Greenway and Open Space Plan
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Franklin County Greenway and Open Space Plan DCNR Project #BRC-TAG-11-206 a pennsylvania corporation TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................................7 INTRODUCTION WHAT IS A GREENWAY? ............................................................................................................. 9 WHY A GREENWAYS PLAN FOR FRANKLIN COUNTY? ..........................................................9 Preserving Franklin County’s Defi ning Characteristics ........................................................................................... 10 Expanding the Economy .......................................................................................................................................... 11 Protecting Sensitive Habitats .................................................................................................................................... 12 Protecting Drinking Water Resources ...................................................................................................................... 12 HOW IS A GREENWAYS PLAN DEVELOPED? ........................................................................13 Three - Step Process ................................................................................................................................................. 13 Public Participation .................................................................................................................................................. 13 Project Purpose ......................................................................................................................................................... 14 Goals and Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 14 The Greenways and Open Space Plan as a Decision-Making Tool ......................................................................... 14 SECTION I - WHERE ARE WE NOW? INVENTORY: BUILDING BLOCKS OF A GREENWAYS SYSTEM ...........................................17 Gathering the Data .................................................................................................................................................... 17 Existing Planning Efforts ......................................................................................................................................... 17 Natural Resources ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Hydrologic Resources Map ................................................................................................................................ 29 Priority Habitat Areas Map ............................................................................................................................... 31 Sensitive Environmental Features Map ............................................................................................................. 37 Built Resources ......................................................................................................................................................... 39 Recreation Features Map ................................................................................................................................... 45 Cultural and Historic Resources Map ............................................................................................................... 53 Current and Future Development Map .............................................................................................................. 59 SECTION II - WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE CREATING THE VISION: DESIGNING A GREENWAYS NETWORK .......................................61 The Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................... 61 The Structure of the Network ................................................................................................................................... 62 Proposed Conservation Greenways Plan .......................................................................................................... 71 Proposed Recreation Greenways Plan .............................................................................................................. 81 Proposed Greenways Plan ................................................................................................................................. 89 SECTION III - HOW DO WE GET THERE? SECTION III - HOW DO WE GET THERE? ................................................................................91 Management Structure ............................................................................................................................................. 91 Proposed Management Structure Chart ............................................................................................................ 93 Land Conservation Tools .......................................................................................................................................... 97 Implementation Plan ............................................................................................................................................... 105 Implementation Process Tables ....................................................................................................................... 107 Potential Funding Sources Tables ................................................................................................................... 117 TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONTINUED) APPENDICES (SEPARATE DOCUMENT) A: Meeting Minutes B: Key Person Interview Results C: Press Releases D: Summary of Public Comments on the Draft Greenways Plan E: Franklin County’s Nationally-registered Historic Places F: List Of Regional Land Trusts G: Riparian Buffer Information Pashek Associates Stream Buffer Width Justifi cations Chesapeake Bay Program Riparian Buffer Information H: Example Ordinances and Information - Stream Protection Easement Chesapeake Bay Foundation Model Stream Buffer Ordinance Guilford Township Stream Protection Ordinance J: Example Ordinances - Conservation By Design Antrim Township Open Space Plan Excerpt Antrim Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance - Conservation by Design Antrim Township Zoning Ordinance - Conservation by Design Growing Greener Conservation by Design Overview Model Landscaping Ordinance Forest Friendly Development - Defi nition and Criteria for Development Analysis K: Example Ordinance - Overlay Zoning Districts Growing Greener Model Ordinance Language for Conservation Design Overlay District L: Example Ordinance - Natural Features Buffer Ann Arbor Township Natural Features Ordinance M: Example Ordinance - Woodlands Protection City of Wixom, MI - Woodlands Ordinance N: Example Ordinances - Agriculture Pollution Control Model Integrated Pest Management Ordinance Southeast Michigan Council of Governments - Agricultural Runoff Ordinance P: Example Ordinance - Mandatory Dedication North Huntingdon Township (PA) Mandatory Dedication Ordinance Q: Illustrated Article on Falling Spring Greenway R: DCNR Greenways Website Resource List S: Keystone Active Zone (KAZ) 2006 Program Brochure AAcknowledgementscknowledgements The contributions of the following groups and individuals were vital to the success of the Franklin County Greenway Plan. They are commended for their interest in the project, their perseverance, and the input they provided throughout the planning process. Franklin County Board of Commissioners G. Warren Elliott - Chairman Robert L.Thomas - Vice-Chairman Cheryl S. Plummer Franklin County Planning Commission and Staff Project Study Committee Todd Burns - Greene Township Herbert Doloway - Chambersburg Recreation Department Christopher Firme - Washington Township / Potomac Appalachian Trail Club Tammy Gross - Franklin County Conservation District Bill Hague - Penn Hall / Audubon Society George Hurd - Penn State Cooperative Extension Charles D. Jamison, Jr. - Greene Township Tanya Nitterhouse - Sunny Hill Properties Maragaret Ronelslad - Washington Township Anna Swailes - Metal Township Charles White, Greencastle-Antrim School District / Tayamentasachta Environmental Center Franklin County Watershed Association Conodoquinet Creek Watershed Association Conococheague Creek Watershed Alliance Antietam Creek Watershed Association Middle Spring Watershed Association Also, this project would not have been possible without the valuable input given by the residents of Franklin County, as well as the support of local government offi cials and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. This project was fi nanced in part by a grant from the Keystone Recreation, Park, and Conservation Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation. INTRODUCTION WHAT IS A GREENWAY? Greenways have been defi ned in several ways since the term was fi rst th coined in the 19P P century. Charles Little, in his book, Greenways for America, defi ned them in the following way: A greenway is a linear open space established along either a natural corridor, such as a riverfront, stream valley, or ridgeline, or overland along a railroad right-of-way converted to recreational