ABINGTON TOWNSHIP DECEMBER 8, 2020 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEETING 1 TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON _____________________ COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MEETING A G E N D A December 8, 2020 6:00 PM There are two ways for the public to participate in the meeting. Residents can access the meeting online, by a computer, iPad, iPhone or Android at https://zoom.us/j/94510865935. This link will enable residents to hear the meeting and see presentations. There will be no video capabilities. Residents, who are unable to join online, can listen to the meeting by calling 1-929-436-2866 and entering the meeting ID number 945 1086 5935 when prompted. NEW BUSINESS Draft Environmental Management Chapter PUBLIC COMMENT ADJOURNMENT 2 BOARD POLICY ON AGENDA ITEMS For Information Purposes Only Board President Announcements This item on the Board of Commissioners Agenda is reserved for the Board President to make announcements that are required under law for public disclosure, such as announcing executive sessions, or for matters of public notice. Public Comment Public Comment on Agenda Items is taken at the beginning of regularly scheduled Public Meetings prior to any votes being cast. When recognized by the presiding Officer, the commenter will have three minutes to comment on agenda items at this first public comment period. All other public comment(s) not specific to an agenda item, if any, are to be made near the end of the public meeting prior to adjournment. Public comment on agenda items at regularly scheduled Board of Commissioner Committee meetings will be after a matter has been moved and seconded and upon call of the Chair for public comment. Presentations Should the Board of Commissioners have an issue or entity that requires time to present an issue to the Board, that is more than an oral description relating to an agenda item under consideration, The Board may have that matter listed under Presentations. If nothing is listed under presentations, then there is no business to conduct in that manner. Consent Agenda Items of business and matters listed under the Consent Agenda are considered to be routine and non- controversial and will be enacted by one motion and one vote. There will be no separate discussion of these items. If discussion is desired by Board of Commissioner Members, that item is to be identified by the Board member and will be identified and removed from the Consent Agenda, and will be considered separately at the appropriate place on the Agenda. Unfinished Business Items for consideration as unfinished business are matters that have been considered for action at a public Board Meeting and have not been tabled to a date certain or voted upon. New Business Items for consideration as new business are matters that have been considered for action at the Board Committee Meeting. It is Board practice to not introduce new business at Board Committee Meetings. 3 BOARD POLICY ON PUBLIC PARTICIPATION For Information Purposes Only The Township shall conduct business in accordance with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Laws governing the conduct of public meetings and only establish guidelines that shall govern public participation at meetings consistent with the law. Each commenter shall: Direct their comments to the Presiding Officer; Speak from the podium or into a microphone designated by the presiding officer; State their name for the record; Either orally or in writing provide their address for the record; Have a maximum of three minutes to make their comments. Each commenter when speaking to a specific agenda item, is to keep their comments relative to that identified agenda item; Speak one time per agenda item; When commenting on non-agenda items, the commenter is to keep their comments related to matters of the Township of Abington, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. State a question to the Presiding Officer after all commenters have spoken, and; Be seated after speaking or upon the request of the presiding officer; Not engage in debate, dialogue or discussion; Not disrupt the public meeting, and; Exercise restraint and sound judgement in avoiding the use of profane language, and the maligning of others. 4 MONTGOMERY COUNTY MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS PLANNING COMMISSION MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURTHOUSE • PO BOX 311 HAIR VALERIE A. ARKOOSH, MD, MPH, C NORRISTOWN, PA 19404-0311 KENNETH E. LAWRENCE, JR., VICE CHAIR 610-278-3722 JOSEPH C. GALE, COMMISSIONER FAX: 610-278-3941• TDD: 610-631-1211 WWW.MONTCOPA.ORG Scott France, AICP, Executive Director December 5, 2020 SUBJECT: Draft Environmental Management Chapter TO: Comp Plan Development Team FROM: Mike Narcowich, AICP, Assistant Section Chief: Community Planning INTRODUCTION This chapter will analyze and make recommendations for protection of the township's natural environment. It will review hydrology; steep slopes, and soils; tree canopy; water quality; and environmental sustainability initiatives and stewardship. Link to Plan’s Vision • “Desirable Residential Areas” – the natural environment, from tree canopy to water quality, has a direct impact on the character and desirability of residential areas. • “A Thriving, Equitable Community” – Environmental justice is an important part of overall community equity. • “Healthy People and Environment (think clean, green, and healthy)” – There is a strong connection between the natural environment and public health. 1 5 Note: Much of the following narrative text about the township’s natural features was originally prepared for the Abington Open Space, Recreational, and Environmental Resource Protection Plan. EXISTING CONDTIONS Streams and Watersheds The township is the site of the headwaters of several major streams or their tributaries, including the Tookany Creek, Pennypack Creek, and Sandy Run (a tributary of the Wissahickon Creek). The Tookany and Pennypack are tributaries of the Delaware River; Sandy Run is a tributary of the Wissahickon Creek, which in turn is a tributary of the Schuylkill River. As seen in the map of watersheds, below, the Pennypack Creek drains over half of the township (the eastern and northeastern sections). Small tributary creeks in this area include Robinhood Brook, which flows into Meadow Brook. Meadow Brook and Rockledge Brook run through this area before entering the main branch of the Pennypack Creek. Jenkintown Creek, Burholme Creek, and Shoemaker Run flow through the southern section of the township before entering the main branch of Tookany Creek (which is part of the Tookany/Tacony- Frankford watershed). Protecting a stream’s headwaters is especially important. This portion of a stream’s watershed is particularly vulnerable to chemical or biological pollution and thermal impacts; such damage to the headwaters affects the entire stream. The Pennypack Creek Drains More Than Half of the Township 2 6 Watersheds 3 7 Wetlands Wetlands are areas defined by the presence of water, saturated soil conditions, and the growth of unique plants. Abington contains both forested wetlands and emergent wetlands which are dominated by grass or grass-like species. Wetlands are important groundwater discharge areas that support wildlife and fish, sometimes harboring endangered species.1 Wetlands also reduce flooding by slowing or detaining stormwater. In the process, the wetlands filter impurities that might otherwise contribute to surface water and groundwater pollution. By federal law, wetlands may not be filled or built upon. The Hydrology map shows wetland areas identified in the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) performed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Hydric soil types can also approximate areas that may include wetlands. Major concentrations of wetlands exist in the eastern corner of the township near Lower Moreland. The largest of these wetlands is known as the Bethayres Swamp. Wetland preservation is important to protection of the ecosystem; for this reason Abington uses its Zoning and its Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) to restrict or prohibit development in their proximity (federal law prohibits certain types of development near wetlands as well). 1 United States Geological Survey, Water Supply Paper 2425 4 8 Note: there appears to be an error on this map: the wetlands shown include linear features that must be related to the township’s streams; I’m working on getting that fixed. ands Wetl 5 9 Floodplains Flooding is the most common natural hazard in Montgomery County and has been a serious problem in Abington, leading to property damage and loss of life. The township has regulated development in and around the floodplain to protect public safety, prevent the loss or damage of structures and minimize disruption to peoples’ lives. Minor flooding is common in the township during heavy rainfalls of short duration. But major floods have occurred in the past with varying degrees of damage. Floods with waters as deep as two-to-six feet above street level have occurred in the past. In particular, the floods of 1931, 1964, 1996, and 2001 played havoc in the suburban communities surrounding the Pennypack, Neshaminy, Sandy Run, and Perkiomen Creeks. In Abington, the largest floodplain area lies in a hook shape, starting alongside Meadow Brook and Valley Road, and bending to meet the Pennypack Creek. Parts of this floodplain are preserved by Valley Park, the Game Preserve and Lorimer Park. There is also a significant floodplain along the Sandy Run, beginning by Roy Chester Park in Willow Grove, and extending along the Run through Crestmont and Roslyn to the Upper Dublin boundary. This floodplain was the site of lethal flooding and extensive damage in recent decades. Part of this is preserved in Grove Park and Roslyn Park. Another major floodplain lies alongside the Tookany Creek in Glenside and skirts the municipal boundary with Jenkintown. Part of this floodplain is preserved in Baederwood Park. Flood zone maps are periodically updated for all communities across the U.S. that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as new or improved flood zone mapping data becomes available. Improved data typically comes from a FEMA-led study (or restudy) of flood hazards, or from information collected at the local level that is then submitted to FEMA.