BEDFORD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 2018 ANNUAL REPORT March 2019

In this issue: LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR Regional Planning

The Letter From The Director in the 2017 Annual Report concluded with County Planning “Challenges and opportunities. The numbers tell a story – stay tuned.”

Technical Assistance This statement was primarily directed toward the pending completion of

Community Outreach the six-county regional Comprehensive Plan, “Alleghenies Ahead.” The adoption of the Plan by the Bedford County Commissioners on July 27, Trails and Recreation 2018 signaled the beginning of a new approach to comprehensive planning. The Plan is “implementable,” meaning that it has goals and Staff and Commission objectives that are discrete and capable of being implemented at the Reviews County level.

Board and Committee The numbers used in completing “Alleghenies Ahead” tell a story with Participation both challenges and opportunities for implementing the Comprehensive Conferences and Training Plan. The population of Bedford County is slowly declining, having peaked in 2000 at 49,762. It is now about 48,480. The population is also Agricultural Conservation aging, with a median age of 45.9 in 2017, having increased from 39.5 in Easement Purchase Program 2000. The number of children under the age of 18 declined by 10 percent from 2010 to 2017, while the number of residents age 65 and over GIS and Mapping increased by 15 percent in the same timeframe.

Community Development But the population continues to grow in counties to the east, as well as in Block Grant Program neighboring metropolitan areas. These regions have been, and will ______continue to be, a source of new residents for Bedford County.

Planning Commission: Implementation of the Comprehensive Plan began immediately upon Wayne Koontz, Chairman adoption in July. To date, the following has occurred:

Susan Ramirez, Vice-Chair  Creation of a six-county broadband task force to address the top- Pandora Wertz, Secretary ranked issue in the regional Comprehensive Plan; J.R. Barefoot, Treasurer  Establishment of a county committee to investigate the potential construction of the Southern Alleghenies Regional Birth Center; Robert Detwiler and Ernest Fuller  Creation of the Bedford-Fulton Joint Recreation Authority, Kimberly Leydig charged with developing The Old Pike (TOPP) trail, an 8.5-mile section of abandoned Mary Stanley including two large highway tunnels. Charles Swartzwelder These initiatives are directed at providing services and facilities to retain 200 South Juliana Street the current population, make 21st century improvements to attract Bedford, PA 15522 younger residents, and provide recreational opportunities for local Telephone: (814) 623-4827 citizens and visitors. The challenges remain, but the opportunities have Fax: (814) 623-5964 been defined and can be addressed for the benefit of all community TTY-TDD: 1-800-654-5984 members and the future economic stability of the County.

https://www.bedfordcountypa. org/ Donald Schwartz

2018 Annual Report – Page 2 of 16

Regional Planning

Regional Multi-County Comprehensive Plan

The Municipalities Planning Code of 1968 (MPC) defines a county Comprehensive Plan as “a land use and growth management plan prepared by the county planning commission and adopted by the county commissioners which establishes broad goals and criteria for municipalities to use in preparation of their comprehensive plan and land use regulation.” Additionally, Section 302(d) of the MPC requires that “County comprehensive plans shall be updated at least every ten years.”

Prior to the current initiative, the Bedford County Comprehensive Plan was last adopted on December 19, 2006. The six south-central counties represented by the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) - Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset – began several years ago to investigate the possibility of preparing a regional, multi-county Comprehensive Plan. While preserving the integrity of information and control specific to each county, this approach would allow the integration of planning across county lines, and also result in a cost savings versus the preparation of six individual plans.

A final decision was made in 2016 to move forward with the regional approach to county planning. The consulting firm czb, LLC was selected to develop the six-county Comprehensive Plan, which is the largest ever prepared in the Commonwealth. “Alleghenies Ahead” was chosen as the name for the project. It followed state guidelines for an “implementable” Plan, i.e., one that contains discrete actions and objectives that include timelines, responsible entities, funding scenarios, etc. Development of the Plan was started in 2017.

Work on the Comprehensive Plan continued into 2018, with over 60 attendees at a regional retreat held in Johnstown in January. A draft Plan was available for review on March 28, followed by a media roll-out in Somerset on June 6. The Bedford County Commissioners adopted the plan on July 27. A copy may be found on the County website at https://www.bedfordcountypa.org/departments/planning/regional_county_ local_ plans.php#223

The following priority areas were established for Bedford County in the new Comprehensive Plan:

2018 Annual Report – Page 3 of 16

Implementation of the Plan began immediately upon adoption in July. Progress that occurred by the end of 2018 included:

Broadband and Cellular Service: Task Force Creation

Improving broadband and cellular service in the region was the top overall priority in the six-county Plan. SAP&DC created a Broadband Task Force which had its first meeting on August 8. Members have diverse backgrounds in government, industry, broadband technology, etc. Several additional meetings occurred by the end of 2018, and sub-committees were also created. Matching the regional needs with available funding sources will be a key focus point in 2019. It is likely that a range of options will be considered across the region.

Natural and Recreational Assets: The Old Pennsylvania Pike Trail (Abandoned PA Turnpike)

As discussed below under “Trails and Recreation” The Old Pennsylvania Pike (TOPP) Trail, formerly known as the Pike 2 Bike, made great strides towards completion in 2018. The TOPP Trail includes 8.5 miles of abandoned PA Turnpike, incorporating two large highway tunnels. The update of the 2006 Master Plan was completed and adopted by the Commissioners on December 18. A copy may be found on the County website at: https://www.bedfordcountypa.org/departments/planning/regional_county_local_plans.php#222. The Bedford-Fulton Joint Recreation Authority (BFJRA) was created with representation from Bedford and Fulton Counties, and held its first meeting on November 14. The BFJRA will be the mechanism for regional cooperation, and will be responsible for making the necessary improvements to the trail, as well as future management, event planning and operations. At the end of the year, the BFJRA was focused on formally acquiring the property from the current owner, the Southern Alleghenies Conservancy (SAC). Applications to fund project design and construction will be prepared in 2019.

Coordinated Approach to Public Health: Southern Alleghenies Regional Birth Center

With the recent elimination of delivery services at the UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital, women face lengthy drives to other facilities for childbirth. The Comprehensive Plan suggested that the construction of a stand-alone birth center be investigated. A committee was created and held its first meeting on November 15, followed by another on December 20. Local support for a birth center has been impressive. Initially, the committee is focusing on construction in the northern part of the County, in order to be near a back-up hospital. It is likely that a survey of residents will be conducted in 2019. A feasibility study or business plan will be developed, and funding options will be investigated.

Business and Economic Development: Bedford County Development Association

The Bedford County Development Association collaborated with SAP&DC on the creation of a “Startup Alleghenies” program in Bedford County in 2018. The program is designed to assist entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into businesses, or to improve their existing businesses by adding a new product or service. The program can assist entrepreneurs with writing business plans, discovering customers, building markets and understanding funding options. 2018 Annual Report – Page 4 of 16

Regional (SAP&DC) Coordinated Public Resources Plan for this nationally-important river Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan basin, which is home to over 6 million residents.

According to SAP&DC, a Coordinated Transportation Plan (CTP) “sets the direction for a region to improve public transportation options and promote mobility of those dependent on transit.” Further, the Federal Transit Administration requires that all projects funded under Section 5310 be “included in a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.”

The Director represented the County on a steering committee for the regional project (Bedford, Fulton Huntingdon and Somerset Counties) that was completed in 2016. Implementation of the Plan began in 2017 and continued into 2018, with an initial recommendation to create a simple, searchable database of all regional transportation services.

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan Approximately 29% of Bedford County (in the southern portion and along the border with

Maryland) is in the Potomac River basin, with the The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River remainder in the Susquehanna River Basin. Basin (ICPRB) was authorized by an Act of

Congress in 1940 as an advisory, non-regulatory The Plan was completed and adopted in the interstate compact agency of the Potomac River summer of 2018, and will serve as a fundamental basin states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, guidepost for protecting the water resources of West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Its the Potomac River Basin. mission is “To protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin The final Plan may be viewed at: through science, regional cooperation, and https://www.potomacriver.org/focus-areas/water- education.” resources-and-drinking-water/water-

resources/planning/basin-wide-comprehensive- The Director continued to serve in 2018 as a plan/. member of an advisory committee for the ICPRB’s initiative to prepare the first Comprehensive Water

County Planning

Hazard Mitigation Plan

In accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) and implementing regulations, the County completed and adopted an update of its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) on November 14, 2017. Hazard Mitigation describes actions taken to prevent or reduce the long-term risks to life and property from hazards. Pre-disaster mitigation actions are taken in advance of a hazard event (such as flooding) and are essential to breaking the typical disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. Hazards may be natural, technological or manmade. 2018 Annual Report – Page 5 of 16

The 2017 Plan identified flooding as the most important hazard affecting the County, with a Risk Ranking of 3.7 on a 4.0-point scale. Other Risks rated 3.0 or above include tornado/windstorms, pandemic disease, winter storms, utility interruptions, invasive species, transportation accidents and wildfires.

Local jurisdictions must comply with the DMA in order to remain eligible for funding and technical assistance from state and federal mitigation programs. By the end of 2018, 36 of 38 boroughs and townships had adopted the County’s HMP.

FEMA also requires that the County conduct an annual review meeting for the HMP. The first meeting for the 2017 Plan was held on October 29, 2018. The Plan may be found on the County website at: https://www.bedfordcounty pa.org/departments/planning/regional_county_local_plans.php#783.

Municipal Waste Management Plan

Act 101 of 1988 (“Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act”) sets forth requirements for municipalities to address the disposal and recycling of municipal solid waste. The PA Code (Title 25, Chapter 272) includes regulations for the development of a Municipal Waste Management Plan (MWMP). As noted in Section 272.201, the primary purposes of a MWMP are to:

 Ensure that each county has sufficient processing and disposal capacity for its municipal waste for at least 10 years;

 Ensure a full, fair and open discussion of alternative methods of municipal waste processing or disposal;

 Ensure maximum feasible waste reduction and recycling of municipal waste or source separated recyclable material;

 Shift the primary responsibility for developing and implementing municipal waste management plans from municipalities to counties; and

 Conserve resources and protect the public health, safety and welfare from the short- and long-term dangers of transportation, processing, treatment storage and disposal of municipal waste.

Bedford County last adopted its Municipal Waste Management Plan on January 26, 2010. The County conducts municipal waste planning jointly with Fulton and Huntingdon Counties via membership in the South Central Counties Solid Waste Agency (SSCSWA). In 2018, the SSCSWA initiated the process of updating the MWMPs for each County. The consulting firm of Barton & Loguidice was selected to assist the SSCSWA in preparing the three Plans.

A Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) will be formed in Bedford County in 2019 to provide local guidance during the development of the MWMP. Membership on the SWAC will be recruited from borough and township government, industry, citizen groups, and the municipal waste disposal and recycling industry. It is anticipated that the MWMP will be completed in 2020 or 2021.

2018 Annual Report – Page 6 of 16

Transportation Planning

PennDOT Connects

PennDOT continues to implement a policy announced in February 2017 called PennDOT Connects. This initiative links municipal governments and the Planning Commission with PennDOT to discuss transportation projects early in the planning process prior to developing project scopes and cost estimates. The purpose is to learn from local leaders which elements are important to include in projects that support community goals. PennDOT is to consider those comments and project concerns.

An outreach session conducted by PennDOT, in coordination with the PA State Association of Township Supervisors (PASATS), on February 16 provided participants with information about the initiative and its benefits. The session also provided PennDOT with feedback on municipal training and technical assistance needs. Municipal contact and engagement is to occur for Visit paconnects.org to register your municipality and get transportation projects to be included in the information about PennDOT Connects training and resources Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).

Public Comment and Approval of the 2019-2022 TIP

Bedford County is a member of the Southern Alleghenies Rural Planning Organization (RPO) responsible for transportation planning and project programming. SAP&DC entered into an agreement with PennDOT to act as the RPO for Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. Together with PennDOT, the RPO receives a budget of federal and state dollars to program projects in the first four-year segment, referred to as the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), of the Twelve Year Program.

The Draft FY 2019-2022 TIP was available for a 30-day public review and comment period beginning on May 4. Public hearings were held in each of the four Counties, with the Bedford County hearing held on May 22. The Southern Alleghenies RPO adopted the 2019-2022 TIP during the summer and it went into effect on October 1. The 2019-2022 TIP can be viewed at http://www.sapdc.org/gov-non-profit/2019TIP.

The following are selected projects approved in the 2019-2022 TIP:

PROJECT NAME MUNICIPALITY PROJECT TYPE PA 26 Riddlesburg to Saxton & Liberty Corridor Rehabilitation from Six Mile Run Road (S.R. Townships 1036) to PA 913 U.S. Route 30 Snake Spring Township Construct left turn lane at intersection of Mount Dallas Road (T-455) U.S. Route 30 East Providence Resurfacing from East Mattie Road (S.R. 2029) to Township Turnpike Overpass PA Route 56 West St .Clair Township Pleasantville Mountain Safety Improvements: truck brake check pull-off; shoulder widening at two curves; and truck speed warning signs at Peggy Westover Curve. PA Route 56 & S.R. 4028 East St. Clair Township Improvements at Old Town Road (S.R. 4028 intersection) Intersection and Route 56 widening PA Route 96 Londonderry Township Resurfacing and work on various structures from the Maryland State line to Center Street in Hyndman Borough

2018 Annual Report – Page 7 of 16

Beginning Development of the 2021-2024 Draft TIP

With the adoption of the 2019-2022 TIP that became effective on October 1, the Southern Alleghenies RPO staff started the development of the 2021-2024 TIP. In coordination with PennDOT and Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset Counties, the RPO conducted eight listening sessions across the counties to hear about transportation needs. More than 75 attended, including municipalities from across the region. Staff participated in the Bedford County sessions conducted on September 17 at the Hyndman Senior Center and on September 26 at the Everett Area High School. At both sessions, RPO staff gathered information on local transportation needs. The County considered the needs expressed at the listening sessions as well as other sources of information, including local bridge needs from the latest PennDOT Local Bridge Risk Assessment. The Planning Commission Hyndman Outreach Session, Photo SAP&DC passed a motion at its December 19 meeting recommending a list of roadway and local bridge needs to the County Commissions for their consideration and approval. The Commissioners approved forwarding the list of projects for consideration to the RPO at their meeting on January 15, 2019. Development of the 2021 TIP will continue through 2019.

Federal Earmark Repurposing (Bridge Bundle)

In 2018, five County-owned bridges and one Township-owned bridge were advanced as part of a bridge bundle along with two Huntingdon County structures. Approximately $1.3 million of unused Federal earmark funding is being used to address these structurally deficient bridges. One contractor will replace all eight bridge decks with new concrete. PennDOT conducted a plan display on January 23 where planned detours were discussed to allow a contractor full access to each bridge. The bridge on T-413 on Grasser Road in Juniata Township is on a dead-end road and the contractor will be required to construct one lane at a time. Construction of the bridge bundle is expected to begin in 2019 and extend through at least the end of the year. BRIDGE BUNDLE (designed & constructed as one project)

T-473 Rose Road, County Br. #14 in Napier Township T-584 Reed Road, County Br. #36 – W. St .Clair Township T- 413 Grasser Road, County Br. #19 – Juniata Township T- 314 Barnes Road, County Br. # 28 – Mann Township T-328 Moss Road, County Br. #25 – Mann Township T-307 Street Road, Township Br. #2 – Southampton Township

Photos: P. Joseph Lehman, Inc.

2018 Annual Report – Page 8 of 16

Technical Assistance . Garrett Borough Trailhead on St. Clairsville Area Water GAP Trail (Somerset County) Company Bedford County Housing . Ghost Town Trail (Cambria Partnerships County) Planning Commission staff began assistance to the Bedford County Housing Hyndman Borough Area SCAWC in 2018. The Partnerships (BCHP) was Communications Tower storage tanks, treatment created with the support of local plant and distribution system agencies having a common Hyndman Borough and much of are aging. The non-profit interest in increasing housing surrounding Londonderry Township Rural Community Assistance options for low income, suffers from a lack of cell phone Partnership (RCAP) was disabled, and homeless service. This issue is particularly contacted to provide free persons in the County. The important because a railroad line technical assistance with Planning Commission bisects the Borough, and trains creation of a system map continues to assist BCHP in its regularly stop in the community, utilizing GPS and GIS. RCAP efforts to provide housing for sometimes blocking all crossings for also prepared the paperwork underserved populations in several hours at time. This problem necessary to apply for free Bedford County. The Director was highlighted in the recently- assistance from the DEP attended meetings of the BCHP adopted Bedford County Hazard Professional Engineering on January 11 and September Mitigation Plan. A serious railroad Services (PES) program. 13. A highlight at the accident in 2017, and the lack of cell PES may be able to assist September meeting was a phone service during that emergency, with a completion of a presentation on the proposed became the impetus for seeking a system feasibility study and conversion of the former communications tower for the area. design. DEP has asked for a Defiance Elementary School The Planning Commission worked site visit in February 2019 to into housing for senior citizens. with other County representatives to gather data for the final develop a solution. The Director application to PES. SAP&DC Regional attended a ceremony in Hyndman on Greenways & ATV Mini- July 20, where the Commissioners Grants Program announced that AT&T will be Community Outreach constructing a tower on a ridge north

of the Borough. Construction will Municipalities The Southern Alleghenies occur in 2019 or 2020. Greenways and Open Space Network Plan was completed in The Planning Commission 2007. SAP&DC developed a continued an active outreach “mini-grants” program in 2015 effort to municipalities and to advance the priorities residents. identified in the Plan. A new round of funding occurred in The Director gave a 2018. The Director served on presentation on October 25 the application review to the Hyndman Borough – committee and three projects Londonderry Township Lions were recommended for funding Club concerning the role of and approved by the SAP&DC the Planning Commission, Board: focusing on the significant investment of CDBG funding . Johnstown Inclined in the Hyndman area over Plane Riverside Park the past three decades. (Cambria County)

Commissioner Lang at Hyndman Ceremony 2018 Annual Report – Page 9 of 16

Trails and Recreation

The Old Pennsylvania Pike: Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike

The Pennsylvania Turnpike was opened to vehicles on October 1, 1940. It was the first limited-access “superhighway” in the United States, and was patterned after the Autobahn in Germany. In 1968, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission bypassed an 11-mile segment of roadway in Bedford and Fulton Counties, containing the 1.3-mile Tunnel and the 0.7-mile Rays Hill Tunnel. In 2000, the Commission began to contemplate future use of this property. The following year the Commission sold an 8.5-mile section of the roadway, including the two tunnels, to the non-profit Southern Alleghenies Conservancy (SAC) for $1. SAC then commissioned the creation of the Pike 2 Bike Trail Network Master Plan and Adaptive Re- Use Study (“Master Plan”) to study the cost and management oversight necessary to renovate the roadway and tunnels for use as a recreational trail, as well as guaranteeing long-term maintenance and operation. The Master Plan, adopted in 2006, included an estimated project cost of $3.06 million. The Master Plan also proposed that SAC ultimately transfer the property to another form of ownership (likely municipal) for final development. Looking into the Sideling Hill Tunnel

In 2013, Bedford and Fulton Counties agreed to work cooperatively to develop an Economic Impact Study of the Pike 2 Bike corridor to form the basis of a public education and funding strategy (a majority of the 200+ acre property is in Fulton County). Three Scenarios were analyzed, ranging from basic trail and tunnel improvements, to the addition of a museum and nature preserve in Fulton County. The study projected that upon full development (Scenario 3), up to 200,000 visitors, spending $12 million, would visit the corridor each year. The Planning Commissions for both counties and the Boards of Commissioners approved the Economic Impact Analysis in 2014. The study may be found on the County’s website at https://www.bedford countypa.org/departments/planning/regional_county_local_plans.php#revize_document_center_rz222.

In 2016 it became apparent that the Master Plan, now ten years old, required an update in order to advance the project. An 11-member advisory committee of Bedford County residents was formed early in the year and Navarro & Wright Consulting Engineers, Inc. was retained in 2017 to complete the Update. As part of the process it was decided that the property and project should have a new name to better reflect its heritage and statewide importance. It is hoped that the “The Old Pennsylvania Pike” will become the “TOPP” recreational trail in the United States.

The use of the TOPP trail continued to expand in 2018. In late October, Trivium Racing of North Carolina followed up on its 2017 event by sponsoring a half marathon on the property. Approximately 230 runners http://www.theoldpapike.com/ attended. Early in the year, PBS Broadcasting filmed a scene on the trail to be used in a documentary about the Chernobyl nuclear accident. A Subaru car show was also held on the site of a former turnpike restaurant parking lot.

Completion of the Master Plan Update and creation of a joint municipal authority with Fulton County to obtain transfer of the property from SAC proceeded in parallel in 2018. The Update was completed and adopted by the Commissioners on December 18. The Master Plan Update may be found on the county

2018 Annual Report – Page 10 of 16

website at https://www.bedfordcountypa.org/departments/planning/regional_county_local_plans.php#revize _document_center_rz222. Among the highlights is a proposed pedestrian bridge over U.S. Route 30 to accommodate parking at the western trailhead in Breezewood. The Bedford-Fulton Joint Recreation Authority (BFJRA) was created by both counties and held its first meeting in November. Transfer of the property from SAC to BFJRA and applications for funding to support design and construction will occur in 2019.

Staff & Commission Reviews Additionally, the PA Sewage Facilities Act 537 requires that the Planning Commission review and Consistency Reviews comment on all municipal Act 537 Plans as well as Component 2 and Component 3 modules. County The Planning Commission has the responsibility to Planning reviews are not required for Component review and comment on public facility projects, 1 modules. zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances, as well as for consistency with the In 2013, the Planning Commission developed an County Comprehensive Plan (Section 303 of the application format and fee schedule for the review Municipalities Planning Code; Acts 67 and 68 of of subdivision and land development plans, as well 2000). Federal Executive Order #12372 also as sewage planning modules. The new format provides the authority to comment on the went into effect on January 1, 2014. consistency of federally-funded projects with the County Plan. The Planning Commission conducted The Planning Commission in 2018 reviewed 84 25 consistency reviews in 2018. Highlights subdivision plans; 15 land development plans; and included: 4 sewage modules. The 103 plans were received from 21 municipalities. The subdivision reviews Bedford Borough Municipal Authority replacement represented 53 single-family homes utilizing either of 29,000 LF of sanitary sewer pipe and 17,250 LF on-lot sewage disposal or connection to public of water lines sewerage as well as numerous property line changes and side-lot additions. Notable land RER Energy Group construction of 5000 development reviews completed in 2018 included: photovoltaic solar panels on property adjacent to the Bedford County Correctional Facility Clark Contractors, Inc. Building Addition, Bedford Township New DCNR Maintenance Headquarters for the Captiveaire Building Addition, Bedford Township in Southampton Township Bedford Co. Airport West Apron Expansion Phase II, Bedford Township CaptiveAire, Inc. construction of a 42,000 s.f. Bedford Co. Airport Maintenance Hangar & Office addition to an existing manufacturing building in Building, Bedford Township Bedford Township New Paris Dollar General Store, East St. Clair Township Broad Top Township Supervisors extension of the Woodbury Church of the Brethren, Two Building H & BT rail-trail for two miles north of Riddlesburg. Additions, Woodbury Township Rex Heat Treat Building Addition, Bedford Township Development Reviews Bedford County Correctional Facility Solar Field, Installation of Solar Panels, Bedford Township Section 502(b) of the PA Municipalities Planning First Christian Church, Additional Parking Lot, West Code requires that the Planning Commission Providence Township review and comment on all subdivision and land John & Kay Fair, Mobile Home Park, Everett development plans submitted to municipalities that Borough have a subdivision and land development Todd & Kristen Wright, Pet Grooming Building, ordinance prior to final municipal action. Kimmel Township 2018 Annual Report – Page 11 of 16

The Planning Commission conducted a total of Board & Committee Participation 568 subdivision, land development and sewage planning reviews from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2018. The following charts show The Director and staff of the Planning Commission the total number and types of reviews for each of represent the County on numerous boards and the past 5 years, and municipalities with the committees including the following: highest number of reviews: . Bedford County Agricultural Land Preservation Board Total Reviews 2014-2018 . County Planning Directors Association of 134 Pennsylvania 130 . South Central Counties Solid Waste 120 Agency 120 . Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission, Planning 110 109 Advisory Committee 102 103 100 . Regional Planning Organization (RPO) Number of Reviews of Number 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Regional Transportation Technical Year Committee . Bedford County Housing Partnerships . Evitts Creek Steering Committee . Western Pennsylvania Conservancy Reviews by Type 2014-2018 Regional Advisory Committee . Ridge and Valley Streamkeepers 500 461 . One Water Task Force 450 . The Greater Cumberland Committee 400 350

300 250 Conferences and Training 200 150 81 Planning Commission staff attended the following 100 Number of Reviews of Number 26 conferences and trainings in 2018: 50 0 Major Sewage Land Subdivison . Annual Convention of Bedford County Modules Development Township Officials . American Planning Association

(Pennsylvania Chapter) Annual Conference . CDBG FFY 2018 Applications Municipalities with the Highest . CDBG Annual Conference for Community Development and Housing Practitioners Number of Reviews 2014-2018 . CDBG Labor Standards Enforcement 100 92 . CDBG Procurement Webinar . RCAP Solutions: Sustainable Management 80 of Small Drinking Water Systems 60 44 . PA Environmental Council Trail Summit 35 38 38 38 40

20 Agricultural Conservation NumberReviews of 0 Easement Purchase Program East St. Clair South East West West St. Bedford Township Woodbury Providence Providence Clair Township Township Township Township Township The Bedford County Agricultural Land Preservation Board and the Bedford County

Agricultural Conservation Easement 2018 Annual Report – Page 12 of 16

Purchase Program were created by the County owners. Farms in the Program are also inspected Commissioners in December 1995, in accordance by the Bedford County Conservation District. Due with the Pennsylvania Agricultural Area Security to limited funds, the County Agricultural Board Law of 1981 (Act 43), as amended by Act 149 of normally can only purchase one easement every 1988. The formation of the Board signified the first several years. However, donations of easements step in the implementation of the Bedford County (“bargain sales”) have extended Program funds in Agricultural Conservation Plan. The primary goals the past. of the seven-member Board are to: There are currently 17 enrolled farms . Administer a program for purchasing and encompassing 3786 acres (almost 6 square accepting donations on agricultural miles). The 17 farms are distributed as follows: conservation easements in accordance with Act 149 and succeeding amendments and South Woodbury Township – 5 guidelines. Colerain Township – 4 . Promote efforts to support the growth of East Providence Township – 2 existing agricultural and non-agricultural King/East St. Clair Townships (border) – 1 communities in the County. Londonderry Township - 1 . Promote efforts to support the growth of Snake Spring Township – 1 existing agricultural and non-agricultural West Providence Township – 1 communities in the County. West St. Clair Township – 1 . Encourage the use of farmland preservation Woodbury Township - 1 techniques through public and private programs in the County. In 2018 the Bedford County Conservation District . Encourage the preservation of the most agreed, on a trial basis, to share some of the productive soils in the County. duties of processing easement applications with . Inform the public about the importance of the Planning Commission. Frank and Cathleen Agricultural Land Preservation. Otto submitted an application for a $1 bargain sale easement on a 70 +/- acre farm in East Easements purchased through this state- and Providence Township, adjacent to one of their county-funded program are perpetual. With minor properties currently in the easement Program. It is exceptions, the land preserved must be used for anticipated that the easement will be completed in agricultural purposes by current and future 2019. property

GIS and Mapping

The GIS & Planning Specialist completed a number of projects and requests throughout the year, including fulfilling requests for maps from the public; mostly in the form of maps depicting the 100-year floodplain in relation to specific parcels. The GIS & Planning Specialist created an Online Parcel Viewer this year to ensure the public has more efficient access to the County’s parcel data. The Parcel Viewer was activated on July 17, and by the end of the year had been viewed more than 9700 times. The GIS & Planning Specialist has also been fulfilling various GIS data requests from a variety of users. A number of custom mapping projects for the Commissioners and members of the public have also been completed. These custom mapping projects in 2018 included the following: 2018 Annual Report – Page 13 of 16

 Bedford County Courthouse Facility Floorplan Maps (4 Total; 1 Each Floor)  School District  Huntingdon & Broad Top Rail-Trail  U.S. Census Bureau Local Update of Census Addresses  Borough of Everett Area Municipal Authority Sewer Laterals Project  2018 Bedford County Health Fair  County-Wide Clean and Green Property Enrollment  Bedford County Business Opportunities  Bedford County Bridge Construction And Detours  Agricultural Security Areas In South Woodbury Township  Bedford Township Camps Located In 100-Year Floodplain  CDBG Applications  Frank and Cathleen Otto Farm Agricultural Preservation Application

The GIS & Planning Specialist also created various webpage updates and technical support projects for the public and department upon the request of the Director and the Commissioners. These updates and projects included the following:

 An Agricultural Conservation Easement Program page for the website  Provided lists of physical addresses within the following townships: Bedford, Lincoln, and West St. Clair  Created a “How To” document providing guidance on how to use certain functions of the online parcel viewer and posted the document on the website  Provided technical support for Bedford Township during its LUCA Project (US Census)  Held a training session on how to edit and maintain the website for staff from the Planning Commission and Tax Assessment offices  Graphed school enrollment trends throughout the County from 1993 to the present  Conducted research on pipeline GIS data availability  Created a list of addresses in the 100-year floodplain for Bedford Township  Reviewed PA GeoBoard Geospatial Strategic Plan and the Final GIS data-sharing agreement that the state has devised  Created multiple charts and maps with demographic data in support of the Southern Alleghenies Regional Birth Center committee

Community Development Block Grant

The Pennsylvania Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program allocations are Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds administered by PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under Pennsylvania Act 179. At the County level, the CDBG Program is administered by the Bedford County Planning Commission (BCPC) on behalf of the Board of Commissioners.

Under PA CDBG rules, Bedford County is eligible to apply for entitlement CDBG Program funds. Likewise, Bedford Township, with a population of 4,000 or more (per U.S. Census) is similarly entitled (as the County’s only criterion-meeting municipality). Also under PA policy, the County administers the Township’s CDBG funds. Since 1983, $16,451,184 has been allocated to Bedford County and Bedford Township. 2018 Annual Report – Page 14 of 16

Bedford County CDBG entitlement funds must be used to fund projects that benefit non-entitlement municipalities/ communities or not-for-profit organizations. Projects are selected through a competitive process. Proposed projects must meet three eligibility requirements: (1) National Objectives criteria (benefit at least 51% low-to-moderate income (LMI) persons); (2) be an activity listed under HUD 24 CFR Part 570, authorized category of basic project eligibility; and (3) be a problem and a good expenditure of funds.

Project activities must reflect necessary and reasonable costs, and must conform to State and Federal regulations. Project(s) must (1) meet environmental review requirements/ procedures; (2) solve the problem; (3) be completable within three years; and (4) prove other funding is not available for their completion. Applicants are urged to self-fund project engineering costs, due to limitations on both CDBG funds and project time spans. Project proposals are reviewed by BCPC staff for compliance and completeness. Projects meeting the CDBG eligibility criteria are presented to the County CDBG Priority Board at a public Bedford County, as a CDBG Grantee, whether or not doing meeting. The Priority Board, comprised of the BCPC Board members, ranks the housing projects, is required to be projects by greatest need/ urgency and forwards funding recommendations to in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, as the Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners have the final decision as to amended. the project(s) to receive funding.

A grant application for CDBG entitlement funds is submitted to DCED annually. Upon approval, BCPC staff completes project environmental reviews that enable release of funds by DCED, allowing projects to proceed. Staff then meets with the project proposer(s) to determine steps required to complete projects within both the allotted funds and contract timeframe (3 years). If an engineer or an architect is required, a Request for Proposals (RFP) is advertised, with selection through an open and competitive process. The engineer/ architect designs the project, and obtains permits and easements. If construction is required, bid documents are prepared and a contract is awarded through an open and competitive process. BCPC staff monitors construction, handles billing, and completes project close-out.

Projects are monitored by DCED staff and audited by an accounting firm selected by the County. All files are maintained for four years after the CDBG Program year has been closed-out by HUD. The total timeframe is approximately ten years.

Construction of the following projects advanced in 2018:

2015 CDBG Wood-Broad Top-Wells Joint Municipal Authority Water and Sewer Treatment Plant Improvements Above Photo: Sludge Loading Pit Resurfacing Right Photo: Water Filter Tank Refurbishing & Painting in Progress 2018 Annual Report – Page 15 of 16

2014 & 2015 CDBG Broad Top Township On-Lot Septic Systems Above Photo: Septic System Replacement Work, Both Sides of Road Right Photo: On-Lot Sewage Disposal Tank Setup Detail

2016 CDBG Borough of Everett Area Municipal Authority, Sewer Service Lateral Replacements Above Photo: Trench Excavation Following Existing Sewer Lateral Line Toward House Right Photo: Trench Excavation Completed, Preparing to Install New Sewer Lateral Line

Bedford Township CDBG Projects active during 2018 are listed below:

FUNDING PROJECT NAME YEAR(S) DESCRIPTION AMOUNT STATUS 2013 $74,792 Subrecipient contract with Housing Rehab 2014 and Rehab single-family LMI homes in Bedford Township $76,183 CCA - final home being

2015 $76,017 rehabbed early 2019 2016 and $77,395 Construction planned for Cessna Area Water & Sewer Install water & sewer lines to neighborhood of 8 homes 2017 $76,511 2019 2018 Awaiting 2018 DCED Housing Rehab Rehabilitation of LMI homes in Bedford Township $83,555 Application contract

2018 Annual Report – Page 16 of 16

Bedford County CDBG Projects active during 2018 are listed below: FUNDING PROJECT NAME YEAR(S) DESCRIPTION AMOUNT STATUS Broad Top Township On- 2014 and Reconstruct or Replace malfunctioning on-lot septic $163,213 Construction to be Lot Septic Systems 2015 systems $36,414 completed Summer 2019 Wood-Broad Top-Wells Water & Sewer Plant improvements; jointly with $159,129 Construction to be Joint Municipal Authority 2015 Huntingdon Co. CDBG grants $43,900 completed Spring 2019 Water & Sewer Plants Borough of Everett Area Construction to be Municipal Authority 2016 Replace sewer laterals $68,825 completed Spring 2019 (BEAMA) Sewer Laterals Hyndman Borough 2016 and $81,825 Bidding planned for early Waterline replacement Waterline Replacement 2017 $160,700 2019 Housing Rehab – County- Environmental Review 2017 Rehabilitation of 1-2 single-family, LMI homes $31,695 wide planned for early 2019 Rainsburg Borough 2018 Awaiting 2018 DCED Acquisition of Municipal Acquisition of watershed acreage $53,675 Application contract Watershed Acreage Awaiting 2018 DCED Hyndman Borough 2018 Waterline replacement $155,888 contract - Multi-year with Waterline Replacement Application 2019

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2018 Annual Report

Bedford County Planning Commission 200 South Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522