attached and detached housing types, including pristine examples of historic architecture. Several structures in Fleetwood reflect the Borough’s prosperous past as a both 1 manufacturing and shipping center in Berks County. 1 4 I Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehenslve Plan 1 Background Report I BRIEF HISTORY 0 Local history helps explain why communities look andficnction the way they do today. The role of farming, mineral resources, the railroad and heavy 1 indust ry were the strongest influences on the Richmond-Fleetwood area’s forrnatioe growth and deoelopment.

1 Earlv Inhabitants I The Delaware or Lenni Lenape Indians were the Richmond-Fleetwood area’s earliest known inhabitants. The tribe was comprised of smaller clans. Of these clans, the Minsi (or wolf) Clan inhabited the Richmond-Fleetwood Area. The largest Minsi settlement in Berks County I was located at present day Virginville in the northern sector of Richmond Township. The first European settlers came to the area in the early 1700’s after England’s King Charles 1 I1 granted 40,000 square miles of land to William Penn in what is now eastern Pennsylvania. These settlers included immigrants from Sweden, Holland, Germany, England, Ireland, Scot- land and elsewhere. The German settlements grew fastest. By the first federal census in I 1790, Germans and German descendants comprised almost 75% of Berks County’s total population.

I Berks Countv Established

The Pennsylvania Assembly established Berks County in 1752 from parts of Chester, Lancas- 1 ter and Philadelphia counties. Fear of Indian raids was a major concern throughout most of the northern colonies at this time. As a frontier region between settled area and Indian lands, Berks County was part of a line of forts that extended every 12 miles from the 1 Susquehanna River to the Delaware River. By the time of the American Revolution, Berks County businesses included several small crafts and industries to supplement the area’s early reliance on hunting, trapping, fishing and farming. The Berks County seat of Reading 1 became a major colonial center for hat making and clock making during the second half of the eighteenth century.

I Richmond TownshiD and Coxtown Atmear 1 Richmond organized as a township in 1752. However, references to an area of similar boundaries called Moselem (an Indian word meaning ”trout stream”) appeared sometime earlier. Eighteenth century businesses in Richmond Township included three mines, an iron 1 furnace, an iron forge and mills. The Merkel family built two of these mills on Moselem Creek in 1749 and 1796. Richmond’s first church buildings, including the Zion Lutheran 1 Church and the St. Peter’s German Reformed Church date from the 1760’s. The earliest concentrated settlements within Richmond Township included Virginville, Walnuttown, where there was a small inn, and Coxtown, which later was to become I Fleetwood Borough. First references to a road in the area mention a Macungie and Moselem Spring Trail, which Conrad Weiser and other German settlers used on their 1723 1 5 1 Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensiue Plan Background Report I migration from New York to the Tulpehocken area of western Berks County. This trail may have been the origin of Route 222. 1 The Railroad Stimulates Villacre Growth I An 1816 map of the area showed five mills in Richmond, including Eckert’s, Merkel’s, Rothermeil’s , Griesemer’s and one unnamed mill. Coxtown was still only a collection of five I to six log buildings at this time and Wallnuttown and Virginville were similarly small. Growth in the area was very slow throughout the early decades of the 1800’s. 1 Coxtown established a post office in 1852. The railroad stimulated genuine development shortly thereafter. By 1860, Coxtown was the site of a freight depot along a newly completed railroad between Reading and Allentown. Local investors then began bringing I large quantities of iron ore from surrounding mines to Coxtown for shipping. A shop to repair ore wagons and a carriage shop soon appeared. Town elders changed to name of Coxtown to Fleetwood in 1869, probably after Fleet and Wood, the two men who surveyed I the railroad through town. Local officials adopted a plan for the town in 1868 and Fleetwood officially became a borough in 1873. The following year, another rail line appeared at the northern end of Richmond Township through Virginville. 1 The Iron Industxy in Richmond Township I Richmond remained almost entirely agricultural throughout the early and mid 1800’s. The Township’s primary occupants were still the descendants of the Pennsylvania German farmers who first cleared the land, planted and cultivated grains and other crops in the area’s I very fertile soil. During the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, grist mills on the area’s many waterways, small iron mines and small iron works sprung up throughout the region. Richmond Township developed into a locally important iron center by 1850. Up I to 15,000 tons of iron ore per year were mined from the Moselem iron beds in Richmond Township during this period. Between 1850 and 1880, a thriving iron industry grew in I Richmond that featured a large iron furnace along the Moselem Creek, saw mills to supply wood for burning in the furnace, the owner’s mansion, worker housing, a hotel and related development. However, Richmond’s iron boomlet was virtually over by the 1890s. I The Twentieth Century I By the turn of the century, the focus of business in the Richmond-Fleetwood area was located in Fleetwood Borough. The substantial building that now houses the Fleetwood National Bank Building was constructed as a hosiery mill and hosiery store in 1898. For I decades, Fleetwood had been active in carriage construction and repair. In 1909, local investors founded the Fleetwood Metal Body Company in response to the loss of similar businesses that had been destroyed by fire or relocated during the first decade of the 1900’s. I The Company opened with 5,000 square feet of manufacturing space and expanded several times. After a fire in 1917, Fleetwood Metal Body built a modem, 60,000-square foot manufacturing plant in Fleetwood. The plant, which employed 400 people, was one of the I largest and best equipped automobile body factories in the United States. Duesenberg, Packard, Lincoln, Pierce Arrow, Bentley, Mercedes, Fiat and Rolls Royce were among the 1 6 I I Richmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehenstue Plan Background Report I many famous cars that featured Fleetwood auto bodies. Fisher Body company purchased Fleetwood Metal Body in 1925. Operations were continued in the Borough until Fisher I moved the plant to the Detroit area in 1931. Though Fleetwood lost its world-famous employer, the Borough has taken many important strides since the 1930's. In 1935, Fleetwood organized a recreation board that sponsored I a summer program until 1973. The Fleetwood Borough Police Department, which originated in 1930, contracted to extend police protection into Richmond Township in 1957. This became the first formal multi-municipal police senrice in Pennsylvania. Fleetwood built a I public swimming pool in 1961. After long deliberations, the Borough constructed a sewer system to complement its public water system with a sewage treatment plant that began I operations in 1965. Paved roads for auto traffic, the coming of the gas powered tractor in the 1920's and later the wide spread use of electricity changed the life and appearance of Richmond Township I during the twentieth century. Despite these modifications, the Township has largely continued its role as part of the rural countryside surrounding Fleetwood Borough. Commerce and traffic have continued to grow along the Route 222 corridor and single-family I housing is now scattered throughout the Township. However, farming is still the largest single source of income in Richmond today, as it has been since colonial times. The Township's concentration of Mennonite farmers, historic churches, old barns and one-room I school houses are living reminders of the areas colorful heritage. This delicate balance between progress and preservation is one of the major topics this comprehensive plan is I designed to address. Historic Sites

I The maps on the following two pages show the most historically significant sites in the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Within Richmond Township, the Driebelbis Farmstead, the I Merkel Homestead, the Schlegal Farm, the Moselem Farm Gristmill and Merkel Mill are each recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Several other Richmond Township properties are either eligible for the National Register, according to the Berks County I Conservancy, or of local significance. These sites include homes, farms, commercial properties, churches and a cemetery. Concentrations of buildings with historic and cultural value within Richmond Township are noted on the map in the villages of Virginville and I Walnuttown. Fleetwood Borough does not have any properties that are recognized on the National I Register of Historic Places. However, the Fleetwood Bank Building, two churches and a cemetery are notable as properties that are either eligible for the National Register or important local sites. The core of downtown Fleetwood and adjacent areas that contain I Fleetwood's oldest structures are indicated as locations that retain a high degree of historic integrity. 1 I I 7 1. BBCKBR'S SI'. PSFBR'S UTI" C" 2 ST. PSWZ'S u.cc 3.cBysrALcAvESCWOOLHOUSB/~SscHOOLHOUSB 4. ZION MmLUT" C" 5. MOSBLBM C" SCHOOL 6. ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE ...... ~ ..... VILLAGE AREAS (Clrrrmb.(irm.af Bddhlgl a!f Hiaak md cilltml Vdmo)

RICHMOND TOWNSHCP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

0 600 1500 3000 6000 A

SCALE: 1" =3000' BERKSCOLJNTY + PENNSYLVANIA UBDC --- 1 I I I I I I I I I I I

1 IFLEETWOOD BOROUGH I HISTORIC SITES

BMMANUBLUNTI'ED~ODISTC" 1. HISTORIC BANK BUILDING FLEB'IWOOD SEVENTH DAY ADVENTST c" I:HISTORICCEMETERY CONCENTRATIONS OF BUILDINGS OF I HIsToRlcANDcuLTuRALvALuB I RICHMOND T0W"Ip / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BERKSCOUNTY e PENNSYLVANIA URBANRBSBARCEI&DBvBMlpMBNTCORPORATLON I URDC Bsthlshsm. psanaylvrmia Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Background Report I NATURAL FEATURES I 0 The use of the land is influenced by several types of natural features such as hydrology, steep slopes, woodlands and soil characteristics, among others. 1 This section describes how natural features will continue to influence the ways in which the Richmond-Fleetwood area is developed and conserved. I Climate The Richmond-Fleetwood area enjoys a fairly moderate, humid, continental climate. This I is due to the area’s location on the leeward side of the Appalachian Mountains. When compared to other areas of Pennsylvania, winters tend to be shorter and milder and summers longer and frequently humid. An average annual precipitation of 41.4 inches falls I in Berks County and the frequency of storms in the area ensure an adequate supply of moisture throughout the year. I Hvdroloqy

Hydrology refers to the water-related features such as streams, floodprone areas and I drainage characteristics. These features are important for the following primary reasons:

0 Streams and creeks provide potential recreational areas, water sources and valuable I aquatic habitats,

Knowledge of drainage basins is necessary in designing sanitary sewers and storm I sewers,

0 Alluvial soils and floodplains denote areas prone to flooding. Development in these I areas may worsen flood conditions and result in loss of property and lives.

Alluvial soils, hydric soils and wetlands indicate land where chronic or occasional I wetness may weaken foundations or otherwise constrain construction, and I 0 Wetlands are important aquifer recharge areas. They support a uniquely sensitive environment and are protected by both state and federal law. I The entire Richmond-Fleetwood area lies within the Maiden Creek drainage basin, which drains approximately 20% of Berks County. Three separate waterways drain the Richmond- Fleetwood area into the Maiden Creek. Willow Creek forms a sub basin that drains most of I the southwestern quadrant of the Township plus Fleetwood Borough. Runoff from most of the central portion of Richmond Township flows into the Maiden Creek via the Moselem Creek. The Saucony Creek carries runoff to the Maiden Creek from the northern part of the I Township east of Virginville and from a small comer in southeastern Richmond via Kutztown. The Saucony Creek converges with the Maiden Creek near the village of Virginville. The accompanying Hydrology and Geology map illustrates these hydrologic patterns. I I 10 I I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough doint Comprehensioe Plan Backmound ReDort I The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) considers Sacony Creek in the Richmond-Fleetwood area to be a Trout Stocking Fishery. Trout Stocking Fisheries are streams whose water quality should be protected to allow propagation of trout and warm I water flora and fauna. The Maiden Creek and its unnamed tributaries in the Richmond- Fleetwood area are cold water fisheries, according to DEP. These fisheries are streams that should be protected to remain as habitats for fish species and additional fauna and flora I indigenous to cold water. DEP recently designated the Moselem Creek a High Quality Cold Water Fishery in recognition of the Creek's aquatic value.

I The upper portion of the Richmond-Fleetwood area drains into Lake Ontelaunee via the Maiden Creek. The northern end of Lake Ontelaunee lies within Richmond Township near the village of Moselem. The Lake Ontelaunee reservoir is the water supply for the City of I Reading. Limiting development along stream corridors, strictly controlling erosion and sedimentation, and protecting local waterways that drain into the reservoir from septic I contamination are among the relevant topics that this comprehensive plan addresses. The accompanying maps show other hydrological features including the 100-year floodplains, hydric soils and wetlands. 100-year floodplains are areas that, on the average, have I a one in one-hundred chance of flooding in any year, according to the Federal Insurance Administration. Many municipalities limit development within 100-year floodplains to prevent the loss of lives and property. Development in the floodplain also exacerbates flooding I conditions along creeks and rivers. In Richmond and Fleetwood, the most significant 100- year floodplains are found along the Maiden Creek, Sacony Creek, Moselem Creek, Willow Creek and an unnamed tributary of the Willow Creek located in Fleetwood Borough. As I shown on the accompanying Hydrology map, some tributaries to these creeks are also I bordered by 100-year floodplains. Wetlands are important to recharge groundwater and to support wildlife, fish and other aquatic life. National Wetland Inventory Maps show the approximate locations of many of I the most prominent wetlands.' However, those maps do not include all wetlands. National Inventory Maps identify wetlands within both Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough but do not necessarily identify wetlands within the two municipalities that exist along stream I corridors and other low-lying areas. I I I I I I 11 Sources: US Geological Survey, National Wetlands Inventory, Berks County Planning Commission and FEMA Maps.

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 , I

SCALE: 1” =30009 BERKSCOUNTY PENNSYLVANIA I Richmond Townshfp- Fleetmood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Backmound Report I Geolosv and Groundwater Geology and the availability of groundwater need to be considered when planning for future I development. The Richmond-Fleetwood area may be broadly classified into three geologic formations. The northern one-third of the area features Ordovician shales. The central and southern sections are underlain by Cambro-Ordovician limestones, consisting of Ordovician I limestone, Cambrian limestone and Cambrian limestone with quartz. The shales found in the northern one-third of the Richmond-Fleetwood area tend to produce I groundwater whose chemical quality is good, though the water is moderately hard and may be high in iron content. Well yields in these shale foundations are low, averaging 40 gallons per minute in Berks County. The limestone belt underlying the central and southern portions I of the Richmond-Fleetwood area tends to produce hard groundwater that requires softening -formost uses. There is also a significant hazard of groundwater contamination in limestone areas. Groundwater yields from these limestone formations are extremely variable, ranging I from 5 to 1,000 gallons per minute with an average of 40 gallons per minute. Groundwater characteristics in the Richmond-Fleetwood area are very important for Richmond Township, which relies directly upon on-site wells and for Fleetwood Borough, whose public water also I originates from wells and local springs. I Radon Radon gas is an invisible, odorless and radioactive gas whose presence is related to geology. Radon is thought to increase health risks when persons are exposed to concentrations of the I radon over a period of time. Concentrations occur when enclosed areas (such as basements) accumulate these natural gases. The Richmond-Fleetwood area’s proximity to the Reading Prong increases the likelihood of the presence of radon gas. (Several homes in the general I region have been tested and reported high levels of radon.) The Reading Prong is a geologic area which produces a very high level of radon from Reading to the Lehigh Valley I along the South Mountain corridor. In the siting of new residential construction, builders would like to be able to predict the I potential for radon problems associated with each building site. Unfortunately, at present there are no reliable methods for correlating the results of radon soil tests at a building site with subsequent indoor radon levels in a house built on that site. Houses vary significantly I in their ability to resist radon entry. This is true even among houses where controlling radon entry was not considered during construction. Determining where high levels of radon are located can thus be difficult. Radon can be found at high levels in one home and be I virtually non-existent next door. I I I I 13 Source: Berks County Planning Commission Comprehensive Plan Report II July 1964

RICHMOND "OWNSHIP / PLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 I URBANRBSBARQI&~PMRN"CORPOIUTlON SCALE: 1" =3000' BERKSCOUNTY 0 PENNSYLVANIA a UBDC Bsthlcbepn,-- Rfchmond Tounshfp - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan I Background Report I Steep Slopes The accompanying Topography map shows two categories of slopes within the Borough and I Township: land between 15 percent and 25 percent grade (moderately steep slopes) and land over 25 percent grade (very steep slopes). Knowledge of steeply sloping areas is I important in planning for future development because: Construction and maintenance of roads and buildings on steep slopes is costly, and I Steep slopes are susceptible to erosion when soil and vegetation are disturbed. Nearly all of the steeply sloped and very steeply sloped lands in the Richmond-Fleetwood i area lies within Richmond Township north of Eagle Road and Mine Road. This is the portion of the Township that lies within the shale section of the Great Valley, which extends the length of Berks County. The portion of the Richmond-Fleetwood area lying along the I floor of the Great Valley is characterized by rolling farmland and the relatively flat topography of Fleetwood Borough. Only very few concentrations of significantly sloped land exist south of the Eagle Road and Mine Road area. These are primarily limited to small I areas in the far southeastem comer of Richmond Township, east of Fleetwood Borough along the Township’s border with Rockland Township, as shown on the accompanying map. I I I i I I I I I I I 15 RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHDJSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 URBANRBSBARQ~&DEVFUWCOR#)RATKN SCALE: 1” =3000’ BERKSCOUNTY PENNSYLVANIA !!E lwmm-w- I Richmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Backwound Report I Woodlands Woodlands are areas which contain primarily second and third generation forests. .. I Knowledge of woodland areas are important for the following reasons: Woodlands are a scenic resource which provide visual relief, softening views of the I landscape, Woodlands provide unique wildlife habitats which, once destroyed, take decades to I recover, and Vegetation cover and root systems of the forest ecosystem protect against erosion and I stabilize the soil. Most of the woodlands that exist in the Richmond-Fleetwood area are located on the steep I slopes in Richmond Township described above. These areas are typically unsuitable for farming due to topography and/or rocky soils. Significant woodlands are scarce in that portion of Richmond Township south of the Eagle Road and Mine Road vicinity, except for I the area south of Fleetwood Borough along Richmond's boundary with Ruscombmanor Township and Richmond Township. Fleetwood has virtually no remaining concentrations I woodlands. Animals and Plants of Special Concern

I In 1991, the Pennsylvania Science Office of the Nature Conservancy prepared the Berks County Natural Areas Inventory, a list and mapping of rare and endangered plants, animals and natural communities in Berks County. Berks County Natural Areas Inventory informa- I tion was then entered into the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI) data base. ' The PNDI provides information on sites of statewide significance for the protection of I biological diversity. Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough contain diverse populations of local flora and fauna. Natural areas in the region, particularly in the more undeveloped northern sector 'of Richmond Township, serve as permanent and temporary I habitat for a variety of flourishing bird and other wildlife species. However, no PNDI sites or Berks County Natural Areas Inventory sites are located in the Richmond-Fleetwood Area. I I I I I 1 17 SOURCE: BERKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 I uREANRBSBARCH&DEvEw~COR#)RATKIN SCALE: 1” =3000’ BERIBCOUNTY + PENNSYLVANIA fj UBDC BsthleBrpn,-w- I Richmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report I -Soils Many differentsoil types with a variety of soil features exist within the Richmond-Fleetwood I area. In comprehensive planning, .soils are usually analyzed for the following two important qualities: I Ability of the soil to support on-site septic systems, and I 0 Ability of the soil to support agriculture. Soils unsuitable for on-lot systems are shallow, stony, poorly drained, too permeable or on steeply sloped land. Soil suitability for on-site septic systems is not an important issue in I areas served by public sewage systems, such as Fleetwood Borough. However, soil suitability for on-site septic systems is a critical issue for existing and future development within I Richmond Township. As shown on the accompanying map, soil suitability for on-site septic systems varies considerably within the Richmond-Fleetwood area. The soils found throughout most of the I northern third of the Township present severe limitations to on-site septic systems because they are typically on steep slopes and are too rocky due to the shale that underlies most of this area. Steep slope soils present problems for septic systems along Richmond’s boundary I with Ruscombmanor Township and Rockland Township. Soils along local floodplains are also unsuited for septic systems.

I Bands of soils classified as having moderate limitations for on-site septic systems are found between the Township’s steep slopes and Richmond’s flatter agricultural valley. The balance of the Township contains mostly limestone soils that are deep, well drained and medium I textured. These soils characteristics usually signify land with only slight limitations for on-site septic systems. However, ground water solution channels in the area’s underlying limestone I can lead to local wells being polluted with inadequately filtered effluent from local septic systems. I Soils are also classified according to their ability to support agriculture. Class I and Class 11 agricultural soils are considered prime agricuhral soils and indicate were the best farmland is located. Class I11 soils are limited in their ability to support certain crops and require I additional conservation practices. Classes IV-VI1 are considered the least favorable for crop farming.

I Small bands of Class I agricultural soils are located in various parts of the Township’s southern two-thirds. However, Class I1 agricultural soils are the dominant soils throughout this part of Richmond, as shown on the accompanying Agricultural Soils map. The steeper I parts of Richmond, which include the Township’s northern sector and area along its southern boundary line, are comprised mainly of the poorer agricultural soils in Classes I11 through VIII. In general, the best agricultural soils in Richmond are now being farmed and are I recognized in the Township’s agricultural zoning district. I I 19 AGRICULTURAL SOILS

...... 1...... CLASSII

...... CLASSm

.:,

SOURCE: BERKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEEWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 I SCALE: 1” =3000’ BERKSCOUN” 4+ PENNSYLVANIA c f

Source: Soil Survey of Berks County

Note: This map classifies the suitability of the soil types for on-site septic systems. However, ground water can become contaminated where any soils exist over rapidly permeable fractured rock, or cavernous limestone. See Geology Map.

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 URBANRESBARCH&~~COR#)RATKIN SCALE: a 1” =3000’ BERKSCOUNTY PENNSYLVANIA !!!E -pe-Yw Rfchmond Tounshfp- Fleetmod Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue PIan I Background Revort GOVERNMENT PROFXE I

0 Richmond’s status as a township and Fleetwood’s designation as a borough means that some differences exist in the structure of each municipality’s 1 local government. However, each community operates a small local government that relies largely on volunteers with a minimum of municipal stafl. I

Richmond is a township of the second class governed by a three-person Board of Super- I visors. The Supervisors are elected at large for six-year terms. Fleetwood is a borough governed by a seven-person Borough Council and a Mayor. The Borough Council and Mayor are elected at large for four-year terms. Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough I each has a planning commission and a zoning hearing board. Richmond Township has recently formulated a recreation board; Fleetwood Borough has had a recreation board since the 1930’s. I

Richmond and Fleetwood each retains a solicitor and a municipal engineer. The Township and Borough each employ a full-time municipal secretary to assist in day-today operations. I Fleetwood’s municipal offices are at the Fleetwood Community Center on Arch Street in Fleetwood Borough. The Borough garage is on West Vine Street adjacent to the Community I Park. Richmond’s municipal offices and garage are on Kehl Road off Route 662 north of Route 222. 1 MuniciDal Revenues The tables on the following pages show general fund revenues and expenditures for I Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough for the 1993 to 1995 three-year period. This information and the accompanying text summarize each municipality’s spending priorities and funding sources. I

Taxes have been Richmond Township’s largest revenue source over the past three-years, providing over 62% of all revenues in 1995. Tax revenues in Richmond derive from real I estate tax (0.5 mills), a $5 per capita charge on residents 18 years or older, the Township’s one-half share of the Berks County 1.0 percent real estate transfer tax, a $5 mercantile tax on businesses in the Township and a 10%admissions tax. The earned income tax generated I 60.0% of Richmond’s tax revenues in 1995, the largest single tax revenue source.

Intergovernmental transfers are Richmond’s second largest revenue skrce. This category I includes the Township’s liquid fuels reimbursement from the State. Intergovernmental revenues accounted for 25.6% of total general fund revenues in 1995. I Licenses & Permits, Fines & Forfeits, Interest, Rents & Royalties, Service Charges, and Miscellaneous Funds are the Township’s other general fund revenue categories. These 1 sources are minor contributors to Richmond’s overall income. Together, these sources accounted for 11.6% of total municipal revenues in 1995. I 22 SI Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfve Plan Background Report

Service charges have been Fleetwood’s largest revenue source in each of the last three years, providing 52.7% of all revenues in 1995. Water and sewer fees generate most of these service charge revenues. Taxes are Fleetwood’s next largest revenue source (28.6%). Borough tax revenues come from several sources including an earned income tax, a real estate tax, a $5 per capita tax and a real estate transfer tax. Revenues from the earned income tax provide the majority (approximately 60%) of all tax revenues. The real estate tax accounts for approximately 35% of all Borough tax revenues.

Other general fund revenue categories include Interest, Rents and Royalties, Licenses and Permits, Fines and Forfeits, Intergovernmental Revenues and Other Miscellaneous Revenue Sources. Together, these categories comprised 18.7% of all Borough revenue in 1995.

Municipal Expenditures

Richmond Township spends the largest portion of its general fund budget on General I Government Expenditures: 33.7% of the budget in 1995. The Township’s Public Safety expenditures (29.2% in 1995) are the next largest cost. Highways, Roads and Streets comprised 20.9% of Richmond’s 1995 expenditures. The Township had no debt service 1 during the 1993-1995 year period.

Fleetwood spends the largest portion of its general fund budget on Sanitation which I amounted to 24.6% of the 1995 budget. Public Safety expenditures comprised 17.8% of the total 1995 expenditures. Highways, Roads and Street contain 12.6% of all 1995 expenditures, while Public Safety, Health and Welfare, and Miscellaneous Expenditures totaled 14.8% of the Borough’s total 1995 costs.

23 Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleettoood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan Background Report I I I 1993 1994 1995 $ % $ 96 $ 96 I Fund Balance, January 1 421,751 247,367 150,907 1 50.8 266,100 49.8 383,400 5.2 34,700 6.5 43,350 7.1 Fines & Forfeits 12,500 2.5 12,500 2.3 11,000 1 Interest, Rents & Royalties 19,900 4.0 16,350 3.1 5,780 0.9 Intergovernmental Revenues 161,717 I Charges for SeMces 16,700 11 Miscellaneous & Other Revenues 1 7,200 8,000 10.400 I Total Revenue & Other Sources 495,567 Total Rewnues & Fund Equlty 917,318 780,864 761,058 1 SOURCE: Richmond Township Table 2 I GENERAL FUND REVENUES Fleetwood Borough 1993 - 1995 1 II I II 1 Fund Balance, January 1 973,674 883,599 I REVENUES 3 Taxes 486,800 29.7 512,405 28.5 547,170 28.6 Licenses & Permits 14,050 0.9 12,300 0.7 14,575 0.8 I Fines & Forfeits 9,200 0.6 8,200 0.4 8,650 0.4 Interest, Rents & Royalties 87,252 5.3 98,773 5.5 111,580 5.8 ~~ I Intergovernmental Revenues 141,977 8.6 130,980 7.3 134,009 7.0

Charges for Services I 869,387 I 53.0 I 1,008,656 I 56.0 I 1,010,048 I 52.7 Miscellaneous & Other Revenues 32,300 1.9 28,538 1.6 89,280 4.7 I Total Revenue & Other Sources 1.640.966 100 1.799.852 100 1.915.317 100

Total Rewnues & Fund Equity 2,614,640 - 2,683,451 2,100,453 - e 1 24 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Back.mound Revort

Table 4 GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES Fleetwood Borough 1993 - 1995

I I I

m:l-leetwood Borough

25 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Background Report POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT 1 0 Local population, housing and employment trends illustrate how an area’s residents, housing stock and economy are changing over time. These trends 1 help determine planning and zoning policies such as how much land to set aside for commerce, industry and diflerent types of residential uses. I Richmond Township has been growing at a slightly slower rate than Berks County overall since 1980, aJter having grown at a rate three times faster than the County between 1970 and 1980. Fleetwood grew only slightly I between 1980 and 1990, though new housing construction has created a mini growth spurt since 1990. However, this growth rate is unlikely to be sustained as Fleetwood continues to run out of vacant, developable, 1 resident ially-zoned land.

The area’s new residents are likely, in general, to be younger, better 1 educated, and more afluent than the region’s current population. More singles and other non-family living arrangements should sustain a market for a variety of housing types in both the Township and the Borough in the near I term future.

Total Population 1

Richmond Township’s estimated population was 3,439 as of January 1995, an increase of 178 persons (4.9%) since 1990. URDC prepared these estimates based on the 1990 U.S. 1 Census and the number of building permits issued in the Township since the 1990 US. Census. Berks County overall grew by an estimated 6.5% since 1990. 1 Richmond’s growth rate between 1980 and 1990 was 7.3%, about the same as the 7.7% growth rate in Berks County during the same ten-year period. Richmond grew at a 1 somewhat faster pace during the 1970s when the Township added 459 residents over ten years, a 16.7% increase. I Fleetwood Borough’s estimated January 1995 population was 3,794, an increase of 316 residents (8.3%)since 1990. In comparison, the Borough added only 56 people between 1980 and 1990, a 1.6% increase. Between 1970 and 1980, Fleetwood added 358 residents, 1 an increase of 11.7%. 1 I 1 I 26 1 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Background Report

Table 5 1 TOTAL POPULATION Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough, and Berks County 1 1970-1995 RICHMOND TOWNSHP FLEEWOOD BOROUGH BERKS COUNTY YEAR Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent D Persons Change Change Persons Change Change Persons Change Change 1970 2,745 3.064 296.382 7.6 I 1980 3,204 459 16.7 3,422 358 11.7 312,509 16,127 5.4 1990 3,439 235 7.3 3,478 56 1.6 336,523 24,014 7.7 I 1995* 3,617 178 4.9 3,794 316 9.1 358,4% 21,973 6.5 I I Population Projections Assuming the Township’s 1990-1995 growth rate continues, Richmond Township’s population will climb to 3,884 by the year 2000 and to 4,329 people by 2010. At current growth I rates, Fleetwood would grow even faster. Continuation of the average annual growth rate that the Borough experienced between 1970 and 1995 would result in Fleetwood’s popula- I tion reaching 3,976 by the year 2000 and 4,280 persons by 2010. However, Fleetwood’s population growth is more likely to follow longer term trends, given decreasing family size 1 and the continued disappearance of developable land in the Borough. Fleetwood Borough’s population grew from 3,064 in 1970 to an estimated 3,794 residents in 1995, an increase of 730 residents (23.8%). During this 25-year period, Fleetwood’s I population increased by an average of 29.2 residents per year. Assuming the Borough continues to grow at this rate, Fleetwood’s population will reach 3,969 by the year 2000 and 1 4,261 by 2010. I

I RICHMOND TOWNSHIP FLEEWOOD BOROUGH Persons Number Change Percent Change Persons Number Change Percent Change

I 1995 3,617 3,794 2Ooo 3,884 267 7.4 3,969 175 4.6 I 2010 4,329 445 11.5 4,261 292 7.4 8 SOURCE: URDC 1 27 Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetmod Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue Plan Background Report I

1995 Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) projections call for Richmond Township’s population to grow to 3,688 residents by 2000 and 3,828 residents 1 by 2010. DEP projects that Fleetwood’s population will be 3,557 in 2000 and 3,536 in 2010. 1 Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough each appear to be growing at a faster rate than DEP envisioned in these population projections. URDC’s estimates, shown on Table 1 5, conclude that Fleetwood has already surpassed its DEP-projected population for the year 2000. URDC estimates that, as of 1995, Richmond had nearly reached its DEP-projected population for the year 2000. The population projections shown on Table 6 appear to be I the most likely scenario for the Richmond-Fleetwood area.

Table 7 I TOTAL POPULATION Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough and Adjacent Municipalities 1970-1990 I I 1 I 1 I SOURCE: * u. s. census

Powlation in Adiacent MuniciDalities 1

Between 1970 and 1990, Greenwich Township and Rockland Township had the highest growth rates among the municipalities adjacent to the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Greenwich 1 more than doubled its population during this 20-year period and Rockland grew by 84.3%. Richmond Township grew by 25.3% and Fleetwood by 13.5%over this same period. I Maiden Creek Township has been the area’s most rapidly growing municipality since 1990. Maiden Creek commissioned a special census which determined that the Township’s population was 4,791 as of January 1995. Maiden Creek added 1,394 residents from 1990 I through 1994, an increase of 41%. This extraordinary growth has put a severe strain on facilities in the Fleetwood Area School District, which includes Fleetwood Borough, I Richmond Township and Maiden Creek Township. It has also caused increases in the real estate millage levied by the School District, a tax burden that must be shared by all three 1 28 1 Rfchmond Townshtp - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report municipalities in the School District. Current indications are that Maiden Creek will be continuing its explosive growth in the immediate future. Township officials recently reported to the Fleetwood Area School District that there are presently 1,022 homes proposed but not yet constructed within the Township.

Gender

Gender refers to the number of males and females in a population. There are no special conditions in either Richmond Township or Fleetwood Borough that have altered the traditional 50150 balance between total males and total females.

Table 8 GENDER Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough and Berks County 1990

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ TOTAL MALES FEMALES AREA POPULATION Number Percent Number Percent Richmond Township 3,439 1,738 50.5 1,701 49.5 Fleetwood Borough 3,478 1,675 48.2 1,803 51.8 BERKSCOW 336,523 162,646 48.3 173,877 51.7

Persons Bv Aae

Information on local age trends helps to assess existing and projected needs for housing, schools, recreation programs and other municipal services. Age trends also provide clues to whether an area is likely to gain or lose population in coming years.

Richmond and Fleetwood are distinct communities but their age profiles are similar. 22-34 year olds are the largest single age category in each municipality. The distribution of residents by age is nearly the same in each municipality. Major differences are that Township has a slightly higher proportion of its residents in the 10-21years old bracket and the Borough has a higher percent of residents over 75 years old.

Differences between 1980 and 1990 illustrate how Richmond and Fleetwood are evolving. Residents 75 years and older were the fastest growing age category in Fleetwood during the 1980’s. Richmond’s 35-44 year olds and its 55-64 year olds were the Township’s fastest growing age categories; each of these two groups increased by over 50% between 1980 and 1990.

We can look for a greater proportion of children and young adults in Richmond as the Township continues to add more housing in the future. The age profile in Fleetwood should show a continued trend towards a somewhat older population unless the Borough manages to continue attracting an infusion of singles and/or young families in the coming years.

29 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report

Table 9 PERSONS BY AGE Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough and Berks County 1980 - 1990 RICHMONDTOWNSHIP FLEETWOOD BOROUGH BERKS WUNTY 1II I I I 1II % 1990 % 1990 % Population Change Population Change Population Change 1980- 1980- 1980- Number 1990 % Number 1990 % Number 1990

10 - 21 16.2 557 22 - 34 21.2 729 35 - 44 15.5 533 45 - 54 10.5 361 55-64 10.7 369 65 - 74 8.0 275 38.8 8.8 307 8.5 9.0 29,701 9.9 75 + 4.1 142 23.5 7.3 252 45.7 7.0 22,825 33.1

Total 100.0 3,439 7.3 100.0 3,478 1.6 100.0 336,523 7.7

SOURCE: u. s. census Race

Outside of Reading, Berks County has a relatively small non-white population. Non-whites were 6.5% of Berks County’s population in 1990, but only 0.6% of all residents in Richmond Township and 1.1%in Fleetwood. While still a small percentage of all residents, the proportion of non-whites did increase in Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough and Berks County overall during the 1980’s.

Table 10 RACIAL CHARACTERISTICS Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough and Berks County 1980-1990 II 1980 1 I AREA ~~ II I AU Persons I Non-white persons I AU Persons Non-White Persons 11 RichmondTownship I 3,204 I 8 (0.2%) I 3,439 20 (0.6%) Fleetwood Borough 3,422 0 3,478 35 (1.1%) BERECOUNTY 312.509 14.872 (4.8%) 336,523 21,%2 (6.5%)

SOURCE: u. s. census Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue Plan Background Report

Household Size

Households refer to all persons living in a housing unit whether related or not. Reflecting a national trend, the area’s and the County’s average household became smaller during the last decade. Later marriages, more divorces, fewer children and more elderly families contributed to this trend across the U.S. during the 1970s and 1980s. The typical Richmond Township household had 2.83 persons in 1990. This was slightly higher than the average household in Fleetwood (2.52 persons) and Berks County (2.56 persons).

A large average household size is typical of growing areas with many young families. Smaller households are characteristic of older communities with more singles and elderly persons.

AVERAGE PERSONS PER HOUSEHOLD AREA 1980 1990 Richmond Township 2.90 2.83 Fleetwood Borough 2.74 2.52 BERKSCOUNn 2.66 2.56

SOURCE: u. s. census Income and Education

Median income is the income level at which half an area’s households earn more and half earn less. Fleetwood Borough’s 1989 median annual household income of $36,347 was higher than the Berks County average of $32,048. However, 1989 median annual income in Richmond Township ($30,206) was lower than the County’s median.

According to the 1990 Census, Richmond Township had 6.0% of its population living below poverty level in 1989, compared to 3.1% in Fleetwood and 7.8% in Berks County overall. Persons in poverty decreased as a proportion of all persons in both Richmond and Fleetwood during the 1980s. The poverty rate also dropped in Berks County. Since 1964, the federal government has computed annual income levels that represent the threshold of poverty. These figures are adjusted to account for family size, age, gender of family-head, farm or non-farm residence and other considerations. The poverty threshold is intended to measure the minimum income necessary to maintain healthy living conditions.

Education is often related to a person’s ability to get and keep a good job. As of 1990, the percentage of all adults in Richmond Township that graduated from high school (56.6%) and college (9.3%)was lower than in Berks County overall where 70.0% graduated from high school and 15.1%from college. Fleetwood’s college graduation rate (76.8%) was higher than the County average but the Borough’s had a lower percentage of its total residents who

31 Rfchmond Townshfp - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfve Plan Background Report

graduated from high school (14.5%). High school and college graduation rates increased significantly in Richmond, Fleetwood and Berks County between 1980 and 1990.

Table 12 INCOME AND EDUCATION CHARACTERISTICS Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough and Berks County 1980-1990

SOURCE: u. s. census Total Housins Units

Trends in total housing units usually mirror changes in total persons. However, even areas losing population tend to add housing units to accommodate the new households being created by singles, divorced people and the elderly. Richmond added 166 housing units during the 1980’s, an increase of 20.4% This increase equals just over 16 new homes per year, a significant rate of new housing starts for a rural area but a modest rate for an area experiencing growth pressures.

Fleetwood added 132 housing units during the 1980’s, an increase of 10.3% or just over 13 new homes per year. Though the Borough added fewer homes than Richmond, Fleetwood’s increase was notable for a small, well-developed community. Berks County increased its housing stock by 12.1% between 1980 and 1990.

Building permits issued since the 1990 census illustrate recent housing construction trends. Richmond Township issued 71 building permits for new housing units from 1990 through 1995, an average of 14.2 per year. This average is about equal to the annual housing unit increase the Township experienced during the 1980’s. 58 of these 71 building permits were for new single-family detached homes, as shown on the following table.

Fleetwood Borough issued 174 building permits for new housing units from 1990 through 1995, an average of 34.8 per year. Housing starts in the Borough since 1990 have included new single-familydetached home construction at Willow Run, a new twin home development called Clover Crossing and the Tarsus Manor apartments.

32 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfve Plan 1 Background Report I 1 TOTAL HOUSING UNITS 1980-1990CHANGE AREA I 1980 1990 Number Percent Richmond Township 1,177 1,343 166 14.1 Fleetwood Borough 1,280 1,412 132 10.3 1 BERKS COUNTY 119,934 134,482 14,548 12.1 I

1 Table 14 BUILDING PERMITS GRANTED FOR NEW HOUSING UNITS Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough 1990 through 1995 I 1 I

I Number of Apartments I

I SOURCE: Berk County, Richmond Township & Fleetwood Borough

33 Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan Background Report 1 Housina TvDe I Households tend to demand various types of housing as they mature. The cycle begins with young adults and family starters who often need smaller, less expensive housing. I Households with children tend to prefer larger, single-family homes. As the household grows older and divides, housing preferences and needs often return full-circle to apartments, townhouses and other small units such as mobile homes. I Fleetwood as an older community and Richmond as a municipality more oriented to young families will each face different types of housing markets in the near and longer term future. I In 1990, single-family detached homes comprised 69.1% of the housing stock in Richmond Township. Single-family attached units, such as twins, row homes and townhouses, 1 accounted for only 3.5% of the Township’s housing. These statistics are typical of a rural township, except Richmond has a higher than average percentage of mobile homes (19.7%). 1 In Fleetwood, single-family homes were 53.3%of all Borough housing in 1990, compared to 31.7% for single-family attached units. Fleetwood has more single-family homes than is typically found in an older, established borough. Berks County’s overall housing profile 1 more closely resembles Fleetwood than Richmond due to the significant effect of Reading on County-wide totals. I Table 15 HOUSING TYPE Richmond Township, Fleetwood Borough and Berks County I 1990 I 1 I 1 SOURCE: u. s. census 1 I 1 1 34 I Richmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Background Report

Housinq Tenure and Value

The amount of rental housing in an area compared to owner-occupied homes affects housing affordability and an area’s ability to respond to the life cycle changes in housing demand described earlier. More rental units usually means less expensive housing, more affordable to singles, young families and older people. Areas with high rates of owner-occupied housing can be less accessible to singles, starter families and the elderly.

Owner-occupied homes account for 75.1% of Richmond Township’s housing, compared to 78.3% in Fleetwood and 70.1% County-wide. This is the reverse of the typical situation; townships usually have a higher percentage of owner occupied homes and a lower proportion of rental housing than Boroughs.

Berks County’s 1990 vacancy rate of 5.1%was higher than that recorded in Fleetwood Borough (2.9%) and Richmond Township (4.6%). Vacancy rates of 3% to 5% are usually considered desirable to offer sufficient choice for households moving into an area. Rates lower than this range typically reflect an older, stable population, such as in most of Fleetwood Borough.

The 1990 median value for owner-occupied homes was $86,700 in Richmond Township and $84,600 in Fleetwood Borough. Each municipality’s median value was higher than the Berks County average of $81,800. Richmond’s owner-occupied homes are typically larger and situated on more acreage than those found in Fleetwood Borough and other more urbanized locations.

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP FEWOODBOROUGH BERKS COUNTY TENURE Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Ovmer-Occupied 1,016 75.6 1,105 78.3 94,336 70.1 Renter-Occupied 266 19.8 266 18.8 33,313 24.8 Vacant 61 4.6 41 2.9 6,833 5.1 Total 1,343 100.0 1,412 100.0 134,482 100.0

MEDIAN VALUE $86,700 $84,- $Sl,soO OF OWNER- OCCUPIED UNIT

SOURCE: u. s. census

35 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report

Housinq Aqe and Overcrowdinq

Age can be a valuable indicator of housing quality when viewed in conjunction with other characteristics such as housing value and housing condition. Fleetwood’s housing stock is considerably older than housing in Richmond Township and Berks County overall. In Fleetwood, 41.6% of the housing units were built before 1940, compared to 26.4% in the Township and 39.7% County-wide. Overcrowded units comprise just under 1%of all housing in Fleetwood and 2.3% in Richmond compared to 1.7% County-wide.

RICHMOND FLEEWOOD BERKS TOWNSHIP BOROUGH COUNTY Percent Overcrowded (1.01 or more persons per room) 2.3% 0.9% 1.7% Percent Built Before 1940 26.4% 41.6% 39.7% Total Housing Units 1,343 1,412 134,482

Emdovment BY Indushy

The most recent U.S. Census reported where adult residents of Richmond and Fleetwood were employed as of 1990. Persons working in manufacturing durable goods (21.7%) and people in retail trade (17.7%) comprised the two largest categories of Richmond Township residents. Manufacturing of durable goods (19.7%), manufacturing of non-durable goods (17.0%) and retail trade (15.4 %) were the primary employers of Fleetwood Borough residents, as shown on the following table.

36 Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue Plan Background Report

Table 18 EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough 1990 I RICHMONDTOWNSHIP I FLEETWOODBOROUGH 11 Number % Number I % Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries 70 3.9 Mining 11 0.6 Construction 87 4.9 Manufacturina nondurable aoods 198 11.2 322 17.0 Manufacturing, durable goods I 384 I 21.7 375 I 19.7 Transportation 69 3.9 31 1.6 Communications & Other Public Utilities 30 1.7 50 2.6 Wholesale Trade 19 1.1 52 2.7 Retail Trade 313 17.7 293 15.4 Finance, Insurance & Real Estate I 72 I 4.1 I 112 I 5.9 II ~~ Business & Repair Services 106 6.0 79 4.2 Personal Services 51 2.9 18 1.0 Entertainment & Recreation Services 46 2.6 25 1.3 Professional & Related Services: HealthServices 80 4.5 112 5.9 Educational Services 108 6.1 160 8.4 0 Other Professional & 116 6.5 102 5.4 Related Services Public Adminiitration 10 0.6 26 1.4 TOTAL 1,770 100.0 1,899 100.0

Source: US. Census Emplovment Bv Sector

Many Richmond-Fleetwood area residents work outside of the Township and Borough. Within the overall regional economy, Reading Metropolitan Area (Berks County) statistics show jobs are growing in durable goods manufacturing, retail trade, finance/insurance & real estate, services and government. Construction & mining, non-durable goods manufacturing, transportation lost jobs between September 1994 and September 1995. The number of wholesale trade jobs in the region stayed even during this same period.

37 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report 1

Table 19 EMPLOYMENT BY SECTOR 1 Reading Metropolitan Statistical Area (Berks County) September 1994 - September 1995 I ECONOMIC I I I I 1

SOURCE: PA Deparhnent of Labor and Industry 1 Unemdoment I The Reading Metropolitan Statistical Area (Berks County) had an unemployment rate of 5.5% in November 1995, compared to 6.4% in Pennsylvania and 5.6% nation-wide. Total unemployment in Berks County, Pennsylvania and the United States peaked in January of 1993. i 1 I 1 1 I 1 I 38 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report

Table 20 SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT Pennsylvania Major Market Areas, Pennsylvania, USA January 1990 - September 1995*

SOURCE: PA Department of Labor and Industry

39 Rfchmond Townshfp - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfve Plan Background Report EXISTING LAND USE

0 Concern for the use of land is the essence of comprehensive planning. Fleetwood is a mature borough that features a unique combination of densely developed older homes and newer residential subdivisions. Fleetwood’s small business district is located along Main Street in the center of the Borough. Fleetwood has a strong industrial heritage still represented by a cluster of industries situated along the Conrail tracks that bisect the Borough.

Richmond is a rural, largely undeveloped municipality. Farming and scenic wooded hillsides still dominate most of the Township, although newer residential subdivisions are now also found in various areas. Commerce in Richmond is concentrated along the Route 222 corridor. Richmond’s industrial development is located along the Conrail tracks in the southern portion of the Township.

Residential Land Uses

Housing is the predominant use of developed land in both Richmond Township and Fleet- wood Borough.

Richmond Township

Farmsteads and single-family detached homes are the two main housing types in Richmond. Farmsteads are located along major and minor roads in every part of the Township. Single- family detached homes have developed in unplanned fashion in various parts of the community. There are very few planned residential subdivisions in Richmond. Virginville and Walnuttown are the Township’s two largest clusters of village style development. Mobile home sites are found in Walnuttown and in the vicinity of the Route 222 corridor. A quadraplex development in the northeastern sector of the Township and minor conversion units along Route 222 are the only attached and multi-family housing in Richmond.

FIeetwood Borough

Fleetwood’s housing stock is a mix of single-family detached, attached units and apartments. Fleetwood’s single-family detached homes include older homes in the original parts of the Borough and newer, suburban style dwellings in the outerlying sectors. Willow Creek is a large, residential subdivision in the northwestern quadrant of the Borough. Willow Run, located on the opposite side of North Richmond Street from Willow Creek, is Fleetwood’s newest residential subdivision. Willow Run was about one-half finished as of March 1996.

Single-family attached homes represent nearly one-third of Fleetwood’s housing stock. Single-family attached housing in the Borough consists largely of row homes but also includes Cloverleaf Crossing, a new twin home development. Tarsus Manor and Laurel Court are Fleetwood’s two largest apartment complexes. Apartments created by converting

40 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan I Backgrdund Report

former single-family homes or other structures comprise most the Borough’s remaining multi- 1 family housing. Fleetwood contains only very limited mobile home development. I Commercial Land Uses Richmond and Fleetwood each have commercial areas that contain a mix of retail, service I and small office uses. I Richmond Township Most commercial land uses in Richmond Township are situated along the rapidly developing Route 222 corridor between the western end of the Kutztown bypass and Richmond’s 1 boundary with adjacent Maiden Creek Township. The portion of Route 222 from Route 662 west to Maiden Creek Township contains the heaviest concentration of these commercial uses. Growing traffic congestion and the prospect of more strip commercial development 1 along Route 222 are major planning concerns in the Township. An assortment of restaurants, auto-related businesses, and retail stores exist there now.

1 Other commercial clusters in Richmond include uses along Park Road just west of Fleetwood Borough and areas in and around the village of Walnuttown. The Kutztown Produce Auction, a farm products wholesale business, is a unique commercial use located on Schiery I Road in the heart of the Township’s prime agricultural area. 1 Fleetwood Borough Fleetwood’s traditional downtown Main Street is home to most of the Borough’s commercial uses. The heaviest concentration of these uses is clustered along Main Street between I Franklin Street and Richmond Street, the two roads that carry Route 662 in and out of Fleetwood. An assortment of small retail, service and office uses are also scattered along other portions of Main Street, North Franklin Street, South Franklin Street, South Richmond I Street and a few locations elsewhere in the Borough. 1 Industrial Land Uses Industrial land uses are important employers and generators of substantial economic activity I in both Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough. Most of these industries are stand- alone businesses or manufacturers adjacent to the railroad. There is only one small planned industrial park in the region, the new Willow Street Industrial Park in Richmond Township I adjacent to the Fleetwood Borough boundary on South Willow Street. I Richmond Township East Penn Manufacturing (Deka Battery), which is Berks County’s second largest employer, is located in the southeastem comer of Richmond adjacent to Lyons Borough. The new I Willow Street Industrial Park, Fleetwood Block and most of the Township’s other industry is situated along the Conrail tracks on both sides of Fleetwood Borough. There are also two I industrial uses in the village of Virginville. I 41 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt ComprehensfuePlan Background Report I

~~ ~~~ ~~ The Willow Street Industrial Park consists of a 40,000 square foot, flex space industrial building with five tenants, including Bachman Foods. The property is located adjacent to I the Township’s border with Fleetwood Borough at Willow Street and the Conrail tracks. The owner of the 8-acre site has proposed to construct an additional 40,000 square foot building if he can secure public water and sewer service for the property from Fleetwood Borough. I Fleet wood Borough I Fleetwood has a long tradition of industrial development dating back to the Borough’s prominence as an auto body manufacturing center in the early 1900’s and a railroad I shipping center beginning in second half of the 19th century. Today, Fleetwood’s major industries are still clustered along the railroad, including Sunsweet Growers, Garden State Tanning, F.M. Brown Mills, Fleetwood Shirt Company and other smaller businesses. D Publidsemi-Public Land Uses I Publidsemi-public uses include schools, churches, municipal buildings and other non-profits. Several such uses exist in Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough. 1 Richmond Township

Major publidsemi-public uses in Richmond include the Richmond Elementary School, the I Township’s municipal building, two granges, Fleetwood Borough’s sewage treatment plant, two Mennonite schools, Union Fire Company of Walnuttown, the Virginville Post Office, the Virginville Fire Company and several church properties, including cemeteries. I Fleet wood Borough I Major publidsemi-public uses in Fleetwood Borough include the Fleetwood High School- Middle School-Elementary School complex, the Fleetwood Community Center, Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company, a municipal parking lot and several church properties, including 1 cemeteries. I Private Recreation and Open SDace Land Uses Most of the Richmond-Fleetwood area’s privately-owned recreation lands are located in 1 Richmond Township. Richmond Township 1 The following Private Recreation and Open Space uses are partially or entirely located in Richmond Township: I

0 Berkleigh County Club - Route 222 Moselem Springs Golf Club - Route 662 I Richmaiden Golf Course - Richmaiden Road 0 Saucony Park Campsites - Saucony Road I 42 I Richmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Background Report I 0 Conservancy Land - Lake Road 0 Deka Softball Field - Fleetwood-Lyons Road 0 Crystal Cave - Cxystal Cave Road I 0 Fleetwood Fish & Game Commission - Dryville Road 0 Kutztown Golf Center - Route 222 I Smith Little League Field Fleetwood Borough I The Tri-Valley YMCA is the only Private Recreation and Open Space use in Fleetwood Borough. I Public Recreation and ODen Space Land Uses Public Recreation and Open Space uses include publicly-accessible parks and other publicly- I accessible open space. Both Richmond and Fleetwood have land in this category. However, the Borough has the area’s only athletic fields outside of those located on Fleetwood Area 1 School District property. Richmond Township

I State Game Lands #182 on Saucony Road and the Virginville Fire Company picnic grounds are the only Public Recreation and Open Space uses in Richmond Township.

I Fleetwood Borough

Fleetwood’s Public Recreation and Open Space lands include the following sites, each owned I by Fleetwood Borough.

0 Fleetwood Community Park & Swimming Pool - West Main Street I Willow Run open space dedication - North Richmond Road 0 Public park - West Arch Street I 0 Public open space - East Washington Street 0 Public open space - East Locust Street I Acrricultural and Other Undeveloped Land The Agricultural and Other Undeveloped Land category comprises the largest proportion of I all land in Richmond Township but is not significant in Fleetwood Borough. I Richmond Township Undeveloped property in Richmond Township includes wooded areas, steep slopes, floodprone land, farmland and assorted vacant parcels. Wooded areas, steep slopes and flood- I prone land are discussed in the Natural Features section of this plan. Farming is the predominant land use in the Township. Large areas of contiguous farmland, consisting of I both large and smaller properties, are found in every sector of Richmond. I 43 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan I Back-mound Report

Richmond Township has taken an important step to preserve farmland by establishing an Agricultural Security Area under State Act 43 of 1981. This district encompasses 7,351 acres. I Farms within the Agricultural Security Area are protected against certain regulations that constrain farming and are eligible to have Berks County purchase their development rights. I Only very limited funds are available to acquire development rights although the State established a permanent funding source for this purpose in 1992. Agricultural Security Areas contain a minimum of 250 acres of land. Within Agricultural Security Areas, Township I Supervisors agree to support agriculture by not passing laws which would restrict normal farming operations, limitations are placed on the municipality’s ability to condemn farmland for schools, parks, roads, etc., and landowners can apply to sell conservation easements to I Berks County. Property owners in Richmond Township have sold development rights to Berks County for 8 farms totaling 739 acres. I Fleetwood Borough

Undeveloped land is limited to a small proportion of Fleetwood’s overall acreage along the I Borough’s eastern border with Richmond Township. This land includes farmland that is part of Richmond Township’s Agricultural Security District, 100-year floodplain area along an unnamed tributary of the Willow Creek and other small undeveloped parcels. I I I I I I 1 I I I I 44 I

Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfve Plan I Background Report I COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES Municipalities and other community-oriented entities provide a wide uariety of facilities and services. Examples of community facilities and services I include recreation, education, public utilities and emergency services. Knowledge of community facilities and services, locations and capacities is I critical in planning for future development and land use. I Education Richmond and Fleetwood belong to the Fleetwood Area School District, which also includes Maiden Creek Township. The Fleetwood Area School District includes the schools described I on the following table: Table 21 I EXISTING PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fleetwood Area School District 1996 I DATES OF CONSTRUCTION/ 1995-1996 NAME RENOVATION GRADES ENROLLMENT WACIlY I ~ Fleetwood Area High School 1966 9-12 Fleetwood Borough

Fleetwood Middle school 1989 6-8 Fleetwood 55.5* I Borough

Fleetwood Elementaly school 1956 K-5 Fleetwood 9.6 303 300 I 1992 Borough Richmond Elementary school is51 K5 Richmond 11.5 230 300 1974 I 1991 To-hip I Andrew Maier Elementaly 1954 K5 Maiden Creek 520 school 1974 Township I 16'0 1 I 1994 SOURCE: Fleetwood Area School Dirtrict. *Same site.

1 1995-1996 enrollment in the Fleetwood Area School District is 2,070 students, an increase of 620 students (43%)since the 1990-1991 school year. This rate of growth far exceeded projections made by the Pennsylvania Economy League in 1989. Rapid development due I to available sewage capacity in Maiden Creek Township is responsible for most of the Fleetwood Area School District's recent enrollment increases. Maiden Creek added 1,394 I residents between 1990 and 1994, according to a US. Census study sponsored by the Township. Based on building permits issued, URDC estimates that Richmond and Fleetwood I together added only 291 new residents during the same time period.

47 Rfchmond Tolonshfp- Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Background Report I

A 1995 Pennsylvania Economy League study projects that total enrollment in the Fleetwood Area School District will grow to 2,642 by 2000-2001, an increase of 572 student (28%) over I 1995-1996. Pennsylvania Economy League forecasts that total enrollment will reach 2,823 in 2204-5, an increase of 753 students (365)over 19951996. These projections assume rapid growth will continue for the foreseeable future in Maiden Creek. Maiden Creek I Township is currently reviewing proposals submitted for a total of 1,022 new homes. I The Fleetwood Area School District, with the assistance of a citizen advisory group, considered a series of alternatives to address the effectsof recent and projected enrollments on school district facilities. The School District now plans to: 1

0 Build a new high school for grades 9-12 Convert the existing high school and middle school buildings into a grade 5 to 8 I middle school complex 0 Expand the Andrew Maier Elementary School 0 Realign all three elementary schools to grades K-5 I The site for the new high school is a 14acre, District-owned property adjacent to the west side of the existing high school. The new high school will have a capacity of 1,169 students. I The School District plans for the new high school to be ready in September 1998 and for the other initiatives described above to go into effect in September 1999. The School District estimates that the total project cost for the new high school will be $24.8 million. The School I District will issue bonds to pay for the school. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will reimburse the School District for approximately 10% of this cost. I There are two Mennonite schools in the Richmond-Fleetwoodarea both located in Richmond Township. Other private schools in the general vicinity include the following: I Blue Mountain Christian Academy - Tilden Township Emmaus Baptist - Emmaus Borough Gateway Christian School - Longswamp Township I Hamburg Christian School - Hamburg Borough Hidden Valley Mennonite School - Maxatawny Township I Kempton New Church School - Kutztown Borough Lehigh Christian Academy - Allentown Light Christian Academy - Fleetwood Borough I Pleasant Hills Mennonite School - Maxatawny Township Sunny Meadows Mennonite School - Maxatawny Township I The nearest colleges and universities to the Richmond-Fleetwood area include the following: Kutztown University - Kutztown Borough I Albright College - Reading Alvemia College - Reading Penn State University Berks Campus - Spring Township I Reading Area Community College - Reading Cedar Crest College - Allentown I 48 I Richmond Townshfp- Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Back-ground Report

Muhlenberg College - Allentown Lehigh University - Bethlehem Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales - Upper Saucon Township Moravian College - Bethlehem

Libran,

The Fleetwood Public Library, located in the Fleetwood Community Center, is the area’s main library. Residents are also served by the Kutztown Public Library, the Reading Public Library and the Reading Public Library Bookmobile. Adult residents are eligible to use the Rohrbach Libray of Kutztown University and the Kutztown Borough Library.

Solid Waste Collection and Recvclinq

Each household and business in Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough arranges its I own solid waste collection and recycling. I Public Water The Fleetwood Borough Water Department serves 1,502 connections. This includes the entire Borough and approximately 30 connections in Richmond Township and Ruscomb- I manor Township located directly adjacent to the Borough. The Borough’s water comes from 6 wells and 3 springs in Ruscombmanor Township plus 1 well on East Locust Street in Fleetwood. The Borough plans to bring a new well on Hickory Drive into service by I September 1996.

The Water Department’s existing wells and springs can produce 750,000 gallons per day. I This is adequate to handle average demand, which fluctuates between 610,000 and 620,000 gallons per day. The Water Department is developing the additional well mentioned above to provide for more reserve capacity for fire protection. Heavy water usage on certain days, I at Sunsweet Growers in particular, has strained the capacity of the Borough’s water system. I The Water Department chlorinates its water at a treatment plant on Willow Road in Ruscombmanor Township. A 2.0 million gallon reservoir and 1.5 million gallon storage tank are located on this same property. The new well site on Hickory Drive will include a 0.5 I million gallon water storage tank. The Water Department reports that water quality and pressure are currently good throughout the Borough. I A 10’line that is over 100 years old and a 12” line built in 1958 are Fleetwood’s two water mains. The Borough reports that both mains are in good shape. The only major water- related project now planned is for the Borough to install a new 8l water line in the I Richmond Street area to provide more volume to this sector of the Borough. I I I 49 Richmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Back-mound Report Richmond Township does not provide any water; residents and businesses rely upon on-site I wells. From time to time, individuals and businesses located near Fleetwood in Richmond Township have requested public water service from the Borough. The Borough’s current policy is that it would prefer to enter into an inter-municipal agreement with Richmond I Township to provide public water in bulk, rather than dealing directly with individual customers located beyond Fleetwood municipal limits. Thus far, Richmond Township has declined to participate in any inter-municipal agreement with Fleetwood Borough concerning I public water.

Public Sewers I

The Fleetwood Borough Sewer Authority owns a public sewer system which it leases to Fleetwood Borough. The Authority’s sewage treatment plant is located off Walnuttown I Road in Richmond Township. The capacity of the sewage treatment plant was upgraded in the early 1990s to 610,000 gallons per day. This is adequate to handle current flows, which average about 375,000 gallons per day. The Authority serves all of Fleetwood and I approximately 12 connections in Richmond that are located directly adjacent to the Borough.

The Authority reports that its sewer lines are all in good shape and that no significant I improvement projects are planned beyond normal maintenance. The sewer system includes three pump stations: on East Vine Street, North Richmond Street and East Locust Street. Sunsweet Growers and some other industries pretreat their waste before it flows into the I Borough’s sewer system but no package treatment plants currently exist in the service area. I Richmond Township does not provide any pubic sewer service; residents and businesses rely upon on-site septic systems. As with public water, occasionally Richmond Township residents or businesses have asked to connect to Borough sewers. Current Borough policy is the same I for public sewer as it is for public water. The Borough prefers to formulate an intermunicipal agreement with Richmond, rather than dealing directly with individual customers. Fleetwood offered to establish treatment capacity for Richmond Township when the Borough I was upgrading its sewage treatment in the early 1990’s but Richmond declined, reportedly because of the cost. Since that time, Richmond has not pursued any form of inter-municipal agreement with Fleetwood concerning public sewers. 1 In Richmond Township, there are extensive problems with failing septic tank systems in both the village of Walnuttown and the village of Virginville. Ruscombanor Township is planning I to convey effluent to Maiden Creek Township’s sewer system via sewer lines that will pass through the Walnuttown vicinity. Another consideration is that Walnuttown is located adjacent to Fleetwood Borough’s sewage treatment plant. The long term solution to I Virginville’s failing septic tanks will probably involve a package sewage treatment plant. These are public sewer service options that Richmond Township will need to examine in the larger context of regional development and conservation. Richmond Township very much 1 wants to avoid the rapid development that can result from public sewer lines, as already happened in adjacent Maiden Creek Township. I I 50 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensiue Plan Background Report I Hospitals and Social Services Hospitals in the Reading and Allentown areas serve the Richmond-Fleetwood Area. Community General and Saint Joseph’s hospitals are located within the City of Reading. I Reading Hospital is located in West Reading. The Berks County Poison Control Center is located at Community General and Saint Joseph’s Women’s Wellness Center meets the health needs and concerns of women throughout Berks County. Allentown area hospitals I include Allentown Osteopathic Medical Center, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, Muhlenberg Hospital Center, Sacred Heart Hospital and St. I Luke’s Hospital. Other notable facilities include the Wernersville State Hospital which houses and treats the 1 mentally ill, The Hamburg Center which houses and serves the mentally retarded, the Reading Rehabilitation Hospital which provides rehabilitation services for both inpatients and outpatients and The Caron Foundation which provides treatment and rehabilitation for I persons with drug and alcohol dependencies. I Police Protection The Fleetwood Police Department provides police service to both Fleetwood Borough and Richmond Township. Since 1957, the Township has contracted with the Borough to provide I 40 to 50 hours of police service per week, the oldest such inter-municipal arrangement in Pennsylvania. The Police Department has 5 full-time and 2 part-time officers and is currently considering adding a third part-time officer. Police vehicles include 2 sedans and a 4-wheel I drive jeep. The Borough has recently enacted a policy of purchasing a new vehicle for the police every two years. The Police Chief reports that police station headquarters in the Fleetwood Community Center and vehicle maintenance facilities in Richmond Township are I adequate for the foreseeable future. I Fire ComDanies and Rescue Service Three volunteer fire companies cooperate to provide fire protection and rescue services in I the Richmond-Fleetwood area: 0 Virginville Volunteer Fire Company I 0 Union Fire Company of Walnuttown 0 Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company I The Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company Ambulance Service is the primary provider of emergency medical services in the Richmond-Fleetwood area. A paramedic unit from Northeastern Berks, Western Berks and a medevac unit from the Lehigh Valley Hospital I Center provide advanced life support services to the area. I I 1 51 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report I Parks. Recreation and Open %ace I Parks, Recreation and Open Space refers to the recreation lands, recreation facilities and recreation programs available to residents of the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Recreation I lands are categorized as either Regional or Local depending who they are designed to serve. Regional Recreation Lands I Regional recreation lands available to residents of the Richmond-Fleetwood Area include publicly accessible open space properties within a 25-mile radius that are in federal, state, I or county ownership. Regional hiking trails and the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary are also included. Regional recreation lands attract visitors from throughout Berks County and beyond. Typically, these sites offer a range of opportunities for picnicking, boating, fishing, I camping andor hiking. They may also include areas for nature study, wildlife habitat, and conservation. Regional recreation lands within a 25-mile radius of the Richmond-Fleetwood area are listed on the following table: I I I 1 I I 1 1 I I I I 52 I Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Background Report

Table 22 REGIONAL RECREATION LANDS Within a 25-Mile Radius of the Richmond-Fleetwood Area 1996 Federal Lands Blue Marsh Lake National Recreation Area (Berks County) State Parkland and Forests Locust Lake State Park (Schuylkill County) Tuscarora State Park (Schuylkill County) Weiser State Forest (Berks County) State Gamelands #80 (Berks County) State Gamelands #lo6 (Berks County) State Gamelands #110 (Berks County) State Gamelands #182 (Berks County) State Gamelands #280 (Berks County) State Gamelands #141 (Carbon County) State Gamelands #217 (Lehigh County) State Gamelands #205 (Lehigh County) State Gamelands #222 (Schuylkill County) State Gamelands #227 (Schuylkill County) State Gamelands #257 (Schuylkill County) State Gamelands #286 (Schuylkill County) County Parkland Camp Joy (Berks County) Kaercher Creek (Berks County) Tulpehocken Valley Creek (Berks County) Youth Recreation Facility and Educational Farm (Berks County) Mauch Chunk Lake County Park (Carbon County) Leaser Lake (Lehigh County) Leaser Lake (PA Fish and Boat Commission Lands) Trexler Lehigh County Game Preserve (Lehigh County) Hiking Trails Appalachian Trail Pinnacle Side Trail Blue Blazed Trail Valley Rim Trail Other Resional Parkland Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (private ownership) Lake Ontelaunee (City of Reading ownership) - SOURCE: URDC Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Back-wound Report 1 Local Recreation Lands 1 Local recreation lands refer to parks and other recreation-related properties designed primarily to serve residents of a specific municipality or area, such as the Richmond- Fleetwood area. Local recreation lands can be owned by municipalities, school districts, I semi-public organizations, such as sports clubs and fire companies, or private entities. Local recreation lands described in this comprehensive plan are categorized as either publicly I accessible or private. Publicly accessible local recreation lands usually provide athletic fields, courts and other recreation facilities for active recreation, involving either team sports or individual activities. However, some publicly accessible-local recreation lands are small open I spaces without any recreation facilities. Publicly accessible local recreation lands are usually open to the general public without charge. Private local recreation lands include company- owned softball fields, private golf courses, fish & game clubs, commercial campgrounds and I private conservancy lands, among other sites that either require an admission fee or are open only to members. All local recreation lands in the Richmond-Fleetwood area are listed on the following table. I

Table 23 LOCAL RECREATION LANDS I Richmond-Fleetwood Area 1996 II NAME LOCATION I Publicly Accessible: 1 Richmond Elementary School Richmond Township Fleetwood High School-Middle School-Elementary School Complex Fleetwood Borough Fleetwood Community Park and Pool Fleetwood Borough Widow Run Open Space . Fleetwood Borough I Public Park-West Arch Street Fleetwood Borough Public Open Space (East Washington Street) Fleetwood Borough Public Open Space (East Locust Street) Fleetwood Borough I Smith Little League Field Richmond Township II Private: I Open Space Adjacent to Virginville Fire Company Richmond Township Crystal Cave Richmond Township Berkleigh County Club Richmond Township I Moselem Springs Golf Club Richmond Township Fleetwood Fish and Game CIub Richmond Township Kutztown Golf Center Richmond Township Deka Softball Field Richmond Township I Saucony Park Campsites Richmond Township Private Conservancy Land Richmond Township Tri-Valley YMCA Fleetwood Borough 1 SOURCE: URDC I I 54 I @ RECREATION & OPEN SPACE 1. PRIVATE COFJSERVANCY LAND 2-SAUCXINWARK-GAMPSlTES- 3. CRYSTAL CAVE 3. OAK HAVEN MENNONITE SCHOOL 4. STATE GAME LANDS #182 5. MOSELUM SPRINGS GOLF CLUB 6. KUTZTOWN GOLF CENTER ~CmRCms 7. BERKLEIGH COUNTRY CLUB 1. THE CHAPEL IN VlRGlNVlLLE 8. SMITH LlllLE LEAGUE FIELD 2. BECKER’S ST. PETER’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 1. VlRClNVlLLE POST OFFICE 9. FLEETWOOD FISH 8c GAME CLUB 3. ST. PETER’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 2. VlRClNVlLLE GRANGE 10. DEKA SOFTBALL FIELD 4. ZION MOSELUM LUTHERAN CHURCH 3. VlRClNVlLLE FIFE COMPANY & FIELD 5. ST. MARY’S R.C. CHURCH 4. MUNICIPAL BUILDING 6. CHURCH IN GOD IN CHRIST MENNONITE CHURCH 5. UNION FIRE COMPANY OF WALNUTOWN Source: URDC 7. WALNUTTOWN MENNONITE CHURCH 6. FLEETWOOD BOROUGH SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT 8. FLEETWOOD MENNONITE CHURCH 7. FLEETWOOD GRANGE

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000

SCALE: 1 ” =3000’ BERKSCOUNTY PENNSYLVANIA I 1 0 300 600 1200 2400 I SCALE: 1” = 1 200’ I I I I I I 1 1 \ 0 ~TIoN&opBNspAcg 1. FLEETWOOD COMMUNIN PARK & POOL 1. FLEETWOOD AREA HIGH SCHOOL I 2. PUBLIC PARK - WEST ARCH STREET 2. FLEETWOOD AREA MIDDLE SCHOOL 3. TRI-VALLEY YMCA 3. FLEETWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 4. EAST WASHINGTON STREET PUBLIC OPEN SPACE 5. EAST LOCUST STREET PUBLIC OPEN SPACE I 6. WILLOW RUN PUBLIC OPEN SPACE EicmiER 1. FLEETWOOD VOLUNTEER FIRE COMPANY 2. BOROUGH HALL Qcmntcmsdr- 3. POLICE STATION I 1. FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD CHURCH 4. HISTORIC SOCIETY 2. MISSIONARY CHURCH 5. PUBLIC LIBRARY 3. ST. PAUL’S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST 6. DISTRICT JUSTICE COURT 4. HOPE COMMUNITY CHURCH 7. CONCERN SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY 1 5. ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH 8. MUNICIPAL PARKING LOT 6. FLEEWOOD CEMETERY 7. UNITED METHODISTS CHURCH Source: URDC 8. SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH I 9. FAITH BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLBEIWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMP-ScTvF, PLAN I BERKSCOUNTY V PENNSYLVANIA Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report

Existins Recreation Lands Vs. NRPA Guidelines

The National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) recommends that communities should have 10.5 acres of publicly accessible local recreation lands per 1,000 residents. NRPA further suggests that these lands should be available for active recreation (i.e. passive open spaces cannot be included in these calculations). The Richmond-Fleetwood area's current (1995) population is 7,411. Based on NRPA guidelines, the area should currently have 77.8 acres of publicly accessible local recreation land available for active recreation. At present, the Richmond-Fleetwood area has 53.0 acres of parkland that meets these criteria, as shown on the following table.

Table 24 PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE LOCAL RECREATION LANDS AVAILABLE FOR ACTIVE RECREATION Richmond-Aeetwood Area 1996 ' ACRESTHATCOUNT I TOWARE NRPA NAME LOCATION GUIDELINES* I Smith Little Leaaue Field 1.5 II Ridunond Elementaty School Ridunond Township 3.5 II Fleetwood Community Park and Pool Fleetwood Borough 12.0 II ~~~ I Fleetwood High School-Middle School-Elementary School Complex I Fleetwood Borough 35.0 II Public Park - West Arch Street Fleetwood Borough 1.0 II I TOTAL 53.0 II * These figures refer to the portion of each site listed that is available for recreation, as calculated by URDC. Ground occupied by a school building, wooded areas and other parts of a site not associated with athletic fields are excluded; athletic fields and I immediately adjacent ground and som parking areas are included. SOURCE: URDC

I The Richmond-Fleetwood area currently has a deficit of 24.8 acres, according to NRPA guidelines for publicly accessible local recreation lands. Based on a projected population of 8,590, the Richmond -Fleetwood area will need 90.2 acres by the year 2010. As shown on I the following table, this will increase the existing deficit to 37.2 acres unless additional I parkland is established between now and then. 1 I

57 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensiue Plan Background Report I

Table 25 EXISTING AND NRPA-SUGGESTED ACRES OF PUBLICLY I ACCESSIBLE LOCAL RECREATION LAND AVAILABLE FOR ACTIVE RECREATION Richmond-Fleetwood Area 1996 - 2010 I I (~~cA&TOTAL I SURPLUSDEFICIT ITEM (In Acres) (In Acres) ~~ ~~ I Existing Local Recreation Area - 1996 53.0 NRPA-Suggested Acres of Local Recreation Land @ 1995 Population of 7,411 77.8 24.8 I NRPA-Suggested Acres of Local Recreation Land @ 2010 Population of 8,590 90.2 37.2 I The parkland deficits shown above are significant. In addition, the following facts should also be considered when assessing the Richmond-Fleetwood area’s need for parkland: 1 School District representatives and local recreation providers each report that existing recreation facilities are now overcrowded. I

0 The Richmond-Fleetwood School District controls the use of 38.5 acres of publicly accessible local recreation lands vs. 14.5 acres under municipal I administration (see Table 24).

0 There is no publicly accessible recreation land in Richmond Township except I at Richmond Elementary School and Smith Field.

Recreation Facilities I

Recreation facilities include all fields, courts and play equipment available at a recreation site for people to use. The following table lists the recreation facilities that exist in the Richmond- I Fleetwood area at publicly accessible local recreation lands available for active recreation (the sites listed on Table 24). This table reinforces the fact that the School District, rather than Fleetwood or Richmond, owns and controls the use of most of the area’s recreation facilities. 1 I I I I I 58 I Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan I Background Report

Table 26 I PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE RECREATION FACILITIES Richmond-FleetwoodArea I 1996 I I I I I SOURCE: URDC

I Recreation Administration and Prosramminq

The Fleetwood Recreation Board monitors the Borough’s recreation needs and services. In I addition, Fleetwood Borough Council has a Park and Pool Committee. Richmond Township recently established the Richmond Township Park and Recreation Board to evaluate park I and recreation needs in the Township and report its findings to the Board of Supervisors. Major youth sports groups in the Richmond-Fleetwood Area include the Fleetwood Area Baseball Association and the Fleetwood Soccer Association. The Fleetwood Area School I District and the Tri-Valley YMCA provide youth basketball. The YMCA also manages Fleetwood’s public pool and operates a summer recreation program for area children on I behalf of the Borough. I I I II I 59 I Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Joint ComprehensfuePlan Background Report I CIRCULATION I Circulation refers to the movement of people and goods. This system of roads and public transportation is important to understand in planningfor I future land uses and public improvements in Richmond and Fleetwood. The overall objective is to maintain a system that facilitates safe and eflcient circulation. In addition, we need to protect residential areas from higher I speed traflc and autoltruck-related noise. Existins Major Roads and Traffic Counts I U.S.Route 222 is the major thoroughfare through the Richmond-Fleetwood area. U.S. 222 is a primary link between Allentown and Lancaster via the Reading area. U.S. 222 traverses I the length of Richmond Township from Maxatawny Township to Maiden Creek Township. The western terminus of U.S. 222 Kutztown Bypass is located in Richmond. U.S. 222 is a limited access, divided highway on the Kutztown Bypass but a two-lane road with I unrestricted, at-grade access through the rest of Richmond.

U.S. 222 is the most heavily travelled road in the Richmond-Fleetwood Area. Traffic I volumes are highest on the segment of U.S. 222 between State Route 662 and the Kutztown Bypass, where daily traffic recently averaged 21,907 vehicles per day. The segment of U.S. 222 between State Route 662 and Maiden Creek Township averaged only slightly less traffic I at 20,241 vehicles per day, according to the most recent available PennDOT traffic counts.

State Route 662 is the major road in the Richmond Fleetwood Area that crosses U.S.222. I It runs the entire length of Richmond from Perry Township near the village of Moselem, across U.S. 222, through Fleetwood and into Ruscombmanor Township. State Route 662 enters Fleetwood as North Franklin Street, follows Main Street for one block west and exits I the Borough as South Richmond Street before passing into Ruscombmanor Township.

Average traffic volume along State Route (SR) 662 is lowest at Route 143 in the northern I part of Richmond (1,756 vehicles daily). Traffic volume along SR 662 rises to an average of 4,198 vehicles daily between Route 143 and U.S.222. Average volume along SR 662 I peaks approaching Main Street in Fleetwood (10,848 vehicles per day) and then decreases again to an average of 5,844vehicles per day at the Richmond-Ruscombmanor border. I SR (SR) 1010 is the Richmond-Fleetwood Area’s other very heavily traveled road. State Route 1010 is known as Fleetwood-Blandon Road from Maiden Creek Township to the Borough’s community park; Park Road from the park to the Fleetwood Borough border; I Main Street within Fleetwood; and Fleetwood-Lyons Road east of the Borough. Between Maiden Creek Township and Walnuttown Road in Richmond Township, SR 1010 carries an average of 8,533 vehicles per day. Average daily traffic along SR 1010 increases to 8,735 I vehicles per day between Walnuttown Road and Route 662 in Fleetwood Borough. Between Route 662 and Dryville Road east of Fleetwood in Richmond, traffic along SR 1010 decreases to an average of 7,984 vehicles per day and drops again to 6,289 between I Dryville Road and Lyons Borough. I 60 I Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue Plan I Background Report I Road Classifications Roads have various functions; some roads are designed to expedite through traffic while I others mainly provide access to local residential areas. Classifying roads by their intended function is important in determining the appropriate number of access points that should be permitted on to a road and how these access points should be designed. Functional classi- I fications can also assist in prioritizing roads for future improvements. The functional classification of roads also has other important implications. Rights-of-way should be wider and front yard setbacks greater on roads that carry higher traffic volumes. High volume I roads should have more lanes and higher speed limits than local secondary streets. The Richmond-Fleetwood area's roads can be classified as follows: I Major Arterial - Multi-laned limited access highways designed to rapidly connect distant regions or bypass congested areas. I 0 The Kutztown Bypass section of U.S. 222 Arterials - Roads that provide a rapid connection between local population centers, such as Allentown and Reading. I 0 U.S. 222 0 SR 662 south of U.S. 143 0 Old Route 222 I 0 SR 1010 (Fleetwood Blandon Roadpark Road/Main Streeflleetwood-Lyons Road

I Collectors - Roads that collect traffic from local areas and funnel it onto arterials. 0 Route 143 I 0 SR 662 west of Route 143 0 Dryville Road 0 Richmond Road I 0 School Road 0 Walnuttown Road 0 Pleasant Hill Road I 0 Poplar Road 0 Crystal Cave Road 0 Saucony Road

Locals - Roads that provide direct access to residential areas. 0 All other roads in Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough

Richmond has 74.9 miles of roads, including 29.1 of state-owned roads and 45.8 miles of Township-owned roads. Fleetwood has 13.5 miles of roadway: 2.0 miles of state roads and 11.5 miles of borough roads.

61 Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetumod Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report I Road Conditions I Increased traffic volumes and peak hour congestion along U.S.222 are issues in Richmond Township. Potential safety problems associated with unrestricted access to this commercial I corridor are also a concern. The proliferation of driveway curb cuts for individual residences and businesses along U.S.222 will continue to create unsafe traffic movements and patterns unless access can be better managed. I Road conditions in most of Richmond are very different than in Fleetwood. Richmond’s rural character and varying topography create many situations not prevalent in the Borough. I The following are concerns regarding several of Richmond’s roads including both state- owned and township-owned roads. I 0 Areas of poor sight distance, with buildings, slopes, curves, fences, parked vehicles or trees obstructing views of on-coming traffic. 0 Roads that intersect at awkward angles, which obstructs sight distance and I may encourage drivers to not come to a complete stop at intersections. Areas of sharp curves, which limits sight distance and may cause a driver to lose control. I Intersections that are not aligned on both sides of a road, causing confusion to drivers making turns. Areas of steep slope, which are especially slippery during rainy, snowy or icy I weather. Areas of narrow roads and/or bridges, which may not be wide enough to accommodate two-way traffic. I

Fleetwood’s traffic and roadway concerns focus primarily on truck traffic generated by local industries. The Borough’s old narrow streets and intersections have frequently been a 1 problem for trucks, particularly during turning movements. Most of Fleetwood’s streets are laid out in a rectangular grid pattern with %-foot rights of way and only 30-foot cartways. On-street parking compounds the problem. Recently, the Fleetwood Police Department I made arrangement with PennDOT to allow more trucks to enter the Borough along SR 1010 f fleetwood-Blandon Roamark Road/Main Streetrneetwood Lyons Road) instead of via I Route 662. This has helped reduce the number of turns many trucks must make to access the industries located along Fleetwood’s Conrail corridor. I The Fleetwood Borough Police Chief reports that the following locations are the Richmond- Fleetwood Area’s highest accident sites: I 0 Main Street & Richmond Street 0 Main Street & Franklin Street the intersections along the Route 662 corridor between Main Street and U.S. 222 I 0 U.S. 222 and Route 662 the U.S.222 corridor through Richmond Township I I 62 I I Richmond Townshfp - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Back-wound ReDort I There is currently one traffic signal in Fleetwood, at Main Street and Richmond Street. Some people have cited the need for a traffic signal at Main Street and Franklin Street. A formal trafficstudy would be necessary to determine if this intersection has the minimum volume I of traffic and accidents necessary for PennDOT to consider approving a traffic signal. Off-streetparking may also be a circulation issue in Fleetwood. Some local residents and businesspersons believe that additional off-street parking is needed to supplement the I Borough’s one existing off-street public parking lot on Myrtle Alley behind Main Street. I Public Tranmortation The Reading Regional Airport and the Lehigh Valley International Airport are the two major airports closest to the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Two smaller airports serving primarily I private planes are the Kutztown Airport in Kutztown and the Grimes Airport in Bethel Township. No fixed route bus or passenger rail lines currently serve either Richmond or Fleetwood. Nor is there any-realisticprospect of gaining these services in the foreseeable I future. However, nearby in Hamburg, recreational excursion trips are provided by the Blue Mountain and Reading Railroad between Hamburg and Temple. The Berks Area Reading Transit Authority (BARTA) provides door to door van service to anyone in Berks County I physically unable to use regular bus service. I Alternative Tranmortation Alternatives to motorized transportation are limited within the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Within Fleetwood a network of sidewalks exists along most streets. Gaps or missing links, I poor conditions of certain segments and areas not easily accessible to physically handicapped persons hinder the maximum efficient use of these sidewalks by pedestrians. Sidewalks in I Richmond’s village areas have similar problems. No formal pedestrian and bicycle trails now exist in either the Borough or Township. However, the Berks County Open Space and Recreation Plan lists future trails along the Maiden Creek and Sacony Creek as high I priorities. I I I I I I I Source: Richmond Township Comprehensive Plan 1993

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 URBANRBSBARCn&DEVBIDPA8"CORPSRATKIN SCALE: 1" =3000' BERKSCOUNTY 0 PENNSYLVANIA a UBDC - Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfve Plan Background Report LAND USE POLICIES AND ZONING IN THE REGION

In preparing this plan, Fleetwood Borough and Richmond Township considered comprehensive planning policies, zoning policies and development trends within their boundaries, adjacent municipalities and Berks County. Thefollowing section summarizes these existing planning and zoning policies. ‘I Existins Zoninq Richmond Township I Richmond Township’s current development policies are reflected in the following zoning district regulations. Note: In subdivisions of at least 50 acres, single-family detached home lot sizes may be reduced by 50% in the WC, R-A2, R-1 and R-2 zoning districts if at least I 20% of the total tract is set aside as common open space under the Township’s cluster development regulations.

I wc Woodlands Conservation - permits single-family detached homes on minimum 1.5 acre lots and agriculture except intensive agriculture.

I R-A 1 Rural Agricultural - allows agriculture except intensive agriculture and single family detached homes by conditional use on a sliding scale basis. Sliding scale zoning carefully limits the total number of homes permitted on a tract of I land. For example, up to 15 homes are allowed on tracts of 650 or more acres. Conditional uses require approval by the Board of Supervisors. The Board of Supervisors must also approve any homes to be located on the I Township’s prime agricultural land zoning overlay area. This district also permits mobile/manufactured home parks as a special exception. Special I exception uses require approval by the Township’s zoning hearing board. R-A2 Rural Agricultural - allows agriculture except intensive agriculture and I provides for single-family detached homes on minimum lots of 1.5 acres. Also permits commercial greenhouses and nurseries by right, and quarrying and I mobile home parks as special exceptions. R- 1 Low Density Residential - permits single-family detached homes on minimum 1.5 acre lots or minimum 1/2 acre lots with public water and public I sewer. Agriculture is not permitted. R-2 Medium Density Residential - permits single-family detached homes on I minimum 1.5 acre lots or minimum 10,000 square foot lots with public water and public sewer. Also allows two-family detached homes, town houses and garden apartments at up 10 units per acre as special exceptions. Agriculture I is not permitted. I I 65 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan 1 Background Report C-1 Neighborhood Commercial - permits a variety of retail, service and office I establishments by right plus gas stations, drive-in restaurants, auto sales & services and wholesale businesses by special exception. Minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet. I C-2 Highway Commercial - each of the uses mentioned in C-1 above are permitted by right, except wholesaling, which is permitted by special exception. 1 Hotels, motels and shopping centers are also permitted by right. Minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet for most uses and 5 acres for shopping centers. I I Industrial - permits a range of industrial uses on 1 acre lots or 1/2 acre lots with public water and public sewer. I The following map shows the locations of the existing zoning districts in Richmond Township. I I I I 1 I I I I I I 1 66 I FjPWOD"S(Athlvlalsodle) Fs":'::":6:iii::E:jl -Am-- ......

I INDUSTRIAL Source: Richmond Township

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / PLEETWOOD BORQUGH JOINT COMP-STVE PLAN 0 600 is00 3000 6000 URBANRBsBARQi&D~~COR#)RATHIN SCALE: 1" =3000' BERKSCOUNTY + PENNSYLVANIA Bedlbkm F-UY1- Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Background Report Fleetwood Borouqh I The following is a summary of the existing zoning districts and associated zoning regulations in Fleetwood Borough. I R-1 Low Density Residential - permits single-family detached homes on minimum 10,000 square foot lots. Allows single family semi-detached homes (twins), on 1 minimum 5-acre tracts, on lots that are at least 4,000 square feet per unit with conditional use approval. Conditional uses must be approved by Borough Council. The following additional types of residential developments are allowed on minimum I 5-acre tracts in this district by conditional use:

0 Townhouses at a maximum density of 12 units per acre I 0 Apartments at a maximum density of 16 units per acre

R-2 Medium Density Residential - permits single-family detached homes on minimum I 6,000 square foot lots. Permits twins and duplexes on lots that are a minimum of 4,000 square feet per unit. Also permits townhouses and apartments under the same I conditions as outlined above for the R-1 district. c-1 General Commercial - permits a range of retail, service and office uses without I stipulating a specific minimum lot size. A minimum 20-foot front yard, and required space for parking and off-street loading must be provided. Within this district, residences in commercial buildings, gas stations, car washes and wholesale businesses I are permitted with zoning hearing board approval. Townhouses and apartments are permitted under the conditions outlined above for the R-1 and R-2 districts, provided these developments are for senior citizen housing only. 1 1-1 Industrial - permits a wide range of industrial uses. No specific minimum lot size is stipulated but a 40-foot front yard, two 20-foot side yards and a 20-foot rear yard is 1 required along with sufficient parking and off-street loading areas. Commercial businesses strictly related to a specific industrial use are permitted in this district but all residential uses are prohibited. I I I I I I 68 I I I I I 0 300 600 1200 2400 SCALE: 1” = 1 200’ I I I I I I I I I I EXISTING ZONING

I R-1 UIW DmSmRESIDKNTIAL Source: Fleetwood Borough R-2 MEDIUMDBNSlTyRBS~~ I c-1 aENEwALcoMMBRcIAt I 1-1 INDUSTRIAL I RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BERKSCOUNTY 0 PENNSYLVANIA URBANRESEARCH8tD~PMEN”CORPORATION URDC Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Background Report Adjacent Municipalities I At the present time, there does not appear to be any conflict between Richmond and Fleetwood’s land use policies and the planning or zoning policies governing adjacent lands I located in neighboring municipalities. The table on the following page describes the zoning policies that apply to land bordering I Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough in adjacent municipalities. I I I I I I I I I I 1 .) I I 70 I I Richmond Townshfp - Fleetuood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan Background Report

Table 27 1 ZONING ADJACENT TO RICHMOND TOWNSHIP AND FLEETWOOD BOROUGH 1996 I ADJACENT MINIMUM LOT SIZE FOR ZONING DISTRICT A SINGLE FAMILY DETACHED HOME R-1 Rural Residential 15,oooO square feet with public sewer and public water I 30,OOO square feet with public sewer or public water 1.5 acres with neither public sewer nor public water -I R-1 Residential 1 acre R-2 Residential 1 acre, 2-family homes, townhouses and apartments up to 8 units per acre also permitted R-A Rural Agricultural Sliding scale agricultural zoning that carefully limits the I number of homes permitted on a tract

C - General Commercial Wide variety of commercial uses (This affects only a vely I small area west of Walnuttown.) R-2a - High Density Residential Permits single-family homes on minimum 8,750square foot lots with public water and sewer, two-family homes and planned residential development (This affects only a I very small area west of Walnuttown, withii which there is an approved single-family and twii home development now under construction.) I Existing: AFP AgriculturalRural 1.5 acres Preservation

Proposed in new Comprehensive Plan: I Rural 1 acre minimum, 3 acre average Agricultural Sliding scale agricultural zoning that carefully limits the number of homes permitted on a tract I A-2 Agricultural-Low Density Residential 1 acre

R-1 Medium Density Residential 1 acre or 20,000 square feet with public water & sewer Also permits twins at 1 unit per acre or 20,000 square I feet with public water & sewer; townhouses at 8 units per acre and apartments at 10 units per acre

C-1 Commercial No residential permitted; a wide variety of commercial I uses permitted on minimum 1-acre lots

1-1Light Industrial No residential permitted; a wide variety of light industrial 1 uses permitted on l-acre lots R-1 Low Density Residential 1 acre or 10,OOO square feet with public sewer

1-1 Light Industrial No residential permitted; a wide variety of industrial uses I permitted on 2-acre lots Planned Mixed Development No single family or twiis permitted; townhouses and apartments permitted at up to 8 units per acre; selected I office, commercial and light industrial uses permitted; mobile home parks permitted as a conditional use I A - Rural Agricultural Sliding scale agricultural zoning I I 71 MAXATAWNY TOW NSH I P

RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1625 3250 6500

SCALE: 1" =3250' BERKSCOUNTY PENNSYLVANIA 1 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Background Report 1 THE BERKS COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 1 The Fleetwood and Richmond Township Joint Comprehensive Plan is consistent with the Goals and Land Use Objectives of the Berks County Comprehensive Plan, as reproduced I below: Goals

1 0 To develop and adhere to a systematic, coordinated land use pattern which provides a variety of uses, recognizes land capacities, and respects natural features, and I environmental and physical factors. 0 To preserve natural features and conserve environmental resources throughout Berks County, to protect and improve environmental quality, and to preserve open space in I suitable locations and quantities.

0 To provide, to every resident and future Berks County resident, the opportunity for 1 affordable, safe, and healthful housing with sufficient range of choice by type and location.

I 0 To maintain and improve the economic base of Berks County and to provide maximum employment opportunities for all Berks County residents.

1 0 To provide facilities and services to Berks County residents in the areas of health, protection, cultural enrichment, education, recreation, and social services, commen- I surate with the needs of the population. 0 To provide a multi-modal, balanced transportation system which provides for the safe 1 and efficient 'movement of people and goods, with minimum disruption to the environment, and with maximum conservation of resources.

I 0 To provide the opportunity for increased citizen participation in the planning process to establish community values and reflect human concerns.

1 0 To develop and maintain multi-municipal cooperation in meeting governmental responsibilities.

I 0 To conserve energy and to effectively use renewable energy sources.

0 To preserve and promote all community, cultural and aesthetic elements that identify 1 Berks County as a special and unique place to live and work. I Land Use Obiectives I 0 Provide for a balance of growth and conservation; B 73 Rfchmond Townshfp - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue Plan I Background Report Mw'mize the preservation of ecologically sensitive areas, natural resources and 1 agriculture; Discourage continued sprawl; 1 Promote a consolidated development pattern in or adjacent to existing developed centers which have or will have adequate infrastructure; 1 Revitalize existing urban areas and communities; I Promote innovative design paffernsand techniques of development including, mixed use, neo-traditional village design, cluster, and sliding scale provisions; and 1 Encourage intergovernmental planning.

The Countv Plan--Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough I

The Berks County Comprehensive Plan recognizes existing development in Fleetwood and recommends some growth within and adjacent to the Borough. The Berks County 1 Comprehensive Plan recognizes Richmond Township's development patterns and recommends preserving large areas of environmentally sensitive features and agricultural land, with limited growth directed along the Route 222 corridor and selected areas of the I Township north of Route 222.

The County plan is, by necessity, more generalized than the Fleetwood Borough and 1 Richmond Township Plan. However, the more site-specific future land use designations in the Richmond-Fleetwood Plan are generally consistent with the overall direction of the County Plan. I SUMMARY OF ASSETS AND CONCERNS i The Richmond-Fleetwood area's strengths and weaknesses are the basis for preparing a plan to guide the area's future growth and preservation. The plan attempts to capitalize on each 1 municipality's assets and identify ways to overcome or mitigate concerns. This is a logical approach to planning for the future. I The following summay of assets and concerns reflects the themes most frequently cited by the municipal officials, community leaders and other residents who provided input into this plan. Citizen participation initiatives include public meetings, a direct mail survey and 1 interviews with municipal officials and other community leaders.

Assets I

0 Quality of Life is a genuine advantage due to the area's combination of scenic beauty, rural environment and small town, village character. I 1 74 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensiue Plan Background Report

0 A Strong Sense of History, particularly involving the area’s Pennsylvania German heritage, is found throughout Richmond and Fleetwood.

0 Effective Agricultural Zoning in Richmond is currently protecting a significant part of the Township’s prime farmland from suburban development and helping to preserve the area’s farmland and farming economy.

Affordable Housing in the area, particularly in the Borough, supplies ample choice and opportunity to both prospective homeowners and renters.

Intergovernmental Cooperation between Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough is underway through this planning effort and will hopefully be extended into other areas of mutual interest.

Concerns

Residential Development in the Region threatens to change the Richmond- Fleetwood area’s rural environment and creates service costs that exceed tax revenues generated, especially school costs.

Rapid Commercial Growth Along Route 222 has caused traffic congestion, created hazardous ingress/egress conditions and resulted in some unplanned, unsightly strip development.

Failing Septic Systems in Walnuttown, Virginville and Ruscombmanor Township (Fleetwood’s water source) are a health hazard and concern to both I Richmond and Fleetwood. Continuing to Conserve Farmland and Other Open Space, including sensitive natural areas such as steep slopes, woodlands and floodprone property, is an I important issue in preserving the area’s unique character. 1 More Business Development is needed in appropriate locations to enhance the tax base, provide jobs and stimulate the area’s economy. However, Richmond Township currently does not have the public water and sewer service often viewed as essential 1 by prospective business investors. More Public Parkland is viewed by many people to be a genuine need in the e Richmond-Fleetwood area. Both Agricultural Preservation Efforts and Growth Along the Route 222 I Corridor could prevent future widening of that road. U

75 .I I

A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan 1 A Plan for the Future I GOALS OF THIS PLAN Thefollowing goals and objectives provide guidance and direction for the growth and conservation of the Richmond-Fleetwood area. The goals portray the I Township’s and the Borough’s visions about the future of their area. The I objectives are more specific statements about how the goals can be achieved. Land Use Goal - To Encourage A Land Use Pattern that Prouides for a Balanced Variety of Uses, Ensures Compatibility Between Uses and Respects the Area’s Environmental I Resources. Objectives

a. Provide land for well-regulated development that will be compatible with the Township’s rural character, low density settlement pattern and agricultural economic base.

b. Accommodate residential and non-residential uses that will further revitalize downtown Fleetwood.

C. Encourage development layouts that seek to preserve important open spaces within a tract of land. d. Ensure the Township and Borough each meet their legal obligation to provide opportunities to develop all types of uses, including all types of housing. e. Direct new development toward existing developed areas rather than to the region’s more rural sections. 9. Provide for compatible types and site designs of land uses within the Township and Borough and across borders of adjacent communities. h. Discourage excessively high growth rates of residential development to avoid over- whelming the School District and other community services.

Housing Goal - To Provide Opportunities for a Variety of Safe, Well-Maintained and Affordable Housing for All Residents of Richmond and Fleetwood.

Objectives

a. Provide a variety of housing types and densities using environmentally sensitive layouts and design features. b. Concentrate housing in areas best suited for residential development. c. Preserve and enhance existing housing through proper maintenance and rehabilitation, especially where concentration of older homes exist, such as in Fleetwood, Virginville and Walnuttown. d. Encourage preservation and use of historic homes within the Richmond-Fleetwood area.

I 76 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt ComprehensfvePlan A Plan for the Future

Environmental Conservation Goal - To Conserve the Overall Rural Landscape of the Richmond-Fleetwood Area by Protecting Sensitive Natural Resources.

Obiectives a. Preserve natural and scenic resources using a combination of regulations and voluntary initiatives. b. Direct growth towards areas most suited physically to accommodate development and away from environmentally sensitive areas such as woodlands, steep slopes and floodprone lands, among others. c. Strive to present permanent open space in conjunction with future development. d. Look for opportunities to initiate a linked network of publicly accessible passive greenways and open spaces in the area. e. Raise public awareness about the need to conserve the area’s unique natural environment.

Agricultural Preservation Goal - To Preserve Agricultural Areas for Agricultural Use.

Obiectives a. Preserve concentrations of farms by continuing to promote agricultural zoning, prefer- ential real estate assessment, agricultural security areas, purchase of development rights by the County, and other farmland preservation techniques. b. Minimize non-farm activities near agricultural areas that could cause conflicts with normal farming practices. c. Prohibit public sewage and water extensions into the region’s most productive agricultural areas. d. Provide for a wide range of suitable supplemental income opportunities in agricultural areas. e. Continue to promote the agricultural products of the area. Historic Preservation Goal - To Preserve and Enhance the Area’s Historic Resources. Obiectives a. Increase public awareness about opportunities to preserve properties that are connections to the area’s unique heritage. b. Protect the character of Fleetwood and local villages by encouraging development compatible with existing architectural styles and development patterns.

77 Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan 1 A Plan for the Future

c. Preserve historic resources using incentives, controls on land uses likely to spur 1 demolition, and selected regulations (such as delay of demolition provisions). d. Continue to support the efforts of local and county historic interest groups to identify I and protect historic resources in the Township and Borough.

Community Services and Facilities Goal - To Continue to Provide Municipal-Related I Functions at Levels Commensurate with the Growing Needs of a Growing Population. I Obiectives a. Continue working with the Fleetwood Area School District to ensure adequate school 1 facilities are available to meet growing enrollments and other changing needs. b. Consider establishing public sewer and/or public water facilities where needed for public health or economic development purposes provided these facilities do not encourage 1 inappropriate growth. C. Support the most modem, cost-effective methods of providing police, fire emergency and rescue services to area residents, with an emphasis on cooperation between I different providers. d. Work with community groups and private sector entities to meet basic public recreation 1 needs using only the minimum public funds necessary. e. Ensure all areas of the Township and Borough continue receiving adequate road I maintenance and other public works services. Transportation Goal - To Prouide for the Safe, Eflicient and Convenient Mouement of 1 People and Goods Throughout the Richmond-Fleetwood Area. I Obiectives a. Work with PennDOT and local developers to ensure local roads and intersections retain the capacity to safely accommodate increasing traffic volumes. I b. Work with PennDOT and others to address existing safety concerns such as improper road alignments, intersections where traffic signals may be needed and hazardous access I points onto Route 222. C. Raise public awareness about the advantages of public transit, carpooling and other 1 alternative means of commuting. d. Encourage the development of trails and pathways to promote pedestrian and bicycle travel. I e. Preserve sufficient right-of-way along Route 222 for future widening by a) increasing minimum setbacks from the road and b) requiring new development to dedicate rights- 1 of-way where appropriate. I I 78 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future

Economic Development Goal - To Create Jobs and Broaden the Real Estate Tax Base by Attracting Responsible Businesses to Appropriate Areas.

Objectives a. Ensure that land areas designated for business are large enough, have good road access and have adequate water and sewer to attract new business investment in the Richmond-Fleetwood area. b. Encourage adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized properties, particularly in Fleetwood.

C. Ensure current Township and Borough policies encourage existing employers to remain and expand in the area rather than relocate elsewhere. d. Work with regional economic development entities to ensure that they adequately promote the locational advantages of the Richmond-Fleetwood area. e. Work with local business and area educational authorities to ensure local training courses are addressing local business needs. f. Make sure local codes and land regulatory ordinances do not discourage responsible local business enterprises in designated growth areas. 9- Promote the areas’ historic, agricultural and natural resources for tourism and encourage businesses that rely on and enhance these resources.

Intermunicipal Cooperation Goal - To Explore Additional Opportunities to Cooperate with Neighboring Municipalities in Providing Municipal Services.

Obi ectives a. Improve communications between the Township and Borough concerning public water and sewer facilities. b. Continue seeking ways to reduce municipal costs through shared services, shared equipment and joint purchasing, as feasible. c. Make use of State grant incentives that give preference to municipalities that practice intermunicipal cooperation. d. Continue joint comprehensive planning as initiated during preparation of this Comprehensive Plan.

PLAN INTERRELATIONSHIPS

The Joint Comprehensive Plan addresses the following major topics:

Land Use and Housing 0 Environmental Conservation 0 Agricultural Preservation

79 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint comprehensive Plan 1 A Plan for the Future

Historic Preservation 1 Community Services and Facilities Parks and Recreation I 0 Transportation Economic Development 1 0 Intermunicipal Cooperation The planning components listed above are interrelated. Planning and capital programming actions taken in any one of these areas are likely to affect one or more of the other planning I components. For instance, land use decisions often affect circulation patterns and community services, such as public utilities and recreation needs. I TIMING OF DEVELOPMENT The timing of development in the Richmond-Fleetwood area will largely depend upon the I market for development (which is closely related to interest rates and the strength of the region’s economy) and the availability of centralized public sewer and water systems. The majority of new construction in the two communities will take place first in those areas that 1 have public sewer and public water service.

This Joint Comprehensive Plan addresses major development patterns for the next 10 to 15 1 years. After that time, the Plan should be revised. Every three to five years, the Joint Comprehensive Plan should be reviewed to determine if changes are needed. Major zoning changes in either Richmond or Fleetwood should be made only after careful review of how these proposed changes conform with the spirit of this Joint Comprehensive Plan.

80 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future

LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN

The Land Use and Housing Plan recommends appropriate types and densities ofresidential and non-residential uses that should be encouraged in each municipality. Future land use recommendations are presented first for Richmond Township and then Fleetwood Borough.

Richmond Township

The following categories for Richmond Township are shown on the accompanying Future Land Use map and described in the following text.

Residential Areas - Rural Conservation - Agricultural - Low Density Residential - Low Density Residentiauraditional Neighborhood - Medium Density Residential

Mixed Use and Business Areas - Commercial - Industrial

Other Areas - Community Facilities - Public Recreation - Floodprone Areas

Residential Areas - The following five residential planning areas provide for a variety of housing types and densities.

0 Rural Conservation

The Rural Conservation area mainly includes the steeply sloped, heavily wooded portions of Richmond that are least suited for development. These areas encompass most of the Township north of the Mine Road - Eagle Road area with the exception of the Virginville vicinity. Low density single-family detached homes and agriculture should be the primary uses permitted in the area. Single-family homes would be permitted on minimum 2-acre lots. Minimum lot sizes would be increased by 50% to 3 acres where building construction is proposed on slopes between 15%and 25%. Minimum lot sizes would be increased further to 4 acres where building construction is proposed on slopes 25% and over. If building sites are proposed on less than 15% slope, clustering would be permitted whereby the minimum lot size would be reduced to one acre in exchange for the developer permanently preserving 40% of the entire tract in open space.

81 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan 1 A Plan .for the Future

The permanent open space would not have to be dedicated to the Township. Instead, I it could remain as part of private lots, be dedicated to a conservancy or be dedicated to a homeowners' association, at the discretion of the Richmond Township Board of Supervisors. The intent is that most of these open spaces would remain in a natural I state requiring little maintenance. Open spaces that are not already forested should be i planted to eventually become forested. 0 Atxicultural I The Agricultural area would be dedicated to preserving Richmond's best farmland, most of which is already in the Township's agricultural zoning district. This planning area encompasses most of Richmond from the Mine Road - Eagle Road area north of Route I 222 to Fleetwood-Lyons Road - Fleetwood Borough area south of Route 222, with the exception of existing commercial areas along Route 222. The Township's existing sliding scale agricultural zoning would be retained. These regulations carefully control the D number of homes permitted on a tract - such as a maximum of 15 homes on tracts of 650 or more acres. The intent is to minimize the number of new homes in these areas to encourage the preservation of prime farmland, and to avoid conflicts between farms I and homes. 1 Low Densitv Residential The Low Density Residential area would designate land for single-family homes on minimum 1.5-acre lots. Clustering would be strongly encouraged by permitting 1/2-acre I lots if the development is served by central sewers (and central water if available) and the developer preserves approximately 40% of the entire tract in open space. Twin homes would be allowed in the Low Density Residential area. The minimum lot size per I twin home would be 3/4 acre in traditional developments and 1/4 acre in a cluster development. (Twin homes refer to two side-by-side units each on its own lot). Low Density Residential areas are designated adjacent to Fleetwood Borough. New 1 development in these areas should be connected to existing public sewer and public water systems provided these sewer and water systems have sufficient capacity. (See the Community Facilities section of this Plan for additional discussion on public sewers I in these areas.)

I 0 Low Densitv ResidentiaVTraditional Neishborhood The Low Density Residentiauraditional Neighborhood category applies to a relatively 1 small area adjacent to Virginville where "traditional" styles of development compatible with Virginville's village environment would be encouraged. "Traditional Neighborhood" development recreates the best features of older developments such as the following, I among others.

- pedestrian scale development that encourage walking and bicycling I - a mix of housing types with smaller front yard setbacks and unenclosed front porches that promote interaction among neighbors I I 82 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future

- a commons or common open space that is a focus for community life - placing garages and off-street parking along rear alleys, or to a rear comer of a lot with a side driveway - avoiding excessively wide streets and intersections - home designs that incorporate older styles of architecture - planting street trees - lot widths that are more narrow than are commonly provided today

If cost feasible, this comprehensive plan encourages the provision of central sewerage to Virginville and this residential area adjoining Virginville. (See the Community Facilities section of this Plan for additional discussion on public sewers in Virginville.)

Densities allowed in the Low Density/Traditional Neighborhood area would be similar to densities permitted in the Low Density Residential areas around Fleetwood Borough. Land would be provided for single-family homes on minimum 1.5-acre lots. Clustering would be strongly encouraged by permitting 1/2-acre lots if the development is served by central sewers (and central water if available) and the developer preserves approximately 40% of the entire tract in open space. Twin homes would be allowed on lots approximately 112 as large as lots permitted for single-family detached homes. (Twin homes refer to two side-by-side units each on its own lot).

0 Medium Density Residential

The Medium Density Residential area would accommodate a variety of housing types, including single-family homes, twins, townhouses, and multi-family units. Single-family homes with on-lot wells and septic systems would require 1-acre lots but clustering of single-family homes would be strongly encouraged by permitting Wacre lots provided the development is served by central water and sewer and approximately 40% of the tract is set aside in permanent open space. Townhouses and multi-family developments would be required to have central water and sewer service and thereby be permitted at densities up to 6 units per acre. Transfer of development rights (TDR) could be used to achieve densities higher than 6 units per acre in the Medium Density Residential area. The TDR technique permits landowners in locations designated for conservation ("sending areas") to sell their development rights to developers who use these rights to build in designated "receiving areas" at densities higher than zoning would otherwise permit. Central water and sewer services are usually needed in receiving areas so that developers can achieve the densities they need to make TDR financially feasible. In Richmond, both the Conservation area and the Agricultural area could be established as TDR sending areas.

Mixed Use and Business Areas - Mixed Use and Business areas are lands devoted to commerce and mixed residentiavnon-residential uses, including the following in Richmond Towns hip.

83 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan 1 A Plan for the Future 1 0 Villase Virginville is designated as a Village area that would allow for small, neighborhood- oriented retail, service and office uses along Route 143 in combination with single-family I homes, twins, townhouses and conversion apartments. Certain uses, such as car washes, wholesalers and drive-in fast food, that are not compatible with a village I environment would not be permitted. Permitted densities would be 1 home per acre, with on-lot well and septic systems, 4 homes per acre with central sewer service and up to 8 units per acre for townhouses and multi-family apartments with TDR and central I water and sewer service. I Commercial Commercial areas are designed to accommodate a variety of retail and service uses, including more intensive and highway-oriented uses that are not appropriate for a I village environment. Commercial areas are limited to existing commercial locations along Route 222 and immediately west of Fleetwood. An important goal of this plan is to restrict the unplanned growth of business uses in strip development fashion along I Route 222. The intent is to allow Route 222 to mainly serve through traffic over the long-term, in recognition of the fact that a bypass of Route 222 is highly unlikely to be I built in at least the next 25 years. Lisht Industrial

I An expanded Light Industrial area intended to be served in the future by central water and sewer is designated in the vicinity of Fleetwood-Lyons Road and Baldy Road. Environmentally-responsible, light industry such as warehousing, electronics, research I & development and office uses makes sense at this location because of the following major reasons:

I - access is available to Route 222 without affecting neighborhoods - the topography is relatively level and well-drained - a spur could be built to provide service from the adjacent rail lines 1 - its location adjacent to DekaEast Penn Industries, the region’s largest existing industrial use I - the absence of incompatible residential development nearby, a potentially incompatible use - this part of Richmond is close to Lyons Borough’s existing water and sewer system 1 which has recently been extended to Deka/East Penn Industries - this area is not zoned for agricultural preservation; it is located in a largely unde- I veloped residential zoning district I I I 84 Richmond Township - Fleetmood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Planfor the Future I General Industrial I The General Industrial area recognizes DekaEast Penn Industries, one of the largest employers in Berks County. The General Industrial area would provide opportunities for expansion of this employer and other industrial uses on adjacent lands. This area 1 would help the Township meet its legal obligation to provide land for mineral extraction, asphalt plants, chemical plants, landfills, incinerators and similar intensive industrial uses. I Other Areas - This Plan also designates areas for Community Facilities, Public Recreation, Floodplains and Greenway Conservation, as described below. 1 Community Facilities 1 Community Facilities in Richmond Township include Richmond Elementary School, two Mennonite schools, churches, cemeteries, Wallnuttown Fire Company, Virginville Fire Company, the Richmond Township Building, a lodge, two Grange buildings and the 1 Fleetwood Borough Authority’s sewage treatment plant. No additional areas are proposed for Community Facilities I Public Recreation

Public Recreation areas in Richmond Township include State Gamelands #182, I Moselem Springs Golf Club, Berkleigh County Club, Virginville Fire Company grounds and Smith Little League Field. This category also includes land for a new community park in area adjacent to Richmond Elementary School. (See the Parks and Recreation I section of this Plan for a discussion of this recommendation.)

Flooddains I

Floodplains are shown on the Future Land Use map for each of the Township’s major waterways. I Greenwav Conservation I Greenway Conservation corridors are shown on the Future Land map along Maiden Creek, Moselem Creek, Willow Creek and a tributary of the Willow Creek. (See the Parks and Recreation section of this Plan for a description of greenways and proposed I greenway corridors.) I Fleetwood Borough The following categories for Fleetwood Borough are shown on the accompanying Future 1 Land Use map and described in the following text. 1 1 85 1 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I A Plan for the Future

Residential 1 - Low Density Residential - Medium Density Residential I - High Density Residential Mixed Use and Business Areas I - Town Center - CommerciaVResidential I - Industrial Other Areas - Community Facilities I - Public Recreation - Floodprone Areas

I Residential Areas - The following three residential planning areas provide for a variety of housing types and densities in Fleetwood. I Low Densitv Residential

The Low Density Residential area would designate land for single-family detached I homes on approximately 1/4-acre lots. The Low Density Residential area would encompass most of the Borough’s northwest quadrant, which is almost wholly occupied I at present by suburban-style single-family detached residential subdivisions. Medium Densitv Residential

I The Medium Density Residential area would provide land for single-family detached homes on 1/5 to 1/6 acre lots and also permit twins and townhouses. This area would encompass many neighborhoods in the Borough that now contain both detached and I attached housing. I Hish Densitv Residential The High Density Residential area would accommodate each of the uses allowed in the I Medium Density area plus multi-family units either in the form of new apartment structures at a maximum density of 8 to 10 units per acre or carefully regulated conversion units. The High Density area would encompass most of the locations where 1 apartments now exist in the Borough. I Mixed Use and Business Areas The following mixed use and business areas provide land for a variety of commercial and I mixed residentiavnon-residential areas uses in Fleetwood Borough. I 86 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future

~ Town Center

The Town Center area would provide for both residential and certain non-residential uses. Residential uses accommodated in this area would be the same as those residential uses permitted in the High Density Residential area. Non-residential uses encouraged in this area would include a variety of retail, service and office uses. Zoning regulations would be used to ensure that the size and type of specific business uses would be compatible with downtown Fleetwood. For instance, new auto repair facilities should be discouraged along Main Street. Special provisions would also be enacted that would promote mixed uses such as commerce on the first floor with upper story apartments.

CommerciaVResidential

The purpose of the Commercial/Residential planning area is to encourage the growth of selected business uses into certain blocks adjacent to the Town Center. The full range of residential uses allowed in the High Density Residential area and the Town Center area would be permitted. In addition, small commercial uses such as professional offices, personal services and small retail stores would be allowed within existing buildings provided the size of the use, its business hours and associated traffic patterns were carefully regulated.

Industrial

The Industrial area would encourage the retention and expansion of existing employers. To encourage the reuse of older industrial buildings south of the downtown, a wide range of uses, such as commercial businesses, offices and possibly apartments could also be allowed in existing buildings within this area.

Other Areas - The Future Land Use map also designates land for Community Facilities, Public Recreation, Floodplains and Greenway Conservation.

0 Communitv Facilities

Community Facilities in Fleetwood Borough include the Fleetwood Area School District complex, Fleetwood Volunteer Fire Company, the Fleetwood Borough Municipal Building, a municipal parking lot, churches and cemeteries. No additional areas are proposed for community facility uses in the Borough.

0 Public Recreation

Public Recreation areas in Fleetwood Borough include Fleetwood Community Park & Pool, the Borough’s Willow Run open space and public open spaces on East Washington Street, East Locust Street and West Arch Street.

87 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint ComprehensfvePlan I A Plan for the Future

1 0 Floodplains Floodplains are shown on the Future Land Use Map where Willow Creek crosses I Borough land in two different locations. I 0 Greenwav Conservation Greenway conservation corridors are shown in Fleetwood Borough along both Maiden Creek and a tributary of Maiden Creek. (See the Parks and Recreation section of this I Plan for a description of greenways and proposed greenway corridors.) I I I I I I I I 1 1 I I I I 88

Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I A Plan for the Future I ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION PLAN 0 Public meetings and the public survey conducted as part of this planning I process confirm that most residents identifV closely with the rural environment of the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Local residents view the area’s farm- lands, wooded hillsides, creek valleys and scenic country roads as important I assets worthy of protection. As these assets are lost to development, the character of the area and its way of life are threatened. Accordingly, environmental conservation is a major goal of the Richmond Township-Fleetwood I Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan. I The Value of Open Space Open spaces serve the following essential functions, among others, in the Richmond- I Fleetwood area: 0 Maintaining adequate groundwater and preserving ground water quality, particular concerns in the village areas of Richmond that do not have public water and sewer I service.

0 Providing an important aesthetic relief from built-up locations, such as the Borough ID and rapidly developing areas along Route 222 and in Maiden Creek Township. Preserving areas of scenic beauty, such as Richmond’s prime farmland valley. ~I 0 Preserving lands that are not naturally suited for development, such as in the steep sections of northern Richmond Township.

0 Providing land for active and passive recreation, a need expressed by many I Richmond-Fleetwood area residents. I Preserving habitats for birds, fish and other wildlife. Undeveloped lands that Richmond and Fleetwood will provide for growth are described in the Land Use and Housing Plan above. The following policies will help ensure that future I development results in a minimal impact upon the region’s natural environment. I 0 Approve only development that respects the natural features of each site. Land varies greatly in the amount of development it can naturally support. Some areas, such as floodprone property and very steeply sloped land should remain completely in open I space. Other lands are physically suited for moderate or intense development. The Township and Borough should consider the following guidelines in reviewing all subdivision I and land development applications. I I 91 I Rfchmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint ComprehensfuePlan A Plan for the Future I Table 28 I GUIDELINES FOR PROTECTING IMPORTANT NATURAL FEATURES I Natural Features Potential Problems Strategies (Type & Description) If Not Protected for Protection I ’ Steep Slopes - Steep slopes of 15% 0 Difficulty of maintaining and Use special precautions during building. have 15 feet of vertical change for every snowplowing steep roads. Site houses on the most suitable land, while 100 feet of horizontal distance. Very 0 Higher costs of buildings. keeping steep slopes in open space. steep slopes of 25% rise verlidy 25 feet High rate of septic system failures. Keep natural vegetation intact I for every 100 feet. Steep slopes are Increased erosion and runoff. Enforce municipal regulations that protect steep sometimes wooded and found along Winter driving hazards from steep slopes. creek. Steep slopes are prevalent roads and driveways. Require larger lot sizes in steep areas. throughout Richmond north of Eagle Disturbance of scenic areas. 0 Limit building on steep slopes of 15% to 25% and I Road and Mine Road and along some Increased costs to extend public prohibit building on very steep slopes of 25% and portions of the Township’s southem water and sewer lines. above. boundary.

Groundwater - Groundwater is stored Polhrted groundwater. Continue to control the percentage of lots covered I underground after entering through the 0 Drywells. by buildings and paving. soil or seeping from creek. Maintaining Ensure remaining septic systems are designed and the quality of this water is important operated properly. because both private wells and public Monitor underground storage tanks for leaks. I water systems are dependent upon Avoid polluted stomwater runoff. groundwater. Residents of both Walnut- 0 Avoid high volume withdrawals of groundwater. town and Viiinvine have reported Identify areas most feasible for future public water problems with groundwater induced by and sewer. 104develoDment

Floodplains - Areas that are prone to 0 Increased flooding in other areas. Prohibit construction of new structures within the flooding indude both legally designated 0 Loss of potential public recreation 100-year floodway (which is the actual main flood floodplains and land along drainage area. channel) and along the adjacent 100-year flood- channels. Significant 100-year flood- 0 Threats to important wildlife and fringe. Prohibit construction within 50 to 100 feet plains in the area lie along the Maiden bird habitats. of the centerline of a stream (depending on stream Creek, Sacony Creek, Moselem Creek, sue) I Wdow Creek and unnamed tributaries. Seek to preserve buffers of natural vegetation immediately adjacent to creek and drainageways. Seek to preserve more land along local streams and drainageways. I

Wooded Areas - Concentrated areas of 0 Increased surface temperatures Restrict cutting of trees during building to the mature tree growth are found 0 Loss of important bird and building envelope and immediately adjacent areas. throughout the region’s steeply sloped wildlife habitats. Seek to presewe tree stands in public or private I lands noted above and in other scattered 0 Loss of hunting areas. open space. 0 Loss of air purification. Seek replanting of trees that must be cut down. 0 Increased erosion and runoff. Loss of scenic resources. I 0 Noise and incompatible development may become more noticeable. I Shallow Depth to Bedrock - Areas Higher construction costs Avoid building in these areas. with shallow soils and bedrock dose to the surface are frequently found in steeply sloped locations. I I I 92 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I A Plan for the Future

m Natural Features Potential Problems Strategies (Type & Description) If Not Protected for Protection I GeeksPrainaaewavs - Wiow Creek, Loss of potential’publicrecreation Prevent soil erosion to avoid sedimentation of Moselem Creek and the Saucony Creek areas. creeks and drainageways. form sub drainage basins in the 0 Threats to important bird, fish Consider areas along creeks and drainageways for I Ridunond-Fleehvood area, each of and wildlife habitats. public greenways. which drains into the Maiden Creek 0 Increased erosion and flooding. Prevent runoff from polluting creeks and drainageways with pesticides, grease and industrial wastes. I Prevent runoff that is heated by parking lots in ,the summer to protect aquatic life. Require buildings and paving to be setback from creek banks and significant drainageways. I Control the peak rates of stormwater runoff from development to avoid increased flooding.

Natural Drainage Channels - Smaller 0 Increased flooding. Preserve adequate width along channels in open I natural channels that cany stonnwater to Erosion of soil. space. local creeks during heavy storms exist Prevent erosion. throuahout the reaion.

Hydric Soils - Hydric soils, often 0 Flooded basements. Continue to enforce local, state and federal I located in the region’s wetland areas, Disturbance of natural drainage wetland regulations. have a shallow depth to the seasonally and groundwater recharge. Place on-lot septic system and buildings outside high water table. Poor foundation stability. these areas. Failed on-lot septic system. Waterproof basements of existing buildings. ~I Carefully design all facilities. I’

ID Clarify and strengthen the Richmond Township zoning regulations that protect steep slopes.

I Richmond Township amended its zoning ordinance in 1995 to add section 512 on protecting steep slopes. Section 512 stipulates a maximum percentage of a lot that can be disturbed I based on the steepness of the slopes present on that lot. For instance, no more than 10% of a lot can be disturbed if a lot contains slopes 25% or greater. These regulations need to be clarified so that the provisions limiting disturbance refer specifically to disturbance on the I sloped portions of the lot and not disturbance on the flat portions of the lot. The regulations should direct construction activities to flatter lands and not penalize a developer who I proposes to include slopes within portions of a lot that will remain undisturbed. In the case of newly created lots, Richmond should also consider increasing minimum lot sizes where a developer proposes construction activities on steep slopes. Minimum lot size I should be increased by 50% where homes or driveways are to be placed on 15% to 25% slopes. Minimum lot size should be doubled if a developer proposes to disturb slopes that exceed 25% grade. These penalties will encourage builders to confine construction activities I to those areas most physically suited for development. I I 93 I Richmond Township - Fieetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Pian A Pion for the Future I

0 Adopt zoning regulations to protect wooded areas. I Fleetwood Borough has very few remaining woodlands. However, Richmond Township could better protect its vast wooded areas by adopting the zoning regulations to require I developers to prove that tree cutting will be minimized. For example, as part of new development, trees could be removed under any of the following conditions: I a. is located within ten (10’)of an uncurbed vehicular cartway b. is within a proposes or existing vehicular cartway, shoulder or sidewalk c. is within ten (10’)of an approved stormwater detention basin, paved area, driveway I or on-lot sewage system d. is within twenty-five (25’) feet of the foundation of an approved structure e. is within an approved utility corridor I f. is dead or poses a clear danger to a structure, utility or public improvement g. is a hazard to vehicular sight distance h. is within an area of an approved principal or accessory use structure I i. is necessary to allow longer rows for crop farming

Protection of Trees Durina Construction - Reasonable efforts shall be taken during any I construction to ensure that trees are not accidently injured or their roots compacted by equipment, materials or change in grade level. Trees that were required to be preserved and that were destroyed or severely injured shall be replaced by the developer with mature trees I of the closest trunk width available.

0 Adopt stream corridor protection zoning regulations. I

Both Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough have floodplain zoning regulations designed to limit property damage from flooding. Stream corridor protection measures go I beyond floodplain regulations in that they help stabilize stream banks, control sediment that might reach the stieam, control nutrients that might pollute the stream, protect wildlife habitats and help control stream temperatures. Floodplain zoning regulates construction but I does not limit paving. The Borough and Township should adopt a stream corridor protection ordinance that prohibits soil disturbance of any kind within a specific distance (such as I 50 feet) of all stream banks, or stream centerlines in the case of a very narrow stream.

0 Continue promoting conservation easements as a less expensive open space I protection method than fee simple acquisition. Buying the land outright is the most direct way to ensure a property is preserved in open I space. Conservation easements are an alternative where acquisition is not feasible. Conser- vation easements convey certain rights in property short of full ownership, such as the right to develop the land. Conservation easements can be used to allow private owners to contin- I ue to own and use their land, while selling or donating the rights to develop it. The land can then be maintained without public expense. Easements cost significantly less than fee-simple purchase. Berks County has purchased the development rights to seven Richmond Town- I ship farms with the assistance of State funding. The American Farmland Trust, a private, nonprofit group, has acquired the development rights to one farm in the Township. I 94 I 1-j 1-j ...... -.*.*...*.>:.>:.:. .. EASEMENTS PURCHASED BY COUNTY EASEMENT PURCHASED BY AMERICAN FARMLAND TRUST

Source: Berks County Planning Commission

RICHMOND T0W"Ip / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 0 600 1500 3000 6000 SCALE: 1 *' =3000' BERgsCOUNTY * PENNSYLV- Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future I

Richmond Township and local landowners should continue working with Berks County and private land trusts to preserve farmland and other open spaces in the Richmond-Fleetwood I area.

Use a variety ofzoning techniques to set aside open space areas in subdivisions I and land developments.

Buying land outright and acquiring development easements are each effective methods of I preserving open space. Where these options are not available, zoning regulations and subdivision and land development regulations can be used to establish permanent open spaces on tracts of land being developed. The resulting open space can be preserved in I public ownership, private ownership or by a semi-publicorganization, such as an association of adjacent homeowners. The difference is how much access the general public has to the I preserved open space. The following is a summary of important ways to preserve open space through zoning regulations and subdivision and land development regulations. In preserving open space, the municipality should also be looking for opportunities to I establish contiguous open space on contiguous tracts. Clustering - Clustering is recommended for low density, rural, conservation and agricultural D areas. Clustering permits developers to create somewhat smaller lots in return for preserving a percentage of the original tract in open space. Clustering also groups building lots together allowing shorter streets and utility lines, less costly construction and the preservation I of open space. The open space created in cluster developments in the Richmond-Fleetwood area should remain natural and strive to contain the site’s sensitive natural features. The developer would dedicate the land to either the municipality, Berks County Conservancy, I or a homeowners association. In residential subdivisions of 50 acres or larger, Richmond’s zoning ordinance currently permits developers to reduce lot sizes by 50% in exchange for 20% of the tract being permanently preserved. I

The Land Use and Housing Plan described in the previous section of this Plan recommends ways to refine the use of clustering in the Township. Richmond may also wish to consider I mandating clustering or providing additional incentives for developers to choose clustering instead of traditional development. Permitting smaller lot sizes may not be a sufficient inducement to cluster; a density bonus may be necessary. Instead of allowing just smaller I lots, the Township should also consider allowing more lots for developers who cluster. I Slidins Scale - Richmond Township currently uses sliding scale zoning in an effective manner to preserve farmland. In sliding scale zoning, a maximum number of homes is permitted on . a tract based on tract size. However, this maximum number does not increase in direct 1 proportion to tract size. In Richmond, for example, no more than 20 homes can ever be built on a tract in the sliding scale zoning district regardless of how large the tract may be. Richmond should continue to use this strong and effective open space preservation I technique. I I 96 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint ComprehensfuePlan I A Plan for the Future

Densitv Transfer - Density transfer should be an option available to property owners and I developers. Density transfer involves the right to develop a certain number of additional homes beyond that permitted by underlying zoning if development rights are purchased from I another landowner, usually a landowner in a rural or conservation area. Density transfer compensates landowners for relinquishing some or all of their development rights and selling these rights to landowners in areas that have adequate public water and sewer service I available to accommodate additional density. Density transfer also reduces the potential for conflicts between farmers and home owners by helping to keep residential subdivisions out of agricultural areas. The northern sector of Richmond and the Township's agricultural I zoning district would be ideal "sending areas" from which development rights could be transferred. However, Richmond does not now have suitable ''receiving areas" with the I necessary public water and sewer service to accommodate additional densities. Mandatorv Dedication - Municipalities can use subdivision and land development regulations to require that residential developers donate land (or fees in lieu of land) for recreation. This I preserved recreation land would also have open space value. Richmond Township's current mandatory dedication provisions, as contained in Section 509.1 of the Richmond Township Subdivision Regulations are generalized and apply only to mobile home parks, single family I developments with over 50 homes units and town house/multi-family projects that have over 20 units or a density of 4 units per acre. See the Parks and Recreation section of this Plan I for recommendations on revising the Township's mandatory dedication requirements. 0 Encourage developers to use neighborhood design standards in conjunction with I cluster development. Richmond and Fleetwood should encourage developers to design single-family cluster I subdivisions that ensure the following: 0 Adequate contiguous open space exists to have a noticeable impact. I 0 Views from the road include open space rather than only homes and driveways 0 A site's features such as topography, vegetation and views are carefully considered in deciding how and where open space and homes are located. I 0 Subdivisions have no more than 25 dwellings. 0 Open space is provided within the neighborhood for groups of 10 or more dwellings. Setbacks are established between neighborhoods and from certain site features such as I roads, croplands and floodplains. The following additional guidelines should be considered on how best to design and locate I residential structures, adjacent open space and complementary landscaping. The guidelines are divided into four topics: site planning, architecture, landscape architecture and signage. All four sections should be used together when planning and reviewing new development I proposals in Richmond and Fleetwood. I I 97 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I A Plan for the Future Site Planning I Orient uses to minimize objectionable views, such as service areas and the backs of buildings, from roadways and from scenic overlooks, Match scale and character of buildings and other uses to the scale and character of the I site and the surrounding environs, 0 Maximize joint use driveways, 0 Minimize impervious cover, I Provide scenic overlooks whenever possible, Provide landscaping, along the perimeter of parking areas, 0 Place utilities underground, I Minimize the grading by the use of retaining walls, building orientation and running with contours, 0 Avoid placing buildings on cleared ridgelines to protect views, and I Use curved driveways when developing in wooded areas to obscure the view of the house from the road. I Architecture

0 Minimize the height of the proposed structure, especially on ridgelines and in very visible I locations, 0 Reduce the building mass by breaking up the building into smaller components, 0 Use indigenous building materials, such as stone, I 0 Use compatible, earth tone colors that blend with the existing environment, 0 Design structures to fit the topography rather than excessively grading the site, and 0 Use pitched roof design features. I Landscape Architecture I Minimize removal of existing trees, especially on ridgelines, Establish vegetative buffers adjacent to roadways, 0 Screen objectionable views, I Maximize parking lot landscaping, and 0 Use indigenous plant materials. I Signage 0 Use materials that are compatible with the proposed or existing buildings and landscape I elements, Locate signs on the building in consistent sign bands, 0 Group signs on one sign structure, I Avoid bright colors and internally illuminated signs, Minimize temporary signs, and Use consistent typography on signs. I I I 98 I Rlchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensiue Plan I A Plan for the Future

0 Amend each municipality’s subdivision and land development ordinance to I require developers to use the following four steps towards better subdivision I design. Typically, a developer is concerned with the number of lots that can be provided on a single tract of land, placement of homes, and the layout of roads. Although steep slopes, I floodplains and wetlands are usually noted on the site plans, little consideration is sometimes given to other elements like a grand oak tree, a wildflower meadow or an old apple orchard, features that can be preserved to symbolize the rural character of an area. By conducting I a more intensive analysis of the site, developers should be able to achieve adequate densities without sacrificing rural character. I The following four steps are an effective sequential approach towards more conservation- oriented design.

I 1. Identify Primary and Secondary Conservation Areas - First, identify primary conservation areas such as sensitive natural areas: steep slopes over 25%) 100-year floodplains, streams and their buffers, and habitats of rare, threatened and I endangered species. Other conservation areas may include scenic views, locally important vegetation, unique geologic features and wet soils among other areas. I 2. Identify Locations for Development - Next, locate potential development areas which include the remaining land left over after the primary and secondary conservation areas are identified. Carefully consider siting new homes with views of the open I space areas. Reduce the lot sizes to accommodate for the number of homes that would have been originally provided under conventional development. 3. Layout Roads and Trails - Show a road alignment that would most efficiently access I all new homes. Also consider developing trails that could link residents with each other and with the open space areas. I 4. Delineate Lot Lines - The final step involves delineating the boundaries of each lot, a step often done first in traditional design. I I I I I I 99 ~I Rfchmond Townshfp - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt ComprehensfvePlan A Plan for the Future I AGRICULTURAL PRESERVATION PLAN I 0 Agriculture is critically important to the economy and lifestyle of the Richmond-Fleetwood area. Richmond Township has established strong agricultural zoning regulations, formed an agricultural security district and I facilitated acquisition of farmland development rights in an e$ort to preserve the region’s viable agricultural industry. Though some change is inevitable, I preserving viable and productive farms along with the area’s rural and agricultural landscape is another major goal of this comprehensive plan. E$ec- tive agricultural zoning is the single most important agricultural preservation I technique that a municipality can implement. The following are additional recommendations on how to preserve a rural atmosphere in the region and help maintain a viable local agricultural industry. I Encourage businesses which utilize local farm produce and products. Making farming profitable will be key to encouraging the conservation of agriculture and the rural I character of the surrounding area. Maintain effective agricultural zoning within the agricultural areas shown on the I Township’s Future Land Use Plan. Utilize a combination of sliding scale zoning and density transfer. Ensure ordinances protect and do not hinder agricultural uses within agricultural, I conservation and other rural land use areas. 0 Encourage and aid the purchase of development rights and donation of conservation I easements by working closely with the local land owners, the Berks County Planning Commission, the Berks County Agricultural Land Preservation Board, the Berks County Conservancy and similar groups. I 0 Continue to encourage property owners to voluntarily join Richmond’s Agricultural Security Area. I 0 Prevent centralized water and sewage service from entering areas envisioned for farming and conservation. I 0 Ensure the area’s Congressman, State Senator and State Representative are well aware of local residents’ views on legislative proposals that affect farming. Provide additional setback and buffer requirements for residential subdivisions constructed I adjacent to active farms. This will help reduce conflicts between farrns and adjacent residential areas. I Continue to support farm service organizations including the Farm Service Agency (FSA), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Berks County Conservation District, Rural Economic and Community Development Services (RECDS),Berks County Coopera- I tive Extension Service, 4-H,Granges, Farmers Associations and other such organizations in Berks County. I I 100 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I A Plan for the Future

Permit a reasonable variety of farm-based businesses on larger tracts of land, provided I these farm-based businesses are not large volume, heavy traffic generating uses. These businesses can offer important supplemental sources of income to farmers.

I Encourage local businesses to use local farm products. 1 I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I 101 I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan .for the Future

COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES PLAN

0 Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough each provide or help to provide a variety of community-related services and facilities to their residents. These include: - Municipal Buildings - Emergency Management (police,fire and rescue) - Public Water and Sewer Service - Education

Changing needs and rising costs challenge the two municipalities’ ability to deliver basic services without increasing taxes. Cost-eflective management, some improvements and continued eflorts to foster more regional cooperation will be necessary in the future to maintain the eficient delivery of community services to which local residents are accustomed. The following recommendations are proposed to help coordinate the continued eflciency and selected expansion of community services and facilities in Richmond and Fleetwood.

Municipal Buildings

0 Seek additional tenants for the Fleetwood Community Services Center, which contains the Borough’s administrative offices and police station. Ideally, new tenants would be public- oriented uses that complement the existing occupants. Rent-paying, private office tenants are also acceptable.

0 Continue to maintain the Richmond Township municipal building and garage. Richmond’s municipal building is a relatively new structure that does not currently need any significant renovations or expansion. The Township is currently replacing the building’s roof. Similar maintenance will be required in the future.

Police, Fire and Rescue

Continue to support Richmond and Fleetwood’s regional police force, the oldest joint police department in Pennsylvania. The Department should continue to evaluate the need for an additional full-time police officer and carefully monitor the value of its new Drug Awareness and Resistance Education (DARE) program.

0 Maintain financial contributions for local fire protection and rescue services. The area’s local volunteer fire companies in Fleetwood, Walnuttown and Virginville also need to continue cooperating among themselves to provide the most responsive and efficient emergency service to the Richmond-Fleetwood region.

102 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt ComprehensfuePlan I A Plan for the Future I Public Water and Sewer Service a Ensure the Township and Borough fully cooperate to analyze how to implement selective public water and sewer extensions from Fleetwood Borough into Richmond Township. I Both municipalities should have a voice in formulating regional water and sewer policies to avoid incremental, unplanned infrastructure extensions that may conflict with local and I regional land use planning goals. a Prepare separate Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plans for Richmond Township and Fleetwood I Borough in cooperation with each other to: - determine recommended service areas, with special emphasis on the need to address reported health hazards in Virginville and Walnuttown from septic tank I failures - consider alternative sewage disposal methods such a spray irrigation - estimate capital and operating costs I - identify various cost sharing formulas for desired improvements. - evaluate potential funding sources, such as Pennvest, the Community Facilities Program and other state assistance I a Determine the most efficient manner of extending public water service where needed from the Borough to the Township. The need for a bulk water purchase agreement and other basic financial and organizational questions will need to be analyzed before service ~ I extensions can be initiated. a Participate in ongoing monitoring of local groundwater quality through the new authority, ~I particularly in the Virginville and Walnuttown areas.

I Education

Continue coordinating with the Fleetwood Area School District on construction of the new I regional high school and the proposed grade realignments at the District’s existing school buildings. In addition to the School Board, The existing citizen advisory group that helped plan the new high school should continue to participate in related educational decisions. I The Richmond Township Planning Commission and the Fleetwood Borough Planning Commission should monitor the progress of site development and construction, including 11 any new indoor or outdoor recreation facilities that may become available for community use. Ask the Fleetwood Area School District to better communicate its need for enhanced I revenues through business development to the residents of Richmond Township, Fleet- wood Borough and Maiden Creek Township. Richmond Township, in particular, is reluctant to designate productive farmland for business development without additional I coordination with the School District and Maiden Creek Township, the source of most new demand for educational services in the Fleetwood Area School District. The School Board regularly meets twice per month; public comment is welcome.

103 Rfchmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future I

~ HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN I 0 The buildings and other structures that are remnants of the area’s heritage and early development are prevalent throughout Richmond and Fleetwood. Local history and culture, as described in the Background section, are a I source of local pride in both municipalities. Conserving historic structures, sites and landscapes is an important goal of this comprehensive plan. I Preserving the Historic Environment I Five properties located in the Township are on the National Register of Historic Places. These are sites that are formally certified as having national historic significance. Many other National Register eligible sites, locally important sites and concentrations of historic buildings I were located within the Borough and Township. The following recommendations are intended to help preserve historic resources and conserve the rural and village qualities of Richmond and Fleetwood without creating a formal historic district. I Compile a more complete inventory of historic resources in the Borough and Township. This research can then be used to seek official recognition of additional historic structures I in the two municipalities. Investigate the availability of funds to create an historic facade improvement program consisting of matching grants and/or low interest loans. Non-profit groups, government I and local banks make good partners and may offer financial help for this worthy program. Encourage historic facade easements to preserve key historic structures in the same way I that agricultural preservation easements have been promoted and implemented. Participate in Pennsylvania’s Blue Marker Program. The Pennsylvania Historic Museum I Commission will fund Blue Markers that describe sites of regional or state significance. Areas of strictly local importance are commemorated at local expense. Establish special sign requirements in each municipality to complement and enhance the I area’s historic character. Zoning regulations can be established that restrict signs that are overly large, internally lit, constructed of plastic or cover unique architectural features. Modest sized wood signs that are scaled to pedestrians would be encouraged. I Install historic style welcome signs at key gateways to the Borough and the Township. These signs will heighten awareness of the area’s history and enhance the community 1 pride in the Township and Borough. Make productive use of historic buildings to ensure their proper maintenance, while being I sensitive to the architectural characteristics of the exterior of the building and site. Work within the two municipalities to create a concise design guidelines pamphlet to educate the public so they may voluntarily make the right design-related decisions. Such I a pamphlet could be easily distributed to local residents. Avoid demolishing buildings which contribute to the area’s historic small town charm. I I 104 I .i,r 1 " ! .,. . .I

Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I A Plan for the Future

0 Encourage developers of new homes to reflect the scale, proportions, spacing, setbacks I and materials traditionally found in the Richmond-Fleetwood area.

0 Reflect the historic qualities of the area in future public improvements such as sidewalks and lighting, particularly in downtown Fleetwood and Virginville.

Historic Form

The Richmond-Fleetwood area's historic value extends beyond historic structures. The area's countryside, villages and Borough are examples of an historic farm-to-town development pattern no longer prevalent in most areas. The land use, agricultural preservation and open space conservation recommendations contained elsewhere in this comprehensive plan are designed to act in concert with suggested historic preservation initiatives to help preserve the area's historic development pattern.

105 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future I PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN I 0 This section is intended to serve as the oflcial recreation plan for Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough in conjunction with the inventory and needs analysis in the Background Report part of this plan. It provides the I basis under the Pennsylvania Planning Code (Act 247, as amended) for Richmond and Fleetwood to require residential developers to donate either land or fees for recreation. Recommendations in this section are designed I to help accomplish the following objectives: I - Expand local recreation programming. - Establish more parkland in appropriate locations. - Improve recreation facilities available in local parks. I - Enhance administration of the area’s parks and recreation functions. - Improve maintenance and safety at local parks. - Conserve vital greenway segments. I

Recreation Lands and Facilities I

0 Acquire land to establish a Township-owned community park in Richmond Township near the recreation facilities at the Richmond Elementary School. I

0 Require area athletic associations to wholly or jointly fund construction of any athletic fields in the new community park. (No field lighting should be planned for this location I without specific discussion.)

0 Formally evaluate the need and projected cost to expand the capacity of Fleetwood I Borough’s municipal swimming pool. I Recreation Maintenance 1 0 Require area athletic associations to participate in maintaining the new community park, particularly any athletic fields. I 0 Continue conducting regular safety inspections at existing Borough parks and become familiar with the U.S.Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Plavcround Safetv. I 0 Be aware of the Borough’s obligations at existing recreation areas under the Americans With Disabilities Act. I I I 106 I Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt ComprehensfuePlan A Plan .for the Future I Recreation Finance Amend the Richmond Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to require residential developers to donate land or fees in lieu of land for recreation.

0 Amend the Fleetwood Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to revise and strengthen the Borough’s mandatory dedication regulations so that fees can be substituted for land and the regulations apply to all residential subdivisions and land developments.

(See the appendix for specifics on mandato y dedication.)

Apply for a 50% matching grant to acquire community parkland in Richmond Township under the Pennsylvania Keystone Recreation and Park Fund program.

Recreation Programs

0 Support the continuation and expansion of existing recreation programs, particularly Fleetwood Borough’s summer recreation program managed by the YMCA.

Recreation Administration

Establish permanent duties and responsibilities for the committee that Richmond Township created to search for a potential community park site (The Richmond Township Recreation Committee).

Greenways

0 Work with Berks County, local conservation groups and local landowners to help establish the following greenways: - a regional greenway along abandoned rail lines paralleling the Maiden Creek between Virginville and Lake Ontelaunee. - a local greenway along a tributary of Willow Creek that connects the public school complex with residential areas in Fleetwood Borough and Maiden Creek Township. - a local greenway along Willow Creek that connects Willow Park with residential areas in Fleetwood Borough and Maiden Creek Township.

0 Use a combination of the following techniques other than fee simple acquisition to establish rights-of-way for greenway corridors: - conservation and access easements - stream setback regulations - donation or mandatory dedication

107 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint ComprehensfvePlan I A Plan .for the Future TRANSPORTATION PLAN I Transportation in Richmond and Fleetwood refers mainly to vehicular circulation since the area has no regular bus or passenger rail service. Recommendations in this section aim to maintain traflc safety and improve I circulation, particularly in and around Fleetwood. Encouragement is also given to promoting paratransit service, walking and bicycling. I

Streets and Highways I Prepare a prioritized programs for road repaving and reconstruction in the Township and in the Borough instead of responding to these needs on an emergency, as-needed basis I only.

Use the highway design guidelines contained in the Berks County Comprehensive Plan, I as shown below when planning and reviewing new roads or road improvements.

Table 29 1 HIGHWAY FUNCTIONAL CLASS1FI CAT1 ONS AND RECOMMENDED DESIGN FEATURES I

General Right- f-Way Cartway Classification Provisions Width (Feet) Width I Arterial - 35-55MPH* 80 - 48-52 feet - Some access controls to and from adjacent - 12 wide travel lanes with development shoulders in rural area - Encourage use of reverse and side street frontage and curbing in urban I and parallel access roads areas - No parking

~ Collector - 25-35MPH 60 - 34-40 feet 1 - Some access controls to and from adjacent 12 wide travel lanes with development 1 - stabilized shoulden or - Parking permitted on one or both sides curbing - 8 wide lanes provided for I parking

~~~ ~ Local - 15-35MPH 50 - 28-34feet with stabilized - No access control to and from adjacent shoulders or curbing I development - Cartway widths can be - Parking permitted on one or both sides reduced based on interior traffic oattems I’ I I *35 MPH in Fleetwood SOURCE: Berks County Planning Commission 1 I I 108 I Rfchmond Townshfp- FZeetwood Borough Joint ComprehensfwPlan I A Plan for the Future

~~ ~~ 1 Traffic in and Around Fleetwood Borough Conduct a formal analysis of the need for a traffic signal at Main Street and Franklin I Street from traffic and accident standpoints. Require trucks to use either Poplar Street or West Locust Street instead of Main Street to travel between Richmond Street and Franklin; reintroduce two-way traffic on South I Franklin between Locust Street and Main Street to permit this relief route to work in both directions. I Analyze the long range feasibility of a Fleetwood Bypass that would connect Fleetwood- Lyons Road with North Franklin Street north of the Fleetwood-Richmond boundary. The bypass would extend from a point east of the Arch Street/Fleetwood-Lyons Road I intersection through undeveloped farmland, across Vine Street and intersect with North Franklin Street in Richmond Township just north of Fleetwood Borough. This recommendation is a long range proposal unlikely to be funded by PennDOT in the I immediate future. However, reserving right of way should be a consideration in reviewing future proposals to develop any part of the proposed corridor. Long range planning for 'I constructing a bypass of this magnitude should begin with this comprehensive plan and be refined in any subsequent planning efforts that involve this part of the Richmond- I Fleetwood area. I Traffic in Richmond Township Use the following techniques to maintain and enhance traffic safety along the Route 222 corridor: I - Limit direct highway access wherever feasible by using common entrances to adjacent business properties rather than multiple driveway cuts. I - Control the size and location of signs to preserve vision triangles. - Require additional setbacks and appropriate landscaping along the highway to reduce highway noise and distractions to motorists. I - Align driveways on opposite sides of the highway wherever possible instead of allowing staggered access points within close proximity of each other.

0 Allow narrower roads without curbing in certain low density, rural areas to avoid I overdesign of roads and preserve rural character.

0 Preserve enough right-of-way along the Route 222 corridor to permit widening of the road I in the future. Increased setbacks along the Route 222 corridor and dedicating rights-of- way from future developers will each be helpful in this regard. 1 Public Transit

I 0 Promote awareness about BARTA door-to-door van service for people that are physically not able to use regular BARTA service. I I 109 Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint ComprehensfuePlan A Plan for the Future I

0 Encourage special private bus service to employment centers, recreation nodes and popular shopping areas. I

Pedestrian and Bicycle Access I

0 Begin a phased sidewalk replacement program Fleetwood Borough starting with the I areas most in need. Strive to establish pedestrian and bike trails along the three greenway corridors proposed I above. I I I I I I I I I I I I I 110 I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I PROPOSED TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT I AND MAJOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS 1 I I I RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN BERKSCOUNTY e PENNSYLVANIA fl uRBANRBsBARcB&DBvEuD~coRpoRATm I UilDC --- Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Joint ComprehensfuePlan A Plan for the Future I ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTDOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION PLAN I 0 Recommended land use policies in Richmond and Fleetwood are based on the concept of preserving the area's overall environment and quality of life. Within this context, local planning should support the area's economy and I the growth of local business. New jobs and enhanced tax revenues from business development and farming are important ingredients in a healthy local economy. A variety of industry, commerce, service-oriented businesses 1 and agriculture is important for establishing and maintaining a strong job base within the region. I This Economic DevelopmentlDowntown Revitalization Plan addresses business development in the Richmond-Fleetwood region but focuses on I actions the Borough can take, in conjunction with the local business community, to help revitalize the appearance and function of downtown Fleetwood. The emphasis is on helping to create an improved setting for new I business investment and the expansion of existing businesses. I Regional Business Development -

Ensure the organizational and planning resources are in place to extend public water and I sewer service to existing businesses and prospective investors located within designated service areas who want service. I Initiate a marketing effort, perhaps through the Kutztown Chamber of Commerce, that will concentrate more promotional resources on the Richmond-Fleetwood area. I Downtown Fleetwood Revitalization I Establish Main Street between Franklin Street and Richmond Street as a Town Center Improvements Target Area (see accompanying map). I Create a Downtown Improvements Committee to oversee design and construction of the following physical improvements in the designated Target Area: I - Plant street trees and other landscaping enhancements - Replace sidewalks I - Place utility wires underground - Add other streetscape elements such as planters, benches, trash receptacles - Add directional signs to available off-street parking I - Replace outdated "Welcome to Fleetwood'' signs at the municipal borders with new "Welcome to Downtown Fleetwood" signs at the edges of the central business district. - Work with State funding entities and loca1,banks to create a Facade Improvements I program that offers grants and low-interest loans for private facade improvements I 112 I Richmond Townshlp - Fleetwood Borough Jolnt Comprehensive Plan A Plan .for the Future I - Amend the Borough Zoning Ordinance to strengthen existing sign regulations Use the following voluntary design guidelines to encourage the type of building I improvements that will retain and enhance the architectural integrity of Fleetwood: 0 Use construction materials, architectural details and paint colors that complement I rather than conflict with, the predominant patterns in the Borough. 0 Avoid covering historic wood, brick or stone buildings with vinyl siding, aluminum siding or false fronts 0 Minimize historically inappropriate alterations to building features such as rooflines, windows, columns, cornices and doorways, among others. Emphasize the human scale in buildings by avoiding oversized, single-pane windows, I large blank walls, flat invisible roofs and other features that do not relate to pedestrians and other building users. Use common building features such as awnings, other detailing and unity of color to tie together various building elements.

- Use the following do’s and don’ts to distinguish creative design from unappealing development based on the use of signs, lighting, road access, parking, pedestrian circulation, utilities and other amenities.

I Signs

0 Locate signs wherever possible on buildings; avoid off-site billboards, portable signs I and other freestanding signs. 0 Situate any freestanding signs against a backdrop of vegetation or a building to soften their impact and avoid interrupting a distant view. 0 Group signs on one structure in the case of a multi-tenant development. 0 Use consistent typography or a design theme to link building signs in multi-tenant developments. 0 Limit the number of signs on a building to one or two to avoid visual clutter. 0 Avoid using bright colors and garish designs on signs. 0 Choose externally lit signs instead of internally lit signs. 0 Use white light on externally lit signs and obscure the source of the light with shrubbery and other vegetation. 0 Use wooden signs rather than plastic signs where feasible to ensure the sign is compatible with the building upon which it is placed. 0 Place all signs to avoid obscuring significant building features such as windows, cornices and other decorative elements. 0 Avoid signs that project above the roof of a building.

Lighting

0 Use light standards or poles that are a maximum of 15 feet tall or shorter than surrounding tree heights to avoid casting shadows over trees and creating unsafe areas.

113 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensiue Plan A Plan for the Future I

Choose light poles and fixtures whose design, materials and colors are compatible with the surrounding areas, such as historically appropriate styles. I Use shielded lights to ensure that illumination-from overhead lights is directed sufficiently downward and does not shine on adjacent properties or roads. 0 Position lights so that no more than one-half foot candles of light exists at the point I midway between adjacent light standards. I Road Access and Parking I Establish shared entrances to roadside development sites instead of multiple curb cuts that permit several adjoining properties to each have their own direct road access. Locate parking areas to the side or behind buildings rather than in front. I Use landscape buffering along the perimeter of parking areas to separate them from roadways and other parts of a site. Install landscape buffers within large parking lots to direct circulation and provide I visual relief from large expanses of parking. Use planted medians to signify and narrow parking lot entrances rather than constructing wide, unlandscaped entrances. I Consider gravel or other pervious materials in parking lots rather than paved surfaces in rural settings to allow some recharge of groundwater. I Pedestrian Circulation I 0 Construct safe, functional sidewalks that are handicapped-accessible between buildings and adjacent parking areas. 0 Link internal circulation paths with existing public sidewalks. I 0 To allow wheelchair access, use hard surface materials for pedestrian circulation paths such as concrete, interlocking pavers, brick or asphalt instead of gravel or stepping stones. I

Utilities and Other Amenities 1 Bury utility lines underground wherever possible; place them behind buildings or in I back of roadside vegetation where they cannot be buried. Locate delivery areas, service bays and outdoor storage at the rear or side of a building. I Place trash dumpsters at the rear of a building or heavily screen them from view using brick walls or wood fencing. Position air conditioning units, satellite dishes and other building equipment at ground I level to the rear of a site rather than on the roof of a building. Construct fencing as low as possible, make it open instead of opaque and build it of wood, ornamental iron, brick or fieldstone rather than metal, plywood or concrete. I I 114 I 1 "WOOD BOROUGH TOWN CENTER IMPROVEMENTS PLAN I

1 0 80 zoo 400 800 I SCALE: 1 *' =400' I I I I I 1 I I 5UGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS

I Plant Street Trees Place Utilities Underground Replace Sidewalks I Enhance Public 6 Private Signage IMMEDIATE TARGET AREA Add Other Streetscape Elements I ...... Install New Street Lighting ...... LONGER RANGE TARGET AREA Improve Facades I I RICHMOND TOWNSHIP / FLEETWOOD BOROUGH JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

BERKSCOUNTY PENNSYLVANIA Rfchmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan A Plan for the Future I ENERGY CONSERVATION PLAN I In both Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough, it is important to recognize the need to conserve energy and preserve non-renewable resources. The two municipalities should I encourage developers to utilize the following techniques:

0 Site homes on an east-west axis to maximize solar access and minimize heating costs. I 0 Use landforms such as steep slopes to deflect winter winds. 0 Site homes on south and southeast facing slopes, with large windows on southern 1 exposures, to maximize solar heating.

0 Orient unheated buildings (such as detached garages) to buffer heated buildings (such as homes) from winter winds. I 0 Use darker colors to absorb more radiant energy from the sun. I 0 Use summer awnings to shade windows.

0 Favor deciduous trees over evergreens, especially on southern exposures, to provide more shade in summer and more sun in winter. Use evergreens adjacent to northern exposures I and other areas where winter winds should be buffered.

These techniques respect the two basic principles of energy conservation: proper orientation I to the sun and protection from the extremes of summer and winter weather. Municipal officials in both Richmond Township and Fleetwood borough can save energy by monitoring municipal operations. The municipalities should investigate updating heating, ventilating, I indoor lighting and any outdoor street lighting systems and building insulation to determine whether it would be cost-effective over the long-run by increasing energy efficiency. Drivers of municipal vehicles should be instructed on methods that can be used to reduce fuel I consumption. I I 1 I I i I 116 1 I

I , I I 1 I I I I I ACTION PROGRAM I I I I I I I I I Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Action Pro-gram I ACTION PROGRAM The Action Program includes a prioritized summary of this Comprehensive Plan’s recommendations. A responsible party is identified to oversee the I implementation of each recommendation. The Action Program also describes how recommendations can be implemented through regulatory ordinances, capital improvements programming and other actions by each municipality’s I planning commission and governing body. I Table 30 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS I Richmond Township-Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan SHORI=RANGE LONGER-RANGE PRIMARY RECOMMENDATION IMMEDIATE (2nd through (5th Year RESPONSIBLE I (1st Year) 4th Year) and Beyond) PAI7l-Y

1. Revise Township and Borough Zoning Ordinances to X Township and Borough I reflect future land use plan. planning commissions 2. Revise Township and Borough subdivision and land X Township and Borough development ordinances to reflect future land use plan. planning commissions

~~ I 3. Review and update this comprehensive plan. Township and Borough planning commissions

1 1. Amend Township zoning ordinance to strengthen X Township planning protection of steep slopes, wooded areas and stream commission corridor protection. I 2. Continue promoting conservation easements. ongoing Township planning commission, Local conservation organizations 3. Encourage a variety of zoning techniques to preserve ongoing Township planning commission I open space in subdivisions and land developments. 4. Encourage developers to use neighborhood design ongoing Township planning commission standards. I 5. Amend Township and Borough subdivision and land X Township and Borough development ordinances to require developers to use planning commissions E letter subdivision design procedures. 1. Encourage businesses which utilize local farm products. ongoing AU municipal official, business leaders and Berks Co. Chamber I of Commerce 2. Maintain effective agricultural zoning withii the X Township planning commission Township. 3. Ensure ordinance’s protect and do not hinder agricul- ongoing Township planning commission 1 tural uses. I I 4. Encourage the purchase of development rights and ongoing Township planning commission, donation of conservation easements. Berks Co. Planning Commission, I Berks Co. Agricultural Land Preservation Board & Berks Co. I Conservancv I 117 Rfchmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan Action Prosram

II I I SHORT-RANGE I LONGER-RANGE PRIMARY RECOMMENDATION IMMEDIATE I (2ndthrough (5th Year RESPONSIBLE I1 (1st Year) 4th Year) I and Beyond) PARPI 5. Continue to encourage property owners to voluntarily ongoing Township planning commission, join Ridunond’s Agricultural Security Area Berks Co. Planning Commission, Berkr Co. Agridtural Land Preservation Board & Berks Co. Conservancy

6. Exdude centml sewer and water senrice from fanning ongoing Township and Borough planning and conservation areas. commissions, Fleetwood Borough Water Dept, Fleetwood Borough Sewer Authority

7. Amend Township zoning ordinance to mandate addi- Township planning commission tional setbacks and buffers for residential subdivisions adjacent to farms. 8. Permit a reasonable variety of farm-based businesses in Township planning commission 11 farmingareas. COMMUNITY SERVICES AND FACILITIES PLAN 1. Seek additional tenants for the Fleetwood Community X Borough Council SeMces Center. 2. Continue maintaining Richmond Township municipal Township Board of Supervisors I building and garage.

3. Evaluate the need for a third M-time police officer and Borough Police Chief the effectiveness of the new DARE program 1 4. Maintain fmancial contributions to local volunteer fie ongoing Township Board of Supervisors II companies. and rescue services. and Borough Council 5. Ensure Township and Borough cooperate conceming ongoing Township and Borough planning future public water and sewer extensions. commissions, Fleetwood Borough Water Dept, Fleetwood Borough Sewer Authority 6. Initiate a joint Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan for Township and Borough planning Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough. commissions, Fleetwood Borough Water Dept , Fleetwood Borough Sewer Authority 7. Determine the most efficient way to extend public X Township Board of Supervisors, water senrice to selected areas of Richmond Township. Borough Council, Fleetwood ll Borough Water Department 8. Participate in ongoing monitoring of groundwater in ongoing Township Board of Supervisors, Borough Council 9. Continue coordinating with Fleetwood Area School X I I Citizen advisory groups, District on construction of new high school Township and Borough planning commissions X . Township and Borough planning commissions

1. Compile a complete inventory of locally important X Local historians, Berks historic resources. County Conservancy 2. Investigate potential funding for an historic facade X Ad-hoc committee improvement program

3. Acquire conservation easements and historic facade ongoing Berks County Conservancy easements.

118 Rfchmond Toronshfp- Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensfue PZan I Actfon Program

I I I SHORT-RANGE I LONGER-RANGE I PRIMARY IMMEDIATE (2ndthrough 6th Year RESPONSIBLE RECOMMENDAnON (1st Year) 4th Year) and bond) PARly 4. Actively participate in Pennsylvania’s Blue Marker ongoing Ad-hoc committee I progm 5. Establish special sign requirements for historic X Ad-hoc committee properties.

a 6. Install historic style welcome signs at key entrances. X Ad-hoc committee

7. Encourage productiw use of historic buildings. ongoing Township and Borough I planning commission 8. Create a pamphlet to encourage historic preservation X Ad-hoc committee. Berks and provide design guidelines for area residents. County Conservancy I 9. Avoid demolition of historic buildings. ongoing Zoning Cffiir 10. Retain the historic architectural character of existing ongoing Ad-hoc committee buildings and encourage the design of compatible addi- I tions and new construction. 11. Ensure future public improvements (sidewalkr. lighting, Ad-hoc committee etc) reflect the historic qualities of the Borough. I I I I PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN 1. Acquire land for a Townshipowned community park X Township Board of Supervisors, Township Recreation Committee I 2 Require local athletic associations to wholly or jointly X Township Board of Supervisors, fund construction of any athletic fields in the new Township Recreation Committee community park 3. Evaluate the need and cost to expand the Borough X Borough Council, Fleetwood a swimmina DOOL Borough Recreation Board ~ ~ 4. Require area athletic associations to participate in X Borough Council, Fleehvood I maintaining the new community park Borough Recreation Board 5. Continue regular safety inspections at existing Borough ongoing Fleetwood Borough Recreation parks; become familiar with the U.S. Product Safety Board Commission Handbook for Public Playsround Safety. I 6. Be aware of Borough’s obligations at existing recrea- ongoing Fleetwood Borough Recreation tion areas under the Americans With Disabilities Act. Board

~ ~~ 7. Amend the Richmond Township Subdivision & hd X Richmond Township I Development Ordinance to require residential planning commission developers to donate land or fees for recreation. 8. Amend the Fleetwood Borough Subdivision & Land X Fleetwood Borough Development Ordinance to revise and strengthen the planning commission I Borough’s mandatoly dedication regulations for recreation.

9. Apply for a 50% matchiig grant under the PA X Richmond Township I Keystone program for funds to acquire community Recreation Committee parkland in Richmond Township.

10. Support the continuation and expansion of existing ongoing Fleetwood Borough Recreation I recreation program.. Board, Richmond Township Recreation Committee

11. Establish permanent duties and responsibilitiesfor the Township Board of Supervisors I Ridunond Township Recreation Committee. I I I 119 Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan Actfon Promam

I I SHOFU-RANGE I LONGER-RANGE PRlMARY I IMMEDIATE I (2ndthrough (5th Year RESPONSIBLE RECOMMENDATION (1st Yeml 4th Year) I and Bevond) PARlY 12. Work with Berks County Conservancy, local conserva- ongoing Township and Borough planning tion groups and local landowners to help establish commissions, Fleetwood greenways along the corridors identified in this Borough Recreation Board, comprehensive plan. Richmond Township Recreation Committee

13. Use a combination of techniques other than fee simple ongoing Township and Borough planning acquisition to establish right-of-way for greenway commissions, Fleetwood corridors. Borough Recreation Board, Richmond Township Recreation Committee

1. Prepare prioritized programs for road repaving and X Township Board of Supervisors, reconstruction in Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough Council Borough. 2. Use Berkr County Planning Commission’s highway ongoing Township and Borough planning design guidelines. commissions 3. Conduct a formal analysis of the need for a traffic X Borough planning commission signal at Main and Franklin Streets. and PennDOT

4. Remove truck traffic on Main Street from Richmond X Borough Council Street to Franklin Street 5. Analyze the long-range feasibility of a Fleetwood X Township Board of Supervisors, Borough Council, Township and Borough planning commissions

6. Use the techniques described in this comprehensive ongoing Ridunond Township planning plan to maintain and enhance traffic safety and suffi- commission cient right-of-way for future widening along the Route 222 corridor. 7. Mow narrower roads without curbiig in certain low ongoing Ridunond Township planniig density, ~mlareas to preserve ~mlcharacter. commission

8. Promote awareness of BARTA door-todoor van seMce ongoing Richmond Township Board of for people not physically able to use regular BARTA Supenriron, Fleetwood Borough service. Council

9. Encourage special private bus service to employment X Township Board of Supenison, centers, recreation nodes and popular shopping areas. Borough Council 10. Begin a phased sidewalk replacement program in X Borough Council Fleetwood Borough. 11. Strive to establish pedestrian and bike trails along the ongoing Fleetwood Borough Recreation greenway corridors described in this comprehensive Board, Richmond Township Plan. Recreation Commission ECONOMIC DEVUOPBEIW/TlOWIWOWN REVITALIZATION PLAN 1. Ensure the organizational and planning resources are in X Township Board of Supervisors, place to extend public water and sewer seMce to Borough Council appropriate business areas.

2. Initiate a marketing effort that will concentrate more X Local businessperson groups promotional resources on the Richmond-Fleetwood area 3. Establish Main Street between Franklin Street and X Borough Council, Borough Richmond Street as a Town Center Improvements planning commission Target Area.

120 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan I Action Program

I SHORI=I?ANGE LONGER-RANGE PRIW IMMEDIATE (2nd through (5th Year RESPONSIBLE RECOMMENDATION (1st Year) 4th Year) and Beyond) PAFZlY 4. Create a Downtown Improvements Committee to X Borough Council I oversee design and construction within the Target Area of the physical improvements described in this I comprehensive plan. 1. Encourage developen to use the energy conservation ongoing Township and Borough construction guidelines described in this comprehensive planning commissions I Plan. I Revising This Comprehensive Plan The goals and recommendations in this plan should be reviewed and updated as necessaty. This comprehensive plan contains recommendations for guiding future development and for E preserving the historic, natural and cultural resources. But, it is not a legislative document. There are three basic tools needed to help implement this plan: 1)the zoning ordinance, 2) 1 the subdivision and land development ordinance, and 3) the capital improvement program.

I Zoning Regulations The zoning ordinance is a legal tool to regulate the use of land. Its regulations apply to: 1) I the permitted use of land, 2) the height and bulk of structures, 3) the percentage of a lot that may be occupied by buildings and other impervious surfaces, 4) yard setbacks, 5) the density of development, and 6) the height and size of signs. The zoning ordinance has two parts -- I 1) the zoning map which delineates zoning districts, and 2) the text which sets forth the regulations that apply in each district along with general information regarding administration I of the ordinance. Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough should each revise its current zoning ordinance to more closely reflect this comprehensive plan. Both municipalities should then ensure these I ordinances remain current in light of changing municipal planning goals, prevailing development trends and state legal requirements. I Subdivision and Land Development Regulations

I Subdivision and land development ordinances (SALDO) include regulations to control the layout of streets; the planning of lots; and the provision of utilities. The objectives of a I subdivision and land development ordinance are to:

0 coordinate street patterns; I 0 assure adequate utilities and other improvements are provided in a manner that will not pollute streams, wells and/or soils; I reduce traffic congestion; and I 121 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan Action Program I

0 provide sound design standards as a guide to developers, the planning commission and other municipal officials. I

Richmond Township and Fleetwood Borough should each update its SALDO to reflect this comprehensive plan and any new or updated zoning ordinance. 1 1 Capital Improvement Programming Capital improvements relate to streets, stormwater systems, water distribution, sewage I treatment and other major public facilities. These projects, which involve the expenditure of funds beyond those needed for normal operations and maintenance, should be prioritized in the form of a six-year capital improvements program. The program should be prepared 1 by each municipality’s planning commission and adopted by each municipality’s governing body. E The capital improvements program should include a capital budget which identifies the highest priority projects recommended for funding in the next annual budget. Each municipality’s planning commission should revise its capital improvements program and 1 capital budget every year as projects are completed, new needs arise and priorities change. A capital improvements program has many benefits, including the following, among others: I It helps assure that projects are based on the ability to pay and on a schedule of priorities determined in advance. I It helps assure capital improvements are viewed comprehensively. 0 It promotes financial stability by scheduling projects at proper intervals. I 0 It facilitates proper allocation of community financial resources. 1 PLANNING COMMISSION ROLE The Richmond Township Planning Commission and Fleetwood Borough Planning I Commission must each assume a lead role in assuring that this comprehensive plan is implemented and updated as needed. The planning commissions should periodically review the plan and recommend any changes to reflect current conditions and priorities. The 1 Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code also gives the planning commission other responsibilities. At the request of the governing body, the planning commission may: I 0 make recommendations to the governing body concerning the adoption or amendment of an official map; I 0 prepare and present a zoning ordinance to the governing body and make recommendations on proposed amendments to it; prepare, recommend and administer a municipality’s subdivision and land development I ordinance; 1 122 I Richmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan Action Program

0 prepare and present a building code and housing code to the governing body; submit a recommended capital improvements program to the governing body;

0 promote public interest in, and understanding of, the comprehensive plan and planning;

0 make recommendations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals; hold public hearings and meetings; and

0 in the performance of its functions, enter upon lands to make examinations and land surveys with the consent of the owners.

GOVERNING BODY ROLE

The Richmond Township Board of Supervisors and the Fleetwood Borough Council must play vital roles in implementing this comprehensive plan. These two governing bodies have the final decision on any action that requires an ordinance or expenditure of funds within their respective municipalities. Each governing body should strive to maintain a relationship of trust and confidence with its planning commission. The governing body and the planning commission in each of the two municipalities should keep one another informed of important planning-related matters.

PRIORITIZING PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations contained in this comprehensive plan take one of two forms:

Recommended Policies: These establish a direction for future activities. Policies can be ordinances, which have the force of the law, or simply a consensus that suggests a future direction the Township and/or Borough should take. Policies themselves do not usually involve significant costs. Staff time and materials are often all that are required.

Recommended Actions: These typically involve capital expenditures such as for land acquisition, design and engineering, and facility/infrastructure development and construction.

In the following table, phasing and responsibilities are discussed for both recommended I policies and recommended actions. Suggested timing of the phases are as follows: begin the Immediate Phase recommendations in the first year after comprehensive plan adoption, the Short-Range Phase recommendations in two to four years, and the Longer-Range Phase I recommendations in the fifth year and beyond.

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POPULAR FUNDING SOURCES

There are hundreds of funding sources available from federal government, state government, private organizations and foundations, for a variety of activities. The following list summarizes the most commonly used funding sources, including grants and loans, that can help municipalities in community development, economic development, recreation, housing, water and sewer, and stormwater management, among other areas.

Table 31 POPULAR FUNDING SOURCES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT I DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES

~~ Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community & - County Entitlements (CDBG) services including: community facilities, public utilities, housing June - Counties on behalf (Federal) rehabilitation, parks and recreation, street and sidewalk improve- of municipalities menk, and building facades improvements. Grant money may only Juh/ - Competitive be used in areas proven by survey or census to be 51% low to moderate income. I Community Facility LO~M Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) is authorized to make loans to ongoing (Federal) develop community facilities for public use in IU~areas and towns of not more than 20,oOO people. FmHA loan funds may be used to construct, enlarge or improve community facilities for health care, public safety and public services.

~ Community Facilities Program Provides Grant-in-Aid assistance for needed public facilities to strengthen the income-producing capability, improve the health and (I safety, and alleviate financial hardship of community. Community Services Block Grant Provides a full range of services and activities having a measurable April (CSBG) and potentially major impact on the causes of poverty in the (PA D-1 community. Communities of Opportunities Program Grants for housing and community development activities that enhance the quality of life and/or to become competitive for business retention, expansion and attraction. Intermunicipal Projects Grants Promotes cooperation between neighboring municipalities so as to Julv foster increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of Imunicipal services at the local level. Local Government Capitol Projects Provides low interest loans to municipalities with populations of January Loan Program 12,000or less for the purchase of equipment and the purchase, (PA D-1 construction, renovation or rehabilitation of municipal facilities.

NeiBhborhood Assistance Program Provides for the following services: community services, crime February through March prevention, education, job trainiing, neighborhood assistance and help solve the critical problem of unemployment and underemployment, elimination of social and economic conditions that result in individual dependency upon the aid and support of welfare agencies and reduction of community and neighborhood deterioration.

Small Communities Planning Assiist eligible municipalities to prepare strategies for community August II Assistance Program (PA DCED) conservation and economic development State Planning Assistance Grant hiits local governments to prepare some of the following plans, April Program (SPAG) (PA DO) strategies or ordinances: Comprehensive Plan, EnvironmentaV Physical Strategy, Specialized Study, Municipal Ordinance, regulating zonina. land develoDment or environmental Drotection.

124 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensive Plan Actfon Promam

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES

Business Infrasbucture Development Grants or loans for local sponson in order to install specific infra- ongoing (BID) structure improvements necessary to complement industrial develop- -(PA) ment by private company which increase PA's share of domestic and international commerce and create net, new jobs. Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community MaV - County Entitlements (CDJW services including: community facilities, public utilities, housing June - Counties on behalf (Federal) rehabilitation, parks and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements of municipalities and building facades improvements. Grant money myonly be used Juhr - Competitive in areas proven by survey or census to be 51% low to moderate income. I Community Facilities Ro(pams Provides Grant-inaid assistance for needed public facilities to Letter of Intent - January strengthen the income-producing capability, improve the health and to April safety, and deviate financial hardship of comnity. ApDlication - March to May

Enterprise Zone Tax Gedit Program Encourages private companies to invest in enterprise zones that have been designated by the Department Incubators Facilities in which a number of new businesses operate under one engoing roof with affordable rents, sharing services and equipment and having equal access to a wide range of professional, technical and financial programs.

Neighborhood Assistance Program Provides for the following services community services, crime pre- February through March vention, education, job trainiig, neighborhood assistance and help to solve the critical problems of unemployment and underemployment, elimination of social and economic conditions that result in individual dependency upon the aid and support of welfare agencies and reduction of community and neighborhood deterioration. Neighborhood Assistance Tax Gedit Authorizes tax credits to private companies to encourage investment Upon submittal of R.o(pam and promote job growth and economic revitalization in these targeted ProPOd areas.

Pennsylvania Community Developmeqt Through the Grow PA Fund, PCD and FC can make loans available, Information received 9/93 and Finance Copration (PCD & FC) guaranteed by the Federal Small Business Administration, for working Small Business Financing (PA) capital, equipment and real estate to businesses across the state employing less than 500 people.

Small Communities Planning Assiit eligible municipalities to prepare strategies for community August Assistance Program conservation and economic development I ~~ I State Planning Assistance Grant Assiit local governments to prepare some of the following ph, April Program (SPAG) strategies or ordinances: Comprehensive Plan, EnvironmentaV (PA DCED) Physical Strategy, Specialized Study, Municipal Ordinance, regulating zoning, land development or environmental protection.

Taxable Bond pro(pam Qualifiitions include: borrow at least $mO,O00, produce one (PA) permnnent employee in three years for every $so,O00 borrowed, be approved by the industrial development authority before being forwarded to the state. RECREATION DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES

Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community & - County Entitlements (CDBG) services including: community facilities, public utilities, housing June - Counties on behalf (Federal) rehabilitation, parks and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements of municipalities and building facades improvements. Grant money may only be used Juk - Competitive in areas proven by survey or census to be 51% low to moderate income.

125 Richmond Townshfp- Fleetwood Borough Jofnt Comprehensfue Plan Actfon Program I

~~ Creates a system of state Heritage Park preserve and interpret the January 1 signifiit contribution that certain areas made on industrial heritage of the state and nation. Funds will be used for four types of projects: Feasibility studies, Management Action Plan, Special purpose study projects and Implementation projects. I The Intermodal Surface Transportation Authorizes highway and mass tmnsit programs that provide states with PennDOT applications due Effidency Act (ISTEA) increased flexibility to develop and coordinate an effiient ground in mid January (Federal) transportation network PennDOT developed a grant under this act for the following projects: facilities for pedeshians and bicycles, I acquisition of scenic or historic sites and highways, landscaping, historic preservation, rehabfitation of historic facilities, presewation of rail corridors, control of outdoor advertirig, archeological research and mitigation of highway pollution. I ____~ Keystone Rea-eation, Park and Provides matching grants to fund the planning, acquisition, develop- JanuaryFebruay Conservation Funds ment, rehabilitation and improvement of parks and recreation (PA DCNR) facilities, natural areas, historic sites, zoos and libraries. I Keystone Rails to Trails Provides grants for the planning, acquisition and development of (PA DCNR) trail.

~~ Land and Water Conservation Fund Matching grant program for community to acquire, develop and Selected through Keystone I (LWCF) (PA DCNR) rehabilitate outdoor recreation and park areas and facilities. applicants National Recreational Trails Funding Funds used for trail and trail-related improvements. The program is December (Symms NRTA) administered using an 80/20 matchiig funds ratio. Funding is I 1 (PA DCNR) contingent upon a Federal appropriation of funds for the program. I Urban Park and Recreation Recovq Stimulates economically hard pressed local government to revitalize RoCpam (UPARR) their recreation and park system and make a commitment to long- term maintenance. 1

~~ HOUSING DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES 1 Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community & - County Entitlements (CDBG) services including: community facilities, public utilities, housing June - Counties on behalf (Federal) rehabilitation, parks and recreation, street and sidewalk of municipalities improvements, and building facades improvements. Grant money Juhr - Competifive I may only be used in areas proven by survey or census to be 51% low to moderate income.

~~ ~~~~ ~ Low-Income Tax Gedits Tax credits to investors of low income housing projects. Deadline varies 1 (PHFA) I HOME To improve affordable housing for low-income through government Notify intent to participate (PA DCED) supervision. Notification of Funds Available (NOFA) is published 30 days after NOFA (Federal) HUD according to area and time frame. I HUD - Emergency Shelter Grant Provides funding for the following: Emergency shelter grants, transi- Approval based on (Federal) tional housing, permanent housing for the handicapped, supplemental completed CHAP assistance to assist the homeless and Section 8 mod rehab funds. 1 PHFA Low-Income Tax Gedits Accepts residential mortgage applications from non-profit organizations and individual owners who wish to build, purchase or rehabilitate a one to four unit property. The mortgages are available at very 8 competitive rates and tern and at zero points. Down payment costs are tvDicalhr fwe oercent or less. WATER AND SEWER I DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES 1 Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community - County Entitlements (CDBG) services including: community facilities, public utilities, housing June - Counties on behalf (Federal) rehabilitation, parks and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements of municipalities I and building facades improvements. Grant money may only be used Juhr - Competitive in areas proven by suwey or census to be 51% low to moderate income. 1 126 I Rfchmond Township - Fleetmod Borough Joint Comprehensfue Plan I Action Progrum

I RdHousing Ro(pams Gmnk and loans for water and waste disposal in communities with (Federal) 10,OOO people or less. Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Offers loans and grank to public or private owners or operators of 4 times a year Authority - Pe0nV-t drinking water, sewer or storm water projects. i (PA) State Grants for Operation of Sewage Provides for payments to municipalities whidr have expended money December Treatment Plants to acquire and construct sewage treabnent plank in accordance with I (PA) the Clean Streams Program ENVIRONMENTAL DEADLINES/ I PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES Environmental Education Grants Grants to public and private school, conservation and education December R.o(pam organizations and institutions and county conservation districk to (PA) further environmental education. I Solid Waste and Recycling Grants Grants may be used to identify markets, develop recycling and public 2 times throughout the year education program and purchase collection, processing and storage 1 equipment for recycling. I I I I I I 1 1 I I I I 127 I I i 1 I 1 1 1 I APPENDIX - MANDATORY DEDICATION IN RICHMOND TOWNSHIP i AND FLEETWOOD BOROUGH 1 1 I I 1 I I I 1 Richmond Township - Fleetwood Borough Joint Comprehensioe Plan Action Program

MANDATORY DEDICATION IN RICHMOND TOWNSHIP AND FLEETWOOD BOROUGH Richmond Township

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) guidelines recommend 10.5 acres of recreation area per 1,000 residents. The average Richmond Township household contained 2.83 persons in 1990. Using this average household size, NRPA guidelines suggest the typical new dwelling unit will create a demand for 1,300 square feet of additional recreation space in the Township:

10.5 acres contains 457,380 square feet, 457,380 square feet per 1,000 persons equals 457.38 square feet per person, and 457.38 square feet multiplied by 2.83 persons (average household size) equals 1,294 square feet per household; round to 1,300 square feet.

Richmond should amend its Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to require residential developers to dedicate 1,300 square feet per home for recreation and open space to cover the demand created by the typical new household. Section 503(11) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247, as amended) permits this type of regulation. Similar regulations exist in many Pennsylvania communities, especially in eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Section 503(11) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended, also authorizes municipalities to require fees in lieu of land for open space and recreation if the developer is amenable. The amount of the fee should reflect the value of the required land dedication for which the fee is being substituted. This Plan recommended that Richmond should require developers to dedicate 1,300 square feet for recreation and open space per home. This is commensurate with the demand for recreation land typically created by the average-sized Richmond Township household. The Township’s fee in lieu of mandatory dedication should equal the market value of 1,300 square feet of undeveloped, residentially zoned property in Richmond Township.

The Board of Supervisors could set the amount of the fee (and amend it periodically by resolution) or an appraiser could determine it on a case-by-case basis. The appraiser could be selected by the Township and paid by the developer. The Township could use the funds it collects to buy neighborhood parkland located near the subject subdivision or for community park improvements that benefit residents throughout the Township.

Fleetwood Borough

Fleetwood Borough’s average household size is 2.52 persons. Using the methodology described above, each new home would, on the average, create a demand for 1,152 square feet of recreation land (round to 1,150). The Borough should amend its subdivision and land development ordinance to require 1,150 square feet of recreation land per new home or the equivalent value of this land.

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