MONTCO
From Vision to Reality 2020 IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE MONTCO 2040: A SHARED VISION
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania 2020 MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH, Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence, Jr., Vice Chair Joseph C. Gale, Commissioner
Planning Commission Board memBers Steven Kline, Chair Dulcie F. Flaharty, Vice Chair Obed Arango Robert E. Blue, Jr. Jill Blumhardt David L. Cohen, AICP John J. Ernst, AIA Scott Exley Charles J. Tornetta
John S. Cover, AICP, Interim Executive Director Montco 2040: a shared vision
From Vision to Reality 2020 IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE MONTCO 2040: A SHARED VISION
Montco 2040, the comprehensive plan for Montgomery County, was adopted in January 2015 as a working document to guide the county’s actions. A lot has changed in five years as we annually revisit our progress in implementing this plan. This report highlights major achievements that took place in 2019, and provides a number of implementation actions that we anticipate taking place in 2020. As always, many goals have been and will be implemented directly by the county, but many are implemented by the county’s partners, such as local municipalities, PennDOT, the Turnpike Commission, SEPTA, and other government agencies, nonprofit partners, and private developers.
Prepared by Montgomery County Planning Commission 2020 Montgomery County, Pennsylvania www.montcopa.org/Montco2040
1 2020 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN THEMES
Montco 2040: A Shared Vision is designed around three interrelated themes.
Connected Communities Connected People want to be connected and part of a broader community. A key role for the county is Communities to help these connections occur beyond local municipal boundaries.
Sustainable Places The county is full of wonderful neighborhoods and communities. These places need to be Sustainable Vibrant sustained and enhanced in a long-lasting and effective way. Places Economy
Vibrant Economy A strong economy is critical for all places. With a vibrant economy, residents can earn and spend more, governments can make needed infrastructure improvements, and businesses can grow.
2 Montco 2040: a shared vision
Connected Communities
9 GOAL Encourage collaboration and partnerships Completed the rollout of the new voting system for the May primary and November general elections. (VS) among governments, businesses, institutions, schools, higher education, and other stakeholders 9 Along with community partners, completed a robust data analysis of fetal and infant death records and developed 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS a Community Action Plan to improve birth outcomes in the county, with a special focus on addressing racial disparities 9 Completed 5 school district enrollment projection studies. in the Norristown area. (HHS) (PC) 9 Secured a $1.8M HUD grant to engage community partners 9 Maintained 36 municipal planning and 4 regional planning ACLAMO, Public Citizens for Children and Youth, and local contracts - with projects including comprehensive plan housing remediation businesses to support childhood lead writing, zoning ordinance rewrites, open space plan updates, poisoning prevention and healthy homes in the Pottstown and land use assumptions reports. Bridgeport is the and Lansdale areas. (HHS-OPH, HHS-HCD) planning commission’s newest contract community. (PC) 9 Worked with federal (CDC, FDA) and state health partners 9 Continued the implementation of the county’s GIS strategic to promote awareness and prevention of adverse health plan, including refinement and consolidation of countywide consequences of e-cigarettes and vaping, particularly among authoritative data layer features. Established an Open Data adolescents. (HHS-OPH, HHS-ODA, HHS-OCIE) Portal featuring online maps and data delivery under the county GIS manager’s initiative. (PC) 9 Worked with state health partners and long term care facilities within the county to support infection prevention 9 Completed year four of the Montco 2040 Implementation and control programs by providing information on emerging Grant program, with funding to 15 local projects. Projects infectious diseases. (HHS) from rounds one through three continue to be completed around the county. Demand for funding continues to 9 Partnered with local health agencies to develop much- be high. (PC) needed navigation services for residents living with HIV. HIV Navigation Services is a short-term case management 9 Continued renovations to One Montgomery Plaza and program linking HIV positive residents and high-risk HIV implementation of the campus planning efforts. (A&I) negative residents to services within the county that support 9 Pottstown and West Pottsgrove jointly adopted the Keystone HIV prevention and HIV care. (HHS) Employment and Economic Plan (KEEP) - the first adopted specific plan in the state.
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9 Collaborated on a funding opportunity to provide risk reduction GOAL education and vaccination to individuals at high risk of Improve transportation quality and expand contracting Hepatitis A. Through the project, 50 educational options for county residents and workers sessions provided vaccines at 5 treatment centers. (HHS-OPH, HHS-ODA) 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS 9 Collaborated to provide education and outreach around opioid 9 Bridge renovation projects continued to move forward. Twenty- use disorder. (HHS-OPH, HHS-OSS, HHS-OVA) nine bridge projects are currently underway - in various stages of design, permitting, and construction. (A&I-RB) 9 Formed a Local Leadership Council to work in an integrated and collaborative way within the county’s local early learning 9 The City Avenue District, which straddles Philadelphia and service community. (HHS-ELRC) Lower Merion Township, implemented significant pedestrian safety improvements along City Avenue near St. Joseph’s 9 Partnered with local advocates to convene two Montco University. This includes speed feedback signs, traffic signal Interfaith Conferences to build support for a county-wide upgrades, and rumble strips along the road. Interfaith Coalition. This will support people providing a community outreach ministry by publicizing the resources 9 Adopted a complete streets policy, which commits the county available to their congregants and to build connections to to consider all modes of transportation in its construction assist with their ministry. (HHS) and improvement projects; it also established an ongoing working group of county departments to collaborate on ways to 9 Initiated the 2020 comprehensive plan update with detailed implement the policy. (PC) reviews of the county’s policy maps. (PC) 9 Amended the region’s Transportation Improvement Program 2020 IMPLEMENTATION (TIP) to include $300,000 for a vision study of portions of 6 county-owned roads and advertised for consultant proposals ■ Finalize and adopt the Multi-Regional Greenway and to move this ahead. Began the TIP update with our planning Stewardship Study and work with the 4 regional planning partners. (PC) groups to identify appropriate implementation projects. 9 (PC) Began final design and right-of-way acquisition on the Ridge Pike Improvement Project from Crescent Avenue to ■ Assist municipalities with their planning, trail building, Philadelphia. (PC) and transportation work. (PC) 9 PennDOT awarded funds from the state’s Automated Red ■ Transition countywide GIS data to a new cloud-based data Light Enforcement program for traffic and safety projects in portal and participate in the region’s data sharing effort. (PC) Perkiomen (a permanent traffic light at Route 29 and Bridge ■ Partner with Pottstown Middle School to implement a Road) and Conshohocken (for two rectangular rapid flashing “share table” in its cafeteria to help eliminate food waste. beacons on Fayette Street). (HHS-OCIE) 9 The county’s transportation grant program (CTP) used revenues ■ Adopt a limited update to the comprehensive plan’s policy from the $5 county vehicle registration fee to reallocate $1 maps, using feedback from municipalities, school districts, million this past year to local transportation projects. In 2019, and public engagement. (PC) 6 municipalities received funding: to extend a road diet in Upper Dublin, replace a bridge in Upper Hanover, upgrade an ■ The Interfaith Coalition will form a steering committee intersection in Whitemarsh, improve a pedestrian crossing in to further develop its mission, vision, core principles, Lansdale, improve pedestrian safety in Royersford, and install and goals. The county will continue its support and school zone signage in Springfield. (PC) involvement in the Interfaith Coalition’s work to include all faith traditions and to provide opportunities to build partnerships and collaborations among houses of worship and community services, and will pursue funding opportunities to help develop and support the work of the Interfaith Coalition. (HHS)
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2020 IMPLEMENTATION 9 Lansdale opened a portion of the Liberty Bell Trail. ■ Continue the county’s bridge reconstruction work. (A&I-RB) 9 Many communities used Montco 2040 grants to expand trails. Lower Gwynedd completed its Carriages Connection Trail to ■ Oversee a TIP-funded study of county-owned roads. (PC) expand its local trail network at Spring House. Worcester ■ Manage all design, right-of-way acquisition, and completed a trail connection from Defford Road to the Center construction activities for the Lafayette Street Extension Point Shoppes and ultimately expanded its Zacharias Creek Project and the Ridge Pike Improvement Project in Trail network. And Lower Salford completed a trail connection Plymouth, Whitemarsh, and Springfield. (PC) and pedestrian improvements to provide access to Henning’s ■ Complete the PA Turnpike Interchange Study with DVRPC, Supermarket off of Route 63. publicly promote the traffic modeling results, and engage the PA Turnpike Commission staff on a future strategy to 2020 IMPLEMENTATION fund and construct the remaining interchanges. (PC) ■ Develop the final Montgomery County segment (northern) ■ Implement Bike Montco to guide future on-road and of the Pennypack Trail. (PC, A&I-PTHS) roadway-adjacent bicycle facilities, including: bicycle ■ Begin construction along the Chester Valley Trail Extension tourism routes in cooperation with the Valley Forge and the Erdenheim Farm portions of the Cross County and Tourism and Convention Board, potential partnerships with Wissahickon Trails. (A&I-PTHS) PennDOT’s resurfacing program, and neighborhood bike amenities in underserved communities. (PC) ■ Continue trail development and planning projects for the Wissahickon Trail, Trail Junction Center, and Cross County ■ Implement the complete streets policy and hold a Planning Trail, among others. (PC) Smarter event. (PC) ■ Continue the acquisition of key properties as identified in the county’s open space priorities report. (PC) GOAL Expand and connect county trails, local trails, ■ Complete the Trail Access, Diversity, and Awareness plan greenways, natural areas, and parks and hold a Planning Smarter event. (PC)
2019 ACHIEVEMENTS GOAL 9 Completed final design for the current Chester Valley Trail Support strong downtowns and community Extension, Erdenheim Farm, and Pennypack Trail projects. (PC) destinations, including mixed use areas, arts and culture 9 Formally opened a segment of the Schuylkill River Trail in focal points, libraries, and other gathering places Pottstown along Industrial Drive. (PC) 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS 9 Completed the Sunrise Trail & Swamp Creek Greenway 9 Feasibility Study. (PC) A brand-new $43 million YMCA facility in Willow Grove is nearing completion - a 98,000 square foot facility on 42 acres. This 9 Initiated several trail development and planning projects, replaces both the Abington and Hatboro facilities; the land from including: a feasibility study for the portion of the Wissahickon the former YMCA facility in Abington is to be leased to Children’s Trail from Forbidden Drive to Morris Arboretum, design and Hospital of Philadelphia. Hatboro’s facility is slated to become engineering for the Schuylkill River Trail from Industrial Hwy to part of an expansion of the borough’s successful Victorian US 422, and a Germantown Pike bridge feasibility study for the Village senior housing facility. Cross County Trail. (PC) 9 Held a Planning Smarter event in Lansdale - “Transforming Our 9 Repaved approximately 1 mile of the Schuylkill River Trail. (A&I- Downtowns into Main Street Greenways” - in conjunction with PTHS) the county’s Main Street Greenways report. The event featured 9 Resurfaced (with stone) or paved problematic sections of the walking tours and a scavenger hunt in the downtown. (PC) Perkiomen Trail (approximately 1.5 miles). (A&I-PTHS) 9 The county commissioners held Town Hall meetings in 2019 in 9 Implemented safety upgrades to trail crossings on the King of Prussia, Pottstown, Pennsburg, and Glenside, each with Perkiomen and Schuylkill River Trails. (A&I-PTHS) a demonstration of the county’s new voting machines.
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9 Continued to pursue comprehensive planning efforts 2020 IMPLEMENTATION to guide future growth and development, including ■ Schwenksville Borough will begin moving its Plymouth, Lansdale, and Upper Moreland. Schwenksville administrative offices to the new Borough Hall on the adopted a new zoning ordinance and Lower Merion held a renovated plaza. comprehensive day-long charrette to analyze the impacts of its proposed new zoning ordinance. (PC) ■ The Ardmore SEPTA/Amtrak Station and Loop Improvements project will continue construction - it’s 9 Granted CDBG funds across the county. Ambler received scheduled for completion by mid-2020. funds for accessibility renovations to restrooms within the community center at the municipal complex on Rosemary ■ Begin comprehensive plans in Worcester, West Norriton, Avenue. Springfield received funds for accessibility and Cheltenham. (PC) renovations to Connor James McKelvie Park on Allison ■ Use CDBG funds to support street improvements in Road. Pennsburg received funds for street improvements Bridgeport, Cheltenham, East Greenville, Royersford, on West 2nd Street. Royersford received funds for street and Schwenksville, and sanitary sewer improvements improvements on North 5th Avenue. And more than in West Pottsgrove. CDBG funds will also be used to $525,000 funded ADA improvements for 67 curb ramps support accessibility improvements at a neighborhood and sidewalk segments at various locations in Hatboro, park in Springfield. (HHS-OHCD) Jenkintown, and West Conshohocken. (HHS-HCD) 9 The Colebrookdale Railroad broke ground for the Pottstown Steel River Station in Memorial Park this past March. 9 Schwenksville Borough finished improvements to its Borough Plaza and Meadow Park. 9 The Ardmore SEPTA/Amtrak Station and Loop Improvements project began construction. This ultimately will include a new station building, high level platforms, modifications to the existing pedestrian tunnel, new canopies and passenger shelters, and site and circulation improvements. The adjacent proposed parking garage is still in design. 9 Upper Dublin Township received a $1 million grant from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) toward the township library’s new home in the Fort Washington Office Park. 9 Montco 2040 grants were used for a variety of civic uses. Bridgeport built a combination civic event area/plaza/ public parking lot next to its borough hall. And Pennsburg’s Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center was renovated and expanded to enhance its offerings of historic and cultural artifacts representing the settlement of the Upper Perkiomen Valley. (PC)
6 Montco 2040: a shared vision
Sustainable Places
GOAL Support a modern, resilient, green, and 2020 IMPLEMENTATION energy-efficient infrastructure network ■ Coordinate, support, and promote the county’s energy, resiliency, and sustainability program. (PC) 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS ■ Support solar and renewable energy among 9 Provided nearly $1.5 million through the regional Green municipalities in the county, including Sol Smart. (PC) Light Go funding program to Cheltenham, Lower Providence, ■ Support municipal sustainability and resiliency Montgomery, and Upper Moreland Townships to upgrade planning efforts, including consortium climate change outdated and energy inefficient traffic signals. (DVRPC) resiliency program. (PC) 9 Committed to purchasing renewable energy for heating ■ Maintain contract to shred and compost county and powering all county-owned buildings, and powering documents and sponsor hazardous waste collection all county-owned vehicles by 2050. Authorized a wind events. (PC) energy purchase that will power all of the county’s electrical accounts with emission-free renewable power. (CC) ■ Continue to pursue a location and funding for a permanent recycling facility. (PC) 9 Sponsored 7 household hazardous waste collection events, 3 tire collections, as well as a campaign sign recycling ■ Complete the update of the water facilities database. program, all actions outlined in the county’s municipal waste (PC) management plan. (PC) ■ Begin background work on hazard mitigation plan / 9 Produced a Planning Smarter event - Sustainability Summer county resilience plan. (PC) School: How Schools and Municipalities Can Partner for ■ Red Hill will install a bioretention garden and nature Sustainability. (PC) area to improve water quality using a Montco 2040 9 Pursued design and siting of a year-round recycling center, grant. with the correctional facility as a potential site. (PC) 9 Supported municipal Sol Smart work and explored solar power purchasing agreement options. (PC) 9 Initiated an update of the water facilities database and report and completed an update of the sewage facilities database. (PC)
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9 GOAL Planted additional trees along the Germantown Pike Trail in Improve stormwater management and the Norristown Farm Park. (A&I-PTHS) reduce the impact of flooding 9 Commenced design rehabilitation of Old Neiffer Road Bridge at Sunrise Mill. (A&I-PTHS) 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS 9 Preserved 5 farms (with another 2 about to go to settlement) 9 Facilitated the Wissahickon Creek Water Quality under the county’s Farmland Preservation Program. The Improvement Plan process and submission of a draft plan to county has preserved more than 9,800 acres of farmland. the EPA and DEP. (PC) (PC) 9 Held a climate change training in conjunction with DVRPC 9 Continued outreach and support around the spotted and FEMA; a FEMA hazard mitigation planning session was lanternfly. The Norristown Farm Park was the site of held in June at the Fire Training Academy. (PC) research this past summer on using a fungus native to the 9 Implemented the county’s MS4 stormwater permit. This county as a potential way of eradicating this pest. (MCCD) year, county staff surveyed and inventoried all stormwater facilities on county-owned property and developed a strategy 2020 IMPLEMENTATION to monitor their effectiveness moving forward. The county also started an in-house implementation committee to ■ Continue to leverage additional county funds to make oversee future MS4 activities being undertaken. (PC) offers to and preserve new farms. The county will reach 10,000 preserved acres (and 30 years of farmland preservation) in 2020. (PC) 2020 IMPLEMENTATION ■ Begin planning for the 6th Keep Farming Conference, to ■ Promote stormwater BMPs through A&I capital be held in 2021. (PC) improvements planning. (A&I) ■ Preserve open space identified in the county’s Parks ■ Continue implementing the requirements of the Expansion Program. (PC) county’s MS4 permit. (PC) ■ Restore large Upper Schuylkill Valley Park historic barn ■ Continue facilitating the Wissahickon Creek TMDL and continue to improve animal exhibit areas. (A&I- planning process. (PC) PTHS) ■ Hold a Planning Smarter event to address how ■ Replace substandard ranger station and create a businesses and homeowners can tackle stormwater regional maintenance facility at Lower Perkiomen Valley runoff on their own properties. (PC) Park. (A&I-PTHS) ■ Assist local municipalities in obtaining hazard mitigation ■ Improve access and parking at Norristown Farm Park grant funding to reduce flood vulnerability. (PC) while also rehabilitating the historical office building (barn). (A&I-PTHS) GOAL Conserve natural resources, ■ Restore a portion of the interior of Sunrise Mill. (PTHS) environmentally-sensitive areas, and farmland ■ Restore (portions) of Peter Wentz barn and restore house balcony. (A&I-PTHS) 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS ■ Add a permanent restroom facility to Upper Schuylkill 9 Completed and opened the John James Audubon Center on Valley Park. (A&I-PTHS) schedule in mid-2019. (A&I-PTHS) ■ Continue to enhance visitor entrances along the 9 Completed the Green Lane Park concession stand Perkiomen and Schuylkill River Trails with major restoration and subsequently opened for rental. (A&I-PTHS) repaving improvements. (A&I-PTHS) 9 Continued significant external mill and barn restorations at ■ Commence the architectural design process for the Sunrise Mill. (A&I-PTHS) Freight Station building in Norristown. (A&I-PTHS) ■ Continue outreach and education on the spotted lanternfly. (MCCD and others)
8 Montco 2040: a shared vision
9 GOAL Identified by the national Stepping Up Initiative as an Provide more opportunities for residents “Innovator County” for its work in using data to make to exercise and have healthy lifestyles policy changes for reducing the number of individuals who experience serious mental illness in county jails while 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS improving public safety in effective and fiscally responsible 9 Provided subsidized child care funding for an average of ways. approximately 4,700 children who are cared for in more than 9 Supported 17 Montgomery County school districts, through 465 early learning programs throughout the county. (HHS- its federal grant for School Violence Prevention, for teacher ELRC) training/instructional coaching in evidence-based social and 9 Created an asset map for families and providers in emotional learning programs, crisis prevention training, and Montgomery County to use as a resource to locate early classroom management techniques. (HHS-ODA, HHS-OMH) learning programs, physicians, libraries, elementary schools 9 Acquired a grant through the PA Developmental Disabilities and many other valuable resources. (HHS-OPP, HHS-ELRC) Council to support individuals with intellectual disabilities and 9 Awarded a contract to the Council of Southeast PA/Pro-Act autism in developing healthy relationships and understanding to open the first Community Recovery Center for individuals safe boundaries. (HHS-DDO) in recovery from substance use disorders. (HHS-OMCS, HHS- 9 Partnered with several county departments, Victim’s Services, ODA) and Mission Kids to develop a protocol for investigating serious 9 Purchased Narcan kits for opioid overdose reversals for the crimes against vulnerable adults who require special interview three county health centers for distribution to the public and accommodations in a safe place with a trauma-informed team. sponsored four Narcan Education & Distribution events for (HHS-DDO, DA) county residents. (HHS-ODA, HHS-OPH, HHS-OCIE) 9 Facilitated a strategic planning process with the Suicide 9 Developed a Youth Marijuana Prevention Project to address Prevention Taskforce; its Montgomery County Suicide the high incidence of marijuana use among youth in Prevention Strategic Plan was ultimately adopted. (HHS-OMH) Montgomery County. (HHS-ODA) 9 Increased safe physical activity with a comprehensive walking 9 Provided funding to a private non-profit organization to program at the Elmwood Park Zoo through the Junior Inspector employ two drug & alcohol case managers: one at the Program. (HHS-OCIE) Adult Probation Office and one at the Montgomery County 9 Continued the Montgomery County Trail Challenge. More than Correctional Facility to more expeditiously assess individuals 1,100 people and 163 dogs participated in 2019. More than with substance use issues who are involved in the criminal 100 people visited all of the county trails this year through the justice system, in order to admit those individuals to drug challege. (HHS-OCIE, PTHS) and alcohol treatment programs. (HHS-ODA) 9 Continued to distribute healthy food through a farm share 9 Increased the number of county-supervised foster homes by partnership with Living Hope Farm to populations served by 38 percent. (HHS-OCY) ACLAMO, Salem Baptist Church, Tri-County Adult Center, and 9 Held the 5th annual Wellness Fair focusing on Integrated the Open Link while providing nutritional, cooking, and food Health with 54 vendors representing services and supports preservation training. More than 4,000 pounds of produce to promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. (HHS- was distributed in the 12 week harvest. (HHS-OPH) OMCS) 9 Maintained and expanded community gardens at Gilbertsville 9 Partnered to fund a Recovery Supports Center in Norristown, Elementary, Franconia Elementary, Laurel House, Salvation providing recovery peer supports, family and community Army, and Einstein Medical Center-Montgomery. (HHS-OPH) education, and trainings to promote workforce development. (HHS-OMCS, HHS-ODA) 2020 IMPLEMENTATION 9 Partnered to provide community education and support ■ Expand the community garden at the Montgomery County enrollment in Community HealthChoices to increase access Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) in Norristown. to behavioral health services and resources. (HHS-OMCS, (HHS-OCIE) HHS-ODA)
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■ Implement a fruit and vegetable prescription program 9 Provided homeowners with CDBG funds to make repairs and at Lansdale Children’s Health Clinic where health care improvements to their properties that corrected and repaired providers will write a prescription voucher for food code violations, structural deficiencies, and mechanical insecure (and eligible) patients to receive produce from systems. (HHS-OHCD) Living Hope Farm. (HHS-OCIE) 9 Helped 139 homeless families through the Your Way Home ■ Continue to promote ways for farmers to bring their Initiative in 2019 move into housing and assisted 478 locally grown goods to new marketplaces. Explore the formerly homeless families in stabilizing their housing, creation of a county food policy council. (PC) provided shelter for over 510 residents, and allocated hotel vouchers so that no child or pregnant woman ever slept ■ Implement a special, limited program to provide outside in the county. Montgomery County has experienced child care funding for unserved populations within a 47% reduction in homelessness since launching Your Way Montgomery County. (HHS-ELRC) Home in 2014. (HHS-OHCD) ■ Develop and implement a shared services model to 9 Provided diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training to the assist child care programs in leveraging resources County Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) across an entire organization or organizations resulting staff and Your Way Home providers, launched an LGBTQIA in lower costs. (HHS-ELRC) action team, and developed a new 3-year strategic plan for ■ Continue to expand the array of services to meet the equitable housing outcomes. Your Way Home also partnered needs of children and families. (HHS-OCY) with Villanova University to develop a new assessment ■ Partner to fund a Diversion Center to promote recovery tool for the evaluation of housing stability on students’ and access to recovery supports for overdose survivors. educational success. (HHS-OHCD) (HHS-OMCS, HHS-ODA) 9 Continued to rebuild North Hills Manor in Upper Dublin ■ Continue to Increase safe physical activity with the Township in conjunction with Pennrose Properties. Upon comprehensive walking program at the Elmwood Park completion in 2020, the LEED-certified community will Zoo through the Junior Inspector Program. (HHS-OCIE) provide 8 one-bedroom units, 15 three-bedroom units, and 6 four-bedroom units of newly built affordable housing. Six ■ Continue the Montgomery County Trail Challenge with a units will be fully ADA compliant and 34 will meet ‘visitable’ goal of having more than 100 people visit all 15 trails. standards for populations using wheelchairs. (HA) (HHS-OCIE, A&I-PTHS) 9 Wrapped up the initial phase of input into the creation of a ■ Continue to increase safe physical activity and strategic county-level plan,Homes For All, to support housing transportation through the Safe Routes to School construction for people at all price points. (PC, CD, HHS- program in at least 3 schools. (HHS-OCIE, PC) OHCD) ■ Implement “123 Healthy Me” curriculum in 5 classrooms in collaboration with MCIU and Abington- 2020 IMPLEMENTATION Jefferson Health. (HHS-OCIE) ■ Continue to implement Your Way Home. (HHS-OHCD) ■ Implement the Coordinated Approach to Child Health ■ Publish the Homes for All strategic plan and begin program (CATCH) aimed at a designated middle school. its implementation - a collaborative effort of several (HHS-OCIE) departments. (PC, CD, HHS-OHCD) ■ Continue to use CDBG funds to undertake an owner- GOAL Support housing choices and occupied-single-family housing rehabilitation program opportunities to meet the needs of all people for the purpose of providing or improving permanent residential structures. (HHS-OHCD) 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS ■ Continue to partner with private developers to expand 9 Continued to partner with private developers to expand the number of new affordable housing units. (HHS- quality market-rate and affordable housing units. (HHS- OHCD) OHCD) ■ Create an online municipal housing assessment tool to help local governments better understand housing affordability needs. (PC) 10 Montco 2040: a shared vision
2020 IMPLEMENTATION GOAL Enhance community character and protect ■ Begin prioritizing feedback provided in the Fire Services neighborhoods report - including the further study of adding a western Montgomery County training facility for fire, police, and 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS EMS, as well as the potential for an additional training 9 Continued implementation of the Fire Services Study. (PS) specialist with a background in distance learning. (PS) 9 Continued the public safety voice (radio) and paging ■ The Records Management System will expand its user upgrade. This will expand tower sites from 20 to 30, adding group and add in Street Smart, a software program that additional geographic coverage for critical communications. will provide real time crime intelligence to every on-duty Public safety’s voice radio project handles 1 million police officer and detective county-wide. (PS) transmissions every month. (PS) ■ Expand the county’s traffic monitoring via CCTV and 9 Initiated the county-hosted Records Management System enhance our communications capability, in real time, (RMS), which is being utilized by the county DA, Sheriff’s with PennDOT’s Traffic Management Center. (PS) office, and 33 police departments; it will expand further in ■ Continue with the second phase of the county’s PFAS 2020. (PS) study with an attempt to link exposure to PFAS to 9 Expanded the county’s capability of developing and adverse health outcomes. (HHS-OPH) publishing data and metrics on crime and traffic, especially ■ Expand the Points of Dispensing program to include all concerning the opioid epidemic. A grant funded two post-acute healthcare facilities, major industry, higher additional public safety analysts, as well as a new division - and private education, and government sites in the Public Safety Intelligence and Information. (PS) county. (HHS-OPH) 9 Partnered with federal, state, and local health and ■ Develop and establish a recruitment, education, and environmental partners to conduct a biomonitoring study of training program for employees that enables them to residents to define levels of exposure to PFAS (polyfluoroalkyl be utilized as volunteers at Points of Dispensing and in substances), a byproduct of firefighting foam that has response to other disasters. (HHS-OPH) contaminated the drinking water near a former military installation in Horsham. (HHS-OPH) ■ Partner with acute care hospitals and post-acute facilities in the county, continue to incorporate facilities 9 The Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) into the Point of Dispensing Program, and encourage program partnered with county departments, the facilities to join their respective emergency support Township of Limerick, state and federal preparedness zones. (HHS-OPH) agencies, and neighboring counties to conduct a week- long emergency preparedness drill to test the County’s ■ Collaborate with the emergency support zones to Medical Countermeasures response in the event of a develop projects and tools to increase the ability to bioterrorism event involving a hypothetical anthrax release meet compliance regulations for healthcare facilities in Philadelphia. The exercise challenged the program within Montgomery County. (HHS-OPH) to activate points of dispensing (PODS), warehousing ■ Coordinate with the Office of Public Safety and the PA operations, and emergency operations centers that would be Department of Human Services, Division of Emergency necessary in an actual bioterrorism event. (HHS-OPH, PS) Planning and Safety Operations to develop a FAST 9 Supported Park(ing) Day with pop-up open spaces in (Functional Assessment Service Team) for Montgomery Norristown, which highlighted the importance of farming and County which will include other HHS/County offices local food production. (PC, HHS-OCIE) working side by side with emergency responders to assess and refer people with access and functional 9 Historic preservation (and preserving the county’s heritage) needs to local resources to support them during a continues to be a priority. Royersford Borough’s Humane disaster. (HHS-CC) Fire Engine Company No. 1 was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019. ■ Identify additional locations where Navicate services can be provided at partner organizations in isolated and underserved areas across the county. (HHS-CC)
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Vibrant Economy
GOAL Improve transportation access to businesses 2020 IMPLEMENTATION ■ Advocate for improved turnpike interchanges per 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS the recommendations of the Turnpike Corridor 9 PennDOT continued construction to replace and widen Reinvestment Study and its 2017 update. the US 422 bridge over the Schuylkill River - completion ■ Complete the King of Prussia Rail Final Environmental expected in 2020. Impact Statement and initiate the 30% design phase 9 The PA Turnpike has started construction to widen the with SEPTA. roadway from the Lansdale interchange to the Quakertown ■ Support enhancements to public transportation interchange along the Northeast Extension. projects that improve quality of life and the 9 Continued the study with DVRPC to model local traffic attractiveness of communities to business and improvements associated with two new Turnpike the workforce looking to locate here, such as the interchanges. (PC) current projects at Willow Grove, Noble, Philmont and Conshohocken stations. Continue to support these 9 Opened the extension of Lafayette Street from Ford Street efforts with a model transit oriented development (TOD) to Conshohocken Road while progressing the construction zoning ordinance. (PC) of Phase 3 of the Lafayette Street Extension Project to 80 percent complete. (PC) ■ Finish construction of a Pennsylvania Turnpike ramp at the Fort Washington Interchange to create direct 9 The Turnpike Commission is in the process of designing the access onto Commercial Drive in the Fort Washington Lafayette Street highway interchange. Business Park.
12 Montco 2040: a shared vision
GOAL Encourage development and transformative GOAL Attract and retain businesses and vital investment where infrastructure already exists community assets
2019 ACHIEVEMENTS 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS 9 Ground was broken on the new headquarters for 9 Launched the outward-facing MontcoFoward.org - and an AmerisourceBergen at SORA West in Conshohocken, which accompanying video - to promote the county as the place to will shift 1,500 existing jobs and more than 500 new live, work, learn, and invest. (CD) jobs into the county. This project received an $8 million 9 Partnered with regional economic development Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant organizations on the PA Engage! program to promote from the state in 2019. business attraction and retention efforts. (CD) 9 Other entities receiving 2019 RACP grants include the 9 Provided assistance on two Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Ardmore Transit Center, Rosemont College, Salus University, projects. (CD) AIM Academy, Willow Grove YMCA, and Amatex Norfab, a company with a Norristown production facility which makes 9 Continued to hold its twice-per-year forum meetings, open to fiberglass textiles for use in high temperature applications, municipal staff and economic development professionals. such as firefighter gear. (CD) 9 Pottstown formed a land bank to help control and acquire 9 Participated with regional partners in new initiatives to blighted properties - with the goal of getting them back on improve the global competitiveness of Greater Philadelphia, the tax rolls. including meeting with foreign delegations. (CD) 9 Funds from the state’s Department of Community and 9 Continued working on business outreach and engagement. Economic Development’s Local Share Account went to fund (CD) a variety of economic development activities in the county, including projects from the Municipality of Norristown, the 2020 IMPLEMENTATION SORA West hotel development in Conshohocken, the new parking lot being developed at the Elmwood Park Zoo, and a ■ Meet with county businesses to better understand business park in Bridgeport. (RDA) their (and their workforce’s) needs and issues. (CD) ■ Improve capacity to assist businesses and consultants 2020 IMPLEMENTATION who make site selection inquiries. (CD) ■ Continue to support investments in roads, rails, and ■ Continue commitment to meeting with local other existing infrastructure throughout the county and communities and organizations to provide information, region. (PC, CD, RDA) insights, and assistance with economic and workforce development. (CD) ■ Engage in the study of one or more key economic development corridors in the region. (CD) ■ Improve coordination with municipalities to ensure that entrepreneurs and businesses are able to quickly ■ Develop opportunities to further leverage investments establish relationships and have the necessary in infrastructure with economic and workforce information to start or expand a business. (CD) development programming. (CD)
13 2020 IMPLEMENTATION
GOAL Flexibly adapt to changing market GOAL Facilitate the marketing of the county and conditions and demographics its assets
2019 ACHIEVEMENTS 2019 ACHIEVEMENTS 9 MontcoWorks, the workforce development board for 9 Major events and destinations continue to be a draw. Montgomery County, expanded its engagement of young Cirque de Soleil came back to Montgomery County with a students looking at career opportunities with its Manufest bigger event, in addition to a stop in Oaks by the Big Apple and More event and its first ever Healthcare Expo, with a Circus and a performance at the Keswick Theater by the combined over 1,800 students in attendance. (CD) Philadelphia Orchestra. 9 Continued our participation in the DVRPC Futures Group 9 The Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board became one to discuss scenario planning (and our regional response) of the first tourism agencies in the nation to have an ADA- around issues like globalization, moving people and goods, compliant website - alongside the launch of Access Montco, and smart cities. (PC) an initiative to link those with disabilities with the resources they need for a successful visit to the county. 9 Formed the Montgomery County Complete Count Committee and participated in the Census Bureau’s LUCA program (to 9 Tourism spending in 2018 grew to $1.65 billion in evaluate census address lists) and the PSAP program (to Montgomery County and grew 5% from the prior year. alter census boundaries to bring them into compliance for Tourism also supported more than 4% of the county’s jobs, 2020). (PC, CC) employing more than 20,000 people. More than 2.1 million hotel rooms were filled in the county in 2018. 2020 IMPLEMENTATION 2020 IMPLEMENTATION ■ Continue to participate in and contribute to regional forums on economic opportunities and demographic ■ Continue to grow the county’s share of the state’s changes. (CD) tourism industry as big events continue to draw visitors. ■ Support the upcoming Census Day 2020, including the ■ Continue to work with the VFTCB to promote the work of the Complete Count Committee. (PC, CC) county’s regional sports facilities and other attractions. ■ Create 2050 Long-Range Forecasts with DVRPC for population and employment. (PC) ■ Continue to proactively engage with Chambers of Commerce, community groups, and regional stakeholders to educate them on the county’s economic and workforce development expertise while looking for ways to deepen partnerships. (CD)
14 Montco 2040: a shared vision
2040 VISION
Land Use Vision
The land use vision will be implemented by: ■ Updating the comprehensive plan’s (future land use and development potential maps based on updated aerial photos. ■ Continuing to assist 15 to 20 municipalities in zoning and/ or comprehensive plans through the community planning assistance program. ■ Partnering with municipalities along the Turnpike Corridor to promote redevelopment around existing and future interchanges. ■ Continuing to support development and density around the county’s transit centers and train stations. ■ Administering Year 5 of the Montco 2040 grant program. ■ Preserving farms, open space, and other recreational areas. ■ Creating a transit oriented development model ordinance. 95 percent of residential development and 97 percent of nonresidential development was built in our growth areas in 2018. Transportation Vision
The transportation vision will be implemented by: ■ Continuing US 202 reconstruction around Markley Street in Norristown. ■ Continuing US 202 reconstruction in Whitpain Township from Township Line Road to Morris Road. ■ Continuing reconstruction and widening of the I-476 Northeast Extension beyond the Lansdale interchange. ■ Continuing Route 422 improvements around Pottstown’s Stowe Interchange. Improvements at Valley Forge are nearly complete. ■ Adding high level platforms at the Noble, Jenkintown (close to starting), and Ardmore (under construction) SEPTA stations. ■ Completing the final phase of the Lafayette Street Extension Project in downtown Norristown - scheduled for 2020. ■ Continuing the implementation of traffic management technology along I-76 and its parallel roads. ■ Launching year three of the County Transportation Grant Program to financially partner with municipalities on needed improvements.
15 2020 IMPLEMENTATION
2018 HOUSING CONSTRUCTION IN GROWTH, RURAL RESOURCE, AND OPEN SPACE AREAS
Lehigh County Bucks County
!( Telford Hat!(boro !( Lower Moreland Souderton Montgomery !( !(!(!(!( !( !( Hatfield Twp. !( !( 29 East Greenville !( ! !( !( !( !!(( Pennsburg !(!( (!(!( Horsham !( !(!( Marlborough Salford !( ( Hatfield !( !( Bryn Athyn !( Franconia !(Bor. !( !( Red Hill !( !( !( !( Upper Upper Hanover !( !(!( !(!( !( !( ! 309 !( Moreland !( 476 ( ¦¨§ !( !( !( Lansdal!( e !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( Green Lane !( !( !( !( !( !( Towamencin 611 !( Lower !(!( !( North!( !( Upper Abington !( !( Wales Gwyned!(d !( !( Up!(per !( !( Dublin !( 663 Upper Lower !( !( !( !( !( Gwynedd Rockled!( ge !( !( Salford Sa!(lfor!(d !( !( !( !( !( Ambler 276 !( Douglass New !( !( !( ¦¨§!( !(Jenkintown !( !( Upper !( !( !( !( !( !( Hanover Lower !( !( !( !( !( Frederick !( 202 !( !( !( !( Frederic!(k !( ¤£!( !( Whitpain !( Cheltenham !( 73 !( 73 !( !( !( Worcester !( !( !( !( Schwenksville !(!( !( Springfield !( Skippack !( !( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( !( East Norriton !( Plym!( outh Whitemarsh 100 Philadelphia Perkiomen !(!( !( !( !( !( !( !(!( !( !( !( ty !( !( Trappe!( !( Norristown!( !( !(Upper !( Limerick !( !( !( !( !( ! !( !( !( Lower West !( ( Pottsgrove !( !(!( Collegeville Lower Providence Norriton Bridg!(eport Coun !( £422 !( !( !( !( Conshohocke!(n Pottsgrove ¤ !( !( !( !( !( Up!(per !( !( !(! West ! !(!( West Pottsgrove Providence !( !( Upper ( !( ( Berks !( Schuylkill River !( !( !( Conshohocke!( n !(!( Merion !( !( Pottstown !( !( !( !(!( Royersford 76 Lower Merion !( !( ¦¨§ !( !( !( 29!(!( !( !( !( Nar!(!(berth !( !( !( Chester County !( !(!(!( !( !( 476 !( ¦¨§ !( !( !(
" Designated Growth Area Single Unit Delaware County ¯ " Rural Resource Area Developments With 2-20 Units " Conservation and/or Preserved Area Developments With More Than 20 Units
The Land Use Vision in Montco 2040 suggests development potential across Growth and Preservation Total Number the county in terms of desired character, level of development, and access to Area Type of Units Percent Conservation and/or utilities. The Plan recommends that 95% of new homes be built in Designated 36 1.4% Growth Areas, which includes existing developed areas. No more than 5% Preserved Areas of new homes should be built in Rural Resources Areas as single units or Designated Growth Areas 2,495 95.4% clustered developments. Rural Resource Areas 83 3.2%
16 Montco 2040: a shared vision
2018 NONRESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN GROWTH, RURAL RESOURCE, AND CONSERVATION AREAS
Lehigh County Bucks County
Telford !( !( !( Hatboro Lower Moreland Souderton Hatfield!( Twp. Montgomery 29 East Greenville !( Pennsburg Salford Hatfield !( Horsham Bryn Athyn Marlborough Franconia Red Hill Bor. !( Upper Hanover !(Upper 309 !( Moreland ¦¨§476 !( !( Lansdale
Green Lane !( Towamencin 611 North Lowe!(r Upper Abington Wales !( Upper Gwynedd Dublin 663 Upper Lower Gwynedd Rockledge Salford Salford Ambler 276 Douglass New ¦¨§ Jenkintown Upper !(Hanover Lower Frederick 202 Frederick ¤£ Whitpain Cheltenham !( 73 73 Worcester Schwenksville !( Springfield Skippack East Norriton Plymout!(h Wh!( itemarsh 100 Philadelphia Perkiomen!(
ty Trappe ! Norristown Upper !(Limerick !( ( Lower West Pottsgrove Collegeville Lower Providence Norriton Bridgeport Coun Pottsgrove ¤£422 Conshohocken Upper !( West West Pottsgrove Providence Upper
Berks !( !(Schuylkill River Merion !( Conshohocken Pottstown !( !( Royersford !(76!( !( ¦¨§ Lower Merion !( 29 !( !( Narberth Chester County ¦¨§476 !(
" Designated Growth Area Less Than 10,000 Square Feet Delaware County ¯ " Rural Resource Area 10,000 - 50,000 Square Feet " Conservation and/or Preserved Area More Than 50,000 Square Feet
Growth and Preservation Total Square The Land Use Vision in Montco 2040 suggests development potential across Area Type Footage Percent the county in terms of desired character, level of development, and access to Designated Growth Areas 1,125,086 96.5% utilities. The Plan recommends virtually all new nonresidential development Rural Resource Areas 34,299 2.9% Conservation and/or be built in Designated Growth Areas, which includes existing developed areas. 6,375 0.5% Preserved Areas
17 2020 IMPLEMENTATION
STATUS OF PROGRAMMED ROADWAY PROJECTS SINCE 2015 (UPDATED 2019)
Lehigh County Bucks County
Telford 80 72 Hatboro Lower Moreland Souderton Hatfield Twp. Montgomery 29 East Greenville 17 Pennsburg Salford Hatfield G Horsham Marlborough Franconia Bryn Athyn Red Hill 83 Bor. Upper Hanover Upper 65 309 Moreland 476 14 ¨¦§ Lansdale G Green Lane Towamencin 611 North Lower Upper Abington Wales Upper 77 Gwynedd Dublin 663 Upper Lower Gwynedd Rockledge Salford Salford Ambler 276 74 Douglass New ¨¦§ Jenkintown Upper Hanover Lower Frederick 202 12 Frederick ¤£ Whitpain Cheltenham 73 76 73 Worcester Schwenksville Springfield Skippack 13 G 16 East Norriton 75 Plymouth Whitemarsh 100 Perkiomen Philadelphia
87 67 No85rristown Upper Limerick Trappe 88 G 73 Lower West 89 Pottsgrove Collegeville Lower Providence Norriton 84Bridgeport 422 Conshohocken Pottsgrove ¤£ 81 69 Upper West West Pottsgrove Providence Upper Berks County Schuylkill River Merion 71 Conshohocken G 95 Pottstown 55 78 Royersford Lower Merion 82 G 29 70 ¨¦§76 68 Narberth 66 Chester County 03 86 ¨¦§476
G Intersections and Interchanges G In Design/ G Under Construction/ Delaware County Engineering Completed Major Capital Projects 0 123456Miles ¯
The Transportation Vision in Montco 2040 identifies Programmed Roadway Projects as of Numbered boxes refer to specific projects the plan’s adoption in 2015. These are high-priority projects with dedicated construction as described in the Transportation Vision funding. These projects were either already in the regional Transportation Improvement section of Montco 2040: A Shared Vision. Program (TIP), which covered a twelve-year time frame, or in the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s (DVRPC) Long Range Plan.
18 Montco 2040: a shared vision
PROGRESSION OF VISION ROADWAY PROJECTS SINCE 2015
Lehigh County Bucks County
Telford G 29 63 Hatboro Lower Moreland Souderton 63 54 30 Montgomery 93 29 East Greenville Hatfield 309 20 Salford Hatfield G Horsham Bryn Athyn Pennsburg Marlborough Franconia G Twp. G Bor. 49 42 Red Hill 56 C Upper 18 58 ! 06 Upper Hanover Moreland G Lansdale G 19 11 C! 476 Towamencin 22 ¨¦§ Upper 15 Green Lane G 21 C! 611 52 51 North Dublin Abington Wales G 09 G Upper Lower 276 663 Upper Lower ¨¦§ Gwynedd Gwynedd 61 Rockledge Salford Salford Ambler Douglass New Jenkintown Upper Hanover Lower Frederick 43 26 28 ¤£202 33 Cheltenham Frederick Whitpain 73 90 01 23 G G G G 117 73 G Worcester 47 G C! G 48 Schwenksville 27 91 Springfield Skippack 112 G 50 East Norriton C! 25 Perkiomen Whitemarsh 41 44 Plymouth Philadelphia G 57 Limerick 39 100 53 Norristown92 04 G Trappe Upper Lower West 05 C! 07 Pottsgrove Collegeville Norriton C Lower 45 Providence !Bridgeport 422 Pottsgrove C ¤£ 29 Conshohocken s County ! 24 59 62 Upper 40 118 113 West Pottsgrove Providence G Upper Be rk Schuylkill38 River 10 C! 37 G 31 Pottstown C! Merion C! G 115 02 Royersford 76 114 G 46 60 ¨¦§ Lower Merion 35 G Narberth 36 C! Chester County 38 08 ¨¦§476
C! Interchange C! C! Delaware County G Intersection GF In Design/ GF Under Construction/ Engineering Completed Major Capital Project Road Diet ¯ The Transportation Vision in Montco 2040 identifies Vision Roadway Projects as of the plan’s Numbered boxes refer to specific projects adoption in 2015. These are high-priority projects that did not have dedicate funding at the as described in the Transportation Vision time of the plan’s adoption in 2015. However, some vision projects have progressed from section of Montco 2040: A Shared Vision. PennDOT, DVRPC, or local municipal initiatives to make our transportation network more efficient and safe.
19 2020 IMPLEMENTATION
More details about upcoming initiatives can be found at county Glossary of Abbreviations department websites and the websites of the county’s partners. A&I - Assets and Infrastructure Assets and Infrastructure – Office of Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites A&I-RB - Roads and Bridges http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=31 CC - County Commissioners Assets and Infrastructure – Office of Roads and Bridges CD - Commerce Department http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?NID=377 DA - Office of the District Attorney Commerce Department DVRPC - Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission http://www.montcopa.org/779/Commerce HA - Housing Authority Conservation District HHS - Department of Health and Human Services http://montgomeryconservation.org/ HHS-CC - Community Connections Department of Health and Human Services HHS-DDO - Developmental Disabilities Office http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=513 HHS-ELRC - Early Learning Resource Center Housing Authority HHS-OHCD - Office of Housing and Community Development http://www.montcoha.org/ HHS-OCIE - Office of Community Information and Education Office of Housing and Community Development http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=395 HHS-OCY - Office of Children and Youth HHS-ODA - Office of Drug and Alcohol Montgomery County Planning Commission http://www.montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=490 HHS-OMCS - Office of Managed Care Solutions HHS-OPH - Office of Public Health PennDOT http://www.dot.state.pa.us/ HHS-OPP - Office of Performance and Planning HHS-SS - Office of Senior Services Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission http://www.paturnpike.com/ MCCD - Montgomery County Conservation District Department of Public Safety RA - Redevelopment Authority http://montcopa.org/index.aspx?nid=132 PC - Planning Commission Office of Senior Services PS - Department of Public Safety http://www.montcopa.org/148/Senior-Services A&I-PTHS - Parks, Trails, and Historic Sites SEPTA http://www.septa.org/ Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board http://www.valleyforge.org/
To learn more about the county comprehensive plan and its implementation, go to – www.montcopa.org/Montco2040.
20 Montgomery County Planning Commission P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311