Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

GREENE TOWNSHIP PIKE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN April 2010

Adopted April 7, 2010, Resolution 10-6

PREPARED BY:

F. X. BROWNE, INC. 1101 SOUTH BROAD STREET LANSDALE, PA 19446 (215) 362-3878

PREPARED FOR:

GREENE TOWNSHIP PIKE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

FXB File No. PA1726-03-001 Acknowledgments

Special recognition and thanks are extended to the following people without whose assistance this Comprehensive Plan would not have been possible:

Greene Township Planning Commission Tim Jones (Chair) (Past Township Supervisor) Kerry Nix (Secretary) Roger Altemier Gary Carlton Sam Jackson Heather Mousley Scott Mousley Fred Schoenagel

Greene Township Supervisors MaryAnn Hubbard (Chair) Edward Simon (Vice Chair) Gary Carlton

Linda Kramer, Greene Township Secretary

Donald Nicholson, Greene Township SEO

F. X. Browne, Inc. Staff (Project Consultant) Frank X. Browne, Ph.D., P.E. Marlene R. Martin, P.E. Erika Tokarz Rebecca Buerkett Barbara Baier

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS

Executive Summary...... i Chapter 1 - Introduction...... 1 The Planning Process...... 1 Implementation Process...... 2

Chapter 2 –Statement of Goals and Objectives ...... 3 Comprehensive Plan Goals...... 3 Specific Objectives ...... 5 Location Criteria ...... 8

Chapter 3 – Plan Recommendations...... 12 Future Land Use...... 12 Housing...... 13 Transportation...... 13 Community Facilities and Utility Services...... 14 Wastewater and Stormwater Planning...... 15 Resource Conservation ...... 16 Other Recommendations...... 17

Chapter 4 - History and Regional Setting...... 20 Greene Township History...... 20 Promised Land State Park History...... 20 Regional Setting...... 21 Government...... 21 The Future of Greene Township...... 22

Chapter 5 - Current Demographics and Trends ...... 23 Population Change...... 23 Population Projections ...... 24 Population Structure...... 26 Educational Attainment ...... 28

Chapter 6 – Housing Analysis ...... 30 Housing Inventory ...... 30 Housing Types ...... 33 Housing Values and Rental Rates...... 34

Chapter 7 – Economic Analysis...... 37 Household Income ...... 37 Labor Force...... 38

Journey to Work...... 38 Employment by Industry...... 39

Chapter 8 – Natural Features Analysis ...... 42 Climate...... 43 Topography...... 43 Soils...... 44 Geology...... 47 Water Resources ...... 48 Watersheds...... 48 Surface Water Resources ...... 49 Groundwater Resources...... 50 Floodplains...... 51 Wetlands ...... 51 Agricultural Resources...... 52 Wildlife and Plant Resources...... 54 Air Quality ...... 55 Environmentally Sensitive Areas...... 56

Chapter 9 - Land Use Analysis ...... 57 Existing Development Patterns...... 57 Land Use Analysis ...... 58 Historic Resources ...... 58 Zoning...... 60 Land Use and Natural Resources Conservation/Open Lands Preservation...... 60

Chapter 10 – Community Facilities and Utilities Analysis ...... 62 Water Supply Systems ...... 62 Sanitary Systems...... 62 Stormwater Facilities ...... 63 Electric Power Service...... 64 Telephone Service...... 64 Cable Television and Internet ...... 64 Solid Waste Management ...... 64 Recycling ...... 65 Educational Facilities...... 65 Recreational Facilities and Services ...... 66 Medical Facilities...... 67 Police and Fire Protection...... 68 Library Facilities...... 68 Municipal Buildings...... 69

Chapter 11 – Transportation ...... 70 Existing Roadway Network ...... 70 Traffic Volumes...... 71 Functional Classification of Transportation Systems ...... 74 Accident Analysis ...... 74

Chapter 12 – Existing Municipal Planning...... 77 Existing Greene Township Planning ...... 77 Existing State and Federal Planning ...... 78 Planning Consistency with Pike County...... 79 Planning Consistency with Adjoining Municipalities ...... 80

References...... 83 Appendix A– Greene Township Municipal Officials Survey Results...... 84 Appendix B - Maps...... 86

List of Figures

Figure 1 - Physiographic Divisions of Pennsylvania...... 21 Figure 2 – The projected population increase from 2000 to 2010...... 26 Figure 3 – Greene Township Population Structure for the 1990 and 2000 census...... 27 Figure 4 – The year housing units were built in Greene Township...... 32 Figure 5 – The value of owner-occupied housing units for the 1990 and 2000 census...... 34 Figure 6 – The average commute time for Greene Township residents...... 39

List of Tables

Table 1 - Pike County Population Change (1960 to 2000)...... 24 Table 2 - Pike County Municipal Population Projections 2000-2010 ...... 25 Table 3 – Greene Township Age Distribution Change from 1990 to 2000 ...... 27 Table 4 – Greene Township Population Attainment in 2000 ...... 29 Table 5 - Number of Housing Units ...... 31 Table 6 – Housing Occupancy...... 32 Table 7 – Number and Percentage of Housing Types ...... 34 Table 8 – Contract Rent ...... 35 Table 9 – Median Household Income...... 37 Table 10 – Labor Force Characteristics...... 38 Table 11 – Greene Township Industries ...... 40 Table 12 - Greene Township Soils...... 45

Table 13 – Greene Township Geology ...... 47 Table 14 – Greene Township Groundwater Yields ...... 50

Table 15 - Land Use in Greene Township...... 58

Table 16 – Greene Township School Enrollment of Persons 3 Years and Over...... 66 Table 17 – Greene Township Traffic Volumes ...... 72 Table 18 – Accident Summary Report 2000-2002 ...... 75 Table 19 – Accident Summary Report 2003-2005 ...... 76

List of Maps

Map 1 – Topography Map 2 – Slopes Map 3 – Soils Map 4 – Natural Features Map 5 – Prime Agricultural Soils Map 6 – Existing Land Use Map 7 – Historic Places Map 8 – Potential Development Areas Map 9 – Water and Sewer Service Map 10 – Road Network Map 11 – Soil Suitability for Onsite Wastewater Disposal Based on Soils and Slopes

Executive Summary

The primary purpose of this community-created comprehensive plan is to shape the future of the community, protect natural resources, and to preserve and maintain the rural uniqueness of the township and the surrounding region. This document outlines a development path for Greene Township over the next several years.

Greene Township is home to more than 3,600 people and growing every year. While the commercial and industrial base of the township is unlikely to significantly change in the near future, increased population and residential development pressure will continue. There will also continue to be a high demand for land, land values will rise, and there will be greater pressure to protect the natural environmental and rural character of the township that draws people to this part of Pennsylvania. The population of Greene Township is expected to grow and age as more retirees move into the region.

Agriculture/open space is still the predominant land use activity in Greene Township, although the most rapidly growing land use activity within the township is residential use. Greentown, strategically located at the junction of several early routes through the region, became the county center for commercial activity. Future growth centers include the I-84 interchange and the Route 507 corridor. These areas should be targeted for development ordinances in keeping with Smart Growth principles.

Action Plan

The following Action Plan outlines specific recommended actions for Greene Township and the relative time frames for each action. Because some of the recommended actions require actions of other municipalities or organizations, the timeline is provided in general terms, broken down into three categories: 1-3 years, 3-5 years, and 5-10 years. The township should work closely with the LWWMD and other area townships to accomplish the recommendations in this plan.

1-3 Year Recommendations

• Update the Greene Township Act 537 Plan to reflect current and future wastewater planning needs. Conduct soil suitability mapping to identify areas of the township with soils that are unsuitable for conventional septic systems, and require either the construction of mound, spray, or other alternative wastewater systems in those areas, or connection to existing community or public wastewater systems.

• Encourage farmland owners to dedicate conservation easements to nature conservancies, Pike County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

• Work together with Pike County to advertise the availability of the existing parks and recreational services available in the township. Seek funding to increase the amount of trails, picnic areas, and parking for existing recreational areas in the township. i Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

• Whenever possible, maintain existing buildings and support historic preservation projects. This includes promoting historic preservation easements on public and private properties in the township.

3-5 Year Recommendations

• Update the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, and create other codes and ordinances. Future ordinances should include recommendations for Low- Impact Development (LID), conservation design, and stormwater ordinances that address volume control, peak volume, and water quality protection.

• Conduct a housing study to evaluate the distribution of housing types and to identify the housing needs of the current and future Township residents, paying particular attention to low-income housing options.

5-10 Year Recommendations

• Develop a cooperative land use review agreement with neighboring municipalities which would provide for the courtesy referral of subdivision and land development applications, and other appropriate applications that would occur in close proximity to the municipal boundary lines.

• Utilize and codify various development design techniques such as, but not limited to, clustering, conservation by design, and transfer of development rights to encourage the retention of open space, sensitive environmental features, and agricultural land in subdivisions and land developments.

• Develop and codify specific front yard perimeter landscape open space requirements that would provide a consistent attractive appearance along the road/street frontages of commercial and industrial properties.

• Develop and codify sign regulations including “billboard” regulations that would allow for the reasonable advertisement of businesses without detracting from the appearance of the Township’s commercial and industrial areas.

• Partner with neighboring townships to share services and engage in cooperative purchasing to save money.

• Encourage year-round economic development in the township, including support for “green jobs.”

ii Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 1 - Introduction

The purpose of a community-created comprehensive plan is to shape the future of the community, provide a basis for making land use decisions, and to create a guiding set of goals toward which the community should work. In order to manage the expected growth, protect natural resources, and preserve the rural uniqueness of the township and the surrounding region, this document outlines a development path for Greene Township over the next several years.

The comprehensive plan is a useful tool for decision making, with respect to ongoing municipal programs, In order to manage the and can assist in shaping the future of the township. The comprehensive plan can also provide insight and expected growth, protect guidance for future investment to both public and natural resources, and private entities. The comprehensive plan can show what preserve the rural uniqueness investments would be sound and desirable within the of the township and the township, with respect to proposed infrastructure and surrounding region, this future growth areas. For public agencies, the document outlines a comprehensive plan identifies the characteristics of the township so that agencies can make informed decisions development path for Greene and develop policies that are in the best interest of the Township over the next township. The plan provides the foundation and several years. framework for the township’s future direction.

While a comprehensive plan is not a regulatory ordinance, it is a policy-setting document that provides important background information and justification for making changes to other land use-related town documents. Its stated purpose is to provide guidance and direction for future planning efforts based on community input, and for enacting additional regulatory ordinances or needed changes to existing local land use ordinances.

Population growth and land development throughout Greene Township have continued to alter the township's land use pattern, physical landscape, economic base, and ecological balance over the past decade. Area residents and township officials are well aware of the need to correlate the quality of life with these changes and their impacts on traffic conditions, public utilities and community facilities. Greene Township does not currently have a comprehensive plan, and is therefore vulnerable to unchecked growth patterns that are inconsistent with the desired rural character that township residents value. A 2004 survey of Pike County Municipal Officials conducted in preparation of the Pike County Comprehensive Plan identified multiple planning issues as relevant and important, and a Greene Township Comprehensive Plan was determined by the residents and municipal officials to be timely and necessary.

The Planning Process

The draft version of Pike County’s Comprehensive Plan, which was completed in June 2006, provided broad goals and criteria for Greene Township to use in the preparation of the Greene Township Comprehensive Plan. The Greene Township Comprehensive Plan was designed to be consistent with the Pike County Comprehensive Plan and the comprehensive plans of surrounding municipalities. The planning process and public input that was used to develop this plan provide the justification for setting goals, objectives, and recommendations in the Plan. 1 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

The Plan was prepared by F. X. Browne, Inc. and presented to the Greene Township Planning Commission, Greene Township Board of Supervisors, and the public. Comments from all three groups plus the Pike County Planning Commission were incorporated into the final Plan,

Implementation Process

The first course of action for implementation of the comprehensive plan is adoption of the plan by the Greene Township Board of Supervisors. Upon its adoption, the plan becomes the official document guiding the growth and direction of the township.

Once adopted, the plan should not be “put on the shelf,” but should be constantly referred to for guidance in selecting future courses of action. The plan should be used to coordinate growth in the township as well as in the surrounding region. Municipal planning efforts for capital improvements should follow the recommended growth patterns in the plan, and recommendations for applicable projects should be grounded in the comprehensive plan.

The plan should be available to the public in order that private decisions for investment or development can be considered in light of the desired direction of the township. Comprehensive planning should be an ongoing activity, and the plan should be periodically evaluated for conformity with the needs of the township and its residents.

2 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 2 –Statement of Goals and Objectives

Comprehensive Plan Goals

The Greene Township Comprehensive Plan requires a Statement of Goals and Objectives whereby the Greene Township Board of Supervisors, at the advisement of the township planning commission, can draw conclusions with respect to land use, population density, location and function of roads, other community facilities and utilities, together with any other factors that impact the future growth and development of the township. This statement becomes the basis of recommendations made in the comprehensive plan regarding subdivision control, official mapping, capital improvements programming, grant-in-aid applications, other municipal actions affecting land development, energy conservation, public lands and improvements, other activities or entities regulated by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code Act of 1968, P.L. 805, No. 247 as reenacted and amended and township policies or ordinances.

In furtherance of the Greene Township Comprehensive Plan, the following goals form the framework for the constituent plan elements, policy statements, and proposals found herein:

1. Maintain the township’s rural character and quality of life;

2. Guide land development and location of public improvements in order to meet the needs of the township residents while promoting the preservation of the natural environment, specifically the streams, creeks, floodplains, wetlands, aquifers, farmlands, hillsides, forests, historical areas, and other ecologically-sensitive areas;

3. Encourage the conservation of natural systems, environmental resources, rural appearance and the other township amenities;

4. Maintain and contribute to a balanced variety of land uses;

5. Ensure that township development does not conflict with neighboring communities and coordinate with regional services and facilities;

6. Safeguard the local tax base, protect economic balance, and provide for a continuing source of employment and public revenue through appropriate utilization of existing and potential non-residential lands;

7. Establish an appropriate range of housing types to meet the needs of the existing and potential resident populations;

8. Promote future development within reasonable and manageable time periods in relation to the availability of appropriate roads, utilities, community facilities and other infrastructure; and

9. Promote regional coordination and cooperation of water, sewer and other public resources and explore alternative sources and methods.

3 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 It is assumed that growth in Greene Township will continue during the 20-year planning period. Residential development is expected in a range of densities. Additional commercial, and possibly some industrial development, is also expected. Further growth will require public utilities, municipal services, improved circulation, community facilities, and the correction of existing problems such as storm drainage and flooding in certain areas.

Balanced land use planning for the township should be concerned with the critical protection and proper utilization of the natural features of the township. Environmental protection should be coordinated at the residential neighborhood and historic village levels, and at the inter-municipal and regional levels when there are potential impacts on the community, neighboring municipalities, or Pike County. Faced with continuing development pressures, the following planning principles are stated to guide the overall development of Greene Township.

General standards for development in Greene Township are as follows:

1. For reasons of regional location and access, it is appropriate to maintain a moderate level of development in the township.

2. Provide the full spectrum of housing appropriate to its location and the needs of its residents, without overloading the community infrastructure of roads, public utilities, and community facilities.

3. Locate multi-family housing on major roads adequate to accommodate increased traffic.

4. Limit the total size and scope of contiguous multi-family housing development to reduce cumulative localized impacts and to maintain the existing development character of the township sector involved.

5. Require transitional densities or buffer areas to minimize adverse development impacts.

6. Provide a mixture of residential types on major development tracts in order to retain the existing township character.

7. Lower residential densities where natural constraints create serious development hazards.

8. Provide commercial development where it is feasible and where it does not adversely impact existing or planned land uses and traffic circulation.

9. Locate industrial development where it does not adversely impact residential areas or cause damage to the natural environment.

10. Protect and preserve prime agricultural land, especially active farmland.

11. Restrict or prohibit development in critical environmental areas that are subject to environmental constraints such as, but not limited to, areas with steep slopes, wetlands and floodplains.

4 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Specific Objectives

Future Land Needs

The future land use needs takes into account all of the components of the comprehensive plan and existing conditions in the township, including natural resources, development patterns, transportation networks, and demographic characteristics. The following objectives are proposed for consideration.

Residential

1. Preserve and maintain the integrity of existing residential areas by supporting a development intensity and population density appropriate to the regional location of the township, the natural constraints of the land area, and the availability and capacity of public facilities and utility services.

2. Relate multi-family housing development to major roads, commercial services, and public facilities.

3. Prevent the incursion of incompatible, non-residential land uses into established residential neighborhoods and agricultural areas.

4. Assure the compatibility of adjacent land uses and coordination of land development plans.

5. Require ample setbacks from public roads, retention of existing native vegetation, and landscape screening where no transitional use is feasible.

6. Correct blight and substandard conditions.

7. Incorporate conservation design principles into existing and future ordinances such as the SALDO, as outlined in the Natural Resource Conservation and Open Land Preservation in Greene Township Report (Pike CCD and Pike CPC, 2007).

Commercial

1. Encourage regional retail and office development to locate on major roadways.

2. Permit neighborhood business uses near residential areas.

3. Consider the development of a commercial office district.

4. Consider the development of a planned business district. 5 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

Agricultural

1. Assist farmers in the preservation of agricultural security area within Greene Township; appoint a Township Agricultural Advisory Board.

2. Encourage and promote the township’s agricultural industry by supporting the formation of ASAs, local farm markets and stands, agricultural fairs, agri-tourism opportunities, partnerships with other tourism and conservation organizations to promote “buying local,” small business incubator support for farmers, and similar efforts.

3. Support and encourage conservation easements within the community especially on active harvested crop and pastureland.

4. Maintain land use and development regulations that assure the continuance of agriculture.

Housing Objectives

The housing plan includes residential development standards, proposals for the construction of new housing, and proposals for the improvement of existing housing. Population and employment projections determine the amount and type of additional housing to be provided in the township. The area is divided to support single family, two family, and multi-family housing to include townhouses, garden apartments, conversion apartments, mobile home parks, and planned residential development. The housing plan further proposes site development controls to guide proper housing design and construction, and to maintain the relatively high standards of residential land use in the township. The following objectives are offered:

1. Provide a variety of housing densities and types.

2. Maintain the quality of existing housing by providing quality municipal services to residential areas and by encouraging sound housing stock.

Transportation Objectives

The transportation plan reviews all modes of transportation, in particular all roads and highways, and establishes policy statements for their development. A diversity of transportation facilities will be needed in the future for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods that are compatible with the land uses and natural environment of Greene Township. The transportation objectives emphasize improvements to Township roads, as follows:

1. Improve the efficiency of the township road network by improving local circulation, and instituting a continuing and coordinated Capital Improvements Program for road improvements for new construction, realignment, rehabilitation, and major repair and maintenance.

2. Review roadside quality with respect to signs, landscaping, slope, drainage, and views.

3. Coordinate with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on driveway access controls. 6 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

4. Address critical road problems and problematic area intersections.

5. Facilitate the movement of through-traffic on major roads and highways so they are not disruptive to local streets and roads.

Community Facility Objectives

To facilitate the provision of adequate facilities for future township populations, the following objectives are presented:

1. Provide adequate emergency services to residents and businesses.

2. Provide efficient municipal facilities.

3. Preserve historic, archaeological, and cultural sites.

4. Provide an adequate network of public park and recreation areas.

5. Protect valuable environmentally sensitive conservation areas.

6. Develop and adopt specific criteria for park and recreational development.

7. Continue to encourage the improvement of modern telecommunications.

Utility Service Objectives

In response to the current utility services and coverage area for each utility, the following policy statements are applicable:

1. Monitor potable water supply.

2. Provide adequate sanitary sewer service by limiting public sewerage facilities to densely populated areas, and not expanding into sparsely populated areas or where feasible due to natural constraints.

3. Effectively regulate storm drainage and alleviate flood damage in down-stream and flood- prone areas by preserving natural stream corridors, controlling further development in flood hazards areas, encouraging coordinated basin-wide drainage improvements, implementing best management practices that reduce and infiltrate stormwater runoff, and maintaining a central depository of natural resource information for development design.

7 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Resource Conservation Objectives

The resource conservation plan is based on the natural resource limitations to development. The following objectives provide for the preservation and proper utilization of the natural resources present in Greene Township. It is recommended that the township investigate and utilize available means of critical area preservation, such as outright acquisition, easements, covenants, and other protection devices. It is proposed that:

1. Establish maximum density limitations in environmentally sensitive areas as outlined in the Natural Resource Conservation and Open Land Preservation in Greene Township report (Pike CCD and Pike CPC, 2007).

2. Initiate an Environmental Conservation Program.

3. Protect natural vegetative cover from land disturbance, and enhance fish and wildlife habitats.

Location Criteria

Certain criteria are involved in a more detailed formulation of planning principles relating to the location of land uses. They are suggested below according to land use categories. These criteria illustrate areas of special consideration in order to determine guidelines for the location of various functional use areas within the framework of the comprehensive plan.

8 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Residential Neighborhoods

1. Varying topography, offering choice from level, rolling and hillside sites depending upon slope characteristics, but avoiding steep or irregular sites and low or poorly drained areas; slope usually 15% or less.

2. Near major roads with direct connections to work, shopping, and leisure areas.

3. Suitable for integrated design of residential areas and related shopping, school, church, and recreation facilities, especially community facilities serving the neighborhood scale.

a. Local Shopping - Sites adequate for retail, off-street parking and loading, and landscaping; convenient to specific local trade areas and accessible for receiving goods.

b. Schools - Reasonably level sites, within a convenient driving range; sites adequate for buildings, recreation facilities, drives, walkways, parking lots and landscaping, and located with due consideration for safety of children and amenities for surrounding areas.

c. Churches - Reasonably level sites, adequate for buildings, parking and landscaping and convenient to membership; also accessibility to major roads, streets and walkways is deemed important.

d. Parks and Playgrounds

(1) Reasonably level sites for playgrounds and recreation centers, usually in conjunction with schools, within easy walking distance of age groups served or at least within a convenient driving range in low density development areas; and, adequate for appropriate active recreation facilities and perimeter planting strips.

(2) Parks on variable terrain including watercourse and floodplains, integrated with active and passive recreation areas and the open spaces throughout the developed areas according to the opportunities offered by available land forms.

4. Range of choices in residential densities, with high densities in close proximity to permanent open spaces and nearest to the road system and stores, with the low densities in the intervals between the roads, lacking centralized utilities and away from public facilities.

Public Service Facilities

Suitable locations, adequate in size for the following uses, as determined by special studies: government centers, cemeteries, water works, sewage disposal and treatment plants, solid waste management facilities, electric power stations, communication service facilities, truck terminals, and so on.

Regional Business Areas

1. Adjacent to relatively high traffic flows, central to tributary trade areas, as follows:

9 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 a. Central Business District - Location close to peak flow of traffic and pedestrians where retail, professional, financial, and related services can be conveniently accommodated and made easily accessible to adequate parking and circulation for customers and employees.

b. Regional Business Centers

(1) Regional shopping center locations contiguous to two major roads; site adequate to accommodate peak parking needs and a complete line of store types, eating and entertainment facilities, branch banks, and business services sufficient to fill hours of a shopper's time, with at least 30 to 150 acres of land; and,

(2) Satellite center (office complex, automobile sales and service, etc.) locations at intersection of radial and circumferential arterial and major collector roads, with adequate parking and service areas.

c. Highway Service Centers - Locations in outlying areas on major highway approaches to develop areas where sites are adequate for integrated design of drive-in services and convenience accommodations where proper consideration is given to highway safety, roadside beauty, and general amenity of adjoining uses.

(1) Suitability for development as one center internally arranged or, where appropriate, in an integrated series of sub-centers, with consideration for ample open space, safe approaches, and general amenity within this area in relation to bordering use areas.

Recreation, Educational, and Cultural Facilities

1. Reasonably level land for buildings, accessory structures, and active recreation areas, with perhaps not more than 5% slope, capable of being graded without undue expense; for relatively large open spaces, land with a variety of natural features and no limitations as to slope and drainage characteristics, often includes land not practical for urban use development.

a. Major Parks, Wildlife Preserves, and Golf Courses - Sites with sizeable acreage in fringe and outlying areas, ranging from gently rolling terrain for golf courses to topography with variable features for parks and preserves.

b. Institutions - Fringe locations on level to gently rolling terrain in areas protected from traffic and incompatible uses; site adequate to accommodate buildings, parking, outdoor uses, and attendant grounds, with due consideration to approaches and amenities of surrounding properties.

c. Cultural Facilities and Organization Lodges - Level sites in fairly central locations, outside of high-value areas, adequate to accommodate buildings, parking and landscaping, with due consideration to approaches and amenities of surrounding properties.

10 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 2. Suitability of unusual land forms and natural drainage areas for incorporation into an integrated open space system, serving as natural breaks between functional use areas and providing links between recreation areas and large public and institutional open areas.

3. Direct access to major roads with convenient connections to residential concentrations.

Industrial Areas

1. Reasonably level land, preferably with no more than 5% slope, capable of being graded without undue expense.

2. Range of choice with close-in, fringe, and dispersed locations; site sizes depend on the following:

a. Extensive use requires a large open site for modern one-story buildings, accessory storage, loading and parking areas; usually five acres as a minimum, contingent upon the size of the market area and the economic outlook for industrial development of such a magnitude for varied lines of activity.

b. Intensive use requires site sizes usually less than five acres for either one-story or multi- story operations, with accessory storage, parking, and loading areas.

3. Direct access to trucking routes and major road system for incoming goods and outgoing products; frontage on a commercial thoroughfare or in well-served commercial centers is essential.

4. Within convenient commuting time of residential neighborhoods of labor force and accessible to major roads directly connected with residential areas.

5. Availability of public or central utilities at or near the site.

6. Compatibility with surrounding uses, considering prevailing winds, protective green belts, and other amenities both within the industrial area and in relation to adjoining land uses.

7. Suitability for development of integrated parks or centers, with consideration for amenities.

11 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 3 – Plan Recommendations

Future Land Use The Greene Township Comprehensive Plan Various influences dominate this task of organizing future recognizes and attempts to land uses: existing land use, development barriers and pressures, existing and proposed transportation, protect not only existing land community facilities, public utilities, contemporary land use, but also emerging development trends, and community goals and objectives. Also, this plan provides the basis for the Subdivision and development possibilities. Land Development Ordinance, the possible future creation of a Zoning Ordinance, and other codes and ordinances. Future ordinances should include recommendations for Low-Impact Development (LID), conservation design, and stormwater management that address runoff volume control, peak runoff rate control, and water quality protection. The township should work closely with the LWWMD to promote water quality protection measures and opportunities to reduce sediment and nutrient pollution within the Lake Wallenpaupack watershed.

Residential

Specific guidelines are set for residential land uses as follows:

* Incompatible land uses in residential areas should be eliminated by attrition or adequately buffered and separated from residential areas.

* Residential uses should be screened and spaced away from roads carrying nonresidential traffic.

* Residential density concentrations should be based upon adequate consideration of ecologically sensitive constraints, community facilities, public utilities, and transportation.

* A balance of various types of housing should be provided to accommodate the population, including low-income housing.

* Deteriorated housing should be rehabilitated or replaced.

* Floodplains, agricultural areas, and environmentally sensitive zones should be protected.

* The existing downtown area should be infilled, and new development should be extended in relationship to the downtown area and other residential neighborhoods.

Residential uses should be balanced between single family and multi-family units. Provisions for rental and other affordable housing should also be included. Development should be encouraged to occur on a neighborhood basis, so public facility and road requirements can be satisfied in a timely and least costly manner. These requirements depend on several factors: provision of adequate water and sewer utilities, schools adequate to handle increased student enrollment, 12 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 parks and recreation facilities to meet additional population demand, and housing needs in accordance with job market.

Community neighborhood businesses should remain in and around the existing downtown area, as well as the areas around the I-84 interchange and the Route 507 corridor. The community neighborhood businesses should be oriented to pedestrian and local traffic.

The following guidelines are established for commercial uses:

* A variety of commercial uses should be planned to meet varying needs.

* Commercial uses should not conflict with residential and agricultural uses.

* Commercial uses should not be scattered, but should be located in consolidated areas as described above.

Industrial

Currently, no industrial sites are present within the township, but industrial sites are addressed in this plan to allow for potential growth. These areas are suitable for such development in terms of access to major highways, separation from conflicting residential areas, proximity to compatible land uses and employment centers, level topography, and adequate drainage. These areas should accommodate the anticipated future industrial development over the next twenty-year period and should be retained.

The following guidelines are established for industrial uses:

* Major roads should be directly available to industrial sites.

* Water, sewer, telecommunications, gas, and electric utilities should be readily available.

* Consideration should be given to environmentally sensitive constraints and compatible land uses when locating and designing industrial sites.

Housing

Housing development in the township should continue to include a wide range of housing types. The distribution of housing types should be guided by the identified needs of the current and future Township residents, and should include low-income housing options. This provision is in accord with adjacent municipalities to stimulate production of a variety of housing types and densities. In addition, it is recommended that the township review the feasibility and appropriateness of private development incentives, subsidies, and public or non-profit organization sponsorship to encourage housing for all income groups.

Transportation

Transportation facilities serve the various land uses. This plan embodies certain guidelines as follows: 13 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

* Separate local traffic from through-traffic.

* Provide better access to various land uses and overall traffic movement.

* Safety and efficiency should be a function of design.

* Encourage other forms of transportation including walking, bicycling, etc.

* Carefully design all roads to handle necessary traffic volumes.

All roads in Greene Township have been classified according to their function. Some proposed road projects that would complement this existing road system in the future are as follows:

1. Corridor safety improvements on Pennsylvania Route 390 (PA 390), SR 3012, and SR 4001.

2. Bridge repair/replacement throughout the township.

Community Facilities and Utility Services

Community facilities are based on an inventory and analysis of the township's existing services and projected population. Facilities should be convenient to township residents, and should provide a full range of services to the entire population composed of varied socio-economic backgrounds. Police, fire, schools, parks, and other municipal facilities should be near existing and proposed residential development concentrations.

Greater cooperation should be sought with the utility companies, municipal authorities, and the public. The land area devoted to utility lines should be reduced, wherever feasible. Greater use of rights-of-way should be considered where safety could still be maintained. These right-of-ways should have minimal impact on ecologically sensitive constraints. Public utilities should share common corridors, wherever possible.

The township public municipal building complex should be expanded and renovated as needed. This should be developed and expanded to meet the present and future local government operations and support functions.

In addition to the current project to upgrade the community playground, the township should work together with Pike County to advertise the availability of the existing parks and recreational services available in the township. The township should also seek funding to increase the amount of trails, picnic areas, and parking for existing recreational areas in the township. 14 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

The township should continue to support the Newfoundland Area Library, even though it is located in a neighboring county, since it is much closer and more accessible to Greene Township residents than the Pike County Library.

Wastewater and Stormwater Planning

Wastewater

Public utilities include the provision of water supply, sewage treatment and disposal, transmission lines for electric, phone, gas, and cable. The existing centralized sewer systems in the township contain adequate capacity, and water supply is adequate, as long as the quality of the groundwater remains intact. However, as the majority of the soils in the township are unsuitable for septic systems, wastewater needs should be investigated and addressed in Greene Township. The Pennsylvania DEP recommends that townships update their Act 537 Sewage Facility Plans every 5-10 years. Greene Township’s Act 537 Plan has not been updated since 1985. Greene Township should update their Act 537 Plan for the whole Township or for special problem areas of the Township to evaluate wastewater disposal options including centralized disposal to streams, or decentralized disposal via on-lot, spray irrigation, and drip irrigation. The Act 537 Plan should focus on problem or developing areas of the township, as outlined in the 1985 Act 537 Plan. These Special Studies should include an evaluation of wastewater needs, and encourage the implementation of decentralized wastewater treatment and disposal systems. Since Greene Township has many high quality watershed areas, the new PA DEP antidegradation requirements will need to be incorporated into wastewater planning. The Act 537 Plan or Special Studies should include a physical description of the municipal planning area, a description of current wastewater systems, an evaluation of wastewater treatment needs, an evaluation of alternatives, and recommended plans to address problem areas.

Soil suitability mapping of on-site soil-based disposal system suitability was performed using a Geographic Information System (GIS) database. Many of the soils in the township are suitable for land-based wastewater disposal. The soil suitability map delineates areas where conventional septic systems, raised sand mounds, drip irrigation systems, or spray irrigation systems can be used. Areas that are unsuitable for land-based wastewater disposal facilities are also identified.

The soil suitability maps can be compared to the known septic system uses in each area to determine likely failures. When failing systems are found, the proper type of replacement system can be recommended based on the suitability mapping. Field site testing will be required in order to confirm the soil suitability for land-based wastewater disposal. A septic system management program should be developed in order to assist residents in addressing their septic system problems.

Because significant areas of Greene Township consist of soils that are not suitable for conventional on-lot septic systems, alternative on-lot wastewater systems should be considered. The Act 537 Plan update or Special Study should include discussions of alternative design options for on-lot wastewater disposal, such as elevated sand mounds, infiltration chamber systems, drip irrigation systems, low-pressure pipe systems, spray irrigation systems, or constructed wastewater treatment wetland systems. In addition, several technologies exist that 15 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 may help accelerate the wastewater treatment process and result in better pretreatment, including septic tank effluent filters and aerobic treatment units. As with any conventional septic system installation, soil testing is critical to determining the practicality of installing a specific wastewater system. Soil testing requirements should be included in the Act 537 Plan as well.

Stormwater

Greene Township adopted the model stormwater ordinance in the Wallenpaupack Watershed Act 167 Plan in 1991. This ordinance should be updated to incorporate provisions from the new Pennsylvania BMP Manual and require its use in all new development. The stormwater ordinance in conjunction with the DEP BMP Manual should require that low impact development concepts be incorporated into all new development plans. The stormwater management ordinance should include the control of runoff peak rates, volume, and quality.

Resource Conservation

This plan is based primarily upon the findings and conclusions of the natural features analysis. Environmental features in all parts of the township are to be protected by review of development impact. Environmentally sensitive areas such as steep slopes, wetlands, and unsuitable terrain should be protected from development. Prime agricultural lands should be protected by security areas and conservation easements, and by using low-density development limitations that maximize the retainage of prime agricultural land as open space. In addition, community facilities and utility services should be minimized to reduce the potential for future development.

It is essential that future growth and land development be managed and planned to respect the ecological balance of the physical environment and to complement the agricultural base for the economic development of the Township. Land development activities must be compatible with and integrated into the physical environment to protect the necessary functions of the natural resource systems in the Township.

Various preservation and conservation techniques should be utilized to protect the agricultural

areas in the T ownship. The following actions can be taken:

* Limit land subdivisions so that resultant parcels will not be smaller than appropriate for continuation of the existing agricultural land base.

* Discourage land use activities that are incompatible with the continuation of viable farming operations.

* Encourage farmland owners to dedicate conservation easements to nature conservancies, Pike County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

16 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

* Protect environmentally sensitive lands for open space purposes within and adjacent to the proposed agricultural areas.

* Require developers of farmland tracts in or adjacent to the proposed agricultural areas to provide buffer zones between the new residential development and the remaining farm operations.

Action Plan

The following Action Plan outlines specific recommended actions for Greene Township and the relative time frames for each action. Because some of the recommended actions require actions of other municipalities or organizations, the timeline is provided in general terms, broken down into three categories: 1-3 years, 3-5 years, and 5-10 years. The township should work closely with the LWWMD, Pike County, and other area townships to accomplish the recommendations in this plan.

1-3 Year Recommendations

• Update the Greene Township Act 537 Plan to reflect current and future wastewater planning needs. Instead of a complete township-wide plan, Greene Township should consider performing special studies of specific problem areas within the township. Such special studies address critical problem areas, are less costly than a township-wide plan, and are approved in a shorter time by DEP.

• Encourage farmland owners to dedicate conservation easements to nature conservancies, Pike County, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

17 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 3-5 Year Recommendations

• Update the existing Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, and create other codes and ordinances. Future ordinances should include recommendations for Low-Impact Development (LID), conservation design, and stormwater ordinances that address stormwater runoff volume control, runoff peak rate control, and water quality protection.

5-10 Year Recommendations

• Partner with neighboring townships to share services and engage in cooperative purchasing to save money.

• Encourage year-round economic development in the township, including support for “green jobs.”

18 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

19 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 4 - History and Regional Setting

Greene Township History

The early inhabitants of what is now Pike County include the Lenni-Lenape Tribe. The Lenape settled in this region due to the sustenance that the Delaware River and surrounding dense forestland provided. In the 1600s, the first European settlers arrived and colonized the area.

In the 1700s Pennsylvania only contained 3 counties: Philadelphia, Chester and Bucks. Present day Pike County was part of Bucks County. In 1752, Northampton County was formed from a portion of Bucks County. Pike County was officially formed on March 26, 1814, and named for Colonel Zebulon Montgomery Pike.

Greene Township was created on April 24, 1839 from Palmyra Township. Greene Township was named for the popular Revolutionary War General Nathaniel Greene, who fought at Boston, Long Island, Trenton, and Brandywine.

General Nathaniel Greene1

Promised Land State Park History2

As with the rest of Greene Township, the land that became Promised Land State Park was originally hunting grounds for the Minsi Tribe of the Wolf Clan of the Lenni-Lenape Indians (Delaware). The Shakers purchased land and gave the area the Promised Land name. After contracting the forests to be timbered, the Shakers left the area. Early settlers erected sawmills to process the large stands of conifer and hardwood trees. The land was repeatedly clear-cut. With the loss of trees came erosion, forest fires, and migration of wildlife from the area.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania purchased the land in 1902. Promised Land was the fourth Pennsylvania state park. The Commonwealth worked to protect and reclaim the area, and the forest and wildlife began to return. The first park facilities were open to the public in 1905. In 1933, to relieve the rampant unemployment of the Great Depression, President Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The young men in the CCC received food, clothes, and a small paycheck, in return for building roads, trails and recreational facilities, fighting fires, planting trees, and performing many other conservation activities. In total, approximately 350,000 trees were planted throughout the Park. Camp S-139 opened in May of 1933 and closed in July of 1941. The hard working young men transformed the land in and around Promised Land State Park.

1 Portrait by Charles Willson Peale. Independence National Historical Park Collection 2 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) 20 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Regional Setting

Greene Township is located in the mid-western section of Pike County, in northeastern Pennsylvania. Greene Township has the seventh largest population in Pike County, but contains over 11 percent of the county's land area and over six percent of the county's population. It is bounded by Palmyra, Blooming Grove, and Porter Townships in Pike County, as well as Barrett and Coolbaugh Townships in Monroe County, and Salem, Sterling, and Dreher Townships in Wayne County.

Greene Township is in the Glaciated Low Plateau Section of the Appalachian Plateaus Province, one of the major physiographic divisions of the State. A very small fraction of the southern end of the township falls within the Valley and Ridge Province, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 - Physiographic Divisions of Pennsylvania

Government

Greene Township is classified by the Commonwealth as a township of the second class, which means the population is less than 300 per square mile. The township is governed by a Board of Supervisors that is elected every six years. The board elections are staggered in two year intervals to ensure a degree of continuity. The board members elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson each year. The following are the current (as of 2009) township personnel:

21 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 ELECTED SUPERVISORS Chairperson – Mary Ann Hubbard Vice Chairperson – Edward H. Simon Supervisor – Tim Jones

ELECTED PERSONNEL Tax Collector – John Gilpin Constable – Elwood “Chris” Hubbard Auditors – Gloria Whyte William Stanley Angela Master

APPOINTED PERSONNEL Roadmasters – Mary Ann Hubbard Tim Jones Edward H. Simon Secretary – Linda Kramer Road Workers – Edward H. Simon Joseph Palikowski Gerald Obert (alternate) Sewage Enforcement Officer – Donald Nickolson Building and Well Permit Officer – Donald Nickolson Building Inspector – Nathan Smith Solid Waste Coordinator – Elwood “Chris” Hubbard Emergency Management Coordinator – Elwood “Chris” Hubbard Treasurer – Ray G. Harinec Sign Permit Officer – Ray G. Harinec Planning Commission Secretary – Kerry Nix Road Enforcement Officer – Edward H. Simon Township Solicitor – Jefferey Treat, ESQ Township Engineer – F. X. Browne, Inc.

The Future of Greene Township

22 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 5 - Current Demographics and Trends

Part of the basic framework for this comprehensive plan is analyzing and understanding the population growth patterns of Greene Township, and formulating population projections based on past trends and currently available information. The demographic characteristics are the forces that drive the needs and services that the township government must provide and plan to provide. As the population grows, expanded roads, utilities, and community services and facilities are needed. A geographically spreading population also creates greater possibilities for incompatible land uses and conflicts. In addition, as the characteristics of the population change, so do the township’s needs, ranging from school facilities to senior centers.

By reviewing Greene Township's demographic profile, conclusions can be drawn as to how the township relates to growth on a regional level, how local growth is driving internal changes, and how demographic growth patterns can be applied to future needs for community development.

Population Change

Greene Township’s population has been steadily growing for decades. With Greene Township’s proximity to the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area, many new residents recognize the importance of preserving the exceptionality of the area. The total population change from 1960 to the 2000 decennial census was 297 percent, from 793 residents in 1960 to 3,149 residents in 2000, as shown in Table 1. The percent change steadily increased from 1960 to 2000. In comparison to Greene Township’s 50.2 percent population increase over the last decade, the population of Pike County rose 65.6 percent. Of the eleven townships of Pike County, Greene Township experienced the seventh highest population increase over the last decade. Overall, from 1960 to 2000, Greene Township experienced the eighth highest population increase in Pike County.

All municipalities adjoining Greene Township have experienced population growth since 1990. The municipalities with the most significant growth between 1960 and 2000 were Lehman and Dingman Townships, which experienced growth rates of 2263 percent and 2200 percent respectively. All of the Pike County municipalities experienced a growth rate of over 100 percent for the period from 1960 to 2000. However, from 1980 to 1990, the growth rate in Porter Township decreased by 41.2 percent. Along with Milford Township with a growth rate of 8.3 percent from 1960 to 1970, these two townships had among the lowest growth rates of the surrounding municipalities (people residing in the state cabins are no longer counted in the census, which could explain some population loss in Porter Township).

23 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 1 - Pike County Population Change (1960 to 2000) % % County or 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Change Change Municipality 90-00 60-00 Greene Twp 793 1,028 1,462 2,097 3,149 50.2 297.1

Blooming Grove Twp 424 548 1,176 2,022 3,621 79.1 754

Delaware Twp 549 671 1,492 3,527 6,319 79.2 1051

Dingman Twp 382 518 1,855 4,592 8,788 91.4 2200.5

Lackawaxen Twp 1,068 1,363 2,111 2,832 4,154 46.7 289

Lehman Twp 318 624 1,448 3,055 7,515 146 2263.2

Milford Twp 386 418 633 1,013 1,292 27.5 234.7

Palmyra Twp 651 1,204 1,722 1,976 3,145 59.2 383.1

Porter Twp 51 88 277 163 385 136.2 654.9

Shohola Twp 413 574 986 1,586 2,088 31.7 405.6

Westfall Twp 838 1,348 1,825 2,106 2,430 15.4 190

Pike County 9,158 11,818 18,271 27,966 46,302 65.6 405.6

Source: US Census Bureau

Population Projections

Population projections are probable future population levels, calculated every 10 years. They indicate what population changes might occur, given assumptions inherent in the forecasting methods and existing data. Annual population estimates were obtained from the United States Bureau of Estimates for July 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006. Projections from July 1, 2006 to 2010 were calculated by the Pike County Office of Community Planning using the United States Census Bureau 2000 to 2005 average percent increases. Table 2 shows the population projections for Pike County municipalities from 2000 to 2010. From 2000 to 2010, Greene Township is projected to grow an additional 31.1 percent. Of the eleven Pike County townships, Greene Township is expected to receive the smallest population increase, as shown in Figure 2.

24 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 2 - Pike County Municipal Population Projections 2000-2010 Total Total Total County or 2000 to 2010 Population Population Population Municipality % Increase 2000 2005 2010 Greene Twp 3,149 3,585 4,127 31.1%

Blooming Grove 3,621 4,387 5,394 49% Twp Delaware Twp 6,319 7,903 10,020 58.6%

Dingman Twp 8,788 11,263 14,676 67%

Lackawaxen 4,154 5,028 6,084 46.5% Twp Lehman Twp 7,515 9,456 11,975 59.3%

Milford Twp 1,292 1,616 2,041 58%

Palmyra Twp 3,145 3,638 4,253 35.2%

Porter Twp 385 442 510 32.6%

Shohola Twp 2,088 2,388 2,761 32.2%

Westfall Twp 2,430 2,826 3,361 38.3%

Pike County 46,302 56,337 69,269 49.6%

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Estimates 7/1/2000 to 7/1/2005 Pike County Office of Community Planning estimates 7/1/2006 to 2010

Population projections for small to medium-sized communities are difficult to obtain with any degree of accuracy. Regional influences weigh heavily and economic development or migration and natural growth characteristics can cause severe changes in the growth trends of a municipality.

25 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Projected Population Increase from 2000 to 2010

70 67 58.6 59.3 58 60 49.6 49 50 46.5 38.3 40 35.2 31.1 32.6 32.2 30

20 Percent Increase (%) 10

y p p p p p p p p w w w w w T T T T T Tw l ve e a o en ord Tw ter al r ax df or reen hman Tw myr P Pike Count G e al ng G L Mil P Shohola TwpWestf DelawareDingman Twp Twp ckaw a L loomi B

Figure 2 – The projected population increase from 2000 to 2010.

Population Structure

With a changing and growing township comes a changing population structure. With the influx of residents from neighboring areas, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of working class and retirement age residents. Table 3 shows the comparisons between the 1990 and 2000 age distribution data. The Greene Township median age was 43 in 1990 and in 2000. This is slightly higher than the median age for Pennsylvania, 38, and the whole nation, 35.3, for 2000. The 10 to 19 years, 35 to 54 years, and 65 to 84 years age groups all experienced an increase in percentage in Greene Township. A couple of groups, 5 to 9 years and 85 years and older, remained relatively the same proportion of the population, as shown in Figure 3.

26 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 3 – Greene Township Age Distribution Change from 1990 to 2000 1990 2000

Persons % Persons % % Change

Under 5 Years 141 6.7 156 5 10.6%

5 to 9 Years 132 6.3 202 6.4 53%

10 to 19 Years 233 11.1 409 12.9 75.5%

20 to 34 Years 393 18.7 390 10.5 -0.8%

35 to 54 Years 495 23.6 968 30.8 95.6%

55 to 64 Years 317 15.1 378 12 19.2%

65 to 84 Years 364 17.4 609 19.4 67.3%

85 Years and 21 1 37 1.1 76.2% Over Total 2,097 - 3,149 - -

Median Age 43 - 43 - -

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Population Structure

85 Years and Older

65 to 84 Years

55 to 64 Years

35 to 54 Years

20 to 34 Years

10 to 19 Years

5 to 9 Years

Under 5 Years

0 300 600 900 Population 1990 2000

Figure 3 – Greene Township Population Structure for the 1990 and 2000 census. 27 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

Not only has the age distribution of the population changed, the racial profile of the residents has also altered between the 1990 and 2000 census. While the majority of the population is white, other minorities have migrated into the area. As Greene Township becomes more diversified, the numbers of African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and other unidentified races have all showed increasing trends. The Asian population showed a slight decrease in numbers.

The population of Greene Township in 2000 was 50.2 percent male and 49.8 percent female. By comparison, the County was 49.8 percent male and 50.2 percent female and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was 48.4 percent male and 51.6 percent female. In relation to the 1990 census data (50.2 percent male/49.8 percent female), the percentage of males and females in Greene Township remained exactly the same over the decade.

Educational Attainment

The educational attainment of Township residents is a factor that provides insight into the labor force characteristics and its potential capabilities, as well as age distribution. Table 4 provides a detailed educational breakdown for Greene Township. As shown, 83.6 percent of the township residents are high school graduates or higher and 15.2 percent of the residents have a college bachelor’s degree or higher. By comparison, in 1990, 76.8 percent of the township residents were high school graduates or higher and 14 percent of the residents had a college bachelor’s degree or higher.

28 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 4 – Greene Township Population Attainment in 2000 Population 25 Years Percentage (%) and Over Less than 9th grade 108 4.7%

9th to 12th, no degree 269 11.7%

High School Graduate 1,128 49.2%

Some College, no degree 349 15.3%

Associate Degree 80 3.5%

Bachelor’s Degree 240 10.5%

Graduate or Professional Degree 121 5.3%

Percent High School Graduate or Higher 1,918 83.6%

Percent Bachelor’s Degree or Higher 360 15.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The percentage of Greene Township residents with Bachelor’s degrees or higher increased from 14 percent in 1990 to 15.2 percent in 2000. This is below the 22.4 percent of Commonwealth residents with Bachelor’s degrees or higher in 2000. The 2000 percentage of Greene Township residents with High School diplomas, 83.6 percent, exceeded the Commonwealth percentage of 81.9 percent.

Demographics Summary

Greene Township’s population has been steadily growing for decades, with a 50.2 percent increase over the last decade. With the influx of residents from neighboring areas, the number of working class and retirement age residents has been increasing. Combined with increases in median age and educational attainment (percentage of population with high school and college degrees), these population trends indicate that Greene Township is becoming more desirable for second homes and retirees.

29 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 6 – Housing Analysis

The housing conditions of a municipality are a reflection of the makeup of the residential population and can be tied to its quality of life. Adequate and attractive housing provides a positive perception of a community and invites investment in the township. Well-maintained housing creates a sound tax base that will continue to appreciate in value and assures that the township residents are residing in an environment conducive to safe and healthy living.

In order for a municipality to adequately plan and provide for citizens of all socio-economic backgrounds, an inventory and analysis of the housing stock is necessary. The quality of life and availability of housing is extremely important to the prosperity of Greene Township. An analysis of current housing conditions and projected population levels and characteristics assists in identifying housing needs for the future. Housing needs, both present and future, can be evaluated, and courses of action can be recommended to meet this demand. Another important feature of the local housing market is the variety of housing types and prices. This variety provides housing opportunities for various population groups.

Housing Inventory

In conjunction with the population growth, the housing requirements are increasing in Greene Township. Table 5 shows the number of housing units in the eleven townships of Pike County between 1970 and 2000. Not only are the numbers of housing units increasing, but more and more residents are inhabiting single dwelling units. The number of persons per household remained relatively constant from 2.46 persons in 1990 to 2.44 in 2000. The number of persons per household will likely continue to decrease as families have fewer children, more people retire to the area, and more people choose to live alone. The number of renters increased from 12 percent of the population in 1990 to 15 percent in 2000, while the number of owners decreased from 88 percent in 1990 to 85 percent in 2000.

30 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 5 - Number of Housing Units % Change 1970 1980 1990 2000 90-00

1,251 1,564 2,563 2,780 8.5 Greene Twp 391 2,037 3,104 3,273 5.4 Blooming Grove Twp 1,167 2,290 2,995 3,453 15.3 Delaware Twp 676 1,387 4,181 5,689 36.1 Dingman Twp 944 1,526 3,248 3,750 15.5 Lackawaxen Twp 443 1,546 3,975 4,655 17.1 Lehman Twp 205 370 563 594 5.5 Milford Twp 1,859 3,146 3,911 3,838 -1.9 Palmyra Twp 636 848 872 926 6.2 Porter Twp 627 867 2,916 3,089 5.9 Shohola Twp 576 833 1,039 1,097 5.6 Westfall Twp 10,139 17,727 30,852 34,681 12.4 Pike County Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The increased population levels have lead to a decrease in the overall number of vacant housing units throughout Pike County. Housing units are considered vacant if no one is living in them at the time of census, unless the occupants are only temporarily absent. Units temporarily occupied at the time of census by persons who have a residence elsewhere also are classified as vacant. New housing units not yet occupied are considered vacant housing units if exterior windows and doors are installed and final usable floors are in place. Table 6 shows the number of vacant housing units for Greene Township and Pike County during the 1990 and 2000 census. Even with an increase in the number of housing units in 2000, the percent of vacancies in Greene Township dropped from 67 percent in 1990 to 54 percent in 2000. The same trend was seen throughout Pike County.

The number of housing units used only for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use experienced a slight decrease from 1,368 units in 1990 to 1,349 units in 2000. More and more people are turning their vacation homes into permanent residences and settling in Greene Township. Fifteen percent of the vacant housing units were lacking complete kitchen or plumbing facilities in 2000.

31 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 6 – Housing Occupancy Greene Township Pike County

1990 2000 1990 2000 % Change % Change Total 2,563 2,780 8.5% 30,852 34,681 12.4%

Occupied 842 1,271 51% 10,536 17,433 65.5%

Vacant 1,721 1,509 12.3% 20,316 17,248 -15.1%

% Vacant 67.1% 54.3% - 65.8% 49.7% -

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Of the vacant housing in Greene Township, most were built during the 1960s and 70s, as shown in Figure 4. Most of the occupied housing units were built during the 1970s and 80s. Generally, the permanent residents inhabit the newer housing facilities, as evidenced by the fact that the median occupied housing unit was built in 1975.

Year Housing Units Were Built

1939 or earlier 1940 to 1949

1950 to 1959 1960 to 1969 1970 to 1979

1980 to 1989 1990 to 1994 1995 to 1998

1999 to March 2000

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 Number of Housing Units

Vacant Occupied

Figure 4 – The year housing units were built in Greene Township.

32 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Housing Types

An important characteristic often ignored in the analysis of a community’s housing conditions is the type of residential units. The 2000 Census breaks down the types of housing units into the following categories:

1 Unit, Detached – This is a one-unit structure detached from any other house; that is, with open space on all four sides. Such structures are considered detached even if they have an adjoining shed or garage. A one-family house that contains a business is considered detached as long as the building has open space on all four sides. Mobile homes or trailers to which one or more permanent rooms have been added or built are also included.

1 Unit, Attached – This is a one-unit structure that has one or more walls extending from the ground to the roof separating it from adjoining structures. In row houses (sometimes called townhouses), double houses, or houses attached to non-residential structures, each house is a separate, attached structure if the dividing or common wall goes from the ground to the roof.

2 or More Units – These are units in structures containing two or more housing units, furthermore categorized as units in structures with 2, 3 or 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 19, 20 to 49 and 50 or more units.

Mobile home or Trailer – Both occupied and vacant mobile homes to which no permanent rooms have been added are counted in this category. Mobile homes or trailers used only for business purposes or for extra sleeping space and mobile homes or trailers for sale on a dealer’s lot, at the factory, or in storage are not counted in the housing inventory.

Other – This category is for any living quarters occupied as a housing unit that does not fit the previous categories. Examples that fit this category are houseboats, railroad cars, campers and vans.

Table 7 shows the number and percentage of housing types in Greene Township from the 1990 and 2000 census. The vast majority of all 1990 and 2000 housing types in Greene Township are in the category of single-family detached dwelling units (72.3 percent and 75.4 percent). The next highest percentage of housing types is in the category of mobile homes (25.9 percent and 22.2 percent). Therefore, single-family detached conventional and mobile homes dominate the township housing supply, 98.2 percent and 97.6 percent, in 1990 and 2000 respectively.

33 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 7 – Number and Percentage of Housing Types Total 1-unit, Percentage 1-unit, Percentage 2 to 4 Percentage detached (%) attached (%) units (%) 1990 2,563 1,853 72.3% 9 0.4% 26 1%

2000 2.780 2,095 75.4% 27 1% 21 0.8%

Mobile Percentage 10 or more Percentage Percentage 5 to 9 units homes, (%) units (%) (%) trailers 1990 12 0.5% 0 0% 663 25.9%

2000 22 0.8% 0 0% 616 22.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Housing Values and Rental Rates

Not only were there more housing units in Greene Township during the 2000 census, but they generally had higher wholesale values. As shown in Figure 5, the median value of a single- family dwelling was $106,500. In 1990 and 2000, the majority of the owner-occupied homes ranged in value between $75,000 and $100,000. In the 2000 census, a greater percentage of the housing units fell above this range than in 1990. As development continues and more working age residents move into the area, the general economic status of Greene Township improves. This in turn will result in overall higher housing unit values.

Owner-Occupied Housing Unit Values

35.00

30.00

25.00

20.00

15.00 Percent (%) 10.00

5.00

0.00 less than $25,000 $40,000 $60,000 $125,000 $200,000 $400,000 $15,000 to to to to to to $29,999 $44,999 $74,999 $149,999 $249,999 $499,999

1990 2000

Figure 5 – The value of owner-occupied housing units for the 1990 and 2000 census. 34 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

The amount people pay per month for rent has also increased in the 2000 census. There was a decrease in the number of people paying between $100 and $400 in Greene Township, while a dramatic increase in those paying between $400 and $700 a month. A similar trend was seen throughout Pike County.

Table 8 – Contract Rent Greene Township Pike County

1990 2000 1990 2000 % % Change Change Total 101 172 70.3% 1,614 2,538 57%

< $100 1 4 300% 17 10 -41%

$100 to $199 8 5 -37.5% 75 19 -75%

$200 to $299 16 0 -100% 153 96 -37%

$300 to $399 27 22 -18.5% 314 193 -39%

$400 to $499 17 60 253% 318 346 9%

$500 to $599 4 28 600% 235 520 121%

$600 to $699 2 17 750% 180 458 154%

$700 to $999 2 0 -100% 124 533 330%

> $1,000 0 0 0% 4 66 1550%

No Cash Rent 24 36 50% 194 297 53%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

The affordability of housing based on income is a major factor in attracting new residents and keeping current residents. This provides insight as to the owner occupied housing costs for Greene Township. For homeowners with a mortgage, the median monthly 2000 homeowner costs totaled $955, which, compared to the 1990 data was an increase of 49 percent from $641. For Township homeowners without a mortgage, the median monthly 2000 costs totaled $287, which, as compared to the 1990 data, was an increase of 56 percent from $184.

35 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Housing Summary

In conjunction with the population growth in Greene Township, the housing requirements are increasing in the town. Not only is the number of housing units increasing, but more and more residents are inhabiting single dwelling units. Even with an increase in the total number of housing units in Greene Township in 2000, the percent of vacancies dropped due to the overall population increase and need for housing. Most of the occupied housing units were built during the 1970s and 80s. Single-family detached conventional and mobile homes are the dominant type of housing in the township. The median value of a single-family dwelling was $106,500 in 2000. The affordability of housing in Greene Township is a major factor in attracting new residents and keeping current residents.

36 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 7 – Economic Analysis

Knowledge of the current economic base in Greene Township provides a background for decisions about the amount and type of future economic development required to meet the needs of the community. The regional economy to a large degree conditions the development that occurs within the township. For example, as an expanding economy determines market and employment opportunities, more land will be required for economic development activities.

Furthermore, the character of the employment opportunities within or near a community determines the occupational and income opportunities of most residents. In an area where job opportunities are limited, it becomes necessary for people to seek employment outside the community. Generally, as income levels within a community increase, the area as a whole prospers because residents tend to spend more money on local goods and services. A viable economy also provides a community with a tax base that is able to withstand the increasing financial pressures placed on local government.

Household Income

The median household income of a municipality is closely related to its educational attainment level. Median income data for a municipality is reflective of the relative affluence of an area and illustrates the area's standard of living conditions.

As shown in Table 9, the median household income in Greene Township has increased almost 33 percent from over $25,000 in 1990 to almost $34,000 in 2000. Pike County also experienced an increase in median household income, which rose 47 percent from 1990 to 2000. Such a dramatic increase in household income can be directly correlated to the population influx. Pennsylvania as a whole experienced a 2 percent decrease in overall median household income, although median incomes were higher than in Greene Township.

Table 9 – Median Household Income Greene Township Pike County Pennsylvania

1990 $25,577 $30,314 $40,892

2000 $33,962 $44,608 $40,106

% Change 32.8% 47.2% -1.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

According to the 2000 census, approximately 8.7 percent of residents in Greene Township were below the poverty level, which is a slight increase from the 1990 census level of 8.1 percent. Five percent of the families in Greene Township were below the poverty level in 2000, which is an increase from the 1990 census level of 3 percent.

37 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Labor Force

The labor force represents residents that are able to work and are over the age of 16. As shown in Table 10, in 2000, 2,522 people were considered eligible to be in the labor force, of which 1,290 or 51 percent actually were. This is a 4.6 percent decrease from 1990 to 2000 in Greene Township and a 3 percent decrease for Pike County, which reveals an aging population trend for the region. Greene Township had a slightly higher unemployment rate in both the 1990 and 2000 census when compared to Pike County. With the increased population levels between 1990 and 2000, it is not unexpected to see an increase in the unemployment rate for Greene Township. The unemployment rate for Pike County remained relatively constant.

Table 10 – Labor Force Characteristics Greene Township Pike County

1990 2000 1990 2000

Total Population: 1,664 2,522 21,532 35,354

In labor force 927 1,290 13,275 20,779

55.7% 51.1% 61.7% 58.8% % in labor force 3 0 12 23 In Armed Forces Civilian 924 1,290 13,263 20,756

Employed 867 1,188 12,528 19,639

Unemployed 57 102 735 1,117

6.1% 7.9% 5.5% 5.4% % Unemployed Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Journey to Work

Journey to work characteristics for a municipality closely relate to the overall economic base of a region as the data are reflective of the employment opportunities within a given area. The mean travel time to work for Greene Township is 38.4 minutes, as shown in Figure 6. The majority of commuters are traveling 30 to 60 minutes to reach their work location. In 2000, over 63 percent of the labor force was working outside of Pike County and 15 percent were working outside of Pennsylvania. Therefore, many residents are forced to work outside the township. Most of the commuters drive alone in their personal vehicles (75 percent). The peak travel time interval for commuters is between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m., while 8 to 8:30 a.m. is the most traveled time.

38 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Travel Time to Work in 2000 (minutes)

> 90 < 10 60 to 89 10% 12% 8% 10 to 19 17%

45 to 59 18%

20 to 29 30 to 44 17% 18%

< 10 10 to 19 20 to 29 30 to 44 45 to 59 60 to 89 > 90

Figure 6 – The average commute time for Greene Township residents.

Employment by Industry

Examining the employment by industry in a township can serve as a reasonable indication of the composition of the township's present economic base. The 2000 Census classified workers by fifteen industry groups. Most of the professional jobs in Greene Township experienced an increase from the 1990 to the 2000 census, as shown in Table 11. This was particularly true for the health services and business and repair services. This increase in professional jobs can be directly correlated with the increase in household income and housing values. The non- professional labor industries all experienced decreases over the past decade. This was particularly true for the construction and retail trade industries.

39 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 11 – Greene Township Industries Greene Township Occupation 1990 2000

3.5% 0.4% Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries Mining 0% 0%

Construction 17.3% 10.5%

Manufacturing 14.2% 12.4%

Transportation 3.7% 7.4%

Communications and other utilities 1.2% 1.7%

Wholesale trade 1.6% 2.9%

Retail trade 17.8% 8%

Finance, insurance, and real estate 4.4% 7.1%

4.5% 9.7% Business and repair services 10.9% 10.2% Entertainment and recreation services 4.3% 9.3% Health services 4.4% 8.4% Educational services 4.8% 7.5% Other professional and related services 7.5% 3.6% Public administration Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Economic Analysis Summary

The employment opportunities in Greene Township as well as the educational background of community members determine the occupational and income opportunities of most residents. The median household income in Greene Township has increased almost 33 percent from over $25,000 in 1990 to almost $34,000 in 2000. This increase in household income is most likely due to the population increase in the township and in Pike County as a whole. The mean travel time to work for Greene Township is 38.4 minutes. The majority of commuters travel 30 to 60 minutes to reach their work location, which indicates that many residents are forced to work outside the township. Most of the professional jobs in Greene Township increased from the 1990 to the 2000 census. This was particularly true for the health services and business and repair 40 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 services. This increase in professional jobs can most likely be correlated with the increase in household income and housing values. The most common industries in Greene Township in 2000 were manufacturing, construction and entertainment and recreational services.

41 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 8 – Natural Features Analysis

The basis for a planning program is the land and the people that use it. Greene Township's climate, topographic features, soils, geology, water resources, drainage, mineral resources, and environmentally sensitive areas all make up the local physical environment. This environment and the constraints that it imposes, greatly influence the type, intensity, and location of development and land use that may take place.

Within the identifiable "planning areas" of the township, particularly along the I-84 corridor, land may be suitable for many different types of use. For example, moderately sloped and well- drained land may have the same suitability for apartment house development as for active recreational uses.

The purpose of this section of the comprehensive plan is to describe and evaluate the natural features of Greene Township and relate this information to environmentally sensitive areas and potential development within the township. Natural features play an integral role in the long- range future growth and development of the township. An understanding of the limitations and opportunities of these resources will help to identify certain types of development and public facilities necessary to maintain the quality of life in Greene Township. At the same time, our analysis will identify the important environmentally- sensitive areas in need of preservation. Such areas must be clearly identified and mapped to define the boundaries of the key natural features and selected areas to be protected.

Environmentally-sensitive areas are land areas whose destruction or disturbance will immediately affect the community by either creating hazards like floods, sinkholes, landslides and subsidence; or by destroying important public resources such as water supplies and the water quality of water bodies and watercourses; or by wasting important productive lands and renewable resources. Each of these types of environmentally sensitive areas threatens the general welfare of a municipality, and results in economic loss. The direct costs of not protecting these areas can be high. In the private sector, costs may include the reduction of property values or the actual destruction of property; in the public sector, they may include finding alternative water supply sources or installing expensive storm drainage systems and water treatment plants.

This section will review precipitation, slope, soils, geology, water resources, floodplains, wetlands, farmlands, habitats, minerals, and air quality in Greene Township. It will interpret natural feature characteristics and impacts on potential land development capabilities. These 42 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 factors include soil suitability for on-site sewage effluent disposal, building foundations, streets and parking lots; load bearing stability by the indigenous bedrock; hydrologic conditions; and general natural systems recognized by the best available current local, state and federal regulations.

Climate

Climate has an indirect impact on development. Temperature changes and rainfall affects an area's erosion processes. As erosion increases, the stability of soil and rock in an area decreases, limiting the amount of development that can occur.

Greene Township has a humid and continental climate. The average temperatures in the township is 57.6ºF (14.2ºC) with noticeable variations at times throughout the landscape. The summer high mean is 82.2ºF and the low mean is 63.8ºF. The winter high mean is 37.9ºF and the low mean is 3.7ºF. These temperature ranges provide a good climate for most human activities. The temperature does not frequently rise above 100ºF (37.8ºC) and the lowest temperatures tend to not be sustained. Winter temperatures averaging just above the freezing mark are responsible for cycles of freezing and thawing which cause hazardous conditions on the roads.

The growing season at lower elevations within the township averages 140 days, with shorter growing seasons above the 800 feet mark (above mean sea level). The first killing frosts usually occur in September and the last in May. Killing frosts have been known to occur as early as August and as late as June, but these occurrences are infrequent and major agricultural losses rarely occur.

The average yearly precipitation is 40.6 inches (103 cm), with the heaviest rainfall occurring during the summer months. The annual amount of precipitation occurring as snow is 60 inches (152.4 cm) for the region. Snowfall is generally confined to the months of November through April, with the heaviest amounts occurring in late February and early March. Rainfall is reasonably intensive with thunderstorms active in the summer months. Occasional hailstorms also occur in the summer months that can be damaging to crops, automobiles, and small constructions.

Topography

The topography of the township refers to the physical features of the earth's surface. Topography is the three-dimensional arrangement of physical attributes (such as shape, height, and depth) of a land surface. Map 1 shows the general topography in Greene Township.

Topography is important to land development because some areas may not be suitable for development. For example, development on a floodplain or wetland is restricted because of environmental reasons. Steep slope areas may be developed, but the cost involved in preparing the area for development makes this undertaking economically unfeasible.

The slope, or steepness, of land plays a major role in determining its potential for development. Map 2, the Slope Analysis Map, shows four (4) separate categories of slope, plus spot elevations throughout the township. The 0 percent to 7 percent flat and gently rolling areas are considered

43 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 the areas most susceptible to community built-up development and efficient farming. The vast majority of the township falls into this category.

The moderately sloped areas (8% to 15%) may be considered suitable for less-dense forms of community development and agricultural practices that can utilize such slopes, such as farming. The steep slope category (16-25%) is more difficult yet not impossible for development, and is therefore suited to very low-density development, recreation, and other compatible uses. The severe slope category (over 25%) should be prohibited for development and protected by conservation.

Soils

The soil composition in the township also plays a key role in developmental and agricultural growth patterns. Soils with a high degree of vegetative matter may be more suitable for agriculture, whereas soils with a high degree of acid deposition may be more suitable for development. For these reasons, soils are classified as to type and quality.

Soils are the weathered material that covers the surface of the earth. They are the resultant product of the weathering of bedrock and the mixing of organic material combined with the effects of physical erosion and chemical weathering. Soils are constantly being formed and changed.

Soils have different physical characteristics and limitations. Some areas may be covered with shallow soils, while others may be deeply covered. Some areas may be stripped barren of soil altogether. Soils may be well or poorly drained, or even remain waterlogged for extended periods of time (such as wetlands). All these factors play a role in determining development types and patterns in a given area.

Soils that have profiles similar in nature make up a soil series. A series has major horizons (layers) that are similar in thickness, arrangement, and other important characteristics. These series are named for features or places where a soil of that series was first located. With differences in surface texture, stoniness, degree of erosion and other features affecting their use, further breakdowns in classifications are necessarily made.

The physical characteristics of soils are not the only factor used in determining soil classifications. Grouping soils that are similar in suitability for a specified use is also a method used in soil surveys, such as classifying a group of soils that are considered prime for use as farmland.

Table 12 shows the soils found in Greene Township. A hydrologic group is a watershed area designation that identifies the hydrologic and geographic boundaries of a stream or river basin. In general, the soils in the township are well drained. Although some areas have the potential to be steeply sloped, most of the land in Greene Township is relatively flat. The majority of the soils in the township are channery or sandy loams. Map 3 shows the soil distribution in Greene Township.

44 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 12 – Greene Township Soils Hydrologic Symbol Soil Name Drainage Capacity Slope Group Shohola-Edgemere Moderately low to 7B C/D 0-8% Complex moderately high Shohola-Edgemere Moderately low to 7C C/D 8-15% Complex moderately high Craigsville-Wyoming 9B A/B High to very high 0-8% Complex Edgemere Extremely Moderately low to 11A D 0-3% Stony Loam moderately high Gleneyre-Kimbles Moderately high to 12 C 0-2% Complex high Braceville Fine Sandy Moderately low to 14 C 0-3% Loam moderately high Moderately high to 18 Paupack Mucky Peat D 0-2% high Morris Very Channery Low to moderately 19B C 0-8% Loam high Morris Very Channery Low to moderately 19C C 8-15% Loam high Moderately high to 20 Freetown Mucky Peat D 0-1% high Delaware Fine Sandy 24B B High 3-8% Loam Wurtsboro Channery Fine Moderately low to 25B C 0-8% Sandy Loam moderately high Wurtsboro Channery Fine Moderately low to 25C C 8-15% Sandy Loam moderately high Moderately high to 26 Philo Loam B 0-3% high Barbour Fine Sandy Moderately high to 27 B 0-3% Loam high Moderately low to 28B Wellsboro Stony Loam C 0-8% moderately high Moderately low to 28C Wellsboro Stony Loam C 8-15% moderately high Moderately low to 28D Wellsboro Stony Loam C 15-25% moderately high Wellsboro Channery Moderately low to 29B C 0-8% Loam moderately high Wellsboro Channery Moderately low to 29C C 8-15% Loam moderately high Wurtsboro Stony Fine Moderately low to 30B C 0-8% Sandy Loam moderately high Wurtsboro Stony Fine Moderately low to 30C C 8-15% Sandy Loam moderately high

45 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Hydrologic Symbol Soil Name Drainage Capacity Slope Group Wurtsboro Stony Fine Moderately low to 30D C 15-25% Sandy Loam moderately high Swartswood Stony Fine Moderately low to 38B C 0-8% Sandy Loam moderately high Swartswood Stony Fine Moderately low to 38C C 8-15% Sandy Loam moderately high Swartswood Stony Fine Moderately low to 38D C 15-30% Sandy Loam moderately high Wasnot Very Flaggy 50C C High 3-15% Sandy Loam Wasnot Very Flaggy 50E C High 15-35% Sandy Loam Skytop Very Flaggy Moderately low to 58C B 8-15% Sandy Loam high Chenango Gravelly Fine Moderately high to 89B A 0-8% Sandy Loam high Lordstown Very Moderately high to 97B C 3-8% Channery Loam high Moderately high to 108B Wyoming and Chenango A 0-8% very high Edgemere-Shohola Moderately low to 111B C/D 3-15% Complex moderately high Wyalusing Fine Sandy 143 D High to very high 0-3% Loam Oquaga Very Stony Moderately high to 239B C 0-8% Loam high Oquaga Very Stony Moderately high to 239C C 8-15% Loam high Oquaga Very Stony Moderately high to 239D C 15-30% Loam high Oquaga-Arnot-Rock Moderately high to 240F C/D 20-60% Outcrop Complex high Skytop-Wasnot-Rock Moderately low to 258F B/C 15-60% Outcrop Complex high Lackawanna Channery Moderately low to 320B C 3-8% Loam moderately high Lackawanna Channery Moderately low to 320C C 8-15% Loam moderately high Lackawanna Channery Moderately low to 321B C 3-8% Loam moderately high Lackawanna Channery Moderately low to 321C C 8-15% Loam moderately high Lackawanna Channery Moderately low to 321D C 15-30% Loam moderately high

46 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

Hydrologic Symbol Soil Name Drainage Capacity Slope Group Arnot Very Channery Moderately high to 402C C/D 3-15% Loam high Wyoming Very Cobbly 442B A High to very high 3-8% Sandy Loam Wyoming Very Cobbly 442C A High to very high 8-15% Sandy Loam Wyoming Very Cobbly 442D A High to very high 15-30% Sandy Loam Lordstown-Swartswood Moderately low to 897B C 0-8% Complex high Lordstown-Swartswood Moderately low to 897C C 8-15% Complex high Lordstown-Swartswood Moderately low to 897D C 15-30% Complex high BP Pits, Shale, and Gravel A/D Extremely high 0-40% Source: USDA NRCS, 2005

Geology

Rocks deposited from the Devonian Period, in the Paleozoic Era, underlie Greene Township. Most of the beds underlying the township are sedimentary in origin. Over time, sediment accumulated in the area and under extreme pressure, became sedimentary rock formations. These processes that have occurred in the past are presently at work in the township and are shaping the present landscape. The geologic formations found in the township are listed below from most prevalent to least.

Table 13 – Greene Township Geology Symbol Formation Period Characteristics

Poplar Gap – gray and light-olive-gray Poplar Gap and sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone Dcpp Packerton Members Devonian containing intermittent red beds of Catskill Packerton – greenish-gray to gray sandstone and Formation some siltstone, some laterally persistent conglomerate beds in lower part Long Run – gray and grayish-red sandstone and Long Run and grayish-red siltstone and mudstone in fining- Dclw Walcksville Devonian upward cycles Members of Catskill Walcksville – greenish-gray sandstone and red Formation siltstone and mudstone in fining-upward cycles Popular Gap Poplar Gap – gray and light-olive-gray Dcpg Devonian Member of Catskill sandstone, conglomerate, and siltstone Formation containing intermittent red beds Source: PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

47 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Water Resources

Water is one of the most essential commodities of mankind and next to air, man's most important resource for survival. An adequate supply of clean water is a prerequisite for any community contemplating industrial, residential, or agricultural expansion.

Water, like soil, plants, and animal life, can generally be considered a renewable resource. Rain and snow periodically replenish the natural supply of water on the earth's surface, in the soil, and in underground reservoirs and aquifers. This recharge of surface and ground water is part of the Hydrologic Cycle.

Great care must be taken to protect water resources when development occurs. By changing the shape of the landscape, the direction and amount of overland flow in an area generally changes. If a building is constructed on a groundwater recharge area (such as a wetland), the amount of recharge could be greatly reduced, altering the natural characteristics of the surrounding area. For these reasons, it is important to know and understand township’s water resources. Map 4 shows the water resources and natural features in Greene Township. Headwater streams are particularly sensitive to degradation by pollutant discharges and nonpoint source pollution. Greene Township should work together with local groups and develop ordinances for future development that control stormwater volume and peak flow, as well as water quality.

Watersheds

Greene Township, located within the Delaware River Drainage Basin, is comprised of two designated watershed areas. These watersheds include 1) the Lackawaxen River Watershed and 2) the Big Bushkill Watershed. The Wallenpaupack Watershed, a subwatershed of the Lackawaxen Watershed, covers almost the entire Township, except for the south- eastern tip. The Big Bushkill Watershed includes the Saw Creek and Little Bushkill tributaries and covers the rest of the township.

In 1998 and 1999, The Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District (LWWMD) received two EPA Grants for environmental education seminars, GIS mapping of the watershed, development of pollutant budgets for the lake, long-term data analysis and the installation of best management practices (BMPs) to reduce nonpoint source pollution in the watershed. As part of the project, watershed investigations were conducted to detect nonpoint source problem areas. Nearly 40 nonpoint source problem areas were found in Greene Township during the project. The vast majority of these problem areas were related to roadside erosion and stormwater management, while a few were streambank erosion issues. Greene Township should work with the LWWMD to obtain funding for BMPs to correct the nonpoint source problem areas. More details about the problem areas, BMP implementation, and funding sources can be found in the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management Plan (2006a), and the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District FY1998 and FY1999 EPA Grant Projects Final Report (2006b).

48 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Particular water quality protection recommendations from the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management Plan that pertain to community planning in Greene Township include:

1. The municipalities in the Lake Wallenpaupack watershed should update their Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plans to ensure adequate wastewater planning for potential residential, commercial, and industrial development.

2. Decentralized wastewater approaches should be encouraged and should be included in municipal ordinances, comprehensive plans, and Act 537 Plan revisions.

3. Stormwater best management practices (BMPs) should continue to be implemented in developed and developing areas in accordance with the Pennsylvania BMP Manual.

4. Wherever possible, Low-Impact Development (LID) techniques should be encouraged or required for new development.

5. Greene Township should adopt the model stormwater ordinance from the Pennsylvania NPDES Phase II regulations and the updated Act 167 Plan.

6. The following ordinances and plans should be considered for development and implementation: stormwater ordinance, tree ordinance, riparian buffer ordinance, steep slopes ordinance, natural landscaping/noxious weed ordinance, groundwater protection ordinance, Open Space Plan and Greenways Plan. Protective vegetative buffers should be maintained or restored along all wetlands and streams in the watershed to reduce streambank erosion and protect the functionality and quality of the wetlands.

Surface Water Resources

The major streams in the township are, from west to east, as follows:

1. Wallenpaupack Creek 2. Taylor Creek 3. Sugar Hill Creek 4. East Branch of Wallenpaupack Creek 5. Leavitt Branch of Brodhead Creek 6. Bridge Creek 7. Mozette Creek 8. Kintz Creek 9. Wilson Creek 10. Brights Creek

There are also many smaller streams located within the township that include Freeling Run, Dark Hollow Run, Mud Pond Run, Goose Pond Run, and Perch Run. There are several large ponds, both of natural and farm origin, located within the boundaries of the township as well. 49 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

Groundwater Resources

Groundwater plays a vital part in the natural processes of the hydrologic cycle. Groundwater is an intermediate step in the hydrologic cycle, which is the continuous circulation of water to the atmosphere, over the land and back to the ocean over and beneath the land surface. Only a fraction of the total precipitation received per year by Greene Township enters the ground and percolates through the rocks and soil. The subsurface acts to detain the water and creates a reservoir, commonly known as an aquifer. This aquifer, during rainless periods, is responsible for supplying surface streams and springs with a more dependable source of water.

Before any development begins, it is important to understand the groundwater characteristics of the site. If a high water table or a seasonally high water table exists, buildings with basements may be undesirable or physically unacceptable for the site because of frequent flooding. Development has the potential to alter the rate of groundwater recharge to an area. These factors help to make the groundwater characteristics of an area important for development.

The availability and quantities of groundwater in a specific area are dependent upon the properties of the subsurface bedrock. In general, sandstone and carbonate bedrock make for good aquifers, whereas shale does not. Table 14 shows the groundwater yields for the major aquifers in Greene Township.

Table 14 – Greene Township Groundwater Yields Symbol Formation Period Aquifer Yields

Poplar Gap and Dcpp Devonian Packerton Members 10 – 70 gpm of Catskill Formation Long Run and Dclw Devonian Walcksville Members 20 gpm of Catskill Formation Dcpg Popular Gap Member Devonian 70 gpm of Catskill Formation Source: Pike County Comprehensive Plan

In terms of quantity, geological formations that can yield at least three gallons/minute over an extended period of time are considered adequate for domestic supplies. Geological formations that can produce a minimum of twenty gallons/minute for an extended period of time are considered adequate for non-domestic purposes, not involving consumptive use processes. Upon review of the median domestic and non-domestic well yields for the geologic formations underlying Greene Township, it can be concluded that the entire area of the township would be able to adequately supply water to domestic use, as well as non-domestic uses.

The quantity and quality of Greene Township's groundwater should be of vital concern to the people of the township. Physical development is primarily related to the land's water production capabilities. Large industrial water users with great water needs could imperil groundwater supplies in particular areas and should be discouraged unless such development can utilize surface water supplies. Residential development should also be related to the available water

50 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 resources. Areas of built-up growth potential with poor water supply cannot support high-density subdivision by the use of individual wells. According to the Pike County Water Resources Plan (1998), wellhead protection should be a priority.

Floodplains

Floodplain areas of Greene Township reflect a relatively flat or low land that is subject to partial or complete inundation from an adjoining or nearby stream, or to unusual and rapid accumulation of surface waters of any source. Floodplains are delineated based upon a flood that on average is likely to occur once every 100-years, or has a 1 percent chance of occurring each year.

Floodplains should be recognized as temporary reservoirs that should not be built in or developed. With the increased land development of any upstream There must be a way to protect watershed, stormwater flooding along most rivers would the township's land base and increase in intensity and duration due to alteration of natural conditions. The streams with the most prominent shield the farming industry floodplains in Greene Township include Wallenpaupack from adverse impacts while Creek, the East Branch of Wallenpaupack Creek, Taylor continuing community Creek, Freeling Run, Sugar Hill Creek, Mozette Creek, development. Kintz Creek, and Wilson Creek.

Wetlands

For purposes of this Plan, wetlands have been identified using the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service definition. This definition is as follows:

"Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. For purposes of this classification, wetlands must have one or more of the following three attributes: 1) at least periodically, the land predominantly supports hydrophytes; 2) the substrate is predominantly un-drained hydric soils; and 3) the substrate is non- soil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year."

Wetlands occur throughout the township, and act as flood mediators for many small and major stream corridors. Due to mapping constraints, only wetlands of one acre or greater have been included on the Natural Features Map, Map 4. Therefore, it is important for wetland delineations to be conducted prior to any future development to determine the location and extent of existing wetlands.

It should be noted that the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps that are used to determine areas for future development have some limitations. NWI maps were developed by the US Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service from stereoscopic analysis of high altitude aerial photographs and superimposed over the USGS quadrangle maps. One limitation is that the aerial photos used reflect conditions during a specific year and season, and may not be representative of the same wetlands at different times. Additionally, the NWI maps are created at 51 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 a scale that may obscure small wetlands from view in the aerial photographs by dense forest cover. The presence or absence of wetlands on any site being investigated for future development should not be based solely on these NWI maps or the presence of hydric soils. A detailed “on the ground” wetland delineation including historical analysis completed by a trained wetland scientist should be used to determine the project’s impact and/or encroachments into wetland areas.

Agricultural Resources

Greene Township is very reliant on its agricultural resources for its economy. However, development is to be expected within the township. Therefore, there must be a way to protect the township's land base and shield the farming industry from adverse impacts while continuing community development.

Prime farmland is best suited for producing food, feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops. This land is also available for cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forestland, or other land. Prime agricultural lands have the soil qualities, growing season, and moisture supply needed to produce sustained high yields of crops economically when treated and managed according to modern farming methods. Areas with prime agricultural soils (both Pike County Prime Soils and Soils of Statewide Significance) should be preserved as farmland whenever possible. Map 5 depicts the locations of the prime agricultural soils in Greene Township.

Prime agricultural soils meet the following criteria: a) The soils have an adequate moisture supply. b) The soils have a suitable soils temperature regime. These are soils that, at a depth of twenty inches (20"), have a mean annual temperature higher than 32°F (0ºC). c) The soils have a pH between 4.5 and 8.4 in all horizons within a depth of 40 inches (1 meter) or in the root zone if the root zone is less than 40 inches deep. This range of pH is favorable for growing a wide variety of crops without adding large amounts of supplements. d) The soils have no water table or a water table that is maintained at a sufficient depth during the cropping season to allow food, feed, fiber, forage, and oilseed crops common to the area to be grown. e) The soils lack excessive soluble salts that inhibit plant growth. f) The soils are not flooded frequently during the growing season (less often than once in two (2) years). g) The soils do not have a serious erosion hazard. h) The soils have a permeability rate of at least 0.06 inches per hour in the upper 20 inches. i) Less than 10 percent of the surface layer in these soils consists of rock fragments coarser than 3 inches. These soils present no particular difficulty in cultivation with large equipment. 52 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

The following soils within Greene Township are prime agricultural soils: • 14 – Braceville Fine Sandy Loam • 24B – Delaware Fine Sandy Loam • 25B and C – Wurtsboro Channery Fine Sandy Loam • 26 – Philo Loam • 27 – Barbour Fine Sandy Loam • 29B and C – Wellsboro Channery Loam • 89B – Chenango Gravelly Fine Sandy Loam • 108B – Wyoming and Chenango Soils • 320B and C – Lackawanna Channery Loam

53 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Wildlife and Plant Resources

The natural environment of Greene Township provides habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife. These resources have provided a source of recreation and economic revenue in the township for many years.

Plant resources are very important in the reduction of Natural resources have erosion by the dissipation of raindrop impact energy. provided a source of Raindrops striking an un-vegetated surface churn up the soil, mixing the soil with water. Vegetation retards the recreation and economic overland flow runoff, further limiting soil erosion, and revenue in the township for root structures inhibit mass soil movements down many years. slopes by acting as a cohesive soil binder. Even the problems of noise and air pollution associated with land development can be significantly diminished by vegetation that can absorb noise, dust, and a variety of chemical and gaseous pollutants.

Modern wildlife of the township include, but are not limited to, the whitetail deer, cottontail rabbit, gray and fox squirrel, raccoon, opossum, woodchuck, beaver, and pheasant. There are also many types of migratory birds found within the township.

Northeast Pennsylvania has a wide variety of flora. This flora includes, but is not limited to, the following types of trees: Red, White, and Black Oaks, Red and Sugar Maples, Black Cherry, Black Gum, Beech, Hemlock, White Pine, Chestnut Oak, Gray Birch, and White Pine. Scrubs include blueberry, huckleberry, mountain laurel, shadbush, viburnums, and witch hazel. The economic potential and landscape opportunities provided by the flora are important assets.

The Nature Conservancy designated seven sites within Pike County that are the most significant for natural communities and species of special concern (Pennsylvania Science Office of the Nature Conservancy, 1995). One of those sites, East Mountain, is within Greene Township. The area consists of a Ridgetop-Dwarf-Tree Forest that is home to eagles during the winter months and is likely to yield other rare species. The area is currently owned by a private landowner, and is surrounded by the largest undeveloped, privately-owned tract in Pike County.

Other areas of concern fall within the USGS Promised Land and Newfoundland 7.5 minute series quadrangle maps, which encompass Greene Township. The sites are identified as significant areas for the protection of biological diversity in Greene Township. The sites are given a priority ranking from 1 to 5, with 1 having the highest priority for protection. East Mountain, mentioned above, has a priority designation of 2, and coordination with the landowner is recommended to protect the region from development.

Lake Belle, Lake Laura, and Lake Scott are areas of concern that have been given a priority designation of 3. Lake Belle is a good quality glacial lake with an excellent population of a G5S2 plant, a designation by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for endangered and threatened plants and animals which is described below. There currently is no threat, but the Nature Conservancy recommends a conservation easement and coordination with landowners to protect the site. Lake Laura has two aquatic plants of special concern. There are currently no threats, but conservation easements are suggested to prevent future encroachment. Lake Scott is a good quality glacial bog

54 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 with five special concern plants. An easement to protect the site or inclusion into Bruce Lake State Forest Natural Area is recommended. Threats to the area include beavers and I-84 salt application.

Several sites within the Promised Land and Newfoundland Quadrangles fall in the priority designation 4 (Balsam Swamp, Big Dam Ridge Swamp, Blooming Grove Long Pond Swamp, Bruce Lake, Lake Paupack, Paupack Falls, and Pine Lake) and designation 5 (Conservation Island and High Knob).

Global Element Ranks G5 = demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

State Element Ranks S2 = imperiled in state because of rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining individuals or acres) or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extirpation from the state

Air Quality

For obvious reasons, the air around us is of the highest importance to all living things. As development occurs, air quality standards must be met so that health and human welfare is protected from airborne particulates and dust.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has a constitutional obligation to protect the right to clean air for all Pennsylvanians. The goals of Pennsylvania's ambient air monitoring program are to evaluate compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 and its associated air quality standards, provide real time monitoring of air pollution episodes, develop data for trend analysis, develop and implement air quality regulations, and provide information to the public on daily air quality conditions in their area.

Air quality monitoring in Pennsylvania is conducted by three agencies. These agencies include the Pennsylvania Bureau of Air Quality, the Allegheny County Health Department, and the Philadelphia Air Management Services.

Within Pennsylvania, there are thirteen air basins and three non-air basins in which air quality monitoring occurs. Air basins are geographic areas, usually valleys, where air tends to stagnate. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Air Quality Control conducts air monitoring activities in twelve of the thirteen delineated air basins and all of the non-air basins.

Upon consultation with the DEP Bureau of Air Quality Control, it was determined that the area of Greene Township is in compliance with all of the air pollutant standards, including carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, particulate matter, and sulfur dioxide.

55 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Environmentally Sensitive Areas

Environmentally sensitive areas exist within Greene Township that warrant special consideration in planning for future development. These areas include the following:

* Steep slopes exceeding 15 percent

* Floodplains

* Severe and hazardous soil limitations for sewage effluent and community development

* Wetlands and Hydric Soils

Slopes equal to or greater than 15 percent are classified as environmentally sensitive, due to the increased potential for erosion, low degree of slope stability, and difficult access in poor weather conditions. Development on steep slopes is generally discouraged because of the high erosion potential and cost of development. These areas are generally recommended as conservation areas (parks and forests) and possibly limited residential development.

Floodplains usually have nutrient rich soils, but because of location, are subject to flood damage. For this reason, these areas are generally recommended as conservation areas (parks and forests), agricultural use, and limited residential development (provided sewage disposal systems are kept out of the floodplain). Municipal and county regulations governing land use in floodplains must meet the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program and the Pennsylvania Flood Plain Management Act. Most floodplain areas exist around major streams in the township.

Certain soils in Greene Township are severely limited for potential community development use. Limiting properties in these soils include depth to bedrock, slope, internal drainage, flooding, seasonally high water table, parent material restrictions and stoniness. These soils may adversely affect performance of septic systems and other aspects of community development. Either community development should be restricted, or special treatment should be required.

Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. These areas are determined by wetland hydrology, hydric soils, and hydrophytic vegetation. Wetlands provide natural flood control, aquifer recharge, surface water flow stabilization, plant and wildlife habitat, aesthetic improvements, and water quality improvements. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania DEP require permits when developing or encroaching on wetland areas. The only recommended development within wetlands is conservation areas (parks and forests).

56 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 9 - Land Use Analysis

Population growth and greater mobility afforded by modern transportation services have resulted in more development and land use demands. The purpose of the land use inventory and analysis is to assess the pattern and intensity of land utilization in Greene Township. Based on this assessment, it is possible to evaluate the compatibility of existing land uses, the extent of land consumption, and to predict the direction that future development may be expected to take in light of existing conditions. The survey also makes apparent the remaining amount and location of land available for future development.

Existing Development Patterns

The basic configuration of land uses in Greene Township has its roots in the original settlement patterns, with agriculture/open space still the predominant land use activity. Greentown, strategically located at the junction of several early routes through the region, became the county center for commercial activity. A steadily evolving road network gradually made most of Greene Township accessible, with smaller settlements such as Roemersville, Hemlock Grove, and Panther developing at significant road crossings. The more rugged terrain in the eastern part of the township served to discourage development there and, despite the creation of roads covering most of the township, much of this area remains quite rural.

Most areas of Greene Township are non-urbanized, consisting of lands under cultivation, open fields, woodlands, surface water bodies, and wetlands. Agricultural land interspersed with wooded areas prevails over much of the township. Urban land uses are concentrated in the villages and along major roads. Residential uses predominate, comprising the major land use in the villages as well as along roadways, particularly in the western half of the township. The most rapidly growing land use activity within the township is residential use. Single-family homes are the major constituent of this land use although there are a few multi-family units scattered throughout the township.

The villages tend to exhibit a mixed-use character at their hubs, with close intermingling of residential areas and a few shopping and employment facilities. Outside of the villages, residential units are almost exclusively of the single-family detached type, either conventional or mobile home units. Development densities are low in the outlying areas, with the exception of small residential subdivisions and mobile home parks.

The Township Government building is located in Greentown. The area schools are located primarily outside of the township. Churches are scattered throughout the township. Public use areas are also located within the township and include the Greene Township Playground, Ledgedale Campsites, Ledgedale Natural Area, Pine Lake Natural Area, and Promised Land State Park.

57 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Land Use Analysis

A land use classification scheme has been developed to inventory land uses currently existing within the township. The land use analysis is directed towards commercial, industrial, and residential development that has currently been established in the township. It is assumed that right-of-ways, highways, roadways, and utility access will also increase in size as a result of increases in land development.

An eight-category general classification scheme was established for this land use analysis that includes agriculture, commercial, hunt club, other club/private recreation, public lands, residential, residential vacant, and rural residential, as shown in Table 15. The land use category currently encompassing the largest land area within the township is agriculture making up 35.6 percent. Combining this with public lands, hunt clubs, and private recreation makes up approximately 69.4 percent of the total township area. Map 6 shows the existing land use in Greene Township.

Table 15 – Land Use in Greene Township Land Use Category Land Use Percentage (%) Agriculture 35.6 Commercial 0.7 Hunt Club 10.2 Other Private Club/Recreation 8.6 Public Lands 15.1 Residential 6.4 Residential Vacant 13.3 Rural Residential 8.0 Other (roads, water) 2.1 TOTAL 100

Map 8 shows the potential growth areas in the township, according to the Pike County Planning Department.

Historic Resources

Greene Township is rich in historic resources. Over the past centuries, since its initial European settlement in the 1830s, Greene Township has experienced a gradual development and evolution of existing institutions, economic conditions, and way of life. As a consequence, the historical character of the township's landscape has remained strong. The predominant historic resource types found throughout the township are churches and school buildings. Other historic resource types found throughout the township include a dam and pipeline, historic districts, a cabin, and a gas and oil house. The historic resources in Greene Township are shown in Map 7.

Several properties in Greene Township are either listed or eligible for listing on the National Park Service National Register of Historic Places. The primary benefit of listing on the National Register is official recognition of the significance of a historic site. Listing and eligibility for listing protects a site from the effects of any activity involving federal or state funds to the extent that a professional study of the impact must be undertaken.

58 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Resources that are eligible for listing on the National Register also receive a measure of protection from the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission/Bureau for Historic Preservation when state permits, such as permits for wastewater collection/treatment systems and on-lot septic systems, are involved. However, National Register listing does not automatically protect a historic resource or infringe upon any private rights regarding that resource. Protection may occur only when federal funds or state permits are involved and even then actual listing on the National Register is secondary because all eligible resources receive such protection.

Currently in Greene Township, the Promised Land Whittaker Lodge District and Bear Wallow Cabin are listed on the National Register. The following sites were listed as historic resources by the Pike County Historic Resources Study (Cultural Heritage Research Services, Inc., 1997).

1. Hemlock Grove United Methodist Church – built in 1875 and named after the beautiful grove of hemlock trees fronting the church.

2. La Anna Church – built in 1898 over two years at the cost of $2,000, built primarily to serve the lumbering community, named after La Anna Houck, wife of Nathan, who donated the land on which the church is built.

3. Greentown Historic District – potentially eligible historic district, located on PA 507, cluster of four buildings which are all that remain to depict the town’s historic character.

4. La Anna Village Historic District – eligible for the National Register of Historic Sites, the village is laid out in a linear fashion consisting of 10 to 15 late 19th century buildings, including a vernacular church with Victorian details, a historic bank bar, and a pottery factory.

5. Promised Land State Park Whittaker Lodge District – built by the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1925 and 1949, on the National Register of Historic Places.

6. Promised Land State Park Bear Wallow Cabin – built be the Civilian Conservation Corps between 1925 and 1949, on the National Register of Historic Places.

7. Promised Land State Park Gas and Oil House – built in 1935 and constructed to serve as the storage and dispensing facility for gasoline and oil use in park automotive equipment and vehicles, used until 1971 and now only used for the storage of miscellaneous park materials.

Some additional sites that directly reflect the historical nature of the township include the Mulrooney-Simons’ House which was built in 1806. The interior of the eighteen-inch thick walls are plastered and reinforced with deer hair. Lime, sand, and deer hair were mixed to point up the stone of the exterior. The Dickerson Homestead, located on Brink Hill, was built in 1835. The

59 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Rohrbacker/Schafer House, built in 1847, is situated between Roemerville and Stoney Lonesome Road.

The Simonstown Cemetery, located in Greentown, contains the remains of some of the initial inhabitants of Greene Township. The names are documented as per the Fred C. Schoenagel survey map created in 1978. Also located in the area are the Old Greentown Cemetery and the New Greentown Cemetery. The New Greentown Cemetery was surveyed by Fred C. Schoenagel in 1946.

Zoning

Greene Township is the only municipality within Pike County that is currently not zoned. The township does have a subdivision and land development ordinance that establishes a two acre minimum lot size. According to the Pike County Comprehensive Plan, county zoning of the township is not a viable option at this time, nor is it to be considered in the future. Based on a variety of reasons, including resident opinions and costs to implement zoning in the Township, Greene Township should not implement zoning in the Township at this time.

Land Use and Natural Resources Conservation/Open Lands Preservation

The Pike County Conservation District and Pike County Planning Commission prepared a review of Greene Township’s land use regulations with the goal of making recommendations to enhance natural resource conservation and open lands preservation (Pike CCD and Pike CPC, 2007). The review strongly recommended the development of a Greene Township Comprehensive Plan that includes strong goals and objectives addressing the need for conservation of open space and natural resources as well as fostering intermunicipal cooperation. In addition, the following recommendations were made:

Greene Township Comprehensive Plan • Include an Action Program that will allow the township to assess progress • Develop a Map of Conservation Opportunities for the township • Include a Resource and Open Space Conservation Plan • Include the Model Comprehensive Plan Language from the Natural Lands Trust Growing Greener Workbook to provide a legal foundation for implementing conservation and open space programs. • Include a detailed discussion about innovative land use management tools

Greene Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) • Include detailed design elements in the SALDO rather than a zoning ordinance • Strengthen purposes to include conservation design • Include well constructed definitions of terms • Require preparation of an Existing Resources/Site Analysis Plan by each applicant • Conduct early site inspections • Encourage sketch plans • Include the four-step conservation design process • Require critical information on soils, contours, and wetland delineation • Evaluate and update street design requirements 60 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 • Include provisions to protect existing trees and vegetation, and avoid site disturbance as much as possible • Update cluster development provisions – adopt conservation design provisions instead • Promote or require the use of conservation design instead of current 5% open space requirement for large subdivisions

Zoning • If a zoning ordinance is adopted, conservation design provisions should be included. • If a zoning ordinance is adopted, a transferrable development rights (TDR) provision should be included.

Natural Resource Conservation and Environmental Protection General Recommendations • Regulate density instead of lot size • Consider a four-acre minimum parcel size for conservation subdivision design • Deduct Primary Conservation Areas from lot size calculations • Strengthen Floodplain Ordinance to increase limitations on development in flood prone areas • Set provisions for maintaining natural vegetation • Include groundwater protection provisions in any future zoning ordinance • Consider adopting a well ordinance that would require a permit for new wells • Establish “no disturbance” vegetative buffers along streams, lakes, and wetlands • Consider the development of an on-lot sewage management program • Adopt a stand-alone stormwater management ordinance, similar to the Brodhead/McMichaels Watershed ordinance that updates the SALDO to reflect current state and federal requirements • Require an approved soil erosion and sediment control plan in the SALDO as a condition of plan approval

61 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 10 – Community Facilities and Utilities Analysis

An important ingredient in the attraction of any community is its community facilities and utilities. Community facilities and utilities are available within the limits of Greene Township, and in some cases outside the township boundaries.

Community services consist of various activities required for the education, health, and protection of Greene Township residents. These services include public protection facilities, such as police and fire departments; recreation facilities, such as parks and clubs; and other public services available to residents of the township. Public utilities are an integral part of community services. They include water supply systems, sanitary sewage systems, electric power, natural gas, telecommunications, solid waste management systems, and stormwater management systems.

This chapter provides a description of the community facilities and utilities that are provided to the residents of Greene Township. When development throughout the township induces population growth, there will be an increased demand for these community facilities and utilities. An objective of this plan is to determine the existing levels of community services and their adequacy in meeting future needs in the township.

Water Supply Systems

Greene Township is 100 percent dependent on groundwater to meet its water needs. All of the water that is consumed at home and in the work place originates as groundwater from private, community and municipal wells, or springs. Small portions of the township are served by Public/Community Water Services, including Lake Wallenpaupack Estates, The Escape, Tranquility Falls, and Laurel Lane Estates, with the rest of the township served by private wells. Map 9 shows the water utilities in Greene Township.

Sanitary Systems

As with the water supply system, community sewer service areas are limited to portions of the township. The Promised Land State Park and The Escape Estates have central sewer services. Both treatment plants are operating properly with no major problems. The remainder of the township relies on on-site sewage disposal. Map 9 shows the locations of the central sewage areas in Greene Township.

The entire township is classified as having severe limitations for on-site sewage disposal, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil

62 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Survey database. The soils suitability map, shown in Map 11, indicates areas suitable for various land-based wastewater disposal systems; it also shows areas where land-based systems are not feasible. Greene Township’s Act 537 Plan was last updated in 1985. Recommendations from the Act 537 Plan include improving the township sewage ordinance, initiating an onsite wastewater disposal system inspection and repair program, and developing a septage hauler licensing program. Stormwater management has Stormwater Facilities been redefined to include the

Historically, stormwater management has focused on removal of pollutants, thereby reducing the frequency and severity of downstream improving and protecting the flooding by reducing the peak discharge from post- developed sites. More recently, stormwater management quality of downstream waters has been redefined to include the removal of pollutants, thereby improving and protecting the quality of downstream waters.

According to the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (PADEP, 2006), the following set of principles should be considered in managing stormwater and erosion from existing development:

1. Manage stormwater as a resource; 2. Preserve and utilize existing natural features and systems; 3. Manage stormwater as close to the source as possible; 4. Sustain the hydrologic balance of surface and ground water; 5. Disconnect, decentralize and distribute sources and discharges; 6. Slow runoff down, and not speed it up; 7. Prevent potential water quality and quantity problems; 8. Minimize problems that cannot be avoided; 9. Integrate stormwater management into the initial site design process; and 10. Inspect and maintain all BMPs.

The best methods to control erosion and polluted stormwater runoff from stormwater problem areas in Greene Township will be specific to each site. The above-mentioned guidelines should be used to target areas that would be appropriate for stormwater retrofits (reconstructing existing stormwater management facilities to provide better water quality treatment.)

In developed areas, stormwater management should primarily focus on urban stormwater controls such as sand filters, bioretention systems, bioswales, water quality inlets, and infiltration structures. These stormwater controls do not require vast areas of land, and therefore can be integrated into existing urban settings. Greene Township should target large parking lots that do not currently have stormwater facilities to implement these BMPs. Reducing the amount of impervious surfaces in the watershed and maximizing natural drainage systems will reduce the amount and velocity of stormwater runoff from developed areas.

Existing older stormwater detention basins should be retrofitted wherever possible to naturalized basins or constructed wetlands that utilize natural vegetation to filter and treat stormwater runoff. Older stormwater designs often detain, but fail to treat stormwater, and can be a breeding ground 63 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 for mosquitoes. More naturalized stormwater systems, such as bioretention areas and constructed wetlands, provide habitat for insects and other animals that eat mosquito larvae, which help to keep mosquito breeding to a minimum. In addition, catch basins and sediment forebays should be installed on existing facilities when feasible to remove course sediments from the stormwater entering the facility. Many structural stormwater treatment facilities fail because they get clogged with course sediments.

In addition, existing stormwater facilities should be maintained on a regular schedule to ensure optimum performance. Stormwater catch basins should be cleaned after major storm events or at least once every three months. Sediment forebays should be cleaned out every 1 to 5 years.

Electric Power Service

PPL, formally known as Pennsylvania Power and Light (PP&L), provides services to Blooming Grove, Greene, Palmyra, Lackawaxen, and Shohola Townships and portions of Dingman and Porter Townships.

Telephone Service

Telephone service is provided to Greene Township through Verizon.

Cable Television and Internet

Cable service is provided to the area through Blue Ridge Communications. Due to the rural nature of the township and the limited availability of lines in the region, cable television is only available to a limited number of residents.

High-speed internet and cell phone networks are limited in Greene Township. These telecommunications networks are essential to modern business operations and should be improved in order to attract new businesses to the township and to encourage economic growth in existing businesses.

Solid Waste Management

The Pennsylvania DEP, under Act 101, defines municipal waste as:

"Any garbage, refuse, industrial, lunch room or office waste and other material including solid, liquid, semi-solid or contained gaseous material resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities and any sludge not meeting the definition of residual or hazardous waste from a municipal, commercial, or institutional water supply treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, or air pollution control facility."

Greene Township’s municipal waste is transported to landfills outside the township for disposal. The landfills accept waste from various locations across the Commonwealth. Due to the size and population density of Greene Township, no solid waste haulers are supplied by the township.

64 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 The public is responsible for contracting private haulers for solid waste disposal. The township does offer a clean up day where residents can drop off garbage for a small fee.

Recycling

Materials to be recycled are accepted at various locations around Pike County with no fee. The recycling sites are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The Dutches Market, located on PA 507 in Greentown, is the drop off point located within Greene Township. The facility accepts all plastic bottles and jars, all colored glass bottles and jars, newspapers, phonebooks, magazines, catalogues, office paper, and corrugated cardboard. The glass and plastic should be top free and rinsed, and the plastic should be crushed. All corrugated cardboard should be broken down.

Educational Facilities

Greene Township is situated within the Wallenpaupack Area School District, which also includes Blooming Grove, Lackawaxen, and Palmyra Townships in Pike County and municipalities in Wayne County. The smallest of the three school districts serving Pike County, the Wallenpaupack Area School District occupies an area of approximately 325 square miles.

The Wallenpaupack Area School District contains a total of six schools: Wallenpaupack High School, Wallenpaupack Middle School, Wallenpaupack North Intermediate School, Wallenpaupack South Elementary School, Wallenpaupack North Primary School, and Hawley Kindergarten Center. When the Wallenpaupack Area School District was established in 1961 there were 1,250 students. Currently the Wallenpaupack Area School District enrolls approximately 4,000 students and continues to grow.

The total number of Greene Township students enrolled in school based on the 1990 and 2000 census is illustrated in Table 16.

65 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 16 – Greene Township School Enrollment of Persons 3 Years and Over 1990 2000 Percentage Percentage (%) (%) Total Enrollment 391 100% 693 100%

Preprimary School 51 13% 84 12.1%

Public 45 11.5% 62 8.9%

Private 6 1.5% 22 3.2%

Elementary or High 289 73.9% 504 72.7% School Public 271 69.3% 488 70.4%

Private 18 4.6% 16 2.3%

College 51 13% 105 15.2%

Public 42 10.7% 61 8.8%

Private 9 2.3% 44 6.3%

The number of Greene Township residents that attended non-public schools in the 2000 school year represented approximately 11.8 percent of the total student enrollment. This is an increase from 8.4 percent attending non-public schools in 1990. The number enrolled in preprimary schools and elementary/high schools saw a slight decrease in 2000, while the percentage enrolled in college increased.

Recreational Facilities and Services

Recreation is an important community asset, not only for the revenue generated by recreational activities, but also for the part that well-planned areas and facilities can play in preserving open space, stabilizing population, reducing business turnover, attracting new industry, and providing for a total community living environment that offers for a full range of amenities.

A wide variety of recreational activities and attractions exist for residents and non-residents of Greene Township due to the rural nature of the area. The Wallenpaupack Creek and numerous smaller streams provide anglers with outstanding fishing opportunities. Hunters will find an abundant supply of game on lands throughout the township. Winter sport enthusiasts may enjoy activities like snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. The rural nature of the landscape also affords many hiking, walking, and camping opportunities.

66 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Promised Land State Park, within the Delaware State Forest, totals 3,000 acres in the central portion of the township along PA 390. Activities include swimming, camping, orienteering, horseback riding, trail biking, fishing, picnicking, boating, and hiking, as well as many others. There are about 50 miles of hiking trails in Promised Land State Park and the surrounding state forest that provide access to many natural scenic places. Opportunities exist for nature study, relaxation, and exploration.

Ledgedale Recreation Area and boat launch is a beautiful natural area at the inlet area of Lake Wallenpaupack. The pristine area offers swimming, fishing, hiking, and whitewater paddling. Many of the trails follow old logging roads, since this area was logged between 1910 and 1920. Furthermore, a wide variety of recreational parks which include ball fields, playground equipment, and similar activities are located throughout the township.

The abundant recreational opportunities in Greene Township should be better advertised to residents and non-residents via the County website, recreational brochures, events, and other venues. Additional parking for trails, picnic areas, and other recreation sites would be a welcome addition in Greene Township.

Medical Facilities

Pike County is one of six counties in Pennsylvania without a hospital. Currently, residents are dependent upon facilities in Port Jervis, New York; Newton, New Jersey; East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania; Scranton, Pennsylvania and Honesdale, Pennsylvania, unless they wish to travel to hospitals further away. In 1998, Pike Vision 21st Century was formed to begin a “Visioning Process” to address prominent issues facing Pike County (Pike County Comprehensive Plan, Appendix 17, 2006). The Pike County Visioning process identified access to health care as one of the principal shortcomings of the County.

Pike County is separated into three distinct established health care markets or communities: the South/Southwest Community, Northeast Community, and Northwest Community. The South/Southwest Community, which includes Greene, Lehman, and Porter Townships, relies on the Pocono Medical Center and facilities to the southwest. The Northwest Community, which includes Blooming Grove, Lackawaxen, and Palmyra Township, relies on the Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, PA and facilities to the west. The Northeast Community, which includes Delaware, Dingman, Matamoras, Milford, Shohola, and Westfall Township, as well as Milford Borough, relies on services from New York and New Jersey facilities. The Bon Secours Community Hospital in New York and the Newton Memorial Hospital in New Jersey also provide care to many of the Northeast Communities residents. Supplementing these facilities, Pike County has numerous physicians, including general practitioners and specialists; dentists, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, chiropractors, counselors, and others.

Pocono Medical Center (PMC) located in East Stroudsburg, PA is an acute, not-for-profit community hospital, fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare 67 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Organizations. Currently 215 physicians are on PMC's medical staff covering more than 30 specialties. The Dale and Frances Hughes Cancer Center of the Pocono Health System offers state-of-the-art radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The Center is a member of the Jefferson Cancer Network, an affiliation that provides the oncology specialists at the Hughes Cancer Center with access to the latest proven treatment protocols, as well as specialized educational programs and conferences. The Mattioli Emergency Center at PMC is one of the busiest in Pennsylvania, recording nearly 70,000 visits annually. The Clementine Abeloff Community Health Center provides sick and well-child care and dental care to children up to age 18. The Learning Institute, an off-site educational facility operated by PMC and staffed by PMC nurse educators and human resource training staff, offers some programs to community members.

EMS Service is provided to Greene Township by the Promised Land Fire Department Ambulance and by Newfoundland Ambulance. Newfoundland Ambulance is based in and dispatched from Wayne County.

The Pike County Area Agency on Aging provides transportation for three categories of Pike County residents; seniors 60 years or older, residents with access cards, and disabled residents. This service is predominately for medical appointment transport and essential shopping needs.

Police and Fire Protection

Police protection in Greene Township is provided by the Pennsylvania State Police. The township does not maintain a local police department. As the township grows in population, this is becoming a concern to some residents.

Responses to fires are provided by the Promised Land Fire Department and the Greene-Dreher Fire Department dispatched from Wayne County. These volunteer fire companies adequately cover the needs of Greene Township.

Library Facilities

Although there are no libraries currently located in Greene Township, branches of the Pike County Library are located nearby in Milford Borough, on Log Tavern Road near Route 739 in Dingman Township, and at St. Luke’s Center in Greeley along Route 590, Lackawaxen Township. The Main Branch Pike County Library, which has been housed in the Community

68 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 House in Milford for over 100 years, is undersized. A larger, modern facility for the Main Branch is needed. The southwestern portion of the County, particularly Greene Township, is the least well served and should be considered in future service expansions.

The closest library to Greene Township is the Newfoundland Area Public Library, which is located in Wayne County on Main Street in Newfoundland. The Newfoundland Area Public Library better serves Greene Township residents than the Pike County library system due to its proximity (approximately one mile away as opposed to 30 miles away for the Pike County Public Library), and should be supported by the township.

Municipal Buildings

The Greene Township municipal building is located on Brink Hill Road in Greentown, PA. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm.

69 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 11 – Transportation

Transportation is an essential service. The very heart of transportation planning is rooted in the design of circulation systems which maximize accessibility for essential movements between linked activities, giving due consideration to safety, comfort, and amenity as well as cost. In today's society, the highway and motor vehicle have become essential elements in the transportation of goods, people, and services due to their flexibility in terms of providing direct and efficient origin to destination connections.

Greene Township residents are heavily dependent upon The very heart of the automobile as a source of transportation, as highlighted by the fact that as of 2000, 91.6 percent of all transportation planning is workers in Greene Township used a car, truck, or van as rooted in the design of a mode of transportation to work. At the same time, only circulation systems which 18.1 percent of all workers journeyed to work by car pool or used public transportation. As compared to the maximize accessibility for 1990 Census data, the percentage of workers using a car, essential movements between truck or van as a mode of transportation has increased from 83.7 percent and the percentage of those who linked activities, giving due carpooled and used public transportation has increased consideration to safety, from 15.2 percent to 18.1 percent. The number of comfort, and amenity as well residents walking to work also decreased from 5.5 percent in 1990 to 1.2 percent in 2000. Therefore, as cost. despite efforts to reduce undue reliance on the automobile, it appears that more residents are driving to work than they were in 1990 and only a few more residents are carpooling or using public transportation. As gasoline prices rise, this may change but nevertheless it is important to examine the existing transportation system in Greene Township.

The transportation analysis will inventory the condition of existing roadways, review traffic movements and current volumes, and identify deficiencies in the existing transportation system.

Existing Roadway Network

Greene Township's roadway network consists of five primary transportation corridors: Interstate Highway 84 (I-84), and State Routes 507, 447, 191, and 390. PA 507, PA 447, PA 191 and PA 390 trend in a north-south manner, while I-84 traverses the township in an east-west direction. Most other state routes intersect at least one of these key corridors at some point along their route and therefore serve as a means of immediate access to the primary corridors. State routes 3012, 3002, and 3006 travel in an east-west direction, while state routes 4001, 4100, 3001, and 3004 travel in a north-south direction. Many of these intersections are significant because they are often areas that experience intense traffic flow, and therefore must be studied in detail to ensure that current conditions are suitable for smooth traffic flow.

Map 10 illustrates the key roadway corridors and associated intersections within the Greene Township Comprehensive Plan Study Area. The key corridors are described below:

70 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Interstate Highway Route 84 (I-84): I-84 is a federally funded, four-lane divided highway built to specifications capable of handling large traffic volumes and significant amounts of motor freight. The interstate, which travels in an east-west direction, has 12' pavement widths and minimum curvature to allow for uninhibited traffic flow. I-84 is classified as an interstate highway. One I-84 interchange, Exit 20 (Greentown, Lake Wallenpaupack) is located in Greene Township.

Pennsylvania Route 507 (PA 507): PA 507 is a north-south corridor extending from the northern Township border with Palmyra Township to the west where it crosses the Wayne County border. For the most part, the roadway is one lane in each direction, with shoulders. Within Greene Township, PA 507 intersects four other routes, SR 4001, I-84, SR 3001, and SR 3006.

Pennsylvania Route 447 (PA 447): PA 447 is a north-south corridor extending from western Township border with Wayne County to the south were it crosses the Monroe County border. For the most part, the roadway is one lane in each direction, with shoulders. Within Greene Township, PA 447 intersects two other routes, SR 3004 and SR 3012.

Pennsylvania Route 191 (PA 191): PA 191 is a north-south corridor which crosses the southwestern most tip of Greene Township, from Wayne County to Monroe County. For the most part, the roadway is one lane in each direction, with shoulders. PA 191 intersects no other roads within Greene Township.

Pennsylvania Route 390 (PA 390): PA 390 is a north-south corridor which travels through the heart of Greene Township, extending from Palmyra Township in the north to Monroe County in the south. For the most part, the roadway is one lane in each direction, with shoulders. Within Greene Township, PA 390 intersects one other route, SR 3002.

Traffic Volumes

Current traffic volumes for major thoroughfares within Greene Township have been obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Roadway Management Information System. Review of the traffic volumes is an important component of the analysis of the existing roadway system because traffic count data gives an accurate indication of which roadways have experienced a significant increase in usage. Furthermore, it provides a basis from which recommendations for improvements can be made.

Table 17 provides a list of the roadways in Greene Township that were analyzed using the average annual daily traffic count, which, as defined by PennDOT, is the typical daily traffic on a road segment for all the days in a week, over a one-year period. Traffic counts represent total traffic in both directions.

71 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 17 – Greene Township Traffic Volumes Roadway Average Annual Daily Functional Classification Traffic Count I-84 20,000 Interstate

4,100 PA 507 (two segments) Minor Arterial 5,100

1,600

PA 447 (three segments) 1,200 Rural Minor Collector

800

900 PA 191 (two segments) Minor Arterial 900

PA 390 2,000 Minor Arterial

1,800 SR 3001 (two segments) Rural Minor Collector 1,800

SR 3002 1,100 Rural Minor Collector

SR 3004 1,400 Rural Minor Collector

SR 3006 1,300 Local Road

SR 3012 300 Local Road

SR 4001 3,200 Rural Minor Collector

SR 4100 350 Not Classified

Source: PennDOT 2003

In an effort to assess the transportation needs of the County, the Pike County Board of Commissioners and the Pike County Office of Community Planning initiated discussions with municipal officials representing Pike County’s 11 townships and two Boroughs. The projects requested by those municipal officials were, in turn, discussed and prioritized by the Pike County Road Task Force. The following projects listed for Inclusion Consideration are all considered priority projects by the individual municipal officials. Serious consideration is needed for funding these County-wide transportation needs.

72 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Pike County’s projects for addition to the Transportation Improvement Program:

1. SR 2004 Silver Lake Road – from Rt402 to Rt739 2. PA 390 Promised Land Road – from Rt507 to I84 3. I-84 Interchange SR 4001 – Raymondskill Road underpass 4. SR 1005 Twin Lakes Road – from SR1007 to Rt434 5. SR 2006 Log Tavern Road – from SR2001 to Rt739 6. PA 402 North of I-84 to US 6 7. SR 4006 Towpath Road 8. PA 434 Well Road – US 6 to PA 739 9. SR 1017 Delaware Drive – from US 6/PA 209 to Millrift 10. SR 2017 Foster Hill Road – from Milford Borough to I-84 11. SR 1013 Cummins Hill Road – US 6/PA 209 to T 434 12. PA 590 - SR 4006 to T 367 13. SR 4001 Ledgedale Road – Wayne Co. Line to PA 507

Three of the thirteen top road improvement projects occur within Greene Township (shown in bold above), two of which fall in the top five. The lower span of PA 390 (Promised Land Road) has two areas of poor sight distance and alignment, increasing traffic volumes, and signalization needs. Also, PA 390, as well as SR 4001 and SR 3012, experience poor horizontal and vertical alignment, inadequate cartways, travel way and shoulder widths, increasing volumes, uncontrolled access, and drainage problems. The addition of a new I-84 interchange off of Raymondskill Road (SR 4001) would provide direct access to the population centers of Dingman Township and surrounding municipalities and may reduce congestion concerns in Milford Borough.

With the county’s growth issues and transportation needs also come questions as to how to address the situations and how to implement the appropriate solutions. Studies are needed to determine appropriate courses of action to alleviate traffic, improve signage and signalization, increase safety, and provide adequate parking facilities. Four locations were identified via Pike County’s municipal inquiry that would benefit from in-depth planning studies.

Pike County’s Traffic Planning Studies:

1. Milford Borough – US6/209 - Traffic (O&D), signage, signalization, parking, bypass 2. Matamoras Borough – US6/209 - Traffic (O&D), signage, signalization, parking 3. Delaware/Dingman/Blooming Grove Townships – Rt739 - Traffic and Safety 4. Greene Township – Roemerville Road SR3002 – Traffic and Safety

Roemerville Road (SR 3002) located in Greene Township is a rural roadway that has been experiencing numerous accident reports and involves abundant s-curves, improper banking, and drainage problems.

73 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Functional Classification of Transportation Systems

In order to examine the existing transportation system in Greene Township, it is necessary to define the classification of roadway systems established by the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Roadways are grouped or defined based upon the function that they are intended to serve. Thus, a hierarchical and logical-order system of road classifications has been developed which can be useful in planning and determining future roadway improvements.

1. Interstate: The Interstate System consists of all presently designated freeway routes meeting the Interstate geometric and construction standards for future traffic. The Interstate System is the highest classification of arterial roads and streets and provides the highest level of mobility, at the highest speed, for a long uninterrupted distance.

2. Other Arterials: These consist of limited-access freeways, multi-lane highways, and other important highways supplementing the Interstate System that connect, as directly as practicable, the Nation’s principal urbanized areas, cities, and industrial centers; serve the national defense; and connect at suitable border points with routes of continental importance.

3. Collectors: The collectors provide land access service and traffic circulation within residential neighborhoods, commercial and industrial areas, and downtown city centers. Collectors connect local roads and streets with arterials and provide less mobility than arterials at lower speeds and for a shorter distance.

4. Locals: The local roads and streets provide a high level of access to abutting land but limited mobility.

Accident Analysis

Accident histories for the key roadway corridors in Greene Township were provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering District 4-0 for analysis. The accident report summary covers a five year period from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2005. Accident data are included for the following roadway corridors: I-84, PA 507, PA 447, PA 191, PA 390, SR 3012, SR 3002, SR 4001, SR 4100, SR 3001, SR 3006, and SR 3004.

Tables 18 and 19 illustrate the accident summary report information as listed for each roadway, detailing the number of accidents per year, the percent caused by inclement weather conditions, the percent that occurred in non-adverse conditions, the number of fatalities, and the total number of accidents involving some form of injury. The accident analysis summary report illustrates which roadways have experienced the most number of accidents. I-84 had the largest number of accidents with a total of 71 over the five-year period. Of the 71 accidents, there were no fatalities but 35 accidents had reported injuries. SR 4100 had no reportable crashes from 2000 to 2005.

74 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Table 18 – Accident Summary Report 2000-2002 Accidents Per Year Weather Condition Roadway Fatalities Injuries 2000 2001 2002 Not Adverse Adverse I-84 11 12 8 48% 52% 0 13

PA 507 8 13 14 85% 15% 1 41

PA 447 6 1 3 80% 20% 0 4

PA 191 0 1 0 100% 0% 0 1

PA 390 8 13 12 76% 24% 2 17

SR 3012 1 0 1 100% 0% 1 0

SR 3002 1 3 0 75% 25% 0 3

SR 4001 2 7 4 92% 8% 0 7

SR 3001 5 0 2 86% 14% 0 8

SR 3006 5 0 0 80% 20% 0 4

SR 3004 0 0 2 100% 0% 0 1

Source: PennDOT

75 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

Table 19 – Accident Summary Report 2003-2005 Accidents Per Year Weather Condition Roadway Fatalities Injuries 2003 2004 2005 Not Adverse Adverse I-84 17 12 11 35% 65% 0 22

PA 507 8 9 7 75% 25% 1 17

PA 447 1 4 5 80% 20% 1 7

PA 191 1 2 3 66% 34% 1 3

PA 390 6 11 5 81% 19% 0 17

SR 3012 0 0 4 100% 0% 0 0

SR 3002 3 5 5 77% 23% 0 7

SR 4001 8 5 4 76% 24% 0 12

SR 3001 1 2 3 66% 34% 0 2

SR 3006 0 0 0 0% 0% 0 0

SR 3004 1 1 1 100% 0% 0 1

Source: PennDOT

There may be several reasons for this significant number of accidents on I-84. When compared to all the other roads in Greene Township, I-84 experiences the most significant volumes of traffic. Therefore, the number of traffic accidents on I-84 is expected to be one of the highest in the township. PA 507 and PA 390 constitute the roads with the second and third highest number of reported accidents. PA 507 is surrounded with residential development that substantially increases the number of turning movements and the number of abrupt stops and starts, leading to an increased potential for accidents. PA 390 is one of the longest corridors in Greene Township, and it is not unexpected to have an increased number of accident reports.

In general, a larger number of accident occurrences are found along roadways that experience significantly high traffic volumes in relation to their design capacity. Therefore, higher accident occurrences have been found along major roadway networks that experience heavy usage such as I-84, PA 507, PA 390, and SR 4001. The results of the accident summary report information further support the assertion that problem areas do exist along a number of Greene Township's primary roadway corridors. Recommendations for improvements to these major corridors need to be considered in order to assure safe and expedient travel along the major road networks throughout the township.

76 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Chapter 12 – Existing Municipal Planning

When preparing a comprehensive plan, it is essential that the plan be consistent with existing regulations in the township and region. This chapter summarizes the existing municipal planning documents in Greene Township and discusses the compatibility of the Greene Township Comprehensive Plan with other planning documents in Pike County and neighboring townships.

Existing Greene Township Planning

Greene Township currently does not have a comprehensive plan, but several municipal planning documents exist and are discussed below, including the Greene Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, the Greene Township Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan, and the Greene Township Stormwater Management Ordinance. NPDES Phase II Stormwater regulations are also discussed.

Greene Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, Ordinance No. 72

The Greene Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance regulates the subdivision and development of all land within the township. All plans for land subdivision or development within Greene Township, including sewage facilities planning modules, must be submitted to the Greene Township Planning Commission for approval. The ordinance outlines plan requirements and describes the process for plan approval. It also includes design standards for the various components of a land subdivision or development.

Greene Township Stormwater Ordinance, Ordinance No. 57

The Pennsylvania DEP mandated that all designated stormwater management watersheds (including the Wallenpaupack Creek watershed) adopt updated Act 167 Stormwater Management Plans. These plans help to control flooding caused by increased development and also help to improve water quality by requiring water quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) as part of stormwater management plans. An Act 167 plan was developed for the Lake Wallenpaupack watershed in 1989 that meets the regulatory requirements of the federal Part II NPDES regulations.

The Greene Township Stormwater Management Ordinance was prepared in order to comply with the Wallenpaupack Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan, and was adopted by all of the towns in the watershed, including Greene. The ordinance specifies measures that must be taken during new development to manage stormwater runoff. The ordinance includes the following guiding principles:

1. Control accelerated runoff and erosion and sedimentation problems at their source by regulating activities which cause such problems.

2. Require the installation and maintenance of soil erosion and sedimentation controls during and after earth disturbance and land development activities.

3. Utilize and preserve the desirable existing natural drainage systems.

77 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 4. Encourage recharge of groundwater

5. Maintain the existing flows and quality of streams and water courses in the Township and Commonwealth.

6. Preserve and restore the flood carrying capacity of streams.

7. Provide for proper design, installation, and maintenance of all permanent stormwater management structures which are constructed in the township.

Township residents are required to comply with the stormwater ordinance whenever the following activities are proposed: general land disturbance activities (clearing, filling, excavating), land development, subdivision, agricultural operations, construction of new impervious surfaces or structures, forest management or nursery operations, diversion or piping of drainage channels, or installation of stormwater systems.

Act 537 Planning

The Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act (Act 537) was enacted to correct existing sewage disposal problems and prevent future problems. Act 537 requires proper planning in all types of sewage disposal situations, and when a new land development project is proposed, municipalities are required to revise their official plan (unless the project is exempt from planning). Local municipalities are largely responsible for administering the Act 537 sewage facilities program. To assist local municipalities in fulfilling this responsibility, the PA DEP provides technical assistance, financial assistance, and oversight. The existing Greene Township Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan was prepared in 1985. As the plan is now nearly 25 years old, Greene Township should update its Act 537 Plan or prepare Special Studies to ensure adequate wastewater planning for developing areas of the township. Areas of concern include Rustic Acres Mobile Home Park, the Northwestern Greene Developments (Byron Rineheimer, Al’s Acres, and Lake Wallenpaupack Estates), and The Heights in Promised Land.

Existing State and Federal Planning

Pennsylvania BMP Manual

The Pennsylvania DEP published the Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual (BMP Manual) in December 2006. The BMP manual can be viewed on the PA DEP Stormwater Management website. The purpose of the manual is to establish recommended guidance for stormwater management in Pennsylvania utilizing BMPs. The manual provides the planning concepts and design standards to guide those involved with planning, designing, reviewing, approving, and constructing land development projects in Pennsylvania. The goal of the manual is to improve water quality and protect water resources through improved stormwater runoff management.

The BMP Manual advances the most recent innovations in stormwater management focusing on preserving on site and off site pre-construction hydraulic conditions. Water quality components composed of structural and non-structural techniques and technologies are emphasized and integrated into the manual. 78 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

The BMP Manual contains two control guidelines that are recommended to restore natural hydrology. Following the guidelines will help sustain stream base flow and prevent increased frequency of damaging bank full flows. The guidelines will also help prevent increases in peak runoff rates for larger events (2-year through 100-year) on both a site-by-site and watershed basis. Control Guideline 1 (CG-1) is applicable to any size of the Regulated Activity. Use of CG- 1 is recommended where site conditions offer the opportunity to reduce the increase in runoff volume. Control Guideline 2 (CG-2) is independent of site constraints and should be used if CG- 1 is not followed. This method is not applicable to Regulated Activities greater than one (1) acre or for projects that require design of stormwater storage facilities.

NPDES Phase II Stormwater Regulations

In 1972, the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program was established under the authority of the Clean Water Act. Phase I of the NPDES stormwater program was established in 1990. It required NPDES permit coverage for large or medium municipalities that had populations of 100,000 or more.

Phase II of the NPDES Stormwater program was signed into law in December 1999. This regulation builds upon the existing Phase I program by requiring smaller communities (less than 100,000 population) and public entities that own and operate a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) to apply and obtain an NPDES permit for stormwater discharges. The Phase II regulations are administered by agencies designated within the individual states, and each state developed their own permits. In Pennsylvania, individual and general permits for stormwater discharges are granted through the Department of Environmental Protection.

Although Greene Township is not a MS4 regulated community, the NPDES regulations still need to be upheld in the township. Under the Phase II NPDES regulations, any earth disturbance of greater than one acre requires an NPDES permit and an erosion and sedimentation pollution control plan. For a Phase II permit, EPA regulation (40CFR 122.34) requires permittees at a minimum to develop, implement, and enforce a stormwater program designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable. Many individual landowners engaging in small projects are unaware of these regulations. Greene Township should strive to educate landowners about the stormwater regulations.

Planning Consistency with Pike County

The Pike County Comprehensive Plan was recently updated in November 2006. The Greene Township Comprehensive Plan is designed to be consistent with the County plan.

Major goals of the Pike County Comprehensive Plan include the following:

∗ Enhance the services provided to the growing population of Pike County, through government and public participation that is responsive and accountable. ∗ Conserve, maintain and enhance the historical, cultural and environmental resources. ∗ Provide for properly managed and environmentally sound growth which will benefit the economy while retaining the County’s rural character and natural beauty. ∗ Broaden existing and provide new services to Pike County. 79 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 ∗ Promote economic development while avoiding any negative impact on the natural beauty and resources of our community and environment.

The Pike County Comprehensive Plan acknowledges that growth will continue to occur within Pike County, and encourages the use of Smart Growth principles for managing growth. Smart growth techniques are designed to accommodate growth in a way that protects the environment, protects rural land, enhances the economy, and enhances the quality of life. Elements of smart growth in Pike County include:

∗ Encouraging compact development patterns to reduce sprawl, land consumption, and conflicts with natural resources. ∗ Permanently protecting open space and planning for a system of greenways to connect natural areas and provide hiking and biking trails. ∗ Providing roads, public water supply and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, and stormwater infrastructure to concentrate development and attract new businesses. ∗ Using of traditional village settings containing smaller lots and mixed residential, retail, office, and green space uses, surrounded by working rural land, such as farmland, forest, and river to create true communities. ∗ Revitalization of our existing boroughs, villages and hamlets to encourage infill and appropriate expansion of existing communities.

In addition to the Pike County Comprehensive Plan, the Pike County Conservation District and the Pike County Planning Commission prepared recommendations for natural resource conservation and open land preservation in Greene Township (Pike CCD and Pike CPC, 2007). The recommendations address the need to incorporate conservation design principles into existing and future ordinances.

Planning Consistency with Adjoining Municipalities

In consideration of development that may occur on the peripheral boundaries of Greene Township, a review of surrounding municipal plans and ordinances was conducted to determine compatibility of land uses and proposed development. This review defines the regional growth scheme indicating the interrelationship of surrounding municipalities as required in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).

Eight municipalities border Greene Township:

* Palmyra Township, Pike County to the North; * Blooming Grove Township, Pike County to the North/Northeast; * Porter Township, Pike County to the West; * Barrett Township, Monroe County to the South/Southeast; * Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County to the South/Southwest; * Dreher Township, Wayne County to the East; * Sterling Township, Wayne County to the East; and * Salem Township, Wayne County to the East;

80 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 A consistency evaluation of the areas adjacent to Greene Township and its surrounding municipalities has been completed to identify and inventory any land use conflicts that may occur in the future. County and municipal existing land use and zoning GIS mapping was utilized in this consistency evaluation. Land use mapping was not available for the Wayne County municipalities. Where land use mapping was not available, information was gathered via aerial photos. Greene Township, unlike the other Pike County municipalities, is not zoned.

Palmyra Township, Pike County

Palmyra Township has adopted a zoning ordinance. The Palmyra Township Zoning Map shows that the portion of the township adjacent to Greene Township is primarily zoned for rural residential use. The land use map shows the area is used mostly by public lands or agriculture/woodlands. A small portion of the township adjacent to Greene Township in the vicinity of Lake Wallenpaupack is currently in residential use. The current zoning in Palmyra Township along the boundary line with Greene Township is consistent with the current land uses in both townships, with the potential for growth.

Blooming Grove Township, Pike County

Blooming Grove Township has adopted a zoning ordinance. The Blooming Grove Township Zoning Map shows that the portion of township adjacent to Greene Township is primarily zoned for mixed commercial or residential use. The land use map shows the area is utilized entirely by public lands or club/recreational use. The current zoning in Blooming Grove Township along the southern border with Greene Township is consistent with the current land uses in both townships, with the potential for growth.

Porter Township, Pike County

Porter Township has adopted a zoning ordinance. The Porter Township Zoning Map shows that the portion of the township adjacent to Greene Township is zoned for either conservation/open space or public parkland. Porter Township is the most rural township in Pike County. The current land use on the border of Porter and Greene Townships is public lands or club/recreational use. The current zoning in Porter Township along the boundary of Greene Township is consistent with the current land uses in both townships.

Barrett Township, Monroe County

Barrett Township is currently zoned and shows that the portion of the township adjacent to Greene Township is zoned for mostly resort use, with a small portion for residential. In Barrett Township, about half of the border is covered with forests and the other half has either residential or resort usage. Greene Township is used either for public lands or club/recreational use along the border with Barrett Township. The current zoning in Barrett Township along the border with Greene Township is consistent with the current land uses in both townships, with the potential for some growth.

81 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Coolbaugh Township, Monroe County

Coolbaugh Township is currently zoned primarily for conservation, with small sections zoned for residential use. The northern border of Coolbaugh Township is almost entirely used for cultural, private conservation, recreation, state forests, state gamelands, and federal, state, county, or municipality parks. The Southwest border of Greene Township is primarily covered by woodlands or agriculture. A small portion is used for rural residential and residential. The current zoning in Coolbaugh Township along the border with Greene Township is consistent with the current land uses in both townships.

Dreher Township, Wayne County

Dreher Township has adopted a zoning ordinance. The western border of Dreher Township is currently zoned for conservation, commercial, residential, or rural residential use. Both Dreher Township and Greene Township, along their shared border, have the same land usage, a combination of residential, commercial, rural-residential, and agriculture/woodlands. The current zoning of Dreher Township along the border with Greene Township is consistent with the current land uses in both townships, with the potential for growth.

Sterling Township, Wayne County

Sterling Township has adopted a zoning ordinance. Sterling and Greene Townships only share a very small section of border. The section is zoned for rural and residential development. Both Sterling and Greene Townships, along the small section of shared border, have either agriculture or woodlands. The current zoning of Sterling Township is consistent with the current land uses in both townships, with the potential for some growth.

Salem Township, Wayne County

Like Greene Township, Salem Township is not zoned. Due to the close proximately of the border between the two townships to Lake Wallenpaupack, the area attracts many residents. The area is currently used primarily for residential and rural residential uses. The area has potential for increased growth.

82 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 References

Cultural Heritage Research Services, Inc. (1997). Historic Resources Study, Pike County, PA. Prepared for Pike County.

F. X. Browne, Inc. (1985). Official Wastewater Management Plan Pursuant To PA Act 537. Prepared for Greene Township, Pike County, PA.

F. X. Browne, Inc. (2006a). Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management Plan. Prepared for the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District.

F. X. Browne, Inc. (2006b). Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District FY1998 and FY1999 EPA Grant Projects Final Report. Prepared for the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed Management District.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. (2006). Pennsylvania Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. Bureau of Watershed Management. 363-0300-002.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. (2003). 2003 Pike County Traffic Volume Map.

Pennsylvania Science Office of the Nature Conservancy. (1995). Pike County Natural Areas Inventory of 1990 (1995 update). Adopted by the Pike County Board of Commissioners via Resolution 93-08.

Pike County Conservation District and Pike County Planning Commission. (2007). Greene Township, Pike County Natural Resource Conservation and Open Land Preservation. Pike County, PA.

Pike County Office of Community Planning. (2004). Pike County Comprehensive Plan Municipal Officials Survey. Pike County, Pennsylvania.

Pike County Office of Community Planning. (2006). Pike County Comprehensive Plan: Growing…Naturally! Pike County, Pennsylvania. www.pikepa.org/Compplan.htm

Pike County Office of Community Planning & Human Development. (1998). Pike County Water Resources Plan: Water Supply and Wellhead Protection Program.

US Census Bureau. (1990). Greene Township Census. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/

US Census Bureau. (2000). Greene Township Census. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/

U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. (2005). Soil Survey of Pike County, PA. Retrieved from http://soildatamart.nrcs.usda.gov/Survey.aspx?State=PA

83 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Appendix A– Greene Township Municipal Officials Survey Results

An official Survey of Municipal Officials was conducted in preparation of the Pike County Comprehensive Plan. The survey was conducted in September 2004.

1. What do you feel are the most important planning issues facing Greene Township over the next 10 years? - Environmental Issues – protecting the environment and education on the importance of water supply, seepage - Economic Development - Communications - Overcrowding with house and septic systems; central sewage - Influx of people moving to Greene Township, police force - Controlled development - Roads - Affordable housing

2. What are Greene Township’s most important assets? - Volunteerism, geographic location, past municipal officials that made many of our ordinances, natural resources - Open space, rural area, scenic roads - Low taxes

3. What are the biggest challenges facing Greene Township, both now and anticipated in the future? - Economic issues – creating jobs to keep our youth here, some more assistance from the state government on issues they control (animals, debris) - Legal issues are too cumbersome on Township (need reform on enforcement) - Cap on insurance claims - Help with bridge maintenance - Building code - Growth, urban sprawl, lack of police force - Recreational facilities - Communications infrastructure/emergency management - Affordable housing - Municipal services

4. What do you want Greene Township to be like in the future? - Happy, healthy community free of environmental problems having good quality resources, better communications, and employment to maintain population - Neat, clean, safe - Open space, development in only certain areas not all over the township, not a lot of crime - A vibrant township which provides its citizens all the opportunities to move forth in this century

84 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 5. Have there been missed opportunities for Greene Township due to lack of resources or staff? If so, please list. - We do not have the resources to give our bridges the attention they need. - More help on communications is needed from county, state, and federal government - Certainly need more funds, we need funds to enforce our ordinances

6. Please list any additional comments you have or any other issues that you feel are important to address. - Support House Bill 1216 to allow money to come back to the township from nearby gambling - Do not want gambling in the Poconos and Greene Township, do not need elements or the additional people, buses that gambling brings - Sewage pipe installation under Promised Lake in Promised Land State Park

85 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010 Appendix B– Maps

86 Greene Township Comprehensive Plan April 2010

SALEM PAUPACK Legend Local Roads Soil Suitability Based on Soils & Slopes State Roads 1 (Suitable for all types) PALMYRA Streams 2 (Suitable for Sand mound, Drip, Spray) Wetlands 3 (Suitable for Drip, and Spray) Waterbodies 4 (Suitable for Spray only) Municipal Boundaries 5 (Unsuitable) County Boundaries STERLING BLOOMING GROVE PIKEPIKE

WAYNEWAYNE

DREHER

PORTER

Ê BARRETT MONROEMONROE COOLBAUGH Project Number: PA1726-04 Map of Soil Suitability for Notes: Sources: 1. Soil Suitability: FXB-created layer, Project File: P:\PA1726-04\Maps\ 1. Data accuracy is limited to the Onsite Wastewater Disposal accuracy and scale of the Data based on SSURGO database for File Name: Suitable Soils Based on Soils and Slopes original data sources. Pike County, 10meter 7.5 minute Feet Drawn By: MST Digital Elevation Models, and 25 PA Code Chapter 73 – On-site wastewater 3,100 0 3,100 6,200 9,300 12,400 Checked By: Map 11 system requirements 1 inch = 7,500 feet Plot Date: 02/03/09 Greene Township 2. Wetlands: National Wetlands Projection: VA State Plane N (ft) NAD 1983 Pike County, Pennsylvania Inventory