NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Samuel S. Deitrick, Chairman Kurt A. Masser Frank J. Sawicki

PLANNING COMMISSION BOARD

Leon Karpinski, Chairman Steve Minker Montie Peters, Vice-Chairman John J. Boback Dwayne Pidcoe, Secretary Shannon Miller Ed Christiano Robert Pardoe Justin Dunkelberger

PLANNING COMMISSION

Ronald G. Marshall, Jr., Director Deborah Ritzman, Program Coordinator Kathryn Schramm, Fiscal Analyst Kimberly A. Weigand, Grants Manager Jim Eister, Project Compliance Inspector

PLANNING COMMISSION SOLICITOR

Attorney Frank Konopka NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

I. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 A. Purpose...... 2 B. Statutory Authority ...... 4 C. Structure of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan ...... 9 D. Location and Setting ...... 10 E. History of Northumberland County ...... 12 F. County and Municipal Governments ...... 15

II. DEMOGRAPHICS ...... 17

III. HOUSING CONDITIONS ...... 27 A. Housing Characteristics...... 28 B. Housing Goal and Objective ...... 36

IV. LAND USE ...... 37 A. Environmental and Natural Features...... 38 B. Existing Land Use...... 49 C. Goals and Objectives...... 54 D. Land Use Plan ...... 56

V. COMMUNITY FACILITIES ...... 147 A. Community Facilities Inventory ...... 148 B. Community Facilities Goal and Objectives ...... 156 C. Community Facilities Plan ...... 157

VI. Transportation ...... 168 A. Transportation Basics ...... 169 B. Transportation Goal and Objectives ...... 176 C. Transportation Plan ...... 177

VII. Economic Development ...... 189 A. Economic Development Perspective ...... 190 B. Economic Development Goal and Objectives ...... 206 C. Economic Development Plan ...... 207

VIII. Intergovernmental Cooperation ...... 210 A. Federal, State, County and Local Actions ...... 211 B. Plan Interrelationship...... 214 C. Statement Regarding Plan Implementation Strategies...... 217 D. Statement Regarding Plan Relationship to the Development of Adjacent Municipalities ...... 218

IX. ENERGY ...... 219

X. HISTORIC PRESERVATION ...... 222 A. Historic Preservation Resources ...... 223 B. Historic Preservation Goal and Objectives ...... 225 C. Historic Preservation Plan...... 226 LIST OF TABLES

TABLE TITLE PAGE

1LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND CONTROLS ...... 6 2OVERVIEW OF MAJOR PLANNING FUNCTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA BY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT ...... 16 3POPULATION - 1900 TO 2000 ...... 19 4POPULATION OF SURROUNDING COUNTIES - 1960 TO 2000 ...... 20 5POPULATION BY AGE - 2000 AND 1990 ...... 22 6POPULATION BY RACE - 1990 AND 2000 ...... 23 7POPULATION BY MUNICIPALITY - 1990 AND 2000 ...... 24 8POPULATION - 1970 TO 2000 ...... 26 9HOUSING TENURE - 1970 TO 2000 ...... 28 10 UNITS PER STRUCTURE - 2000 ...... 30 11 AVERAGE HOUSING SALES PRICE - JANUARY 2004 ...... 31 12 YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT ...... 32 13 HOUSING BY MUNICIPALITY - 2000 ...... 33 14 SOIL GROUPS ...... 43 15 COAL PRODUCING LANDS - 1999 ...... 52 16 PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES ...... 150 17 MEANS OF TRAVEL TO WORK - 2000 ...... 171 18 COMPARISON OF MEANS OF TRAVEL TO WORK ...... 172 19 PLACE OF WORK ...... 172 20 PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS ...... 173 21 HIGHWAY FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS AND RECOMMENDED DESIGN FEATURES ...... 182 22 LABOR FORCE STATUS - 1990 AND 2000 ...... 190 23 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE ...... 191 24 UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ...... 191 25 NONAGRICULTURAL WAGE AND SALARY EMPLOYMENT ...... 192 26 EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY ...... 194 27 EMPLOYMENT BY CLASS OF WORKER ...... 196 28 EMPLOYMENT BY OCCUPATION ...... 196 29 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY - TOP 10 EMPLOYERS - 2004 ...... 197 30 PER CAPITA INCOME ...... 203 31 MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME ...... 204 32 HOUSEHOLD INCOME ...... 204 33 NATIONAL REGISTER LISTED PROPERTIES IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY ...... 223 I. INTRODUCTION

- 1 - A. PURPOSE

A comprehensive plan is designed to accomplish certain objectives. Foremost, it is the official statement of a community’s philosophy concerning the future. It contains plans for future land use, transportation systems and community services. To function effectively the comprehensive plan must ensure that each element reflects the basic development goals and objectives.

In Pennsylvania, the power behind land development decisions resides with the municipal governments through the formulation and administration of local controls. County comprehensive plans in Pennsylvania are advisory only, but they provide an indispensable reference for local municipalities that wish to assure that their own plans and development decisions are consistent with development forces and land use patterns beyond their own boundaries.

Local municipalities are required by Section 304 of the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) to submit many proposed actions to their county planning commission for review. Municipalities with planning, zoning, and subdivision ordinances usually have procedures for referring such proposals and other development applications to their county planning commission for comment. A county comprehensive plan can be used to review and comment on proposals for amendments to local zoning and subdivision ordinances and proposals for subdivision and land development.

Section 602 of the MPC allows counties to adopt zoning for the entire county if there is no local zoning, or for as much of the land within the county that is not zoned. County zoning, however, is preempted by the enactment of a local municipal zoning ordinance. In rural areas like Northumberland County, funds and expertise are inadequate for many communities to engage in both planning and zoning at the local level. County zoning is fiscally efficient and permits the identification and protection of large elements and patterns in the natural environment such as forests, aquifers, agricultural lands, and stream corridors. In rural areas, a comprehensive plan can provide a way to ensure that zoning is based on a comprehensive plan.

The Comprehensive Plan is being completed by the Northumberland County Planning Commission. The Planning Commission functions on behalf of the County Board of Commissioners. The overall mission of the Northumberland County Planning Commission is to provide policies guiding development activities in Northumberland County.

The purpose of this Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan is to provide a set of recommendations rather than a regulatory document. The adopted Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan is the official statement prepared by the Planning Commission setting forth the County’s policies concerning desirable physical development in Northumberland County acting as a guide to growth and development. The Comprehensive Plan will assist the Northumberland County Planning Commission in evaluating development proposals and requests for financial assistance by local agencies to County, State, and Federal agencies. This Comprehensive Plan is a general guide and does not reflect in detail all the future development nor the precise boundary of such development. This Comprehensive Plan is not a fixed nor rigid document, but will be modified

- 2 - by the Planning Commission when changes in development of Northumberland County indicate the need to alter the Comprehensive Plan.

- 3 - B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY

One of the most important powers of local government is the ability to plan for and to control land use. The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), otherwise known as Act 247 of 1968, P.L. 805 provides the enabling legislation to accomplish planning. Since its inception, the legislation has been amended numerous times. In December of 1988, a comprehensive update of the MPC was completed. The amendments to the MPC, known as Act 170 of 1988, standardized procedures, changed time limits, definitions, jurisdictional matters, and enforcement powers.

Most notable, the Act 170 Amendments to the MPC included changes to Article III regarding the development of a comprehensive plan. The Act 170 Amendments serve to strengthen the comprehensive plan as the overall policy guide for the physical development of a community. More direction is given for the content of the comprehensive plan to make it more useful, as the required elements of the document are substantially supplemented to give greater attention to housing, plan component inter-relationships, plan implementation, and regional cooperation and coordination among municipalities in developing comprehensive plans. Act 247, as amended by Act 170 of 1988, mandates that the comprehensive plan contain certain basic related elements. The elements are as follows:

A. A statement of objectives concerning the location, character and timing of future development, that may serve as a statement of community development objectives.

B. A land use plan, including a plan to meet the housing needs of present residents and those anticipated to reside in the future, in different dwelling types at appropriate densities for households of all income levels;

C. A plan for community facilities and utilities;

D. A plan for transportation;

E. A statement of the interrelationships among the various plan components;

F. A discussion of short- and long-range plan implementation strategies; and

G. A statement indicating the relationship to the plans in contiguous municipalities and to regional trends.

Additional authority is granted for a comprehensive plan to include, as an option, a water survey or plan for the reliable supply of water considering current and future availability, uses and limitations including provisions to protect water supply sources. The MPC also encourages the inclusion of energy conservation and the effective use of renewable energy sources.

The MPC was amended in August 2000 to require that a county comprehensive plans shall:

- 4 - A. Identify land uses as they relate to important natural resources and appropriate utilization of existing minerals.

B. Identify current and proposed land uses that have a regional impact and significant, such as large shopping centers, major industrial parks, mines and related activities, office parks, storage facilities, large residential developments, regional entertainment and recreational complexes, hospitals, airports, and port facilities.

C. Identify a plan for the preservation and enhancement of prime agricultural land and encourage the compatibility of land use regulations with existing agricultural operations.

D. Identify a plan for historic preservation.

In preparing the comprehensive plan, the MPC requires that the Planning Commission make careful surveys, studies, analyses of housing, demographic, economic characteristics and trends; amount, type and general location and interrelationships of the various land uses; general location and extent of transportation and community facilities; natural features affecting development; natural, historic and cultural resources; and the prospects for future growth in the municipality. Based on these studies, with consideration of the community development objectives, the future plans for land use, transportation and community facilities can be prepared.

The MPC requires that counties, which have not prepared and adopted a comprehensive plan must do so within three years of the effective date of the Act 170 amendments. In addition, it provides that adopted municipal comprehensive plans should be generally consistent with the adopted County comprehensive plan.

The MPC contains the procedural requirements for adopting the comprehensive plan. The provisions of Act 170 foster greater coordination of planning by requiring that copies of the proposed comprehensive plan be forwarded to all contiguous municipalities and adjacent school districts for their review and comments. A public meeting by the Planning Commission and a public hearing by the County Board of Commissioners are required prior to adoption of the comprehensive plan.

Following the adoption of the comprehensive plan, any proposed action by the County or a local municipality and any of their departments, agencies or appointed authorities must be submitted to the County Planning Commission for its recommendations, if the proposed action relates to the public improvement activities and land use regulations specifically outlined in the MPC. Any proposed action by the governing body of any public school district within the County relating to the location, demolition, removal, sale or lease of any school district structure or land must also be submitted to the County Planning Commission for recommendations. Both the County and its municipalities are required to give the comprehensive plan of the other consideration in order that the objectives of each comprehensive plan can be protected to the greatest extent possible.

- 5 - August 2000 amendments to the MPC provide that when a County adopts a comprehensive plan, and any municipalities therein have adopted comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances, Commonwealth agencies shall consider and may rely on comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances when reviewing applications for the funding or permitting of infrastructure or facilities.

Northumberland County last adopted a Comprehensive Plan in 1972. Less than half the municipalities in Northumberland County have adopted a municipal comprehensive plan. Most of the municipal comprehensive plans are older than ten years old and are effectively obsolete. In 1977 Northumberland County adopted a subdivision ordinance. The County’s subdivision ordinance is enforced County-wide expect in those municipalities that have adopted a local subdivision ordinance. There is no County-wide zoning ordinance. Many municipalities in Northumberland County have adopted zoning ordinances. As with the municipal comprehensive plans, most of the municipal zoning ordinances in Northumberland County are old and it is not clear that they have been updated in recent years to account for changing conditions in the community or new types of land uses. Many of the municipal zoning ordinances in Northumberland County were completed by the communities without completion of a comprehensive plan. The following provides a review of the planning and land use controls implemented by the municipalities in Northumberland County.

TABLE 1 LOCAL LAND USE PLANNING AND CONTROLS Comprehensive 537 Sewage Agriculture Municipality Plan Plan Zoning Subdivision Security Area

Coal Township 1975 - 2000 2/95 Local 1974

Delaware Township 1/91 3/94 Local 1994 4/90

East Cameron Township County 1977 5/94

East Chillisquaque Township 4/98 10/77 Local 1977

Herndon Borough 5/99 County 1977

Jackson Township 5/99 County 1977 1996 Pending

Jordan Township County 1977 5/96

Kulpmont Borough 6/86 Preparing County 1977

Lewis Township 3/99 8/80 Local 1993 9/91

Little Mahanoy Township County 1977

Lower Augusta Township 2/99 8/99 Local 1999 9/97

Lower Mahanoy Township 2/95 County 1977 3/93

- 6 - TABLE 1 (CONTINUED)

Comprehensive 537 Sewage Agriculture Municipality Plan Plan Zoning Subdivision Security Area

McEwensville Borough 3/72 County 1977

Marion Heights Borough 6/86 Preparing County 1977

Milton Borough 5/96 1/95 yes Local 1965

Mount Carmel Borough 4/05 1996 County 1977

Mount Carmel Township 4/05 yes County 1977

Northumberland Borough 3/90 5/97 yes Local

Point Township 3/70 12/89 12/86 Local 1987 6/96

Ralpho Township 1965 3/92 1/98 Local 1998

Riverside Borough 1962 1/97 1992 1991

Rockefeller Township Preparing yes Local 1997 Local 4/97

Rush Township 10/76 12/76 Local 1976 6/96

Shamokin City 1963 2/65 Local 1968

Shamokin Township 10/91 County 1977 2/92

Snydertown Borough 1971 7/92 10/71 Local 1971

Sunbury City 1986 5/99 6/84 Local 1971

Turbot Township 1978 6/96 3/93 Local 3/93 8/90

Turbotville Borough 12/84 1964 Local 1977

Upper Augusta Township 1/99 6/91 Local 1979 8/93

Upper Mahanoy Township County 1977 12/93

Washington Township County 1977 9/86

Watsontown Borough 1971 3/72 County 1977

West Cameron Township County 1977

West Chillisquaque Township Adopted 12/28/92 Adopted 9/02 Adopted Adopted 9/83 Approved 2/79 12/28/92 DEP 10/02 Amended Amended 12/3/01 10/4/99

Zerbe Township 1972 1963 County 1977 Source: Northumberland County Planning Commission

Other planning being completed by the municipalities in Northumberland County includes Act 537 Sewage Plans and designation of Agriculture Security Areas.

- 7 - In addition to planning by the municipalities and in association with this Comprehensive Plan, Northumberland County is completing or expects to undertake other planning including Stormwater Management Planning for each of the eight watersheds in the County in agreement with the Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act 167 and Solid Waste Management planning in agreement with the Pennsylvania Solid Waste Act 101. Northumberland County is a member of the SEDA-COG Regional Transportation Planning Advisory Committee, which develops plans and programs for transportation in an eleven County region in central Pennsylvania. Northumberland County is also an active member of the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership, which devises plans for a greenway plan for the Susquehanna River and its branches.

- 8 - C. STRUCTURE OF THE NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

This Comprehensive Plan is divided into ten chapters. Chapter I provides the introduction. Chapter II includes demographics providing some background information on which the Comprehensive Plan is based. Chapter III includes an evaluation of housing. Chapter IV presents information regarding land use. Along with a review of existing land use, Chapter IV provides information regarding environmentally sensitive lands in Northumberland County. Chapter IV also contains land use goals and the recommendations for land use. Chapter V presents information on community facilities in addition to goals and polices for community facilities. Chapter VI deals with transportation including goals and objectives. Information regarding economic development in Northumberland County is presented in Chapter VII. Chapter VII also contains economic development goals and policies. Chapter VIII presents information regarding opportunities for intergovernmental cooperation. Chapter IX of this Comprehensive Plan presents policies for energy conservation. Chapter X discusses historic preservation.

The programs and policies of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan serve to offer a framework and direction for development in the municipalities in Northumberland County. The municipalities will use the objectives of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan to the greatest extent possible in devising their planning objectives. Similarly, regional planning programs that impact Northumberland County can use the objectives and policies of this Comprehensive Plan in formulating their programs for the County.

- 9 - D. LOCATION AND SETTING

Northumberland County is a rural county of 96,771 persons (1990 Census) located in the central part of Pennsylvania. The County seat, the City of Sunbury, is approximately 50 miles north of Harrisburg. Through the federal and State highway system, Northumberland County is also linked to other major cities such as Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley, New York, and Baltimore.

Northumberland County consists of about 470 square miles, or 301,000 acres. Mountains and steep hills dominate the landscape, but there are some broad, nearly level areas, especially near the Susquehanna River. Woodlands cover over half the land area of the County. Much of the non- mountainous land in Northumberland County is in farms. As of 1992, 109,438 acres of land were farmed with 561 farms reported in the County. General farming predominates, but there are many specialized farms, including dairy farms. The other major enterprises in Northumberland County are coal mining, quarrying, and heavy and light manufacturing and distribution. The main automotive routes in Northumberland County are Interstate 80 at the north edge of the County and State Route 61, which bisects the County.

The City of Sunbury is the largest population center. The other main population centers in Northumberland County are Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Trevorton, Riverside, and Milton.

Northumberland County can be subdivided into three areas each with its own unique character. The northern most portion of the County is centered around Interstate 80. While the northern most portion was more historically agricultural based, the area now is characterized by light industrial uses that have located in the area to take advantage of proximity to Interstate 80. Access to Interstate 80 also provides residents of the northern most portion of Northumberland County with convenient access to employment centers in Columbia, Lycoming, Snyder, and Union Counties. Subsequently, the northern most portion of Northumberland County is the developing area of the County with new residential development and commercial uses to support the households. The development is generally suburban style low rise low density development.

The central portion of the County, which is centered around the City of Sunbury, is situated adjacent to the Susquehanna River and is renowned for its fertile farmlands and forests. Outside of the settled Cities and Boroughs, the land use in the north west portion of the County was recently developed. Many of the communities in the central portion of Northumberland County contain single-family detached housing on large lots. Like the northern most portion of the County, the central portion of the County has good access to the regional road network, which provides convenient access to employment centers in Columbia, Lycoming, Snyder, and Union Counties. The access to employment has attracted the younger households residing in Northumberland to the north west and central portions of the County. The employment centers outside the County provide a spill over effect to the central portion of Northumberland County, most significantly higher incomes. The higher incomes support the long term maintenance of the housing stock and the community infrastructure through an expanding tax base.

- 10 - The south east portion of Northumberland County is centered in around the City of Shamokin and Coal Township. Historically employment opportunities in the south east portion of Northumberland County were in coal mining and manufacturing with the manufacturing base heavily concentrated in the apparel and textile industries. The industrial uses were located among the residential uses and the mines encroached on the communities. Housing in the south east portion of Northumberland County was often developed by employers as accommodations for the employees. The housing consists of densely developed rowhouses. The housing units are small and lack modern amenities.

The late 19th Century early 20th Century mining and manufacturing boom produced little of lasting benefit for the economy of the south east portion of Northumberland County or its residents. As the mining and manufacturing industries declined, much of the working age population of the community left. The old company housing, which was poorly constructed and not meant to be used for such a long time, is occupied by elderly and low income households who lack the energy or the means to maintain the structures. The housing prices in some communities in the south east portion of the County have not increased significantly. Some of the units are economically infeasible to rehabilitate. Recent community development and economic development efforts in this part of the County have started to reverse this situation.

- 11 - E. HISTORY OF NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

Northumberland County’s existence originated after the French and Indian War when settlers and soldiers began migrating along the Susquehanna River seeking land. Northumberland was the tenth county to be organized in Pennsylvania. Established in 1772, Northumberland County was created from an 8,000 square mile tract of land lying northwest of Lancaster, Cumberland, Berks, Northampton, and Bedford Counties. The land area of Northumberland County eventually increased to 15,000 square miles, covering the Susquehanna Valley, including all the land west of the Lehigh River to the Allegheny River and all of the land south of the New York State border to Juniata County. Twenty-nine counties in Pennsylvania stem from the 15,000 square miles that once constituted Northumberland County, distinguishing Northumberland County as the “Mother of Counties”.

As the rural areas of Northumberland County grew and prospered settlements and small towns sprang up. The Susquehanna River, which had originally dictated the development of the Susquehanna Valley and Northumberland County, was now dictating the County’s decline by severing towns and settlements from the county seat in Sunbury. As more settlers arrived and different portions of Northumberland County grew, new demands were placed on county government. The location of the county seat in Sunbury resulted in the demand for designation of a new county seat because of the City’s distance and settlers’ inability to ford the Susquehanna River to reach the City. The barriers, along with the jealousy emanating from the newly created towns competing among themselves for the role of county seat, which guaranteed prestige and prosperity, generated the move to create new counties from Northumberland County. From 1775 until 1813, Northumberland County’s size was reduced from 15,000 square miles to the present size of 470 square miles.

Sunbury, originally the Indian town of Shamokin, was laid out as the county seat in 1772. Because of Sunbury’s location at the forks of the Susquehanna River, by the beginning of the nineteenth century it was the hub of Northumberland County. The seven original townships in Northumberland County, also created in 1772, included Bald Eagle, Buffalo, Penn’s, Turbot, Augusta, Wyoming, and Muncy. The seven townships were divided and subdivided into new townships and counties as areas grew in population and the need for local government increased. While it is no longer centrally located, Sunbury remains the county seat in Northumberland County. Of the seven original townships, only Turbot and Augusta were located in what is now Northumberland County. As these large sections of land began to develop and more settlers moved into the region, pressure for localized government was exerted until new communities were formed.

The settlement of Northumberland County is related to the development of the transportation system throughout the County. Many of the routes in Northumberland County were established by the original Indian inhabitants, who had an elaborate system of trade routes that connected much of Northumberland County. Generally the trade routes followed the natural contour of the land, covering natural stream beds, flat lands, and gently sloping grade levels over mountains. As the white settlers moved into Northumberland County, the Indian trails were replaced by bridle paths

- 12 - supporting travel on horseback. The bridle paths gave way to the roads and highways that supported travel by wagons and the movement of herds of animals. By 1885 canals and railroads had been constructed, often paralleling the Centre Turnpike (present day Route 61), thereby removing much of the heavy, bulky freight that had the potential to generate the greatest revenue for the road.

The construction of the Pennsylvania Canal was envisioned as part of the longest chain of canal navigation in the world supporting an unbroken line of internal navigation uniting the Chesapeake Bay with Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, and the Hudson River. The idea to connect these interior waterways with the sea had been visualized by William Penn in 1690. The need for a means of transportation in order to establish an economic base for the previously separated counties, which had only primitive means of distributing their products, led to the establishment of six divisions of the Pennsylvania canal. The Susquehanna Division was formed in Northumberland County. The Susquehanna Division stretched 39 miles along the west side of the river to the end of the bridge at Northumberland. In the Susquehanna Division, two branches existed: a) the North Branch connecting Northumberland with Naticoke; and b) the West Branch connecting Northumberland with Muncy.

By 1838, only ten years after its inception, the canal system had been rendered useless. The advent of the railroads, coupled with the cost of the canal system in Pennsylvania, led to its failure. The Northern Central Railroad was building along the east shore of the Susquehanna River, reaching Sunbury in 1858. By 1858 the railroads completely swallowed the canal system in Northumberland County. For years, the railroad was the major employer in the Sunbury area. The history of the railroads in Northumberland County is bound to the history of coal. It was the demand for anthracite that was the direct cause of the construction of nearly every rail line in Northumberland County. When the demand for coal dropped off, the railroads went into a decline with the result that every rail line in Northumberland County went bankrupt. In Northumberland County there was not enough industry replacing coal to keep up the demand for rail service and what industry that did appear was generally not rail-oriented.

Encouraged in the 19th Century by the need for an economical fuel located near metropolitan centers, anthracite prospered until the beginning of the 20th Century when, plagued by work strikes and environmental legislation, new energy sources appeared and anthracite began a rapid decline. Anthracite is found in Northumberland County as well as in the surrounding counties. The ten Counties are divided into four district fields, each based on the shape and location of each coal basin. The Shamokin district located in Northumberland County covers a 50 square mile area that represents about one-tenth of the entire anthracite region. Mt. Carmel, Zerbe, and Coal Townships, with parts of East and West Cameron Townships are included in the region.

The Shamokin district is divided into three quadrangles, each based on the name of the nearest town - Trevorton, Shamokin, and Mt. Carmel. 1814 marked the year the first Shamokin coal was marketed. In the beginning of the mining industry sufficient quantities of coal could be gathered by prying coal from outcroppings and picking it up. As demand increased, the need for a more efficiently productive system increased until deep mining became the common means for coal extraction throughout the remainder of the 19th Century. By the middle of the 20th Century, however, most anthracite coal would be strip mined. In the peak period of 1917, 8,464 employees

- 13 - inside the mines and 4,208 employees outside the mines supplied almost eight million tons of coal through deep mine operations.

- 14 - F. COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS

Counties in Pennsylvania are classified on the basis of population for the purposes of legislation and regulation of their affairs. Northumberland County is a Fifth Class county based on its population of 96,771. Northumberland County is subject to the County Code of 1955, as amended, covering Fifth Class counties.

While the County Code is the basic law for administration of county affairs, many important functions and duties of county officers are set forth in other laws. For example, retirement systems, assessment procedures, election laws, and borrowing powers are set forth in Acts of the General Assembly dating back to 1931. Under the County Code, a county is primarily an agency of the State government rather than a fully independent unit of local self-government. The General Assembly, therefore, prescribes many of a county’s operations, and consequently, its costs.

Although, under the County Code the county generally performs many of the functions of State government on the local level, it has also been granted powers of purely self-government, not basically different from those of cities, boroughs, or townships. Exercise of these powers is based on a number of premises, but usually centers on the belief that a county should foster, preserve, and promote certain activities for the general welfare of county residents. Changing social and economic conditions are another basis for county requests to the General Assembly for additional powers and functions. County officials throughout Pennsylvania have seen the need for many new county agencies and operations such as planning commissions, park and recreation boards, flood control projects, and redevelopment projects. Certain enabling legislation, such as the Municipalities Planning Code, grants powers to the county as an interim measure until local government units enact their own ordinances. In other cases, such as Act 101 concerning solid waste management, the General Assembly has realized that the solution to certain problems resides with counties.

Northumberland County contains 23 townships, 11 boroughs, and two cities. The least complex form of government is the second class township. The governing body of second class townships is composed of three supervisors who are elected at large. Two additional supervisors may be elected if approved by referendum. All are elected at large for six year terms. The elected officials have been traditionally engaged in maintenance of township roads, but in recent times, they have been given a wide range of powers including protection to persons and property, planning, zoning, utilities, and other responsibilities. A first class township performs similar functions as a second class township, but because of its population density of at least 300 persons per square mile, the number of elected commissioners is different. There are either five commissioners elected at-large or up to 15 elected by wards. The commissioners have four year overlapping terms. Coal Township is the only first class township in Northumberland County.

Northumberland County’s boroughs were created from townships by the County Court after petition by a majority of the property owners in the area. Usually the property owners desire more services than the township furnishes, so if the Court agrees, the property owners may establish a borough.

- 15 - There are two cities in Northumberland County. The cities are governed by five councilmen under the Third Class City Code.

TABLE 2 OVERVIEW OF MAJOR PLANNING FUNCTIONS IN PENNSYLVANIA BY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT Planning Spending Taxing Regulation

Federal Highways, Airports, Highways, Mass Income, Estate, Wetlands, Air and Regional Transit Gasoline, Charitable Water Quality Transportation, River Status for easement Standards, Basins donations Hazardous Waste

State Highways, Technical Highways, Mass Inheritance, Income, Sewage, Water and Financial Transit, Park and Sales, Gasoline Supply, Surface Assistance, Sewage, Gamelands, Water Quality, Air Water, Storm Water, Agriculture Quality, Wetlands, Solid Waste Easements Mining, Munic, Residual, and Hazardous Waste, Storm Water, Floodplain, Driveway cut permits

Regional R e g i o n a l Transportation, Pop. projections, Mapping, Economic Development

County Comprehensive Plan, Roads, Public Differential Zoning and Storm Water, Solid Facilities, Park, Assessment (Acts subdivision in Waste, Water Supply Agricultural 319 & 515), Real absence of municipal Easements Property, Personal zoning, Sewage Property

Municipality Comprehensive Plan, Roads, Public Real Property, Private Development Sewage Facilities (Act Facilities, Parks Wage, Realty (zoning, subdivision, 537), Water Supply Transfer, building code), Occupation, Per Historic Districts, Capita, Amusement Airport Zoning, Floodplain Management, Sewage Plan Revisions, Solid Waste, Recycling

County and Sewage Treatment, Sewage Treatment, Revenues from Sewage Collection Municipal Waste Disposal, Water Waste Disposal, facilities, bond Systems & Authorities Supply Water Supply issues Extensions, Water Supply Facilities

Board of School System Plan School Construction R e a l P r o p e r t y , Public use of School Education Wage, Per Capita, Occupation, Real Property Transfer

- 16 - II. DEMOGRAPHICS

- 17 - DEMOGRAPHICS

In this Part of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan, demographic characteristics of the County are described by identifying past conditions and trends and by providing comparisons with other plans and studies. Demographic information is important in making planning decisions involving the development of Northumberland County.

The statistical information in this Comprehensive Plan, unless noted, was derived from census reports published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census. Because statistics in the census data products are based on the collection, tabulation, editing, and handling of questionnaires, errors in the data are possible. Therefore it is important to take care when reviewing the census derived statistics in this Comprehensive Plan.

In addition to errors occurring during the collection of the census data, it is noted that much of the census data presented in the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan is based on sample data rather than 100 percent reporting and is therefore subject to sampling error. One hundred percent data, where used, are subject to non- sampling error. Because of sampling and non-sampling errors, there may be discrepancies in the reporting of similar types of data, however, the discrepancies will not negate the usefulness of the census data to conduct the analysis.

Population Trends

The following chart shows the population change in Northumberland County since 1900. Northumberland County’s population peaked in 1930 at 128,504. The greatest growth in Northumberland County’s population occurred from 1900 to 1910 as the industrial development in the County attracted a considerable amount of immigrant labor. Since 1940 the population of Northumberland County has decreased, with the greatest decrease occurring during the 1960s. The population in Northumberland County has increased just six percent from 1900. State-wide the population has increased about 90 percent.

- 18 - TABLE 3

Population - 1900 to 2000 Year Population Change 1900 90,911 1910 111,420 22.6 1920 122,079 9.6 1930 128,504 5.3 From 1900 to 1930 the County's population increased 1940 126,887 -1.3 by 41 percent. Since 1930 the County's population 1950 117,115 -7.7 decreased by over 26 percent. 1960 104,138 -11.1 1970 99,190 -4.8 1980 100,381 1.2 1990 96,771 -3.7 2000 94,556 -3.6

Population 1900 - 2000

140,000

120,000

100,000

80,000

60,000

40,000

20,000

- 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000

The results of the 2000 decennial Census were published after the initial draft of this document. Since then it has been determined that the year 2000 population of Northumberland County is 94,556.

The Center for Rural Pennsylvania had completed population projections for Northumberland County. The projections indicated continued decreases in the County’s population. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania projected that in 2000 the population in Northumberland County would be 96,511. Their projection was very close. They project a year 2010 population of 94,338.

- 19 - As shown in the following table, the population change within the region varies considerably by County. To the west of Northumberland County, the population in Union and Snyder Counties has grown considerably. The population in Union County increased by over 40 percent from 1960 to 2000 and in Snyder County the population increased by over 60 percent for the same period. There has also been a significant increase in the population in Columbia County from 1960 to 2000. Schuylkill County, where the population decreased by ten percent, was the only other County in the region besides Northumberland experiencing a population decrease from 1960 to 2000. Both Northumberland and Schuylkill Counties have experienced population losses resulting from the decline of coal mining and other industries.

TABLE 4 POPULATION OF SURROUNDING COUNTIES - 1960 TO 2000 % Change 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 1960-2000

Pennsylvania 11319366 11800766 11864720 11905197 12281054 8.5

Northumberland Co. 104138 99190 100138 96771 94556 -9.2

Columbia Co. 53849 55114 61967 63301 64151 19.1

Dauphin Co. 220255 223713 232317 238236 251798 14.3

Juniata Co. 15874 16712 19188 20625 22821 43.8

Montour Co. 16730 16508 16675 17674 18236 9

Lycoming Co. 109367 113296 118416 118982 120044 9.8

Schuylkill Co. 173027 160089 160630 155433 150336 -13.1

Snyder Co. 25922 29269 33584 36861 37546 44.8

Union Co. 25646 28603 32870 36389 41624 62.3 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Population By Age and Race

While the population of Northumberland County has decreased, the remaining population is older. From 1990 to 2000, the percent of the population in Northumberland County age 45 and over increased by 5.8 percent from 38,814 to 41,087. Another age group experiencing an increase from 1990 to 2000 was 35 to 44 year olds. From 1990 to 2000, the number of person age 35 to 44 increased from 13,514 to 14,512, an increase of 7.4 percent. The 35 to 44 year age group represents the persons born at the peak of the baby boom with the significant increase in the County’s population in the age group representing the ageing of the baby boom population.

All of the other age groups in Northumberland County had significant decreases in population from 1990 to 2000. These are persons under 5 (-19.8%), persons 5 to 14 (-5.7%), persons 15 to 24 (- 11.2%) and persons 25 to 34 (-15.8%). The following chart shows Northumberland County’s population by age for 1990 and 2000. The median age of Northumberland County’s population

- 20 - increased from 37.8 years old in 1990 to 40.8 years old in 2000. Municipalities with significant populations of persons age 65 and over include Coal Township at 21.1 percent, Kulpmont Borough at 25.3 percent, Marion Heights Borough at 21.4 percent, Mount Carmel Borough at 25.9 percent, Mount Carmel Township at 25.4 percent, and Shamokin City at 21.9 percent.

- 21 - TABLE 5 Population by Age - 2000 Age Male Female Percent Under 5 2,522 2,281 5.1 While the County's population decreased by 5 to 14 6,065 5,716 12.4 2% from 1990 to 2000, the population of 15 to 24 5,739 4,979 11.4 persons age 35 to 44 increased by 7.4%. 25 to 34 6,133 5,522 12.3 35 to 44 7,469 7,043 15.3 45 to 54 6,718 6,602 14.1 55 to 64 4,768 4,997 10.3 65 plus 6,961 11,041 19.1 Total 46,375 48,181 100

P opulation by Age P opulation by Age

55 to 64 55 to 64

35 to 44 35 to 44 Male Female

15 t o 2 4 15 t o 2 4

Under 5 Under 5

- 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 - 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000

Population by Age - 1990 Age Male Female Percent Under 5 3,132 2,859 6.2 5 to 14 6,389 6,114 12.9 15 to 24 6,029 6,052 12.5 25 to 34 6,859 6,987 14.3 35 to 44 6,789 6,725 14.0 45 to 54 5,010 5,184 10.5 55 to 64 4,739 5,595 10.7 65 plus 6,937 11,349 18.9 Total 45,853 50,865 100.0

P opulation by Age P opulation by Age

55 to 6 4 55 to 64

Female 35 to 44 35 to 44 Male

15 t o 2 4 15 t o 2 4

Under 5 Under 5

- 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 - 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000

- 22 - The following table shows the racial breakdown of Northumberland County’s population for 1980, 1990 and 2000. The only significant change was in the black population which increased over 300 percent between 1990 and 2000.

TABLE 6 POPULATION BY RACE - 1980 AND 2000 1980 1990 2000

Total Percent Total Percent Total Percent

White 99956 99.6 95997 99.2 91561 96.8

Black 162 0.2 326 0.3 1450 1.5

Am. Ind., Eskimo, or Aleut. 46 0.04 79 0.08 106 0.1

Asian or Pacific Islander 125 0.1 180 0.2 395 0.4

Other Race 92 0.06 189 0.2 508 0.5 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

While the population in Northumberland County decreased, the number of households increased. The 1980 Census reported 37,846 households in Northumberland County with 2.63 persons per household. The 1990 Census reported 38,736 households in Northumberland County representing an increase of 2.4 percent from 1980. In 1990, there were 2.46 persons per household in Northumberland County. The 2000 Census reported 38,835 households in Northumberland County with 2.34 persons per household. The reduction in household size reflects broad demographic and economic changes in society, such as deferred age of first marriage, increased divorce rates, and longer life expectancy. Another major contributor to decreasing household size is the increase in the number of single persons living alone, including young adults. It is expected that much of the population living alone in Northumberland County consists of elderly persons. The 2000 household size in Northumberland County was smaller than the State-wide household size of 2.48 persons.

Population By Municipality

The following table shows the population distribution among the municipalities in Northumberland County and the change in population from 1980 to 1990 and from 1990 to 2000. Population changed significantly between municipalities. From 1980 to 1990, 18 of Northumberland’s municipalities lost population. The municipality with the greatest percentage population decrease was Shamokin Township at 16.6 percent. Other municipalities that lost large percentages of their population were Coal Township (9.7 percent), Herndon Borough (12.6 percent), Kulpmont Borough (13.7 percent), Marion Heights Borough (9.1 percent), Mount Carmel Borough (12.1 percent), Rockefeller Township (12.1 percent), and Shamokin City (11.3 percent). Generally, the municipalities that had the greatest percent loss of population between 1980 and 1990 were to the south of Route 61. The municipality with the greatest percentage increase in its population from 1980 to 1990 was Turbot Township at 19.9 percent. Significant percentage increases in population were also recorded in Delaware Township, (10.4 percent), Jordan Township (18 percent), Little

- 23 - Mahanoy Township (10.2 percent), McEwensville Borough (10.5 percent), Ralpho Township (15.8 percent), Snydertown Borough (16.2 percent), and West Cameron Township (10.7 percent).

From 1990 to 2000, 20 of Northumberland County’s municipalities lost population. The municipality with the greatest percentage population decrease was Herndon Borough (-17.1%) followed closely by Syndertown Borough (-14.2%). The remaining municipalities that lost population between 1990 and 2000 were East Chillisquaque Township (-2.1%), Jordan Township (-9.6%), Kulpmont Borough (-7.7%), Lewis Township (-1.2%), Lower Mahanoy Township (-5.3%), Marion Township (-5.3%), Marion Heights Borough (-11.9%), Milton Borough (-1.3%), Mount Carmel Borough (-11.2%), Northumberland Borough (-3.8%), Riverside Borough (-6.5%), Shamokin City (-12.8%), Sunbury City (-8.5%), Turbot Township (-8.9%), Upper Augusta Township (-4.7%), Watsontown Borough (-2.1%), West Cameron Township (-4.6%), West Chillisquaque Township (-9.2%) and Zerbe Township (-2.2%). The municipality with the greatest increase in its population from 1990 to 2000 was Shamokin Township at 27.2 percent. The remaining municipalities with an increase in population were Coal Township (7.1%), Delaware Township (7.9%), East Cameron Township (5.3%), Jackson Township (13.7%), Little Mahanoy Township (5.3%), Lower Augusta Township (5.4%), McEwensville Borough (14.7%), Mount Carmel Township (0.7%), Point Township (7.5%), Ralpho Township (3.8%), Rockefeller Township (9.5%), Rush Township (8.4%), Turbotville Borough (2.1%), Upper Mahanoy Township (1.1%) and Washington Township (1.8%).

TABLE 7 POPULATION BY MUNICIPALITY 1980, 1990 AND 2000 Municipality 1980 1990 Percent 2000 Percent Percent of Total Change Change 2000 County ‘80-‘90 ‘90-‘00 Population

Northumberland County 100381 96771 -3.6 94556 -2.3 100

Coal Township 10984 9922 -9.7 10628 7.1 11.2

Delaware Township 3640 4018 10.4 4335 7.9 4.6

East Cameron Township 660 646 -2.1 680 5.3 0.7

East Chillisquaque Twp. 700 679 -3 665 -2.1 0.7

Herndon Borough 483 422 -12.6 350 -17.1 0.4

Jackson Township 859 845 -1.6 961 13.7 1

Jordan Township 718 847 18 766 -9.6 0.8

Kulpmont Borough 3675 3233 -13.7 2985 -7.7 3.2

Lewis Township 1814 1881 3.7 1859 -1.2 2

Little Mahanoy Township 392 432 10.2 455 5.3 0.5

TABLE 7 (CONTINUED)

- 24 - Municipality 1980 1990 Percent 2000 Percent Percent of Total Change Change 2000 County ‘80-‘90 ‘90-‘00 Population

Lower Augusta Township 983 1024 4.2 1079 5.4 1.1

Lower Mahanoy Township 1624 1669 2.8 1581 -5.3 1.7

McEwensville Borough 247 273 10.5 313 14.7 0.3

Marion Heights Borough 921 837 -9.1 737 -11.9 0.8

Milton Borough 6730 6746 0.2 6659 -1.3 7

Mount Carmel Borough 8190 7196 -12.1 6390 -11.2 6.8

Mount Carmel Township 2599 2679 3.1 2699 0.7 2.9

Northumberland Borough 3636 3860 6.2 3714 -3.8 3.9

Point Township 3338 3466 3.8 3726 7.5 3.9

Ralpho Township 3131 3625 15.8 3764 3.8 4

Riverside Borough 2266 1991 -12.1 1861 -6.5 2

Rockefeller Township 1851 2029 9.6 2222 9.5 2.3

Rush Township 1169 1097 6.2 1189 8.4 1.3

Shamokin City 10357 9184 -11.3 8009 -12.8 8.5

Shamokin Township 2035 1697 -16.6 2159 27.2 2.3

Snydertown Borough 358 416 16.2 357 -14.2 0.4

Sunbury City 12292 11591 -5.7 10610 -8.5 11.2

Turbot Township 1540 1846 19.9 1682 -8.9 1.8

Turbotville Borough 675 675 0 689 2.1 0.7

Upper Augusta Township 2745 2681 -2.7 2555 -4.7 2.7

Upper Mahanoy Township 648 621 -4.2 628 1.1 0.7

Washington Township 644 620 -3.7 631 1.8 0.7

Watsontown Borough 2366 2310 -2.4 2262 -2.1 2.4

West Cameron Township 476 527 10.7 503 -4.6 0.5

West Chillisquaque 3384 3119 -7.8 2832 -9.2 3 Township

Zerbe Township 2251 2067 -8.2 2021 -2.2 2.1 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

The following chart shows that the settlement pattern in Northumberland County has gradually shifted. Households favor locating in the townships rather than the smaller and older cities and boroughs. The townships, consisting of larger land areas, are much less densely settled than the

- 25 - cities and boroughs resulting in a lower density sprawled pattern of development in Northumberland County.

TABLE 8

Population - 1970 to 2000

1970 1980 1990 2000 % Change 70 - 00 Cities 24,744 22,649 20,775 18,619 -24.8 Boroughs 31,235 29,547 27,959 26,317 -15.7 Townships 43,211 48,185 48,037 49,620 14.8 County Total 99,190 100,381 96,771 94,556 -4.7

Population

120,000

100,000

80,000 19 70 1980 60,000 1990 2000 40,000

20,000

- Cities Boroughs Townships County Total

- 26 - III. HOUSING

- 27 - A. HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS

TABLE 9

Housing Tenure

1970 1980 1990 2000 Total Units 36,245 40,888 41,900 43,164 Occupied Units 33,738 37,846 38,736 38,835 Owner Occupied 24,000 27,665 28,399 28,561 % of Occupied Units 71.1% 73.1% 73.3% 73.5 Median Value$ 7,400 $ 23,700 39,500$ $ 69,300 Renter Occupied 9,738 10,181 10,337 10,274 % of Occupied Units 28.9% 26.9% 26.7% 26.5 Median Gross Rent 49$ 123$ 205$ 389$ Vacant 2,507 3,042 3,164 4,329 % of Total Units 6.9% 7.4% 7.6% 10.0%

Housing Tenure

30,000 25,000

20,000 Owner Occupied 15,000 Renter Occupied 10,000 Vacant 5,000 - 1970 1980 1990 2000

While the County's population decreased, the number of housing units increased. From 1970 to 2000 the number of housing units increased 19.1%. Owner-occupied units increased 15.1% while the vacant units increased 72.6%.

Housing Trends

The 2000 Census reported 43,164 housing units in Northumberland County. The number of housing units in Northumberland County increased 3.0 percent since 1990 when 41,900 housing units were reported. The 2000 U.S. Census reported that 10.0 percent of the housing units were vacant. The Census reported a homeowner vacancy rate of 2.4 percent and a renter vacancy rate of 8.9 percent. The low homeowner vacancy rate may have a negative impact on the afforability of housing by

- 28 - reducing the number of available units in the marketplace at any given time. The higher rental vacancy rate helps to ensure greater choice and afforability of the renter housing units in Northumberland County.

The 2000 Census indicated that 73.5 percent of the occupied housing in Northumberland County was owner-occupied. The percent of owner-occupied housing in Northumberland County has increased since 1970. The percent of owner-occupied units in Northumberland County is a bit higher than the State-wide rate of 71.3 percent.

Assisted Housing

The Inventory of Assisted Rental Housing prepared in 1995 by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency identified 1,868 assisted rental housing units in Northumberland County. The assisted rental housing units represent 18 percent of the 1990 renter-occupied housing units in Northumberland County. About 63 percent of the assisted rental housing units are for the elderly.

There are three public housing authorities in Northumberland County, which own and administer 853 of the 1,868 assisted housing units. The Northumberland County Housing Authority owns 200 units, which are all located in the City of Milton. The Sunbury Housing Authority owns 351 housing units in Sunbury. The Shamokin Housing Authority owns 302 housing units in Shamokin. Each of the public housing authorities in Northumberland County administers a Section 8 program. The Northumberland County Housing Authority administers 464 Section 8 units, the Sunbury Housing Authority administers 208 Section 8 units and the Shamokin Housing Authority administers 140 Section 8 units.

Northumberland County and six municipalities in the County receive Small Cities Program funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Northumberland County and each of the entitlement communities, which consist of Coal Township, Milton Borough, Mount Carmel Borough, Mount Carmel Township, the City of Sunbury, and the City of Shamokin, use a portion of their Small Cities Program funds to operate housing rehabilitation programs for low- and moderate-income households. Northumberland County has also received HOME Program funds from the State, which are used for housing rehabilitation County-wide and housing rehabilitation in Kulpmont Borough. The City of Sunbury’s housing rehabilitation program funds the conversion of multi-family units to single-family units helping to reduce the density of the community. Northumberland County, the City of Shamokin, and the City of Sunbury also provide Small Cities funds to assist first-time homebuyers with purchasing a home. Northumberland County’s housing rehabilitation program is administered by the Northumberland County Housing Authority. The Northumberland County Housing Authority has established a Community Housing Development Corporation. The first project that the Community Housing Development Corporation is undertaking is the development of 18 units of housing for the elderly in Kulpmont Borough.

- 29 - Housing Density

Characteristic of a rural area, the dwelling units per square mile in the County is low at 91.1. The density varies considerably throughout the 36 municipalities in Northumberland County. Mount Carmel is the most densely settled community with 3,752 dwelling units per square mile and Little Mahanoy Township is the least densely settled community with 14.5 dwelling units per square mile.

TABLE 10 UNITS PER STRUCTURE - 2000

Type of Units 1990 Percent of Total Single-units - detached 23102 53.5

Single-units - attached 10960 25.4

2-4 units 3987 9.2

5 or more units 2858 6.6

Mobile homes 2226 5.2

Other 31 0.1 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Northumberland County's housing stock consists largely of single-family units. As reported by the 2000 U.S. Census, 78.9 percent of the County's housing stock consists of single-units. About 53 percent of the single-family units are in detached one unit buildings. The Census shows that in 2000 there was, however, diversity in the housing stock with over 15 percent of the units contained in multi-unit structures. Generally, the multi-unit structures are located in the boroughs and cities. The multi-unit structures include small structures of two to four units and large structures containing five or more units. In 2000, 5.2 percent of Northumberland County’s housing units were mobile homes.

Housing Values

The U.S. Census reported that in 1990, the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit in Northumberland County was $39,500. By 2000, the median value of a unit in Northumberland County was $69,300. From 1990 to 2000, the median value of an owner-occupied dwelling increased by 75.4 percent. It is noted, however, that when the median value is adjusted for inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI) the median value of an owner-occupied housing unit in Northumberland County increased just five percent from 1990 to 2000. State-wide the percent change in adjusted median housing value from 1990 to 2000 was 13.1 percent. Of the 36 municipalities in Northumberland County, the highest median value in 2000 was reported in Ralpho Township at $110,200 and the lowest median value in 2000 was reported in Shamokin City at $29,200.

- 30 - The Central Susquehanna Valley (CSV) Board of Realtors reports information on the average sales price of a housing unit in Northumberland County. The CSV presents the average sales price by location in the County as follows:

• Upper Northumberland - Delaware Township, Lewis Township, McEwensville Borough, Turbotville Borough, Turbot Township, West Chillisquaque Township, East Chillisquaque Township, Milton Borough, and Watsontown Borough.

• West Northumberland - Point Township, Rush Township, the City of Sunbury, Northumberland Borough, Upper Augusta Township, Snydertown Borough, Rockefeller Township, Lower Augusta Township, Little Mahanoy Township, Zerbe Township, West Cameron Township, Upper Mahanoy township, Washington Township, Jordan Township, Lower Mahanoy Township, Jackson Township, Herndon Borough, and Riverside Borough.

• East Northumberland - Coal Township, the City of Shamokin, East Cameron Township, Shamokin Township, Ralpho Township, Mount Carmel Township, Mount Carmel Borough, Kulpmont Borough, and Marion Heights Borough.

The CSV reports the following information by area in Northumberland County.

TABLE 11 AVERAGE HOUSING SALES PRICE - JANUARY 2004 Portion of County Average Sales Price ($) Closed Listings Average Days on Market

Single-family

Upper 153 135 109,156

West 225 153 83,647

East 181 193 54,660 Source: Central Susquehanna Valley Board of Realtors

A concern with regard to housing is cost in excess of acceptable limits. Generally, when a household spends more than 30 percent of its gross income on housing it is considered excessive by housing economists and lending institutions. The households are classified as cost burdened. When households pay higher proportions of their incomes for housing, they are forced to sacrifice other basic necessities such as food and clothing. The 2000 U.S. Census reported that over 10 percent of the owner-occupied households in Northumberland County paid 30 percent or more of their monthly household income toward housing costs. Among renter-occupied households, the 1990 U.S. Census reported that over 30 percent were cost burdened paying 30 percent or more of their monthly household income toward housing costs. Excess housing costs in Northumberland County are concentrated among households with incomes less than $10,000 per year.

Condition of Housing

- 31 - The condition of the housing stock in Northumberland County can be identified through the use of variables available through the U.S. Census chosen to indicate housing deficiency. The age of a structure is used to show the time the unit has been in the inventory and the duration of time for which poor treatment can potentially take place. The age threshold commonly used to signal a potential deficiency is represented by the year built with units that are 40 years old or over used as the threshold. As shown on the following chart, the housing stock in Northumberland County is old. The 2000 Census reported that about 58 percent of the housing units in Northumberland County were built before 1960. Just 8.0 percent of the housing units in Northumberland County were completed after 1990. Municipalities with concentrations of units completed even before 1950 include Coal Township (74.7 percent), East Cameron Township (62.3 percent), Herndon Borough (88.9 percent), Kulpmont Borough (74.0 percent), McEwensville Township (52.1 percent), Marion Heights Borough (80,8 percent), Milton Borough (54.0 percent), Mount Carmel Borough (84.5 percent), Mount Carmel Township (64.6), Northumberland Borough (54.6 percent), Shamokin City (75.2 percent), Sunbury City (73.1 percent), Turbotville Borough (55.7 percent), Upper Mahanoy Township (50.6 percent), and Zerbe Township (66.2 percent).

TABLE 12

Year Structure Built Uni ts % of Total 1990 to March 2000 3,441 8.0 1980 to 1989 3,097 7.2 1970 to 1979 5,206 12.1 The 2000 Census indicted that about 49% of 1960 to 1969 2,855 6.6 the County's dwellings were built before 1940. 1950 to 1959 3,533 8.2 8% of the dwellings in the County were 1940 to 1949 3,987 9.2 built after 1990. 1939 or earlier 21,045 48.7

Units 8.0% 7.2%

12 . 1% 48.7%

6.6%

8.2% 9.2% 1990 to March 2000 19 8 0 t o 19 8 9 19 7 0 t o 19 7 9 1960 to 1969 19 5 0 t o 19 5 9 19 4 0 t o 19 4 9 1939 or earlier

- 32 - An additional variable used to identify housing condition is crowding, which is directly related to the wear and tear sustained by the structure. As the rule of thumb, the value of more than one person per room (1.01) is used as the threshold for defining living conditions as substandard. Finally, exclusive use of plumbing is identified as a variable with the sharing of facilities between households used as an index of deficient housing conditions. Crowding, represented by housing units with more than one person per room, represents only a small percentage of Northumberland County’s housing stock. The 2000 U.S. Census reported that 352 units, representing less than one percent of the housing stock, contained more than one person per room. The 2000 U.S. Census indicated that 557 units lacked complete plumbing.

Using information from the 2000 Census, the following table provides a description of the housing stock of the 36 municipalities in Northumberland County.

TABLE 13 HOUSING BY MUNICIPALITY - 2000 % Total Owner- % Built % Single-units Median Value Municipality Units occupied Before 1950 ($)

Northumberland County 43164 73.5 58 78.9 70000

Coal Township 4233 80.4 74.7 90.3 41700

Delaware Township 1765 81.2 22.2 65.5 83900

East Cameron Township 301 91.8 62.3 87.7 67800

East Chillisquaque Twp. 276 84 50.2 85.9 91200

Herndon Borough 192 71.1 88.9 74.2 60600

Jackson Township 373 88.5 42.1 84 77800

Jordan Township 317 92.6 54.4 90.5 83500

Kulpmont Borough 1532 80.5 74 86.6 39600

Lewis Township 663 89.6 31.8 87 97800

Little Mahanoy Township 159 84.8 54.7 88.2 74200

Lower Augusta Township 425 93 37.9 88.2 95200

Lower Mahanoy Township 691 82.5 52 84 82000

McEwensville Borough 123 74.1 52.1 77.7 79200

Marion Heights Borough 375 84.1 80.8 88.5 50400

Milton Borough 3000 54.3 54 66.4 79000

Mount Carmel Borough 3629 74.7 84.5 82.9 32800

- 33 - TABLE 13 (CONTINUED)

% Total Owner- % Built % Single-unit Median Value Municipality Units occupied Before 1950 ($)

Mount Carmel Township 1250 87.6 64.6 91.2 42200

Northumberland Borough 1772 66.3 54.6 74.9 80500

Point Township 1523 87.7 19.4 84 93400

Ralpho Township 1600 85.9 22.4 90 110200

Riverside Borough 799 88 35.2 92 98800

Rockefeller Township 868 91.3 32.7 91 103600

Rush Township 469 87.6 36.5 89.8 109800

Shamokin City 4674 61.8 82.2 75.2 29200

Shamokin Township 906 87.1 40.3 89.3 97500

Snydertown Borough 143 83.1 46.9 91.7 92000

Sunbury City 5072 45.2 73.1 60.5 63400

Turbot Township 692 89.2 29 94.3 102600

Turbotville Borough 302 73.4 55.7 71.3 86700

Upper Augusta Township 1058 90.6 23.8 95.3 95200

Upper Mahanoy Township 247 87 50.6 92.9 76400

Washington Township 283 84.8 53.1 88 86500

Watsontown Borough 1017 57 62.5 74.4 83300

West Cameron Township 205 93.2 38.5 79 77300

West Chillisquaque Twp. 1284 84.1 20.2 55.4 60300

Zerbe Township 946 80.8 66.2 81.4 53900 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

Though the Census reports problems with cost burden in Northumberland County, the housing stock in the communities is relatively affordable. The County and some of the municipalities offer assistance to low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers expanding affordability. The availability of moderately priced housing throughout most of Northumberland County, in addition to subsidies for low- and moderate-income households, sustains economic growth by providing housing.

- 34 - While the population of Northumberland County is projected to continue to decrease, it is noted that there may still be problems with the availability of housing in Northumberland County. The need for housing arises from the changing composition of the residents of Northumberland County. The population in Northumberland County continues to age. Older households often lack disposable income to provide for the long-term maintenance and upgrading of their dwellings. Many older households are over housed, living in the units in which they raised their families. The decreasing population of the County makes it harder for the older over housed residents to sell their units. Some of the communities in Northumberland County lack a building code or the staff to enforce maintenance of housing. The housing stock is quite old. Older units are often in need of substantial rehabilitation to make them habitable by modern households.

Some of the old housing stock in Northumberland County, particularly in the south east portion of the County, was developed by industries in the early 1900s as housing for its employees. The company housing that still exists was not meant as permanent long-term housing. The units were poorly constructed, densely developed and lack modern amenities. The company housing is now obsolete and needs to be replaced. Because of the declining population in the south east portion of the County, the replacement housing should be developed at a more moderate density than the original housing. The Land Use Element of this Comprehensive Plan provides guidance for housing in Northumberland County.

- 35 - B. HOUSING GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Housing Goal: Preserve existing housing stock and development patterns. Promote development of a range of housing types considerate of present and future housing needs.

Objectives:

! Maintain development patterns within existing sewer and water service areas ! Infill vacant land or properties before extending existing sewer and water services ! Provide housing rehabilitation assistance through direct public funding i.e. Community Development Block Grant and HOME ! Provide housing rehabilitation assistance through indirect public funding through phasing in of reassessments ! Demolish substandard structures which could serve as a blighting influence on a neighborhood ! Provide assisted housing through the Housing Authority ! Establish a homeownership program through governmental and private assistance ! Encourage systematic code enforcement ! Promote variety of housing types through inclusionary zoning ! Encourage use of upper floors in business districts for residential apartments ! Provide elderly housing within urban areas near services and transportation

- 36 - IV. LAND USE

- 37 - A. ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL FEATURES

Physical Geography

Northumberland County’s development results not only from its location proximate to the eastern seaboard, but also from its physical geography. Northumberland County is in the Valley and Ridge physiographic province. Topographically, Northumberland County is divided into upland hills and valleys and ridges, all of which are dissected by streams and rivers. The panhandle of Northumberland County is bordered by the Muncy Hills to the north, the west branch of the Susquehanna River to the west, Montour Ridge to the south, and Montour County to the east. At the Borough of Northumberland, the north and west branches of the Susquehanna River join to form the main stem of the river. Downstream from the confluence, the Susquehanna River is the western border of Northumberland County. The Mahantango Creek and Dauphin County form the southern border. In the central and southern parts of Northumberland County, other prominent ridges are the Big, Little, Mahanoy, Line, and Hooflander Mountains and Fisher Ridge. The elevation in Northumberland County ranges from 1,805 feet above sea level at Mahanoy Mountain to 380 feet above sea level at the Susquehanna River.

Northumberland County is in the Susquehanna River Basin and there are eight watersheds in the County. The major drainage ways in addition to the Susquehanna are, the Chillisquaque Creek in the north, the Shamokin Creek in the central part, the Mahanoy Creek in the south, and the Mahantango Creek along the southern border. These streams flow west into the Susquehanna River. Roaring Creek and Little Roaring Creek are along the eastern border, flowing north into the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. Many smaller streams are scattered throughout Northumberland County.

Soils

One of the most important planning tools is an accurate map of soil types. The structure and composition of each particular soil determine its fertility and suitability for various kinds of land development. Soil lies in a very thin layer above bedrock and extends approximately to the depth of plant roots. It is composed of both inorganic and organic materials. The primary inorganic constituent is extensively weathered parent rock, or bedrock. Soils that overlie the same types of bedrock have similar characteristics because of their common origin. The organic component of soil is derived from decayed plant and animal material. One important feature of soil is its texture, determined by the relative proportions of sand, silt, and gravel. The permeability of soil is directly related to its texture. Soils also vary in their structure, as the individual grains can cohere to form blocky, granular or flaky pieces of soil. Soil structure also affects percolation, ease of cultivation, and susceptibility to erosion.

- 38 - Soil types identified in the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan were identified from the Soil Survey of Northumberland County. The Soil Survey identified eight different soil associations in Northumberland County. A soil association is a group of two or more soils within a given area that can be distinguished among themselves, but can be grouped together based on their common characteristics because their area distribution is very complex.

The soil associations in Northumberland County identified by the Soil Survey are as follows

C Weikert-Berks-Hartleton Association: Gently sloping to steep, shallow to deep, well drained soils on hills and ridges. The association is found in the central part of the County, at the south edge and in the northern panhandle.

C Klinesville-Calvin-Leck Kill Association: Gently sloping to steep, shallow to deep, well drained soils on hills and ridges. The association is generally limited to the central portion of the County and along the Mahantango Creek.

C Udorthents-Dekalb-Hazleton Association: Gently sloping to steep, moderately deep and deep, well drained and moderately drained soils concentrated in the central portion of the County on mountainsides and ridges.

C Laidig-Meckesville-Buchanan Association: Nearly level to steep, deep well drained soils on mountainside slopes and foot slopes in the central part of Northumberland County..

C Watson-Alvira-Allenwood Association: Nearly level to moderately steep, deep, somewhat poorly drained to well drained soils located in the areas of Lewis and Point Townships.

C Dekalb-Hazleton-Clymer Association: Nearly level to steep, moderately deep and deep, well drained soils on mountainside and mountaintops.

C Holly-Basher-Wheeling Association: Nearly level to sloping, deep very poorly drained to well drained soils on floodplains throughout the County.

C Edom-Elliber-Hagerstown Association: Gently sloping to steep, deep well drained soils in valleys and on ridges.

The following matrices provide a description of the soils in Northumberland County and their suitability for development. The most suitable soils are those which involve minimal risk to the environment if developed. Unsuitable soils exhibit one or more characteristics which severely limit their use. The matrices should be examined to determine which characteristics are limiting factor for each soil.

All soils types occurring in Northumberland County were evaluated for the following seven environmental factors:

- 39 - C slope C erosion hazard C drainage C depth to bedrock C depth to seasonally high water table C runoff potential (hydrologic group) C suitability for septic drainage field

The first matrix lists all soils and their respective values for each of these factors. Using the table “Acceptable Values for Land Development,” each soil was given a rating of A, B, or C for every environmental factor. The second matrix presents the ratings assigned to each soil. Where an “A” appears in the second matrix, development of the soil is not limited by that factor. Assignment of a “C” represents a potentially severe environmental hazard attributable to that factor. A “C” rating does not mean that the soil cannot be developed, but that elevated costs will be necessary to protect the environment.

- 40 - Acceptable Values for Land Development

Slope Most Suitable < 10% A Moderately suitable 10-15% slope B Least suitable > 15% slope C

Erosion Hazard Most suitable 0-5 KR (LS) A Moderately suitable 6-19 KR (LS) B Least Suitable > 20 KR (LS) C

Drainage Class Most suitable Well drained soils A Moderately suitable Moderately drained soils B Least Suitable Poorly drained soils C

Depth to Bedrock Most suitable > 9 feet A Moderately suitable < 9 feet B

Depth to Seasonally High Water Table Most suitable Deep or moderately deep A Moderately suitable Shallow to moderately deep B Least Suitable Very shallow C

Runoff Potential (Hydrologic Soil Groups) Most suitable A or B hydrologic group A Moderately suitable C hydrologic group B Least Suitable D hydrologic group C

Suitability for Septic Drainage Field Most suitable Slight limitation A Moderately suitable Moderate limitation B Least Suitable Severe limitation C

Because much of Northumberland County is not served by sanitary sewers, the suitability of the soil for installation of septic systems is a primary determinant of the overall suitability of an area for development. The ratings for each development factor were combined in the following manner to yield three mapping categories of composite suitability for development:

- 41 - Factor Combination for Composite Suitability

1. Composite Most Suitable Soil Groups. Soil group must have an A rating under Suitability for Septic Drainage Field. The soil group may have an A or B in remaining six environmental factors.

2. Composite Moderately Suitable Soils Groups. Soil group has a B rating under Suitability for Septic Drainage Field and an A or B rating in remaining six environmental factors.

3. Composite Least Suitable Soil Group. Soil group has a C Rating in any of the seven environmental factor categories.

Some areas that are classified as most suitable for development by this matrix may also be mapped as environmentally sensitive lands. Linking this information will provide an indication of areas of Northumberland County where development is least likely to cause environmental degradation. The synthesis can be used as a foundation for land use planning and eventual zoning by Northumberland County or the municipalities. Developers will also find the information helpful because they can identify the location of soils which are least costly to develop. The soils, however, were evaluated for their general suitability for housing and urban development. Other types of development may or may not be limited to the same extent by these factors.

Farming is a major industry with over one-third of the County’s land used for farming. The Northumberland County Soil Survey indicates that about 48,000 acres, or nearly 16 percent of Northumberland County, meets the soil requirements for prime farmland as defined by the US Department of Agriculture. Prime farmland is the land that is best suited to producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. Prime farmland produces the highest yields with minimal inputs of energy and economic resources, and farming results in the least damage to the environment. The following chart identifies the soils in Northumberland County that are considered prime farmland.

- 42 - TABLE 14 SOIL GROUPS

Depth to Runoff Erosion Seasonally Potential Suit Map Slope Hazard (10 Drainage Depth to High Water (Hydrologic Symbol Soil Group (Percent) foot slope) Classification Bedrock (feet) Table Soil Group) Drai

AbB* Albrights silt loam A A B A C B AnA* Allenwood gravelly silt loam A A A A A A AnD Allenwood gravelly silt loam C B A A A A AoB* Allewood and Washington soils A A A A A A AoC Allenwood and Washington soils B A A A A A ArA Alvira silt loam A A C A C B ArB Alvira silt loam A A C A C B ArC Alvira silt loam B B C A C B AsB Alvira very stony silt loam A A C A C B Ba* Barbour soils A A A A A A Bb* Barbour-Linden complex A A A A A A Bc* Basher soils A A B A B A Bd Basher soils A A B A B A BeB* Bedington silt loam A A A B A A BeC Bedington silt loam B A A B A A BeD Bedington silt loam C B A B A A BkB Berks shaly silt loam A A A B A B BkC Berks shaly silt loam B A A B A B BkD Berks shaly silt loam C A A B A B BuB* Buchanan gravelly loam A A B A B B BuC Buchanan gravelly loam B A B A B B BxB Buchanan very stony loam A A B A B B BxD Buchanan very stony loam C B B A B B CaB Calvin-Klinesville shaly silt A A A B A B CaC loams B A A B A B CaD Calvin-Klinesville shaly silt C A A B A B DeB loams A A B B A B DeD Calvin-Klinesville shaly silt C A B B A B DeF loams C B B B A B Du Dekalb stony sandy loams varies C varies varies varies varies Dy Dekalb stony sandy loam C C A B A varies EdB* Dekalb stony sandy loam A A A B A B EdC Dumps, mine B A A B A B EdD Dystrochrepts, bouldery C A A B A B EsB* Edom complex A A A A A A EsC Edom complex B A A A A A EsD Edom complex C A A A A A EtB* Elliber cherty silt loam A A A A A A EtC Elliber cherty silt loam B A A A A A EtD Elliber cherty silt loam C A A A A A EtF Elliber very cherty silt loam C B A A A A

Table 14 (Continued)

Depth to Runoff Erosion Seasonally Potential Suit Map Slope Hazard (10 Drainage Depth to High Water (Hydrologic Symbol Soil Group (Percent) foot slope) Classification Bedrock (feet) Table Soil Group) Drai

- 43 - EvB Elliber very cherty silt loam A A C B C B Elliber very cherty silt loam Elliver very cherty silt loam Evendale cherty silt loam HaB* Hagerstown silt loam A A A B A B HaC Hagerstown silt loam B A A B A B HaD Hagerstown silt loam C B A B A B HtB* Hartleton channery silt loam A A A B A A HtC Hartleton channery silt loam B A A B A A HtD Hartleton channery silt loam C A A B A A HuB Hazleton and Clymer loams A A A B A A HuD Hazleton and Clymer loams C A A B A A HuF Hazleton and Clymer loams C B A B A A Hv Holly silt loam A A C A C C Hy Holly silt loam, ponded A A C A C C Hz Holly silt loam, rarely flooded A A C A C C KmB* Kreamer cherty silt loam A A A A B B KmC Kreamer cherty silt loam B A A A B B LaB* Laidig gravelly loam A A A A B B LaC Laidig gravelly loam B A A A B B LbB Laidig extremely stony loam A A A A B B LdD Laidig and Meckesville soils C A A A B B LdF Laidig and Meckesville soils C B A A B B LkB Lakin loamy fine sand A A A A A A LkC Lakin loamy fine sand B A A A A A LnB* Leck Kill shaly silt loam A A A B A A LnC Leck Kill shaly silt loam B A A B A A LnD Leck Kill shaly silt loam C A A B A A Lw* Linden silt loam A A A A B A MkB* Meckesville silt loam A A A A B B MkC Meckesville silt loam B A A A B B MkD Meckesville silt loam C A A A B B MoA* Monongahela silt loam A A B A B B MoB Monongahela silt loam A A B A B B OpB Opequon silty clay loam A B A B A B OpD Opequon silty clay loam C C A B A B OpE Opequon silty clay loam C C A B A B Pa Pits varies varies A varies varies varies Qu Quarries varies varies varies varies vaires varies RwB Rushtown shaly silt loam A A A A A C RwC Rushtown shaly silt loam B C A A A C

- 44 - Table 14 (Continued)

Depth to Runoff Erosion Seasonally Potential Suit Map Slope Hazard (10 Drainage Depth to High Water (Hydrologic Symbol Soil Group (Percent) foot slope) Classification Bedrock (feet) Table Soil Group) Drai

ShA Shelmadine silt loam A A C A C C ShB Shelmadine silt loam A A C A C C SmB Shelmadine very stony silt loam A A C A C C Uf Udifluvents, coal overwash varies C B varies varies varies Ug Udifluvents and Fluvaquents varies C A varies varies varies Uh Udorthents, sandstone and shale varies C A varies varies varies UnB Unadilla silt loam A A A A A A UnC Unadilla silt loam B B A A A A UnD Unadilla silt loam C C A A A A Ur Urban Land A A A A A A WaB* Washington silt loam A A A A B B WbA* Watson silt loam A A A A B B WbB* Watson silt loam A A A A B B WbC Watson silt loam B A A A B B WeB Weikert shaly silt loam A A A B A C WeC Weikert shaly silt loam B A A B A C WeD Weikert shaly silt loam C A A B A C WkE Weikert and Klinesville loams C B A B A C WsA* Wheeling soils A A A A A A WsB* Wheeling soils A A A A A A WsC Wheeling soils B A A A A A WyA Wyoming gravelly sandy loam A A A A A A WyB Wyoming gravelly sandy loams A A A A A A

Source: Soil Survey of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service * Prime Farmland

- 45 - Floodplains

Floodplains are another environmental feature considered. Floodplains are usually flat areas of land bordering streams, which are periodically inundated by flood waters. Generally, only rare rain storms of severe intensity cause the entire floodplain to flood. The 100-year flood boundary has been delineated on the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan Floodplain map. The boundary was developed from information available through the Environmental Resources Research Institute at Pennsylvania State University.

The narrow floodway is a zone of high flood intensity, where the water flows fastest and deepest. The flood hazard area, which is subject to slower flows and shallow inundation, delineates the extent of flood waters that could be expected to occur once every 100 years. FEMA uses the theoretical extent of a flood occurring once every 100 years to determine eligibility for Federal Flood Insurance. The probability of a flood inundating the flood hazard area once every 100 years is based on a statistical evaluation of rainfall and streams flow records. The occurrence of a 100-year flood does not preclude another flood of similar magnitude occurring again the next year, or even the same year.

Only over a lengthy period would one expect that a 100-year flood would, on the average, occur once every 100 years. Also, the 100-year flood hazard area delineation may expand in the future due to increased runoff caused by imperious surfaces such as streets and parking lots associated with future development.

Floodplains are areas of substantial ecological value. The sediments deposited in the floodplain by slow-moving flood waters increase the fertility of the land. Where floodplains are undeveloped, the natural vegetation provides excellent habitat for wildlife. Proximity to water heightens the floodplain’s value to wildlife, and overhanging vegetation offers shade and refuge for stream organisms and helps maintain natural stream temperatures. Vegetated floodplains can act to filter out non-point source pollutants before they enter streams, thus providing a natural mechanism for water quality benefits. Floodplains are excellent locations for water-related recreation sites, was well as nature study. Since standing flood waters are steadily absorbed by floodplain soils, groundwater supplies and maintained, and flood peaks downstream are reduced.

Although floodplains are attractive sites for development due to their flat terrain and proximity to water, building in floodplains will inevitably result in significant flood-related damages and even danger to life. Any structures or paved surfaces in the floodplain prevent absorption and obstruct flood flow, thereby eliminating valuable groundwater recharge sites and increasing flood peaks.

Proper floodplain planning reduces damages associated with their development and ensures the perpetuation of the important ecological functions of floodplains. Uses that are not significantly harmed by periodic flooding, such as agriculture, recreation, and nature study, should be encouraged.

Wetlands

- 46 - Wetlands are lands of transition between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface of the land and the land is covered by shallow water. Wetlands are where land saturation with water is the dominating factor determining the nature of soil development and the types of plant and animal communities living in the soil and on its surface. Wetlands are classified as coastal or freshwater with the general distinction being the plant materials they support.

Wetlands provide many important benefits including pollution filtration, flood prevention, soil erosion and sediment control, habitat for fish and wildlife including habitat for threatened and endangered species and shoreline stabilization. Wetlands also offer unspoiled, open space for the aesthetic enjoyment of nature as well as recreation activities and environmental education. The alteration and destruction of wetlands by draining, filling, or other methods has an adverse effect on environmental quality and ecological systems.

Wetlands identified within Northumberland County are those indicated by the U.S. Geological Survey, National Wetlands inventory. Wetlands maps delineate and classify wetlands based upon a hierarchical system structured around a combination of ecological, hydrological, and substrate characteristics. The classification system also contains provisions to apply modifiers to describe the amount of flooding, water chemistry, soil type, and the actions of man. It should be noted that the “Montandon Marsh” is considered an “exceptional value” wetlands. It is located along Route 45 in West Chillisquaque Township.

Topographic Slope

Slope gradients in Northumberland County have been calculated and are presented on the Topographic Slope map. Slope is defined as the radical change in elevation over a horizontal distance, and is usually expressed as a percentage. Slope is an important determinant for land use. For example, slopes less than ten percent are suitable for most uses, though drainage problems may exist where the slope is less than two percent. Slope values between ten and fifteen percent impose some limitations on development. Sites may require grading or special design of septic systems, and agriculture is not always feasible. Where slopes exceed 15 percent, significant constraints on development exist. Extensive grading and filling are required for most residential and industrial development occurring on steep-sloped land. Clearing of steep sites can cause erosion and sedimentation problems if runoff is not strictly controlled. Use of septic systems is difficult, though steep slopes can accommodate large lot single-family development if construction is sensitively planned.

Forested Areas

There are many areas throughout Northumberland County that are covered by trees. The Forest Service estimates that Northumberland County has over 150,000 acres of woodland, nearly all of which is privately owned. Stands of second- and third-growth trees make up the woodland. Deciduous trees are the most prevalent types. The most common deciduous species in Northumberland County are Oak and Hickory. Other common deciduous species found in Northumberland County include Elm, Ash, Red Maple, Aspen, and Birch. The most common coniferous species in Northumberland County is Eastern White Pine.

- 47 - Forests provide many important uses, one of which is in providing erosion control, especially on steep slopes, and protecting watersheds. The control of erosion on steep slopes is achieved through the root’s ability to hold soil and rock in place. This allows the forests surrounding watersheds to keep runoff low in suspended solids, such as soil particles, which helps to keeps lakes and streams free from sediment. Forests control erosion in another important method. Tree cover reduces the impact of falling water droplets on the surrounding soil by intercepting them in the tree crown. The water then either falls from the leaves with a much reduced velocity, or is transmitted to the tree’s branches and trunk where it reaches the soil as stem flow. This reduction of the rainwater’s impact on the soil prevents particles from being dislodged and becoming water carried sediment.

Forests are also important areas of animal habitat. Many larger species such as deer and bear depend on the cover of the forest for their protection and ultimate survival. The food supply in a forest can be very rich if the soils and climate are favorable. Animals will often seek forested regions to isolate themselves from man’s influence and impacts. Forests also provide protection from the elements. Tree cover slows the evaporation of water and minimizes wind velocities, allowing animals to better survive extremely difficult periods of drought.

Forests can be productively harvested. The 1992 US Census of Manufactures identified 11 lumber and wood products establishments in Northumberland County. The 11 establishments employed about 700 people. A forest does not have to be completely stripped of trees to produce timber. Selective cutting is often used to thin out dead and undesirable trees, allowing the forest to become more productive.

Among the many uses and functions of a forest, perhaps the one that provides the greatest benefit is its aesthetic value. Forests allow the natural beauty of an area to be magnified. Allowing natural areas such as forests to exist undisturbed allows the environment of an area to be more fully appreciated, understood, and protected.

Water Features

Regions in Northumberland County which are covered by water are also a significant type of land cover. Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams all constitute water-covered areas in Northumberland County. The water-covered areas are shown on the Floodplain map. Very small water features such as farm ponds and intermittent streams and springs are not shown on the map.

The Susquehanna River forms Northumberland County’s western border. The Susquehanna River is the major source of drainage in the area. Various streams drain small areas of Northumberland County, but most eventually empty into the Susquehanna River. The Susquehanna is the nations sixteenth largest river, providing more than half of the freshwater flow into the Chesapeake. The Susquehanna River is a major recreational resource in Northumberland County. It also provides an important source of habitat for both aquatic and non-aquatic species.

- 48 - B. EXISTING LAND USE

This section of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan describes existing land uses and analyzes the generalized geographic pattern and distribution of land uses. The generalized land uses were recorded from aerial photographs of Northumberland County. The aerial photographs were completed in 1996. Generally, land use was plotted without regard for property lines, due to the absence of property maps. The exception to this was State game lands and other publicly held land, for which property boundary maps were available. The following categories are included on the Existing Land Use map.

! Agriculture. The category involves lands devoted to crops and pasture. Farmhouses and related farm structures have also been included in the category. Also included is vacant land, which could be classified as open fields, major stands of woodland and other unused lands.

! Undeveloped Land/Natural Vegetation. The category includes land that is not being used. Much of the undeveloped land includes environmental features.

! Gamelands. The Gamelands are maintained and operated by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, primarily for outdoor recreation in the form of sport-hunting.

! Mine/Quarry. Lands in this category are those involved in the production of coal or other minerals.

! Large Commercial/Industrial. Commercial lands are those determined to be devoted to retail trade, professional, personal and business services. Industrial lands are committed to processing, fabrication or assembly of raw materials or component parts, wholesale trade, warehouse and storage uses, junkyards, landfills, and fuel storage. Trucking terminals and railyards are also included.

! Community Uses and Utilities. This category is used for health, educational, religious, cultural, governmental, and public safety. The category also includes utilities, communication uses, and air transportation.

! Mixed Use. Mixed Use lands include those used for a combination of residential and commercial uses.

! Residential. This category consists of lands devoted to single-family detached and attached, multiple dwelling units, mobile homes and mobile home parks.

The U.S. Census of Agriculture reports that in 1992 there were 561 farms containing 109,438 acres, or 36 percent of the land area in Northumberland County. The average size of the farms in Northumberland County has increased from 164 acres in 1982 to 195 acres in 1992.

- 49 - In support of agricultural preservation, in 1992 Northumberland County created the Agricultural Land Preservation Board. The Preservation Board annually receives between $200,000 to $300,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. Northumberland County annually contributes $5,000 to the Preservation Board for administration. The State funds are used by the Preservation Board to administer a Farmland Purchase Program. The Farmland Purchase Program involves the purchase of the development rights to agricultural lands. Once accepted into the Farmland Purchase Program, the landowner continues to own the land, but the only permitted use of the land is agriculture. To be considered for acceptance in the Farmland Purchase Program the farm must be in a community that has adopted an Agricultural Security Areas ordinance. Municipalities in Northumberland County with Agricultural Security Areas ordinances include Delaware Township, East Cameron Township, Jackson Township, Jordan Township, Lewis Township, Lower Augusta Township, Lower Mahanoy Township, Point Township, Rockefeller Township, Rush Township, Shamokin Township, Turbot Township, Upper Augusta Township, Upper Mahanoy Township, Washington Township, and West Chillisquaque Township.

In agreement with State standards, the Preservation Board has established the minimum requirements that farms in Northumberland County must meet to be eligible for the easement purchase program as follows:

! Must be located in an agricultural security area consisting of 500 acres or more. ! Have a contiguous acreage of at least 50 acres in size unless the tract is at least ten acres in size and is either used for a crop unique to the area, or is contiguous to a property that has a perpetual conservation easement in place that is held by a qualified conservation organization. ! Contain at least 50 percent of soils that are available for agricultural production and are of capability classes I-IV, as defined by the USDA - Natural Resource Conservation Service. ! Contain the greater of 50 percent or ten acres of harvested cropland or pastureland.

Additionally, when considering applications, the Preservation Board evaluates the extent of development pressure, the potential of agricultural productivity, and the proximity of a farm to an important agricultural rural community.

Since establishment of the Farmland Purchase Program the Preservation Board has purchased perpetual easements to approximately 900 acres of farmland in Northumberland County. The Preservation Board reports that the demand for the Farmland Purchase Program exceeds funds.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission maintains 12,207 acres of State Game Land in Northumberland County. The State Game Land in Northumberland County is divided among five sites. The land is managed primarily for outdoor recreation in the form of sport-hunting.

Based on a review of the permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Mining and Reclamation (the Bureau) there are 15,102 acres of coal lands in Northumberland County. The Bureau classifies 2,453 acres of the total as inactive. The Bureau identifies that 37 percent of the coal lands are used for surface mining, and 43 percent of the coal

- 50 - lands are used for the processing of coal. The coal lands in Northumberland County are concentrated in Coal Township, Mount Carmel Township, and Zerbe Township.

The Bureau has also issued permits for the mining of other mineral resources on 875 acres in Northumberland County. The operators are mining clay, limestone, and gravel.

The coal mines in Northumberland County are subject to the reclamation requirements of the Surface Mining Conservation and Reclamation Act (the Act). The Act requires that before proceeding with the mining of minerals, operators shall receive a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). As part of the application for a DEP mining permit, applicants are required to provide a complete and detailed reclamation plan of the affected land. The reclamation plan provides a detailed description of the mining operation. The reclamation plan also gives information regarding plans to mitigate adverse impacts such as soil erosion, water accumulation in the pit, acid mine drainage, and siltation of surface waters, associated with the mining operation. Additionally, the reclamation plan must provide a statement of the land use proposed for the affected area after mining and reclamation.

Prior to commencing surface mining, the Act requires that the operator file with the DEP a bond for the affected land. The amount of the bond is based upon the permittee’s statement of the estimated cost of fulfilling the reclamation plan. Liability under the bond is for the duration of the mining operation and for a period of five full years after the last year of augmented seeding and fertilizing and any other work to complete reclamation to meet the requirements of the law and protect the environment. The Act has been enforced by the State since 1972. Operators of pre-Act mines are not subject to the regulations unless they make the surface deeper.

- 51 - TABLE 15 COAL PRODUCING LANDS - 1999 Municipality Operator Name Operation Type Acres Site Status

Coal Township Reading Anthracite Refuse 29.8 active

Coal Township Split Vein - Norwood Reprocessing 276.5 active

Coal Township Split Vein - Excelsior Reprocessing 191 active

Coal Township Blaschak - Burnside Strip Surface 323 active

Coal Township Blaschak - Big Mountain Surface 1016 active

Coal Township Rosini Enter. - Sterling Reprocessing 68 active

Coal Township Rosini Reprocessing 60 active

Coal Township Mid-Valley - Shamokin Surface 1215 active

Coal Township Mid-Valley - Glen Burn Reprocessing 533 active

Coal Township C.A. L. Mining Deep Mine 70 not started

Coal Township Black Thunder Deep Mine 1.5 inactive

Coal Township L&W Deep Mine 2 inactive

Coal Township Jordan Coal Co. Deep Mine 2 active

Coal Township Eagle Run - Blascovich Preparation 2.5 active

Coal Township Eagle Run - #1 Drift Deep Mine 5.3 active

East Cameron Reading Anthracite - W. Spring Surface 127 active Township

Jackson Township White Pine - Mahanoy Creek II Reprocessing 1830 active

Little Mahanoy Twp. Wilbur White - Katherine Reprocessing 27.2 active

Little Mahanoy Twp. Dale D. Lenig Preparation 2.1 active

Little Mahanoy Twp. Calvin V. Lenig Preparation 3.2 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Split Vein - Locust Gap Reprocessing 77.5 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Split Vein - Locust Gap 2 Reprocessing 72.3 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Gilberton - Locust Summit Reprocessing 958 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Gilberton - Reliance Bank Reprocessing 142 not started

Mount Carmel Twp. Savitski Brothers Preparation 45.4 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Susquehanna Reprocessing 206 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Susquehanna - Mt. Carmel Cogene Reprocessing 788 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Susquehanna - Richards Reprocessing 808 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Mallard - Sayre Strip Surface 1200 active

- 52 - TABLE 15 (CONTINUED)

Municipality Operator Name Operation Type Acres Site Status

Mount Carmel Twp. Empire - Rt. 54 Strip Surface 10 active

Mount Carmel Twp. Louis Coal Co. Surface 64 inactive

Mount Carmel Twp. F.K.Z. - No. 1 Mine Deep Mine 3.5 active

Ralpho Township Split Vein Preparation 21.6 active

Ralpho Township Twin Creek - Swift Braker Preparation 9 active

Shamokin Township Bromley - Diebler #1 Reprocessing 177.5 inactive

West Cameron Twp. Mak - W. Cameron Operation Reprocessing 441.5 active

West Cameron Twp. Mak - Mine Surface 919 active

West Cameron Twp. West Cameron Mining Deep Mine 5.9 active

West Cameron Twp. Olaf Deep Mine 2.6 active

West Cameron Twp. Black Creek Breaker Preparation 5.7 active

West Cameron Twp. Lenig & Kosmer - Glen Len Preparation 3.6 active

Zerbe Township Reading Anthracite - Treverton Refuse Reprocessing 176 active

Zerbe Township Reading Anthracite - Treverton Slush Reprocessing 45 active

Zerbe Township Reading Anthracite - Treverton Strip Surface 2222 inactive

Zerbe Township Split Vein - Treverton Basis Surface 707 active

Zerbe Township Yost - Skyline Deep Mine 2 inactive

Zerbe Township Matthew Shingara Deep Mine 1 inactive

Zerbe Township F&S Deep Mine 1 inactive

Zerbe Township DK and D Deep Mine 4.2 inactive

Zerbe Township Paul R. Long - Rocky Top Deep Mine 1.5 inactive

Zerbe Township H.J.&H Surface 167 inactive

Zerbe Township SBM - Alfred Brown Deep Mine 1.4 active

Zerbe Township Chestnut - #11 Slope Operation Deep Mine 5 active

Zerbe Township Snyder - N&L Mine Deep Mine 2.8 active

Zerbe Township Twelve Vein Deep Mine 2.5 inactive

Zerbe Township K&L Deep Mine 5 active

Zerbe Township R.S. Deep Mine 2 active

Zerbe Township Sheldon Derck - No. 1 Deep Mine 1.4 active

Zerbe Township Rothermel - No. 11 Deep Mine 5.6 active

Zerbe Township Shingara Deep Mine 3 active Source: PA Department of Environmental Protection - Bureau of Mining and Reclamation

- 53 - C. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

General Land Use Goal: Develop and adhere to a systematic, coordinated land use pattern that provides a variety of uses, recognizes land capacities, and respects natural features, and environmental and physical factors.

Objectives:

! Direct new development to areas adjacent to existing development, with adequate sewer, water and transportation capacities.

! Maintain and rehabilitate existing urban areas.

! Integrate non-residential uses with the residential community ensuring the uses do not negatively impact the residential uses.

! Discourage development of areas lacking infrastructure that supports the use.

! Preserve agricultural land in order to maintain the agricultural economy and agricultural community.

! Provide sufficient, well located growth centers to provide employment, homes, and goods and services to County residents with emphasis on design, convenience and safety.

Environment and Open Space Goal: Preserve natural features and conserve environmental resources throughout Northumberland County, to protect and improve environmental quality, and to preserve open space in suitable locations and quantities.

Objectives:

! Preserve and protect wetlands and flood plains.

! Conserve forested lands and steep slopes.

! Use natural features and environmental and physical factors and development boundaries.

! Establish a continuous, interconnected network of stream valleys, slopes, and wooded areas a an open space system.

! Provide adequate open space in residential areas, particularly in the densely settled communities in Northumberland County.

Community Identity Goal: Preserve and promote all community, cultural and aesthetic elements that identify Northumberland County as a special and unique place to live and work.

- 54 - Objectives:

! Implement development designs that foster connections within each development and with the larger community.

! Promote and enhance community volunteer groups that both identify the community and provide service to the community.

! Develop plans and controls that are sensitive to the landscape and visual character of each community.

! Advance programs to preserve County and community archives, records, memorabilia and other artifacts that illustrate the community’s culture and history.

- 55 - D. LAND USE PLAN

The Northumberland County Land Use Plan sets forth strategies that direct land uses in a pattern that accommodates economic development and protects the rural countryside and environmentally sensitive areas in Northumberland County. The Land Use Plan promotes a policy to encourage a more consolidated development pattern instead of a scattered pattern. Such a policy seeks to guide the majority of Northumberland County’s development to locations in or adjacent to existing development centers that have or will have adequate infrastructure. The policy is intended to discourage sprawl and maximize the preservation of open space, natural resources, and agriculture. The Land Use Plan is intended for use by Northumberland County’s elected officials, municipal elected officials, planning agencies, developers, and the citizens as a policy guide to the direction of the County’s land use to the year 2010.

The suggested land use pattern reflects analysis of the background material, particularly the environmental and existing land use data and development trends. The boundaries on the Land Use Plan map are intended to be general in nature, the characteristics described in the text for each land use category more succinctly define the boundaries.

Instead of proposing specific land use densities, the Land Use Plan contains categories proposing the general character of areas. The Land Use Plan map does not distinguish between developed land use types, that is residential, commercial, industrial, but focuses on areas appropriate for development and areas appropriate for conservation. The Land Use Plan proposes the land use categories that are summarized below:

Areas Appropriate for Conservation

! Mine and Quarry Areas - Mine and quarry areas.

! Permanent Open Space - Gamelands and publicly-owned land plus areas targeted for public ownership for the purposes of open space, park and recreation uses as well as health, educational, cultural, governmental and public safety uses.

! Environmentally Sensitive Areas - steep slopes and prime forested land where development should be discouraged. This category also includes wetland and floodplain areas inappropriate for development.

! Agricultural Preservation Areas - Unique soils or large contiguous concentrations of productive farmland to be reserved primarily for agricultural purposes.

Areas Appropriate for Development

! Existing Developed Areas - areas appropriate for in-fill growth, rehabilitation, and revitalization efforts.

- 56 - ! Future Growth Areas - areas suitable for future growth based on proximity to existing development, sewer availability, and transportation capacity.

! Limited Development Areas - rural areas containing some development, but only limited or non-existent infrastructure.

Mine and Quarry Area

Mine and Quarry Areas are inappropriate for infrastructure investment because of environmental and economic reasons. However, this should not deter reclamation of strip mine areas.

Mine and Quarry Area - Issues

Mine and quarry areas generally are within a large area in the southern part of Northumberland County. Many past mining activities display culm banks as a residue of coal mining. Mine and quarry areas have an important historical and practical value to the County. Issues with mine and quarry areas center around land stability, noise and dirt.

Mine and Quarry Area - Policies

A. Preserve Mine and Quarry Areas in their natural state to the greatest extent possible.

B. Advocate the environmental importance and value of protection Mine and Quarry Areas.

C. Encourage the restoration of Mine and Quarry Areas already degraded.

D. Employ natural features and environmental and physical factors as development boundaries.

E. Encourage compact patterns of development in Growth Areas identified as appropriate for suburban and urban growth. Compact development patterns should reduce the amount of land necessary to accommodate projected growth and thereby reduce the development pressure on lands in the Mine and Quarry Areas.

F. Restrict the expansion of public utilities into undeveloped Mine and Quarry Areas.

The protection of Mine and Quarry Areas should be viewed as part of a larger program to protect the natural environmental system.

Mine and Quarry Areas - Implementation Strategies

A. The following methods, tools and techniques are available and recommended to protect Mine and Quarry Areas in Northumberland County.

- 57 - ! In preparing local comprehensive plans, municipalities in Northumberland County should make careful surveys and analyses of the natural resources and environmental features. Municipalities are also encouraged to include a water survey as part of their comprehensive plan. A water survey is defined as an inventory of the source, quantity, quality, yield and use of groundwater and surface water resources within a municipality. A water survey could also be conducted on a regional or watershed basis, with several municipalities joining together to coordinate the study. The local comprehensive plan should support and justify zoning techniques and other tools employed to protect Mine and Quarry Areas and ensure a reliable and safe supply of water for the future.

! Encourage local municipalities in Northumberland County to adopt protective ordinances and codes for Mine and Quarry Areas.

! Prepare Act 537 Plans that support the protection of Mine and Quarry Areas in Northumberland County. Discourage the extension of utilities, primarily sanitary sewer and water, into undeveloped Mine and Quarry Areas.

! Encourage all levels of government, as well as private non-profit organizations and land trusts, to acquire conservation easements or properties for the purpose of protecting critical Mine and Quarry Areas where consistent with this Comprehensive Plan.

! Plan and coordinate highway projects and improvements that minimize the impact on Mine and Quarry Areas in Northumberland County.

! Encourage equitable taxation and assessment policies for critical Mine and Quarry Areas that are being preserved.

B. The following educational activities relating to Mine and Quarry Areas can be employed in Northumberland County.

! Develop a public appreciation and understanding of the nature and location of Mine and Quarry Areas and their social and economic effects.

! Educate government officials and the public on the land use programs and techniques that help reduce development and destruction of Mine and Quarry Areas.

! Provide scientific and educational opportunities, for research, learning and enjoyment, of Mine and Quarry Areas. Encourage the development of new and the enhancement of existing environmental education centers.

! Inform landowners of their responsibilities under federal, State and local laws regarding development within Mine and Quarry Areas.

Permanent Open Space and Recreation

- 58 - Lands within the Permanent Open Space and Recreation designation include federal, State, County and municipal open space areas, fish and wildlife refuges, and gamelands; permanent holdings of municipal watershed associations, conservancies and other similar non-profit organizations; and potential linear stream protection corridors. The areas should be permanently preserved for open space, park and recreational uses.

Permanent Open Space and Recreation - Issues

A. Tourism is an important industry in Northumberland County and a vital part of the economy. Recreation, park and open space resources are recognized as valuable community assets and essential to meeting quality of life values. The need for relaxation and change from the pressures and fast pace of jobs and modern daily life influence the need and desire for recreation. The quality of life considerations; areas of natural resources, park and recreation areas; cultural institutions; and visual attractiveness can be important factors in a business or industry*s decision to develop or expand within a region.

B. A major responsibility of public agencies is to preserve and protect natural, scenic, cultural, historic and recreational resources for the enjoyment of present and future generations. As population’s desire for new forms of recreation facilities grows, so will the need for government at all levels, to provide adequate and diversified open space, park, and recreation opportunities. This includes maximizing the use of existing facilities and acquiring land and developing new facilities.

C. Areas of Northumberland County, are deficient in recreation and open space opportunities. Natural, scenic and historical areas suitable for recreation and open space are being lost to development. Also many existing park and recreation resources are in need of rehabilitation because of overuse, vandalism or poor maintenance practices. Good maintenance, while imperative, is increasingly difficult because of tight budgets.

D. In order to address recreation rehabilitation, acquisition and development needs, there is a need for local government to obtain sufficient and stable funding sources. Historically, it has been difficult to maintain the quality of existing park and recreation resources, much less try to expand or develop new resources, in order to address unmet and growing needs. Tighter budgets at all levels of government are a fact of life, and competition for public funds is great. As the impact of increasingly reduced subsidies from federal and State government is felt at the local level, the recreation community will have to look for alternative sources of funds.

E. With increasing recreation use and limited sources of funds to finance public recreation and open space opportunities, there is a need to increase the private sector*s involvement, both profit and non-profit, in providing recreation and open space opportunities.

F. Municipal watersheds are feeling the impact of increasing development pressure on surrounding land. Development places additional strain on maintaining the quality of the

- 59 - municipal water supply. Many municipal watersheds or supplies of municipal water are located on land outside the municipal boundaries of the community being served. Therefore, these communities have no control over the type or intensity of development that could occur upstream or immediately surrounding their water supply.

Permanent Open Space and Recreation - Policies

A. Permanent Open Space and Recreation consists of developed lands (parks, recreation facilities, historic resources) and undeveloped lands (open space comprised of streams, floodplains, wetlands, slope banks, natural features, scenic resources, agricultural and timber resources) owned and managed by all levels of government, public school districts, and non- profit conservation organizations. Permanent Open Space and Recreation include the following.

- National Parks and other similar federal land acquisitions.

- State Parks, Gamelands, Forests, and historic resources.

- County parkland.

- Municipal parks* recreation areas, open space, playgrounds and watersheds.

- Public school district outdoor recreation facilities.

- Real property or easements held by conservancies and other similar non-profit organizations for the purpose of conservation.

Permanent Open Space and Recreation lands should be permanently protected with their primary purpose being to function as a recreation resource and to preserve and enhance the natural open space resources.

B. Recognize the importance of Permanent Open Space and Recreation, as these areas provide:

- Recreation opportunities that accommodate physical and psychological human needs.

- Ecological benefits through the protection of natural resources such as air, water, soil, plants, animals.

- Direct and indirect economic development such as tourism, positive real estate values, attraction of business and industry, and recreation related business.

- Buffers between incompatible land uses.

- Habitat for wildlife.

- 60 - - Irreplaceable contribution to the character and individuality of the communities in Northumberland County.

- Attractive settings for public holdings, historic resources.

- Aesthetic value and scenic beauty.

- Educational resources.

C. Promote the preservation and creation of a permanent network of adequate and diverse open space, park and recreation resources for the use and enjoyment by present and future County residents. Encourage an acquisition and development program that furthers the specifics of Northumberland County*s Open Space and Recreation Plan. A wide range of recreational experiences spread throughout Northumberland County should be promoted, which consist of active and passive recreational facilities, natural open space and conservation environments, or a combination of both.

- Provide for an adequate amount of active recreation and passive park opportunities. Acquisition of land for the recreation purposes should occur in areas showing a deficiency of parkland according to accepted recreation standards and in areas experiencing development.

- Provide for the protection of unspoiled and undeveloped open space areas throughout Northumberland County. Emphasis should be placed on the acquisition of those lands for open space and conservation purposes that secure irreplaceable, unique or threatened natural features and environmentally sensitive resources, or serve as buffer areas for other public open space and recreational holdings.

The network of open space, parks and recreation resources in Northumberland County should:

- Be easily accessible and convenient to users.

- Compliment adjacent land uses.

- Provide a broad range of recreation activities and experiences.

- Be established without destroying the natural character of the site.

- Contain outstanding scenic qualities.

D. Advocate a County-wide greenbelt system interconnecting Northumberland County*s parks, recreation and open space resources through a network of open space corridors and linear

- 61 - parks and trails. The greenbelt network should be designed to link urban communities to each other and to the rural areas. Emphasis should be on assembling lands conforming to the stream-valley park concept, including stream and river corridors, abandoned railroad rights-of-way, utility rights-of-way, except high voltage transmission right-of-way, and canal beds.

E. Encourage Federal and Commonwealth agencies to manage their parklands in Northumberland County sensibly and in the public interest. Recommendations made with respect to the management and development of State and national parkland include:

- Acquisition of land to be set aside for conservation, recreation, scenic and historic purposes.

- Acquiring key tracts essential to the protection and promotion of existing State and national parks, and State forest and gamelands.

- Developing a diversity of regional recreation and open space opportunities, especially those opportunities and benefits that local government and private ownership cannot supply.

- Educating the public to better understand the natural environment around them..

F. Coordinate the use of all community resources and facilities in Northumberland County to maintain a successful community recreation program.

! County and municipal government have the responsibility in Northumberland County to provide the day-to-day recreation programs and close-to-home open space, parks and recreation facilities for their citizens. Local parks should provide a full range of recreational opportunities that are easily accessible close to population centers.

! Provide for the community use of school district recreational resources during non-school hours to supplement recreational opportunities at the local level. The school district recreational resources should be provided through a cooperative effort with local government agencies.

! Public private partnerships and increased private sector, profit and non-profit involvement should be encouraged and supported in the provision of park, recreation and open space opportunities in Northumberland County.

! Coordinate recreation programs and activities among public and private recreation providers in Northumberland County.

G. Emphasis should be placed on maximizing the use of existing recreation, park and open space resources and encourage improved programming and assure adequate operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of existing parks and open spaces.

- 62 - H. Support programs that identify, acquire, preserve and protect important areas of cultural and historical significance. Preservation of Northumberland County*s historic heritage involves preserving historic sites, structures, relics and records, as well as including an active program to develop, interpret and promote interest in the history of Northumberland County. The preservation of cultural and historic sites and buildings can function as recreation and park areas, attract tourist and related business, provide educational resources and be rehabilitated to meet a variety of new uses.

I. Remain competitive in the diversity and quality of recreation and open space resources in Northumberland County in order to maintain the tourism industry.

J. Plan for and provide adequate sources of funding to finance public park, recreation and open space investments. Develop stable sources of funding to address capital, operational and maintenance needs. Support municipal efforts to obtain grants that maintain, acquire, expand and develop local recreation resources.

K. Provide incentives for recreation and open space preservation and dedication through the development process.

L. Develop a mechanism to accept donations of conservation easements or less-than-fee interests in land for the purpose of preserving open space and providing tax advantages to private landowners.

M. Develop park, recreation and open space areas that accommodate special populations such as the elderly and handicapped.

N. Encourage the strict enforcement of local, state and federal environmental quality laws, regulations, and policies, as outdoor recreation and open space depends on healthy natural resources. Recreation and open space benefits from clear air, soil and water, pleasing landscapes, and abundant and diverse wildlife and vegetation.

Permanent Open Space and Recreation - Implementation Strategies

A. The following methods, tools and techniques can be employed to maintain and develop park, recreation and open space resources in Northumberland County:

! In preparing local comprehensive plans, municipalities should make careful analyses and surveys of their natural, cultural and historic resources. The municipal comprehensive plan can identify those resources that are of high value and should be targeted for open space conservation purposes. Existing open space, parks and recreation facilities should be inventoried and recreational goals, objectives and recommendations should be developed. The municipal open space and recreation plan could be incorporated into the comprehensive plan by reference. The comprehensive plan should support and justify zoning and

- 63 - subdivision regulations and other tools intended to provide adequate open space, park and recreation resources within the municipality.

! Municipalities should provide aggressive, but reasonable, recreation and open space provisions in their various land use ordinances to meet the local recreation needs of their residents.

Subdivision and land development regulations may provide for the preservation of lands by developers for recreation and open space purposes provided they are suitable in size and location for their designated use. The Municipalities Planning Code gives municipalities the authority to require a developer to dedicate land to the public that is suitable for park and recreation purposes or the municipality may accept the construction of recreational facilities by the developer, the payment of fees-in-lieu-of-dedication, or the private reservation of land. Fees-in-lieu-of-dedication should be used if a suitable recreation site cannot be properly located in the development, due to size, shape, access, topography, and drainage, where the application of the area standards would result in an open space or recreation site too small to be usable, or if the Recreation Plan calls for the recreation site to be located elsewhere. In order to require such mandatory dedication or fees, the municipality must meet the items listed in the Municipalities Planning Code, which include:

- The subdivision and land development ordinance must contain definite standards to determine the proportion of a development to be dedicated or the amount of fee to be paid in lieu of dedication.

- The land or fees, or combination thereof, are to be used only for the purpose of providing park or recreational facilities accessible to the development.

- The governing body must have a formally adopted recreation plan, and the required park and recreational resources must be in accordance with definite principles and standards, such as the National Recreation and Park Association*s minimum guidelines, contained in the subdivision and land development ordinance.

- The amount and location of land to be dedicated or the fees to be paid in lieu shall bear a reasonable relationship to the use of the park and recreational resources by future residents of the subdivision development.

- The municipality must deposit any authorized fee into a separate interest-bearing account identifying the specific park or recreational purpose for which it is intended.

- The municipality must refund the fee plus interest upon request of any persons who paid a fee, if the municipality has fails to use the fee for the purposes it was paid within a period of three years from the date the fee was paid.

- 64 - Provisions can be included that allow the municipality to place restrictions on the type and quantity of land it will accept for open space. Open space and recreation areas should be provided by the subdivider in accordance with a schedule that could be based on mandating a certain amount of common open space for each dwelling unit in the development or reserving a certain percentage of the total area of the development. The examples given in the below table are based on site density. The standards given are not necessarily appropriate or recommended for use in all communities, but are given as examples of the concept. Percentages and densities should be tailored to the specific conditions and needs of each municipality.

The basis for defining open space is critical to understanding the percentages used. Open space should be defined to exclude certain utility, that is overhead high-voltage rights-of- way, and road rights-of-way, setbacks, easements, stormwater management facilities, and structures and paved areas not associated with recreational site improvements. Areas reserved for open space purposes should not contain any structures other than structures related and incidental to the open space use and should be free of overhead transmission lines, if possible. Provisions also could be included that restrict the amount of open space conservation areas such as steep slopes, floodplains, wetlands, forest stands, and natural areas, that may comprise the total open space and recreation area requirement. For example, the conservation of natural features may comprise no more than 40 percent of the open space and recreation land requirement. A minimum of 60 percent of the open space and recreation land requirement should be suitable for the development of passive recreation areas such as picnic area and trails, and active recreation areas including playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, and athletic fields, in addition to useable open space. Alternately, if conservation of open space is a priority, provisions should be included to promote the preservation of critical natural resources.

- 65 - Sample Density Open Space Provisions Percent of Tract to be Reserved for Open Space and Density of Tract (Dwelling Units Per Acre) Recreation

up to 1.0 5

1.01 to 2.2 10

2.21 to 5.0 15

5.01 and greater 20

or

1 to 3 5

3.1 to 6 10

6.1 to 10 15

10.1 to 15 20

Over 15 25

Standards of quality should be maintained for open space and recreation areas. Open space and recreation space should enhance the attractiveness and value of the remainder of the tract being developed. The physical characteristics, dimensions, location, slope and physical improvements are all important factors in determining the value of open space and recreation areas. Usable open space recreation areas should be functional, as well as accessible, not tucked away in the corner of a development. Whenever possible, open space recreation areas should be designed as a contiguous area, large enough to accommodate the activities intended for that space, and with adequate and convenient pedestrian access available to the residents. In smaller developments, one large, centrally-located parcel may be sufficient; but a large subdivision may require several open space recreation areas, distributed throughout and linked by a trail system. Access should be provided either by adjoining public road frontage, public easements, sidewalks, paths or green belt corridors. Sufficient parking should be provided, however, pedestrian access should be emphasized. Open space and recreation areas should be located and designed to accommodate the elderly and the handicapped.

When developing the open space and recreation system for a subdivision, consideration should be given to the interconnection of such systems to those of adjacent subdivisions and adjoining property, similar to the way subdivisions provide for the extension and continuation of streets into and from adjoining properties. Provisions could encourage open space to be dedicated on the fringe of a development so that it may be combined with a future open space when the adjacent land develops. The linking of greenbelt corridors and trails among subdivisions would serve to integrate neighborhoods, provide an alternative to vehicular transportation, provide pedestrian access to nearby schools and commercial developments, and provide a facility for exercise. Subdivision and land development

- 66 - regulations can require that existing regional trails identified in the local comprehensive plan or recreation plan, be delineated on a subdivision or land development plan and establish an easement for the trail corridor. Additional language could be included that requires the applicant of a subdivision or land development proposal to make provisions for the continued recreational use of the trail, when the proposal is traversed by or abuts an existing trail. The first priority is to maintain the existing trail in its current state, however, provisions could allow the applicant to alter the course of the trail within the tract for which development is proposed so long as:

- The points at which the trail enters and exits the tract remain unchanged.

- The character of the trail is maintained.

- The proposed alteration does not run on a paved road.

As noted above, the Municipalities Planning Code requires that a municipality formally adopt a recreation plan in order to require mandatory dedication of land suitable for park and recreation purposes or the payment of fees-in-lieu thereof. The municipal recreation plan should contain the following items:

- A municipal overview and demographic study.

- An inventory of natural, cultural and historic features or sites.

- An inventory of existing open space, park and recreation resources, identifying type, location, ownership, size, and condition.

- Goals and objectives.

- Park and recreation standards.

- Open space, park and recreation needs and recommendations including open space, park and recreation opportunities, design standards, acquisition policies, operations and maintenance, financing, recreation programs, public relations, administration and personnel.

- Implementation, outlining priorities, timetable and funding alternatives.

As with other land use plans ordinances, the recreation plan should be periodically reviewed by the municipality and updated if necessary.

Zoning ordinances developed by the municipalities in Northumberland County should be designed to promote and protect recreation facilities, public park and open space grounds, as well as preserve the natural, scenic and historic values in the environment. Public open space, park and recreation uses should be allowed in most, if not all, zoning districts. Private

- 67 - parks and recreation uses should be permitted where appropriate. Recreation uses allowed by special exception or conditional use should be subject to specific criteria. Recreation uses commonly permitted are campgrounds, golf courses, commercial recreation, swimming pools, and riding stables. Local municipalities in Northumberland County should encourage compatible land development surrounding state and federal conservation lands, which does not jeopardize their recreation potential. Sufficient common open space and recreation area requirements should be provided for in multi-family developments, mobile home parks and cluster developments. Cluster provisions usually require that the amount of open space in a cluster development must be at least equal to the total amount of reduction in lot areas. The amount of open space required by ordinance for cluster developments can vary, normally ranging from five percent to 50 percent of the total area, however, amounts between 15 percent to 30 percent are common. Additional open space could be requested in exchange for density bonuses. Most communities allow for either public or private ownership and maintenance of open space in cluster developments. The option is usually given of either conveying the common open space to the municipality for public use or having the developer retain it for joint ownership and common use by subsequent homeowners. For land that is not dedicated to the municipality, satisfactorily written agreements acceptable to the municipality should be required for its perpetual preservation and maintenance.

Other related zoning provisions include:

- As discussed with the Mine and Quarry Areas, floodplain regulation is a zoning measure where areas adjacent to water bodies and subject to frequent flooding are zoned to restrict their use. Often public and private recreational uses and activities such as parks, day camps, picnic grounds, trails, wildlife and nature preserves, game farms, fish hatcheries, fishing areas are permitted uses in floodplain districts, provided that they do not require substantial structures, fill or storage of materials and equipment. Water related uses and activities such as docks, boat rentals and launching, and swimming areas are usually permitted in floodplain districts by special exception. The floodplain regulations further support the objectives of the Permanent Open Space and Recreation areas policies of this Comprehensive Plan.

- Trail preservation provisions could designate existing regional trail corridors on the zoning map and establish provisions to restrict development within a certain distance of the trail.

- Provisions for historic preservation could be contained in the zoning ordinance to encourage the retention and restoration of historic resources, facilitate their appropriate reuse and promote preservation of a community*s historic values. Historic preservation requirements are not recommended, however, unless the municipality has a significant amount of concentrated historic resources, such as a historic district. Restoration of historic structures to serve as community centers should be promoted in areas where suitable need for such resources exist. Historic structures can provide a focal point around which community parks can be developed. Priority should be given to structures and areas that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Historic resources should be identified

- 68 - and delineated on a map, which would be used as a historic district overlay for current zoning districts. Provisions could be developed for the historic resources regarding demolition, additional use opportunities, design standards, modification to area and bulk regulations, signs, landscaping, and standards for rehabilitation. Constraints on future modifications of use of a structure or area, which are associated with preservation mechanisms, should be realized and evaluated in relation to growth and development expectations.

Planned Residential Development (PRD) is a mechanism for flexibility in land use controls, authorized by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to provide greater opportunities for better housing and recreation. By allowing flexibility and innovation in residential development, the PRD provisions provide for a greater percentage of a site to be maintained as common open space and recreation. The PRD strategy is similar to cluster zoning, only on a larger scale, and non-residential uses may be permitted. The developer is given more freedom in arranging buildings on the site, in exchange for a greater amount of land being dedicated for open space and recreation uses. A PRD is a valuable way of meeting open space and recreation needs for communities. It ensures that the developer, who is creating the demand, provides the recreation service rather than burdening the community with the responsibility.

An Official Map in agreement with Article IV of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code is a document that can be adopted by a municipality to reserve land for proposed public parks, playgrounds and open space, among other public lands outlined in Section 401 of the Municipalities Planning Code. The Official Map can be used to prohibit development of areas that the local government intends to use for public parks. The Official Map does, however, have limited use, since the municipality must either acquire the land intended for public grounds through negotiation or condemnation within one year after the property owner files a notice of intent to develop the land, or permit the landowner to develop his land and the reservation becomes void.

! Municipalities in Northumberland County in urbanized areas, or experiencing development and development pressure are encouraged to create or maintain a Park and Recreation Board. The various Township, City and Borough Codes authorize the governing bodies to establish Park and Recreation Boards, which would have the authority to acquire, equip, supervise, operate and maintain municipal park and recreation resources and to conduct recreation programs. Due to the added responsibilities associated with the adoption of a recreation plan and its implementation, local governments may find it necessary and beneficial to establish a Park and Recreation Board. Cooperation and coordination between municipal Boards, Northumberland County, local school districts and private organizations are encouraged to achieve local recreation goals.

! Municipalities in Northumberland County are encouraged to cooperate with each other to protect municipal or authority-owned watersheds, water supply and quality. The watersheds are not recommended for multiple use, nor are they proposed as active recreation uses,

- 69 - however, passive recreation, such as hiking and cross country skiing trails, nature study and public hunting grounds, may be appropriate, particularly where they provide a link between other park, recreation and open space resources.

The primary purpose of the municipal watersheds is to protect the quality of Northumberland County’s water supplies. Therefore, active recreation is not encouraged in the municipal watersheds, as it can lead to the installation of structures such as parking lots and restrooms, that are inconsistent with the primary function of the watershed. If the usefulness of municipally owned watersheds as a water supply is exhausted, the watershed area should be retained and converted to function primarily as recreation and open space. Additionally, the location of municipal watersheds should be taken into account when establishing zoning provisions for the land immediately surrounding or upstream of such water supply resources. The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Section 603.d) allows zoning provisions to regulate the siting, density, and design of land uses to assure the availability of reliable, safe and adequate water supplies.

! Northumberland County should continue to address and advocate open space, park and recreation opportunities and programs that adequately meet the leisure needs of County residents.

In furtherance of the need to address open space issues , Northumberland County should prepare an Open Space and Recreation Plan. The Northumberland County Open Space and Recreation should include an inventory and analysis of existing public and private parks, recreation resources and programs, and open space areas; identify the recreational needs of County residents; and provide recommendations and implementation strategies.

A Northumberland County Park and Recreation Board should be created to operate and maintain County parks and recreation programs, as well as acquire and develop new recreational resources. County parks should be designed, constructed, operated and maintained so that they are environmentally sensitive and compatible with the natural features of the site. The County Park System should promote passive recreational opportunities such as picnicking, hiking, fishing, and nature study. Compatible active recreational areas also should be promoted, provided they do not detract or degrade the passive or natural qualities of the area. The preservation of significant natural, scenic and historic resources as open space should be incorporated into the County Park System. Where possible, the stream valley preservation concept of recreation should be promoted and the interconnection of linear parks, greenbelts and trails encouraged.

Northumberland County should fund appropriate local open space conservation or recreation projects through the Community Development Block Grant program and funds available through the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

- 70 - Mechanisms should be developed to accept donations of conservation easements or less- than-fee interests in land for the purpose of preserving open space and providing tax advantages to private landowners.

! Ensure the maintenance and operation of State and nationally owned parks, recreation areas, open space areas and historic resources, under the policy of providing quality recreational opportunities to the general public. State and federal agencies should continue to manage their lands in a manner to preserve unique and important values, to conserve and use wisely the natural resources, to enhance the natural and man-made environment and to create new recreational opportunities for public use. The State and federal agencies should continue to seek opportunities to acquire new park, recreation and open space resources, particularly those that complete acquisitions already begun, consolidate boundaries, or fills gaps in the supply of recreation resources and in agreement with the plans of the Northumberland County Open Space and Recreation Plan. The Pennsylvania Game Commission should continue acquisition of property adjacent to existing State Gamelands.

! Continue local, State and national programs to survey, evaluate and register significant historic and cultural resources. State and federal agencies should continue historic preservation technical assistance programs for individuals, organizations and municipalities. They should also develop strategies with local organizations to preserve, restore and rehabilitate significant historic resources for park purposes.

! Support and use State and federal agency programs that provide services, technical and financial assistance to help local governments address the problems they face in providing an open space, recreation and park system. The following agencies provide assistance: the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation; Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development; Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Pennsylvania Fish Commission; Pennsylvania Game Commission; Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the U.S. Soil Conservation Service.

! Local governments should continue to seek adequate funding from various sources, which would enable them to further their recreational resources.

Federal and State grant assistance programs, including but not limited to:

- Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Program, which provides annual appropriations to Pennsylvania for State and local government outdoor recreation and park projects. The local government portion of this program is administered by Pennsylvania DCNR;

- Community Conservation Partnership Program, which provides funding for local governments, community groups, non-profits, and conservation groups for acquisition,

- 71 - development, planning, implementation, and technical assistance projects from the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation fund and the Growing Greener fund.

- Community Development Block Grant Program, which may be used to acquire property appropriate for the conservation of open spaces, natural resources and scenic areas, restoration of historic sites, the provision of recreational opportunities; provision of public services including recreational needs.

Municipal taxation for recreation purposes authorized by the appropriate municipal code that establishes each form of government.

Use of license fees, registration fees, and user fees.

Fees in lieu of the construction of recreational facilities or the dedication of land for park or recreation purposes, pursuant to subdivision and land development regulations, and recreation plan.

Grants, gifts, donations of in-kind services from the private sector including individuals, corporations, foundations, non-profit organizations.

! Methods of acquisition or protection of land for open space and recreation purposes available to Northumberland County and municipalities include:

- Acquisition of tax delinquent lands by paying back taxes, providing the property conforms to the recreation plan.

- Life Estate agreements can be drawn up whereby full fee-simple title to the land is purchased, with the written understanding that the present owners may continue to live there and use the land, as it is presently being used, for as long as they live. When they die or move, the acquiring agency takes over the land.

- Purchase and Leaseback Saleback whereby the full fee-simple title to land is purchased and restrictions on the use of the land are inserted in the deed. The land is then leased or sold.

- Valuable public benefits can be obtained by acquiring easements or development rights to permit linking trail systems, to serve as buffer areas for other public holdings or to protect environmentally critical land as open space. The market should be explored for selective purchase or donation of conservation easements. Easements are a less-than-fee interest in real property that gives the holder the right to prevent certain activities on the land. Easements are flexible instruments that can be modified to suit the wishes of the landowner and the needs of the resource being protected. An easement is created when a deed containing restrictive covenants is conveyed by the landowner to another party. It may be perpetual in duration or established for a certain period of time. Only perpetual easements can qualify for federal tax incentives. The granting of a conservation easement generally

- 72 - reduces the value of the property. If the conservation easement qualifies under the Internal Revenue Code and IRS regulations, this reduction may be claimed by the landowner as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes, subject to limitations. This provides partial compensation for relinquishing property rights, thus creating an incentive for landowners to donate conservation easements.

! School districts are encouraged to work with the local governments in Northumberland County to help supplement municipal recreation resources. The school districts should recognize their unique position to supplement recreation resources and undertake the necessary programs to provide needed facilities. School districts should not be responsible for developing new facilities for the community*s behalf, however, but should work in conjunction with local governing bodies or municipal recreation boards to provide access to their existing facilities. The development of joint use agreements between school districts and local communities to maximize the use of school district facilities for recreation by community residents is encouraged throughout Northumberland County.

! Non-profit organizations in Northumberland County should be supported and encouraged to maintain existing resources and to continue to acquire land for recreation or open space conservation purposes, provided they are in conformance with local and County Open Space and Recreation Plans and municipal comprehensive plans. Conservancies and land trusts have the ability to aid in the implementation of Northumberland County*s Open Space and Recreation Plan through land acquisition and management programs, receiving donations of land or conservation easements, and the identification, registration, restoration and preservation of various historic and natural resources. Voluntary assistance of private groups including youth organizations, senior citizen clubs, community service clubs, philanthropic organizations, churches and the corporate community, in the planning, construction and operation of local public facilities, could help to defray the cost of developing and maintaining recreation facilities and should be promoted as a means for achieving greater recreational benefits in communities with limited funds. One method of maintenance to be encouraged is the “Streamwalk” concept, where local citizens “walk” a portion of stream periodically to check for litter, illegal activities, destruction, and overall use and abuse.

! Include provisions for and improve accessibility for the physically handicapped when undertaking the renovation or rehabilitation of park and recreation areas, as well as when constructing new recreational uses. Park and recreation areas should include design features to accommodate the handicapped, including ramps, curb cuts, extra wide doors, grab bars, special parking provisions, accessible drinking fountains, spectator areas, and negotiable circulation patterns and walkway surfaces. Recreation programs also should be developed for the handicapped, elderly and the disadvantaged.

! Explore methods to reduce careless and abusive activity such as littering, vandalism, theft and wildlife poaching on open space, park and recreation sites.

- 73 - ! Privately owned commercial recreation uses are not addressed in the Permanent Open Space and Recreation land use category; however, they are recognized to constitute a substantial supplement to the public supply of regional and local recreation resources. In many cases, private interests afford opportunities that cannot be provided by public agencies due to economic restrictions or limitations in public interest for certain facilities. Private interests are encouraged to maintain existing facilities and develop new opportunities suitable to identified needs, and consistent with appropriate recreation plans, comprehensive plans and land use regulations.

B. The following educational activities relating to Permanent Open Space and Recreation can be employed.

! All levels of government should continue to implement public relations/information programs designed to increase citizen awareness, appreciation and use of recreation resources and programs. Open space and recreation areas, programs and activities should be advertised and informational brochures and maps should be published on recreation, park and open space opportunities.

! Promote environmental education in the schools, as the environment should be made an integral part of basic education.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Lands in this category consist of prominent forested areas such as large contiguous tracts of woodland associated with or adjacent to the other open space and steep slopes greater than 20 percent. Areas are inappropriate for infrastructure investment due to environmental and economic reasons. Development should be strongly discouraged from the Environmentally Sensitive Areas due to potential environmental impacts, such as soil instability, erosion and sedimentation and associated restrictive environmental capacities. Wetlands in general should not be disturbed. Where development does occur in Environmentally Sensitive Area, it should be strictly regulated to ensure that proper precautions have been taken to guard against potential hazards. Innovative development patterns and design techniques should be devised to maximize conservation of the lands designated Environmentally Sensitive Area.

The land use designation of environmentally sensitive areas includes wetlands and floodplains. Due to the natural environmental importance of wetlands and floodplains, they should be permanently preserved as open space. Development is not recommended on the basis of flooding and associated restrictive environmental capacities. Stream valley floodplains may function as connector elements that link major open spaces, parks and other public uses while concurrently acting as small open spaces and buffers. Wetlands and floodplains are not shown on the Proposed Land Use map due to scale. However, each community has its own FEMA floodplain map(s) as appropriate.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas - Issues

- 74 - A. Environmentally Sensitive Areas, consisting of prominent forested land and areas of steep slope 20 percent or greater throughout Northumberland County face significant development pressure, especially from residential development. While some hillside and forested area development may be successful, hillside developments often time experience problems with septic system failure, erosion and inadequate storm water management. Failure to develop within the existing environmental limits of the natural features demonstrates the need for greater awareness and commitment to restore and conserve the various components of the natural ecological system. There is heightened public concern over the environmental protection of Northumberland County’s limited natural resources. Areas of steep slopes and prominent forested areas are two of these components. Forested land and steep slopes can serve many uses, but if their environmental limitations are not recognized, short term benefits may result in costly long term losses.

B. Hillside development can have far reaching impact on a community*s land, water, economic and aesthetic resources. Hillsides are geological features whose stability depends upon the unique combination and balance of its soil, slope, vegetation, underlying geology and the climate. Development of such areas can affect the equilibrium of these factors and can result in slope instability, soil erosion and sedimentation, runoff problems and flooding, downstream pollution, and the loss of scenic areas. Steeply sloping areas are particularly vulnerable to erosion and certain soils are more susceptible to the effects of erosion than others. The removal of vegetation from hillsides deprives the soil of the stabilizing function of roots. As trees are cleared, absorption of rain into the ground decreases, reducing water recharge and causing the water table to decline. Development patterns may alter the natural drainage characteristics of a hillside, producing increased runoff and erosion. The impact of increased runoff may be far greater in downstream areas than on the hillside itself, creating downstream flood hazards and lowering the downstream water quality as a result of siltation. Removal of vegetation and the construction of impervious surfaces, such as roads and buildings, decreases the amount of groundwater infiltration and increases the amount of runoff. Developing hillsides and forested areas can also destroy a community*s aesthetic resources. Hillsides are distinctive features of a local landscape, which tend to visually magnify the consequences of misuse.

C. Hillside development demands special consideration, which can be both costly and complex. Not all of a particular site may be suitable for development and that which is suitable frequently requires special site preparation and foundation construction. Generally, development on steep slopes is more expensive than development on flatter terrain. On-site sewage disposal systems, water supply systems, storm water management, roads and building foundations on steep slope areas normally require special engineering, equipment and construction practices. The requirements for hillside development can add significantly to developer*s costs and sometimes increase public expenditures for maintenance and the provision of services. Poorly designed and constructed hillside development can result in substantial costs to the public for either repairs or for protective measures to prevent additional damage. Accessibility to development in steep slope and forested areas becomes more difficult, especially for emergency vehicles and fire apparatus. The implications of the

- 75 - problems related to the development of steep slopes and forested areas can be quite serious ranging from loss of personal property to increased private and public expenditures.

D. For many years, hillside development generally followed flat-land practices with little attention given to the natural constraints associated with steep slopes. A common flaw of traditional zoning is that provisions are applied on a lot-by-lot basis with little respect for the overall topographic configuration and slope limitations. Traditional zoning rarely accounts for the critical natural elements of a site, and often fosters extensive modification of the natural land form, destruction of woodland, groundcover and natural drainage courses. Many subdivision ordinances are inflexible and require urban design standards for streets, curbs, sidewalks in rural Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Recently, various innovative and flexible zoning schemes and subdivision provisions have been introduced allowing limited development in a manner compatible with hillside/woodland ecology. Such developments can be successful for their environmental soundness and stability, as well as with their integration with the land form. Sound design principles can be incorporated into new development that minimizes environmental confrontation and its adverse impacts.

E. The quality of life experienced by residents of Northumberland County can be attributed, in part, to the abundance of natural resources in the County. Northumberland County*s mountains, woodlands, wildlife, vegetation and water resources provide a healthy environment in which to live. As development occurs in Northumberland County, problems associated with the disturbance of the natural environment will occur. Development in Northumberland County must be guided and managed in a manner that is compatible with the natural environment.

F. Historically, watercourses have served as the focal point for the establishment and growth of cities and towns. Accessibility to easy transportation, availability of water supply, relatively flat terrain, and aesthetic elements have drawn development to floodplains. Along with the benefits of locating next to waterways, the use and occupancy of the floodplain is accompanied by the risk of loss and damage by flood. Urbanization and development of floodplains have resulted in steadily increasing losses due to flood damage. Floods are a common and serious natural hazard with which municipalities in Pennsylvania must contend.

A floodplain is nature’s place for accommodating excess floodwater. During periods of high flow, floodplains become natural extensions of the stream channel to convey overbank floods. Likewise, wetlands act as natural storage basins during periods of high flow and allow for the gradual release of excess waters. Careless wetland and floodplain development destroy the natural functions and create a hazard to the health, safety and welfare of the public by exposing human life and property to increasing flood hazards and pollution incidents.

Floodplain management has traditionally emphasized the prevention and containment of floods and relied on flood control structures such as dams, levees, and channelization of streams, to solve existing and anticipated flood problems. The continuing rise in flood

- 76 - damage cost, however, necessitates a reevaluation of policies in flood prone areas. Government agencies and the public have begun to recognize that flooding is a natural and periodic phenomenon and that the structural approach is not the entire solution to minimizing flood hazards. Therefore, the emphasis has shifted from controlling flooding to dealing with one of the causes of flooding, unrestricted floodplain development, which is not economically, socially, or environmentally acceptable.

Land use patterns exert a tremendous impact on the quantity, quality and use of surface and groundwater resources. Subdivision and land development projects are often viewed as individual projects and not part of a bigger picture. The cumulative nature of the individual land surface changes dramatically effects flooding conditions. Substantial portions of urbanizing areas are impervious to water absorption due to development and past philosophy of storm water management, which sought the most rapid elimination of stormwater from an individual site, usually through a closed system. Thus, instead of slowly percolating into the soil and recharging groundwater tables, rain and melt water rapidly run off roof tops and parking lots into streams. The cumulative effect of this method intensifies stream flow and is a major reason for the increased frequency and greater magnitude of downstream flooding and diminishing groundwater supplies. Rapid runoff also increases erosion and siltation, which degrades the quality of water supplies. New emphasis is being put on the use of natural engineering techniques that detain rainfall on-site, increasing groundwater percolation and releasing stormwater at a rate that would not exceed runoff if the site had not been developed. In addition, a regional basis-wide approach to stormwater management must be taken if an implementation strategy is to be successful. As Northumberland County experiences development, water resources will have to be carefully managed so that adequate and safe water supplies can be maintained and flood hazards minimized.

Wetlands are often regarded as wastelands. This leads to a considerable number of wetlands being lost or impaired by draining, dredging, filling, regrading, and building for various uses. Public understanding of the importance of wetlands has grown, but many people still are unaware of their value and of the federal and State laws regulating wetlands. Wetlands improve water quality by filtering out sediment and pollutants from the water that passes through them. Wetlands help control flooding by slowing flood waters, storing water temporally and releasing it gradually, and in some cases absorbing water. In addition, wetlands support a wide variety of plants and animals, including many threatened and endangered species, and are considered on of the world’s most productive ecosystems. Wetlands are also a valuable scenic, recreational and educational resource. As the values of wetlands have become more apparent, wetlands protection has become an issue of increasing concern. Federal agencies have a policy of no net loss of wetlands through regulatory programs, acquisition, and increased planning. Pennsylvania has programs and permit requirements for any activity that disturbs a wetland.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas - Policies

- 77 - A. Maintain the quality of the natural environment and protect the Environmentally Sensitive Areas of Northumberland County.

! Disturbance of environmentally sensitive lands should be minimized in order to protect the natural, aesthetic and recreational values that enhance the quality of life. Urban development should be prohibited for environmental, economic and aesthetic reasons. Low impact development, which recognizes the limitations of environmentally sensitive land, should be permitted on the least sensitive areas. Public welfare and safety should be overriding considerations and long- term environmental benefits take priority.

! Priority should be given to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the natural features commonly associated with the Environmentally Sensitive Areas to the greatest extent possible, in their natural state as follows.

- Slope banks, 20 percent or greater.

- Prime timber stands or large contiguous tracts of forested land, especially when in combination with steep slopes or other conservation land.

- Ridge lines.

- Headwaters for streams.

- Springs.

- Rock outcrops.

- Scenic vistas.

- Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory sites, which delineates areas of rare or endangered flora and fauna.

B. Advocate the environmental importance and value of protecting Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

The protection of Environmentally Sensitive Areas should be viewed as part of a larger program to protect the natural environmental system. The Environmentally Sensitive Areas provide the following.

- Natural habitat for flora and fauna.

- Recreational opportunities.

- Aesthetic value and scenic beauty.

- 78 - - Watershed location.

- Woodland provides slope protection/erosion control.

- Air quality and cooling effect.

C. Preserve critical Environmentally Sensitive Areas as open space in suitable locations and quantities.

D. Unique visual features should be protected or enhanced. Visual impact is dependent on landform, vegetation and unique site character. The visual dominance of the ridge top makes it one of the most significant elements in a landscape and therefore especially vulnerable to development. Site features such as waterfalls, rock outcrops, scenic vistas or unique natural plantings also have a special visual impact and warrant protection.

E. Use natural features and environmental factors to delineate development boundaries.

F. Direct growth into areas identified as appropriate for suburban and urban development, which are adjacent to existing developed areas and provide or are capable of providing public infrastructure and services and adequate transportation access. The use of Environmentally Sensitive Areas should be minimized by promoting a compact higher density pattern of urban development in the Growth Area. A higher density land use pattern in the Growth Area should reduce the amount of land necessary to accommodate development and thereby reduce the development pressure within Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Urban development should be prohibited in Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

G. Prevent the expansion of infrastructure, such as public sewer and water, into Environmentally Sensitive Areas that are not considered appropriate for suburban and urban development. Restrict growth on soils and slopes identified as hazardous for structures or on-lot sewage disposal systems or in areas where geology limits the availability of water from on-site wells.

H. Preserve Environmentally Sensitive Areas in their natural state to the greatest extent possible.

! Preserve the quality of stream environments throughout Northumberland County.

! Protect significant wetlands from encroachment and regulate or prohibit the construction of buildings or structures in areas not appropriate for development due to periodic flooding. Permit certain uses that can be located in a floodplain, which will not impede or increase the flow of floodwaters or otherwise cause danger to life and property.

! Priority should be given to protect areas that are comprised of:

- 79 - - Water courses or bodies of water including rivers, streams, creeks, lakes and ponds.

- Wetlands, defined by the Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection define wetlands as those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

- Floodplains, identified as being subject to the one-hundred year flood, including the floodway (area within the floodplain that is capable of carrying the waters of the 100-year flood without increasing the water surface elevation of that flood more than one foot at any point) and flood-fringe (area of the 100-year flood not included in the floodway).

- Waterways with scenic river designation by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under the Pennsylvania Scenic River’s Act.

- Special Protection waters classified by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

I. Advocate the environmental importance and value of protection Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

! Wetlands provide the following.

- Socioeconomic benefits including flood and stormwater damage protection, erosion control, water supply and groundwater recharge, and temporary flood water storage.

- Environmental quality values and water quality maintenance, including purifying natural waters by removing chemical and organic pollutants, sediment removal, oxygen and nutrient production.

- Habitats for a wide variety of fish, wildlife, and vegetation.

! Floodplains provide the following:

- Natural buffer zone to water bodies and temporary flood water storage.

- Groundwater absorption.

- Community recreation opportunities.

- Flora and fauna habitat.

- Aesthetic value.

- 80 - J. Provide for floodplain and wetland management that defines planned public policy and actions designed to promote the wise use of these resources, maintain floodplain and wetland ecosystems, protects natural resources, and minimize future flood damage, economic loss, risk to health and the disruption of public services. Promote floodplain and wetland management and its integration with local land use management. While respecting individual property rights, the overriding consideration should be the protection of public health and safety. Regulations shall comply with federal and State floodplain and wetland management requirements.

K. Encourage the sound planning of stormwater runoff management on a watershed-wide basis and coordinate the stormwater management efforts within each watershed. Provide for quality groundwater recharge, recognizing that the quality and quantity of groundwater are important elements to adequate water supply.

L. Preserve and conserve the quality and quantity of water resources throughout Northumberland County for short-term and long-term needs. Prevent further pollution of waters and restore those presently polluted.

M. Protect the character of streams and watersheds having scenic, high quality or exceptional values.

N. Recognize stream valley floodplains as open space areas that can function as connector elements linking major open spaces, parks, recreation areas and other public uses.

Environmentally Sensitive Areas - Implementation Strategies

A. The following methods, tools and techniques can be used in Northumberland County to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

! In preparing local comprehensive plans, municipalities should make careful surveys and analyses of the natural resources and environmental features, including areas of steep slopes, ridge lines, prime forest stands, rock outcrops, headwaters of streams, PNDI sites and scenic vistas. It is necessary to identify the natural resources and environmental features that are more sensitive to development than others, then, by various methods, protect the areas from adverse development. The local comprehensive plan should support and justify zoning techniques and other tools intended to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

! Promote a conservation-oriented zoning scheme that seeks to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas whose ecological balance is vulnerable to the impacts of man-made change. Land with hazardous or environmentally sensitive conditions, identified by this Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan, should not be developed unless adequate measures exist to protect against adverse impacts. For Environmentally Sensitive Areas not considered the most critical, provisions could be enacted to permit only low impact development that integrates new development with the site*s natural resources and retains

- 81 - the rustic or physical character. Certain land uses may be better suited to slopes than others; certain slopes may be best left undeveloped. The zoning techniques and intensity of such environmental zoning provisions selected by a municipality to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas should be tailored to the individual needs and concerns of each municipality. Because of the variety of conditions, local concerns and approaches to steep slope and woodland development, it is impossible to specify the best method; however, several approaches and techniques are as follows.

Establish a zoning district strictly composed of Environmentally Sensitive Areas. This zoning approach would relate zoning density to the slope, soil and geologic characteristics of the land within the district. Restricted low-impact uses would be permitted with large minimum acreage requirements, typically three or more acres. Cluster provisions could also be incorporated. A transfer of development rights program, allowing development rights to be purchased from landowners of steep slopes and transferred to landowners in a designated growth area, who may use these rights to build at higher densities than allowed under current zoning regulations, is also an option. However, municipalities are cautioned that such TDR programs are complex, and may not be appropriate for all communities.

Develop an overlay zone that contains regulatory controls and performance standards that reflect the physical limitations of the resources. The standards of the overlay zone would apply to property whose average slope exceeds a minimum percentage, selected by the municipality. The base district still sets the allowable uses of the area and the controls and performance standards would be contained in the regulations of the overlay district. Use of an overlay zone would ease any rigid zoning requirements with the intention that any development would take place in the most buildable portions of the tract, retaining steeper areas or other critical features for open space. It is possible to incorporate slope-density provisions, cluster provisions, mandatory open space requirements/minimum open space ratios, and density bonuses into the regulations;

Another approach to the regulation of hillside development is through the use of soil overlay maps, which assign use and density on the basis of soil characteristics in sloped areas. A soil overlay may show areas suitable for particular types of development based on soil content. Overlay districts would be established for areas with certain percent of slope and soil types. Soils vulnerable to erosion and on-site sewage disposal problems should be subject to additional restrictions. Lot sizes in moderately sloping, well drained erosion-resistant soils would be smaller than lot sizes for severely-sloping, poorly-drained, highly-erosive soil areas.

Sample Slope/Lot Size Provisions (Minimum Lot Size Increases with Average Slope) Minimum Lot Size

Percent Average Slope Case 1 Case 2 Case 3

5 0.5 acres No requirement No requirement

- 82 - 10 1 acre 0.5 acres No requirement

15 2 acres 1 acre 0.5 acres

20 5 acres 2 acres 1 acre

25 No development 3.5 acres 1.5 acres

30 No development 5 acres 5 acres

35 and over No development No development 10 acres

Sample Slope/Natural State Provisions (The Amount of Land to Remain in its Natural State) Increase with Slope Minimum Lot Size

Percent Average Slope Case 1 Case 2 Case 3

10 15 32 32

15 30 36 40

20 45 45 55

25 60 57 70

30 90 72 85

35 90 90 100

40 and over 90 100 100

The following formula is an acceptable method of determining the average slope of a parcel:

S = .0023IL A where: S = average % slope of site 0.0023 = conversion factor of square feet to acres I = contour interval L = total length of contour lines within parcel, in feet A= area in acres of the parcel (do not include areas of the parcel with a slope greater than that permitted for development by the regulation).

Slope-density provisions are assuming a larger role in regulating development on areas of steep slope and are becoming a key to hillside protection. Slope density provisions decrease allowable development densities as slope increases. The rationale justifying slope-density provisions is as slope increases so does the potential for environmental degradation. Limiting development according to slope shifts development into areas with the least potential for environmental damage. Aesthetic values are maintained, if development is directed to gently sloping areas while keeping steeply sloped landscapes and ridge lines in

- 83 - their natural state. An important feature of slope-density provisions is the flexibility in setting the standards. The standards are easily tailored to reflect local concerns. Each municipality uses the same basic concept, but each can adjust the provisions to meet their own specific concerns and needs.

Examples and variations on the slope-density concept are outlined in the above tables. Lot sizes used in the tables are not necessarily appropriate or recommended for use, but are given as examples to describe the concept. Lot sizes, percent of site and the breakdown of slope should be tailored to each municipality*s condition.

Along with regulating lot sizes according to slope, municipalities must include coverage requirements. Coverage maximums specify the amount of land that may be covered by impervious surfaces including but not limited to, buildings, driveways, and parking lots. In designing slope-lot size relationships, liberal coverage allowances in steep-slope areas can negate the effectiveness of the provisions. Coverage maximums are a function of lot size; the smaller the lot, the higher the allowable coverage; the larger the lot, the lower the allowable coverage.

A simpler version of the limiting coverage is to establish provisions requiring a larger lot size such as 1.5 acres, if any areas of 15 percent to 25 percent slope are to be developed. On slopes of 25 percent or greater, an even larger minimum lot size such as 3 acres, would be required. Lot width and impervious coverage maximums would have to be changed accordingly. The municipal zoning officer would maintain a map or overlay depicting the areas of steep slope. The larger lot sizes would take effect any time development would be proposed within the mapped areas.

In Environmentally Sensitive Areas that consist of large tracts of land under single ownership, sliding-scale provisions, similar to that described in the Agricultural Preservation category further on in this document, may be appropriate. Sliding-scale provisions link the total number of residential units permitted directly with the size of the tract of land existing at the time of adoption of the regulations.

Cluster development with substantial open space requirements can promote imaginative, well designed subdivisions that preserve open space and respect the physical and environmental qualities of the land. Clustering allows greater flexibility in the location of lots on the tract, which results in the ability to concentrate and group buildings on the least sensitive portion of the site. Clustering development on the tract allows for the preservation of the most critical natural features such as steep slopes, the ridge line, scenic vistas, and prime timber stands, of the tract. The open space provisions associated with cluster regulations, which require a certain percentage of the total tract be permanently preserved, should be mandatory and can range from 15 percent to 50 percent of the gross area of the tract. The common open space should be permanently set aside for the purposes of recreation, either active or passive, or the conservation of natural features.

- 84 - All land that is preserved as open space should be as part of a cluster development should be owned jointly or in common by the owners of the building lots. If not owned by the residents of the cluster development the land should owned by the municipality, subject to acceptance, donated to a non-profit conservation agency, or retained by the original property owner. For land that is not dedicated to the municipality, satisfactorily written agreements acceptable to the municipality, should be made for its perpetual preservation and maintenance.

Density bonuses can be given to the developer in return for innovative site design, extensive open space commitments beyond requirements, reduced amount of grading and the preservation of trees or other landmarks.

Criteria for timber cutting for public safety, personal non-commercial use, and commercial use could be established. Timber cutting for commercial purposes should only be done in accordance with a forest management plan prepared or approved by a certified forester. Regulations should be enacted that control the clear-cutting and excessive removal of vegetation of a site. An erosion and sedimentation control plan for logging operations also should be filed. Provisions for timber cutting for personal use could also be included, such as the volume of trees that could be cut per year, or the area to be cleared for occupation by buildings, driveways, parking areas, water systems or sewage disposal systems per individual wooded building lot.

In developing zoning regulations it is desirable to spell out the purpose and the public values associated with steep slope and woodland provisions. The closer local regulations are tied to specific health, safety and welfare concerns, the more solid the legal defense of the regulation will be. Planners and elected officials should be cognizant of the controversies over the takings issue, as it relates to the planning process and the conservation of environmentally sensitive areas. Statements should be included that specify the community*s social, economic, environmental or aesthetic objectives in creating such regulations. The following are examples of possible statements.

- To protect environmentally sensitive lands such as steep slope, ridge lines, prime timber stands from adverse impacts caused by development.

- Preserve the natural terrain and character of hillside areas.

- Protect significant features of a hillside, such as; ridge lines, significant slope banks, natural drainage swales, streams, springs, rock out croppings, vistas and major tree belts and encourage the retention of such areas as open space.

- Preserve the predominant views, both from and of the hill areas.

- 85 - - To limit soil erosion, stormwater runoff and the resultant siltation of streams and possible flooding of low lying areas, caused by the grading of slope areas, changes in ground cover or the erection of structures and other impervious surfaces.

- To retain trees and other native vegetation to stabilize hillsides, retain moisture, reduce erosion and runoff, and preserve the natural beauty.

- To permit only those uses of steep slope areas that are compatible with the conservation of natural conditions and which maintain stable soil conditions by (a) minimizing disturbances to vegetative ground cover and (b) restricting the regrading of steep slope areas.

- In order to retain the significant natural features of hillside areas, development densities will diminish as the slope of the terrain increases.

- Encourage innovative design solutions and orient development to the site so that grading and other site preparation is kept to a minimum. Roads should follow the natural topography, wherever possible to minimize cut and fill operations.

- Discourage intensive development in areas that present severe limitations to the use of on- site sewage disposal systems due to such factors as steep slope, shallow depth to bedrock, and stoniness; also, those areas that are not proposed to be sewered.

- Protect stream quality, minimize the adverse effects of increased storm runoff, erosion and sedimentation, and maintain the recreational potential of the area.

Additional techniques and supplemental provisions that could be used to protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas include:

- Erosion and sedimentation control plans and strict grading requirements.

- Designation of building envelope on each lot identifying the buildable area in addition to normal yard provisions to preserve sensitive portions of tract.

- The use and location of common driveways to minimize visual and environmental impacts.

- Requirement of environmental impact analyses for large developments.

- View protection provisions.

! Advocate regional planning and zoning, where appropriate, as a means with which each municipality need not provide for all land uses, thereby retaining rural character.

! Modify subdivision standards to achieve a more harmonious design. Flexible provisions for rural areas should be incorporated allowing reductions, dependent on its intended function,

- 86 - in the required cartway width for new subdivision streets and other excessive site engineering requirements such as curbs and concrete sidewalks better suited to urban and suburban settings. Flexible provisions allows the street setting to blend with the rural character, instead of looking like a typical suburban street, and reduces the intensity of stormwater runoff. The subdivision ordinance should require the preparation and implementation of an erosion and sedimentation plan for construction activities involving soil disturbance, and the use of stormwater management facilities that improve water quality and groundwater recharge.

! Require the implementation of sound conservation practices during construction activities to reduce erosion and sedimentation.

! Implement measures to restrict the use of on-lot sewage disposal systems in areas with hazardous soils, slopes and documented groundwater contamination. Municipalities that rely heavily on the use of on-lot sewage disposal systems should prepare detailed studies as part of their Act 537 Plan to serve as guidance to establish minimum lot size requirements. Homeowners should be informed of the importance of proper maintenance and operation of on-lot sewage disposal systems.

! Prepare Act 537 Plans that support the protection of Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Restrict the extension of public sewer and water infrastructure into Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

! Promote the formation of Environmental Advisory Councils at local and multi-municipal levels. Environmental Advisory Council’s consist of citizens that gather information, identify environmental problems and advise local government on environmental issues.

! Encourage government and private non-profit organizations or land trusts to acquire properties or conservation easements for the purpose of protecting critical Environmentally Sensitive Areas, where consistent with this plan. Support the conservation of environmentally sensitive resources by private organizations.

! Conduct and maintain an inventory of natural diversity sites, natural resources and features. Inventories and studies should be used to aid in determining the suitability of land for development. Protection of the areas should be a cooperative effort between levels of government, private non-profit organizations and landowners.

! Plan and coordinate highway projects and improvements that minimize the impact on Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Roads should follow the natural topography, wherever possible, to minimize cut and fill operations. Select routes that avoid steep areas and prime forest stands when constructing new streets or highways.

! Encourage equitable taxation and assessment policies for critical Environmentally Sensitive Areas that are being preserved. For instance, the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land

- 87 - Assessment Act (Act 319, commonly known as the Clean and Green Act) is designed to preserve farmland, forest land and open space by taxing the land according to its use value rather than the prevailing market value.

! Promote fire prevention and disease control programs for forested areas, such as the various Gypsy Moth eradication programs.

! Encourage acquisition of suitable Environmentally Sensitive Areas as State Game Lands.

! Encourage municipalities to establish a floodplain management program that includes both corrective measures to fix existing problems and preventive measures to keep new problems from developing.

Actions to protect existing floodplain development and to correct existing problems include the following.

- Flood control devices such as dams, levees and flood walls.

- Flood-proofing and structural rehabilitation projects of existing structures.

- Clearance and/or relocation of existing structures.

- Public works projects to remove or minimize water obstructions or to control stormwater runoff.

- Safety inspections.

- Regulation of existing non-conforming uses or structures; flood insurance.

- Flood warning systems.

- Evacuation and emergency preparedness planning.

- Community education..

Actions to guide future floodplain use include the following.

- Public acquisition of undeveloped land.

- Comprehensive planning.

- Local land use regulations.

- Flood insurance.

- 88 - - Compatible public improvements.

- Public awareness.

! Encourage local municipalities in Northumberland County to adopt protective ordinances and codes for Environmentally Sensitive Areas, as part of their floodplain management program. The purpose of the regulations would be to make available to residents the protection offered by the National Flood Insurance Program and to help reduce future losses to the community and to others downstream from periodic flooding. Municipalities are required to adopt floodplain development controls, which, at a minimum, comply with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Pennsylvania Floodplain Management Act. Ordinances or codes should be adopted that:

- Include all necessary federal and state floodplain management requirements (submit draft regulations to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) regional office before they are enacted to ensure that all minimum state and federal requirements have been properly addressed).

- Are legally enforceable.

- Apply uniformly to all floodplain areas.

- Take precedence over any less restrictive conflicting local ordinance or code.

The DCED model floodplain management ordinances are a helpful reference for communities preparing or revising regulations. The model floodplain management ordinance, however, is minimum regulations and they should be reviewed to see if they are adequate to meet local conditions. Municipalities, especially high risk flood communities, may adopt greater restrictions beyond the federal and State minimum standards. Stronger methods include the following.

- Prohibiting certain kinds of development that present a significant hazard to occupants or a higher potential for environmental pollution (schools, fire stations, ambulance service, electric substation transformer, landfill, cemetery, warehouses, gas station, car wash, fuel storage, junkyards, truck terminal and any development using or handling hazardous or toxic materials).

- Maintaining the flood flow capacity of streams by only permitting future floodplain development if it would not cause an increase in flood heights above a stated limit;

- Monitoring the cumulative effects of waivers on floodplains.

- Selecting a regulatory flood of a greater magnitude than the 100-year flood used by federal and State standards.

- 89 - - Incorporating a freeboard safety factor covering all floodplain construction and development.

Floodplain management requirements may be contained in a single ordinance or incorporated into zoning, subdivision ordinances and building codes.

Zoning regulations control the type, density and location of uses within floodplains. Floodplain regulations are normally incorporated into zoning ordinances by an overlay district, which sets more protective requirements on new development in terms of permitted or prohibited uses, lot sizes, building setbacks from streambanks and wetland areas, and environmental and aesthetic performance standards. Uses should be promoted that are compatible with maintaining hydrologic values, such as public and private outdoor parks and recreation areas involving minimal structural development (excluding campgrounds), open space, and certain forms of agriculture (precaution taken to prevent fertilizer runoff from polluting waterways). Restrictions should be included on the removal of natural vegetation within buffer zones adjacent to the water, to reduce erosion on the fragile banks of waterways and to filter out pollutants from runoff including sediment, lawn fertilizers and agricultural pesticides. Performance standards could regulate access to the water, agriculture use (soil shall not be tilled within 50 feet of the high water mark), timber harvesting, and location of septic systems (located no less than 150 feet from the high water mark). In developing the regulations it is desirable to spell out the purpose and public values associated with the provisions. The closer local regulations are tied to specific health, safety and welfare concerns, the more solid the legal defense of the regulation will be if challenged. The statements should specify the community*s social, economic, environmental or aesthetic objectives in creating such regulations. The following are examples of possible statements:

- Encourage planning and development in floodplains that are consistent with sound land use practices.

- Minimize the threats to flood hazard areas from periodic inundation that result in loss of property, loss of life, damage to structures, services and economic resources, burdensome public expenditures for flood protection and relief.

- Regulate or prohibit the erection of buildings and structures in areas not appropriate for development due to periodic flooding.

- Protect people and property from the dangers and damages of floodwater and from materials carried by floodwaters.

- Protect public safety by preserving natural floodplains.

- Control development that will create or contribute to flood damage to property, disrupt public services, cause pollution and unsanitary conditions, and other related losses.

- 90 - - Establish a floodplain management program that consists of both corrective and preventive measures for reducing flood damages.

- Minimize flood damage, economic loss, and risk to health and life during floods.

Planners and elected officials should be cognizant of the controversies over the takings issue. Actions that severely reduce allowable densities or intensities of uses are typical situations in which a community*s zoning authorities could face takings claims. The takings issue deals with the public use of private property and is a reference to the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which states, “...nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation”. Recent cases from the U.S. Supreme Court and various state courts show a continuing expansion of permissible public goals for land-use regulations. Land-use goals such as floodplain and environmentally sensitive land protection, agricultural land preservation, open space and aesthetic controls are recognized as legitimate public goals. While results vary from case-to-case and by jurisdiction, courts increasingly uphold stringent regulations of critical environmental areas despite adverse economic consequences. However, the courts have not granted carte blanche to local governments to determine proper public objectives and the means to achieve them. In measuring a land-use regulation, courts focus on the economic impact on the landowner, as well as the purposes being served by the regulation. There must be a clear link between the purpose of the land-use control and the implementing measure. Regulations must be adopted for a valid public purpose and with an adequate basis (a comprehensive, long-range land-use plan and zoning laws that flow from it). The impact of regulations will be evaluated for an entire piece of property to determine whether a taking has occurred. Public health, safety and general welfare are paramount concerns. Local governments in Northumberland County will have to exercise care in the planning process, both in the development of valid goals and regulations, and in the administration, review and approval processes, to continue to regulate critical land and water resources.

Subdivision regulations can be used to ensure that known floodprone areas are clearly delineated on subdivision and land development plans for effective management and notification to potential buyers. Subdivision regulations should ensure that each lot in flood- prone areas includes a safe building site with adequate access and that public facilities that serve the uses are designed and installed to minimize flood damage.

Building codes provide flood-proofing design and construction standards to minimize the susceptibility of construction to flood damage.

! Federal programs (administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers) and state programs (administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources) regulate many of the activities that may have adverse impacts on wetlands. While state and federal agencies still use slightly different definitions of wetlands, they all use the same method for delineating wetlands. Three factors are considered when assessing a site for wetlands; hydrophytic plants (plants adapted to life in saturated soil conditions); hydric soils (soils

- 91 - characterized by their wetness); and wetlands hydrology (presence of water at or near the surface at some time during the growing season). Delineation requires specific training and knowledge and should only be undertaken by professionals who are familiar with the process, understand wetland hydrology and are fully trained in wetland plant and soil identification. The Army Corps of Engineers and Pennsylvania DEP have developed a joint permit application form for projects in Pennsylvania. Local officials may be in a better position to spot illegal activities encroaching upon wetlands than State and federal officials. Local municipalities can help enforce requirements by reporting activities not permitted or permit violations to the Army Corps of Engineers, Pennsylvania DEP or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Local municipalities can supplement state and federal wetlands protection with their own local protection techniques.

- Prepare a wetlands inventory, including the location, size and type of wetlands in the municipality, for use in comprehensive planning and in reviewing zoning and subdivision applications to determine whether a proposed project will affect wetland areas. General inventories can be created from Natural Wetlands Inventory Maps, County Soil Survey, U.S.G.S. maps, and aerial photography. Inventories can be supplemented with field surveys and a survey of natural areas in Northumberland County.

- Educate the public to increase information and awareness about the value of wetlands in Northumberland County, as well as State and federal permitting programs. Township or Borough newsletters forwarded to their residents could be used to convey wetland awareness information.

- Direct local public works projects to follow wetland protection policies.

- The local comprehensive plans completed by the communities in Northumberland County may set out the municipality*s goals and policies for wetlands, incorporate a wetlands inventory, and identify the values and need to protect wetlands. The plan for wetlands can cite wetlands of high value that could be targeted for acquisition and preservation.

- Adopt networking provisions that condition approval of local plans and permits on an applicant*s obtaining necessary State and federal permits regarding wetlands. Such provisions would incorporate State and federal regulation of wetlands into the municipal zoning, subdivision and land development or building permit processes, by requiring proof that the applicant contacted Pennsylvania DEP and the Army Corps of Engineers to determine the applicability of State and federal wetland regulations relative to the proposed project.

- Zoning provisions can protect wetlands by modifying land use activities in sensitive areas or shifting activities to other more appropriate areas. Protective zones can be created for wetlands, or for areas surrounding wetlands, to serve as buffers against certain land uses. The municipalities in Northumberland County can discourage development activities at adjacent upland sites that may adversely affect significant wetlands. Performance zoning

- 92 - could be incorporated to protect wetlands. An example would be to prohibit the development, alteration, filling, piping or diversion of wetlands except where State and federal permits have been obtained. The regulations also could limit the amount of wetland transitional area, normally a distance ranging between 150 to 400 feet is used from the outer limit of wetland, that can be altered, developed, filled, to a certain percentage. The local land use regulations should provide a definition of wetlands that corresponds to or incorporates the Army Corps of Engineers definition.

- Municipal subdivision and land development regulations can require developers to delineate wetlands on plans, submit conservation plans and sediment and erosion control plans that address impacts on wetlands.

- Municipalities should acquire wetlands and land surrounding wetlands through the purchase of land or conservation easements or they may receive donations of land or easements from property owners. Municipalities can turn to land trusts or conservation organizations for assistance with acquisitions. Funds are available from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through the Community Conservation Partnership Programs for acquisition.

! Advocate the reduction of non-point and point source pollution of Northumberland County water resources. Encourage the maintenance and use of vegetative buffer strips along water*s edge, as well as the retention of wetlands to help filter out pollutants from stormwater runoff, sediment and agricultural fertilizers and pesticides. Good conservation and management practices should be implemented for all land use activities. It is imperative that sewage treatment facilities and industrial facilities comply with regulating measures governing permissible levels of discharges into waterways.

! Northumberland County shall engage in the preparation of stormwater management plans in accordance with the Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act (Act 167) for each of the State-designated watersheds located within the County. Stormwater management will be approached from a regional perspective with an emphasis on designing systems for an entire drainage basin rather than just specific sites. Each plan will be unique to the particular watershed and will take into account the unique features of that watershed. County responsibilities as per Act 167 are as follows.

- Prepare and submit a Phase I - Scope of Study to Pennsylvania DEP for review and approval, for each watershed.

- Prepare a detailed Phase II - Watershed Storm Water Plan, for each watershed.

- Establish and consult with a Watershed Plan Advisory Committee (WPAC), with representation from each affected municipality, for each watershed. Northumberland County will have to work with and, coordinate the preparation of a plan with other Counties and

- 93 - municipalities outside the County for those watersheds whose boundaries extend beyond Northumberland County.

- Adopt the stormwater management plan by resolution, after holding a public hearing and making appropriate changes, for each watershed.

- Submit adopted plan for each watershed to Pennsylvania DEP for approval.

Municipal responsibilities as per Act 167 are as follows.

- Participate in the development of the stormwater management plan through the Watershed Plan Advisory Committee.

- Review the draft stormwater management plan and provide input at the public hearings.

- Adopt the necessary ordinances to control stormwater runoff after the stormwater management plan is approved by Pennsylvania DEP.

- Implement the stormwater management plan through the enforcement of the new stormwater management ordinance.

In pursuing the watershed program, Northumberland County has selected the North Branch of the Susquehanna River, for its initial stormwater management plan preparation.

There are a wide range of analysis techniques for the design of stormwater runoff systems. The choice of technique must be suited to the size and complexity of the area, and the degree of safety sought. Once the watershed plans are developed, the specific designs for individual sites will be based on criteria within the appropriate basin-wide study. Until stormwater management plans are prepared for the watershed, local subdivision ordinances should contain provisions intended to prevent the overloading of downstream drainage systems and watercourses as a result of increased rates of runoff caused by a proposed development. Regardless of the techniques selected the following factors should be considered.

- Rainfall and storm characteristics.

- Drainage area characteristics.

- Land use characteristics, both present and future.

- Design options including on-site detention, storage, open channel natural drainage system, underground pipe and inlet system, channel capacity, erosion control structures, rip-rap, and energy dissipaters.

- Maintenance.

- 94 - ! The Nature Conservancy is conducting a natural area survey for Northumberland County. The Northumberland County natural area survey will provide maps that indicate locations known to support rare, threatened and endangered species of plants and animals, as well as locating ecosystems in Northumberland County. Based on aerial photography and field investigations, the natural area survey also will identify significant wetland areas. Local municipalities will be encouraged to use this information in their comprehensive planning and as a source of information on which to base planning decisions. During the subdivision process, any natural areas should be identified so that the location of buildings can be made with sensitivity to important ecosystems. Northumberland County, a municipality or a non- profit conservation organization could consider acquiring critical areas identified by the natural area study as open space.

! Maintain the inventory of natural areas, wetlands and other water resources. Such inventories and studies should be used to aid in determining the suitability of land for development. Northumberland County should operate a clearinghouse of natural area, wetland, water resource data and information. Preparation of County-wide or regional and municipal water resource studies and management plans should be conducted to protect ground water and surface water resources. Well-head protection studies should be pursued. Results of the well-head protection studies should be carried-through into municipal zoning and subdivision provisions, in which siting and density provisions are incorporated to assure the availability of a reliable, safe and adequate water supply.

! Prepare Act 537 Plans that support the protection of Environmentally Sensitive Areas in Northumberland County. Discourage the extension of utilities, primarily sanitary sewer and water, into undeveloped Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Identify wet areas unsuitable for on-site sewage systems and prohibit unsound sewage disposal near wetlands.

! Require sound conservation practices during construction to reduce erosion and sedimentation.

! Promote the formation of Environmental Advisory Councils at local, regional and County levels. The Environmental Advisory Councils consist of citizens that gather information, identify environmental problems and advise local government on environmental issues, in accordance with the Environmental Advisory Councils Law (Act 148 of 1973).

! Encourage all levels of government, as well as private non-profit organizations and land trusts, to acquire conservation easements or properties for the purpose of protecting critical Environmentally Sensitive Areas where consistent with this Comprehensive Plan. Promote the voluntary protection of wetlands, floodplains and natural areas by private land owners.

! Prepare municipal watershed management plans to protect water supplies.

! Promote water conservation measures to help ensure the future availability of water resources.

- 95 - ! Advocate the stream-valley park concept, which can serve to enhance and conserve a stream*s scenic quality and environmental values, as well as promote public recreation. Northumberland County and its municipalities should create and preserve a permanent network of contiguous interconnecting open space throughout Northumberland County. Such programs should emphasize the protection of significant stream valleys and the creation of connecting trails. Where appropriate, stream corridors and floodplains could be used to link major recreation throughout Northumberland. Development of open space should protect the sensitive natural amenities, including water resources, aesthetic values and wildlife habitats.

! Encourage regional planning and coordination.

! Encourage equitable taxation and assessment policies for critical Environmentally Sensitive Areas that are being preserved.

B. The following educational activities relating to Environmentally Sensitive Areas can be employed in Northumberland County.

! Develop a public appreciation and understanding of the nature and location of Environmentally Sensitive Areas and the relationship between these areas and the social, environmental and economic well-being of the region.

! Educate government officials and the general public on land use programs and techniques that protect Environmentally Sensitive Areas, preserve open space and retain rural character.

! Provide scientific and educational opportunities for research, learning and enjoyment, within Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Encourage the development and enhancement of environmental education centers. Promote the establishment of forest research programs concentrating on management methods, equipment and disease/pest control programs.

! Inform land owners of their responsibilities under Federal, State and local laws regarding development within Environmentally Sensitive Areas.

Agricultural Preservation

The Agricultural Preservation designation established by this Comprehensive Plan in Northumberland County includes areas with existing agricultural productivity that are part of a large, contiguous parcel of land predominantly devoted to agricultural activity. Objectives of the Agricultural Preservation land use designation are to protect the agricultural land base in Northumberland County, preserve the rural way of life, and strengthen the farming industry. Agricultural Preservation areas are inappropriate for non-farm development and infrastructure investment. Agricultural Preservation areas should be reserved primarily for agricultural purposes, including agricultural support businesses, for reasons of productivity, environmental sensitivity and

- 96 - economy. The Agricultural Preservation areas, however, can contain small rural villages serving local needs.

Agricultural Preservation - Issues

A. Historically, agriculture has played a major role in the economic development of Northumberland County, particularly outside of the coal regions. Quality soils, a favorable climate and closeness to major market areas makes Northumberland County an ideal location for the farming industry. All three components of the agri-business system, farming, farm supply, and the processing marketing of agricultural products, are in Northumberland County, creating jobs for residents of the County. Agricultural operations in the County range from small family enterprises to big business. Over half of the farms in Northumberland County are cattle farms raising cattle for beef or milk. Other major agricultural products produced in Northumberland County are corn, wheat and oats for grain or seed, hay, chickens, and pigs.

B. One of the problems facing rural Northumberland County is pressure to convert farmland to non-farm uses, especially residential. Suburban growth continues to consume productive and fertile farmland in the region. The development of non-farm uses in scattered rural locations contributes to the decline of surrounding farmland.

- Most rural municipalities have devised zoning ordinances in a large lot of one to three acres suburban fashion that prevents innovative development patterns and invites sprawl. The resultant residential pattern of suburban sprawl is often inadvertently encouraged by regulations containing development standards inappropriate to rural areas. A common reaction to new development is to increase the minimum residential lot size with the intent that as homes are spread farther apart, the rural character will be retained. Increasing minimum lot size, however, often produces the opposite result, with large amounts of farmland being subdivided at a faster race destroying both open space and rural character.

- Frequently, large lot development consumes the entire property being sold, leaving little or no open space for farming, recreation or scenic beauty.

- Farming finds itself in competition with the demand for housing and commerce, which escalates the price of land to levels that farmers cannot afford. Escalating land values increases the likelihood that farmers will sell their property for non-farm use.

- The development of residential uses in scattered rural locations places suburban dwellers in the midst of the farming community and sometimes leads to the enactment of nuisance regulations that hinder and disrupt the practice of agriculture. People often move to rural areas in search of a quiet country atmosphere, only to discover that common agricultural practices involve noisy machinery, odors and dust. Increased traffic on rural from suburban development roads makes it difficult and hazardous to move crops and machinery.

- 97 - C. The protection of farmland can also be viewed as part of a larger program to protect natural environmental systems. Farmland is capable of absorbing large amounts of water and function as groundwater recharge areas and temporary floodwater storage areas. The agrarian landscape also provides Northumberland County with broad open space, expansive cultivated fields, meadows, woodland, hills, valleys, as well as a variety of farms and rural villages that blend to form a unique rural character and visual quality. Conservation of the agricultural lands will retain fertile soil, provide water resource and air quality protection, support wildlife, and protect scenic resources and the farm heritage. Rural lifestyles and natural resources should be retained in Northumberland County.

D. Both prime and non-prime farmland are important and need protection. Livestock and poultry operations do not require or depend upon having prime agricultural soils.

Agricultural Preservation - Policies

A. Encourage the enhancement and continuance of the agricultural community in Northumberland County.

! Improve the quality of rural life.

! Preserve the existing community scale, structure and character.

! Encourage rural land uses, where appropriate, which meet the needs of the agricultural community in Northumberland County.

! Maintain and encourage the family farm concept.

B. Promote and maintain a stable agricultural economy in Northumberland County.

! Support agriculture as a primary land use and a valued element of the County*s economy. Preservation of farmland can help the economy, jobs and the well-being of all residents in Northumberland County by providing for the maintenance and expansion of food processing industries.

! Enhance the agricultural economy and strengthen the farming industry.

Provide opportunities for increased and diversified agricultural productivity and processing.

Restrict economic development in agricultural areas to only agricultural activities and support businesses, such as farm equipment sales and service, farm supply stores, and businesses which market or process farm products. However, such businesses should not locate on prime agricultural soil.

Encourage local processing of agricultural products.

- 98 - Create and maintain opportunities for direct local marketing of agricultural products.

Provide equitable agricultural land taxing and assessment systems.

Protect existing agricultural uses so they may continue to thrive.

Enhance the income potential of the farm operation.

C. Maintain and preserve the most productive and viable agricultural land in Northumberland County for agricultural use.

! Priority should be given to protect farmland as follows.

- Currently being used for agricultural production and which will continue to be productive.

- Composed of soils that are capable of cultivation with little difficulty, especially concentrations of Class I and II soils, which are prime soils most efficiently suited to the production of row, forage and fiber crops, and unique soils, which are other than prime soil that has special combination of soil quality, location, topography, growing season, and moisture supply necessary to produce specialty crops, such as fruits, vineyards and vegetables.

- Part of a large contiguous area of land predominantly devoted to agricultural use, even though it may include small areas of non-farm properties.

- Participating in programs administered by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (ASCS).

- Included within an appropriately located Agricultural Security Area, as established by Act 43, as amended.

- Located within a zoning district with the primary purpose of preserving agriculture and which contain aggressive agricultural preservation zoning techniques.

- Not under significant development pressure.

- Already protected by existing perpetual restrictions against development or is close to properties that have had their development rights purchased.

! Restrict the expansion of infrastructure, such as public sanitary sewer and water, into agriculture areas that are not considered appropriate for suburban or urban development. If sanitary conditions make such extensions necessary, they should be limited in capacity to serve the specific problem area and not accommodate additional non-farm development.

- 99 - ! The construction of new local access highways through agricultural areas should be discouraged. The construction of new regional limited-access highways through agricultural areas should only be considered where no other feasible options are available. The placement of interchanges between limited-access and local access highways within agricultural areas is strongly discouraged to avoid encouraging new development.

! Restrict growth on soils identified as hazardous for structures or on-lot sewage disposal systems or in areas where geology limits the availability of water from on-site wells. A significant amount of the soils that comprise our farmland are severe or hazardous for on-lot sewage disposal due to the potential for polluting groundwater supplies.

! Conserve the soil and water to sustain long-term productivity of agricultural land. Coordinate farm production and soil conservation programs. Reduce soil losses which gradually limit the capabilities of agricultural land to sustain its productive use.

! Provide adequate land for non-farm development, such as residential, commercial and industrial uses, in areas identified as appropriate and logical for growth. ! Direct higher density development adjacent or within (infill development and revitalization) existing developed areas, that provide or are capable of providing public infrastructure and services and adequate transportation access. Orderly and compact patterns of development are necessary to reduce the amount of land needed for development. Agricultural lands adjacent to existing development with the public infrastructure and services necessary to support urban development, and as designated for such on the Land Use Plan, should be converted to non-farm use to prevent adverse leapfrog development patterns.

! Direct non-farm development within Agricultural Preservation Areas to parcels least-suited for agricultural production. Discourage adverse development patterns such as sprawl, strip and leapfrog development. Sprawl development patterns create islands of uses that separate farm fields and generate lifestyle, public service and environmental conflicts. Support the limited expansion of rural villages, with uses intended to enhance the agricultural community.

E. Establish the environmental importance of farmland and rural open space.

! Recognize that agricultural land is a natural resource.

! The protection of farmland and related open space should be viewed as part of a larger program to protect the natural environmental system.

! Farmland and rural open space provide:

- Productive soil.

- Groundwater recharge areas.

- 100 - - Temporary floodwater storage areas.

- Air quality.

- Wildlife habitat.

- Aesthetic and scenic value.

! While respecting individual property rights, the overriding consideration should be to maintain the agricultural economy, and to conserve farmland as a natural resource for future agricultural use.

Agricultural Preservation - Implementation Strategies

A. The following methods, tools and techniques can be used to protect farmland and limit encroachment on rural land in Northumberland County.

! Encourage municipalities to prepare comprehensive plans that are consistent with this Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan. If agricultural preservation is a community objective, the plan should support and justify agricultural zoning techniques and other tools intended to preserve farmland and the agricultural economy. Planning should include all reasonable development needs while providing for the protection of farmland resources.

A technique to identify productive agricultural lands for preservation is the Land Evaluation and Site Assessment (LESA) system. LESA is a decision making tool based on a point system. LESA is a comprehensive evaluation of the productive capacity of the soil of a site and the viability of the site for agriculture. The land evaluation is derived from basic soils data contained in the Northumberland County Soil Survey including the productive capacity for corn, natural fertility of the soil, topography, cost of conservation treatment and drainage. The site assessment portion of the LESA system is a listing of factors that are related to the development pressures and the development capability suitability of a site and its surrounding area. Each municipality in Northumberland County should determine the factors, their weights and point value distribution that best reflects their goals. The higher the total points accrued for a parcel, the more agriculturally viable the parcel.

! Encourage municipalities in Northumberland County to enact zoning provisions that are agriculturally protective. Zoning should be used as a short-term tool to preserve agricultural lands, as well as provide a growth management framework. Agricultural zoning is encouraged for agricultural communities outside the designated growth areas. The zoning techniques and intensity of the agricultural zoning provisions selected by a municipality to protect farmland should be based on a variety of factors and tailored to the individual needs

- 101 - and concerns of each municipality. Local farmers should be involved in the establishment of the planning strategy and zoning provisions intended to preserve farmland and enhance the agricultural community. In areas where farming is predominant and where little or no non-farm development has occurred, municipalities should consider the use of aggressive agricultural preservation zoning techniques such as sliding scale, large lot exclusive agriculture district or the Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. Communities that have significant rural single family development may find the buffer rural districts and cluster provisions more appropriate. Each municipality can combine the following techniques in innovative ways to meet farmland preservation needs.

The sliding scale method links the total number of residential units permitted directly with the size of the tract of land at the time of adoption of the regulations. The sliding scale technique allows the municipality to avoid the challenge of complete exclusion of residential units, while restricting the number of residential units created in an agricultural preservation zone. Traditional subdivision development is thereby avoided in the rural agricultural areas. An example of such a scale follows:

Size of Original Tract of Land Dwellings Maximum Number or Non-Farm Single-Family

0 to 19 acres 1

20 to 49 acres 2

50 to 99 acres 3

100 to 149 acres 4

150 to 199 acres 5

200 to 349 acres 6

350 or more acres 7

Variations of the scale by individual municipalities are recommended to reflect local concerns and conditions. Further refinement is achieved by establishing a minimum and maximum building lot size. Establishing a maximum lot size, usually varying from one to two acres, and encouraging the clustering of non-farm development on the least productive land helps to keep prime farmland in agricultural use.

Large lot exclusive agricultural zones make agriculture the primary permitted use in the district. Limited non-farm uses and even some agricultural activities requiring special treatment are permitted as special exceptions or conditional uses. The large lot exclusive agricultural zone method usually establishes a large minimum acreage requirement, typically varying from 20 to 40 acres for farm and non-farm uses. The agricultural lot size permitted should be sensitive to the minimum land area customary for farms in the area. Provisions should, however, be included that allow reduced lot sizes for a limited number of non-farm

- 102 - rural residences. Non-farm dwellings should be clustered on the least productive soil instead of built indiscriminately at different locations throughout the farm property.

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) allows development rights to be purchased and transferred for use in another location. TDR programs direct growth to certain areas while permanently preserving large tracts of agricultural land or open space. A typical TDR system establishes both a preservation or sending district and a development or receiving district. Landowners in the preservation district are assigned development rights, which they may sell to landowners in the development district who may use these rights to build at higher densities than allowed under current zoning regulations. Caution is urged in the use of the TDR concept, due to the program*s complexity.

Buffer rural zones provide for country living opportunities while minimizing incompatibilities between agricultural production and suburban and urban land uses. Buffer rural zones allows single-family homes, but the primary focus would still be on protecting and encouraging agricultural activities. This is considered a practical approach to land conservation that preserves farmland and significant open space, but also allows landowners equitable value for their land holdings. Creative layouts with mandatory open space involving flexible siting (cluster) are recommended instead of traditional rural zoning were entire parcels are subdivided into 1-to-3 acre lots. A brief example of downsized-lots mandatory-open-space follows:

- Require all new developments proposed on open fields or pasture to be laid out so that no more than 50 percent of the farmland is consumed by streets or lots. The resultant open space would be permanently protected by conservation restrictions for future agricultural or open space use. Septic systems could be on-lot, off-lot in the open space, or joint systems shared by several homeowners. Lot size would be reduced and the dwelling units grouped. Lots should be laid out, to the greatest extent possible, to achieve the following objectives in order of priority:

On the most suitable soil for septic disposal.

On the least fertile soil for agriculture use and in a manner that maximizes the usable area remaining for agricultural use.

Within any woodland contained on the parcel, or along the woodland fringe to reduce the impact upon agriculture, provide summer shade, shelter from winter wind and enable new construction to be visually absorbed by natural landscape features.

In locations least likely to block or interrupt scenic vistas as seen from public roadways.

- 103 - Allow provisions that require a minimum percentage (generally 70 percent to 80 percent) of Class I and II soils or an active farm be preserved for agricultural use. The remaining portion can be developed for non-farm uses.

Enact flexible zoning regulations that provide the following.

- Provide for housing relatives and farm employees.

- Provide the ability to sell select parcels on poorer soils for limited development.

- Permit activities that provide markets for agricultural products.

- Allow home occupations such as farm machinery repair, furniture making, and sale of baked goods, as a supplemental form of income for farm families, provided the home occupation do not constitute a significant encroachment on the farm use of the property, interfere with farming operations or create undue traffic congestion.

- Permit farm related businesses that serve the needs of the local farming community such as grain mills, butcher shops, veterinary offices, fertilizer distributors and other uses involving the processing from local farm products.

- Permit forest, open space, parks, and low-impact recreational uses on lands within agricultural areas.

Establish right-to-farm provisions in which normal farming operations are not considered a nuisance. Act 43 of 1981, known as the Agricultural Security Area Law, prohibits municipalities from (1) imposing ordinances that unreasonably restrict farm structures or practices within Agricultural Security Areas, and (2) declaring normal farming operations and practices as “nuisances” in a nuisance ordinance. Act 133 of 1982 also places limits on the use of nuisance ordinances that adversely affect normal farming operations. Act 133 also protects agricultural operations from nuisance suits under certain circumstances. Notification should be provided to residents moving into an area predominantly devoted to agricultural use, that noise, odors and dust are considered normal farming operations and are not considered a nuisance. Therefore, the new residents should be prepared to accept inconveniences and discomfort arising from normal agricultural practices. Subdivision plans containing building lots on farmland should include a note acknowledging that such subdivision is located in a farming area and that agricultural activities have priority over non-farm uses.

As with other conservation areas, planning and elected officials should be cognizant of the controversies of the takings issue, as it relates to the planning process and the preservation of farmland.

- 104 - ! The expansion of small rural villages should be limited and based upon the types of agricultural activities in the area, the quality of the soils for agricultural use and the ability of the soil to accept septic disposal systems. Clear boundaries should exist between villages and farmland.

! Prepare Act 537 plans that support farmland protection. Restrict extension of public sanitary sewer service into agricultural areas that are not considered appropriate for suburban and urban development.

! Plan and coordinate highway projects and improvements that minimize the impact on farmland. Improve rural roads that are necessary to enhance the viability of farming, especially those identified as important for the movement of agricultural products and machinery.

! Encourage the establishment of appropriate Agricultural Security Areas, under Act 43 consistent with the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan and municipal comprehensive plans. Care should be taken not to designate farmland that is appropriate for urban growth. Once an Agricultural Security Area is adopted and recorded, municipal review of the zoning for the area should occur in order to reflect and promote the intended purpose of the Agricultural Security Area.

! The County Agricultural Preservation Board should continue to administer the Farm Purchase Program.

! Encourage private non-profit organizations or land trusts to acquire development rights, conservation easements and properties, for the purpose of farmland preservation when consistent with this Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan.

! Encourage equitable taxation and assessment policies for agricultural property. For instance, the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act, Act 319, commonly known as the Clean and Green Act, is designed to preserve farmland, forest land and open space by taxing land according to its use value rather than the prevailing market value. The Clean and Green Act is voluntary and property owners interested in this preferential assessment program should contact the County*s Assessment Office. Act 71 exempts farmers from payments of assessments for municipal improvements such as the installation of sewer and water lines. The Department of Agriculture provides application forms for this exemption. Act 179 exempts family farm corporations from the ten-mill Capital Stock Franchise Tax. Requests for exemptions of family farm corporations should be submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Responsibility for the administration of Act 207 is also assigned to the Department of Revenue. Act 207 provides that farmland must be valued at its farmland, rather than maximum development value for inheritance tax purposes. These acts are intended to help keep land in farming and to improve the family farm.

- 105 - ! Improve farm-community relationships. Reduce conflicts between the farmer and non-farm rural neighbors. Natural buffers, such as stream corridors, woods and hedgerows, should be used wherever possible to buffer residential development from farm use. The compatibility between farming activities and residences needs to be evaluated and planned for. Orchards and nurseries are more compatible with residences than barnyards, feedlots and grazing pasture. Field crops fall in the middle.

! Promote good stewardship of the land and the use of sound conservation and management practices. Minimize groundwater pollution and other environmental erosion consequences such as non-point source pollution, attributable to poor agricultural management practices. Reduce the dependency on expensive and potentially toxic chemicals for agricultural use.

! Advocate joint municipal planning and zoning, where appropriate, as a means with which each municipality need not provide for all land uses, thereby retaining rural character

B. The following educational activities relating to Agricultural Preservation can be employed in Northumberland County.

! Educate government officials and the general public on techniques that preserve agriculture and open space. Dispel the notion that “agricultural land” is simply another term for “vacant land”.

! Encourage the establishment and enhancement of agricultural education and research programs.

! Support the establishment and continuance of adequate farm related programs such as the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, Soil Conservation Service, County Conservation District, Cooperative Extension Service, 4-H, Granges, and Farmers Associations. Increase technical assistance for farmers.

Existing Developed Areas

Existing Developed Areas in Northumberland County include areas that have already experienced concentrated commercial, industrial and institutional development as well as residential development at a variety of densities. The Existing Developed Areas also may serve as multi-purpose centers. The opportunity for in-fill development, rehabilitation strategies and revitalizing growth in urban centers exists.

Existing Developed Areas - Issues

A. Older developed areas of Northumberland County decline as their commercial and industrial roles decrease. The older developed communities show a declining population, a growing proportion of low-income population and a deteriorating tax base. Urban areas with shrinking employment bases, particularly in manufacturing, show a growth in the rate of

- 106 - poverty. Unemployed, unskilled and low-income people are increasingly separated from job opportunities, as employment opportunities move out of urban areas.

B. Public infrastructure in some older areas in Northumberland County need major repair and reconstruction. Costs increase, but revenues remain flat or decline. Some local governments find it more and more difficult to deliver expected levels of service. Many have been forced to curtail service or postpone needed maintenance, repairs and additions.

C. Zoning provisions and codes that limit the types of development can be major obstacles to successful rehabilitation, adaptive reuse and in-fill activities.

D. Many urban neighborhoods show signs of physical decay. Old buildings stand deteriorating and abandoned and vacant lots are more common. The aging housing stock often is in need of repair or modernization. There are other buildings that are too dilapidated and obsolete. The dilapidated and obsolete buildings should be demolished in support of community development.

E. Significant portions of our floodplains have been built on, and stormwater is poorly managed, resulting in unnecessary flooding.

F. Traffic problems, including high volumes, congestion, poor parking and loading facilities, and pedestrian-vehicular conflicts, decrease mobility within some developed areas in Northumberland County.

G. Rehabilitation and adaptive reuse have the potential of displacing the poor and immobile population of the urban areas in Northumberland County.

H. A variety of special populations including the elderly, minorities, low-income, and homeless, play important roles in the decision making process about the built environment and this process will have to become more attuned to the needs of the special populations.

I. More attention must be paid to the impact that the built environment has on human behavior. Poorly conceived design provides a setting for social and emotional discomfort, vandalism and crime. If areas are unsafe, congested or lacking in public services, the exodus to rural areas will continue. Revitalization efforts and new construction must be properly fitted to the social-psychological needs of residents, or they will abandon, alter, or destroy it.

Existing Developed Areas - Policies

A. Existing Developed Areas in Northumberland County are multipurpose centers that have already experienced concentrated development, have significant volumes of pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and, for the most part, are provided with a range of infrastructure and services. The Existing Developed Areas are characterized by a mixture of uses in suburban and urban densities. Existing Developed Areas are important, as they provide the following.

- 107 - - Employment opportunities.

- Housing opportunities.

- Shopping opportunities.

- Government, social, medical, educational and religious services.

- Cultural and recreational opportunities.

- Community services and infrastructure.

- Utilities and communication infrastructure and services.

B. Strengthen the built environment as multi-purpose centers and restore them to attractive, efficient and stimulating places to live, work and play. Re-establish the satellite Boroughs, Sunbury and its urban area as focal points of their respective regions. The Existing Developed Areas should be made attractive to entice people and businesses to relocate to, as well as to remain over the long-term.

C. Maintain the desirable features of existing conditions.

D. Prevent further deterioration and decline of depressed areas in Northumberland County. Revive and stimulate decaying areas by promoting measures for attracting and maintaining the population and economic base, creating new jobs, and increasing capital investment. Revitalize neighborhoods that have changing functions or are under-used. Revitalization efforts include the following.

- Demolition of obsolete areas. Demolition of the obsolete uses provide sites large enough to be comprehensively planned and sensitively developed. Comprehensive redevelopment should include reduction of density by adding open space.

- Rehabilitation and upgrading of deteriorated structures to return properties to a state of utility through repair or alternation, which make possible an efficient contemporary use, while preserving significant features of the structure.

- Restoration projects, which recover the form and details of a property and its setting, as it appeared at a particular period of time.

E. Support historic preservation efforts to preserve historic districts, sites and structures. Protect the integrity of Northumberland County’s cultural heritage, historic and architectural resources, and encourage their continued use or encourage their appropriate reuse.

- 108 - F. Promote in-fill by developing vacant land skipped over by previous development. In-fill can promote greater compactness and variety in land use. In-fill development should be compatible in scale, form and character to the surrounding environment. The location and intensity of in-fill development should be based upon infrastructure availability and capacity and should avoid disturbing environmentally sensitive land, natural features or designated urban open space.

G. Maintain a wide variety of housing resources and improve the quality of the existing housing stock to support the full range of housing needs. Special emphasis should be given to the housing needs of low income households and the specialized housing needs of the elderly, disabled, and homeless. Support housing rehabilitation and restoration efforts, which focus on correcting code violations, removing decay and eliminating structural deficiencies and obsolete structures.

H. Encourage a diverse mixture of employment opportunities and strengthen the employment base for local residents. Establish a positive climate for economic development and job creation. Ensure the continued economic viability of established commercial and industrial operations. Target identified growth industries and attract new activity.

I. Continue to maintain and provide adequate levels of basic municipal services and infrastructure, at a reasonable cost, including, but not limited to: sewerage infrastructure, water supply systems, stormwater management systems, road maintenance, solid waste management systems, fire and police protection; and recreation programs and parks. The provision of public services and infrastructure must keep pace with redevelopment needs, support economic expansion and support urban densities. Existing infrastructure problems need to be corrected where past development has exceeded capacity. Long-term strategies for the maintenance and replacement of public facilities must be determined.

J. Transportation policies should enhance vehicular and pedestrian mobility, reduce traffic congestion, improve access to major activity centers and promote the availability of convenient parking that is accessible to the built environment. Focus transportation programs on the maintenance and improvement of existing segments of the highway network and on the support of improved transit, aviation and rail.

K. Provide a variety of close-to-home park and recreation opportunities. Existing parks and playgrounds should be maintained and rehabilitated, where necessary.

L. Improve the quality of urban life and promote an environment that is attractive and functional. Sustain the integrity, character, livability and stability of existing communities and neighborhoods. Preserve and enhance the desirable aesthetic qualities and visual character of the urban areas.

M. Reduce the growth of energy consumption. The redevelopment of communities should be based on practices that conserve energy.

- 109 - N. Support and encourage federal, State and locally financed programs aimed at promoting and funding rehabilitation.

O. Encourage and support programs that maintain desirable, sound neighborhoods, since dissatisfaction with the physical environment often leads to apathy toward the maintenance of units within an area.

P. Encourage entrepreneurs to invest in rehabilitation, adaptive use, restoration, in-fill and redevelopment efforts, since the extent to which urban areas are revitalized will depend primarily upon private investment. Private investment should be coordinated with public actions and participation.

Existing Developed Areas - Implementation Strategies

A. The following methods, tools and techniques can be used to revitalize the built environment in Northumberland County.

! In formulating a comprehensive plan, municipalities should make careful surveys, inventories and analyses of demographics, economic characteristics, and the existing land uses. Goals, objectives and recommendations should focus on revitalization efforts, actions to strengthen the tax base and employment base, continued provision of adequate levels of basic community services and infrastructure and other methods of enhancing the existing community.

! Zoning provisions for developed areas should: protect the established character, social and economic well-being of neighborhoods; enhance the value of buildings and land; contain a degree of flexibility to permit revitalization projects as the functions of neighborhoods change; and provide for the safety, health and general welfare of the citizens. Districts can be designed to integrate limited commercial and industrial development into existing residential or mixed-use neighborhoods in a manner that will conserve the residential qualities of the neighborhood. Integrated districts can be accomplished through consideration of architectural characteristics, landscaping and buffering standards, and minimizing impacts from parking, environmental factors and signage on residential areas. Residential uses can be integrated into mostly commercial or light industrial zones, especially near a CBD. The zoning provisions should be based on existing conditions and the community*s desires. Unnecessary obstacles must be removed from development regulations and systems should be established to stimulate private sector action for in-fill and revitalization projects within the bounds of reasonable standards for health and safety. The regulatory process should be streamlined so that redevelopment opportunities are not lost to unnecessary, complex or obsolete regulations. Regulations permitting and prohibiting certain uses need to be updated in accordance with market demand and the changing function of neighborhoods. Design guidelines often refer to the aesthetic quality of the built environment and should clearly define what constitutes the community character they are

- 110 - trying to protect or establish. Zoning in Northumberland County to protect an area*s unique character or aesthetic regulations include, but are not limited to the following.

- Design review in historic areas. Historic preservation controls can be included in the zoning ordinance or through a separate ordinance. The historic preservation controls should, to the maximum extent possible, include standards for construction and remodeling rather than open-ended design review, avoiding overburdening the property owner. Written design standards may be supplemented with visual aids and guidebooks. Design guidelines should not concentrate solely on building design review, but also on the enhancement of the pedestrian environment and the setting. Design review should be carefully integrated with other planning goals for the area. Historic preservation controls for a historic district should be administered by a qualified board and staff.

- Tree protection and landscaping regulations requiring street trees and vegetation for parking lots.

- Provisions regulating signs, satellite dishes, communication antennas and other forms of outdoor communication.

- Provisions for pedestrian improvements and amenities.

- Provisions for conversions. Establish safeguards for design and review to prevent conversions that depress property values.

Zoning enforcement and administration are crucial in Existing Developed Areas in Northumberland County. Zoning enforcement systems should include site plan and improvement inspections and follow-up inspections.

! Adopt uniform housing, building and other construction codes to ensure minimum standards of health, safety and energy efficiency in existing housing. Revise codes to permit and regulate conversions, rehabilitation and adaptive use of existing buildings, as well as new construction. Special provisions are required in building codes to make them more suitable for rehabilitation of structures. Establish a thorough and workable code enforcement program.

! Promote reinvestment in urban centers to initiate economic revitalization. Incentives and strategies include the following.

- Creation of enterprise zones.

- Main Street program.

- Investment tax credits.

- 111 - - Revolving loan funds.

- Small business incubator programs.

- Marketing programs.

- Revitalizing existing retail through improved accessibility and aesthetic projects.

! Redevelopment efforts should focus on sites large enough to be comprehensively planned and sensitively developed. Mixed-use development projects work best on larger sites. Larger mixed-use development projects are characterized by three or more revenue producing uses, such as retail, office, residential, hotel, entertainment and recreational uses that are physically integrated.

! Maintain a list of vacant land available for in-fill development and vacant buildings available for revitalization for use by interested investors and developers.

! Create historic districts where the majority of structures and settings are of significant importance. A number of agencies and organizations administer programs that can assist communities with historic preservation activities and complying with federal legislation and regulations including the following.

- State Historic Preservation Office, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

- National Trust for Historic Preservation.

- Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

! Target and concentrate neighborhood rehabilitation and preservation efforts within the City of Sunbury, older suburban areas and small communities suffering from deterioration. Sound, well executed housing rehabilitation and preservation efforts can be the key to improving the economic and social well-being of urbanized areas. A systematic approach must be established for coordinating the physical, economic, social and political components of neighborhood preservation. Provide mechanisms to return abandoned units and units for which the owner is delinquent in tax payment to the tax roles, and contribute to general neighborhood improvement. Neighborhood appearance should be improved by eliminating adverse elements and providing elements that contribute to an attractive environment. The assertion of cultural and ethnic identity can help renew neighborhoods and community spirit. Revitalization efforts in areas with a significant proportion of low-income households should include practical development strategies including attracting labor intensive firms and providing day care facilities and flexible transportation. Many communities recognize the value of mixed land use that brings jobs closer-to-home. Promote the formation of voluntary neighborhood conservation groups to revitalize neighborhoods through clean-up and maintenance projects.

- 112 - ! Many central business districts (CBD*s) in Northumberland County have switched functions over the years. In order to restore CBD*s or main streets, as the centerpiece of the area, they should be redeveloped based on their ability to attract and retain new development and activity, and ultimately to generate consumer traffic. In rebuilding CBD*s, the focus can be on a retail center, although, this may be unrealistic, due to strong competition from outlying commercial districts and malls. The CBD*s may want to feature professional office and government related services along with specialty retail shops, entertainment, and cultural uses. Residential redevelopment should be encouraged in and around CBD*s so that they contain a mix of activities. Improvements should be made to CBD*s to make them visually more inviting including new sidewalks and street paving patterns, street furniture, space for socializing, lighting, and trees. Adequate and convenient parking should be provided.

! Residential conversions or accessory apartments offer an economical way to increase the existing housing stock. Dividing a single family dwelling into two or more living units is the most common form of conversion. Conversions can have a positive impact on a neighborhood, if done well, however, they also can cause a decline in the value of housing in a neighborhood if constructed poorly. Appropriate municipal design standards and procedures, adequate review, and quality construction and maintenance of conversions can lead to successful projects. The definition of land development in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code clearly includes conversions, and proposals involving conversions should be reviewed under the subdivision process. Design standards for conversions can address the following.

- Parking, parking lot design and access to the lot.

- Amount of open space.

- Buffer or screening provisions to protect neighboring properties.

- Retaining the exterior architectural integrity and character of the building ensuring the appearance of the building remains as a single-family residence

- Number of rental units to be created.

- Ensure adequate provision and capacity of sewage disposal and water supply.

- Provisions restricting the addition of floor area to the building.

- Regulating use of garage for conversion.

- Providing varying conditions from district to district depending upon character of neighborhood.

- 113 - - Providing the opportunity for conversion only for older houses.

! During the revitalization process many residential neighborhoods suffer the displacement of low-income tenants. Displaced families encounter problems locating new housing and adjusting to unfamiliar environments. Displacement of low-income households must be addressed through relocation programs or creating neighborhoods containing diverse housing types and commercial facilities to serve a range of income groups allowing these households to remain in the neighborhood.

! Emphasis in Existing Developed Areas should be given to creating pedestrian oriented main streets, which function as social centers for the community. The success of urban spaces is usually dependent on the relationship between the scale of the area and man. Select street furnishings carefully to emphasize the human scale role. Encourage the planting of street trees in urbanized areas. Street tree programs provide a variety of benefits such as reducing noise, provide shade and cooling in the summer, purifying the air, and improving the visual image of the community.

! Transportation strategies for Existing Developed Areas in Northumberland County should focus on facilitating mobility in and around urbanized areas in a safe, efficient and orderly fashion. Ideas to consider include:

- Access control techniques such as shared access, turning lanes, jug handles, and signalization.

- Improve and coordinate signs to facilitate access and improve circulation.

- Encourage mass transit service and usage.

- Coordinate and synchronize traffic lights.

- Explore the use of one-way street systems.

- Provisions for improved pedestrian mobility.

- Provision of on-street parking, off-street parking, shared parking and the use of fees in lieu of parking programs.

- Provision of loading docks that do not infringe on public streets.

- Increased use of rail and aviation to haul freight.

The provision of adequate access, parking and loading facilities, as well as off-site transportation improvements should be included and addressed in all revitalization projects in Existing Developed Areas in Northumberland County.

- 114 - ! Floodplain management for developed areas should include activities such as the establishment of flood warning systems, evacuation and recovery plans, relocation and redevelopment efforts to reduce or eliminate problems, the promotion of flood insurance, and the inclusion in codes and ordinances provisions that regulate additions or other improvements to non-conforming structures within designated floodplains.

! Many of the Implementation Strategies discussed in the Future Growth Area section are also applicable to this section and should be used.

B. The following educational activities relating to Existing Developed Areas can be employed in Northumberland County.

! Retrain the local labor force for changing employment opportunities.

! The general public, as well as special populations having difficulty in obtaining housing, should be made aware of housing opportunities and financing options available to them.

! Establish public programs to promote neighborhood revitalization, in which homeowners learn basic home improvement skills through school district programs and courses sponsored by private industries.

! Enhance the effectiveness of local officials in their interactions with each other, developers, citizen groups and the general public.

Future Growth Areas

The Future Growth Areas in Northumberland County are largely undeveloped at present, but are anticipated to evolve into suburban or urban development in the future. The Future Growth Areas should serve as the principal location of new development and infrastructure expansion. New growth is encouraged to occur within the natural service areas of existing and proposed public sewer and water systems, where higher densities and greater variety of housing can be provided. The Future Growth Areas are adjacent to Existing Developed Areas to yield a compact regional development pattern. Development should be located in appropriate density and topographic position to maximize economies in the provision of sanitary sewage infrastructure. Public improvements or expansion to community infrastructure and services and transportation systems should be anticipated and programmed in advance of development in the Future Growth Areas. Medium to high density development should be encouraged in the Future Growth Areas to reduce the amount of land necessary to accommodate growth. Growth should take advantage of existing sanitary sewer and water systems and transportation networks. Innovative development patterns and flexible land use regulations should be devised to promote compact mixed-use communities that promote quality of life opportunities and establish a community character and social interaction.

Future Growth Areas - Issues

- 115 - A. The quality and efficiency of urban development is of growing concern. One problem is that the planning process often considers individual urban and suburban development projects separately rather than as part of the entire urbanizing area. In many cases, when these “parts” are combined they don*t work well together, nor are they safe or efficient. There is a need to integrate and coordinate these planning projects collectively and consider the “whole”. Another problem is that rapid growth produces a random pattern of sprawling subdivisions unrelated to municipal facilities and services, and often occurs at the expense of the environment. Poorly planned growth, rising home prices, stagnant economic development, traffic congestion, and overburdened public services and facilities threaten communities. Rapid growth also threatens fragile environs and natural resources, as soil, surface and groundwater contamination are becoming increasingly common. Sound planning, which recognizes the character of both development and open space, but does not destroy the integrity of either, must be achieved.

B. The results of ordinances that segregate land uses are apparent; residential neighborhoods without variety, excessive dependence on the auto for shopping and commuting, and strip commerce characterized by long stretches of highway lined with auto-oriented stores. Traditionally, local planning stressed designating land areas for separate and distinct uses. Advances in the art of community planning and design have, however, recently provided local officials and developers with more flexible development guidelines; and the aesthetic, economic and environmental reasons for separating land uses are no longer as compelling.

C. Affordable housing is not a substitute term for low-income, subsidized housing. Many persons cannot afford to live in the communities in which they work. Many household members work longer hours, multiple jobs or commute longer distances to work in order to secure affordable housing. Developers continue to concentrate on higher priced units, characterized by traditional single-family homes on large lots in suburban and rural areas, that meet the demands of upper-income households, repeat buyers and new residents, at the expense of low-income households and first time buyers.

D. Development strains infrastructure and community services. Traffic congestion and safety problems are concerns as development continues to move out of the traditional development center of County. Sanitary sewers and water supply are other parts of the infrastructure framework strained by growth. Development is directly influenced by the availability of wastewater services. The lack of sewage treatment capacity within urbanizing parts of the County has forced development to sprawl into the rural areas where infrastructure is virtually non-existent. Growth also can place a strain on community services, such as police and fire protection, recreation facilities and schools. Careful infrastructure and services planning is needed in growth areas, since these factors are critical in determining an area*s growth potential.

E. There is a tendency for local zoning to encourage commercial development to line both sides of major roadways, impairing functional operation of the roadway and often destroying the visual character of the community. The problems of strip commercial corridors involve

- 116 - traffic safety and congestion caused by stretches of intensive development, with inadequately spaced driveways, deficient access controls, non-existent turning lanes and haphazard on-site circulation patterns. Visual problems in commercial districts can be attributed, in part, to the excessive number and size of signs. The clutter of signs also can affect the functional operation of roadways. Other negative characteristics commonly found in commercial strips include: large expanses of unscreened parking; little or no landscaping; few or no pedestrian amenities; and a generally uncoordinated approach to the overall design.

F. Federal and State funds are inadequate to keep pace with the demand to improve and expand infrastructure. Other sources of funding must be explored. Most municipalities will have to turn to innovative self-financing techniques to cover the financial demands of major improvements.

G. Land use ordinances and codes are powerful tools that can have significant impact upon the future growth of a community. Many of local land use ordinances and codes in Northumberland County are outdated. Problems with the antiquated standards and techniques can be described as: inflexibility, failure to deal with community character, natural resources and public services and infrastructure, unworkable combinations of standards; obsolete requirements; and lack of uniform requirements among local jurisdictions. Also, enforcement of regulations and codes is many times lax or non-existent.

H. The character and unique qualities of some Northumberland County communities are disappearing, due to the impacts of poorly planned development. Some communities are surrounded by housing developments and shopping centers that are inconsistent with the character and integrity of the area. Many communities are recognizing the need to maintain their quality of life and protect the visual characteristics that provide a special sense of place. While the intent is not to prevent growth, Northumberland County and its municipalities can establish character within new developments to minimize effects through appropriate land use regulations. Retaining community character and quality of life values can enhance property values, boost local pride, increase economic development, and make urbanizing areas more attractive and livable.

I. Innovative land planning is often resisted and the status quo prevails, even though many times it is aesthetically and ecologically inferior. Many suburban residents view innovative high-density and mixed-use projects with disdain, fearing their neighborhoods will be spoiled and property values will decline.

J. Many times land zoned for industry is “left-over land”, located in areas having little-or-no potential for any other purpose because of environmental constraints, inaccessibility and poor infrastructure. Industrial zoning is frequently inadequate in amount and location.

Future Growth Areas - Policies

- 117 - A. Encourage a compact land use pattern in Northumberland County that provides for a wide variety of inter-related urban land uses consistent with sound planning principles, allowing for the orderly timing of development and efficient expansion of infrastructure, respecting land capacities and enhancing the quality of life. Growth will be redirected toward a more fiscally-efficient, environmentally sensible and livable compact urban form.

B. Future Growth Areas in Northumberland County are anticipated to be multi-purpose activity areas characterized by concentrated density and a mixture of urban development including the following.

- Residential concentrations.

- Employment concentrations, including commercial activity with a variety of retail, office and service establishments, and clean industrial activity.

- Institutional uses and social services.

- Community facilities and infrastructure;

- Cultural and entertainment activities, and park and recreational opportunities.

C. Future Growth Areas should be the focus of the County*s most intensive population and employment growth to the year 2010. The Future Growth Area land use category includes sufficient land necessary to accommodate reasonable overall population and economic growth anticipated in the next ten years. Excess areas have been built-in to provide the opportunity for choice; therefore, not all of the land-area designated Future Growth Area is anticipated to be developed by the year 2010. By promoting a compact pattern of development contiguous to urbanized development, it allows for a more efficient use of existing public capital investments, such as sewer and water systems and transportation networks. A compact pattern of development encourages higher density development, thereby reducing the amount of land needed for development.

D. Future Growth Areas form service limits within which urban scale development should occur in Northumberland County. Three factors are considered in determining an area*s suitability for the intensity of urban development as follows, listed by priority:

! Availability of sewer capacity. New development should locate in growth areas where sewer systems can accept additional urban growth either at present capacity or through limited expansion and upgrading of the existing system. Certain areas totally lacking public sanitary sewer have been designated as Future Growth Areas on the premise that the infrastructure would be constructed within the time-frame of this Comprehensive Plan. Future concentrated growth in the Future Growth areas is conditioned on the implementation of a municipal wastewater treatment system.

- 118 - ! Proximity to existing concentrated urban or suburban development. New development should locate adjacent to areas that have concentrated development.

! Availability of transportation capacity. New development should locate in Future Growth Areas where transportation capacity is available or where improvements can be made to relieve congestion, improve safety and add capacity to the system.

Based on the availability of the three factors listed above, the intensity of development should be tailored to meet municipal as well as the regional needs. Areas where all three factors are present are most suited for urban development and concentrated residential densities are suggested. The fewer the factors available, the less suitable the area is for intense urban development, and therefore the scale and intensity of urban development should be reduced as appropriate. The limitations of an area, if any, should be analyzed to determine what uses and densities of development are appropriate. Any potential limiting factors should be monitored to assure that the capacities of infrastructure are not exceeded and that improvements or extensions can be programmed in advance of development. Also taken into consideration is the presence of natural areas or mine and quarry and sensitive areas. The existence of environmental hazards and sensitive area negate the suitability for urban development. Planning based on the ecological characteristics of a region and site should dictate land use decisions and determine where low intensity or compact urban development should occur.

E. Provide a full range of urban infrastructure and services that supports economic growth and preserves the quality of life. Continue to promote investments in infrastructure in areas recommended for urban development. Coordinate regional urban infrastructure and service investments to improve the health, safety, viability and image of the region. Correct existing infrastructure problems where past development has exceeded capacity. Coordinate development with the provision of necessary infrastructure and services by allowing for the orderly and efficient creation, expansion and improvement of public facilities and roadways. Particular attention should be given to capital improvements programming and the timing of development. Timing the development of the growth areas should be planned to the following.

- Encourage the development of those Future Growth Areas where capacity (sewer, transportation) exists, prior to developing areas where systems would have to be expanded, upgraded or newly created.

- Encourage the development of growth areas immediately adjacent to existing built-up areas prior to converting the outer fringes of growth areas.

F. Enhance and diversify the economic base of Northumberland County and provide maximum employment opportunities for all County residents. Stimulate economic development in growth areas where further growth would be efficient, desirable and accessible to the greatest number of employees and customers. Support economic activities that:

- 119 - - Are identified growth industries.

- Are non-polluting and environmentally sound.

- Use the local labor force.

- Have long term commitment to the community.

- Provide employment and service equally to all social and economic groups.

- Ensure continued economic viability of existing developed areas.

G. Increase the opportunity for all citizens to obtain satisfactory housing at prices they can afford. Provide sound, affordable housing at a range of costs proportionate to all income levels. Provide for the distribution of housing resources, without discrimination, to meet the diverse housing needs of the County*s residents. Encourage a construction level adequate to accommodate the majority of the County*s household growth to the year 2010 by providing sufficient land for all housing types at medium to high densities within growth areas containing suitable facilities and services. The use of innovative housing types and lotting arrangements at concentrated densities is recommended throughout the Future Growth Area.

H. Maintain and improve the transportation network to accommodate increased traffic and minimize safety hazards. Highway construction and improvements should support planned development. Encourage mass transit services to support higher density areas and employment centers.

I. Provide suitable living and working environments that enhance the quality of life for Northumberland County citizens. Accommodate growth in a way that creates a sense of community identity and character, establishes desirable and sound neighborhoods, promotes high quality living settings and fosters social interaction. Promote high quality planning, design and construction throughout the growth area that:

- Provides for a compatible mixture of lands uses and structures.

- Minimizes the impacts on the natural and visual environment.

- Creates attractive, cohesive and safe environs.

- Provides for pedestrian traffic.

J. Enhance the open space and recreation system through protection of recreational areas and the creation of new open space areas to serve new residents.

- 120 - K. Reduce the long range growth of energy consumption and encourage energy-efficient land development techniques. Public policies should make it feasible and profitable to conserve energy by driving less and using less energy for heating and cooling.

L. Encourage inter-municipal communication, coordination and collaboration of planning activities. Municipalities in Northumberland County should seek regional solutions to increasing service demand.

Future Growth Areas - Implementation Strategies

A. The following methods, tools and techniques can be used to establish quality Future Growth Areas in Northumberland County.

! In preparing local comprehensive plans, municipalities should make careful surveys, inventories and analyses of demographics, housing, economic characteristics, existing land use, natural resources affecting development, and prospects for future growth. Provisions, including goals, objectives and recommendations, should be developed for the location, amount, intensity, character and timing of future development. Areas should be identified and targeted for urban type land use. The transportation and community services sections of comprehensive plans are often overlooked or given minimal attention. The two sections are critical, and are closely linked to the success and achievement of the land use goals and recommendations relative to growth areas. The transportation and community services elements should be fully addressed. The comprehensive plan should support and justify the zoning scheme, subdivision provisions, and other tools intended to provide economic development, an adequate mix of housing resources and the efficient delivery of public infrastructure and services to support growth. There should be a greater emphasis on bringing residential, employment, commercial and recreational opportunities together in the same place.

! Zoning provisions for Future Growth Areas should promote compact urban or suburban type land uses, while at the same time respecting land capacities and the environment. The central purpose of Future Growth Areas is to provide a mix of housing resources close to jobs, shopping, and services and to allow for the efficient delivery of public services. Innovative, flexible zoning provisions and development patterns must play a role in providing for the demands of growth. Innovative development techniques and concepts for growth areas include the following.

- Compacting, which means minimizing the amount of land used per dwelling unit or non- residential use and the wasted space between developed parcels. Allowing greater densities within individual projects, increasing overall densities in selected portions of a community, reducing lot and yard requirements, and siting new growth contiguous to existing development make development more compact. Each community should define compactness in ways that are suitable for its particular conditions of development, taking into account the availability of infrastructure, particularly public sewage disposal and

- 121 - transportation capacity, and sensitive environmental conditions. Compact housing does not mean crowding. If well designed, it offers privacy, ample size, open spaces, amenities, and the opportunity for cost savings. Compactness can lower housing costs, cut public service capital and operating costs, save energy, and reduce travel times and distances. Scale, aesthetics, privacy, spaciousness, security, architectural styles, materials and textures are important considerations. The design of units and common open space greatly influence the perception of privacy and openness. Creative treatment of entrances and perimeter open space can minimize impressions of high density in townhouse projects. Projects that use attractive site design, innovative lot and unit layout, and provide open space and recreational amenities are popular even without a sizable yard for every unit. Density bonuses or other development incentives should be provided for projects incorporating various specified uses or public amenities.

- Mixed-Use Districts can introduce various combinations of residential, commercial, cultural, educational, and light industrial uses into new developments and create neighborhood “live-play-shop-work” environments. Well-designed light industrial and commercial uses can be good neighbors of residential areas. Selected types of non-nuisance industry, with properly controlled noise, smoke, odor, light, glare and heat performance standards, can locate near housing. Residential projects can be located near other employment complexes and shopping. Residential developments should be encouraged to mix attached housing and detached housing. Mixed-use is an opportunity to expand land use patterns in new and innovative ways, in order to better use land resources, conserve energy, and create stimulating and convenient living. Benefits of mixed-use developments include providing a transition zone between traditional single purpose land use districts, achieving proximity among employment centers, cultural and recreational uses, and residential areas, enhancing the vitality that results from the interaction among various activities, and using space efficiently and economically. Mixed-use regulations should consider the following, minimizing potential conflicts among uses, alleviation of nuisance factors associated with certain uses, segregation of certain uses, impacts associated with different land use intensities, aesthetic problems (scale, design treatment of building exteriors, relationship between buildings), and demand on infrastructure. Different combinations of use regulations, density limitations, and performance standards may be applied to different districts. Communities are urged to adopt performance standards to deal with potential incompatibilities among land uses. Normally, design solutions, such as buffering, screening, setbacks, and sound insulation resolve compatibility problems. Buffer requirements should be simple and flexible. A range of options for complying with the requirements should be offered. For instance, a developer should be allowed to choose between a narrow buffer strip with dense vegetation, a wide strip with sparse vegetation, various combinations of yard widths and planting material in between, or allow the substitution of landscaped berms or walls. Buffers planted with a mixture of species consisting of understory vegetation and canopy trees, are more effective than those with a single type of tree. Planted buffer yards provide visual barriers that block the glare of lights and incompatible structures, reduce noise, serve as protective barriers by blocking physical passage, and reduce air pollution, dust and litter.

- 122 - - Clustering allows development at higher densities on the most usable portions of a site, while enabling environmentally and aesthetically sensitive areas to be protected as open space or recreational facilities and reduces transportation and utility burdens. Communities should improve provisions in ordinances for cluster developments to encourage greater use for all types of housing units including single-family detached, single-family attached, townhouse, and apartment. Cluster concepts use diverse housing resources and provide greater flexibility in site planning than conventional subdivisions. Many ordinances establish a minimum acreage under which developers cannot build cluster developments. It is suggested that these minimums be eliminated or reduced to promote greater use of clustering. Small sites can be good opportunities for cluster developments. Cluster developments should be allowed without special exception or conditional use procedure requirements.

- Neotraditional Village Concept reflects a return to the small-town concept of the past, with an emphasis on a sense of place and community character within a walking environment A village is a self-contained, compact neighborhood identified by a mix of residential, commercial and civic uses, with a pedestrian orientation and a well-defined edge. Flexible ordinance provisions should be designed to carefully expand and restore villages, as well as build new, modem-day villages. When directing growth within and around a village, the amount, location and type of growth desired must be determined. Existing villages can absorb only so much additional development if they are to retain their village qualities. Village expansions, in most cases, need to be kept small and designed in a sensitive manner so not to overwhelm the existing development. Because each village is unique, it is impractical to apply the same approach to all. The following basic guidelines should be applied to the village setting.

- The mixed-use character of the existing village should be carried through in the new development. Ordinances should integrate a variety of housing types, civic uses, and small-scale, low-volume commercial uses such as personal service shops, professional offices, and specialty retail stores. Allow for the conversion of existing buildings.

- Setbacks, dimensional standards and building mass should portray the pattern of the existing village, if the method for sewage disposal and water supply allow for it.

- Maintain a pedestrian-oriented radius and streetscape. Expansion of a village should not exceed a walkable distance from its core area normally one-quarter to one-half mile.

- New streets should extend the pattern of existing streets. The streets should be designed for low-speed, low-volume traffic. Alleyways serving garages in the rear are a key element in the street pattern, thereby reducing the number of curb-cuts for driveways, and minimizing their interference with curbside parking.

- 123 - - Front-yard parking and large parking lots should be avoided. Small parking lots to the side and rear of structures, and on-street parking, are emphasized.

- Architectural compatibility is an important, though controversial, element. New buildings and additions should not attempt to duplicate existing structures, but compliment them and share common design elements such as scale, roof shape, placement on the lot, rhythm of openings, massing, sense of entry, and building materials. Specific architectural design standards are difficult to defend legally; however, general design concepts can be suggested. If a village qualifies and it is designated as an historic district, a Historic Architectural Review Board may have more authority to apply standards for building design.

- Develop a uniform style of signs. Village signs should be geared to the pedestrian environment rather than for passing vehicles. Smaller buildings and setbacks dictate the use of smaller signs.

- Create a village center and public spaces throughout the community.

- Maintain an edge to the outer-limits of the village, which is easily distinguished from the surrounding undeveloped land. Villages differ from the adjacent landscape and, therefore, separate zoning provisions need to be established for the village and tailored to it*s individual characteristics.

New villages can be built from scratch, in appropriate locations as an alternative to the traditional residence-only suburban subdivision. Modern-day villages should develop an identity of its own, and draw on the concepts mentioned above.

- Planned Residential Development (PRD) is a development of land that is under unified control and is planned and developed as a whole, in a single development or in a programmed series of phases. A PRD includes principal and accessory structures and uses related to the character and purpose of the planned development and encourages innovations in residential and non-residential development. Municipalities should include or improve PRD provisions to stimulate the development of full-service communities. Procedures for PRD*s should be simplified to the extent possible to increase their usefulness. Regulations should be developed in accordance with the provisions of Article VII of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

- Zero Lot Line (ZLL) development is a method to keep the characteristics of conventional single-family detached housing on reduced lot sizes. In allowing higher density developments, local officials must adjust site development standards that were originally designed for larger lots. Since houses are sited closer together, special treatment is necessary to ensure privacy and the usefulness of open space. ZLL configurations increase the effective side yard open space in high density developments. ZLL houses are sited on a side lot line and sometimes on the rear or front lot lines. The siting arrangement permits better

- 124 - use of the entire lot by compacting the usual front, rear and side yards into one internal usable space. Siting units on their lot lines allows larger yards on small lots. ZLL houses are sited on alternate lot lines and can look much like conventional detached housing. To ensure privacy, windows or other openings in walls that are sited on the side lot line can be prohibited. Other important provisions include setbacks, street frontage, minimum lot size, maximum lot coverage, building height, integration of interior and exterior areas, maintenance easements and parking. Clustering ZLL units will permit a level of design flexibility in creating private areas and accommodating common open space.

- Affordable housing is housing that can be obtained by people for a reasonable percentage of their income. Generally, housing is considered affordable to renters who spend 30 percent or less of their income for rent and to homeowners who spend no more than 28 percent of their incomes for mortgage principal and interest, property taxes and insurance. The ability to afford housing becomes critical for households with incomes less than 80 percent of the median for the area. The production of housing matched with a community*s median income would make home ownership once again possible for many middle income and some low income families. There is a need to provide and target resources in an effort to expand housing opportunities for those households experiencing difficulty in obtaining housing. In order to achieve adequate levels of affordable housing and help stem the rising costs of housing, the following planning and design principles should be considered.

- Municipalities should explore ways to reduce or eliminate regulatory barriers. Overly restrictive land use regulations are not the only factors contributing to rising housing costs, however, many zoning provisions, subdivision provisions and building codes do add to such costs. Ordinance and code provisions should be capable of providing the range of housing types necessary to meet demand, within the bounds of public health, safety and fiscal concerns. Building codes need to catch-up with technology. Provisions should be coordinated and procedures streamlined to reduce complexity, delay and uncertainty. The impact on housing and land costs should be considered before adopting code provisions and ordinance regulations affecting residential developments;

- Greater amounts of developable land should be zoned for concentrated density residential development, where infrastructure permits it. The lack of zones permitting such higher densities only served to encourage the building of single- family detached homes on large lots. Lots should be downsized to accommodate smaller dwelling units. Reduce the size of the living units, both in total area and in the number of rooms. Costs for paving, curbs, sidewalks, stormwater control and utility installations can be minimized by reducing lot frontage. Similarly, reducing front yard setbacks can reduce the costs for driveway paving, utility service lines, site clearance and landscaping. Large front yards are not actively used and, therefore, not necessary.

- 125 - - Density bonuses should be offered as an incentive to developers in exchange for extraordinary contributions to community needs or to build affordable units.

- Build simple code compliant housing without the extras amenities such as fireplace, air conditioning, garages, and extra bathroom.

- Encourage diversity in new housing, including tenure, innovative housing types and lotting arrangements. A range of housing types, composed of single-family detached, attached singles, townhouses and multi-family units should be accommodated, as well as a variety of lotting arrangements including clustering, small-lot and zero lot line arrangements.

- In large residential developments, a minimum percentage of the total number of dwelling units can be required for sale or lease at prices affordable to low income households. The required low or moderately priced units should be integrated into the development so that they are not grouped or isolated into one area, with no exterior features that will distinguish the low or moderately priced units from the market rate units.

- Permit greater use of manufactured housing. The manufactured housing industry has greatly improved this type of unit, and housing coming off the assembly line compares favorably in looks, livability and durability with conventional housing.

- Conversion or alteration of single family dwellings into two or more residential units should be permitted.

- The addition of small elderly cottages to a single family lot to be occupied by either elderly or disabled family members related to the occupant of the principal dwelling.

- The use of shared living residences in which two or more unrelated people live together in the same dwelling unit, sharing living space and expenses. Shared living requires ensuring that definitions of family are not restrictive.

- Design criteria can be reduced to minimum acceptable standards. Many streets are over designed. If streets are too wide, they not only are costly to build and maintain, but they become unsafe by encouraging drivers to speed. Development standards for streets can be tailored according to a hierarchy based upon expected use or the size and intensity of development. In addition, streets should be properly scaled and designed to contribute to the attractiveness and intended character of the development. A street serving a small subdivision can be narrower than one planned for more intense use. Street widths within a large subdivision can vary due to classification and use. Natural stormwater drainage should be allowed where possible to reduce the need for expensive pipes and drains.

- 126 - - Maximize federal housing assistance in order to assist low and moderate income households in meeting their housing needs. Several programs are offered through Rural Housing and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which provide living units for persons with low and moderate incomes.

A streamlined permit process, thoughtfully modified design standards, scaled-down houses and lot sizes, and density bonuses, among other tools can serve to reduce the cost of building affordable homes and ensure that communities will have adequate housing for moderate income citizens for years to come.

- Innovative small-lot high density housing. Refinement in site planning and unit design make it possible to achieve greater densities without sacrificing privacy and livability. Small-lot singles can provide the popular detached home that is affordable, and are generally planned for 5,000 to 20,000 square foot lots. Consideration must be given to creating usable yard space, extensions of interior space, and planning for privacy. Small lot singles can be characterized by wide-lot or narrow-lot homes. To provide variety in the streetscape and in unit plans, municipalities can allow alternate-width lots that combine narrow and wide lots. Zero lot line houses increase the popularity of narrow-lot homes, especially as lots become smaller. Clustering is a viable lotting pattern for the small-lot single, since detached homes can be spaced closely together while maintaining privacy by alternating the orientation of units and coordinating the interior design of units. Successful high-density housing can also be achieved by allowing various types of attached-single and townhouse configurations, ideally at densities of four to eight dwelling units per acre. Townhouses are designed in a linear pattern, while attached-singles use the townhouse concept, but in a non-grid arrangement to establish an image of detached housing and individualized units. Attached- singles work best with two, three (triplex) and four (quadri-plex) units. Townhouses and attached-singles are also well suited to cluster arrangements. Many variations are possible in the lotting and building arrangements of these types of units. For instance, they can be designed around courtyards to concentrate entrances at a defined central area encouraging interaction, while at the same time allowing private exterior orientations focusing outward from the building perimeter. Variations on the townhouse concept can combine townhouse units with stacked flats. Other high-density housing options include condominiums and multi-family housing including apartment complexes, which offer maintenance free living, normally in low-rise or high-rise buildings. Like attached singles, apartments and condominiums can be built around a courtyard. In addition to providing light and air, the courtyard encourages residents to interact and provides an outdoor living area. The choice of housing type and arrangement depends upon the site and on conditions of the local market Each development parcel has its own limits and opportunities that dictate the appropriate building and site design. It is important to vary lot sizes, patterns, setbacks, and building arrangement to fit the site and respond to consumer needs. Common design threads and basic principles to develop successful small-lot, high density housing are outlined below.

- The small-lot concept is incompatible with a multi-builder land sales program.. On small lots, site design and plotting individual lots must be done concurrently and

- 127 - integrated with floor plan design. This can be most easily accomplished through a single developer.

- Lot size should be in proportion to the size of the house. Inappropriately large houses on increasingly smaller lots should not be permitted. Avoid making lots too narrow or too shallow.

- Foster a sense of neighborhood and human dimension. Reduce large building elements to an identifiable dimension to enhance the livability. Reduce the scale of projects through effective site planning and architectural features.

- The theme of quality over quantity of space is prevalent in higher-density housing projects. As lots become smaller, the need to make maximum use of the available yard area increases. Vast lawns may be giving way to smaller, use intensive spaces like patios and decks with high quality landscape treatments.

- Attention to design details will make a difference in community acceptance of small- lot, high-density projects. As densities approach eight units per acre, the units must be specially designed and properly sited to ensure privacy and usable open space. Sight lines into neighboring houses should be avoided. Window and door location is critical. Indoor and outdoor areas should be integrated to allow for better use of limited yard space for small lots. Major rooms should be oriented toward outdoor space.

- The exterior design and siting of buildings should be varied in small-lot developments to improve the streetscape and avoid a monotonous appearance. Vary building elevations, setbacks, floor plans, facade treatment, building orientation, treatment of entrances and garage doors. Front yard landscaping is also a key and should be addressed in the design stage. Visually, it softens the high-density streetscape, can create a feeling of community design and helps give houses privacy.

- Provide sufficient parking areas for residents and visitors alike.

- Small-lots cannot absorb significant grade changes. Drainage solutions must be designed carefully.

- Provide houses that are easy to care for and establish mechanisms for providing long- term maintenance of developments. Properly designed small-lot, high density housing can blend into high quality neighborhoods. It is also one solution to the rapid consumption of rural land. The total land consumed for residential purposes is dependent upon the extent to which these concepts are accepted by the individual municipalities, developers and the buying public.

- 128 - - Transfer Development Rights (TDR) Receiving Areas allows developers to buy development rights from landowners in the TDR sending area or preservation zone to take advantage of added densities by using the rights. Usually, a developer can build by right in a receiving area, but, use of the development rights allows added density, up to a limit, beyond that permitted by right. TDR provisions allow for the conveyance of development rights by deed, easement or other legal instrument to another parcel of land. TDR shifts the future development potential from the sending site, normally an area to be preserved, to the receiving site or area to be developed. Once the transfer has occurred, most TDR systems require a legal restriction on the sending site prohibiting any future use of the transferred development potential and permit the receiving site to develop with the additional dwelling units and floor area to which it is entitled. Future Growth Areas designated by this Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan are potential receiving areas. The receiving area must be specifically identified as such, and should be decided on the basis of the following factors. The receiving areas should have appropriate zoning provisions to allow development at the higher density; the availability of infrastructure, the receiving area should be large enough to reasonably absorb the TDR*s to be created, and market demand for additional density. Careful analysis of regional market forces is required in order to establish a fair system of exchange between development rights and densities in the sending and receiving areas. Unfortunately, few examples of successful TDR programs exist at the local level, as most programs are too elaborate and have had few transactions. Because the TDR concept not widely used in Pennsylvania, municipalities considering a TDR program must be prepared to establish a functioning program and educate potential users. Programs must be structured clearly and apply the TDR concept in a simple, straightforward way that avoids complex approvals and administration.

- Performance Zoning provides necessary control over the aspects of development that may have adverse impacts on the site and its natural resources or on adjacent properties, but at the same time allows greater flexibility in the type of use and design of the development. Performance zoning establishes quantitative and qualitative criteria that define the acceptable and predetermined limits within which the impacts from certain types of development may occur. Performance standards allow property owners to choose from among several options to meet the standards, thus encouraging more creativity and a greater likelihood that specific site and market conditions will be reflected in the development. In formulating performance-based zoning, standards should be objective, capable of being administered justly, and based upon credible research conducted by recognized experts. Communities should beware of borrowing standards or making assumptions about appropriate measures. Standards by one community may not be appropriate for another community. Each community must analyze its particular conditions and needs to determine standards. The municipality must be capable of enforcing the standards and that such enforcement may require trained personnel or special measuring equipment. In most cases, performance standards will be used with traditional zoning, since it will still be necessary to have non- performance standards. It is imperative that the performance and traditional zoning techniques are compatible.

- 129 - - Non-Residential Land Use Intensity Standards attempt to limit the bulk of a building that may be placed on the site, and the intensity of the development on the site. Land Use Intensity Standards also should be developed to ensure that the impact of a building will be compatible with the desired character of the community. Building coverage and floor area ratio (FAR) standards, in conjunction with height restrictions, are commonly used to control building volume. Building coverage, sometimes known as lot coverage, measures the ratio or percentage of the lot that is covered by the building. FAR is a ratio derived by dividing the total floor area of a building by the area of the lot. A FAR of 1.0 is the equivalent of a building covering the entire site. Building coverage and FAR*s are poor measures of the actual use of a site, since they fail to measure the area of the site devoted to parking, loading and exterior storage, and can inadequately measure building bulk. Parking, loading and storage standards also should be used in proper combinations to give the best results. Another intensity standard developed to measure parking, loading and storage areas is impervious surface ratio (ISR). ISR is a measure of the intensity of land use that is determined by dividing the total area of all impervious surfaces on the site by the area of the lot. Additionally, by subtracting the ISR from one, the amount of green space on the lot will be indicated. Depending upon the character desired for the area, adequate green space and landscaping would be essential. It is important that municipal officials understand how different standards can control non-residential land use intensities and which combinations will achieve the desired result. Combinations of the standards should be tested before adoption to ensure workability.

- Business and Industrial Parks encompass all developments that contain industrial and office buildings along with supporting uses and open space that are planned, designed, and managed on an integrated, coordinated basis. The business park has evolved due to the shift of the economy from heavy manufacturing to one driven by service, information, finance and technology, thus allowing a range of uses to be accommodated in high quality environments. Depending on the type of park, uses include: corporate and industrial, offices, research and high-technology; clean manufacturing, showrooms, warehouses, as well as supporting retail uses and recreational uses. Parks can be designated for any combination and variations of the uses. The zoning provisions should set a minimum level of standards by which parks can be developed, allowing for flexibility and innovative site planning concepts. The selection of future sites as employment centers is critical due to their local and regional impacts. Good access is a primary requirement. Districts should be oriented to highways and, where possible, industrial districts should be on an active rail line. Industrial districts require substantial areas of moderately flat land, and the availability of infrastructure.

- Commercial Corridor Planning involves the creation of a more functional, cohesive, attractive and safe roadway environment. Establishing higher standards for site planning and design within commercial corridor areas is important because these areas have a profound impact on the community. Improving the functional and visual quality of corridor areas can promote local economic development and prompt customers to return. Site plans provide a means of evaluating the on- and off-site transportation impacts of corridor development activity. Site plan review should also resolve building location, topography, landscaping,

- 130 - drainage, utility placement, sign design and placement, driveway location and design, on-site circulation, building elevations, and pedestrian amenities. Provisions regulating corridor development should be firm in order to achieve intended objectives, however, the method used to attain them should be flexible. Regulatory barriers that impede innovative site design should be removed. Commercial corridor protection strategies and planning techniques include the following.

- Commercial nodal or cluster development requiring new buildings to be sited in consolidated compact groups with varying setbacks and well-landscaped major.

- Intersections is recommended rather than allowing linear strip commercial development The depth of commercial zoning along arterials and major collectors could be increased and the length decreased.

- As commercial corridors develop, traffic increases and highways become congested. Congestion is due in part to poorly designed and controlled circulation and access points. Greater consideration should be given to safety and convenience of both vehicular and pedestrian movement within a site and its relationship to adjoining streets and properties and the corridor as a whole. While many solutions require the involvement of PennDOT, wherever possible, access should be provided from existing side streets where they abut the premises on a second road. When secondary access is not available, ordinances should require shared access driveways or internal service drives. Allowing reasonable access opportunities for developments that abut streets does not require direct access for each use. Subdivisions with frontage on highway corridors should use shared access points. Fast food restaurants, convenience stores, service stations and banks should be targeted for special evaluation as they are high traffic generators. Adjacent parcels owned by different landowners also can use shared driveways. Internal parallel service drives can also be used to minimize the number of driveways along busy streets. Sites can be served by temporary individual driveways until adjacent lots are developed. At such time, a service road can be constructed to serve multiple lots and the temporary drives can be closed and consolidated into one or two access points. Setbacks for parking areas and other site improvements must be adequate to allow for the future construction of the service road.

- The visual impact of parking areas is significant since parking lots often consume 50 percent to 75 percent of a site. Along many commercial strips, parking lots dominate the landscape as vast wastelands of asphalt Resolving parking lot location and landscaping can maintain community character. Requiring parking to be located at the side and rear of lots allows new commercial buildings a closer relationship with the roadway. Side and rear yard parking minimizes the amount of exposed area of parking seen from the street, allows businesses to have display windows and wall signs facing both the street and parking lot, and allows front yards to be landscaped in an attractive manner, all adding to the visual quality of the area. Good zoning and

- 131 - subdivision provisions for parking lots focus on details of appearance, including setbacks, buffers, berms, fencing, interior lot landscaping, perimeter landscaping, lighting, signs, design, and location. Other important provisions in the design of parking lots include layout, pedestrian improvements, access, internal circulation, number of spaces, dimensions of stalls and aisles, trash and refuse collection areas, loading and service bays, fire lanes, stormwater management, handicapped parking, and shared parking. Landscaping, screening and buffering techniques can be used to hide and soften the visual effects associated with large parking lots. Flexible buffer requirements, such as performance landscaping and the use of alternative compliance standards will help ensure fairness. Based on a variety of factors, the width and intensity of landscaped areas and visual buffers can vary among corridors and parking lots. Provisions also should require more landscaping for large parking lots with significant visual impacts. The screening required for a parking lot abutting residential properties should also be more extensive. Shade trees for parking lots can be based on the number of parking stalls. For example a minimum of one deciduous shade tree is required for every 10 parking spaces. Another strategy for ensuring shade trees is to specify that a certain percentage of the lot must be covered by a tree canopy for example trees in small lots of five to 30 spaces must provide 25 percent shading of the entire lot within 15 years, trees in lots of 31 to 75 spaces must provide 35 percent shading, and trees in lots larger than 75 spaces must provide 45 percent shading.

- Signage is essential in commercial districts; however, it can be detrimental to any corridor area when it overwhelms and confuses the motorist, clutters the landscape and produces excessive visual competition. The most important aspects of sign regulations are limiting the number, size and location of each sign on the building or lot. Simplicity is a key factor to good design and readability. The size of signs should be kept in scale with the building and with the viewer*s location and speed. The choice of sign type depends upon the surroundings and attention desired. Free standing signs are best used where there is a large setback from the street, where the attention of people in fast moving vehicles is sought or for several uses in one building. Reducing the size and height of such signs, while retaining readability, is important. For instance, allow low free standing signs or ground signs to be placed closer to the street, thus providing an incentive for merchants to reduce sign height. Wall signs should never cover architectural details and all sign materials should compliment building material.

- The planting of street trees promotes visual order and establishes character within commercial corridors. Trees provide scale, texture and color to the entire length of the corridor and can unify the diverse elements that make up the corridor environment Street tree plantings should meet the following general criteria.

- Tree spacing should consider species; however, a general rule for shade trees is 35 to 50 feet apart.

- 132 - - Cast moderate to dense shade in summer and be long lived.

- Tolerant of pollution and heat. Salt tolerant species should be selected due to snow and ice removal, and be insect and disease resistant.

- Require little maintenance and produce little or no fruit litter.

- Be of native origin.

- Be suitable for street use based on branching and root patterns.

- Street space should be balanced for both vehicles and pedestrians. Space should be allotted to meet pedestrian needs and also maintain vehicular space for deliveries, parking, local access and through movement, if desired. Pedestrian amenities should be included to accommodate persons who walk, bike and take the bus, as these amenities make a street more pleasant and comfortable to use. The location and width of sidewalks, choice of paving materials, in addition to street furnishings including benches, trash receptacles, news-racks, light posts, planters, trees, bus shelters, bike racks, information kiosks, telephones, clocks, fountains, sculptures, should be included. The vending of food also can help stimulate activity on the street Pedestrian flow can be improved by making it easier to cross streets and designing sidewalks to provide a viewing space for store windows, an amenity lane for trees, signs, benches, and walking lanes.

! Provide adequate subdivision and land development regulations for urban development The goal of subdivision and land development regulations is to have in place standards that will encourage functional and attractive development, without adding unnecessary costs. Given the differences in local needs and in development sites, ordinances should incorporate flexibility to avoid design monotony and permit a variety of approaches, while at the same time ensuring a measure of consistency. Performance standards should be employed wherever possible. When it is not possible to use performance standards precise requirements should be established. Negotiation between the developer and the local planning commission can result in better subdivision design.

! Municipalities should enact uniform building, housing and other construction codes to control construction and maintain a level of quality in building. Building codes contain regulations for life safety and fire protection features of buildings. Housing codes establish minimum standards essential to make dwellings safe, sanitary and fit for human habitation by governing the condition, maintenance and supplied utilities. The purpose of electrical codes is to safeguard persons and buildings from the hazards of using electricity for light, heat, and power. Plumbing codes strive to achieve environmental sanitation by requiring properly designed, installed and maintained plumbing systems. Fire prevention codes are intended to reduce fire hazards by controlling the type and use of materials and methods of construction. In general, the building and other construction codes regulate primarily

- 133 - building, while housing codes regulate people. No code is complete without adequate provisions for its administration and enforcement. Code enforcement officers should be properly trained.

! Land use regulations affecting housing should adhere to the provisions of the Fair Housing Act. Practices prohibiting the choice of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin or disability should be eliminated.

! Some segments of the population are unable to obtain adequate housing because they must overcome unique barriers and their special needs are often not met by the private market. Housing for special populations frequently is sponsored by non-profit organizations established to meet identified social needs and supported by public and charitable grants. The fiscal and social impacts have put increasing pressure on State and local governments in their attempt to maintain and expand specialized housing services for the Northumberland County community. The State, local government, human resource agencies, volunteer resources and private entities, together in a coordinated effort, must consider ways to assist in the development and preservation of housing and programs that assist individuals and families who fall into the special population category. A housing problem concerns the homeless and near-homeless. These are persons living in shelters or the street, and those who are in immediate danger of losing their home. Other special populations include victims of domestic violence, mentally disabled persons, and physically disabled persons. Priority should be given to expanding existing housing, as well as developing new short-term and long-term housing in locations based on demand. In addition to providing emergency and temporary housing, programs need to be developed, which offer support services to help avoid recurrence of problems and to ease the homeless to the most independent self- sufficient living situation possible. The community should provide financial counseling, social services, education, job training, drug and alcohol treatment and health care programs to enable the people to achieve self-sufficiency. Housing assistance programs should assist with the payments for rent, utilities, security deposits, and modifications to living space. The housing assistance programs should seek to reduce homelessness by intervening when eviction is imminent, assist people out of shelters and into available housing, and to remove physical barriers so that physically disabled persons can live safely and comfortably. Community-based living arrangements should be established to offer long-term custodial care in a structured, supervised residence. The continuing emphasis on deinstitutionalization at the State and federal levels will mean an increase in the number of persons who require specialized housing. Local governments should eliminate traditional planning and zoning policies that inhibit the development of shelters, group homes and other facilities for special populations. Zoning provisions, consistent with the Fair Housing Act, should resolve definitions, permitted uses, location requirements and the continuation of prior nonconforming uses.

! Use the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), take full advantage of state and federal grants and loans, and look for creative and innovative ways to fund capital investments necessary to provide infrastructure and services. The CIP is the primary element of long-range

- 134 - financial planning and is a device for use by municipalities to organize revenues and expenditures. A CIP involves a schedule of purchase or construction of expensive items over a period of years, and decisions as to community priorities. More specifically, the CIP involves estimating capital costs, both borrowing costs and operating costs, converting capital costs to annual costs, comparing costs with available resources, determining priorities and developing a financial schedule. Each year the program is updated by deleting the first year and adding a new ending year. The advantages of a CIP include the following.

- Efficient implementing of the community*s goals, objectives and comprehensive plan.

- Coordinating plans and policies to avoid overlapping projects.

- Maintaining financial stability through minimizing fluctuations in the tax rate.

- Lengthening available lead time to avoid last minute delays caused by technical difficulties and scheduling of resources.

- Enhancing opportunities for State and federal grants.

Municipalities should refer to the Catalog of State Resources for Local Government, compiled by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The publication identifies and describes financial and technical assistance programs available to local governments by the Commonwealth. A similar publication, entitled Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance is available and describes financial and non-financial assistance programs administered by departments and establishments of the Federal government. The Community Development Block Grant program also may be used to fund the acquisition of real property; construction or installation of public works, facilities and improvements, including park and recreation uses, water and sewer facilities, other public utilities, street improvements, flood and drainage facilities, fire protection equipment, the provision of public services, the development of certain housing projects, and economic development projects. Projects proposed for funding must meet basic eligibility criteria and address the national objective of the CDBG program, which is that projects must benefit low-income persons.

Local governments should consider enacting impact fees as provided for by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. Pennsylvania*s enabling legislation provides impact fees for capital improvements to transportation, and sewer and water infrastructure. The impact fee is designed to generate revenues that can be used to build, at least in part, infrastructure needed for new development It is important that the impact fee system adheres to the following principles:

- The need for additional capital facilities that will be financed with impact fees must be reasonably connected to the growth resulting from the new development and not from existing developments.

- 135 - - The fees charged must not exceed a proportionate share of the cost of the capital improvement.

- The development paying the fee must receive a benefit from the improvement.

! The extension of public infrastructure and services should be coordinated and scheduled to encourage compact community development and efficient development patterns. Land development should coincide with the location and timing of capital facilities. The design of individual systems must be coordinated to the extent that their functions and designs overlap. Infrastructure controls should reflect local trends and capacity. Utility extension policies should be adopted to ensure the coordination of adequate infrastructure with urban growth and land development approvals. Utility lines should be on or near the site proposed to be developed and should be of adequate capacity to carry the increased load of the new and future development Adequate police and fire protection should be assured by the municipality and relate directly to land use and population density. The capital improvements process should be used to help coordinate facility location as well as timing and financing.

! Develop and maintain Act 537 (Sewage Facilities) Plans, providing for the sanitary disposal of sewage waste. The Act 537 Plans should function as regulatory plans for resolving wastewater management problems associated with development, and provide for the planning and regulation of both public and individual wastewater disposal systems. Inter- municipal cooperation in the implementation and administration of Act 537 Plans is required.

! Plan and coordinate highway projects and improvements that permit the safe, efficient and orderly movement of traffic. Provide for roads of suitable location, width and improvement to accommodate prospective traffic. Streets should be classified and designed according to a hierarchy based on their intended use. Also, streets should be properly scaled and designed to contribute to the intended character of the development. The general layout of street systems should be determined by the amount, type and distribution of traffic generated by the development, the number and location of access points, drainage requirements, and geological limitations.

! Encourage equitable taxation and assessment policies.

! Plan new communities for people. Ensure a sense of community, promote social interaction, and establish community character. People*s perception of community character is affected by their sense of security and convenience, and by the amenities provided. Elements that add character, make a strong visual impression and create design unity include:

- Emphasized community entry images or gateways.

- 136 - - Visual unity and continuity of architectural characteristics, such as building scale, style, proportion and form, yet allowing each structure to retain its own individuality.

- Community form created by overall road layout, lotting patterns, location of open space.

- Creation of a “town center”.

- Provision of socializing places including plazas, town square, common open space, parks.

- Presence of natural features and greenway systems.

- Vistas and views of focal points such as plazas, squares, monuments, and natural features.

- Street trees and unified landscaping.

- Street lighting controlled in height, intensity of light and style.

- Regulated of signs to ensure visual compatibility with the scale and character of the surrounding architecture.

- Unifying street and sidewalk paving material.

- Pedestrian amenities.

- Transition spaces in the form of porches, patios, entrance courts.

- Separation of vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

- Controlled vehicular speed.

Design guidelines should clearly define what each community means by community character.

! Municipalities should prepare a recreation plan that establishes realistic park and recreation standards and which reflects the needs of the community. The National Recreation and Park Association*s Recreation, Park and Open Space Standards can be used as guidelines to customize the municipal recreation plan. The operation and maintenance of parks and open spaces should be addressed by the recreation plan. The subdivision ordinance should provide for the public dedication of land for park and recreation purposes, the construction of recreational uses, or the payment of fees in lieu thereof. The community should ensure that the standards used to determine these amounts are fair and equitable and do not become an impediment to the development of affordable housing.

- 137 - ! Land use ordinances and regulations should encourage energy conservation and promote the use of renewable of renewable energy sources. Specific recommendations that promote energy conservation include:

- Change building orientation to modify the effects of the sun (solar orientation). Buildings should be oriented to receive maximum winter sun access. Streets should be designed to run east to west, lots to run north to south, and the long axes of buildings to run east to west Develop south facing slopes first, as they are warmer in winter.

- Screen structures with earth berms and vegetation. Use landscaping to shade buildings, parking lots, streets and other paved areas to prevent overheating and lower air temperature near pavement and structures. Use deciduous trees for sun shading. Leaves on the tree provide shade for the structure in summer and the absence of leaves in the winter allows the sunlight to penetrate and warm the building. Use wind breaks consisting of evergreen trees, hedges, fences, earthen berms to protect buildings from winter winds. Wind screening is desirable on the windward side of the building during the winter months north and northwest exposures). Dense site screening should be avoided on the south and southwest exposures to minimize blockage of summer breezes. Avoid developing locations where winds are strongest, such as hilltops, and avoid developing low areas of topography where cold air drains and collects.

- Build housing with a lower proportion of outside surface-to-interior space, more common walls. Building design should address factors such as the placement and size of window and overhangs. Enforce portions of the building code that mandate energy efficient construction standards.

- Cluster buildings to reduce the length of streets and utilities.

- Reduce the dependence on automobile transportation. Compact development with a mixture of land uses, where goods, services, jobs, residences and recreation are closer together, permits less travel and more opportunity for public transportation. Develop at densities that support mass transit. Provide paths to encourage bicycling and walking.

- Encourage efficient traffic flow. Adjust road patterns to shorten trips. Design street systems that facilitate traffic flow including reduced number of intersections, efficient connections with existing street systems, and synchronized timing of traffic signals.

- Modify street widths and parking requirements. Require streets that are no wider than is needed for traffic capacity and parking needs in combination with safety considerations. Provide flexibility in the required cartway width that is appropriate for individual circumstances. Use fewer, smaller and shared parking spaces where possible.

! Planning should be coordinated regionally to channel new growth in a rational method and in the best interests of the region and its citizens. Municipalities must collaborate in land use

- 138 - decisions for the benefit of the entire region. Inter-municipal cooperation, communication and coordination of plans and activities will be necessary to achieve the goals of this Comprehensive Plan. Methods of inter-municipal cooperation include.

- Handshake agreement, which are informal working arrangements between municipalities. The agreements are very simple and limited in scope,

- Act 180 Agreements (Intergovernmental Cooperation Law), which allow a municipality to cooperate or agree in the exercise of any function, power or responsibility with one or more municipalities. The Act 180 Agreements must be enacted by ordinance and allow for contract programs and joint programs.

- Councils of Governments (COG) are general or multi-purpose organizations established to enable a group of municipalities or school districts, to work together on programs of mutual interest. COG*s enable elected officials to solve regional problems while still maintaining individual government sovereignty.

- Joint Authorities are most often used when major capital investments are required, such as for sewage treatment and water supply.

-Joint municipal planning commissions can prepare a joint comprehensive plan and joint zoning ordinance, as provided by the Municipalities Planning Code. A joint planning commission can be created whether or not joint zoning is enacted. The Joint Planning Commission*s purpose is to encourage cooperation among the municipalities, engage in planning work, and prepare a joint comprehensive plan. Joint zoning can only be enacted after a joint comprehensive plan is prepared and adopted. Enactment of a joint zoning ordinance supersedes the individual ordinances and amendments require approval by a majority of the participating municipalities. An advantage of joint zoning is that the area in which all reasonable uses must be provided is enlarged. A use that is inappropriate in one municipality can be provided for within a participating municipality where that same use is appropriate.

- Transportation partnerships enable municipalities and the private sector to work together and with the private sector to improve transportation infrastructure and services.

Inter-municipal programs most frequently used include.

- Joint purchasing programs.

- Equipment sharing program.

- Joint collection of Act 511 taxes (earned income, occupational privilege, amusement, business).

- 139 - - Joint police force and contract police services.

- Shared recreation.

- Shared municipal manager, secretary, zoning officer, and building inspector.

- Joint code enforcement program.

- Fire equipment and mutual aid agreements.

- Insurance pools.

- Joint recycling program and solid waste collection.

- Joint studies.

- Inter-municipal planning.

Establishing supportive zoning ordinances among adjacent municipalities is crucial. Uncoordinated ordinances encourage development patterns that prevent the logical extension of sewers, water lines and roads. Neighboring municipalities should coordinate, formally or informally, their plans and ordinances through meetings of planning commissions, elected officials or staff interaction. Meetings among municipalities are also recommended at least annually to discuss mutual concerns and problems too large or too costly for any one municipality to solve.

! Initiate simple, consistent, swift, but thorough municipal land use review processes and appeals procedures. Conduct a continuing review of policies and procedures.

! Require the implementation of sound conservation practices during construction activities to reduce soil erosion and waterway sedimentation.

! Municipalities should establish a system of enforcing zoning and land use controls through inspections, to prevent violations, particularly during and immediately after the construction period. Follow-up inspections for zoning violations performance standards, signs, and landscape buffers, site plan improvements, in addition to building code inspections, should occur.

B. The following educational activities relating to Future Growth Areas can be employed.

! Increase the awareness of government, developers and the public as to changing conditions, prospects, options and the possibilities of development choices. Change attitudes regarding high density development, cluster development, compactness, mixed-use development, and transportation choices.

- 140 - ! Educate government officials, developers and the general public on land use programs and techniques that further the goals of Future Growth Areas.

! Enhance the effectiveness of local officials in their interactions with each other, developers, citizen groups and the general public. Attempt to negotiate and resolve development disputes.

The land use choices recommended will be achieved only if the public and private sectors work together, to create a new climate for development

Limited Development Areas

Limited Development Areas consist of rural areas that contain some development in which limited growth is anticipated to continue. The Limited Development Areas, however, are inappropriate for significant new development and major infrastructure investment. Intense development of the Limited Development Areas are not recommended, given the absence of public infrastructure and services and the economies of providing them. Conversely, the Limited Development Areas do not possess the limiting environmental factors that warrant significant conservation efforts. Limited Development Areas should remain in rural low intensity land uses provided in efficient development patterns.

Limited Development Areas - Issues

A. A significant amount of the rural area consists of open land, and parts of the rural area are experiencing development. The development in rural areas growth is typically low density residential and commercial sprawl. Unplanned growth fragments valuable open space, jeopardizes the identity of villages, and threatens cultural, historic and scenic resources.

B. Rural conditions make the administration of rural governments different from urban governments. The small population and limited tax base served by the typical rural government, coupled with the growing number of low density settlements isolated from urban services, cause difficulties in administering local services.

Limited Development Areas - Policies

A. Promote efficient development patterns in the rural areas. The policies include directing limited growth into and around existing villages, establishing new villages where appropriate, and clustering development. Development should be limited and provided at densities allowed by the carrying capacity of the land. Intense development is usually not recommended given the absence of municipal facilities and services, and the close presence of natural areas.

- 141 - B. Protect the rural character and lifestyle exhibited in the open areas and villages of the Limited Development Areas.

! Limited Development Areas, widely scattered throughout the County, are located in the urban fringes, as well as in a variety of rural settings. They are composed of a wide range of land uses and exhibit a variety of characteristics depending upon their location, including the following.

- Small or scattered wooded sections.

- Flat to moderate slopes.

- Stream valleys.

- Scenic areas with natural, cultural and historic values.

- Agricultural uses.

- Scattered residential dwellings along road frontages.

- Large-lot residential subdivisions.

- Strip and scattered commercial uses.

- Rural villages consisting of small compact settlements that are often dominated by older homes and structures, normally grouped at a crossroads, and surrounded by open space and farmland.

Although the Limited Development Areas contain characteristics of the other land use categories, they do not include the quality or quantity of resources defined in those categories.

! Minimize the impact of new development by maintaining appropriate scale, character, and intensity of additional growth within and adjacent to the existing villages and growth area fringes. Ensure that new or expanded uses will fit harmoniously into the communities and will conserve natural resources to the maximum extent possible. Many of the villages include social, cultural and historic resources which warrant protection. The presence of natural features within and around villages adds to their quality and charm. Farmland, forests, slopes and streams are some of the resources that contribute to the aesthetic quality of villages and have important ecological functions as well.

C. Discourage sprawl and protect the natural features and visual resources that contribute to the openness and scenic qualities associated with rural environments of Limited Development Areas. Prevent premature development that is incompatible with the character and

- 142 - ecological characteristics of these areas. Significant viewsheds of scenic lands within this category and adjacent conservation categories should be protected.

D. Limited Development Areas are designated in part because of the difficulties in providing public sanitary sewer and water service. If a municipality can demonstrate conclusively that public sanitary sewer and water services can be provided easily and economically with realistic funding sources, at a level appropriate for rural uses or to rectify public health problems, and without disrupting the land use patterns of adjacent areas, then the Planning Commission will support the project. Development on soils and slopes identified as hazardous for structures or on-lot disposal systems or in areas where geology limits the quantity of groundwater should be strictly regulated.

Limited Development Areas - Implementation

A. The following methods, tools and techniques can be used to retain the rural character of Limited Development Areas in Northumberland County.

! When designing ordinance provisions for new development in rural settings, low impact design concepts that retain the natural resources should be emphasized. Limited Development Areas are widely scattered and often non-contiguous. The likelihood of developing an implementation scheme for the preservation of these scattered lands is doubtful because these areas lack significant environmental characteristics. Many of the Limited Development Areas will continue as farmland, open space, or woodland without applying strict preservation designations to them. The use of innovative techniques, primarily the cluster concept in its various forms, will be important In areas unsuitable for village development but appropriate for limited growth, cluster development should be required in place of strip-pattern subdivision. If a tract of land has environmentally constraining features, development can be clustered on the most buildable portion of the tract while at the same time preserving the environmental features. Creative designs for wastewater treatment and disposal should be explored. For instance, the portion of the tract being kept for open space purposes could also be used for sewage treatment. Homes that abut the open space could employ individual septic systems, with the drain fields extending into the open space through a system of cross-easements.

! Single family detached housing on large lots generally of one to three acres, is an option, however, special consideration will have to be given to these plans in the design process. Plans for single family homes should maximize the natural assets of the land, and houses should be designed and sited to blend with the character of the rural landscape. Proper siting on the lot can create views, direct views, and block undesirable views. The siting of houses should not obstruct views from a public street Site plan review should show the proposed location of houses, driveways and other site improvements. If the exact location for the house cannot be finalized during the site plan review process, then a building envelope on each lot identifying the area within which the future house can be built should be designated. In reviewing a site plan with house locations, suggest modifications to the location of houses

- 143 - and drives to minimize the development impact on the rural landscape. Suggestions can include relocating proposed houses and driveways from the center of a field to the woodland fringe at the edge of the field where it will have less of a visual impact Driveways should be realigned to follow existing hedgerows, stone walls and edges of fields. This design allows the site*s open-space and scenic features to be preserved simply through moving the location of the houses and driveways within the proposed lots.

! Any development that takes place in or adjacent to an existing village should be compatible with the existing development and enhance its character. Additions to villages need to be kept small and sensitively designed to retain their village qualities and charm. When designing ordinance provisions for new development next to villages, the provisions should reflect the existing settlement pattern such as lot size and setbacks, taking into consideration soil capability for on-lot sewage systems. Municipalities should determine the feasibility of using innovative and alternative systems for wastewater treatment and disposal. In some cases small-scale, municipally-owned sewage treatment plants would be appropriate. The capacity of the system, however, should be limited to serve only the defined village. Public infrastructure and small commercial developments that serve the needs of the local community should be encouraged within villages. The establishment of a village edge is crucial to the preservation of the village character. Other basic design principles applicable to village establishment and extensions are discussed previously under the Neotraditional Village Concept found in the Future Growth Area category.

! Due to the variety of landscape characteristics within Limited Development Areas and their similarity with other land use categories, pertinent implementation strategies can be drawn from the other land use categories of this Comprehensive Plan.

- 144 - V. COMMUNITY FACILITIES

- 145 - A. COMMUNITY FACILITIES INVENTORY

The following serves to provide a review of community services and infrastructure. An understanding of the various services available in the community is important in devising planning policies for the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan. This part of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan also contains a section describing transportation in the community along with recommended policies for transportation.

Libraries

Municipal libraries serving the public are located in Milton Borough, Mount Carmel Borough, Northumberland Borough, Ralpho Township, Shamokin-Coal Township, and Sunbury.

Hospitals

Hospitals within Northumberland County providing service are Sunbury Community Hospital and Shamokin Area Community Hospital. These facilities tend to service the central and southern parts of the County. The upper part of the County is primarily served by Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, Union County. The very northern end of the County can be served by the Susquehanna Health Systems facility in Muncy, Lycoming County. The Geisinger Medical Center, a Regional Trauma Center in Danville, is also an important health services provider.

Education

The following school districts provide public education to students in Northumberland County.

! Line Mountain School District, which serves Herndon Borough, Jackson Township, Jordan Township, Little Mahanoy Township, Lower Mahanoy Township, Upper Mahanoy Township, Washington Township, West Cameron Township, and Zerbe Township. The School District operates three elementary schools, a Middle School and a High School. There are about 1,400 students enrolled in the School District during the 2000-2001 school year. The student population has decreased from 1,500 students in the 1995-1996 school year. The School District recently completed a major renovation of the High School and has no plans for major changes in its buildings or grounds over the next five years.

! Milton Area School District, which serves East Chillisquaque Township, Milton Borough, Turbot Township, and West Chillisquaque Township. The School District also serves White Deer Township in Union County. The School District reported that during the 2000-2001 school year there are 2,600 students. In the 2004-2005 school year, there were 2,364 students. The School District indicates that the student population continues to decrease slightly each year. The School District operates three elementary schools, a Middle School and a Senior High School. The Middle School and the High School are attached structures.

- 146 - The Middle School contains grades 6 through 8. The High School contains grades 9 through 12. The School District has no plans for closing or adding schools over the next five years.

! Mt. Carmel Area School District, which serves Mt. Carmel Borough, Mount Carmel Township, Marion Heights Borough, Kulpmont Borough and a small part of Centralia. The Mt. Carmel Area School District operates one elementary school and one high school. The student population reported by the School District for the 2004-2005 school year was 1,765, which has been fairly consistent over the last several years with only slight decrease. While the School District does not plan to close or add schools over the next five years, it did complete renovation of the high school. The School District also would like to purchase land near the high school for fields and parking.

! Shamokin Area School District, which serves Coal Township, East Cameron Township, the City of Shamokin, and Shamokin Township. The School District operates the Shamokin Area Elementary School Annex in the City of Shamokin for grades K4, K, and 1, the Shamokin Area Elementary School, next to the junior-senior high school for grades 2 through 6, and the junior-senior high school for grades 7 through 12. The School District reports that enrollment for the 2004-2005 school year was 2,600, which is a slight decrease from the previous years. The School District has no plans for repair or replacement of its buildings, but continues to renovate existing buildings.

! Shikellamy School District, which serves Northumberland Borough, Point Township, Rockefeller Township, Snydertown Borough, the City of Sunbury, and Upper Augusta Township. The School District operates four elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. The student population at the School District has been around 3,600 for several years. Two of the elementary schools are located in Upper Augusta Township, one of which is new; one elementary school is located in Point Township, and one is located in the City of Sunbury.

! Southern Columbia Area School District services municipalities in Northumberland County and in Columbia County. Only Ralpho Township in Northumberland County is part of this school district. The remaining municipalities are all in Columbia County. They are Catawissa Borough, Catawissa Township, Cleveland Township, Franklin Township, Locust Township and Roaring Creek Township. The school district operates one elementary school (K-through 4), one middle school (5 through 8) and one high school (9 through 12). All of these schools are located on one campus in Franklin Township in Columbia County. There were 1,435 students enrolled in the school district during the 2004-2005 school year.

! Warrior Run School District, which serves Delaware Township, Lewis Township, Turbotville Borough, McEwensville Borough, and Watsontown Borough. The School District operates one elementary school and one Middle-Senior High School. There are about 2,000 students enrolled in the School District during the 2000-2001 school year. Over the last five years, the student population of the School District has varied between 2,000

- 147 - and 2,200. The School District does not plan any major physical changes to its buildings over the next five years.

Public school students in Riverside Borough and Rush Township attend schools in the Danville Area School District. The School District has no buildings or grounds in Northumberland County. There are also many private schools serving the primary school population in Northumberland County. There are no secondary schools in Northumberland County.

A consortium of school districts support the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit #16. It services Northumberland County as well as school districts in other adjacent counties. The Intermediate Unit works on behalf of the school districts in Northumberland County to find additional funding and coordinate strategic planning among the local school districts.

Public Safety Services

Using information provided by Northumberland County Department of Public Safety, the following table shows the availability of police, fire and ambulance service by each of the communities in Northumberland County. The Department of Public Safety reports that communities where no service is shown generally rely on the State Police for police services and rely on aide agreements with communities in the area for fire and ambulance services. The Department of Public Safety indicates that police services in the communities are staffed by paid personnel while the fire and ambulance services are staffed by volunteer personnel. Information regarding total personnel, adequacy of service, service deficiencies, and plans for changes in service is not available.

It should be noted that there has been a significant increase in the number of “volunteer” ambulance services that are now at least partially supplemented by paid staff, while still being “community based”. There is now a greater presence of “for profit” ambulance services. For example, AREA Services has replaced the now defunct Northumberland Rescue Squad (and using their former facilities) serving Northumberland Borough and Point Township.

TABLE 16 PUBLIC SAFETY SERVICES

Municipality Police Department Fire Company Ambulance Company

AREA Services Coal Township Coal Township Coal Township Fire Co. Fairview Fire Co.

Delaware Township PSP - Milton Warrior Run Fire Dept. Warrior Run Fire Dept.

AREA Services East Cameron Township PSP - Stonington East Cameron Fire Co. Fairview Fire Co.

- 148 - TABLE 16 (CONTINUED)

Municipality Police Department Fire Company Ambulance Company

Pottsgrove Fire Co. East Chillisquaque Township PSP - Milton Lewisburg Fire Co. Lewisburg Ambulance

Medic 6 Herndon Borough PSP - Stonington Herndon Fire Co. Dalmatia Area Ambulance League

Medic 6 Jackson Township PSP - Stonington Herndon Fire Co. Dalmatia Area Ambulance League

Pillow Fire Co. Medic 6 Jordan Township PSP - Stonington Klingerstown Fire Co. Dalmatia Area Ambulance League

Shamokin Hospital Ambulance Kulpmont Police Kulpmont Ambulance Kulpmont Borough Dept. Kulpmont Fire Dept. East End Fire Co.

Lewis Township PSP - Milton Turbotville Fire Co. Turbotville Fire Co.

Trevorton Fire Co. Sunbury Hospital Ambulance Little Mahanoy Township PSP - Stonington Herndon Fire Co. Trevorton Ambulance

Lower Augusta Fire Co. Sunbury Hospital Ambulance Lower Augusta Township PSP - Stonington Sunbury Fire Dept. Americus Hose Co.

Lower Mahanoy Fire Co. Medic 6 Lower Mahanoy Township PSP - Stonington Hickory Corners Fire Co. Dalmatia Ambulance League

McEwensville Borough PSP - Milton Warrior Run Fire Co. Warrior Run Fire Co.

Shamokin Hospital Ambulance Mount Carmel Police American Hose Co. Marion Heights Borough Dept. Marion Heights Fire Dept. Mt. Carmel Rescue

Milton Borough Milton Police Dept. Milton Fire Dept. Milton Ambulance

Shamokin Hospital Ambulance Mount Carmel Police American Hose Co. Mount Carmel Borough Dept. Mount Carmel Fire Dept. Mt. Carmel Rescue

Shamokin Hospital Ambulance Mount Carmel Police American Hose Co. Mount Carmel Township Dept. Mount Carmel Fire Dept. Mt. Carmel Rescue

Northumberland Northumberland Borough Northumberland Borough Borough Police Dept. Fire Dept. AREA Services

Point Township Point Township Point Township Fire Dept. AREA Services

Elysburg Fire Dept. Elysburg Fire Dept. Ralpho Township Ralpho Township Overlook Fire Dept. Elysburg Ambulance

- 149 - TABLE 16 (CONTINUED)

Municipality Police Department Fire Company Ambulance Company

Riverside Borough Riverside Police Dept. Riverside Fire Dept. Danville Ambulance

Sunbury Fire Dept. Sunbury Hospital Ambulance Rockefeller Township PSP - Stonington Stonington Fire Co. Americus Hose Co.

Riverside Fire Dept. Ralpho Township Fire Co. Elysburg Fire Dept. Danville Ambulance Rush Township PSP - Stonington Overlook Fire Dept. Elysburg Ambulance

AREA Services Shamokin City Shamokin City Shamokin Fire Bureau Shamokin Rescue

Sunbury Hospital Ambulance Americus Hose Co. Stonington Fire Co. Elysburg Fire Dept. Shamokin Township PSP - Stonington Ralpho Township Fire Co. Elysburg Ambulance

Sunbury Hospital Ambulance Snydertown Borough PSP - Stonington Stonington Fire Co. Americus Hose Co.

Sunbury Hospital Ambulance Sunbury City Sunbury Police Dept. Sunbury Fire Dept. Americus Hose Co.

Turbot Township Fire Co. Turbot Township PSP - Milton Milton Fire Co. Milton Ambulance

Turbotville Borough PSP - Milton Turbotville Fire Co. Turbotville Fire Co.

Upper August Fire Co. Sunbury Hospital Ambulance Upper Augusta Township PSP - Stonington Sunbury Fire Dept. Americus Hose Co.

Klingerstown Fire Co. Mahantongo Valley Fire AREA Services Upper Mahanoy Township PSP - Stonington Co. Mahantongo Valley Ambulance

Klingerstown Fire Co. Medic 6 Washington Township PSP - Stonington Herndon Fire Co. Dalmatia Area Ambulance League

Watsontown Police Watsontown Borough Dept. Warrior Run Fire Dept. Warrior Run Fire Dept.

AREA Services West Cameron Township PSP - Stonington Trevorton Fire Co. Trevorton Ambulance

West Chillisquaque PSP - Milton Milton Fire Co. Milton Ambulance Township Lewisburg Fire Co. Lewisburg Ambulance

Zerbe Township PSP - Stonington Trevorton Fire Co. AREA Services Trevorton Ambulance ** PSP = Pennsylvania State Police Source: Northumberland County Department of Public Safety

- 150 - Recreation

Recreational facilities in Northumberland County are generally limited to small community parks, swimming pools or ball fields. Planning, programming and maintenance of the parks are the responsibilities of the municipalities. There is no comprehensive list of the availability of municipal parks and open spaces or a description of the condition of the municipal parks.

There is one County park in Northumberland County. The County park is undeveloped.

A portion of Shikellamy State Park is located in Northumberland County with the remainder of the park located in Union County. The portion of the park in Northumberland County is located between the Borough of Northumberland and the City of Sunbury on the southern tip of Packer’s Island at the confluence of the West and North Branches of the Susquehanna River. Shikellamy State Park consists of 131 acres and includes picnic areas, trails for hiking and bicycling, a marina with 100 boat slips available for seasonal leases, a boat launching area for transient boaters, a boat concession where visitors can rent small motorboats, pontoons, canoes, and rowboats, and areas for fishing. The marina also has a restaurant and snack bar. Shikellamy State Park is just up river from Lake Augusta, a 3,060 acre lake formed by the damming of a portion of the Susquehanna River. Lake Augusta averages six feet in depth and is popular for water-skiing.

Northumberland County is converting an abandoned rail line to a trail for hiking, biking, jogging, and cross country skiing. The 8.5 mile trail is centrally located in the County between the City of Sunbury and the Village of Elysburg in Ralpho Township. The trail meanders through a rural countryside touching Shamokin Creek at several points and is surrounded on both sides by trees, which provides a tranquil atmosphere. Because the trail is a former rail line, the grade is very gradual and nearly level throughout providing opportunities for use by varied age groups and for use by the disabled. The trail is adjacent to the Oaklyn area, which is a suburb of the City of Sunbury and also intersects Snydertown Borough, Upper Augusta Township and Shamokin Township. The trail connects with or intersects with a community park in Snydertown Borough, one covered bridge and a ball field in the City of Sunbury. The trail also has the potential to connect with Shikellamy State Park. There are eight access points available along the trail. Three parking lots are proposed to be located throughout and at the trail ends. The cost for design and construction of the trail will be over $200,000. Because of the size of the project, it is anticipated that phased development of the trail will occur over two years.

Recognizing that the Susquehanna River is a major open space feature linked to the development and the history of the communities that adjoin the river and that the river can be an important asset to regional economies, the Susquehanna Greenway Partnership is working to establish a greenway the entire length of the Susquehanna River Main Stem and West Branch in Pennsylvania. In Northumberland County the Susquehanna Greenway will pass through Delaware Township, Herndon Borough, Jackson Township, Little Mahanoy township, Lower Augusta Township, Lower Mahanoy Township, Milton Borough, Northumberland Borough, Point Township, Riverside Borough, Rockefeller Township, Rush Township, the City of Sunbury, Upper Augusta Township, West Chillisquaque Township, and Watsontown Borough. The major concept of the Susquehanna

- 151 - Greenway is to foster community pride, raise awareness and promote stewardship by connecting communities to the many natural and cultural resources and recreational amenities within the Susquehanna watershed. When completed the Susquehanna Greenway will consist of trails, including walking, biking and river, following the path of the river. Although the greenway will generally follow the path of the river, the planning team for the greenway has identified areas within one mile of the river to be in the greenway corridor. The Susquehanna Greenway project is in the planning phase, which is expected to take up to three years. A Core Planning Team, led by SEDA- COG, was formed to carry out the planning activities. Implementation will follow in subsequent years, as projects are recommended and developed. As of November 2000 the Core Planning Team has submitted a grant to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for grants under the agency’s Community Conservation Partnership Initiative.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission maintains 12,207 acres of State Game Land in Northumberland County. The State Game Land in Northumberland County is divided among five sites. The land is managed primarily for outdoor recreation in the form of sport-hunting.

Sewer and Water Systems

There are several municipal sewer authorities providing services in communities in Northumberland County as follows.

! The Shamokin - Coal Township Joint Sewer Authority provides service to about 9,000 customers, serving primarily the City of Shamokin and major portions of Coal Township, including the State prison. The Joint Sewer Authority also serves a few customers in Ralpho Township. The sewer plant has the capacity of 7 million gallons per day (gpd) and receives about 3.5 million gpd. The Joint Sewer Authority has no plans for improvements over the next few years. The Joint Sewer Authority expects that it would be asked to provide service to the new federal prison in the area.

! The Delaware Township Municipal Authority serves about 600 dwellings primarily in the southwest portion of the Township. The sewer plant has a capacity of 100,000 gpd and receives an average daily flow of 70,000 gpd. Over the next few years the Delaware Township Municipal Authority expects to increase the capacity of its plant to serve new residential development planned in its service areas.

! East Cameron Township Municipal Authority.

! Herndon Borough Municipal Authority.

! The Kulpmont Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority serves residential and commercial uses in the two communities and provides for fee service to a portion of Mt. Carmel. The sewer plant has a capacity of 400,000 gpd with an average daily flow of 250,000 gpd. The Kulpmont Marion Heights Joint Municipal Authority has no plans for changes in its infrastructure over the next five years.

- 152 - ! McEwensville Borough Municipal Authority.

! The Milton Municipal Authority and West Chillisquaque Township Municipal Authority no longer provide sewer service. Several years ago, Milton Borough, West Chillisquaque Township, East Chillisquaque Township and Turbot Township formed the Milton Regional Sewer Authority to provide sewer service. This Authority acquired the assets of the Milton and West Chillisquaque Municipal Authorities, as well as the sewer facilities recently installed by the East Chillisquaque Township supervisors. Other municipalities have expressed interest in joining the system. The sewage plant has a capacity of 3.42 million gpd with an average peak flow of 2.0 gpd. The Authority plans to expand the capacity of its sewer plant to 4.0 million gpd to accommodate Con Agra as well as to upgrade the facility originally built in 1976. Land adjacent to the plant has been acquired for future expansion of the treatment plant.

! Mt. Carmel Borough Municipal Authority provides sanitary sewer service to the Borough and Mt. Carmel Township. The sewer plant has a capacity of 1.5 million gpd with a peak average flow of 716,000 gpd. During the next three years the Mt. Carmel Borough Municipal Authority is developing a new sewer treatment plant, which will have a capacity of 2.0 gpd.

! The Northumberland Borough Municipal Sewer Authority serves the Borough and portions of Point Township. The sewer plant has a capacity of 1.25 million gpd with a peak average flow of 400,000 gpd. The Northumberland Borough Municipal Authority recently upgraded its pump station and has no plans for other major infrastructure improvements over the next five years.

! Ralpho Township Municipal Authority and the Municipal Authority of Sunnyside/Overlook.

! The City of Sunbury Municipal Authority serves the City and portions of Upper Augusta Township providing sanitary sewer service and water service. The sewer plant has a capacity of 3.5 million gpd with a peak average flow of 2.0 million gpd. Beginning in 2001, the City of Sunbury Municipal Authority plans to complete a $20 million upgrade to the sewer plant increasing capacity to 4.2 million gpd.

! Turbotville Borough Municipal Sewer Authority.

- 153 - B. COMMUNITY FACILITIES GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Community Facilities Goal: Provide facilities and services to Northumberland County residents in the areas of health, protection, cultural enrichment, education, recreation, and social services, commensurate with the needs of the population.

Objectives:

! Increase and maintain health service and emergency facilities to meet the present and future needs of the population.

! Development and maintain coordinate, modern fire, police, and emergency medical service systems.

! Increase educational opportunities to meed the need for skilled and professional workers.

! Provide recreation facilities in types and abundance to meet the needs of Northumberland County residents.

! Implement the Rails to Trails program.

! Support the changing social services needs of the diverse population.

! Expand, improve, and maintain water supply, sanitary sewerage, storm water management, and solid waste management systems to serve present and future development.

! Expand public utility systems in accord with economic and environmental constraints and needs.

! Use multiple use of rights-of-way to minimize consumption of land resources.

! Preserve land and sites of historic and architectural value in Northumberland County.

- 154 - C. COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN

The development of Northumberland County and the change in demographics has led to the need for a concurrent increase in community services. The nature and extent of the services are dictated by a combination of enabling legislation, demographic characteristics, geographic data, and availability of funds, joined with the desires and expectations of the public. The services provided usually involve the health, safety and welfare of the community, such as police and fire protection, emergency medical service, sewer and water systems, storm water management, solid waste collection and disposal, education, health care, and recreation. The provision of these services is often an interesting challenge since not all of them are, in fact, mandated as a responsibility of either the County or the local municipality. Mandated responsibilities are a consequence of development and municipalities must plan for an orderly extension of services. Providing optional services is often a fragile mixture of civic philosophy and citizen consensus since once a jurisdiction implements an optional community service it inherits additional management responsibilities, additional costs, and is many times subject to additional liability and regulation from the Federal or State government.

To a certain extent, the Community Services Plan of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan is subservient to the Land Use Plan in that it recommends amenities for areas identified for development. The existing services, however, also assist in determining areas suitable for development. Regardless, the challenge is to ensure that the services are allocated to areas based on both current and future need. Since the existence of certain services, such as sewer, can act to attract development, recommendations concerning the location of services are an extremely important facet of implementation of the Comprehensive Plan. In rural areas, the type and level of services should be limited to those that are necessary to support the lowest density uses. Developing areas tend to focus on issues such as phasing and cost, while existing urban areas are mostly concerned with maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure and services.

Sanitary Sewer And Water

Sanitary sewer and water services rank high among the Community Services Plan provisions that interact with the Land Use Plan. While sanitary sewer and water systems greatly influence development, the services also represent the single largest capital investment for most municipalities. During preparation of the Land Use Plan, it was decided that the following factors would be necessary for designating land for urban development.

! Proximity to existing urban development; ! Existing or feasible sewer service; and ! Adequate transportation capacity.

Sanitary Sewer and Water - Issues

- 155 - A. A relationship exists between the provision of public sewer and water service and the location of new development. The relationship should be used to designate areas of Northumberland County that can support compact, future urban and suburban development.

B. Since the construction of new sewage treatment plants involves major capital expenses that become programed into the overall rate structure, and due largely to Federal and State funding limitations, municipalities and public authorities can no longer design new infrastructure, or expand existing services, with significant excess treatment capacities. Accordingly, the planning horizon for sewerage is significantly shorter then during previous decades. Act 537 requires that each municipality have an approved plan in place for waste water disposal. Areas receive sewer service based upon both municipal and geographic considerations. Accordingly, planning calls for highly coordinated and joint planning. As per Act 537, the Northumberland County Planning Commission reviews new plans and proposed major plan revisions. The intent of this requirement of Act 537 is to ensure that the planning proposals evaluate and consider regional issues.

C. Because much of Northumberland County is sparsely settled, much of the development is served by individual on-lot disposal systems. Improperly installed and overburdened systems pose a threat to ground water quality. The problem is particularly acute within Northumberland County given the preponderance of unsuitable soils. Similarly, wide-scale on-lot development consumes significantly larger amounts of land than development served by public sewer.

Many homeowners are not aware, and never directly advised, as to proper techniques for the operation and maintenance of on-lot disposal systems. Even properly permitted and constructed systems on ideal soils will eventually malfunction if the system receives harmful substances, is overburdened or not routinely maintained.

D. Sewage treatment plants and septage haulers encounter problems, both financial and operational, in disposing of waste water sludge.

E. Municipalities, authorities and private suppliers have an obligation to provide an adequate and safe supply of water. The most common problems encountered by public water suppliers involve capital costs, maintenance, and pollution sources beyond the control of the supplier.

F. Much of the new development in Northumberland County is served by individual on-lot wells. There is concern with contaminated on-lot wells.

G. There is no mandated planning requirement for assuring a safe and reliable water supply and distribution system. Other vital community utilities, such as sewer and solid waste, require strategic planning by the local municipalities and the County. The Planning Commission reviews projects that involve Federal or State funding programs, but is not routinely advised of other water service expansion plans and programs. Accordingly, the Planning

- 156 - Commission*s files regarding public water systems are not as complete as with sewer service.

Sanitary Sewer and Water - Policies

A. Development should be directed to areas that have public sanitary sewer and have some level of excess capacity, or to areas that can build additional capacity through limited expansion, and meet the other requirement for urban use designation. Northumberland County should explore mechanisms for more directly controlling the expansion of systems.

Municipalities should ensure that areas served by sanitary sewer, or proposed for service, are zoned for higher density development.

This Comprehensive Plan recognizes that certain sewer lines may have to be extended to give relief to areas with malfunctioning on-lot systems. The Comprehensive Plan also recognizes that certain types of development, notably industrial uses and vital public uses, which may significantly influence Northumberland County*s regional economic base or fulfill a compelling public interest, may need to locate outside of a service area for reasons specific to its use. In such cases, the Comprehensive Plan recognizes the need to extend service, although the extent of service should be limited to the site and, if appropriate, privately-financed.

B. Prior to conducting an Act 537 Plan, municipalities should verify the accuracy and adequacy of their land use controls. That is, the municipal comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance should be current and effective. Furthermore, the Act 537 planning process should consider the land use trends in adjacent municipalities and the County Comprehensive Plan.

C. Local municipalities should enact zoning regulations based upon the suitability of soils to accept on-lot disposal systems. Section 603(d) of the MPC provides that, “Zoning ordinances may include provisions regulating the siting, density and design of residential, commercial, industrial and other developments in order to assure the availability of reliable, safe and adequate water supplies to support the intended land uses within the capacity of available water resources.” Local governments also must ensure the accurate permitting of safe and reliable on-lot waste water disposal systems.

Homeowners using on-lot disposal systems should be routinely advised of proper operating and maintenance practices.

D. If acceptable, sludge disposal should be use for agricultural applications. Otherwise, the County will ensure landfill disposal capacity in accordance with the Act 101 Solid Waste Management Plan. Sewage treatment plants should provide additional capacity for septage haulers, especially during the winter months when agricultural land application is not allowed.

- 157 - E. An adequate and safe supply of public water should be provided to all areas suitable for urban development. The Land Use Plan designates the areas. In some cases, this may require expanding lines and securing additional supplies.

Discharges by sewage treatment plants and non-point sources should be closely monitored by DEP to assure that downstream users have a safe water supply.

On-lot sewer systems should be closely regulated to assure ground water protection. Aquifer recharge areas should be identified and protected from contamination.

New privately-owned water companies, serving only a new development or small geographic area, are not recommended. The County encourages the consolidation of existing, small, privately-owned companies, or the purchase of these companies by municipalities or authorities. Compliance with the Comprehensive Plan should limit the need for additional small, private water companies serving only a specific development. In areas designated for future urban development, separate private water companies are acceptable only as an interim measure until it is feasible to connect to a public water system.

F. All municipalities should employ the tools provided by the MPC. Section 301(b) provides that municipalities “... may include a plan for the reliable supply of water, considering current and future water resources availability, uses and limitations, including provisions adequate to protect water supply sources.” Section 503(1) provides that new subdivisions not served by individual on-lot wells must supply evidence that the development “is to be supplied by a certified public utility, a bona-fide cooperative association of lot owners, or by a municipal corporation, authority or utility.” Section 603(d) states “Zoning ordinances may include provisions regulating the siting, density and design of residential, commercial, industrial and other developments in order to assure the availability of reliable, safe and adequate water supplies to support the intended land uses within the capacity of available water resources.”

Sanitary Sewer and Water - Implementation Strategies

A. The Planning Commission will require compliance with this Comprehensive Plan in accordance with its review authority under Act 247 and Act 537. The Planning Commission and Northumberland County shall ensure that public funds are not used to supply utility infrastructure to areas designated for preservation, conservation or low density uses. Conversely, the Planning Commission and Northumberland County will encourage and support the provision of infrastructure to areas of the County designated for future urban and suburban growth. Directing development to areas that possess excess capacity, or could acquire additional capacity through limited expansion, will maximize cost effectiveness of sewage treatment.

The County should explore the creation of a Public Works Authority to function as a financial vehicle regarding treatment plants, interceptors, and pump stations throughout Northumberland County. The Public Works Authority would ensure stable financing and

- 158 - direct the appropriate staged development of Northumberland County through the provision and prohibition of sewerage facilities in accordance with adopted County plans and policies. Priority should be given to areas with financial and public health problems.

B. Municipalities should confirm that the Act 537 process includes regional solutions and is based on current and accurate land use plans. During the Act 537 review process the Planning Commission will require consideration and evaluation of the development situation of adjacent areas and regional solutions as a precondition to local Act 537 Plan endorsement.

C. All municipalities should enact zoning regulations that ensure a safe and adequate supply of water, as provided for in Act 247, including mitigating and eliminating the pollution of ground water due to the number and density of on-lot disposal systems.

Northumberland County should consolidate sanitary sewage enforcement responsibilities under County authority to guarantee safe and reliable on-lot systems. Enforcement could be accomplished via contract service with the municipalities or the creation of a County Public Health Department.

Northumberland County should undertake or coordinate the preparation of a public awareness campaign for homeowners with on-lot systems. The program should advise all homeowners as to proper operation and maintenance of on-lot systems. Northumberland County, in partnership with other sewage enforcement agencies, should explore methods for guaranteeing maintenance of individual systems.

D. Northumberland County will implement a Solid Waste Management Plan and explore innovative methods of sludge use for future implementation.

Municipalities and sewer authorities must provide sufficient capacity to handle septage generated within their areas, especially during periods when agricultural application is not possible because of soil conditions.

E. The Planning Commission will require compliance with the Comprehensive Plan through its review authority under Act 247 and Act 537. The Planning Commission and Northumberland County shall ensure that public funds are not used to supply public water to areas not appropriate for future development. Conversely, the Planning Commission will encourage and support the provision of public water to areas of Northumberland County designated for future urban growth. Directing development to areas that possess excess capacity, or could acquire additional supplies and storage capacity through limited expansion, will maximize cost effectiveness of public water systems. Since water pollution problems can be eliminated or prevented by strict enforcement of Federal and state regulations, Northumberland County will encourage and support the DEP in implementing additional enforcement resources. Through its review authority, the Planning Commission will seek to ensure that new private water companies proposed to serve only limited development are intended as an interim measure only until connection with a public supplier is feasible.

- 159 - F. All municipalities will be encouraged to enact zoning regulations that ensure a safe and adequate supply of water, as provided for in Act 247, including mitigating and eliminating the pollution of ground water due to the number and density of on-lot disposal systems.

G. The Commonwealth should enact rules and regulations mandating advanced water system planning, linked to County and municipal comprehensive plans.

Solid Waste

In 1988, the Commonwealth enacted Act 101, which placed tremendous responsibilities on all Counties.

Solid Waste - Issues

A. Act 101 mandates that Counties are responsible for the planning and implementation of solid waste disposal. This requires additional County management and financial structures. Local municipalities are primarily responsible for providing or causing collection of municipal waste and directing it to the disposal facilities designated by the County Solid Waste Plan, and the collection of recyclable material in accordance with Act 101.

Solid Waste- Policies

A. Northumberland County should proceed with implementation of a Act 101 Plan through the creation of an appropriate management vehicle.

B. Northumberland County should explore innovative disposal options for future implementation.

C. Municipalities should include provisions for solid waste disposal operations within municipal zoning ordinances to avoid exclusionary challenges.

Solid Waste - Implementation Strategies

A. In order to assure timely and efficient implementation, Northumberland County should continue to support its Solid Waste Authority with adequate staff to manage the solid waste system and provide for its future direction and growth.

B. The Solid Waste Authority should constantly evaluate the utility and feasibility of new programs made possible through research and technology.

Recreation

- 160 - Often, recreation is the most visible and heavily used public amenity provided by local government. Strategically located recreation enhance a community*s aesthetic qualities and fosters a sense of neighborhood integrity. Although recreation is most commonly thought of as community parks or playgrounds, the definition also includes Federal, State and County recreation sites that serve more regional populations. Likewise, privately owned and operated recreation may serve local, County- wide or regional needs. The Land Use Element of this Comprehensive Plan provides guidance for recreation and parks planning in Northumberland County.

Education and Libraries

Planning for education is, for the most part, performed by the local school districts and the Department of Education. As such, aside from offering recommendations regarding proposals for structures and sites (as per Section 305 of the MPC) the Planning Commission has little formal input into the major policy elements of local education.

The library system within Northumberland County is small. Libraries are a community service that enhance neighborhood identity.

Education and Libraries - Policies

A. A relationship exists between newer development and a higher number of school-aged children.

B. The school districts within Northumberland County face decisions regarding the continued use of marginal buildings versus the construction of new buildings. Older, smaller school buildings are many times marketed to private interests for use as apartments, office space, retail stores and churches since they are frequently centrally located, with adequate space for parking and may possess distinguishing architectural features.

C. Linkages exist between local educational opportunities and the fostering of a skilled and productive labor force.

D. Libraries in the County suffer from inadequate funding, inadequate buildings, a decline in public visibility and a tenuous management structure.

Education and Libraries - Policies

A. School districts should ensure that their plans carefully consider not only demographic changes within each municipality, but also land use trends.

Municipalities and school districts should seek to understand the true costs of new development compared to the revenue generated by new development.

- 161 - B. If possible, areas of prime agricultural land should be avoided when selecting sites for new school. Schools should be located near population centers with emphasis on pedestrian and bike pathways to connect residential areas to schools.

School districts should provide multiple use of recreation at schools as a supplement to other municipal sites. School district resources should not, however, act as a substitute for municipal parks.

Municipal governments should consider purchasing vacant school district buildings for municipal or authority office space and other municipal functions. If the former school building is large enough, other community services, such as community libraries, also could relocate. Municipal ownership would simplify educational re-use if circumstances warrant such in the future.

School district boundaries throughout Northumberland County should regularly be evaluated in terms of size and efficiency. Evaluation of the school district boundaries will ensure they reflect development patterns and community identities.

C. Educational objectives and programs should always consider the need to retain and provide a skilled labor force.

D. The level of service, management and financial structure of the County*s library system should be strengthened. Public libraries are community centers and can be a strong contributor to revitalization efforts. Today libraries face two major challenges: the Internet and sophisticated retailing. On the one hand, the Internet has eliminated the reason for using the library while the big retailers, especially bookstore chains, have used a casual atmosphere and comfortable seating to attract students and others who once hung out in the local library. These challenges have forced libraries to reposition themselves as place-based assets, that can support revitalization efforts. The Internet, for example, has not eliminated the need for libraries. In many cases, it has reinforced the library’s role as a place to go for information. Many public libraries now have large banks of Internet computers available to the public, thus increasing patronage and interest in the libraries. Libraries are also evolving into social centers, including meeting space for use by community and professional groups, offering homework centers, story times, income tax workshops and other programs for all age groups, bookshops and other compatible retail uses. Libraries have also made space available for cultural activities. The effect is that libraries rank with retail entertainment complexes as redevelopment anchors. The evolving library, however, needs larger spaces that are adaptable to high technology processes.

Education and Libraries - Implementation Strategies

A. School districts and municipalities should consider jointly sponsored fiscal impact analyses to guide land use decisions and estimate costs. Such would be especially important where the community has a limited amount of vacant land for development or only marginally adequate buildings.

- 162 - The Northumberland County Planning Commission will regularly distribute pertinent subdivision statistics, building permit data and demographic data to all school districts to assist with the formulation of five-year plans.

B. By way of the applicable sections of the MPC the Planning Commission will verify that the school district has solicited input from the concerned municipality prior to selling public schools. Also, the Planning Commission will ensure a thorough school site review in accordance with this Comprehensive Plan.

C. The communities in Northumberland County should ensure the availability of public libraries. The building should be designed to include state of the art high technology equipment and processes. High technology public libraries in Northumberland County support programs that ensure the local workforce has access to the resources to avoid a technology gap. Instead of the development local libraries, the communities should look to the potential for developing multi-municipal libraries. Development of strategically located regional libraries serving several municipalities allows more efficient use of resources

Emergency Services

Increases in population or non-residential development will trigger the need for higher levels of emergency services. Jurisdictions must constantly evaluate growth trends in order to assure adequate maintenance and expansion of services. Some services adhere to municipal boundaries while others do not. Circumstances in one municipality can impact the needs of adjacent municipalities. The services should be coordinated, and in some cases consolidated, to provide maximum benefits.

The Comprehensive Plan does not aim to identify the specific origins of crime or purely technical matters regarding the operation of emergency services. Overall, the Comprehensive Plan intends to create and maintain an environment and pattern of land development that will maximize the effectiveness of the services.

Emergency Services - Issues

A. Volunteer fire companies and emergency medical services within Northumberland County typically face three distinct problems: (1) financial problems regarding the acquisition of new equipment, maintenance and operating material; (2) indistinct or misaligned service areas; and (3) problems with recruiting an adequate number of volunteers.

B. Police departments throughout the County provide an effective level of service to covered areas. Certain municipalities, however, do not have local coverage. Others provide service to small jurisdictions and could benefit from total or partial consolidation.

Emergency Services - Policies

- 163 - A. The financial structure, service area configurations and manpower levels of volunteer fire companies and emergency medical services should be improved.

All townships and boroughs should enforce local codes that would assist in reducing fire and accidental emergencies.

B. Municipal police departments should assure adequate manpower levels to deal with population and development. Each municipality should explore the advantages of contract service, or partial or total consolidation of service.

Emergency Services - Implementation Strategies

A. Northumberland County and local municipalities should explore methods of improving the financial structure and recruiting additional volunteers for fire companies and emergency medical services. Also, the organizations themselves, along with municipalities and applicable County personnel should evaluate service areas for changes that would improve more efficient operations.

All municipalities should immediately diligently enforce building, housing, electrical and fire prevention codes.

The continuation of volunteer services is encouraged and promoted as a way to create participation and pride in the community. Just as important, volunteer services are a way to contain the costs of provision of community services. Employers should cooperate to the extent of devising staffing and personnel policies that would allow emergency service volunteers to respond to emergencies during work hours.

B. Each municipality, in light of local circumstances, should consider the benefits of contract service, mutual agreements, or partial or total consolidation of service. No jurisdiction should participate in any joint arrangement that would not be responsive to the needs of the jurisdiction and that does not at least:

! Maintain the current level of service at a reduced cost. ! Improve the level of service either at the same cost or at an increased cost fully justified by the improvement. ! Provide an additional service at least as effectively and economically as it could be provided by the agency alone.

Every local government should evaluate the potential for cooperative or joint police service. The programs to be considered should include:

! Total consolidation of service. ! Partial consolidation, the merging of specific functional units of two or more agencies.

- 164 - ! Regionalization of specific police services, the combination of personnel and material resources to provide specific police services on a geographic or County- wide basis. ! Contract for all police services, or specific police services. ! Service sharing, the sharing of services by two or more agencies.

While improved technology supports more efficient operation and delivery of municipal services, the technology is expensive, particularly for start-up and training. Long-term maintenance and upgrading of new sophisticated equipment is also expensive. The sharing of municipal services offers the opportunity to reduce the cost of the provision of services without sacrificing the quality of the services. To assist with exploring the chance for shared municipal services, DCED has a Shared Municipal Services Grant Program. The program provides a 50 percent match to communities to study alternatives to promote cooperation between neighboring municipalities. To be eligible for the Shared Municipal Services Program, municipalities need to be part of a group of two or more. Northumberland County will work with the municipalities to identify opportunities for sharing services and facilitate planning through the Shared Municipal Services Grant Program.

- 165 - VI. TRANSPORTATION

- 166 - A. TRANSPORTATION BASICS

Transportation systems occupy a key position in the development of Northumberland County. The issues of intra-County transportation, as well as the improved accessibility of Northumberland County to other Counties continues to be complex. Economic development is contingent on the ability to move people and goods from one location to another within Northumberland County and between Northumberland County and other market areas.

The transportation routes in place today in Northumberland County have their roots in the early exploration and development of the nation. The routes in Northumberland County were established by the original Indian inhabitants. The routes served as the basis for bridle paths used by the white settlers who moved into Northumberland County. The bridle paths gave way to the roads and highways that supported travel by wagons and the movement of herds of animals. By the mid-1800s canals were constructed, often paralleling the early paths. By 1858, however, the railroads completely swallowed the canal system in Northumberland County. The demand for anthracite as a source of fuel by the developing industrial cities was the direct cause of the construction of nearly every rail line in Northumberland County. When the demand for coal dropped off, the railroads went into a decline. Eventually every rail line in Northumberland County went bankrupt.

The introduction of the internal combustion engine at the turn of the century supported the creation of automobiles and trucks, which allowed faster movement of products to the market. The condition of rural roadways, however, hindered the movement. Much of the impetus for improved roads came from the State. By 1950, the County was serviced by a network of State-owned roadways linking it to the vital national highway system.

With the rise in the number of free, paved, public roads enhancing the flexibility of automobile and truck movements within the County and region, railroads were forced to concentrate on handling long-distance and high-volume traffic. The automobile and public roads also bolstered the development of areas outside the County’s highly developed cities and borough creating a new lower density land use pattern in Northumberland.

Roadways

The roadway system is the basic element of the transportation system. Roadways bring together all of the modes of transportation by providing a riding surface for the automobile, truck and bus and providing access to rails and airports.

Functional Classifications

How a roadway is used determines the function that it serves in the roadway system. Classification of a roadway’s function is based on an analysis of the volume of traffic using the road, the type of trip provided, the length of the trip, and the speed of the trip. The National Highway System Designation Act of 1995 provides classifications of roadways as follows:

- 167 - ! Interstate/Expressways. Interstates and expressways are designed to provide for the movement of the greatest number of vehicles over the longest distance in the fastest allowable time. Access to expressways is restricted to grade-separated interchanges and the flow of traffic is uninterrupted.

! Arterials. Arterials also provide for the movement of large volumes of traffic over longer distances, however, arterials generally have lower speeds because of the presence of traffic control devices and access points. Arterials can be further distinguished as principal arterials, which serve inter-city traffic, and minor arterials, which link smaller developed areas within large areas of the County.

! Collectors. Collector roadways serve moderate traffic volumes and act to move traffic from local areas to the arterials. Collectors, too, can be subdivided in sub-categories. Major collectors provide for a higher level of movement between the neighborhoods within a larger area. Minor collectors serve to collect traffic within an identifiable area and serve primarily short distance travel.

! Local. Local roadways are the most numerous of the roadway types. Local roadways provide access to individual properties and serve short distance, low speed trips.

Illustration of the functional classification of the roadways in Northumberland County is shown on the Highway Functional Classification map.

Traffic Volumes

The most fundamental and visible description of a roadway’s function is the volume of traffic using the roadway over a given time. To standardize the number, volume is generally expressed over a 24 period, factored by both day of week and month of year, to produce Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) value. AADT in Northumberland County as collected by PennDOT for 1994 is depicted on the Average Daily Traffic Volumes map. AADTs are not available for other years therefore it is not possible to analyze the changes in volumes over time and their implications for transportation planning in Northumberland County.

Caution should be taken in the use of AADT’s. The values given are based on spot counts taken over a period of time to assist in preparing network-wide estimates. Spot counts by their nature may not be representative of an entire road segment and the extrapolation of the values over longer distances dilutes their validity. While recognizing the limitations, however, the AADT is still the best standard method of evaluation.

An examination of the 1994 AADTs shows that Route 61 serves as the County’s principal artery carrying AADTs of 12,000 to 15,000 vehicles. The heaviest volumes along Route 61 are reported between the Route 61 intersection with Route 901 north to the intersection with Route 487. AADT along Route in Northumberland County is only exceeded by AADT on Interstate 80. Similarly to Route 61 AADT reported along Route 147 from the intersection with Route 61 where it crosses the Susquehanna River, through and to the north of the City of Sunbury exceeds 10,000 vehicles.

- 168 - AADT along Route 11 from the intersection with Route 147 to the Montour County line is also at 10,000.

The highest levels of congestion on roadways typically occurs during the AM and PM peak travel times as employees journey to and from work. According to the 2000 Census 79.9 percent of all work trips of Northumberland County residents were in single-occupant private vehicles. This is higher than Pennsylvania at 76.5 percent. The percentage of County residents who carpool, however, is higher than the State-wide percentage. Because of the rural character of Northumberland County, which limits the feasibility of operation of a County-wide transit system, the percentage of residents who use public transportation to travel to work is significantly lower than the percentage of the population State-wide.

TABLE 17 MEANS OF TRAVEL TO WORK - 2000 Northumberland County Pennsylvania

Private Vehicle Drive Alone (%) 79.9 76.5 Car Pool (%) 12.0 10.4

Public Transportation (%) 0.3 5.2

Other Means (%) 0.8 0.5

Walked or Worked at Home (%) 6.8 7.1

Mean Travel Time (minutes) 23.4 25.2 Source: US Bureau of the Census

The following table compares the journey to work data for Northumberland County for 1990 and 2000. The information indicates an increase in the number of persons driving to work alone and a decrease in the number of persons who walk to work. The increase in persons driving to work alone and fewer persons walking to work coincides with the increase in the percent of persons who travel outside the County to work. The change also represents the changing economy of Northumberland County from one where big coal companies or manufacturers employed large staffs, often from the municipality that they were located in, to smaller service establishments in the County and region.

- 169 - TABLE 18 COMPARISON OF MEANS OF TRAVEL TO WORK 1990 2000

Number Percent Number Percent Percent Change

Automobile Drive Alone 29946 75.4 32860 79.9 9.7 Carpool 6881 17.3 4941 12.0 -28.2

Public Transportation 137 0.3 128 0.3 -6.6

Walked 2322 5.8 1713 4.2 -26.2

Other 414 1.2 328 0.8 -20.8 Source: US Bureau of the Census

TABLE 19 PLACE OF WORK 1990 2000

Total Percent Total Percent Percent Change

Worked in County 25169 62.1 23842 58 -5.3

Worked outside County 15383 37.9 17299 42 12.5 Source: US Bureau of the Census

Transportation Improvements

Various State and federal transportation programs provide for the programming and implementation of public transportation improvements. Planning considerations of transportation improvements in Northumberland County begin with the placement of candidate projects on PennDOT’s Twelve Year Transportation Program. State law requires that for major capital improvements projects to receive State funding approval they must first be approved on the Twelve Year Program. The Twelve Year Plan considers both highways and bridges developed at the County level by Northumberland County, in cooperation with local municipalities and PennDOT.

The Twelve Year Transportation Program is updated at two-year intervals and only those projects placed in the first four-year period of the Twelve Year Plan are considered high priority projects for funding approval and are referred to as the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The State Transportation Commission (STC) is responsible for formal adoption of the Twelve Year Program based on the planning and recommendation of the Local Development District (LDD). SEDA-COG acts as the LDD in Northumberland County. Recommendations for addition to the TIP by SEDA- COG comes from the County and the municipalities. There is no comprehensive list of roadways and bridges that are in need of repair that should be included in the TIP. On approval by the STC, the transportation program then functions as the formal guide for budgeting, design, and construction of transportation improvements; and as State and federal funds become available, projects are implemented.

- 170 - The following provides a review of the roadways and bridges included in the first four-year period of the current Twelve Year Plan for Northumberland County.

TABLE 20 PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS - 2005 Roadway Location/Activity

Highway Improvements

54 Hower Road - new alignment

54 Climbing Lanes - add climbing lane

61 Kulpmont to Lancaster - highway restoration

61 Cameron Br. Alternate - highway reconstruction

61 Market St. PA 61 CWTD RR - rail highway grade crossing

61 Paxinos to Stonington - highway restoration

61 SR 61CCIP to Sunbury - congestion reduction

61 Sunbury Mill & Resurface - highway restoration

61 Sunbury streetscape - home town streets

180 PA 54 to SR 1007 - highway restoration

254 Broadway PA 254 CWTD RR - rail highway grade crossing

405 Milton resurface rebid - highway restoration

9900 Milton Industrial Park - reconstruction of access

Bridge Improvements

54 PA 54/Shamokin CK - bridge replacement

180 Over SR 1007 - bridge restoration

225 Trib to Manhantango Creek - bridge replacement

405 Muddy Run Bridge - bridge replacement

405 Norfolk-Southern RR bridge - bridge replacement

2023 Norther RR bridge - bridge replacement

9900 N. Vine Street Bridge - bridge replacement Source: Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Access to and through Northumberland County is a long-term concern. I-80 is the only interstate in the County. With its location at the north edge of the County, I-80 does not provide convenient access to much of Northumberland. I-81 passes through Schuylkill County to the east of Northumberland County. To improve access to the interstate highways Working Together, A Cooperative Strategy for Regional Economic Development recommends the development of a Route

- 171 - 15 bypass on the east side of the Susquehanna River and connecting with Route 147. The Route 15 bypass would improve connections between Northumberland County and the Harrisburg area.

Route 61 is the primary roadway through Northumberland County that is used to travel between I-80 and I-81. Route 61 through the County serves as a local roadway passing through highly developed towns. Route 61 through Northumberland County also contains excessive grades. The steep grades reduce the efficiency of the roadways, particularly with the movement of heavy trucks creating safety hazards. Many of the intersections along Route 61 constitute an obstacle to the movement of through-traffic because in many instances they have poor alignment, poor channelization, poor sight distances, and other deficiencies that are detrimental to the safe movement of traffic and pedestrians.

Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation Project

The planned Central Susquehanna Valley Transportation (CSVT) project is a proposed four-lane limited access highway that would extend from the existing Selinsgrove Bypass (US Route 11/15) in Monroe Township, Synder County, to State Route 147 in West Chillisquaque Township, in Northumberland County. The goal of the CSVT project is to reduce traffic congestion in the Central Susquehanna Valley, improve safety and accessibility, and accommodate anticipated population and economic growth in Snyder, Union, and Northumberland Counties. The Federal Highway Administration issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for the CSVT Project on October 31, 2003, which allows PENNDOT to begin the Final Design and Right-Of-Way acquisition phases.

The CSVT is planned to be designed and built as separate projects. The first project will extend from below the interchange of State Route 45 and State Route 147 to south of the proposed new interchange with PA Route 15 near Winfield and will include a new bridge over the Susquehanna River. A component of the CSVT project included the upgrade of State Route 147 from a two-lane to a four-lane limited access facility. The four-lane highway is projected to become a critical north- south transportation route for local, regional, and national traffic.

Mass Transportation

Because of the rural character of much of Northumberland County, the availability of mass transportation is very limited. Northumberland County has two public transit services as follows.

• The Northumberland Department of Transportation operates a call-and-demand paratransit service. The shared ride service is provided primarily to senior citizens age 60 and over residing throughout Northumberland County, although the service is open to the general public.

• The Lower Anthracite Transportation System, located in Mount Carmel, provides fixed route bus service to the communities of Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Kulpmont and Marion Heights.

Mass transportation serves three essential functions:

- 172 - • Provides a means of transportation to those who cannot afford to purchase their own private vehicle allowing them to access employment, shopping and personal services. • Offers an alternate means of transportation to those who do have a choice. • Lowers the total number of vehicles using the road system, which in turn reduces congestions and adverse effects on the environment and decreases the pressure to expand the road system.

In 1997 Northumberland County completed a Transit Feasibility Study. The study concluded that County-wide public fixed route transit is not viable. The study reported, however, that fixed route transit might be viable connecting Milton and Sunbury. Because of projected low ridership, it was anticipated that the cost recovery of only 30 percent would be attained requiring substantial subsidies to develop and maintain the system. The Transit Feasibility Study suggested the alternative to fixed route transit in the Milton to Sunbury corridor is a shared ride vehicle service. The study indicates that the shared ride vehicle service would be a small bus traveling along a designated route that would deviate up to one-quarter mile to pick-up passengers who request the service in advance. The service would have two fares, one for fixed route service and another, higher fare for service that deviates.

Air Transportation

Rural north central Pennsylvania suffers from a lack of frequency and connectivity with regards to its air service. The lack of convenient air service negatively impacts the economy of the region. There is no airport offering scheduled commercial flights in Northumberland County. There are four airports in Northumberland County as follows:

• Danville Airport contains two turf runways including a 2,140 foot long runway and a 2,170 foot runway. The Airport is operated by the Northumberland/Montour Airport Commission. Services available at the Danville Airport include fuel, major repair of airplanes, and hangers for storage. The Danville Airport is attended from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

• Northumberland County Airport in Ralpho Township.

• Sunbury Airport is a privately owned airport along the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in Upper Augusta Township. The Airport has a 3,250 foot long turf runway that is attended during daylight hours. Services available at the Sunbury Airport include fuel, major repair of airplanes, and hangars for storage.

• Sunbury Seaplane Base is a privately owned base serving seaplanes. The Seaplane Base is located on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in Upper Augusta Township. The Sunbury Seaplane Base is attended daylight hours and offers fuel, major repairs of airplanes and tie downs of airplanes.

- 173 - B. TRANSPORTATION GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Transportation systems occupy a key position in the development of Northumberland County.

Transportation Goal: Provide a multi-modal, balanced transportation system that supports the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, with minimum disruption to the environment, and with the maximum conservation of resources..

Objectives:

• Improve the planning and coordination of land use development and transportation infrastructure.

• Maximize the capacity and safety of all categories of roadwys within Northumberland County.

• Complete gaps in the arterial road system to provide for movements both within Northumberland County and among regional centers.

• Where appropriate, maintain and expand mass transportation.

• Maintain adequate air transportation and seek opportunities to improve service to the region.

• Promote the preservation and improvement of rail services to meet the needs of all users.

• Support transportation strategies that minimize impacts to the natural and social environments and improve the quality of life.

• Increase investment in transportation infrastructure through the use of partnerships among all levels of government and the private sector.

- 174 - C. TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Northumberland County*s transportation system has evolved from crude Indian trails to the current highway, public transportation, rail and aviation system. The transportation system serves a wide range of functions that affect all aspects of modem life extending from the delivery of goods and services necessary for commerce to the basic movement of people for work, recreation, social, and other activities. To function properly, each community must have adequate access to the network. Each part of the network must function as an inter-related and inter-dependent part of the complete transportation system to provide access throughout the immediate region and into more distant areas.

While desirable and necessary to sustain growth, counties and local municipalities are not mandated to provide transportation systems. They are, however, empowered to construct and maintain the transportation system if they so choose. Northumberland County transportation system consists of a combination of routes and services provided by Federal, State and local governments, public authorities, and the private sector. The County*s role is to serve as the coordinator of these diverse entities in forming a single, functioning system, providing technical and financial assistance where it is in the County*s best interests. The lack of adequate funding is the most limiting factor regarding expansion of the transportation system.

Highways

The highway network is central to every transportation system since it provides for the movement of vehicles and linkages to aviation and rail facilities. The Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan will examine only those highways that serve regional purposes as defined by their inclusion as an arterial or collector. Recommendations regarding local roadways shall remain a local responsibility; however, both this Section and the Land Use Plan provide some general guidelines. The capacity of the highway system is directly related to the ability for growth within an area. This Comprehensive Plan recommends improvements that maximize the level of access to all other modes of transportation.

Roadways - Issues

A. A relationship exists between the provision of highway capacity and the location of new development. The relationship should be used to designate areas of the County that can support future growth.

B. As the average daily traffic volumes have increased there have been few major improvements to increase capacity and no major new highway construction. Several major

C. There is limited access to much of the County to the Interstate highways (I-80 and I-81).

D. The growth of the suburban areas in Northumberland County has created a demand for suburb-to-suburb movements not served by the system. The cumulative effects of scattered

- 175 - sprawl development, along with the incomplete regional highway network, have overburdened certain rural and suburban roads and forced traffic to use residential streets to avoid some arterials and collectors.

E. The dependency on the single-occupant vehicle creates the growing demand for highway capacity. Northumberland County has an increased number of multi-worker families, single adults living alone, and an active and independent elderly population, who all rely on private vehicles to carry out daily tasks. Also, the practice of single-use zoning of land encourages increased numbers of trips by separating where people live from where they work and shop.

F. A generally strong economy over the past decade fostered development of land both along existing highways and in the path of proposed highways. Inadequate development regulations and design standards and State policies regarding driveway permitting erode the capacity of the highway system while creating increased demand and preventing expansion without the need for costly right-of-way acquisition. This same development creates an increasing number of uncontrolled access points onto highways, particularly along major arterials, which increase the potential for accidents.

G. Funding from the State and Federal governments for highway projects has been insufficient to meet the demands for highway construction and improvements. As resources become strained, greater emphasis is placed on maintaining and expanding existing roadways and less on new highway construction. To make up the shortfall in revenues, both the State and Federal governments are placing increased emphasis on cooperative efforts with County and municipal governments and the private sector in securing rights-of-way and funding for needed highway improvements. Additionally, the State has instituted a program whereby State-owned highways that serve mostly local functions are, pending municipal approval, “turned-back” to the local municipalities. This practice allows the State to focus its resources on those highways that serve more regional functions while allowing the local municipality to provide a higher level of maintenance to the “turned-back” highway than the State provided.

H. Before constructing any highway project using Federal or State funding, regulations require an extensive review by Federal and State environmental agencies to identify and assess both the project itself and all reasonable alternatives to the project to document the effects on both the natural and social environments. The intent of the regulations is to guarantee a minimum disruption of the environment. Unfortunately, the review process has become a significant obstacle to effective planning and highway construction. Smaller projects are not exempt from the regulations or their effects; however, the review time can be significantly reduced depending upon the scope of the project.

I. The State and municipal governments own and maintain the majority of highways within Northumberland County. The County acts as a liaison between the State and local municipalities. Northumberland County is also responsible for developing both short-and long-range transportation plans, which advance the creation of a favorable economic climate consistent with the Land Use Plan. The County has strong ties to the State*s highway

- 176 - planning process through its development and support of projects for inclusion in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation*s Twelve Year Program of highway improvements. Additionally, Northumberland County has review and, in some cases, approval power of municipal development plans, comprehensive plans and zoning ordinances that have direct impact on the creation of new roadways and the protection of the capacity of both new and existing highways.

Roadways - Policies

A. Northumberland County will continue and expand its efforts in both short and long range transportation planning by identifying existing deficiencies, projecting future deficiencies, identifying improvements to correct the deficiencies, and working with the Department of Transportation, SEDA-COG, and the municipalities to identify funding sources to implement the improvements.

B. Northumberland County will actively explore and encourage methods of lowering the number of total vehicle trips to reduce congestion and decrease total energy consumption.

C. The traffic bearing capacity of existing highways should be optimized through intersection improvements and the careful management of access. Specific and uniform design standards for right-of-way widths and access should be applied through municipal development ordinances. The standards should be coordinated with PennDOT*s Highway Access Permit process and based on the intended use of the highway as indicated by its functional classification.

D. Highways and bridges should be improved to eliminate deficiencies and correct safety hazards to ensure the safe and efficient movement of persons and goods. Particular emphasis will be placed on arterials and collectors or that provide access to mass transit, aviation, and rail.

E. Every effort will be made to maximize the use of existing roadways before constructing new roadways. Major new roadways will only be constructed where they serve both intra- and inter-regional travel demands. Gaps in the existing roadway system should be completed to maximize the investment in the roadways and remove traffic and congestion from inappropriate corridors.

F. Northumberland County and local municipalities will work cooperatively with PennDOT in the preservation of rights-of-way for proposed new roadway corridors and major highway improvements.

G. Major developments should be directed to those areas with adequate roadway capacity and are designated as ‘growth areas* of the Land Use Plan. Conversely, the same developments will be discouraged from occurring in non-growth areas under all circumstances, and within growth areas with inadequate highway capacity unless conditioned on the provision of improvements to relieve congestion and add capacity.

- 177 - H. Efforts shall be made to increase the total investment in transportation infrastructure using partnerships involving all levels of government and the private sector.

I. Northumberland County will promote the provision of roadways and practices that minimize impacts to both the natural and social environments and improve the quality of life. Special attention will be given in the design of new or improved roadways to the needs of mass transportation, pedestrian and non-motorized means of transportation.

Roadways - Implementation Strategies

A. Northumberland County shall develop a plan to monitor highway congestion, identify problem areas and recommend improvements. Recommended improvements will focus on improving the efficiency of the existing roadway network through intersection improvements and traffic signal timing coordination.

B. In addition and directly related to the above, Northumberland County will develop and actively promote strategies to manage transportation demand including car- and van-pooling, increased use of mass transportation, and the use of pedestrian and bicycle networks. The efforts will be developed in close cooperation with employers within the County*s public and private sectors as work trips represent the most significant portion of the daily demand on highways.

C. Northumberland County will work closely with the municipalities and SEDA-COG in identifying hazardous segments of highway and in the implementation of projects that correct the problem in a safe and efficient manner. The projects will be given high priority for funding to reduce injuries and unnecessary loss of life.

D. Specific and uniform highway design standards and principles as listed in the table below should be incorporated into each municipality*s development control ordinances based on the functional classification of the roadway. Adoption and effective implementation of the guidelines will preserve valuable highway capacity, improve safety, and provide the opportunity for expansion of the highway with minimum disruption to existing development. Until the comprehensive update of the functional classification system is completed, the principles should be applied based on the existing functional classification system as depicted on the Land Use map contained in this Comprehensive Plan.

E. Where arterial roadways pass through densely developed areas, existing cartways should be used for the movement of vehicles rather than curbside parking. The practice limits capacity and increases the potential for accidents. Municipalities should provide improved, off-street parking conditions that expand capacity, increase safety, enhance the potential for retaining existing development, and promote new or redevelopment rather than sprawl.

F. To preserve highway capacity and improve safety, municipalities should refrain from allowing strip commercial and residential developments that have individual access points onto arterial or major collector highways. Detailed highway corridor protection strategies

- 178 - are provided in a discussion of Commercial Corridor Planning in the Future Growth Area section of the Land Use Plan of this Comprehensive Plan. Additionally, the use of loop roads, parallel frontage roads, extended streets and reverse frontage should be encouraged to reduce traffic congestion and hazards to provide safer, quieter, and more attractive communities. Municipalities should incorporate these principles into their land development and subdivision ordinances. The reverse frontage configuration should only be used as a last resort due to the negative aspects of having a lot bound front and back by a highway. Additionally, municipalities should examine existing development along corridors within their borders for opportunities to incorporate these practices through coordination with the property owners. In this way, improvements can be made to the entire roadway system on a broader scale.

- 179 - TABLE 21 HIGHWAY FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS AND RECOMMENDED DESIGN FEATURES Classification General Provisions Right-of-Way Width (ft.) Cartway Width

Expressway • 55 + MPH Minimum 120, however, Minimum four 12 foot • Limited access may be wider based on wide travel lands with ten • No parking local conditions and foot wide shoulders • Noise barrier/buffer design. capable of supporting (where required) heavy vehicles.

Arterial • 35 to 55 MPH 80 • 48 to 52 feet • Some access controls to • 12 foot wide travel and from adjacent lands with shoulders in development. rural area and curbing • Encourage use of in urban areas. reverse and side street frontage and parallel access roads. • No parking

Collector • 25 to 35 MPH 60 • 34 to 40 feet • Some access controls to • 12 foot wide travel and from adjacent lands with stabilized development. shoulders or curbing. • Parking permitted on • 8 foot wide lanes one or both sides. provided for parking.

Local • 15 to 35 MPH 53 • 28 to 34 feet with • No access control to stabilized shoulders or and from adjacent curbing. development. • Cartway widths can be • Parking permitted on reduced based on one or both sides. interior traffic patterns.

G. When planning new limited-access expressways, the following considerations will be incorporated to ensure sound land-use development.

- The expressway should have at least four travel lanes, divided, with access points a minimum of one mile apart in urban areas and two miles apart in rural areas.

- Interchanges and ties to other highways should be considered where they can relieve congestion on other roadways.

- Where other policies of this Comprehensive Plan indicate that an area is suitable for growth interchanges should be provided and improvements made to intersecting arterials and major collectors to take full advantage of the new roadway. Conversely, where the policies discourage growth, interchanges should be limited strictly to major arterials. Interchanges within the areas should be configured to restrict adjacent development through practices such as splitting the interchange (entrances and exit ramps at different locations) or purchasing development rights in their immediate vicinity.

- 180 - H. Before constructing any roadway, appropriate evaluation of impacts on the natural and social environments will be conducted. State and Federal regulations regarding the process should be revised to streamline the process to avoid extensive delays and allow the early identification of corridors so that rights-of-way may be preserved for future construction.

I. Municipalities should use options available to them under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to identify and preserve rights-of-way for new roadway corridors. The options include working with the PennDOT in the identification of the corridor and the subsequent adoption of an Official Map. Using the Official Map as a guide, the municipality should negotiate with developers to direct development away from the identified corridor. Potential zoning tools in the negotiation could be the use of Transfer of Development Rights, which allows the shifting of development rights from a designated sending area (the proposed corridor) to a separate receiving area, or the use of bonus densities that allow development at higher densities on the balance of property not affected by the proposed alignment in exchange for land necessary for the highway.

J. The State, SEDA-COG, County, and municipalities should conduct active highway and bridge inspection and maintenance programs to identify and implement necessary improvements required to preserve existing infrastructure and prevent or delay costly replacements that could be avoided.

K. The State and Federal governments should continue their practice of dedicating funding toward the repair and replacement of deficient State and municipal bridges. The County should continue to use its Liquid Fuels tax revenues to systematically repair or replace deficient County-owned bridges and, when available, as a supplement to State and local funding for municipally-owned bridges.

L. The State should continue turning back to municipalities, with their approval, the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of State-owned roadways that serve essentially local traffic. Municipalities are urged to participate in the program. In return for taking the highways, municipalities receive a higher per-mile level of Liquid Fuels Tax funds than they receive for other municipal highways. The municipality can devote more attention to roads that serve local functions than the State would have provided.

M. The County will continue to seek recommendations from municipalities and citizens for roadway and bridge projects to be considered at each update of the State*s Twelve-Year Program for transportation capital improvements. Relative priorities for the program should be determined based on a project*s importance to the regional highway system, safety, economic, social and environmental impacts and municipal and public support.

N. All available public funding sources for transportation projects should be expanded to meet the unmet demand. Non-traditional mechanisms such the use of Impact Fees as authorized under PA Act 209, of 1990 also should be used. Municipalities should adopt ordinances requiring major developments to prepare a traffic impact study to document on- and off-site

- 181 - improvements needed as a consequence of that development. The developer should be responsible for all on-site improvements, which includes improvements to highways fronting the site and, by agreement or through impact fees authorized by the Municipalities Planning Code, a fair share of the off-site improvements. Both Northumberland County and municipalities should consider contributing to important projects when PennDOT funding is insufficient or not available in a timely-manner to meet the need of impending economic development.

Mass Transportation

Within the time frame of this Comprehensive Plan, the roadway and the vehicles that use it will continue to be the dominant mode of transportation. The continued growth in traffic, coupled with the inability to expand the highway system rapidly enough, means that mass transportation services should play a greater role in the total transportation system.

Mass Transportation - Issues

A. Mass transportation services by either the public or private sector provide a means of mobility to those who cannot afford or are unable to drive private vehicles, allowing them access to both employment and social opportunities and, as such, can be considered a social service. Additionally, the services provide an alternative means of transportation to those persons who do own an auto, allowing them to reduce their transportation costs and contribute to preserving the environment. Given proper routing and scheduling, mass transportation can reduce peak hour commuting for work trips. Secondary benefits of public transportation are that increased usage reduces the demand for highway construction and costly parking structures.

B. There is a certain portion of the population who, because of disabilities, cannot use standard fixed-route systems but who still need a means of transportation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that these citizens shall not be discriminated against and that they shall have equal access to all services offered to the unimpaired.

C. The operating efficiencies of public transportation systems are directly related to development densities and intensity of activities. Often times, transit services are not considered when planning developments and, as a result, are precluded from providing effective service due to the physical layout of a site.

D. Public transportation in Northumberland County is very limited. The Lower Anthracite Transportation System, located in Mount Carmel, provides fixed route bus service to the communities of Mount Carmel, Shamokin, Kulpmont and Marion Heights. The Northumberland Department of Transportation operates a call-and-demand paratransit service. The provision of public transportation at a cost that is affordable to the transit dependent rider requires a public subsidy in addition to operating revenues and State and Federal grants.

- 182 - Mass Transportation - Policies

A. The provision of publicly supported mass transportation services will be promoted for all citizens to increase mobility, conserve energy resources, improve the environment, and increase economic growth. Policies that advance the use of private vehicles as the only mode should be amended to treat each mode equally.

B. Public transportation should be extended to those areas of the County with acceptable population densities. Public transportation to low income and elderly neighborhoods should be provided to enable employment and social opportunities. Route structures should be periodically reevaluated to ensure that travel demands are met.

C. In compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, all citizens shall have equal access to public transportation services.

D. Development within the Existing and Future Growth Areas should proceed at densities that can support cost-effective public transportation services and incorporate design elements that allow effective and efficient service.

E. Public services should be located close to transit routes.

F. Public transportation should be developed in coordination with private providers and other forms of transportation to provide maximum interconnection of modes.

G. Inter-regional bus transportation and taxi service should considered commensurate with the demand for such service.

Mass Transportation - Implementation Strategies

A. The Federal, State and County governments should provide adequate financial support for the existing services. Northumberland County also should explore the provision of financial support to establish mass transit services to unserved areas, particularly in and adjacent to the City of Sunbury and between the developing communities in the developing northern portion of the County.

B. The Lower Anthracite Transportation System, with the assistance of Northumberland County and municipalities, should develop and maintain a program to encourage the use of public transportation services. Employers within the service area should encourage employees to use the service. This Comprehensive Plan endorses the expansion of subscription bus services through either the public or private sector.

C. Municipalities with land suitable for growth should promote, through zoning, densities sufficient to support public transportation.

- 183 - D. Design features to enhance the attractiveness of public transportation should be incorporated into appropriate municipal development regulations. The design features could include the provision of adequate bus access to large sites, bus turnouts along curbs, siting of structures close to the street with vehicle parking at side or rear to reduce the walking distance from the bus stop, appropriate lot configurations to allow direct pedestrian access to the bus stop, and bus shelters.

E. Efforts to comply with ADA regulations should be supported in considering transit programs in Northumberland County.

G. The provision of frequent fixed-route service to rural areas is not recommended. Recognizing, however, that transit-dependent persons are not restricted to the urban area, efficient para-transit service to the rural area should be supported.

H. Funding for private non-profit agencies to purchase small transit vehicles for elderly and handicapped as allowed under the Urban Mass Transportation Act should be supported provided the service is available to the public.

Aviation

Adequate levels of passenger and freight air service are important in maintaining the County*s competitive position in commerce. Aviation services also provide opportunities for leisure flying.

Aviation - Issues

A. The location of aviation services has strong impacts on development beyond the immediate property and conditions the size, location and use of nearby development.

B. The Danville Airport is the only publicly operated airport in Northumberland County. It is administered by the Northumberland/Montour Airport Commission. The other two airports within the County are privately owned and operated.

C. Federal and State grants and operating revenues are the primary sources of funding for aviation.

D. Because of limited services and facilities, there is limited competitive position from the airports in Northumberland County.

Aviation - Policies

A. The County will encourage the improvement of services at all airports to increase safety and capacity and will support the expansion of carrier services.

- 184 - B. Airport operators shall work closely with surrounding municipalities to ensure that local development regulations protect persons and property both on the ground and in the air.

Aviation - Implementation Strategies

A. All airports within Northumberland County should provide at least the minimum safety requirements as mandated by the FAA and Bureau of Aviation standards.

B. Every municipality containing an airport hazard area shall adopt and enforce airport zoning regulations as required by Title 74, Chapter 59 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The regulations may specify the land-uses permitted and regulate the height of structures and natural objects. Structures that present hazards to flight operations should be adequately marked. Municipalities should evaluate the noise and safety effects of airports during the preparation of zoning ordinances.

C. Improvements at the airport should be implemented in cooperation with users and surrounding municipalities. Improvements and efforts to expand the range and frequency of passenger and freight services by direct flight will be supported to maintain the economic vitality of the region.

D. Northumberland County will support improvements to the region*s airports in the PennDOT Twelve Year Program of capital projects.

Rail

Rail service in Northumberland County maximizes multi-modal capabilities. The availability of rail freight service is needed to attract and retain heavy industrial and commercial activities that require the economies of scale rail offers. A reduction in rail service will increase the number of large trucks using the highway network leading to higher maintenance costs, congestion and safety risks.

Rail - Issues

A. Rail freight service in Northumberland County is provided exclusively by private corporations and is not subject to public planning. To remain competitive, duplicative services were abandoned. At times the abandonment has negative effects on the local economy by denying service to low volume users.

B. Public rail sidings are few and access to these sites is not adequate.

C. Conflicts such as at-grade crossings and low clearance bridges exist between highway and rail systems that present hazards and limit capacities of each mode.

Rail - Policies

- 185 - A. All major industrial areas should have reasonable access to rail freight services.

B. New and existing industries should maximize their use of the rail system to minimize the impact on highways and reduce energy consumption.

C. Maintenance of existing rail services and expansion to emerging industrial areas will be supported.

D. Conflicts between highway and rail systems should be eliminated. Where they cannot be eliminated, safety features should be provided.

Rail - Implementation Strategies

A. Municipal zoning ordinances should make maximum use of existing rail lines provided the location is consistent with other development policies contained within this Comprehensive Plan.

B. Operators should conduct a systematic inspection and maintenance program of tracks, signals, and rolling stock to ensure safe operations.

C. Rail service providers should investigate the adequacy of existing public rail sidings and relocate them if necessary. Northumberland County will support the addition and expansion of inter-modal (railroad-truck) services where appropriately sited. Adequate highway access between the sites and nearby arterials should be maintained to allow the safe and efficient movement of trucks.

D. Where possible, at-grade crossings on arterials and major collectors should be eliminated and replaced with grade-separated structures. Structures carrying rail over highways should provide sufficient clearance to allow the passage of large trucks. Structures carrying highways over rails should provide sufficient clearance for modern high-capacity rail cars.

E. Abandoned rail rights-of-way should be acquired, where feasible, for their reuse as transportation corridors (highway or rail) or multi-use recreational trails.

- 186 - VII. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

- 187 - A. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE

The following information gives an overview of the socioeconomic character of Northumberland County. The information is not intended to substitute for detailed market analysis and economic studies that might be necessary to fully understand the area’s economy. The information, however, provides an understanding of the economic development issues facing the area.

The total persons age 16 years and over in Northumberland County decreased between 1980 and 2000. The labor force, that is the population age 16 years and over working or seeking work, increased from 1980 to 1990 but decreased from 1990 to 2000. A greater percentage of the labor force was working in 2000 than in 1990 as well as in 1990 as opposed to 1980.

TABLE 22 LABOR FORCE STATUS - 1980, 1990 AND 2000 1980 1990 2000

Persons 16 years and over 77,939 77,160 76,577

Labor Force 43,357 44,818 44,146

Percent of persons 16 years and over 55.6 58.1 81

Civilian Labor Force 43,336 44,718 44,096 Employed 39,580 41,584 41,814 Unemployed 3,756 3,134 2,282

Percent Unemployed 8.7 7 5.2

Not in Labor Force 34,582 32,288 32,431 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry provides information regarding annual employment in Northumberland County. The labor force information shows that from 1990 to 1997 the labor force in Northumberland County decreased about four percent to 44,000 persons. Employment of the County’s labor force decreased just 1.4 percent from 1990 to 1997 and unemployment decreased 26 percent. In 1997 the County-wide unemployment rate was 7.0 percent. The County’s 1997 unemployment rate was higher than the State’s unemployment rate of 5.2 percent. The Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC) reports in its September 2000 Strategic Planning Information Packet that from 1994 to 1997, the annual average growth rate of employment in Northumberland County was marginal increasing just 0.3 percent from 1994 to 1999. It is noted that about three-fourths of the unemployed workforce of the County are re-entrants to the workforce, that is persons who have been previously employed. The large number of re-entrants indicates that the County’s available workforce has marketable skills that may be easily transferable to other jobs.

- 188 - Table 23 Northumberland County Civilian Labor Force Year Labor Force Employment Unemployment Rate 1990 45,800 41,600 4,200 9.1 1991 45,400 40,500 4,900 10.8 1992 46,100 41,300 4,700 10.3 1993 45,400 41,300 4,100 9.1 1994 45,000 41,700 3,300 7.3 1995 44,000 40,900 3,100 7.0 1996 43,400 40,500 2,900 6.8 1997 44,000 41,000 3,100 7.0

50 ,0 0 0

45,000

40,000

35,000 Unemployment 30,000 Employment 25,000

20,000

15 ,0 0 0

10 ,0 0 0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

Table 24 Unemployment Rate Year County Pennsylvania United States 1990 9.1 5.4 5.5 1991 10.8 6.9 6.7 1992 10.3 7.5 7.4 1993 9.1 7.1 6.9 1994 7.3 6.2 6.1 1995 7.0 5.9 5.6 1996 6.8 5.3 5.4 1997 7.0 5.2 4.9

Unemployment Rate

12.0 10.0 8.0 6.0 County 4.0 Pennsylvania 2.0 United States 0.0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

- 189 - Northumberland County’s economy has traditionally been concentrated in goods producing sectors; first the dominate goods producing industry was coal production and then manufacturing. With the decline in the coal mining industry in Northumberland County beginning in the 1950s, there was a significant increase in employment in manufacturing industries. The manufacturing base was heavily concentrated in the apparel and textile industries. Northumberland County’s 1968 Master Plan estimated that 55 percent of the employment in the County was manufacturing employment. Beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970, there was a significant decrease in the employment in the apparel and textile industries in Northumberland County. From 1990 to 2000, similar to national and State trends, the economy of Northumberland County continued to diversify with a greater percentage of the workforce being employed in service producing industries.

As shown in the following table, the percent of the work force in Northumberland County employed in goods producing industries decreased by over ten percent from 1990 to 2000. The losses were greatest in manufacturing jobs. While much of the loss of jobs in the goods producing sector results from plant closings and relocations, it is expected that employment declines also result from improved efficiency or labor saving technology resulting in the need for fewer jobs. The manufacturing jobs now often require a more skilled work force than was previously required. The September 2000 Strategic Planning Information Packet reports that plant closures continue in Northumberland County. From October 1999 to the end of September 2000 there were four plant closings in the County affecting 328 employees.

The goods producing jobs represent the area economy's most basic sector. The loss of goods producing jobs may result in a downward spiral in the overall sales and profitability of retail, service, and related sectors of the economy. When any community suffers rapid job losses, particularly in traditionally high wage positions, other critical problems arise, including population loss, declines in income tax revenue, health and housing problems, and an increased proportion of discouraged workers.

TABLE 25 NONAGRICULTURAL WAGE AND SALARY EMPLOYMENT

Northumberland Northumberland Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Industry Group Co. 1990 Co. 2000 1990 2000 GOODS PRODUCING (%) 35.7 29.6 28.5 23.3

Agriculture 1,093 702 97,811 56,890 Mining 335 158 31,396 16,569 Construction 2,525 2,408 331,161 339,363 Manufacturing 11,403 9,099 1,087,220 906,398

- 190 - TABLE 25 (CONTINUED)

Northumberland Northumberland Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Industry Group Co. 1990 Co. 2000 1990 2000 SERVICE PRODUCING (%) 64.3 70.4 71.5 76.7

Transportation 1,591 1,929 241,749 248,823 Communication 1,023 1,138 134,992 204,353 Wholesale and Retail Trade 9,045 6,763 1,166,867 885,263 Finance, Insurance, Real 1,291 1,502 351,519 372,148 Estate Services 12,018 15,300 1,773,211 2,387,926 Public Administration 1,711 2,815 218,606 235,767

Total 42035 41814 5434532 5653500 Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census

The Northumberland County Community Economic Recovery Program (CERP), indicates that during the 1980s, most sectors of the economy in the County underwent employment losses. Since the mid- 1990s, there has been a rebound in employment in Northumberland County. Excluding employment in the agricultural sector, the number of persons employed in Northumberland County increased by about 1,600 persons from 1986 to 1996. The sector with the greatest growth in absolute number of jobs was services. The sector with the greatest growth in percentage of jobs was construction. Decreases were recorded in the mining, manufacturing, and finance, insurance, and real estate sectors.

- 191 - TABLE 26

Employment by Industry 1986 1996 # Change % Change Mining 176 147 -29 -19.7 Construction 764 1,312 548 71.7 Manufacturing 10,559 9,090 -1,469 -13.9 Transportation and Utilities 1,253 1,277 24 1.9 Wholesale Trade 933 1,267 344 35.8 Retail Trade 5,865 6,136 271 4.6 Finance, Insurance, Real Est. 989 978 -11 -1.1 Services 3,434 5,341 1,907 55.5

Employment by Indus try

Services

Finance, Insurance, Real Est.

R etail Trad e

Wholesale Trade

Trans p o rtatio n and Ut ilities 1996 1986 M anufacturing

Co nstruction

Mining

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000

A greater percentage of the population in Northumberland County is employed in the manufacturing sector than the population State-wide. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reported that in 1997, less than 20 percent of the employment State-wide was in manufacturing. In Northumberland County in 1997 about 35 percent of the population was employed in manufacturing jobs. Municipalities with large percentages of their workforce employed in the manufacturing sector include Delaware Township, Milton Borough, Upper Augusta Township, Watsontown Borough, West Cameron Township, and West Chillisquaque Township.

The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reported that in 1997 manufacturing employment in Northumberland County was concentrated in food products with 2,249 employees, transportation equipment with 1,342 employees, lumber and wood products with 909 employees, printing and publishing with 888 employees, textile mill products with 613 employees, and fabricated metal products with 526 employees. The 14 industrial machinery and equipment manufacturers represent the greatest number of manufacturing firms in Northumberland County in 1997.

- 192 - The County Business Patterns prepared by the U.S. Census in 1995 reports that 54 percent of the business establishments in Northumberland County are micro-businesses employing one to four persons. This is similar to the State-wide rate of 53 percent. County-wide just 12 percent of the business establishments are classified by the County Business Patterns as large business employing 20 or more persons.

Agriculture is an important part of the economy in Northumberland County. The U.S. Census of Agriculture reports that in 1992 there were 561 farms containing 109,438 acres, or 36 percent of the land area in Northumberland County. The average size of the farms in Northumberland County has increased from 164 acres in 1982 to 195 acres in 1992. About 70 percent of the farms in Northumberland County are classified as small containing less than 180 acres. Eight percent of the farms have over 500 acres. Over half of the farms in Northumberland County are cattle farms raising cattle for beef or milk. Other major agricultural products produced in Northumberland County are corn, wheat and oats for grain or seed, hay, chickens, and pigs. The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry reported that in 1997 there were 320 persons in Northumberland County employed in the agricultural sector.

- 193 - Table 27 Employment by Class of Worker 1980 1990 % Change 2000 % Change '80-'90 '90-'00 Private Wage & Salary 30,384 33,631 10.7 33,052 -1.7 Government 6,093 5,059 -17.0 5,963 17.9 Self-Employed 2,902 2,666 -8.0 2,639 -1.0 From 1980 to 2000, the labor force increased by 2,275 persons. There was a 17% decrease in persons employed in the government sector, however, this trend reversed during the '90s.

Class of Worker

40,000

30,000 1980 20,000 1990

10,000 2000

- Private Wage & Salary Government Self-Employed

Table 28 Employment by Occupation 1980 1990 % Change 2000 % Change '80-'90 '90-'00 Managerial & Professional 5,453 6,644 21.8 9,573 44.1 Technical, Sales & Administrative 8,973 10,666 18.9 7,139 -33.1 Service Occupations 5,253 6,325 20.4 7,139 12.9 Farming, Forestry & Fishing 818 949 16.0 362 -61.9 Precision, Production, Craft & Repair 5,553 5,261 -5.3 4,124 -21.6 Operators, Fabricators & Laborers 13,530 11,739 -13.2 11,085 -5.6

Operators, Fabricators & Laborers

Precision, Production, Craft & Repair

Farming, Forestry & Fishing 2000

Service Occupations 1990 1980 Technical, Sales & Administrative

Managerial & Professional

- 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 10,000 12,000 14,000

- 194 - In agreement with the observation that Northumberland County’s labor force is employed primarily in manufacturing industries, the 2000 Census reported that the majority of the labor force was employed as operators, fabricators and laborers. As is shown on the above chart, the persons employed as operators, fabricators, and laborers have, however, decreased from 1980 to 1990 and from 1990 to 2000. Corresponding to the increase in employment in services and wholesale and retail trades, the number of persons employed in managerial and professional occupations and service occupations has increased significantly from 1980 to 1990 and again from 1990 to 2000. From 1980 to 1990 persons employed in private wage and salary positions in Northumberland County increased but decreased slightly from 1990 to 2000, while employment in the government sector and self-employed persons decreased from 1980 to 1990 but increased from 1990 to 2000.

TABLE 29 NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY - TOP 10 EMPLOYERS - 2004 Rank Employer

1 Weis Markets, Inc.

2 Northumberland County

3 Pennsylvania State Government

4 HH Knoebel Sons, Inc.

5 Con Agra Grocery Products

6 Fleetwood Motor Homes of PA Inc.

7 Merck & Company, Inc.

8 The Paper Magic Group, Inc.

9 Furman Foods, Inc.

10 Sunbury Community Hospital Source: Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry

Labor Force

The labor force in Northumberland County will change as the baby-boom generation grows older. Workers between the ages of 35 and 54 will account for a larger share of the labor force. More recently trained young people less than age 25 will be available for those employers dependent on this group. Workers in the 25 to 34 age group, however, are expected to drop significantly, bringing the number of workers under the age of 35 down. Thus, companies that have traditionally grown by adding large numbers of low-paid younger workers to their staffs will continue to have problems.

While about 50 percent of Northumberland County’s population of persons age 25 and over have a high school diploma, nearly one-third of the population age 25 and over lacks a high school diploma. The Strategic Planning Information Packet notes that 3.4 percent of the County’s workforce dropped out of school. Only eight percent of Northumberland County’s population has

- 195 - a college degree compared with 18 percent State-wide. As technology advances with a rapidly changing economy, an older, more stable labor force could face problems adapting. Retraining older workers and dislocated workers in new technologies will be critical to success in Northumberland County.

The Strategic Planning Information Packet identifies that the self-sufficiency hourly wage for Pennsylvania non-metro counties is estimated at about $16.70 per hour for a single adult with three children. A review of the income data indicates that in 1990, income in Northumberland County was lower than it was State-wide. Additionally, the 1990 Census reported that 11.6 percent of the County’s population was below the poverty level. State-wide in 1990, 11.1 percent of the population was below the poverty level. Municipalities in Northumberland County with a large percentage of the population below the poverty level include Lewis Township (17 percent), Mount Carmel Township (15.8 percent), Shamokin City (21.7 percent), and Turbot Township (16.7 percent).

The Strategic Planning Information Packet reports on the opinions of businesses and educators regarding the workforce and business environment in a nine-County central Pennsylvania region that includes Northumberland County. The findings are as follows.

Foundation Skills (soft skills) Improvements

Examples of needed improvement include the following:

• Instill structure and discipline. • Shared vision of foundation skills between business/education. • Work ethic and attitude. • Communication skills. • Physical condition of workforce.

Education Related Improvements

A significant portion of both the businesses and educators focused on the need to redefine career opportunities paying attention to occupations considered less valued because they do not require a four-year degree. The career concerns focused specifically on the following:

• Emphasize careers vs. college. • Focus on regional occupations and required skill-sets. • Value all post-secondary education. • Focus on Life-Long Learning (e.g. computer training for all adults).

Both the business and education communities believed there remained a strong need to increase the communication between business and industry. High-level policy decisions from both the education system and corporate level are needed to address many of the business and education issues and there is a strong desire to bring the highest level decision makers together to discuss linkage issues.

- 196 - Specific examples on how to improve linkages included the following:

• Improve business access to school systems. • Increase importance of foreign languages because of the world economy. • Increase interaction: students, business, and guidance counselors. • Increase connectivity between teachers, skills/needs of workplace contextual learning.

When developing and improving workforce and skill level instruments, the following were mentioned:

• Based on comparable international standards. • Include accurate measures of Foundation Skills. • Customer satisfaction indicators of all stakeholders

Labor Force Related Marketing

Out migration from the Central Region is an issue of concern. It is felt that the region*s occupations are not well marketed to those who would prefer to remain in the region such as students and youth. In marketing occupational opportunities, the following target populations were suggested:

• Youth as part of career guidance. • Students and graduates of the region*s post-secondary education institutions. • Those with “family roots” in the region who left the area. • Individuals currently outside of the region.

When marketing the Region, the businesses and educators suggested the following aspects:

• Improve marketing of region*s quality of life attributes. • Need to market the region as a “Metro-Area”. • Eliminate barriers to unified planning at the educational, governmental, economic development and workforce levels. • Jointly market all unified resources of the region.

Workforce Development Service Improvements

Workforce service delivery systems cited include the following:

• Integration of information and public sector workforce development services. • Single points of contact for workforce services. • Need for one place to go to meet all needs. • Need for follow-up with business and job seeking customers. • Improved interaction between providers and end-users.

- 197 - Data, Information, and Research Improvements

Employers sought access to data that would help in the management of human resources particularly in the area of attracting and retaining employees. Examples included:

• How to attract and retain a workforce. • Employee perceptions and expectations of workplace. • Market standards for wages and benefits. • Employee satisfaction data. • Needs of underemployed population (working mothers, individuals with disabilities)

The availability of data related to the skill levels of the region*s workforce was specifically mentioned in detail. The requested information included the following:

• Defining the skill level of the workforce - inventory. • Defining the skill sets by occupation. • Defining anticipated training demands on employers.

The final area of information focused on the need for labor force data and information. The requests included:

• Information on non-traditional workforce (e.g. Dislocated workers, underemployed working mothers and individuals with disabilities). • Trends and bench marking of the overall labor force (wage and salary, unemployment, out-migration). • Bench marking of overall educational levels and achievement. • Information on emerging and developing workforce

Economic Development Agencies

In 1996 three Counties in central Pennsylvania, consisting of Northumberland, Snyder and Union, in association with SEDA-COG prepared Working Together, A Cooperative Strategy for Regional Economic Development. The purpose of the report was to identify resources for economic development in the three Counties. The report identifies eight undeveloped sites and five existing buildings in the three Counties that with the best combinations of the ingredients of location, defined as water and sewer services; local and regional access; accessible educated workforce; appropriate public policy; reasonable land and development costs; and attractive and marketable surrounding lands uses, are sites that should become locations for development efforts. The following is the location of the undeveloped sites in Northumberland County and their strengths and weaknesses.

• Route 180/Route 54 Area - a 626 acres site located on the northwest quadrant of the interchange of 180/54 in Delaware Township.

Strengths • Size.

- 198 - • Good access to I-80. Weaknesses • Substantial portion of land under singular ownership. • Absence of water and sewer service. • Zoning. • Topography limitation to the northern one-forth of the site. • Poor visibility from I-80.

• Route 147/Route 45 Area - encompassing 835 acres of the four quadrants of the interchange in West Chillisquaque Township. The site shares a boundary with the Milton Industrial Park and has been designated a Keystone Opportunity Zone.

Strengths Weaknesses

• One or two property owners on the north area. • Uncertain availability. • Proximity to water and sewer • Separation of parcels by Route 147. • Proximity to existing industrial land. • Zoning. • Good local, regional, and national access. • Topography. • Absence of man-made environmental concerns. • Proximity to village setting.

• Epler Area - a 750 acres site on both sides of Route 11 in Point Township approximately five miles southeast of the Route 54/Route 11 intersection in Danville.

Strengths Weaknesses

• Size of area. • Reported asking price per acre. • Small number of owners. • Distance to public water/public sewer. • Site, regional and national access are good. • Lack of appropriate zoning. • Absence of obvious man-made environmental • Floodplain and wetland potential along southern, concerns. rail served portion. • Topography.

• Roaring Creek Area - containing approximately 2,200 acres between Routes 54 and 61 in Coal Township. Since completion of the study, the site has been considered as a site for a federal prison.

Strengths Weaknesses

• Single, cooperative owner. • Access. • Ample water supply and delivery capabilities. • Significant wetland and slope limitations. • Ample sewage collection capabilities. • Picturesque setting.

• Dalmatia Area - a 57 acre site about 1,000 feet from Route 147, just south of the Village of Dalmatia in Lower Mahanoy Township.

Strengths • Topography of the site is a positive in an area

- 199 - characterized by steep slopes. Weaknesses • Two owners. • Access to Route 147. • Poor accessibility. • Picturesque, rural surroundings. • Absence of public water and sewer.

The site with existing buildings in Northumberland County is as follows:

• Con Agra Building/Property - contained on an 8.5 acre site on the south side of Cameron Avenue in Milton Borough.

Strengths Weaknesses

• Building size. • Age of building. • Ceiling heights. • Type of roof. • Access via rail and road. • Potential environmental concerns. • Cooperative owners. • Expense of subdividing internal systems and adding sprinkler system.

Besides identifying sites, Working Together, A Cooperative Strategy for Regional Economic Development explored ways of moving toward a regional approach to economic development. In addition to recommending strategies for taking a regional approach to marketing the area, the study suggested that the individual economic development organizations should be committed to the concept of regionalization to the point of modifying their individual missions to emphasize the region. The study found that the regional economic development effort should be guided by a Regional Marketing and Economic Development Committee composed of representatives from the existing groups, including members of their professional staff. The study recommended that the Regional Marketing and Economic Development Committee be responsible for:

• Selecting an official name for the regional marking effort. • Developing a work program to guide the efforts of the regional economic development coordinator. • Overseeing the employment of a regional marketing coordinator. • Exploring advertising promotion. • Developing a list of target companies. • Preparing a marketing piece. • Establishing local Business Assistance Teams.

In addition to creating a working relationship among Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties, Working Together, A Cooperative Strategy for Regional Economic Development suggests that relationships be established with other surrounding Counties. The study notes that issues of technology transfer, state-wide financing and general education are issues that cross borders and need to be considered in planning for economic development.

While Working Together, A Cooperative Strategy for Regional Economic Development concentrated on strategies for attracting new businesses to the region, the study recommended that the first target for creating new job development should be the region. As noted by the study, most industrial

- 200 - development projects occur as a result of local expansions. Business retention and expansion should remain a high priority with local economic development organizations.

In February 1997 Focus Central Pennsylvania was created in support of the recommendations of Working Together, A Cooperative Strategy for Regional Economic Development. Focus Central Pennsylvania works within a four county region consisting of Lycoming, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. Members of Focus Central Pennsylvania include the four Counties, the Industrial Development Authorities of each of the four Counties, SEDA-COG, PP&L, and several chambers of commerce that are located in the four Counties. Focus Central Pennsylvania serves to market property and to bring new investment into central Pennsylvania in agreement with the findings of Working Together, A Cooperative Strategy for Regional Economic Development. Additionally Focus Central Pennsylvania is marketing the site in the Milton Industrial Park that has been designated as a Keystone Opportunity Zone. Information regarding the Keystone Opportunity Zone follows.

TABLE 30

Per Capita Income County Pennsylvania 1979$ 5,875 $ 7,077 1989$ 10,819 $ 14,068 1999$ 16,489 $ 20,880

$25,000

$20,000 1979 $15,000 1989 $10,000 1999 $5,000

$- 1

- 201 - Table 31 Median Household Income County Pennsylvania 1979$ 15,126 $ 16,880 1989$ 22,124 $ 29,069 Between 1989 and 1999, median 1999$ 31,314 $ 40,106 household income in the County increased by 42% while State-

$45,000 wide, median household income $40,000 increased 38%. The figures are $35,000 actual dollars and are not $30,000 1979 adjusted for increases in $25,000 1989 consumer prices. $20,000 $15,000 1999 $10,000 $5,000 $- County Pennsylvania

Table 32 Household Income 1979 1989 1999 Less than $10,000 5,194 8,130 4,608 $10,000 to $14,999 3,250 4,842 4,120 The number of households with $15,000 to $24,999 5,350 8,647 6,749 income of $50,000 or more $25,000 to $34,999 2,313 6,826 6064 increased by 160% between 1989 $35,000 to $49,999 678 6,437 7,204 and 1999. The median household $50,000 or more 268 3,907 10,149 income in 1999 was $31,314.

12000

10000

8000 1979 1989 6000 1999 4000

2000

0 5194

- 202 - The Northumberland County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) works to recruit new businesses and grow existing businesses in the community. To achieve its mission, the IDA offers direct loan assistance to existing and new businesses in the County through a revolving loan fund. The revolving loan fund is partially funded with Northumberland County’s Community Development Block Grant program funds. A portion of the revolving loan funds are targeted to Mount Carmel. The IDA also assists businesses with accessing State funds and has bonding authority that it uses in support of economic development in Northumberland County. The Chairman of the IDA also participates with a tourist board that promotes the area’s tourist attractions.

In 1998 Pennsylvania adopted legislation authorizing the Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ) program. The KOZ program, which is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED), is designed to revive economically distressed communities throughout Pennsylvania with the market based incentive of tax abatement. In areas designated as a KOZ, there is greatly reduced or no tax burden for residents and businesses. Since the properties in the area that is designated a KOZ must be deteriorated, meaning underused, abandoned, or not in use, revenue received by the local government is at a minimum. Also, because the residents of the KOZ are in poverty, income revenue is minimal. The virtually tax free KOZs are expected to attract economic activity where no or little activity existed before. Spin-off economic activity outside the KOZ becomes taxable for additional revenue that did not exist before the KOZ. The KOZ program fosters private reinvestment in the designated areas to regain the economic stability of the communities.

The following are two areas in Northumberland County that are designated as KOZs.

• Milton Industrial Park located in Milton Borough. While the Industrial Park contains 717 acres, the KOZ is limited to a 128 acre portion of the Industrial Park. The site is convenient to I-80, and Routes 15 and 147. The strategy for the KOZ at the Milton Industrial Park is to develop the sites for industrial use compatible with other uses at the Industrial Park.

• City of Shamokin and Coal Township. The KOZ in the two municipalities contains 140 acres and includes the site of the former Eagle Silk Mill in the City of Shamokin, which was demolished in the mid-1990s. The remainder of the site, primarily in Coal Township, is former coal lands. The strategy is to develop the City of Shamokin and Coal Township KOZ for manufacturing uses.

There are also three chambers of commerce in Northumberland County that promote economic development in the community. The chambers include the Central PA Chamber of Commerce (formerly Milton Area Chamber of Commerce), the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Central Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.

- 203 - B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Economic Goal: Maintain and improve the economic base of Northumberland County and to provide maximum employment opportunities for all residents of Northumberland County.

Objectives:

• Support industrial diversity.

• Development well located industrial parks and business-office centers.

• Maintain and strengthen the tourist industry.

• Preserve and nurture the agribusiness.

• Maximize the effectiveness of all Federal, State, and private funds and programs.

• Provide a full range of infrastructure that supports economic growth.

• Promote the location of appropriate business within existing urban cores and developed settlements in Northumberland County.

• Seek and support regional cooperation in planning for economic development.

- 204 - C. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN

The Comprehensive Plan shapes Northumberland County*s economy through land use, transportation and community facilities proposals. Implementation of the proposals will create an atmosphere conducive to economic growth and assure proper infrastructure.

Economic Development - Issues

A. Northumberland County is part of a larger national and regional economy. The County’s preferences and advantages have been influenced by its proximity to other areas and the traditional areas of specialization of the County’s economy. As the national economy gradually changes in both direction and character, Northumberland County must adapt. While agriculture is important to the economy, Northumberland County has relied heavily on the manufacturing sector.

Northumberland County has programs that support economic growth, rehabilitation, and employment opportunities. The programs are not formally coordinated and not always widely advertised. A variety of economic development plans and studies have been completed for Northumberland County. The most promising elements of the plans need to be compiled into a formally adopted strategy that is based upon local strengths and achievable goals.

B. All levels of government know that fostering economic growth and development is a compelling government concern. Economic growth provides meaningful employment and revenue. Government attempts to encourage economic growth by providing infrastructure and other support mechanisms and incentives. Similarly, all levels of government promulgate regulations regarding the siting and operation of industrial and business establishments and at times the process becomes unnecessarily adversarial. Occasionally, jurisdictions compete with each other for projects that promise additional revenues without considering all impacts of the proposed project.

C. Industrial parks and cooperative office centers are not prevalent within Northumberland County. To an extent, this results from a general lack of large acreage parcels with available infrastructure and the absence of a highly developed site selection assistance program.

Economic Development - Policies

A. Northumberland County should determine the major strengths and weaknesses of the local economy and match the conclusions with the trends of the national economy to evaluate the extent and direction of future diversification.

- 205 - Northumberland County should prepare and adopt a comprehensive economic development plan that assesses the County*s economic position and guides future decisions, including the coordination of existing programs.

B. All levels of government should evaluate regulatory programs to minimize both costs and delays.

Municipalities should evaluate land use regulations and development proposals in terms of the actual costs of supplying development with community amenities.

C. Commercial and industrial development should be directed to sites with adequate infrastructure.

Northumberland County should assist with measures to provide a greater range of suitable sites for regional economic development. The County should provide greater data and site selection assistance to industrial and commercial concerns so that the objectives of the Comprehensive Plan are achieved.

Municipalities should explore the advantages of joint municipal planning and regulation as a method of ensuring sufficient and usable industrial and commercial land versus zoning inappropriate land for these uses in order to avoid exclusionary challenges.

Economic Development - Implementation Strategies

A. Northumberland County should complete an Economic Development Plan that assesses the region*s position for future economic growth, orients County policies for maintaining and attracting additional employment opportunities, and provides guidance regarding the funding and coordination of existing programs and services.

B. Municipalities should attempt to standardize land use regulations and procedures to the greatest extent possible, including the options for joint municipal planning contained with the MPC.

Municipalities should explore the feasibility of conducting fiscal impact analyses as a supplementary planning tool.

C. The Planning Commission shall use the Comprehensive Plan to evaluate economic development proposals in terms of planned land uses, transportation systems and community infrastructure and services.

Northumberland County should explore the feasibility of directly or indirectly developing well-located, and efficiently designed industrial parks. The County should also explore the feasibility of reserving large parcels of land to meet the needs of a commercial venture that will have regional impact and exceeds standard acreage requirements.

- 206 - Northumberland County should establish and maintain a comprehensive industrial and commercial site selection assistance program.

- 207 - VIII. INTERGOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION

- 208 - A. FEDERAL, STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL ACTIONS

Prior section of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan offered recommendations and suggestions to be accomplished with the existing growth management framework. The proposals comply with and are limited by the legal and financial mechanisms authorized within Pennsylvania. This section of the Comprehensive Plan recommends legislative initiatives and other actions, including changing certain governmental priorities, procedures, and operations to further assist with implementation of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan. The recommended actions are intended to supplement recommendations contained elsewhere within this Comprehensive Plan and should not be construed as the only recommended activities for the specified level of government. The recommendations listed below, however, are considered of such significance as to warrant special mention in this section.

Governmental Participation Goal: Provide the opportunity for increased citizen participation in the planning process to establish community values and reflect human concerns.

Objectives:

• Develop and maintain improved citizen participation mechanisms to bring the community into the public policy and planning process.

• Maintain a public outreach program to inform Northumberland County residents of issues and plans.

• Consider the unique problems of minority, low income, and elderly groups in the planning process.

Federal Action

• Provide the financial resources to fund community development and environmental protection in a flexible manner to permit Northumberland County and its local municipalities the opportunity to implement developmental goals and improve environmental quality in accord with area wide goals and objectives.

State Actions

• Ensure that the activities of all State agencies are consistent with adopted County Comprehensive Plans.

• Provide Counties with regulatory power to ensure logical development within the basic legislation of local governments. Such legislation should provide clear veto power to

- 209 - County government in instances where area wide development goals and objectives are disregarded by local municipal actions.

• Continue to encourage and support that joint municipal comprehensive plans. Only 15 of the 36 municipalities in Northumberland County have comprehensive plans. Only two of the 15 municipal comprehensive plans in Northumberland County were prepared after 1990. A method should exist to guarantee that comprehensive plans are kept current.

• Ensure that proper funds are allocated for local plans and the development of regulations.

• Once municipalities have formulated effective local plans, the State should provide adequate funds and tool to adequately implement the local plans. Pennsylvania should ensure that municipalities with up-to-date plans and controls are not subjected to problems because of either inadequate State funding or the absence of legislation authorizing local methods to finance the construction or expansion of infrastructure and services.

County Actions

• Participate in multi-County planning processes for matters of regional importance. Expand and improve contacts and communications with other Counties.

• Employ the various mandated and optional review processes to advance projects that comply with the Comprehensive Plan and disapprove projects that promote needless duplication of effort or are inconsistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Throughout the review, the Northumberland County Planning Commission will consider regional solutions as a stated priority.

• The Planning Commission will monitor and review local municipal plans and development regulations for consistency with the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan. The Planning Commission should explore additional methods for increasing the effectiveness of review and local consistency with the Comprehensive Plan.

• Northumberland County will increase the level of technical assistance provided to municipalities regarding the formulation of local plans and regulations. The Planning Commission should develop applicable model land use control ordinances for use by local municipalities.

• Predicate the allocation of County controlled funds on the consistency of the intended project with the Comprehensive Plan.

• Prepare a long-term capital improvements program and budget.

• Search for alternate sources of funding.

- 210 - Local Municipal Actions

• Foster and participate in multi-municipal activities. Wherever possible, municipalities should engage in joint municipal planning.

• Develop, maintain, and revise municipal comprehensive plans consistent with the County Comprehensive Plan.

• Develop and maintain municipal zoning, subdivision, planned residential development and other land use ordinances that reflect innovative growth management techniques that are result oriented.

• Adopt and enforce building, housing, electrical, and fire prevention codes.

• Establish an Environmental Advisory Council to assist and advise the municipal planning commission and governing body regarding local environmental problems, conservation and community environmental problems, and to maintain data regarding open space and unique features.

• Develop equitable and documentable fee structures and schedules for planning related procedures, permits, hookups and other community services.

• Seek interested and qualified individuals to serve on local planning commissions, zoning hearing boards, and environmental advisory councils. Governing bodies should publicly advertise and conduct interviews to select the most qualified individuals. Also, the governing body should allocate funds for the training of local officials.

- 211 - B. PLAN INTERRELATIONSHIP

The Municipalities Planning Code requires that comprehensive plans must include a discussion of the interrelationships among the various plan components, which may include an estimate of the environmental, energy conservation, fiscal, economic development, and social consequences on the municipality. This clause is intended to ensure that the various components of the comprehensive plan are integrated and not in conflict with the primary community goals and objectives. The section of the Municipalities Planning Code requires that the comprehensive plan consider the impacts each component has on the others so that the consequences of future decisions are known.

Prior to devising the recommendations of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan, goals and objectives were formulated. The goals and objectives serve as a statement of community development objectives. Each of the objectives relates directly to its own general goal. Designing the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan is a difficult undertaking because the Comprehensive Plan must offer recommendations concerning a variety of disparate and at times conflicting topics. For example, the Comprehensive Plan is expected to develop policies to encourage economic development throughout Northumberland County while at the same time preserving large areas of the County. In support of intergovernmental cooperation, the following goal and objectives have been formulated.

Intergovernmental Cooperation Goal: Develop and maintain multi-municipal cooperation in meeting governmental responsibilities.

Objectives:

• Encourage multi-municipal actions in planning and implementation programs.

• Eliminate needless duplication of facilities and services.

• Improve coordination among all levels of government, public and private agencies, and citizens.

• Provide opportunity for intergovernmental commentary throughout the planning process at all levels of government.

• Develop guidelines that support uniformity of land use definitions and regulations.

During preparation of this Comprehensive Plan, the elements were drafted and reviewed for compliance with all of the general goals and objectives. In this way, technical inconsistencies were eliminated and conflicts in policy were minimized. Similarly, each element of the Comprehensive Plan acts to support other elements. For example, the Community Services element recommends the expansion or construction of public sanitary sewer systems only in areas of Northumberland

- 212 - County designated by the Land Use Plan. The Planning Commission believes that the principle of integration was followed to the greatest extent possible throughout this Comprehensive Plan. Because of compelling needs, however, in a limited number of cases the Comprehensive Plan provides recommendations that do not entirely comply with other sections of the Comprehensive Plan. The conflicts are summarized below.

• To achieve a compact future growth pattern, promote in-fill development and resolve illogical existing development patterns, the Comprehensive Plan designates certain existing farmland, including some operations with prime agricultural soils, as suitable for future growth.

• The Comprehensive Plan designates a large percentage of the total land in Northumberland County for preservation, conservation and low density uses. Accordingly, the total amount of land available for development may be reduced than under current policies. As such, the price of land designated for future development could increase at a rate exceeding the current level. Although this occurrence would impact all residents, new home buyers and new residents would be the most severely impacted. The planning program assumes that the long-term economic benefits of compact urban and suburban development, along with the protection of environmentally sensitive lands, is worth the adjustment.

•This Comprehensive Plan recommends the need for multi-municipal action and increasing the regulatory powers of the County regarding land use. This implies a direct dilution of the powers granted to municipalities and should be undertaken carefully. It is important that the unique needs of each community remain part of the planning process.

• Recommendations of this Comprehensive Plan involve or call for Northumberland County and local municipalities to assume new responsibilities. It is understood that the additional responsibilities will require additional funds at a time when the revenues of the local governments are strained. Furthermore, the benefits of the new programs may seem intangible or realized only after many years. It is assumed, however, that the long-term benefits of the programs outweigh immediate funding problems.

• Throughout the Land Use Plan, municipalities and authorities are requested to expand service into adjacent areas to achieve a compact land use pattern and avoid the expense of building new infrastructure elsewhere in the County. The authorities are only mandated to serve a defined geographic or municipal area. The policies of this Comprehensive Plan in effect request that the authorities voluntarily become regional authorities. While there is risk in asking the municipalities and authorities to assume a regional role, the Land Use Plan of this Comprehensive Plan can only be achieved by more efficiently using the existing infrastructure in Northumberland County.

There are gaps in this Comprehensive Plan that must be filled in the coming years. Detailed proposals regarding sanitary sewer and water, housing, recreation, and economic development must

- 213 - be undertaken as soon as possible. It is assumed that this Comprehensive Plan provides a sound regional framework for the development of the future plans to fill the gaps.

- 214 - C. STATEMENT REGARDING PLAN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES

The Municipalities Planning Code requires that a comprehensive plan include a discussion of short- and long-range plan implementation strategies, which may include implications for capital improvements programming, new or updated development regulations, and identification of public funds potentially available. The intent of the requirement is to encourage the formation of guidelines and recommendations for the manner in which the comprehensive plan objectives are to be most effectively implemented.

Each component of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan contains a section discussing implementation strategies. It is, therefore, not necessary to reiterate in this section the recommendations regarding implementation. Because, however, much of the implementation of this Comprehensive Plan depends on the cooperation of the municipalities to incorporate the recommendations contained in this Comprehensive Plan, Northumberland County must devise a program to provide technical assistance to the municipalities regarding the development of local plans and ordinances.

- 215 - D. STATEMENT REGARDING PLAN RELATIONSHIP TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADJACENT MUNICIPALITIES

The Municipalities Planning Code requires that a comprehensive plan consider the relationship of the existing and proposed development of the municipality to the existing and proposed development and plans in contiguous municipalities, to the objectives and plans for development in the county of which it is a part, and to regional trends. The intent of this section of the Municipalities Planning Code is to assure that all plans give consideration to the existing development and proposed development patterns of municipalities located within the County and the situations of adjacent Counties.

Few of the municipalities in Northumberland County have up to date relevant plans. Using 537 Sewage Plans, recent aerials, and resources to identify environmental character of Northumberland County, a survey of the County was completed. The findings from the survey were used to design the Land Use Plan of this Comprehensive Plan.

The aerial photography of the entire Northumberland County boundary and beyond was reviewed to evaluate existing land use. The findings from the survey were used to design the polices and programs of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan.

- 216 - IX. ENERGY

- 217 - ENERGY

The Municipalities Planning Code says that a comprehensive plan may include an energy conservation plan element that systematically analyzes the impact of each other component and element of the comprehensive plan on the present and future use of energy in the municipality, details specific measures contained in the other plan elements designed to reduce energy consumption and proposes other measures that the municipality may take to reduce energy consumption and to promote the effective use of renewable energy resources. The following are an energy conservation goal and objectives.

Energy Conservation Goal: To conserve energy and to effectively use renewable energy sources.

Objectives:

• Develop local regulations that use methods and technology that will reduce energy consumption.

• Promote energy awareness through education and public relations efforts that identify energy reductions that can be accomplished through land use and transportation planning techniques.

• Ensure that all public agencies assess facilities and services with regard to reducing energy consumption.

• Encourage the private sector to participate in energy reduction programs of all types.

It is noted that the various components of the Northumberland County Comprehensive Plan contain recommendations that promote, directly or indirectly, energy conservation. Implementation of the recommendations in agreement with this Comprehensive Plan will result in reductions of energy consumption. The recommendations are summarized below.

• A compact development pattern, as promoted by this Comprehensive Plan, with a concurrent reduction in sprawl, will encourage shorter trips.

• Recommendations of this Comprehensive Plan concerning mixed-use zoning districts will encourage shorter trips.

• Concentrating both employment opportunities and residential uses within the designated growth areas will reduce commuting distances.

- 218 - • The Land Use Plan offers recommendations concerning subdivision design and orientation that emphasize use of passive solar energy and landscaping techniques to reduce heating and cooling requirements.

• A compact land use pattern reduces the need to extend energy infrastructure beyond cost effective bounds.

• The Land Use Plan recommends the elimination of excessive construction standards that might interfere with good conservation practices and the inclusion of energy efficient standards in building codes.

• The Land Use Plan recommends subdivision designs that reduce the number of intersections and maximize the integration of new streets with the existing street system to minimize starting and stopping.

• A compact pattern of development increases the economic and operational feasibility of mass transportation.

• The recommendations regarding transportation, contained in the Community Services section, recommends the upgrading the relocation of highways to improve movement. The transportation policies also recommend improved signalization and synchronization to minimize unnecessary stopping and starting.

• The Community Service policies promote energy conservation through recommending recycling.

- 219 - X. HISTORIC PRESERVATION

- 220 - A. HISTORIC PRESERVATION RESOURCES

There are a variety of historic resources located in Northumberland County. Historic resources in Northumberland County have been identified by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Bureau of Historic Preservation (BHP). The BHP identifies historic resources that are listed on the National Register of Historic Place. The BHP also identifies properties that are potentially eligible for listing on the National Register.

The National Register is the official list of America’s significant resources. The National Register is comprised of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects of local significance in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture on the national, state, and local levels. Listing on the National Register provides prestige in addition to advantages. An advantage to Historic District designation includes tax credit provisions of the revenue act, providing a 20 percent investment credit for the rehabilitation of historic commercial, industrial and rental-residential buildings. National Register status also protects property from alteration or destruction by projects that are Federally funded or licensed. In cases where a federally funded project may cause an adverse affect, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation will review it in advance and make recommendations concerning its suitability.

The National Register listing of the Historic District does not, however, prevent private undertakings on a building that may alter or destroy its historic integrity. Also properties that are identified by the BHP are not protected from some public or all private undertakings. The property owner can make any change, unless there is a local ordinance to prevent the change.

TABLE 33 NATIONAL REGISTER LISTED PROPERTIES IN NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY Municipality Historic Name Address

Ralpho Township Krickbaum Covered Bridge T302

Ralpho Township Knoebel Covered Bridge Knoebel’s Grove

Ralpho Township Richards Covered Bridge T337

Delaware Township Allenwood River Bridge L.R. 460 & TR441

Delaware Township Hopper-Snyder Homestead RD #1

Delaware Township Nicholas Property/Milk Receiving Station E. side of Conrail Tracks

Delaware Township Warrior Run Presbyterian Church Jct. Rt. 147 & LR 49061

East Chillisquaque Township Brown, Gottlieb Covered Bridge T594, E. of Potts Grove

- 221 - TABLE 33 (CONTINUED)

Municipality Historic Name Address

Lewis Township Hower-Slote House S. of Warrior Run Blvd.

Lower Augusta Township Caspar Snyder House TR. 147, S of LR 49022

Milton Borough Milton Armory 133 Ridge Avenue

Milton Borough Milton Freight Station 90 Broadway Street

Milton Borough Milton Historic District Susquehanna, Walnut, Spruce, Den

Bound by Broadway, Filber, Milton Borough PA Canal/Limestone Run Aqueduct Bound

Northumberland Borough Northumberland Historic District 4th & A Sts., Shore Railroad

Northumberland Borough Joseph Priestley House 472 Priestley Avenue

Northumberland Borough Dr. Joseph Priestley House (Crosskeys) 100 King Street

Rockefeller Township Zion Stone Church Tulephocken Rd. at Augustaville

Shamokin City Victoria Theater 46 W. Independence St.

Sunbury City Beck House 62 N. Front Street

Sunbury City Northumberland County Courthouse 207 Market Street

Sunbury City Sunbury Historic District Arch, Market, Chestnut, Front Sts.

Upper Augusta Township Keefer Station Covered Bridge T 698 E. of Sunbury

Upper Augusta Township Sunbury Armory Catawissa Avenue

West Chillisquaque Twp. Colonel James Cameron House River Rd., ½ mile south of Milton

West Chillisquaque Twp. Sodom Schoolhouse Rt. 45

West Chillisquaque Twp./ Rishel Covered Bridge T573, E. Of Montandon East Chillisquaque Twp. Spans the Chillisquaque Creek between West and East Chillisquaque Townships

Washington Township Himmel’s Church Covered Bridge T 422, NE of Rebuck

Watsontown Borough Watsontown River Bridge L.R. 240 Spur over W. Branch Source: Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Bureau of Historic Preservation

- 222 - B. HISTORIC PRESERVATION GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Historic Preservation Goal: Assure preservation and encourage adaption of the County's historic resources and structures in a manner conducive to the character of community and in a manner considerate to the assets.

Objectives:

• Develop plans and controls that are sensitive to the landscape and visual character of each community.

• Promote strategies to protect the architectural character of historic buildings and landscapes important to the County.

- 223 - C. HISTORIC PRESERVATION PLAN

Historic Preservation - Policies

A. Support historic preservation efforts to preserve historic districts, sites and structures. Protect the integrity of Northumberland County’s cultural heritage, historic and architectural resources, and encourage their continued use or encourage their appropriate reuse.

B. Use historic preservation to compliment economic development activities and job creation. Ensure the continued economic viability of established commercial districts through preservation of its resources.

C. Improve the quality of urban life and promote an environment that is attractive and functional. Sustain the integrity, character, livability and stability of existing communities and neighborhoods. Preserve and enhance the desirable aesthetic qualities and visual character of the urban areas.

D. Encourage entrepreneurs to invest in rehabilitation, adaptive use, restoration, in-fill and redevelopment efforts, since the extent to which urban areas are revitalized will depend primarily upon private investment. Private investment should be coordinated with public actions and participation.

Historic Preservation - Implementation Strategies

A. Design review in historic areas. Historic preservation controls can be included in the zoning ordinance or through a separate ordinance. The historic preservation controls should, to the maximum extent possible, include standards for construction and remodeling rather than open-ended design review; however, not overburden the property owner. Written design standards may be supplemented with visual aids and guidebooks. Design guidelines should not concentrate solely on building design review, but also on the enhancement of the pedestrian environment and the setting. Design review should be carefully integrated with other planning goals for the area. Historic preservation controls for a historic district should be administered by a qualified board and staff.

B. Create historic districts where the majority of structures and settings are of significant importance. A number of agencies and organizations administer programs that can assist communities with historic preservation activities and complying with federal legislation and regulations including the following.

- State Historic Preservation Office, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

- National Trust for Historic Preservation.

- Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service.

- 224 - Hill Rd

N Bend Rd

Sulpher Spring Rd

Hewitt ln Berriman Hollow Rd Water Company Rd Northumberland County, PA

Hewitt ln Dugan Rd Musser ln

Schooley Hill Rd Grittner Hollow Rd SR 1011

Musser ln Comprehensive Plan Horseshoe Bend Rd PA-54 Sherman Dr Hester Rd

T634 Schmidt Rd

Susquehanna Trl Generalized Proposed Land Use Hughes Rd E District Rd

I-180

PA-405

T649 T636 Miller Rd Harrison Rd Blue Ball Rd

Crawford Rd SR 1010

River Rd Mincemoyer ln Balliett Rd Seese Rd West Branch Susquehanna River Metzger Dr SR 1008 River Rd Dentler Rd Hagenbach ln T653

Musser ln

Warrior Run Blvd Wertman School Rd PA-54 Laidacker Rd

Shreck Rd Bridge Rd

SR 1011 Sr1005Delaware Twp Hall Rd PA-54 Springtown Rd

Springtown Rd Springtown Rd Hickory Grove Rd Lewis Twp SR 1012 Gosh Rd Trent Rd

PA-44

Dry Run Willow Rd Warrior Run Blvd Koch Rd 8th St Rd Pleasant View Estates Old State Rd Old State Rd Truckenmiller Rd I-180 Schell Rd 8th St Rd Broadway Fisher Dr Turbotville Beaver Run Rd PA-44 PA-405 8th St Rd Paradise Rd

T622 SR 1006

SR 1006 Beaver Run

Fredericks Dr Vincent Ave Schuyler Rd Glaze Rd Schuyler Rd Legend Wolfe Blvd

Welliver Blvd Snyder Rd Watsontown Vincent Ave Oaks ln

Lehman Dr

Susquhanna Trl PA-44 Rovenolt Dr McEwensville Agricultural Areas Borough/City/Township

Milheim Rd Gauger Rd Gauger SR 1013

Center St Enterline Rd

Paradise Rd Plotts Rd Plotts Enterline Rd Clemens Rd Logging Road 47019 Existing Developed Areas Interstate

Susquehanna Trl Robbins Rd SR 1017 T600

Clemens Rd Moore Dr Moore

Susquehanna Trl West Branch Susquehanna River Susquehanna Branch West SR 1016 PA-405 Dietz Rd

T618 T597 Environmentally Sensitive Areas US Highway Phillips Rd

T 858 Sunset Heights Rd T 858

Muddy Run Rd Limestoneville Rd Eshbach Rd Muddy Run Page Rd Turbot Twp County Line Rd Permanent Open Space State Highway Grange Hall Rd

T633 I-80 Hoy Rd Church Rd T589

Muddy Run Rd Church Rd T594 Spottswood Dr Mine and Quarry Areas Railroad SR 1021 PA-254 Park Ave Chappel Rd Schnure Rd Lincoln St PA-405 School House Rd

PA-254 PA-254 N Turbot Ave Turbot N Milton Limestone Run Ridge Rd Neuer Rd Skyview Dr Shakespeare Ave Follmer Rd Future Growth Areas Mountain Ridge

Wall St

Mexico Rd Creek Rd PA-642

N Mill Rd

Shin St Showers Rd Limited Development Areas Carpenter Rd East Chillisquaque Twp Milton Airport Clymer Trail Ct

Shakespeare Rd

Sodom Rd Diehl Rd Industrial Park Rd Chillisquaque Creek

Mansion Rd S Mill Rd

PA-147

Dance Hall Rd

Shakespere Rd

Housels Run Rd

Marsh Rd PA-405

Mount Zion Rd

Lawton ln Wolfe Rd PA-45

PA-45 Purple Heart Hwy PA-45 Mountain Rd Mountain Snyder Rd Covered Bridge Rd Snyder Rd Merck Rd

Noaker Rd West Chillisquaque Twp Avenue E

Candy ln Merck Rd Warren Rd PA-147 Sunbury Rd Ridge Rd Vogt Rd Blue Hills Dr PA-405 Danville Airport Avenue F

Chillisquaque Creek Buckey ln Riverside Division Rd Boyce Rd Kipps Run Bedrock Rd Stoney ln Elysburg Road PA-54

Oak View Dr Hookies Rd US 11 Snydertown Rd Harley Blvd Potato ln

Reed Rd Ridge Rd E

Mountain Rd Sunbury Rd Comfort Rd

Oak View Rd Newberry ln Ridge Rd E Point Twp Hummer Rd Moser Rd West Branch Susquehanna River Watson Dr Snydertown Rd Hookies Rd

Ridge Rd E Bulk Plant Rd Plant Bulk

Pine Swamp Rd

Molter Rd Crest Haven Rd Neitz Rd Neitz Warner Rd Stone School Rd Redman Acres Wolverton Hollow

PA-147 Ridge Rd W ln Deerwood US 11 Rd Reed Kauffman ln Hill Rd Spruce Hollow Rd Erlston Rd Cannery Rd Sunbury Rd Little Roaring Creek Rd Neitz Rd Ploppert Rd

Gibbons Rd Drumheller Dr Snydertown Rd Shady ln Church Rd Rush Twp Bowden Rd

Mile Post Rd Rushtown Pl Rushtown PA-147 Keller Rd Pauls Rd Susquehanna Rd Reader Rd

Old Danville Hwy Bassett Rd Bassett

Cannery Rd Union Corner Rd Bennick Rd Clemens Rd Snydertown Rd Campbells Rd Union Corner Rd Derr Rd Mutchler Rd Northumberland River View Rd Elysburg Road PA-54 Pippon Rd Logan Run Rd Sunbury Airport Reader ln Grubb Hill Rd Mountain View Dr T533 Mount Pleasant

Mile Post Rd

SR 4008 Murphy Rd Murphy Rd S Smith Rd Pond Rd Mt View ln Bellas Hollow Rd Kaboodle Rd

Cold Run Hollow Rd Rushtown Rd Kaboodle Rd

Chevanik Rd W Sunbury St W Sunbury St Olive Rd SR 4006

Zimmermans Hollow Rd

PA-487 Poppy Rd Anthracite Rd Snydertown Richards Rd Shamokin Creek Camp Rd S2007 Southview Dr N 4th St Upper Augusta Twp Mill Rd W Sunbury St Snydertown Rd S2010

S2010 Memorial Park Ave Fox Rd E Clark Rd Fox Rd W Clay Pond Rd Sawmill Rd Shamokin Creek Holly Rd Monastery Rd Market StSunbury PA-61 PA-61

Turkey Hill Rd Bottle Rd Bottle T796 Furman Rd Mulberry Rd State St PA-61 Holly Rd Oak Rd W Center St

Roadarmel ln Haas Manor Rd E Holly Rd W Center St

Locust Rd Lilly Rd Lilly Carroll Rd Swank Rd W Valley Ave PA-487 Lily Rd Mountain View Rd

PA-61 Maple Rd PA-890 Dead End Rd Crocus Bear Hollow Rd Jasmine Rd Plum Creek Rd PA-61 S4016 Ralpho Twp T465

Edison Height Rd Klinger PA-54 Meadowview Circle Rd Lindy Acres Rd Cider Press Rd Plum Creek Rd Larch Rd

Twin Hill Rd

Old Reading Rd Derr Rd Hollow Rd Sugar Hollow Rd Reading Tpke

Culp Rd Clemens Rd Airport Rd Hosta Rd Hosta

Milts Rd Milts SR 4013 Shamokin Twp Linden Rd Cider Press Rd Northumberland County Airport Shipe Rd

Spruce Hollow Rd Kratzer Rd Fig Rd Reading Tpke SR 4018 Shamokin Reservoir

Airport Rd Airport Airport Rd Fredrick Rd Dogwood Rd Wallen Rd Drum Heller SR 2020 Blue Church Rd Conrad Rd Treva Rd 7 Points Rd Iris Rd T455

Lahr Rd Airport Rd

PA-61 Shamokin Reservoir Miller Rd Reservoir No 1 Buch's Hollow Rd Schoolhouse Rd S R 2020 Beck Rd Hosta Rd Center Rd PA-54 Shipman Hill Rd Hollow Rd PA-147 Rockefeller Twp Heim Rd Fir Rd T716 Hollow Rd

SR 4013 T473 Victor Rd Pine Hill Rd Creek Shamokin Pine Hill Rd Reservoir No 4 Bennys Run Hollow Rd Dobson Hill Rd Mile Run Rd Industrial Waste Ponds T455

Dobson Hill Rd

SR 4020 Cherry St Ash Rd Mile Run Rd Run Mile Main St Marion Heights Jews Hollow Rd PA-890 Christmas Rd Bunker Hill Bunker Hill PA-54 PA-61 Renn Rd Irish Valley Rd Hallowing Run T467 Bunker Hill PA-54 PA-61 Church Rd Boy Scout Rd Mount Carmel SR 2026 Kulpmont Mount Carmel Twp Becker St SR 4019 Crissinger Hill Rd PA-61 PA-61 W Independence St PA-890 Ridge Rd E Shamokin Archery Club Rd Coal Twp SR 4019 E Shamokin St PA-225 SR 2035 Hallowing Run Rd Mountain Rd Park Rd

T396 Lower Augusta Twp State St Lenig Rd Johnson Rd Boyles Run Rd PA-225 Big Mountain Ridge Crab Run Rd Big Mountain Rd Ridge Rd W Church Rd Zerbe Run PA-901

Ditty Rd Shamokin Creek Zerbe Twp Carbon Run PA-901 Mountain Dr PA-125 Ridge Rd W SR T838 Sr4019 PA-901 School House Rd Mountain Rd

Boyles Run SR T888 SR 2044 Peifers Dr

SR 2044 Little Mahanoy Twp SR 2044

SR 2044 PA-147

PA-225 Point Breeze Rd Didieum ln SR 3004 ln Blacks SR 2044 PA-125 SR 2044 East Cameron Twp Creek Rd West Cameron Twp SR 3004 Creek Rd

Sr2046

Pitters Rd SR 3006 SR 3006 Rattlesnake Rd Kulp Rd SR 3006 SR 3008 Line Mtn Rd Rock Rd T381 Line Mtn Rd PA-125 T385 T416 Line Mountain Rd Line Mountain Rd

Creek Hill Rd Grively Hill Rd Hollow Rd Hollow

Run A Buck Rd T395 Taylor Rd Rd Bridge Covered Line Mountain Rd

Owls Head Rd Head Owls Massers Rs

Line Rd Rd School Massers Rd Mt Pap Rd

Creek Hill Rd T414

SR 2025 PA-225 SR 3010 SR 3010 Swamp Poodle Rd S Cross Country Rd SR 3010

T444

SR 3001 SR 3001 Schwaben Creek Rd Middlecreek Rd Jackson Twp SR 3010 Old School Rd Hips Rd Schoolhouse Rd Bordner Rd Washington Twp 3011 SR Shaffer Rd Super Rd Old State Rd Super Rd Herndon Rothermal Rd Snyder Rd Moyer Rd T484 Herndon Rd Slutter Valley Rd Dairy Rd Bordner Rd T464 Old State Rd Howerteys Rd

Lubold Rd Spring Rd Ridge Rd T341 Pumpkin Center Rd T343 T478 T412 SR 3011 Ferster Valley Rd Chestnut Ridge Rd SR 2027

Greenbrier Rd Sucker St Stark Rd T426 Upper Mahanoy Twp Dauva Luch Rd W Chestnut Ridge Rd Pumpkin Center Rd

Witmer Rd Ferster Valley Rd E T478 Middle Creek Rd Knorr Hollow Rd Hoch Rd Snow Dale Rd PA-147

Susquehanna River Mattern Hill Rd PA-225 SR 3005 Hoofland Mt Rd Snowdale Rd Fidlers Run Greenbrier Rd

T452

PA-147 SR 3016 Boyer Rd

Gun Club Rd Crickets ln SR 3016 Schoolhouse Rd Water Shed Rd

Fisher Ridge Rd Ridge Fisher Old State Rd SR 3016 Fisher Ridge Rd Erdman's Rd SR 3016

Toad Valley Rd Raubstahl Rd SR 3013 Hebe by Pass Rd

Erdman's Rd

Dairy Rd Stone House Rd Jordan Twp T327 Old State Rd PA-225

Cogan Rd Cogan SR 3013

Lime Kiln Rd Mountain Rd

Middle Rd Green Acres Rd Toad Valley Rd Rd Church McKee Rd

Store ln Lenkers ln Meeting House Rd Turkey Valley Rd SR 3018

Dalmatia Creek

Mountain Rd Deppens Rd Troutman ln Radel Rd Hatchery Rd Park Rd Cemetery Rd Mahantongo Creek Rd Small Cut Rd Witmer Rd

Lower Mahanoy Twp Rd Farm Game

SR 3018 Herb's ln Mountain Rd New Rd Cemetery Rd Mahantango Creek

Creek Rd Fishery Rd Small Cut Rd PA-147 Mountain Rd Shaffers Rd D New Rd Creek Rd Malta Rd

Fishery Rd Game Farm Rd Shadeville Rd Adams Rd

Zerbe Rd Shoop Rd Shoop Mahantongo Creek Rd Miles

PA-147 Mapping by BonData Koppy's ln 245 West High Street 0 2 4 6 8 Hummelstown, PA 17036 (717) 566-5550 Hill Rd

N Bend Rd

Sulpher Spring Rd

Hewitt ln Berriman Hollow Rd Water Company Rd Northumberland County, PA

Hewitt ln Dugan Rd Musser ln

Schooley Hill Rd Grittner Hollow Rd SR 1011

Musser ln Comprehensive Plan Horseshoe Bend Rd PA-54 Sherman Dr Hester Rd

T634 Schmidt Rd

Susquehanna Trl Generalized Existing Land Use Hughes Rd E District Rd

I-180

PA-405

T649 T636 Miller Rd Harrison Rd Blue Ball Rd

Crawford Rd SR 1010

River Rd Mincemoyer ln Balliett Rd Seese Rd West Branch Susquehanna River Metzger Dr SR 1008 River Rd Dentler Rd Hagenbach ln T653

Musser ln

Warrior Run Blvd Wertman School Rd PA-54 Laidacker Rd

Shreck Rd Bridge Rd

SR 1011 Sr1005Delaware Twp Hall Rd PA-54 Springtown Rd

Springtown Rd Springtown Rd Hickory Grove Rd Lewis Twp SR 1012 Gosh Rd Trent Rd

PA-44

Dry Run Willow Rd Warrior Run Blvd Koch Rd 8th St Rd Pleasant View Estates Old State Rd Old State Rd Truckenmiller Rd I-180 Schell Rd 8th St Rd Broadway Fisher Dr Turbotville Beaver Run Rd PA-44 PA-405 8th St Rd Paradise Rd

T622 SR 1006

SR 1006 Beaver Run

Fredericks Dr Vincent Ave Schuyler Rd Glaze Rd Schuyler Rd Legend Wolfe Blvd

Welliver Blvd Snyder Rd Watsontown Vincent Ave Oaks ln

Lehman Dr Susquhanna Trl PA-44 Rovenolt Dr Agriculture Mixed Use McEwensville

Milheim Rd Gauger Rd Gauger SR 1013

Center St Enterline Rd

Paradise Rd Plotts Rd Plotts Enterline Rd River / Stream Borough/City/Township

Clemens Rd Logging Road 47019

Susquehanna Trl Robbins Rd SR 1017 T600

Clemens Rd Moore Dr Moore

Susquehanna Trl West Branch Susquehanna River Susquehanna Branch West Residential Interstate SR 1016 PA-405 Dietz Rd

T618 T597 Phillips Rd

T 858 Sunset Heights Rd T 858 Undeveloped Land / Natural Veg US Highway Muddy Run Rd Limestoneville Rd Eshbach Rd Muddy Run Page Rd Turbot Twp County Line Rd Grange Hall Rd

T633 I-80 Hoy Rd Church Rd Gamelands State Highway T589

Muddy Run Rd Church Rd T594 Spottswood Dr

SR 1021 PA-254 Park Ave Chappel Rd Schnure Rd Lincoln St PA-405 School House Rd Mine / Quarry Railroad

PA-254 PA-254 N Turbot Ave Turbot N Milton Limestone Run Ridge Rd Neuer Rd Skyview Dr Shakespeare Ave Follmer Rd Large Commercial / Industrial Mountain Ridge Wall St

Mexico Rd Creek Rd PA-642

N Mill Rd

Shin St Showers Rd Community Use / Utilities Carpenter Rd East Chillisquaque Twp Milton Airport Clymer Trail Ct

Shakespeare Rd

Sodom Rd Diehl Rd Industrial Park Rd Chillisquaque Creek

Mansion Rd S Mill Rd

PA-147

Dance Hall Rd

Shakespere Rd

Housels Run Rd

Marsh Rd PA-405

Mount Zion Rd

Lawton ln Wolfe Rd PA-45

PA-45 Purple Heart Hwy PA-45 Mountain Rd Mountain Snyder Rd Covered Bridge Rd Snyder Rd Merck Rd

Noaker Rd West Chillisquaque Twp Avenue E

Candy ln Merck Rd Warren Rd PA-147 Sunbury Rd Ridge Rd Vogt Rd Blue Hills Dr PA-405 Danville Airport Avenue F

Chillisquaque Creek Buckey ln Riverside Division Rd Boyce Rd Kipps Run Bedrock Rd Stoney ln Elysburg Road PA-54

Oak View Dr Hookies Rd US 11 Snydertown Rd Harley Blvd Potato ln

Reed Rd Ridge Rd E

Mountain Rd Sunbury Rd Comfort Rd

Oak View Rd Newberry ln Ridge Rd E Point Twp Hummer Rd Moser Rd West Branch Susquehanna River Watson Dr Snydertown Rd Hookies Rd

Ridge Rd E Bulk Plant Rd Plant Bulk

Pine Swamp Rd

Molter Rd Crest Haven Rd Neitz Rd Neitz Warner Rd Stone School Rd Redman Acres Wolverton Hollow

PA-147 Ridge Rd W ln Deerwood US 11 Rd Reed Kauffman ln Hill Rd Spruce Hollow Rd Erlston Rd Cannery Rd Sunbury Rd Little Roaring Creek Rd Neitz Rd Ploppert Rd

Gibbons Rd Drumheller Dr Snydertown Rd Shady ln Church Rd Rush Twp Bowden Rd

Mile Post Rd Rushtown Pl Rushtown PA-147 Keller Rd Pauls Rd Susquehanna Rd Reader Rd

Old Danville Hwy Bassett Rd Bassett

Cannery Rd Union Corner Rd Bennick Rd Clemens Rd Snydertown Rd Campbells Rd Union Corner Rd Derr Rd Mutchler Rd Northumberland River View Rd Elysburg Road PA-54 Pippon Rd Logan Run Rd Sunbury Airport Reader ln Grubb Hill Rd Mountain View Dr T533 Mount Pleasant

Mile Post Rd

SR 4008 Murphy Rd Murphy Rd S Smith Rd Pond Rd Mt View ln Bellas Hollow Rd Kaboodle Rd

Cold Run Hollow Rd Rushtown Rd Kaboodle Rd

Chevanik Rd W Sunbury St W Sunbury St Olive Rd SR 4006

Zimmermans Hollow Rd

PA-487 Poppy Rd Anthracite Rd Snydertown Richards Rd Shamokin Creek Camp Rd S2007 Southview Dr N 4th St Upper Augusta Twp Mill Rd W Sunbury St Snydertown Rd S2010

S2010 Memorial Park Ave Fox Rd E Clark Rd Fox Rd W Clay Pond Rd Sawmill Rd Shamokin Creek Holly Rd Monastery Rd Market StSunbury PA-61 PA-61

Turkey Hill Rd Bottle Rd Bottle T796 Furman Rd Mulberry Rd State St PA-61 Holly Rd Oak Rd W Center St

Roadarmel ln Haas Manor Rd E Holly Rd W Center St

Locust Rd Lilly Rd Lilly Carroll Rd Swank Rd W Valley Ave PA-487 Lily Rd Mountain View Rd

PA-61 Maple Rd PA-890 Dead End Rd Crocus Bear Hollow Rd Jasmine Rd Plum Creek Rd PA-61 S4016 Ralpho Twp T465

Edison Height Rd Klinger PA-54 Meadowview Circle Rd Lindy Acres Rd Cider Press Rd Plum Creek Rd Larch Rd

Twin Hill Rd

Old Reading Rd Derr Rd Hollow Rd Sugar Hollow Rd Reading Tpke

Culp Rd Clemens Rd Airport Rd Hosta Rd Hosta

Milts Rd Milts SR 4013 Shamokin Twp Linden Rd Cider Press Rd Northumberland County Airport Shipe Rd

Spruce Hollow Rd Kratzer Rd Fig Rd Reading Tpke SR 4018 Shamokin Reservoir

Airport Rd Airport Airport Rd Fredrick Rd Dogwood Rd Wallen Rd Drum Heller SR 2020 Blue Church Rd Conrad Rd Treva Rd 7 Points Rd Iris Rd T455

Lahr Rd Airport Rd

PA-61 Shamokin Reservoir Miller Rd Reservoir No 1 Buch's Hollow Rd Schoolhouse Rd S R 2020 Beck Rd Hosta Rd Center Rd PA-54 Shipman Hill Rd Hollow Rd PA-147 Rockefeller Twp Heim Rd Fir Rd T716 Hollow Rd

SR 4013 T473 Victor Rd Pine Hill Rd Creek Shamokin Pine Hill Rd Reservoir No 4 Bennys Run Hollow Rd Dobson Hill Rd Mile Run Rd Industrial Waste Ponds T455

Dobson Hill Rd

SR 4020 Cherry St Ash Rd Mile Run Rd Run Mile Main St Marion Heights Jews Hollow Rd PA-890 Christmas Rd Bunker Hill Bunker Hill PA-54 PA-61 Renn Rd Irish Valley Rd Hallowing Run T467 Bunker Hill PA-54 PA-61 Church Rd Boy Scout Rd Mount Carmel SR 2026 Kulpmont Mount Carmel Twp Becker St SR 4019 Crissinger Hill Rd PA-61 PA-61 W Independence St PA-890 Ridge Rd E Shamokin Archery Club Rd Coal Twp SR 4019 E Shamokin St PA-225 SR 2035 Hallowing Run Rd Mountain Rd Park Rd

T396 Lower Augusta Twp State St Lenig Rd Johnson Rd Boyles Run Rd PA-225 Big Mountain Ridge Crab Run Rd Big Mountain Rd Ridge Rd W Church Rd Zerbe Run PA-901

Ditty Rd Shamokin Creek Zerbe Twp Carbon Run PA-901 Mountain Dr PA-125 Ridge Rd W SR T838 Sr4019 PA-901 School House Rd Mountain Rd

Boyles Run SR T888 SR 2044 Peifers Dr

SR 2044 Little Mahanoy Twp SR 2044

SR 2044 PA-147

PA-225 Point Breeze Rd Didieum ln SR 3004 ln Blacks SR 2044 PA-125 SR 2044 East Cameron Twp Creek Rd West Cameron Twp SR 3004 Creek Rd

Sr2046

Pitters Rd SR 3006 SR 3006 Rattlesnake Rd Kulp Rd SR 3006 SR 3008 Line Mtn Rd Rock Rd T381 Line Mtn Rd PA-125 T385 T416 Line Mountain Rd Line Mountain Rd

Creek Hill Rd Grively Hill Rd Hollow Rd Hollow

Run A Buck Rd T395 Taylor Rd Rd Bridge Covered Line Mountain Rd

Owls Head Rd Head Owls Massers Rs

Line Rd Rd School Massers Rd Mt Pap Rd

Creek Hill Rd T414

SR 2025 PA-225 SR 3010 SR 3010 Swamp Poodle Rd S Cross Country Rd SR 3010

T444

SR 3001 SR 3001 Schwaben Creek Rd Middlecreek Rd Jackson Twp SR 3010 Old School Rd Hips Rd Schoolhouse Rd Bordner Rd Washington Twp 3011 SR Shaffer Rd Super Rd Old State Rd Super Rd Herndon Rothermal Rd Snyder Rd Moyer Rd T484 Herndon Rd Slutter Valley Rd Dairy Rd Bordner Rd T464 Old State Rd Howerteys Rd

Lubold Rd Spring Rd Ridge Rd T341 Pumpkin Center Rd T343 T478 T412 SR 3011 Ferster Valley Rd Chestnut Ridge Rd SR 2027

Greenbrier Rd Sucker St Stark Rd T426 Upper Mahanoy Twp Dauva Luch Rd W Chestnut Ridge Rd Pumpkin Center Rd

Witmer Rd Ferster Valley Rd E T478 Middle Creek Rd Knorr Hollow Rd Hoch Rd Snow Dale Rd PA-147

Susquehanna River Mattern Hill Rd PA-225 SR 3005 Hoofland Mt Rd Snowdale Rd Fidlers Run Greenbrier Rd

T452

PA-147 SR 3016 Boyer Rd

Gun Club Rd Crickets ln SR 3016 Schoolhouse Rd Water Shed Rd

Fisher Ridge Rd Ridge Fisher Old State Rd SR 3016 Fisher Ridge Rd Erdman's Rd SR 3016

Toad Valley Rd Raubstahl Rd SR 3013 Hebe by Pass Rd

Erdman's Rd

Dairy Rd Stone House Rd Jordan Twp T327 Old State Rd PA-225

Cogan Rd Cogan SR 3013

Lime Kiln Rd Mountain Rd

Middle Rd Green Acres Rd Toad Valley Rd Rd Church McKee Rd

Store ln Lenkers ln Meeting House Rd Turkey Valley Rd SR 3018

Dalmatia Creek

Mountain Rd Deppens Rd Troutman ln Radel Rd Hatchery Rd Park Rd Cemetery Rd Mahantongo Creek Rd Small Cut Rd Witmer Rd

Lower Mahanoy Twp Rd Farm Game

SR 3018 Herb's ln Mountain Rd New Rd Cemetery Rd Mahantango Creek

Creek Rd Fishery Rd Small Cut Rd PA-147 Mountain Rd Shaffers Rd D New Rd Creek Rd Malta Rd

Fishery Rd Game Farm Rd Shadeville Rd Adams Rd

Zerbe Rd Shoop Rd Shoop Mahantongo Creek Rd Miles

PA-147 Mapping by BonData Koppy's ln 245 West High Street 0 2 4 6 8 Hummelstown, PA 17036 (717) 566-5550