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The Buckingham Township Comprehensive Plan Review Committee I M I Buck Innham Townshid Boa Rd of Sudervisoe George M

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The Buckingham Township Comprehensive Plan Review Committee I M I Buck Innham Townshid Boa Rd of Sudervisoe George M THE BUCKINGHAMTOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVEPLAN UPDATE 4991. B UCKI NGHAM TOW NSHlP BUCKS COUNTY PEN N SY LVA N IA I THE BUCKINGHAMTOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVEPLAN I UPDATE 49910 A Continuing Planning Program 1965 1991 BUCKS COUNTY I PEN NSY LVANl A I Adopted by the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors Reviewed by the Buckingham Township Planning Commission Prepared by the Buckingham Township Comprehensive Plan Review Committee I m I Buck innham TownshiD Boa rd of SuDervisoE George M. Collie, Chairman Janet D.French, Vice Chairman 8 Robert W. Pierson, Member I Comorehensive Plan Review Committee John M. Cunningham, Planning Commission Drew C. Auara, Water and Sewer Commission /1 Ron Viehweger, Park and Recreation Board Carl Gaumann, Historic Commission 1 Michael Weisser, Environmental Advisory Commission 8 BWlDahom TownshiD Plonnincl Commissfoq John Cunningham Edwin Daniels Charles Frederick I Muriel Gordon Frederick Pope James Wannemacher I George Wells 1 1 1 I I 1 I I hckinaham TownshiD Manaaer Beverly J. Curtin Buckinaham TownshiD Fnaineer Ernest Knight. II, PE. Knight Engineering Buckinnham Townshin Solicitor George M. Bush, Esq. Camitv Plannina Consm Michael Frank E I I .- 8,I I_ I t 8 PLAN SUMMARY I-- 8 I PLAN SUMMARY The Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission, after discussion with members of other Township commissions. completed a review and update of the Buckingham Township Comprehensive Plan of 1984. The primary changes include the following: munitv Develome nt GoaIs and Objectives These basic statements related to community development and conservation were reviewed in light of the conditions experienced in the 1980s and those anticipated in the 1990s. Greater emphasis was given to aspects of growth management and the coordination of needed services and community facilities. Included are goals and objectives for recreation facilities, sewer and water services and highway improvements. Growth: PoDulation and Housing Population and housing growth during the 1980s is described. Projections for the 1990 to 2000 period are discussed. Pesident ial DeveloDment A reas A nalySiS This study was a review of the adequacy of the higher densrty residential zoning districts to accommodate the anticipated residential development for the 1990 to 2000 period. The combination of the total number of dwellings that could be built on the undeveloped parcels plus the number of higher densrty dwellings in proposed and approved developments was compared with the housing projections. The resutts indicate that these zoning districts are large enough to accommodate g substantially greater number of dwelling units than anticipated for the 1990-2000 period. It was recommended that the higher densrty zoning districts not be expanded in area. mresidential DevemRnt Areas Invew In this study, the remaining undeveloped commercial and industrial areas were identified. ral Resources: Policies and Protection Standards The numerical standards in the zoning ordinance were reviewed in light of the findings of the recently updated county natural resources plan. The following were recommended: A buffer area around delineated wetlands should be required. The development of state and federal wetlands regulations should be monitored. The current standards relating to floodplains, ponds and pond shore areas and steep slopes should not be changed. The woodland protection standards for the AG, R-1,VR, CA, I and VC-1 districts should not be changed. The standards for the PI, VC-2, LC and PC should be revised to fiftv percent. A survey of major woodlands and unique individual trees should be completed. A tree protection ordinance should be__ considered. ii The zoning techniques established to protect prime agricultural soils and to encourage farming practices should be reviewed to evaluate their effectiveness and continued use in the Township. Best management practices should be developed for building and a variety of other activities in the limestone valley. Historic Preservation Policies The importance of protecting Buckingham's historic resources, which include various natural and man-made features as well as buildings, was discussed. Preservation methods were outlined. mwav lmmovements Planning PennDOTk twelve year capital improvements plan procedures and a revised classification of Township roads were described. Minor changes to the Township's traffic impacts analysis requirements were recommended. The importance of pedestrian and bicycle path improvements was stressed. sssni n The Township's sewage facilities plan should be updated. A comprehensive water resources study should be prepared to better manage the Township's groundwater resources. School FWCons ideratim Cooperation of the Township, the school district and the builders will be necessary to ensure necessary school sites are reserved in high growth areas. The importance of park and recreation planning was described. Cooperation with adjacent communities and the school district was stressed. Plannina ComD- . .. The land use plans of surrounding municipalities were reviewed to identrfy potential conflicts in land use. Basic policies of the Bucks County comprehensive planning program were reviewed for compatibility. Cooperation among Central Bucks municipalities was stressed in order to deal with land use and planning issues which are intermunicipal in nature. Existing I and Use Pattern Existing land uses in various sectors of tbe Township were described. Growth Manaaement and jand Use Plannina Areas The development area concept on which the two previous Township comprehensive plans were based is reaffirmed in this plan update. In the use of the development area concept, residential and nonresidential areas have been designated to accommodate more intensive -_ land uses for the 1990 to 2000 period. The provision of certain public facilities needed tO support these more intensive uses should be focused on these areas. Rural areas and rural villages have been identified for lower intensity uses. Conservation management areas have .. 111 been designated for areas with environmental features and greater farming potential. Environmentalty significant areas have been identified for the limestone valley, Buckingham Mountain and Little Buckinghm Mountain. 1mDlementafipO and Recommendations Specific tasks, programs or studies have been listed which will help implement the goals, objectives and purposes of the comprehensive plan. Where appropriate, the commission or agency which would best address the specific undertaking is identified. A target date for the completion of each task is stated. P i iv RESOLUTION NO. 1148 RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE "BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE OF 1991" WHEREAS, the Township of Buckingham, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, has undertaken an ID ongoing planning process since the adoption of the General Plan of 1965, and WHEREAS, revised comprehensive plans for the Township have been adopted in 1974 and 1984, and WHEREAS, the proposed Buckingham Township Comprehensive Plan Update of 1991 has been considered at a duly advertised public hearing conducted by the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors, and WHEREAS, the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors wishes to adopt the Buckingham Township Comprehensive Plan Update of 1991 under the provisions of the Pennsylvania 1 Municipalities Planning Code as amended by Act 170 of 1989. NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Buckingham Township Board of Supervisors that the 8 Buckingham Township Comprehensive Plan Update of 1991 be adopted by resolution this 24th dayof April 1991. I BOARD OF SUPERVISORS *BUCKINGHAM TOWNSHIP. I G&o& M. Collie, Chairman LL..J-/II 'A4:.'.[ 4net D. French, Vice Chairman ,, '4 . '.I /,. Lc'f4L ri, /-/LA-- Robert W. Pierson. Member Attest: 1 Board -of Supervisors I 1 Introduction 1 ~D Community Development Goals and Objectives 3 B Growth: Population and Housing 13 Residential Development Areas Analysis 19 i Nonresidenti a I Developmen t Areas Inventory 23 Natural Resources: Policies and Protection Standards 27 I Historic Preservation Policies 37 Highway Improvements Planning 41 Sewer and Wa ter Considera tions 49 School Facility Considerations 53 Park and Recreation Planning 57 Planning Compatibility . 61 Existing Land Use Patterns 69 Growth Management and Land Use Planning Areas 73 Implementation and Recommendations 03 Update Table of Contents 019910 I Update INTRODUCTION *1997* 1 INTRODUCTION Comprehensive planning has been a continuing process in Buckingham Township. In 1965, a General Plan was prepared. It was stated in the General Plan that a number of large-tract developments would not be so great as to destroy the character of the Township. By the early 1970s it became apparent that development pressures would increase and the character of the community would change. In addition, the directives of the Pennsylvania courts mandated that local governments provide for all reasonable land uses, including a variety of housing types in sufficient quantity to provide the opportunity for a fair share of the regional housing growth. The communlty was interested in providing for the anticipated growth in an environmentally responsible manner and in developing land use regulations that provided for open space and the continuation of farming. In 1974, a new comprehensive plan was prepared, along with an implementing zoning ordinance, which incorporated innovative techniques to achieve these intended purposes. Subsequently, a sewage facilities plan was developed to manage the communtty's
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