BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Berks County, Pennsylvania

Planning and Zoninn Consultant

Urban Research & Development Corporation Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

This Joint Comprehensive Plan was adopted by the Bechtelsville Borough Council on July 11, 1994 and the Bally Borough Council on August 16, 1994. BALLY BOROUGH BECHTELSVILLE BOROUGH

Mayor Mayor Philip Ferrizzi Susan Miller

Borough Council Borough Council Clarence Emerich, Jr., President Kathyn Updegrove, President David Bradshaw, Vice-president Craig Bonenbetger, Vice-president Paul Bartlett Donald Augustine Paul Conrad Arthur Bartman Jean Emerich Francis Henry Linda Moser Lawrence Imbody MayBeth Scholl Eugene Pel1

Borough Secretary Secretary to Borough Council Robert Moll Sandra Moser

Planning Commission Planning Commission Dennis Heydt, Chairperson Craig Bonenberger, Chairperson MayBeth Scholl Pau I Jung , Vice-Chairperson Hubert Seemann, Jr. Neil Ullom, Secretary Richard Simmons Richard Graber Gerald Weinsteiger Frank Moorhouse

Joint Planning Committee -Bally Members Joint Planning Committee-Bechtelsville Members Dennis Heydt, Co-Chair Craig Bonenbetger, Co-Chair Wnda Moser Robert Isett MayBeth Scholl Delmar Kern Hubert Seemann, Jr. Sandra Moser Richard Simmons Neil Ullom Gerald Weinsteige? Unwood DottereF

* Non-voting Joint Planning Committee member ** Former Joint Planning Committee Coxhair ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This document was largely financed by Berks County’s Federal Community Deuelopment Block Grant Program. Berks County has established a policy for funding local planning with CDBG funds that implements the principles defined in the Berks County Comprehensiue Plan Reoision. A major objective is to promote joint municipal planning, intergooernmental and regional cooperation. As a result, the County initiated a Local Planning Partnership Fund, to fund the preparation of local comprehensioe plans for municipalities that engage in joint planning efforts. The Bally/Bechtelsoille Plun is one of the first projects to be funded under this policy. The County commends municipal officials of both Bully Borough and Bechtelsuille Borough, as well as the joint comprehensioe planning committee members, for their participation in this program. TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 Chapter I . Regional Location and Setting ...... 1-1 Chapter I1 . Presence of the Past ...... 11-1 . Chapter 111 . Natural Features ...... 111-1 Chapter IV . Government Profile and Municipal Finances ...... 1v-1 Chapter V . Population. Housing and Employment ...... V-1 Chapter VI . Existing Land Use ...... v1-1 Chapter VI1 . Community Facilities and Services ...... v11-1 Chapter VI11 . Circulation ...... VIII-1 Chapter IX . Summary of Assets and Concerns ...... 1x-1 Chapter X . Bally Within the Region ...... X-1 Chapter XI . Goals ...... - 1 Chapter XI1 . Land Use and Housing Plan ...... x11-1 Chapter XI11 . Natural Features Plan ...... XIII-1 Chapter XIV . Historic Resources Plan ...... x1v-1 Chapter XV . Circulation Plan ...... XV-1 Chapter XVI . Community Facilities & Services Plan ...... xv1-1 Chapter XVII . Parks and Recreation Plan ...... XVII-1 Chapter XVIII . Economic Development Plan ...... XVIII-1 Chapter XIX . Energy Conservation Plan ...... x1x-1 I Chapter XX . Implementing the Plan ...... XX-1 Chapter XXI . Popular Funding Sources ...... xx1-1 MAPS

Map 1 . RegionalLocation ...... 1-1 Map 2 . Original Goshenhoppen Mission Property ...... 11-1 Map 3 . Early Bechtelsville ...... 11-3 Map 4 . Historic and Cultural Resources, Borough of Bally ...... 11-4 Map 5 . Historic and Cultural Resources, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... 11-5 Map 6 . Hydrology, Borough of Bally ...... 111-2 Map 7 . Hydrology, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... 1113 Map 8 . Natural Features, Borough of Bally ...... 111-6 Map 9 . Natural Features, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... 111-7 Map 10 . Soil Suitability for On-Site Septic Systems, Borough of Bally ...... 111-9 Map 11 . Soil Suitability for On-Site Septic Systems, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... 111-10 Map 12 . Agricultural Soils, Borough of Bally ...... 111-11 Map 13 . Agricultural Soils, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... 111-12 Map 14 . Existing Land Use, Borough of Bally ...... v1-6 Map 15 . Existing Land Use, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... v1-7 Map 16 . Existing Land Use Along Bally’s Main Street ...... v1-8 Map 17 . Existing Land Use Along Bechtelsville’s Main Street ...... v1-9 Map 18 . Existing Zoning, Borough of Bally ...... v1-10 Map 19 . Existing Zoning, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... v1-11 Map 20 . Community Facilities, Borough of Bally ...... VII-10 Map 21 . Community Facilities, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... VII-11 Map 22 . Future Land Use Plan, Borough of Bally ...... x11-2 . Map 23 Future Land Use Plan, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... x11-6 I Map 24 . Circulation Plan, Borough of Bally ...... XV-4 Map 25 . Circulation Plan, Borough of Bechtelsville ...... XV-5 TABLES AND FIGURES

Table IV-1 . Bally Borough and Bechtelsville Borough General Fund Revenues .1988-1992 ...... IV-4 & IV-5 I Table IV-2 . Bally Borough and Bechtelsville Borough General Fund Expenditures .1988-1992 ..... IV-6 8~IV-7 Table V-1 . Total Population .1970-1990 ...... V-2 Table V-2 . Age Specific Population and Net Cohort Change .1980-1990 ...... V-5 Table V-3 . Average Household Size ...... V-6 Table V-4 . Household Characteristics .1980-1990 ...... V-7 Table V-5 . Income and Poverty Characteristics ...... V-7 Table V-6 . Formal Education Level of Residents .1980-1990 ...... V-8 Table V-7 . Age Groups and Housing Needs .1990 ...... V-11 Table V-8 . Housing Type, Tenure, Vacancy and Value .1990 ...... V-12 Table V-9 . Housing Value of Owner-Occupied Units .1990 ...... V-14 Table V-10 . Monthly Contract Renmenter-Occupied Units .1990 ...... V-14 Table V-11 . Characteristics of Housing Units .1990 ...... V-15 Table V-12 . Non-Agricultural Employment .1991-1993 ...... V-16 Table V-13 . Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate .1992-1993 ...... V-17 Table VII-1 . Percent of Public Facilities .1990 ...... v113 Table VIM . Boyertown School District ...... v11-7 Table XIII-1 . Guidelines for Protecting Important Natural Features ...... : ...... XIII-2 to XIII-4 Table XV-1 . Arterials, Collectors and Local Streets for Bally and Bechtelsville ...... XV-1 Table XV-2 . Highway Functional Classifications and Recommended Design Features ...... XV-2 I Table XXI-1 . Popular Funding Sources ...... xx1-1 ChartV-1 . Population Projections .2000 ...... V-3 ChartV-2 . Population Density .1990 ...... V-3 ChartV-3 . Household/Housing Progression ...... V-10 Chart V-4 . Building Permits Granted for New Housing .1990 ...... V-13 ChartV-5 . Civilian Labor Force .1990 ...... V-16 THE REGIONAL LOCATION, SETTING AND CLIMATE BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

LOCATION CLIMATE

Bally Borough and Bechtelsville Borough are both located in The Boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville enjoy a fairly moderate, Berks County in southeastern Pennsylvania. These two humid, continental climate. This is due to their location on the boroughs are located along the Route 100 corridor in eastern leeward side of the Appalachian Mountains. When compared Berks County near the borders of Montgomery County and to other areas of Pennsylvania, winters tend to be shorter and I Lehigh County. The Bally-Bechtelsville area is at the center of milder and summers longer and frequently humid. An average a triangle formed by three metropolitan areas. The Lehigh annual precipitation of 41.4 inches falls in Berks County and Valley is to the northeast, the Reading Area is towards the west, frequency of storms ensure an adequate supply of moisture and the greater Philadelphia Area lies to the southeast. throughout the year.

Bally lies approximately two miles to the north of Bechtelsville. The two boroughs are separated by Washington Township, which surrounds the Borough of Bally and borders the north, east and west sides of Bechtelsville. Colebrookdale Township lies along Bechtelsville's southern border.

SETTING

Bally and Bechtelsville are situated within traditional Pennsyl- vania German farming areas. The surrounding countryside contains winding roads that lead through hilly terrain and small farms. Route 100 is the only major road in the area providing easy access to the Lehigh Valley and Pottstown areas. Route 100 runs through the center of Bally, where it is known as Main Street, and is located just east of Bechtelsville.

The Boroughs are both mature communities with a tradition of commercial, small industrial and residential development. Both Boroughs have experienced development pressures along and near Route 100. M..

I I- 1 PRESENCE OF THE PAST BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN I

THE PRESENCE OF THE PAST

Both Bally and Bechtelsville have a long and interesting history. were so pleased that their small town could have two churches While Bally had its beginning in 1741 when a 500-acre Jesuit within its boundary that they changed its name from Goshen- mission started there, Bechtelsville began about the same time hoppen to Churchville. when the Bechtel Family settled in that area of Berks County. -,.-. '. i ' A sense of history exists as you travel throughout both boroughs .*/ ' *.. *.. I .> I\, ,. .. -I . today. ~ ..-- _.._ .. r .I I '* ' ,' ," .. i BfLLY

The Borough of Bally had its beginning in 1742 when the Jesuit Order purchased about 500 acres of rich farmland to establish a mission named Goshenhoppen--an Indian name meaning ''meeting place." This section of Pennsylvania was settled by friendly Indians and by German pioneers who were mostly Mennonites. The Reverend Theodore Schneider was Goshen- hoppen's first resident priest who ministered to people living in the territory of present day Bucks, Montgomery, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton counties and part of Chester County as well as Philadelphia and parts of New Jersey and New York.

Because the Mennonites already had their own church in this small community, some wondered whether Reverend Schneider would find enough interest to establish a Catholic Church. As history will show, two religious communities worked together in peace and harmony as the settlement grew and prospered. In fact, the Jesuits and the Mennonites worked side by side to build the Chapel of Saint Paul in 1743--only the third Catholic church built in Pennsylvania. The people of the community Plor of rile original Goshenhoppen Mission property outlined on a current map of the Bally Area.

11-1 I

~~ PRESENCE OF THE PAST BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Six other priests followed Reverend Schneider before Reverend BECHTELSVILLE Augustin J. Bally came to Churchville in 1837, where he served the Blessed Sacrament Church for 45 years. Because of the The Bechtel Family, which came to this country from Weinheim, w.onderfu1 work that Father Bally accomplished, his successor Germany in 1728, chose to settle in what would later become went to the post office authorities in Philadelphia and requested Bechtelsville. History shows that the house which Isaac Bechtel that a post office be established in Churchville with the name of lived in, the son in the immigrant family, was built prior to the "Bally" in memory of the popular priest. The request was American Revolution in the 1770s. granted in August 1883. The name of the village was then changed to correspond with that of the new post office. The village that would grow and become incorporated as Bech- telsville in September 1890 began with only a few homes and The authorities of the Jesuit Order periodically sold portions of quite a few mills: a grist mill, saw mill, oil mill and a lead mill. the original 500 acres which had formed the property of the The accompanying sketch shows the prevalence of businesses Goshenhoppen mission. The purchasers generally bought and that existed in what was still a village during the early to mid built on small lots, resulting in the gradual evolution of a little 1800s. The Bechtelsville Post Office was established in 1852,31 village about a quarter of a mile from the Chapel of Saint Paul years before Bally's. (now the rear part of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church). Between the hamlet and the church a lane was constructed The Colebrookdale Railroad was extended three miles north of (now South Seventh Street) that intersected Main Street at what Boyertown to the tiny hamlet of Barto in 1869. This other was known as the business centre. means of transportation to and from what would become Bech- telsville prompted new businesses and families to locate in the While the genesis of Bally is a 500-acre Jesuit mission, develop- village during that time. A large iron furnace, which reportedly ment gradually spread out from the hamlet mostly along Main employed ''many workers", was built in the village in 1875. Street (Route 100); development also located along North and Smaller businesses were numerous in the late 1800s and early South Church Street. 1900s: harness shop, bakery, butcher, blacksmith, tinsmith, printer, hotel, general store, a creamery and other businesses. Bally has gradually evolved into an attractive community with There were also enough children living in the Borough in the a variety of businesses (retail, personal services and industry), late 1880s to justify building a two-room school house in 1890. primarily single family homes, a wide range of community services and facilities, and a strong historic character.

11-2 PRESENCE OF THE PAST BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN I

While there were relatively many businesses in the early village of Bechtelsville up through the early to mid 19OOs, relatively few survived when Route 100 was rerouted to the east of the Borough and rail service ceased. Bechtelsville has gradually evolved into an attractive community of well-kept single family houses, a variety of community services and facilities and .....like Bally .....a strong sense of history.

" WA SHINOTON TWP JcuZr. aOXoclr-Oru~nch

I13 I HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

'*. '*. MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCWCHAPEL OF SAINT PAUUMUSEUM

ALTE SCHULE I GEHRINGER FARMSTEAD

MOSER FARMSTEAD

QUIGLEY FARMSTEAD

BALLY HOTEL

"OLD" BALLY MENNONITE CHURCH

SCALE IN FEET

I14 I RIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES

FARMSTEAD

COLEBROOKDALE RAILROAD

MILLER HOTEL

STONE MILL HOUSE

LATSHAW'S GENERAL STORE

BECHTELSVILLE TRAIN STATION

"OLD" BOROUGH HALL

BECHTELSVILLE HOTEL

BITTENBEND ER'S GENERAL STORE

KUTZ KNITTING MILL

PATRIOTIC ORDER OF SONS

FARMSTEAD

SCALE IN FEE7

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN @I Landscape Architects. Engineers. Planning consuitants Urban Research & Development Corporation I

Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania UJC28 ~emehempl=m . ~e~hem.~~=~l~~d~ 18018 II-5 NATURAL FEATURES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

NATURAL FEATURES 0 Alluvial soils and floodplains are prone to flooding; The use of the land is influenced by a variety of natural features development in these areas may result in loss of such as hydrology, steep slopes, woodlands and soils, among property and lives, and worsen flood conditions others. Both Bally and Bechtelsville are blessed with scenic upstream from development, landscapes. Both boroughs are surrounded by primarily rural agricultural townships. Bally is relatively flat with few areas of 0 Wetlands are important aquifer recharge areas and steep slopes and few woodlands. Bechtelsville has significant support a uniquely sensitive environment. mature woodlands remaining on large areas of steep slopes. Both boroughs contain drainageways, but Bally has only one Bally drainageway. Bechtelsville’s Swamp Creek, wetlands and floodplain areas create ribbons of open space within the Borough. One small drainageway flows through the Borough of Bally. How these and other natural features are likely to affect the The drainageway, known as the unnamed tributary of the area’s development are described in the following section. Northwest Branch of the Perkiomen Creek, begins at a spring in Washington Township northwest of the Borough. This unnamed tributary of the Northwest Branch of the Perkiomen HYDROLOGY Creek flows southeast through the Borough, crossing Route 100 near Third Street and passing the Most Blessed Sacrament Hydrology refers to the water related features such as streams, Church the southeastern border of the Borough. The original flood prone areas and drainage characteristics of the area. course of the drainageway flowed almost directly south through These features are important for the following reasons: the western edge of the Borough until it was redirected for use by emerging industry in the 1800’s. Treated effluent is 0 Streams and creeks provide potential recreation discharged into the West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek at the areas, water sources, and valuable aquatic habitats. Bally Municipal Authority Treatment Plant located to the southeast in Washington Township. 0 Knowledge of drainage basins is necessary in designing sanitary and storm sewers, The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources (PADER) considers the northwest branch of the Perkiomen 0 Alluvial soils, hydric soils and wetlands indicate land Creek to be a Cold Water Fishery. PADER defines cold water where chronic or occasional wetness may weaken fisheries as streams which are necessary for maintenance and foundations or otherwise constrain construction,

111-1 HYDROLOGY

Fd DRAINAGEWAY ALLUVIAL SOILS (FLOOD PRONE AREAS) HYDRICSOILS

WETLANDS (no wetlands are identified) * 1-1 1-1 WATERSHED BOUNDARY

Identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's National Wetlands Inventoy. SCALE IN FEET * HYDROLOGY

STREAMS

100 YEAR FLOODPLAINS

HYDRIC SOILS

WETLANDS *

* Identified by the U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Wetlands Inventoy. SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN pd Landscape hchitects . Engineers. Planning consultants tail Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania UJC28 ~emehemplaza - ~em~h~m~~~~~~l~~d~ 18018 I 111-3 NATURAL FEATURES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN propagation of cold water fish and other flora and fauna From these springs, near where the Washington Township, Pike indigenous to cold water habitats. The majority of the Borough Township and District Township borders meet, the Swamp drains directly into the fore-mentioned drainageway which is Creek flows south-southeast through the Borough of Bechtels- part of the drainage basin for the Northwest Branch of the ville. Near the eastern edge of the Borough an unnamed Perkiomen Creek. Two small areas of the Borough drain tributary joins the Swamp Creek. From Bechtelsville the Swamp toward other minor drainage basins of the Northwest Branch of Creek flows southeast to the Perkiomen Creek and then into the the Perkiomen Creek. One of these lies along the southwestern Schuylkill River. The entire Borough drains into the Swamp edge of the Borough and the other along the northeastern edge Creek watershed which is part of the Perkiomen Creek drainage of the Borough. The Northwest Branch of the Perkiomen Creek basin. then drains to the Perkiomen Creek which in turn flows into the Schuylkill River. Unlike Bally, development has historically occurred and continues to be permitted within the 100-year floodplain in Flooding and erosion of drainageway banks have been a Bechtelsville. Early industry lined the raceway near Main Street concern along the unnamed tributary of the Northwest Branch and Race Street. A dam was built just northwest of Main Street of the Perkiomen Creek. This primarily occurs along the South which still exists today. Residential development exists within Church Street right-of-way and further downstream. the 100-year floodplain along East Chestnut Street, Sunnyside Drive and Pheasant Road. The accompanying map shows several other hydrological features including alluvial soils and hydric soils. Since Bally’s Other important hydrological features include hydric soils and floodplains have not been studied or mapped, 100-year flood- wetlands. The largest wetland area is found above the -dam plains are not shown. Alluvial soils are soils which have been along Race Street where the original pond created by the dam deposited by flooding and usually include 100-year floodplain has silted in, creating a large marshy area. Other wetlands are areas. Hydric soils are soils with either seasonally high water found along the Swamp Creek and its tributaries. Hydric Soil tables or permanently high water tables. Hydric soils may also or High Water Table Soils are found along the Swamp Creek be indicators of wetlands. No wetlands have been located by floodplain and drainage swales which parallel Cherry Street and the National Wetlands Inventory within the Borough. Franklin Street.

Bechtelsville

The Swamp Creek, which runs through Bechtelsville, has its origins in the Weller Cemetery Seeps and Swamp Creek Seeps.

111-4

I NATURAL FEATURES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

STEEP SLOPES slopes between 15 percent and 25 percent grade. Very steep slopes of greater than 25 percent grade are found south of Steep slopes and rolling farmland are prevalent features Franklin Street. Additional areas with slopes greater than 25 throughout the region. The accompanying map shows two percent grade are found along Race Street and Jamestown categories of steep slopes within both boroughs: land between Road. 15 percent and 25 percent grade, and land over 25 percent grade. Knowledge of steeply sloping areas is important when WOODLANDS planning for future development because: Woodlands are areas which primarily have second and third 0 construction is more costly to build on steep slopes; generation forests. These wooded areas are important for the 0 steep slopes are susceptible to erosion when soil and following reasons: vegetation are disturbed. 0 Woodlands are scenic resources which provide visual Construction is typically restricted on slopes between 15 percent relief, softening views of the landscape. and 25 percent and prohibited on slopes over 25 percent. 0 Woodlands provide unique wildlife habitats which once destroyed take hundreds of years to recover. Bally 0 Vegetative cover and root systems of the forest ecosystem protects against erosion and stabilizes the The Borough of Bally is nestled at the base of a large hill and soil. its topography reflects this. Minor steep slope areas with grades of 15 percent to 25 percent can be found along its northwest Efforts to conserve woodlands may focus on steering growth boundary where it cuddles the mountain. A small knoll exists at away from heavily forested areas, limiting density where the end of South Fourth Street and the Borough border. The development occurs and minimizing the number of trees cut remainder of the Borough is gently sloping. during construction.

Bechtelsville Bally

Bechtelsville rests in a scenic stream valley between two hills and Bally has few remaining wooded areas accounting for less than this is reflected in its topography. The eastern half of the 5 percent of the borough’s land area. These remaining Borough lies in the stream valley and is relatively level. To the woodlands lie in small patches along the moderately sloping I west of Main Street is a hill which has large areas of steep hillside of the Borough and along the unnamed tributary of the NATURAL FEATURES

MODERATELY STEEP SLOPES (15% - 25%)

VERY STEEP SLOPES (725%)

p.1 DRAINAGEWAY

SCALE IN FEE7

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PM Landscape hchitects. Engineers. consultants Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough Of Bally - Berks County, Pennsylvania URDC- 28 Bethlehem Plaza . Bethlehem. Pennv1mnia 18018 IIId NATURAL FEATURES

WOODLANDS

MODERATELY STEEP SLOPES (15%- 25%)

VERY STEEP SLOPES (725%) E STREAMS

1 SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN pl Landscape Architects. Eqineers . Planning consultants bril Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania URDC 28 ~eaehemplaza . ~ea=hem,pe-syl-ia 18018 III-7 NATURAL FEATURES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Northwest Branch of the Perkiomen Creek. The remaining Soils are also classified by their ability to support agriculture. areas of the Borough have long since been cleared for Class I and Class I1 agricultural soils are considered prime development and farming. agricultural soils and indicate where the best farmland is located. Class 111 soils have limitations in their ability to support certain Bechtelsville crops and require additional conservation practices. Class IV - VI1 are considered the least favorable for agricultural use Bechtelsville still has significant stands of remaining woodlands. because of very severe limitations to farming. Almost 50 percent of the Borough is still wooded. Most of these woodlands are found in the western half of the Borough. Here Bally steep slopes limited early development and farming, allowing the original woodlands to remain. Small patches of woodlands are Less than a third of Bally’s remaining undeveloped land is also still found along the Swamp Creek. suitable for on-site septic systems. All the undeveloped areas in SOILS the Borough, however, are accessible to the Bally Municipal Authority’s public sewer system. Many different soil types with a variety of soil features exist The Borough of Bally has primarily Class I1 agricultural soils. within the boroughs. Typically, soils are analyzed for the No Class I soils exist and only small areas of Class I11 soils are following two important qualities: found within the Borough. The majority of Bally’s farmable land has been developed over the years. The only remaining 0 the ability to support septic systems and land farmed lies near Seventh and Pine Streets. While some see accompanying development and the need to preserve this remaining farmland, others have noted 0 the ability to support agriculture. the need to accommodate expanding industries and residential development, to provide a greater tax base and encourage more Soils are classified according to their ability to support on-site development within the Borough. septic systems. Soils which are considered unsuitable for on-lot systems are located on steep slopes, shallow, stony, or poorly Bechtelsville drained. Soil suitability for on-site septic systems is not an important issue in either Bally or Bechtelsville since both Most of the undeveloped land within the Borough is unsuitable boroughs are served by public sewers. for on-lot septic systems. Bechtelsville, like Bally, is also served by public sewer and has little need to consider soil suitability for

III-8 SOIL SUITABILITY FOR ON-SITE SEPTIC SYSTEM

1-1 1-1 SLIGHT LIMITATIONS MODERATE LIMITATIONS

SEVERE LIMITATIONS

0 200 400 800 1600 * Source - Soil Survey of Berks County Dept. of Agriculh SCALE IN FEET US. ire

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN fll Landscape Architects. Engineers. Planning consultants bd Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough Of Bally - Berks County, Pennsylvania UJ'C 28 Bemehem Plaza . Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018 111-9 SOIL SUITABILITY FOR ON-SITE SEPTIC SYSTEM

I]SLIGHT LIMITATIONS MODERATE LIMITATIONS

SEVERE LIMITATIONS

MAN-MADE SOILS THAT FALL OUTSIDE kxl EXISTING CATEGORIES

* Source - Soil Survey of Berks County U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.

SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN pl hbcape hchitects. Eweera. consultants bra Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania UJC28 ~emehemplaza . ~e~ehem,peMsylvada 18018 III-10 AGRICULTURAL SOILS

CLASS I (none identified)

CLASS I1

CLASS I11

CLASS IV - VI11

* Source - Soil Survey of Berks County U.S. Dept. of Agriculture AGRICULTURAL SOILS

CLASS I (none identified)

CLASS I1

CLASS I11 11 CLASS IV - VI11 MAN-MADE SOILS THAT FALL OUTSIDE my EXISTING CATEGORIES

* Source - Soil Survey of Berks County US.Dept. of Agriculture

SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVIUE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Landscape kchltects . Engineers . Planning Consultants E'dQ -q brll Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania UJC28 ~emehemplaza . ~e~ehem.pennsglvada 18018 NATURAL FEATURES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

on-lot septic systems except where sewer service has not been may cause ground water contamination. Limestone areas are extended. also associated with sinkholes which can cause buildings, roads Large areas of Bechtelsville still remain undeveloped, however or other structures to collapse or otherwise be damaged. Sinkholes occur naturally but can be induced by grading or most of these are unsuitable for agriculture. The majority of these undeveloped areas are located in areas which are not other construction activities which alter an areas drainage considered prime agricultural areas. patterns.

GEOLOGY AND GROUNDWATER The geological formations found in Bally typically provide low to moderate yields of groundwater. Wells in Bally, however, Geology and the availability of groundwater also need to be yield more than would be expected by the geology. A typical considered when planning for future development. The well would have a depth 250 to 325 feet and yield between 8- Boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville are located in the Piedmont 30 gpm although yields as high as 70 gpm have been reported. Province directly east of a ridge of mountain chains in the Water quality in Bally is good, however, some treatment may be Reading Prong. The geology of this region was formed during necessary. The Borough’s water supply is provided by the Bally the Triassic, Cambrian and Precambrian periods. Municipal Authority from a well located in the Borough’s community park. Bally Bechtelsville The geology of Bally is primarily derived from shale and limestone formations of the Triassic Period. The Triassic Geological formations in Bechtelsville are derived from the I Brunswick Formations which consist of reddish-brown shale, Cambrian Period Dolomite and Precambrian Granitic Gneiss. Bechtelsville’s Dolomite is of the Leithsville Formation and is siltstone, and mudstone, are in the central and eastern portions of the Borough. The limestone areas are found near the composed of medium to dark gray, crystalline dolomite. Leithsville Formation is found in the gently sloping areas of the southern portion of the Borough. A third formation known as Borough, primarily east Main Street. The western portion of Hardyston exists in the moderately sloping areas along the of Borough’s northwestern edge; quartzite and sandstone comprise the Borough is composed of Granitic Gneiss, a light to medium grained quartz and feldspar mixture of igneous origin. this formation.

Shale and limestone areas are characterized by pockets of Groundwater yields within these geological formations is shallow soil that do not allow adequate water filtration which typically low to moderate. A typical well in Bechtelsville yields 8-20 gallons per minute and has a depth of 250 to 325 feet.

III-13 NATURAL FEATURES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Bechtelsville’s groundwater is of good quality and Borough relies on private wells for its water.

ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF SPECIAL CONCERN

Various state agencies and conservation groups maintain the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Index (PNDI) which provides information on unique plants, animals and geological features in the State. Currently the PNDI list has no endangered species within either borough.

111-14 GOVERNMENT PROFILE AND MUNICIPAL FINANCES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

GOVERNMENT PROFILE Municipal Authority Sewage Treatment Plant. Bechtelsville recently renovated the former Bechtelsville Railroad Station at The overall structure of government is similar in Bally and East Chestnut and Railroad Streets to use as a new borough Bechtelsville. Each municipality is a borough governed by a hall. The new facility opened for official use in September, seven-member borough council and a mayor. In each case, 1993. borough council members and the mayor are elected at large for four-year terms. Both Bally and Bechtelsville have five-member MUNICIPAL FINANCES planning commissions to advise their governing body. The planning commissions in both Bally and Bechtelsville deal with historic preservation issues in addition to planning and zoning The two charts on the following pages (111-4-7) show general matters; neither Bally nor Bechtelsville has a historic fund revenues and expenditures for Bally and Bechtelsville Boroughs for the to 1992 five-year period. This commission. Bally and Bechtelsville each maintains a three- 1988 member zoning hearing board. information and the accompanying text provide a summay view of each municipality’s spending priorities and government Bechtelsville has a seven-member Recreation Board. Bally has funding sources. a committee to advise borough council on park and recreation matters. This committee includes both members of council and BALLY BOROUGH non-members, and it varies in size depending on the matters I being considered. Revenues

Bally and Bechtelsville each retains a solicitor. Bechtelsville also Service charges have been Bally’s largest revenue source over retains a municipal engineer, while Bally contracts for engi- the 1988 to 1992 five-year period. Service charges accounted neering services on a project-by-project basis. A full-time for 46.4 percent of all general fund revenues in 1988 and rnanagedsecretary administers daily operations in Bally. increased to 53.3 percent in 1992. Bally’s public water & sewer Bechtelsville employs a part-time secretay/treasurer to oversee user fees and admission fees to the Borough-owned swimming borough administration. pool comprise the majority of the municipality’s service charge revenues. The Bally Borough municipal building is on Chestnut Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets, adjacent to Bally’s community Taxes are Bally’s second largest revenue source, providing 28.7 park. The building was recently renovated and contains a percent of all general fund revenues in 1992. Bally’s 24-mill senior center, in addition to the municipal meeting room. real estate tax and its 0.5 percent earned income levy produce Bally’s business or “operational”office is located at the Bally most of the Borough’s tax funds. (The earned income tax is

IV-1 GOVERNMENT PROFILE AND MUNICIPAL FINANCES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN actually 1 percent; Bally divides all revenues collected in the refers to all of the Borough’s administrative exqenses, including

Borough with the Boyertown School District.) A $10 per capita clerical costs, legal fees and engineering costs related to ongoing I charge on all residents 18 years or older, a $5 occupational infiltration-inflow (I&I) problems in Bally’s public sewers. privilege tax on people who work in the Borough and the General Government expenditures were 20.4 percent of Bally’s Borough’s one-half share of Berks County’s 1.0 percent real total spending in 1988 and 17.4 percent in 1992. Annual estate transfer tax provide the remainder of Bally’s tax revenues. fluctuations in this line item over the five-year period have been primarily related to the amount of I&I work the Borough under- Intergovernmental transfers are Bally’s third largest revenue takes in a given year. source. This category includes the Borough’s liquid fuels reimbursement from the State and federal community develop- Public Safety expenditures reflect the costs of municipal police ment block grant funds received through Berks County. and fire protection. Public safety costs accounted for 14.0 Intergovernmental revenues accounted for 13.4 percent of total percent of Bally’s general fund spending in 1988 and 14.7 general fund revenues in 1992. percent in 1992.

Licenses & Permits , Fines & Forfeits, Interest, Rents & Debt service payments on municipal loans represented 11.7 Royalties, and Miscellaneous Funds are the Borough’s other percent of Bally’s general fund expenditures in 1992. The general fund revenue categories. However, these sources are Borough has been retiring this debt in $41,000 annual minor contributors to Bally’s overall income. None of these increments since 1989. Culture and Recreation comprised 8.3 sources accounted for more than 1.9 percent of total municipal percent of all Bally’s general fund costs in 1992. revenues in 1992. Highways, Roads and Streets, and the Borough’s Miscellaneous Expenditures Expenditures are Bally’s two remaining spending categories. These two line items accounted for 1.7 percent and 1.9 percent Bally spends the largest proportion of its general fund budget on respectively of Bally’s general fund expenditures in 1992. operating and maintaining its Borough-owned water and sewer systems. Public water and sewer costs (recorded as Other Financing Uses in the annual audit report) comprised 49.3 BECHTELSVILLE percent of general fund expenditures in 1988 and increased to 56.0 percent in 1992. Revenues

General Government expenditures and Public Safety costs are Tax revenues comprised 63.0 percent of Bechtelsville’s general Bally’s next largest spending categories. General Government fund revenues in 1992. This percentage is somewhat less than GOVERNMENT PROFILE AND MUNICIPAL FINANCES BACKGROUND FOR THE PIAN the proportion of all revenues attributable to taxes in 1988 (74.6 to represent less than 5.0 percent of the Borough’s general fund percent). However, taxes are still Bechtelsville’s largest revenue revenues in 1992. producer, as they have been throughout the 1988-1992 five- year period. Expenditures

Bechtelsville divides receipts from a 1 percent earned income General Government was Bechtelsville’s largest expenditure tax with the Boyertown School District. These revenues during most of the 1988 to 1992 five-year period. General provided almost half of the Borough’s tax income in 1992. Government includes engineering and legal fees, office Bechtelsville’s 28-mill real estate tax accounted for most of the administration and tax collection costs. In 1992, this category Borough’s remaining tax revenues. A $5 per capita tax on also included the costs of rehabilitating the former Bechtelsville persons 18 years or older, a $5 occupational privilege tax and Railroad Station for the new Borough Hall. The General the Borough’s one-half share of Berks County’s 1 percent real Government category accounted for 39 percent of general funds estate transfer tax provide the remaining tax revenues. spent in 1992, a slight increase over 1988 (31.6 percent). Income from long-term borrowing (shown as Miscellaneous & Public Safety expenditures, which reflect police and fire Other Revenues on the accompanying chart) was Bechtelsville’s protection costs, are typically Bechtelsville’s second largest I second largest revenue source in 1992, providing 17.2 percent annual expense. Public Safety was responsible for 28.6 percent of all Borough revenues. Service charges, Bechtelsville’s third of all general fund expenses in 1992. This was a slight largest revenue source, accounted for 12.4 percent of the Borough’s 1992 general revenue sources. These service charges proportional decrease from 1988 when Public Safety comprised included fees for subdivision review, building permits and sewer 29.8 percent of Bechtelsville’s total general fund costs. connections and similar charges. Borough’s Recreational The Culture and Recreation accounted for 17.2 percent of Improvement and Rehabilitation Act (RIRA) grant from the PA. Bechtelsville’s general fund expenses in 1992. This is primarily Department of Community Affairs was also listed under this attributable to the reconstructed tennis courts, new pavilion roof budget category in 1992. and other improvements the Borough constructed in Intergovernmental Revenues accounted for 2.9 percent of Bechtelsville Community Park during 1992. Culture and Bechtelsville’s total general fund revenues in 1992. These funds Recreation comprised between 5.2 percent and 8.5 percent of consist primarily of the Borough’s liquid fuels tax reimbursement Bechtelsville’s annual general fund expenditures between 1988 from the State. Licenses & Permits, Fines & Forfeits and, and 1991. Interest, Rents and Royalties provide the remainder of Bechtelsville’s general fund revenues. These sources combined Bechtelsville spent 5.4 percent of its 1992 general fund budget on Streets, Roads and Highways. This is considerably less than

Iv-3 GOVERNMENT PROFILE AND MUNICIPAL FINANCES BACKGROUND FOR THE PUN

~~ ~ ~ I in previous years, during which major road improvement remaining two budgets categories, Health & Welfare and projects were completed. The Borough allocated 5.0 percent of Miscellaneous Expenses, totaled 4.8 percent of all general fund its 1992 general funds to retire municipal debt. The Borough’s spending in 1992.

BALLY BOROUGH AND BECHTELSVILLE BOROUGH GENERAL FUND REVENUES - 1988-1992

Bechtelsville Bechtelsville Bally Bechtelsville $I% $!% $;% $!% $;% II I 1 I I II I I I II I I I Fund Balance, Januay 1 208,961 I - 80,053 I - 182,845 I - 66,726 I - 160,417 ’ - 65,974 I - I I I I I I I I I I I I REVENUES I I I I I I I I I I I I Tnxes 132,088 35.5 101,142 I 77.2 134,900 I 37.5 104,586 I 65.6 135,960 31.1 114,755 I 74.6 I I I I I I Licenses & Permits 1,450 I 0.4 0’0 3,525 I 1.0 2,754 I 1.7 3,950 ; 0.9 3,229 I 21 I I I I I 1 Fines & Forfeits 3,000 I 0.8 2,957 I 2.2 3,000 I 0.8 1,814 I 1.1 3,000 I 0.7 3,526 I 22 I I I I I I I Interest, Rents & Royalties I 6,440 I 1.7 I 6,758 I 5.2 11 14,518 I 4.0 I 4,705 I 29 11 7,890 I 1.8 I 5,165 I 3.4 I I I I II I I I II 1 I 1 Intergovernmental Revenues 12,226 I 3.3 1,267 I 1.0 21,500 I 6.0 17,843 I 11.2 60,122 I 13.8 4,251 I 28 I I I I I I Charges for SeMces 172,880 I 46.4 18,708 I 14.3 181,280 I 50.4 11,769 I 7.4 225,671 51.7 16,120 I 10.5 1 I I I I I Miscellaneous & Other 44,370 I 11.9 121 I 0.1 1,050 I 0.3 16,024 I 10.1 o(0 6,788 ( 4.4 Revenues I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Total Revenues & Other 372,454 I 100.0 130,953 I 100.0 359,773 f 100.0 159,495 I 100.0 436,593 I 100.0 153,834 f 100.0 I I I I I i I I I I !I I I I II I I I II sources Total Rewnuea and Fund 581,415 i - 211,006 i - 542,618 i - 226,221 i - 597,010 - 219,808 i - Equity I I I I I I

SOURCE: Commonwealth of Pennsyivania Annual Audit and Financial Reports

Iv-4 GOVERNMENT PROFILE AND MUNICIPAL FINANCES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

1991 1992 Bally Bechtelsville Bally Bechtelsville $ % $ % $ % $ %

Fund Balance, January 1 167,531 76,522 175,650 91,923 REVENUES

TaXeJ 132,300 23.1 123,745 53.0 142,500 28.7 121,439 63.0

SOURCE: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Annual Audit and Financial Reports

N-5 GOVERNMENT PROFILE AND MUNICIPAL FINANCES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

BALLY BOROUGH AND BECHTELSVILLE BOROUGH GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES - 1988-1992 II I 1988 1989 1990

Bally I Bechtelsville Bechtelsville BdY Bechtelsville II I I (I EXPENDITURES 1$1%1$1% $ % $ % 72,252 20.6 40,584 25.3 60,329 15.1 45,316 31.6

~~~~ 59,800 17.0 46,977 29.3 67,959 17.1 58,911 41.1 0~0ImI0.1 0 I 0 I 275 I 0.2 olololo olololo 6,100 1.7 48,200 30.1 48,000 12.0 22,917 16.0

29,136 8.3 7,321 4.6 3,553 0.9 7,470 5.2

41,000 10.3 0 0 16,915 0 I 0 1 8,397 I 5.9 I I I Other Financing Uses 184,230 49.3 0 0 136,206 38.8 0 I 0 177,943 44.6 0 0 Total Expenditures & 373,928 100.0 144,280 100.0 351,094 I 100.0 I 160,247 I 100.0 398,784 100.0 143,286 100.0 Other Financing

Unreseroed Fund I 207,486 I - I 66,761 89,730 I - 1 65,974 I - 198,226 I - I 76,522 I - Balance, December 31

SOURCE: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Annual Audit Financial Reports

N-6 GOVERNMENT PROFILE AND MUNICIPAL FINANCES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

II BALLY BOROUGH AND BECHTELSVILLE BOROUGH GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES - 1988-1992 (Cont.) 1991 1992

SOURCE: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Annual Audit Financial Reports

Iv-7 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT

Plans are made for people. A comprehensive plan attempts to The six Townships surrounding Washington Township are foresee the growth that will occur in an area and to provide overwhelmingly rural; the region’s hillsides are scattered with guidance in accommodating the future population in an orderly small villages and farms. Although both Bally and Bechtelsville manner. Boroughs have less than a thousand residents, they provide a density and setting unique from their surroundings. This chapter looks at the way past and present population trends affect the boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville. Housing and employment trends are also studied to illustrate how an area’s residents, housing stock and economy are changing over time. Selected comparative data about Berks County is included to better define the position of the two Borough’s in regional affairs.

This information helps determine planning and zoning policies such as how much land to set aside for commerce, industry and

different types of residential uses. Population, housing and i employment trends in the Bally-Bechtelsville area between 1980 and 1990 are summarized below from U.S. Census data, State employment statistics, building permits and other information.

A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE

Bally and Bechtelsville Boroughs are situated two and a half miles apart within Washington Township, Berks County. Colebrookdale Township forms the southern boundary of Bechtelsville while Bally is encompassed solely by Washington Township.

V-l POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

GROWTH TRENDS

The following tables illustrate the growth patterns of Bally and Bechtelsville Boroughs, as well as the surrounding region. TABLE V-1 These tables will help identify how fast the boroughs are TOTAL POPUIATION 1970-1990 growing, and how the area's demographic characteristics Bechtelsville Borough - Bdy Borough - Berks County changed over the last several decades. and surrounding municipalities

Total Population

The most recent census shows that 884 persons lived in Bechtelsville Borough and 973 persons lived in the Borough of Bally. This is a 6 percent growth for Bechtelsville and a 7 percent decrease in population for Bally since 1980. The Berks District Twp. County Planning Commission has projected an increase for both Pike Twp. communities by the year 2,000. According to County projec- Colebrookdale Twp. tions, Bally Borough will have 1,009 residents by the year 2,000 Douglas Twp. and Bechtelsville Borough will increase to 906 persons. Upper hoverTwp.

Table V-1 shows how the two boroughs, Washington Township BWY BOROUGH and the surrounding six municipalities relate with each other and Berks County in attracting new people between 1970 and BECHTUSWLLE BOROUGH

1990. The Chart V-1 shows the potential growth of these areas Source: U.S. Census of Population for the year 2,000 based upon the population projections of the Berks County Planning Commission. The projections indicate an increase in population for Bally, Bechtelsville and the surrounding townships indicating strong regional growth.

v-2 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Township was 651 persons. Berks County as a whole had a CHART V-1 1990 population density of 392 persons per square mile. POPUIATION PROJECTIONS 2000 Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - and Surroundings The accompanying chart identifies the 1990 population density of the seven municipalities surrounding Bechtelsville Borough and Bally Borough. Five of the seven Townships; District, 70001 Hereford, Pike, Upper Hanover and Washington Township have fewer than 250 persons per square mile. Only Douglas and Colebrookdale Townships have a density greater than 250 persons per square mile. The majority of municipalities surrounding the Boroughs of Bechtelsville and Bally have between 100 and 250 persons per square mile. CHART V-2 WASHINOTON BALLY HEREFORD POPUTATION DENSITY 1990 Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - and Surroundings

Source: Berkr County Planning Commission

PERSONS PER SQUARE MILE Population Density 1-1 1-1 >250 Bechtelsville Borough has approximately .5 square miles of land. The 1990 population density for Bechtelsville is 1,768 persons tss 250-499 per square mile. While Bally Borough has an identical land mass of -5 square miles, it has a slightly higher density with 500-999 1,946 persons per square mile.

Both Bechtelsville and Bally Borough have considerably higher densities than Washington Township or the surrounding municipalities. Washington Township’s density in 1990 was 200 persons per square mile while neighboring Colebrookdale Source: U.S. Census of Population

v-3 -==I~-=m-===---=m=

POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Age and Gender

Age groups in a community create various needs for schools, Although Table V-2 shows fewer people in many age groups in recreation programs and facilities, housing types and other 1990 than in 1980, certain age groups experienced an increase services. Table V-2 shows Bally and Bechtelsville’s population in the number of persons. In many cases, this increase is by five-year age groups. This is helpful in identifying several of caused by migration ir& the two boroughs. Bechtelsville the Borough’s major population trends. Borough shows a significant increase in the 25-29 age group. This addition may be due to the quality of life within Bally Borough lost 7 percent of its residents between 1980 and Bechtelsville, as well as the Borough’s proximity to more 1990. Table V-2 clearly shows the loss of young adults within urbanized areas and job opportunities in neighboring the Borough at this time, possibly reflecting limited employment Colebrookdale Township and Boyertown. and housing opportunities in Bally for this age group. For example, Bally Borough had 108 persons ages 15-19 in 1980. As shown on Table V-2, Bally and Bechtelsville illustrate a fairly Ten years later, there were only 81 persons in the same group even distribution of persons throughout the age categories in of persons (then ages 25-29). Therefore, 27 residents from this 1990. Both Boroughs show a large population of children, as age group left Bally Borough during the 1980’s (assuming no well as adults. This distribution requires a wide variety of deaths among the group). This scenario is not mirrored in services and facilities in order to accommodate all of their needs. Bechtelsville Borough, however, where a 6 percent increase in the population is noted. There are no special considerations in either Borough that have altered the traditional 50-50 balance between total females and Additional distinctions are found between the two Boroughs as total males in the last decade. This trend can be expected to well. Although Bally displays a decrease in growth overall, the continue through the population projections of the year 2000. number of residents over the age of 65 increases dramatically between the 1980 and 1990 decade. This increase could be caused by a variety of reasons. The attractive Senior Citizen Programs in Bally and additional services for the elderly may be attributes for this age group. Unlike Bally, Bechtelsville actually loses 11 persons in this age bracket. Both Boroughs show a higher-than-average percent of elderly.

V-4 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

TABLE V-2 AGE SPECIFIC POPULATION AND NET COHORT CHANGE 1980-1990 Bechtelsville Borough - Bally Borough

Source: US. Census of Population

NOTE: The Net Cohort Change figures in the last two columns represent the net change in the County’s population through death, out-migmtion and in-migration between 1980 and 1990. They are computed by subtracting the 1980 population from the cohort (ie., the same group ten yean older in 1990).

v-5 ===~m===DmD=-=m~=--

POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Household Size and Characteristics

The 1990 US. Census reports the number of families in Bally Society at large seems to favor smaller families (fewer children) Borough (281) and Bechtelsville Borough (243, and an average than in the past, while unmarried youths and the elderly are family size of 3.12 in Bally and 3.23 in Bechtelsville. Average now more apt to live alone. Housing units also affect the size for "households'l (a term which includes all people in average household size today because apartments, mobile separate household units, whether these people represent homes and single-family homes are designed with fewer rooms. families or whether these people are unrelated individuals such as three single persons living together) are computed and shown Bally and Bechtelsville, as well as Berks County, reflected the in Table V-3 for both communities. national trend with a decrease in the household size between 1980 and 1990. The typical Bally Borough household had 2.51 persons in 1990. This was slightly lower than the average household size of 2.85 persons in Bechtelsville Borough and the TABLE V-3 2.56 average household size of Berks County in 1990. AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD SIZE BechtelsviUe Borough - BaUy Borough Other household characteristics include ancestry and race, as shown in Table V-4. In 1980, Bally Borough had a non-white population of 1.1 percent while Bechtelsville Borough had less I 1980 ' 1990 than one percent. While the non-white population in both 11 BERKSCOUNTY I 2.66 1---2.56II boroughs was 0 percent in 1990, Berks County identified a 6.5 percent non-white population. This is an increase of almost 2 11 BALLY BOROUGH percent since 1980. The predominant ancestry recorded in 1990 for residents of Bally and Bechtelsville is German. English BECKTELSVILLE BOROUGH 2.99 2.85 was the second most popular ancestry recorded by the U.S. Source: U.S. Census of Popuktion Census of Population while Irish was third.

The average household size has become smaller during the last few decades (Table V-3). Various factors are responsible for this national trend. POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Family size also affects the adequacy of income. Beginning in TABLE V-4 1964, the federal government has computed the annual HOUSEHOLD CHARACERISTICS 1980-1990 measures of the income level that represent the threshold of Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - Washington Township poverty. These figures are adjusted to account for family size, - Berks County age, gender of family-head, farm or non-farm residence and other considerations. The poverty threshold is intended to measure the minimum income necessary to maintain healthful living conditions.

I TABLE V-5 INCOME AND POVERTY CHARACTERISTICS Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - Washington Township Source: U.S. Censur of Population - Berks County

MED7A"UAL I %ogET$IN AREA 1 HOUSEHOLD 1 INCOME 1979 1989 . 1979 1989

BERKS COUNTY i Income and Poverty 17,530 32,048 8.0 BALLY 19,952 32,297 i 1.1 2.5

~ Table V-5shows the median annual household income for Bally BECHTELSWUE 19,722 37,009 6.7 4.1 and Bechtelsville, as well as surrounding Township and County. Washington Twp. 20,578 35,585 i 3.6 3.2 A median income is the income where half of the families earn less and half earn more. It is important to note that the percentage of change over the last decade nearly doubled for both Bechtelsville Borough and Berks County. Although Bally Borough did not reflect a change as significant as its counter- part, it still represented a substantial increase between 1980 and 1990.

v-7 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Table V-5 shows the extent to which people in Bally and Maintaining an occupation with the growing technology and Bechtelsville, as well as the surrounding community and County, specialized skill requirements makes education more necessary fall below the poverty level. The table indicates that than it ever has been in the past. Whether obtained in the Bechtelsville has considerably lowered the percent of persons in classroom or on the job, education is essential. Future growth poverty over the last decade - from almost 7 percent to 4 and economic vitality within both of the Boroughs may well be percent. Meanwhile, the percent of persons in poverty has determined by the residents’ willingness and ability to further increased in the Borough of Bally between 1980 and 1990 - their education. from 1.1 percent to 2.5 percent. This increase may be due to I the large number of persons over 65 in the Borough or due to the employment structure. Berks County had the highest TABLE V-6 percent of persons in poverty in 1990. The County’s 7.8 FORMAL EDUCATION LEVEL OF RESIDENTS 1980-1990 percent poverty level was slightly less than the 8 percent poverty Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - Washington Township level in 1980. Berks County

Poverty conditions exist all around us; it is expensive for both % High School % College the poor and the non-poor. The poor are most directly affected AREA Graduates Graduates by the social costs and consequences of poverty, such as 1980 1990 1980 1990 inadequate housing, malnutrition, emotional and physical ill health, marital problems and alcoholism. In hard dollar terms, BERKSCOUNTY 58.5 70.0 11.3 15.1 however, the entire community also suffers the costs of lost economic opportunity. 11 BECHTELSVILLE I 52.7 I 66.7 I 7.6 I 9.9 11 11 Washington Twp. 1 57.8 I 69.1 I 9.9 I 14.8 11 Education Source: U.S. Census of Population and Housing Education is related closely to the ability to get and maintain a job. A skilled hand and a strong back have been the requirements for many jobs important in both of the Borough’s economy -- farming, service and manufacturing. These occupations are becoming increasingly mechanized, however. The U.S. Census of Population indicates that 58 percent of Bally’s residents were high school graduates in 1990. This is higher than the 47 percent in 1980, as shown in Table V-6. POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Similarly, 67 percent of Bechtelsville's residents have a high The majority of information in this section is derived from the school diploma - an increase since the 52 percent in 1980. 1990 U.S. Census of Population and Housing. More recent Overall, these figures are slightly lower than the County's 70 data has been used wherever possible, however, in an attempt percent high school graduation rate. to accurately account for changes within the two Boroughs.

A bigger difference is seen in the percent of college graduates between the two Boroughs and the County. In 1990, both Housing Demand Borough's had a 10 percent college graduation rate while the County boasted a 15 percent rate. In 1990, 973 people lived in Bally while 884 people resided in Bechtelsville. While Bally showed a downward trend during the The level of education is an indicator of both the level of last decade, Bechtelsville grew with 52 new residents. affluence and the type of employment opportunities in an area. The highest education levels today are found in suburban As a household matures, it tends to demand various kinds of communities where professional centers and office parks tend to housing. Chart V-3 depicts this typical housing progression. locate. Rural agricultural areas and areas with established The cycle begins with young adults' and family starters' industrial and manufacturing centers tend to have residents with preference and need for apartments, townhouses and other less formal education. As shown in the table, the education small, relatively inexpensive housing. Households with children levels of both Boroughs are comparative to that of the tend to prefer larger, single-family homes. However, as the surrounding community in Washington Township. household grows older and divides, housing preferences and needs often return full-circle to apartments and townhouses. other small units, such as mobile homes, often fall into this HOUSING category. Both Bally and Bechtelsville may need to look more closely at the underlying theme of the "housing progression The age, income, household size and other characteristics of cycle," and encourage more housing diversity as the age Bally and Bechtelsville's residents can influence the demand for structure of the two Borough's continue to mature. It is housing and the supply of homes. These and other factors are expected that individual family preferences and a wide variety described here to help understand the housing strengths and of other personal circumstances will create variations from this weaknesses of both Borough's. cycle.

Please see the housing progression illustration on the following page.

v-9 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

The elderly (65and over) make up approximately 14 percent of CHART V-3 Bechtelsville’s population and 22 percent of the residents in HOUSEHOJDD-IOUSING PROGRESSION Bally. Many of these people require small, reasonably-priced Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough housing because of their fixed incomes and size. There were 39 more elderly persons in 1990 than in 1980 in Bally and 11 less

MIDDLE FAMILIEB \ EMP T ‘I NB S T 0R €3 in Bechtelsville. This indicates a growing impact of this age group in Bally. Because the baby boom generation is too young to retire before the year 2005, the demand for retirement YOUNG =ADULTS housing may slow temporarily. However, the increasing percent of elderly over the age of 75 continues to build a demand for congregate housing with health and dining services.

FAMILY ETARTERB THE ELDERLY A family’s income also influences the type and size of a home it lives in. Ideally, a family should spend no more than 30 percent of its gross income on housing costs, including mortgage payments, taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance. Half of the residents from Bally had annual gross incomes below Housing preferences vary among age groups. indicating the $32,000 while half of Bechtelsville’s residents had annual gross influence of the age-population distribution on the types of incomes below $37,000. An 8 percent, 30-year mortgage, with homes in both Borough’s. Table V-7 identifies age groups and 20 percent down would provide an opportunity for a family with characteristics associated with them. The substantial school-age a $37,000 annual income to purchase a $95,000 home; a family population correlates with the earlier observation about large with a $32,000 income could buy a $92,900 home. families; families with children have a particularly strong preference for single-family homes. Many elderly and unskilled or semi-skilled workers account for most of the percentage of families with low incomes. Many of The baby boomer generation also affects the housing demand the households in both Borough’s are unable to buy or rent within each Borough. The baby boom generation (ages 40-49) affordable housing in the private market if income levels are has moved through the apartment market, purchased their first used as an index. homes, and now, in many cases readied themselves to purchase larger move-up houses. As the baby boomers enter the 45-54 age group, second homes and recreational properties will be a housing market need through the 1990’s.

v-10 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

TABLE V-7 AGE GROUPS AND HOUSING NEEDS 1990 Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough

# BALLY % POPULATION # BECHI'ELSVILLE % POPUIATION CHARACTERlSnCS OF AGE HOUSING NEEDS AND DEMANDS 1990 RESIDENI'S 1990 1990 GROUPS

20-24 1 71 7.3 63 7.5 Young adults, some with families Seek avn aparlmenk - often live with pamnts due to high housing omb

29.1 361 40.8 Family starters and middle families. Aparbnents until they can afford to purd.mse - divorced persons and their children townhouses and twins before and just aftor fint child - seek affordable single family detached house hn children 3+

~ 45-59 I 162 16.7 I 122 13.8 Children maturing and beginning Many sell krger houses and buy townhouses or higher education and moving away mndominium aparbnenk , 60+ 218 22.4 120 13.6 Older persons begin to retire - some may seek wndominium npartments that require less on fixed incomes maintenance and lower omb - eventually may need personal are centers and then nursing horn I I

Source: US. Census of Population

V-ll POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

I Housing Supply

Bally Borough had 370 housing units in 1990,ll more housing TABLE ’ V-8 units than in 1980 despite a decrease in population growth. HOUSING TYPE, TENURE, VACANCY AND VALE 1990 Bechtelsville Borough constructed 33 new houses over the last Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - Berks County decade making a 1990 total of 318 houses. The majority of construction that occurred in the two Boroughs between 1980 and 1990 was in the form of single-family attached housing units.

In 1980, single-family detached homes made up 49 percent of Bechtelsville Borough’s total housing supply. In 1990, this number increased slightly to 50 percent. Similarly, Bally maintained the number of single-family detached homes over the last decade, comprising 73 percent of all housing units.

While single-family detached housing units remained the most popular form of housing throughout the ~O’S,other forms of housing are on the rise. The second most popular form of housing in both Boroughs is single-family attached units. Twins, townhouses and condominiums are usually considered in this category. Also on the rise during the 1980 period was the construction of mobile home units and trailers, even though they make up a mere 2 percent of the Boroughs’ housing units.

Overall, a greater diversity is seen in the types of housing units being constructed within the Boroughs of Bally and Bechtels- SOURCE: US. Census of Population ville. This new diversity can easily be attributed to the distribution of persons in varying age groups. As noted, different age groups have different needs and require different services.

v-12 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

New Construction

In 1990, building permits for 11 single-family houses and 1 two- these housing units were owner-occupied in both Boroughs (see unit detached dwelling were obtained in Bechtelsville. 4 Table V-8). The remaining 67 houses in Bally (19 percent) and additional permits were given out in 1991 for single-family the 74 houses in Bechtelsville (24percent) were renter-occupied houses, while two more were issued in 1992. Bally did not in 1990. While 80 percent of the homes in both boroughs are grant any building permits for new housing units in 1990 or owned, 70 percent of the homes throughout Berks County are 1991. However, in 1992, 3 permits were granted for the owner-occupied. construction of new homes.

Vacancy CHART V-4 BUILDING PERMITS GRANTED FOR NEW HOUSING 1990 Vacant housing units comprised 4 percent of Bally's total Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough housing stock and nearly 3 percent of the houses in Bechtelsville in 1990 according to the U.S. Census of Population and ERMITS Housing. Berks County had the highest vacancy rate at 5 percent. Table 8 on the previous page further defines the types of vacancy found within these three areas. The majority of vacant housing in both Boroughs is listed under the title ''other vacancy.'' This includes housing units that do not fall into any of the other classifications. Housing units in this category include units held for occupancy by a caretaker, and units held

EXISTING HOMES EXISTING HOMES for personal reasons by the owner. BECHTELSVILLE BALLY

PERMITS FOR 1990 1991 1992 Housinq Costs

SOURCE: Borough of BaUy and Borough of Bechtekdle The U.S.Census of Population and Housing indicates that the Ownership median value of owner-occupied housing in Bally Borough was $95,000 in 1990. The median housing value in Bechtelsville In 1990, 370 housing units were occupied in Bally while 318 was $92,900. Both boroughs had higher median housing values were occupied in Bechtelsville. Approximately 80 percent of than Berks County which was listed as $81,800 in 1990.

v-13 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Similarly, the median value for renter-occupied units is lower for the County ($342) than either Bally ($390) or Bechtelsville TABLE V-10 ($365).See Table V-8. MONTHLYCO"lRACTRENT~TIRENTER-occupIEDUNITS1990 Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - Berks County Tables V-9 and V-10present a further analysis of housing costs in Bally and Bechtelsville, as well as a comparison to Berks BECHTELSVILLE BERKSCOUKIY

County. Based on the 259 total owner-occupied units in Bally, # % # % almost 60 percent were under $100,000. Similarly, approximately 63 percent of the 213 owner-occupied units in Bechtels- 3 4.4 7,435 24.3 vile were under $100,000. 250-499 75.8 57 83.8 18.747 61.3 8.1 8 11.8 4,402 14.4

mAL 62 100.0 68 100.0 3Ow 100.0 TABLE V-9 MEDIAN $36390 $365 $342 HOUSING VALUE OF OWNER-OccupIED UNITS 1990 Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - Berks County SOURCE: US. Census of Popuktion

BUY BECHTELSVILLE BERKSOOUKIY VALUE # % # % # % ...... The majority of the 62 renter-occupied housing units in Bally < 5o.OOo 18 6.9 6 2.8 17,034 9.1 and the 68 units in Bechtelsville were indicated between $250 ! 50-99,OOO 132 51.0 129 60.6 34,943 6.4 and $500; this was also true for Berks County. 100-149,OOO 87 26.6 69 32.4 17,499 9.7

156-199,OOO 18 6.9 8 3.8 5277 6.8 Housins Conditions > 200,OOO 4 1.5 1 0.5 2,833 3.7 ...... TOTAL 259 100.0 213 100.0 77586 100.0 Table V-11, Characteristics of Housing Units, identifies the MEDIAN $95,OOo $92.wo S1.800 proportion of the Borough's year-round occupied housing that is considered sub-standard by the 1990 U.S. Census of Population and Housing. In 1990, 1.1 percent of all housing units lacked complete plumbing facilities in Bally; no houses lacked plumbing facilities in Bechtelsville. the term "lacked complete plumbing facilities" includes units that lack hot water

v-14 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Bechtelsville was also considered "crowded" in 1990. Berks TABLE V-11 County had the highest number of crowded housing units with CHARACTERISTICS OF HOUSING UMTS 1990 1.8 percent. Bally Borough - Bechtelsville Borough - Berks County

Characteristic BUY BECHTELSVILLE BERECOUNTY EMPLOYMENT

lack complete plumbing 1.1 0 .7 Typically, the economic characteristics of Berks County reflects lack kitchen fadlities 1.4 0 .7 its historical development. The importance of industries and dedunits 2 5 2233 their location along waterways and railroad lines can still be TOTAL Housing Units 355 310 127,649 found today.

SOURCE US. Censu of Population and Housing Recent economic development within Bally and Bechtelsville has also mirrored its history. Manufacturing has continued to dominate the character of Bally while service and commerce has defined the Borough of Bechtelsville . The following charts and or indoor toilet and bathing facilities for exclusive use by the information details non-agricultural employment in the County, occupants of the unit. It is the most common way of identifying as well as unemployment statistics. llsubstandard housing units." The percentage of units lacking complete plumbing in Berks County is slightly lower than Bally with less than 1 percent. A similar classification of housing Labor Force conditions are units that lack complete kitchen facilities. Again, less than 1.5 percent of Bally's housing units and none of the Many of the new residents in Bally and Bechtelsville work houses in Bechtelsville lacks this facility. The County was lower outside of the immediate area; new employment opportunities than Bally Borough's percentage with less than 1 percent. are scarce within both boroughs. Reading Metropolitan Area statistics show jobs are growing at a faster rate in the The 1990 Census of Population and Housing also identifies government sector than any other area. Construction /mining housing units that are crowded. "Crowding" exists when a is the region's slowest growing sector. These trends are shown household has more than one person per room. These condi- on the following tables. tions are caused mainly by the lack of income to buy or rent a larger home. The percentage of crowded housing units in Bally was slightly less than 1 percent. One and a half percent of

V-15 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Unemploment TABLE V-12 NON-AGRICULTURAL EMPLOYMENT 1991-1993 The Berks County unemployment rate for May 1993 was 5.4 Berks County (Reading MSA) percent. This was much lower than Pennsylvania’s 7.1 percent unemployment and the nation’s 6.9 percent unemployment rate

Ll.EMPLOYMENT Percent in May. Table V-13 offers additional information on II Emnomic !Sector Change surrounding areas as well...... ,7-91 ...... 592 ...... 593 ...... 92-93 ...... ConstructionlMining 7,200 6,900 6,200 -11.3 The civilian labor force in Bally Borough had an unemployment Durable Goods Manufacturing 25,900 27,000 26,500 1.9 rate of 1.8 percent in 1990. The unemployment rate in Nondumble Goods Manufacturing 16,800 16,800 16,000 5.0 Bechtelsville Borough was slightly higher with a 2.2 percent rate.

Transportation 3,200 3.0 Both boroughs were lower than the 3.6 percent unemployment 3300 3,300 rate in surrounding Washington Township and the 4.5 percent CommunicationsRltilities 3,200 3,100 3,100 0.0 rate in Berks County in 1990. Wholesale Trade 7.100 65W 6,700 3.0 Retail Trade 26.900 26,400 27.900 5.4 I FinancPnnsurancelReal Estate 8,800 9,100 9,Ooo -1.1 CHART V5 CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE 1990 Service5 =,300 33,300 34,900 4.6 Bally Borough - Bechtelde Borough Government 15,200 15,200 19,000 20.0 MALES Total Non-Agricultural 147.900 147,500 152,600 3.3 Employment BALLY 275 302 BALCY SOURCE: PA Department of Ld BECIJTELSVILLE 257 272 BECHTELSVILLE

Total non-agricultural employment in Berks County grew by nearly 5,000 jobs (3.3 percent) between May 1992 and May 1993. The Government sector gained the most jobs (+20 SOURCE: U.S. Census of Population percent) while retail trade was second (+5.4 percent). Construdion/mining (-11.3 percent) and non-durable goods (-5 percent) lost the most jobs in 1993.

V-16 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Major Employers TABLE V-13 SEASONALLY ADJUSTED UNEMPLOYMENT RATE 1992-93 The term "major employers'' typically includes those businesses Pennsylvania Major Labor Market Areas - USA that employ more than 50 persons. Bechtelsville has one major employer - Campell Manufacturing Inc. This plumbing fixtures business employs approximately 50 persons and is planning to Allentown-Bethlehem MSA 11 8.2 I 6.4 11 expand in the near future. Bally, being a manufacturing center, has four major employers:

Beaver County PMSA 0 Bally Ribbon Mills employed 257 persons in 1993 - an Erie MSA increase of 7 persons during the last year. Harrisburg, Lebanon. Carlisle MSA 0 The Great American Knitting Mills Inc. employed 300

Johnstown MSA 10.0 10.6 persons - they lost 285 people between 1992 and 1993. 0 Bally Engineering Structures Inc. also employed 300 Lancarter MSA 5.7 4.8 persons - the company lost 110 persons during the last Philadelphia PMSA decade. I Pittsburgh PMSA 0 Bally Block Company employed 78 people in 1993 - 8 Reading (Berks County) MSA I1 7.3 I 5.9 It more people than in 1992. !3aanton-Wikes-Barre MSA 10.0 8.7 ShnMSA 8.2 11.3 Other Employers State Gllege MSA 6.2 6.0

Willianaport MSA 8.2 7.8 Bally and Bechtelsville also employ a number of people through

York MSA 6.8 5.6 smaller businesses and corporations. Bally Borough has a variety of businesses along Route 100. These businesses Pennsylvania 7.7 7.1 include: USA 7.7 6.9

SOURCE: PA Department of Labor and lndushy 0 Alfredo's Restaurant 0 Bally Building and Loan 0 Bally Hotel 0 Bally Video 0 Bertoia Studio Ltd. Century 21 Realty Dave's Kettle 0 Eddinger Hardware 0 Fritch's Barber Shop 0 Gehman's Store

V-17 POPULATION, HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

0 Longacre’s Electric 0 Longacre Farm Store Post Office 0 Sobjak‘s Market 0 Sherman’s Pro-Shop 0 The Blue Onion Joan Nichol’s Doll Restoration 0 Quigly Chevrolet National Bank of Boyertown

A variety of smaller shops and businesses also provide employment opportunities within Bechtelsville Borough. Away, located on the comer of East Chestnut Street and Railroad Street, provides agricultural services, as well as hardware and ladgarden sales. The new deli, barber shop and hair salon have also been created within this borough on South Main Street while the Bechtelsville Hotel and the general store have been in business for over 100 years. Kehl’s Garage and Geringer Plumbing are also located within Bechtelsville. Employment opportunities in Bechtelsville continue to remain very limited, however.

v-18 EXISTING LAND USE BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

EXISTING LAND USE homes account for 88 acres or 92 percent of the total acreage dedicated to residential land uses. Single-family attached and Concern for the use of land is the essence of comprehensive multi-family units account for the remaining residential land use planning. Both Bally and Bechtelsville are small, densely in the Borough. developed communities dominated by older residential and mixed-use neighborhoods. Bally has considerable manufac- Bally’s older and denser neighborhoods are located along Route turing and commerce. Bechtelsville has one manufacturing use 100. The center of the Borough contains most of the and limited commercial activity. community’s oldest and most densely developed neighborhoods. Bally’s public sewer and water service facilitates smaller lot sizes Both Bally and Bechtelsville Boroughs originated in the early than those typically found in the surrounding township. Recent 1700’s along the King’s Highway (Old Route 100). Commercial residential development includes 3 single-family attached homes and industrial development grew along this early trade route. on South Second Street and single-family detached homes near In Bechtelsville, early industry also developed along the Swamp the corner of North Ninth and Chestnut Streets. A large Creek’s mill raceway and later along the railroad. Development townhouse (single-family attached) development is proposed for in Bechtelsville slowed considerably when the new Route 100 the undeveloped land adjacent to Bally community park. was constructed in the 1900’~~bypassing Bechtelsville. In Bally, business continues to grow and prosper along the Route 100 Bechtelsville corridor in and around the Borough. Of Bechtelsville’s 341 acres, approximately 77 acres or 22 RESIDENTIAL. LAND USE percent of the Borough is comprised of residential land uses. Single-family detached homes account for almost 78 percent of Residential land uses are significant in both Bally and Bechtels- the Borough’s residential land uses. Single-family attached ville. Single-family detached homes comprise the overwhelming homes (mostly duplexes) consist of approximately 18 percent of majority of residential land use in both boroughs. Single-family all residential land uses. Only 5 percent of the Borough’s attached homes consist mainly of duplexes, and play a more residential land uses are multi-family. prevalent role in Bechtelsville than Bally. Multi-family uses presently comprise only a small percentage of each borough. Bechtelsville’s older and denser neighborhoods lie along Main, Chestnut and Spring Streets. The most recent residential Bally development has occurred along Cherry Street.

Approximately 75 acres or 29 percent of Bally Borough’s 330 acres contain residential development. Single-family detached

VI-1 I EXISTING LAND USE BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

17.7% SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED 26.8% SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED '4.1 % SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED 1.8% SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED 1.O% MULTI-FAMILY ,0.4% MULTI-FAMILY

22.8% RESIDENTIAL

1.1 % COMMERCIAL

29.0% RESIDENTIAL 0.6% INDUSTRIAL

2.1 % COMMERCIAL 7.5% PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC

7.0% INDUSTRIAL 2.2% PARKS AND RECREATION

1.6% WAREHOUSE STREETS, ROADS AND 6.2% PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC 13'0% RIGHTS-OF-WAY 2.4% PARKS AND RECREATION 4.8% PARKING

STREETS, ROADS AND 14.8%. RIGHTS-OF-WAY 52.8% UNDEVELOPED LAND

32.1 % UNDEVELOPED LAND

Bally Land Use Bechtelsville Land Use EXISTING LAND USE BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

COMMERCIAL LAND USE INDUSTRIAL LAND USE

Commercial land uses include retail, service and office uses. Industrial uses in the Bally/Bechtelsville area are concentrated in Commercial uses are more prevalent in Bally than Bechtelsville. Bally. Bechtelsville has only one industry. Bally has almost twice the acreage of commercial land use. Bally Bally Bally contains most of the area’s industrial land uses. Industry Nearly 7 acres or 2 percent of Bally’s land is devoted to uses approximately 23 acres of 7 percent of the Borough land. commercial uses. Most of Bally’s commercial businesses are Bally industry is comprised of four major manufacturing located along Route 100. They include the Bally Hotel, industries: The Great American Knitting Mills, Inc., Bally Ribbon National Bank of Boyertown, Century 21 Realty, Hardware Mills, Bally Engineering Structures and Bally Block Company. Stores, Barber Shops and Salons, antique stores and car sales These industries provide a significant portion of the Borough’s among others. Many of these businesses have located within tax base and provide over 900 jobs for area residents (see Major older homes. The Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Employers, page V-17). Development Ordinance (SALDO) has also allowed commercial strip development along Route 100. Commercial uses in Bally Bechtelsville provide services to much of the surrounding area. Bechtelsville’s only industry and major employer is Campbell Bechtelsville Manufacturing, Inc.. Campbell’s facility manufactures plumbing fixtures and is planning to expand its facilities at Spring and Bechtelsville has few commercial land uses. Commercial land Railroad Streets. This industrial land use currently contains .use totals less than 4 acres or 1 percent of Bechtelsville’s land approximately 2 acres or 1/2 percent a percent of Bechtelsville’s uses. The Borough’s commercial businesses include the land uses. Bechtelsville Hotel, Bittenbender’s General Store and Kehl’s Auto Service at Race and Main Streets, the nearby deli, barbershop and hair salon at The Village Mall”, Agway’s feed WAREHOUSE LAND USE and grain mill on Chestnut Street and other minor service and home occupations. These businesses service the local area. Warehouse land uses refer to land that is industrial in character Additional services and shopping needs are provided in either but used for storage rather than manufacturing. Warehouses Bally or Boyertown. require few employees and large building sites. The Borough of Bally contains 5 acres of warehouse land use (is shown as an

VI-3 EXISTING LAND USE BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN industrial land use on the existing land use map). This warehouse use comprises less than 2 percent of Bally’s total Bechtelsville land area and is used for a lumberyard and storage facility for the Bally Block Company. Bechtelsville has no warehouse land Approximately 25 acres or 7 percent of Bechtelsville’s land is use. considered public and semi-public in land use. Major public and semi-public land uses in Bechtelsville include the old and new Bechtelsville Borough Hall, Bechtelsville Post Office, Keystone PUBLIC AND SEMI-PUBLIC LAND USE Fire Company, Trinity Lutheran Church and Cemetery, and Morning Star Fellowship’s campus. Public land uses refer to uses such as public schools, municipal buildings, post offices and other government owned land. Semi- PARK AND RECREATION LAND USE public land uses include churches, cemeteries, private schools and property owned by other non-profit organizations. Bally Park and recreation land uses refer to land which is used by the and Bechtelsville contain many of the same public and semi- public for either active and passive for recreational purposes. public land uses. Bally and Bechtelsville each have one centrally located park which serves the whole community. Many public and semi-public facilities are further described in the Community Facilities and Services section of this report. Bally

BALLY Bally’s park and recreational land uses account for 8 acres or more than 2 percent of the Borough’s land uses. The Bally Over 20 acres of land are devoted to public and semi-public Borough Swimming Pool, Leonard Melcher Memorial Park and land uses in Bally. This land use type accounts for over 6 Goodwill Fire Company Ballfields surround the Borough Hall percent of the Borough’s total land area. Major public and along Chestnut Street. These facilities, which are further semi-public land uses in Bally include the Bally Borough Hall, described in the Community Facilities section of this report, are Bally Post Office, Bally Ambulance Association and Goodwill the Boroughs only park and recreational land uses. These park Fire Company, Hereford Mennonite Church and Cemetery, the and recreation lands provide services for the Borough and much Bally Mennonite Cemetery, Bally Community Center, Most of Washington Township. Blessed Sacrament Church and Church Museum, Die Ate Schule, and St. Francis Academy (Most Blessed Sacrament Elementary School).

I EXISTING LAND USE BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Bechtelsville Bally

The Borough of Bechtelsville con,dns over 7 acres or 2 percent The Borough of Bally con.ains 106 acres of undeveloped land of park and recreation land uses. Park and recreation lands or 32 percent of Bally’s total land area. Much of this within the Borough consist of the Bechtelsville Community Park undeveloped land is comprised of farmland and scrubland. Few and the abandoned rail road which runs between Mill and significant woodlands, wetlands or flood plains exist within Bally ,I Chestnut Streets along the eastern edge of the park. The (see the natural features section of this report). The large Bechtelsville Community Park serves the entire borough and is undeveloped area adjacent to North Fourth Street is proposed further described in the Community facilities section of this for townhou; development. Significant farmland remains in report. The abandoned rail road was purchased by the the northeast comer of the Borough. This agricultural land is Borough. The Borough plans to create a pedestrianhike trail well suited for development and is served by public water and along this corridor. sanitary sewer. Steps need to be taken, if the Borough wishes to preserve all or part of this farmland. PARKING LAND USE Bechtelsville The Borough of Bally contains significant areas which are used Bechtelsville contains 180 acres of undeveloped land, which solely for the parking of motorized vghicles. These areas are accounts for 53 percent of the Boroughs land area. unique to Bally and are not found in Bechtelsville. They Bechtelsville’s undeveloped land consists primarily of steeply include a bus storage lot and other parking areas associated sloping woodlands. These areas lie in the western portion of the with Bally’s manufacturing industry. These areas comprise 16 Borough and are not likely to be developed soon. Other acres or almost 5 percent of Bally land uses. undeveloped areas include wetland and floodplain areas along the Swamp Creek. A small area of farmland exists in the northern portion of the Borough. UNDEVELOPED LAND

Privately-held, undeveloped property in the Bally and Bechtelsville area includes farmland, steep slopes, woodlands wetlands and floodplains. EXISTING LAND USE

...... _...... _.. _..._.,. . _. .._...... :. . r-1 r-1 ;.,.,,.... :.: ::.;:. .. . SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED RESIDENTIAI

SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED RESIDENTIAI

MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

SCALE IN FEET EXISTING LAND USE

SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED RESIDENTIAL I

SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED RESIDENTIAL

MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

INDUSTRIAL

PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC

PARKS/RECREATION r]UNDEVELOPED

SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVIUE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Landscape Archftects. Engineers. consultants btl Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania UJ'C 28 ~euehemplaza . ~e~ehem.pennsylVafia 18018 VI-7 ~ =L.mm~mmmmmm~m~m~~~m EXISTING LAND USE ALONG BALLY'S MAIN STREET I a I

HEREFORD MENNONITE CHURCH DAVE'S KETTLE IBBON MILLS

HARDWARE HOTEL OUIGLEY CHEVROLET ALFREDO'S PIZZA

RES1 DENTIAL COMMERCIAWINDUSTRIAL PUBLIC/SEMI-PUBLIC

...... SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED RETAIL [mj CHURCH ...... SINGLE-FAMILY ATTACHED ... SERVICE bFfl CEMETERY MULTI- FAM ILY ...... OFFICE [m]POST OFFICE INDUSTRIAL BALLY YOUTH CENTER

.l'-\- I\ r-1L,'."'' I I.;', PARKING 0-oo 250 500 4". SCALE IN FEET mmmm-~===---~~m-mmm

COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES

The Boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville provide a wide clearly shows the Bechtelsville reliance on adjacent variety of community facilities and services that are publicly community facilities and services and Bally’s independence. or privately owned or operated. The facilities and services evaluated in this section provide residents with a safe, Knowledge of community facilities and services, locations healthy, educational, and entertaining environment. Some and capacities is critical in planning for future development examples of community facilities and services include and land use. Community Facilities and Services are shown recreation, education, public utilities, and emergency on the Map at the end of this section. services.

The Boroughs’ small populations and rural settings result in PUBLIC UTILITIES services extending and developing beyond the Boroughs’ boundaries. Consequently, this analysis concentrates only Bally on the services that affect the Borough’s residents. I Evaluation of the facilities provided will include identifying Water Facilities insufficient services and programs that the Boroughs can develop in future years. Public water service is provided throughout Bally by the Bally Municipal Authority. The Bally Municipal Authority Bally and Bechtelsville are similar and different in a variety has two wells located within the Borough’s Leonard Melcher of aspects. Although the Boroughs are similar in population Memorial Park near Fourth Street. Both wells have experi- size, acreage, and housing, their community facilities are enced minor ground water contamination which is treatable. drastically different. The Borough of Bally is geographically One we!! is currently not in use and the other is being located within a rural region forcing the Borough to rely on treated by the Sunbeam Corporation. The quality of Bally’s its own facilities. Bechtelsville’s location between the water is considered excellent after proper treatment. The Borough of Bally and the Borough of Boyertown, allow Bally Municipal Authority, however, is searching for a new Bechtelsville residents to conveniently access a variety of water source that will not require treatment and will produce community facilities and services. As a result, Bally has a 350 gpm to meet the Borough’s growing needs. The Bally larger number and more developed community facilities to Municipal Authority stores its water at the Crow Hi!! serve their residents. The following chapter extensively Reservoir in Washington Township, just to the northwest of analyzes the aspects of each communities facilities and the Borough. rnm~mm~--mm--m--m==mm

COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

The water mains in Bally are in good condition and require from designated parts of Washington Township. These little maintenance. The main water pipelines were con- areas lie north and east of the Borough in an effort to follow structed of ductile iron during the 1920’s. These older water the topography of the land and prevent extra costs of mains range from 6-8 inches in diameter and have a low pumping stations. New developments, higher density and capacity for water flow. Should a large scale fire or population growth in the Township have created a need for emergency occur these water mains may not be able to carry public sewer in these areas. sufficient water to fight the fire. Future growth and development will also increase the need for larger water Bechtelsville mains. Currently, the capacity flow and quality of the water are adequate to meet the Borough’s typical daily needs. Water Facilities

Sewer Facilities Bechtelsville’s water is supplied by private on-lot wells. These private water wells provide a high quality water The Borough of Bally provides public sewer disposal for all supply for the Borough. Currently no contamination has of its residents through the Bally Borough Municipal been found in the Borough’s frequently tested ground water. Authority. Collection mains are dated, but in good condition Future plans may include Borough wide supply of public and can handle the Borough’s present sewage capacity. water, but currently well water sufficiently meets the residents Some exceptions do exist and the Borough has embarked needs. on a program to replace sanitary sewer mains in poor condition. One exception is the mains located alongside Sewer Facilities Route 100. Old clay mains that periodically are in need of repair lie under the sidewalk on both sides of Route 100. Bechtelsville Borough is a customer of the Berks Mont- Problems occur when the tree roots in these areas wrap gomery Municipal Authority (BMMA). Public sewer is around the mains causing a pressure crack or break in the provided for the entire Borough by BMMA through an inter- pipe. This prevents the planting of new trees in the area ceptor main parallel to the Washington Township boundary. and requires occasional repair of the pipe lines. Bechtelsville installed the Borough wide sewer system in the late 1980’s. The system is in excellent condition and The sewage is treated at the Bally Sewage Treatment Plant adequately provides for the Boroughs needs. Along the located outside the Southeastern portion of the Borough in fringes of the Borough some on-lot septic systems still exist Washington Township. The plant is currently running on 75 on Cherry and Race Streets, they are privately owned and percent capacity with plans for expansion. The planned operated. expansion is designed to accommodate new wastewater flow

VII-2 -=m~~m==--~-D=~-=--

COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

SOLID WASTE TABLE VII-1 PERCENT OF PUBLIC FACILITIES 1990 Collection Both Boroughs - Township - County The residents in the Boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville are AREA X PUBLIC WATER X PUBLIC SEWER responsible for their own garbage collection and hauling. OR PRIVATE Individuals are free to chose any hauler that best suits their COMPANY needs and covers the Borough’s area. The Boroughs do not BALLY 98.9 x 97.8 4% license or otherwise regulate trash haulers.

11 BECHTELSVILE I 13.1 X I 96.9 X II Recycling WASHINGTON 8.4 9% 8.4 4% I TOWNSHIP Bally BERKS COUNTY 70.0 X 71.1 X

~ ~~~

SOURCE: Census of Poouktion and HOUS~Q Bally Borough Council organizes a group of volunteers to pick up curb side recyclables once a month. The items collected include: aluminum cans, tin cans, colored, and clear glass. Operating the recycling program with volunteers helps to slow down the increase of local tax while reducing the amount of solid waste. OTHER PUBLIC FACILITIES In addition to this program, there are scheduled drop-off Both boroughs are provided with electricity by Metropolitan points which are periodically designated throughout the year Edison Electric Company. The Conestoga Telephone in Bally Borough. There is also a quarterly newspaper Company located in Birdsboro provides telephone services collection which helps promote recycling and environmental for both Boroughs. Suburban Cable in Pottstown services awareness. the Boroughs with cable television. Bechtelsville

Bechtelsville does not have an active recycling program. A recycling committee was formed in the Spring of 1993 to study the possibilities of recycling in the community. I COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Currently, there is no project start date set, but there is a Bechtelsville strong interest among the residents. A minor storm water sewer system exists in Bechtelsville Borough at the intersection of North Main and Chestnut STORM WATER MANAGEMENT Streets. The Borough has no trouble with flooding and currently has no need for additional storm water improve- Bally ments.

Bally Borough has a storm water system that has been developing over a number of years. Periodically, additions RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE are made to the system that help control storm water runoff throughout the Borough. Some flooding occurs because the Bally original system was not designed to meet current needs and future development. The underground lines that extend Bally Borough includes two public recreation areas: 1)The under Route 100 are found at the following streets: N. Borough of Bally Swimming Pool and 2) Leonard Melcher Church, Chestnut, 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, and 9th. With the Memorial Park. Bally also has two private recreation areas: exception of 9th Street, all of the storm water flows into an the Community Rod and Gun Club and the Goodwill Fire unnamed tributary of the Northwest Branch of the Company Ballfield. These four areas are described below. Perkiomen Stream that runs through the center of the Borough. Minor flooding and erosion occurs along this Borouqh of Ballv Swimminq Pool and Leonard drainageway because of the amount of storm water runoff Melcher Memorial Park - the pool is located adjacent which is drained in. Future plans to alleviate the flooding of to the memorial park next to Chestnut Street near the the drainageway include: Borough Hall. The park and pool span 4.6 acres on the eastern side of the Borough. The Leonard 1. Directing storm water from the streets located in the Melcher Memorial Park contains the following southwestern comer of the Borough to the old stream facilities: 1 basketball court, 1 baseball/ softball field, bed that was redirected in the 1800’s for 2 outdoor volleyball courts, 1 playground area, 1 manufacturing purposes. adult pool, 1 children’s pool, 2 tennis courts, 3 pavilions and open space areas including benches 2. Redirecting storm water runoff from future develop- and more than a dozen picnic tables. This park is ment into adjacent minor drainage basin of the conveniently located and serves as a community-wide Perkiomen Creek. park. COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Community Rod and Gun Club - Located outside the The Borough is loqking into acquiring land to extend eastern boundary of the Borough this Club is in the recreation area from Mill Street, south. Along Washington Township. Fishing and Trap Shooting with this expansion, Borough council is looking into activities take place on twenty acres of the Club’s developing a bike path that would travel along the facility. This private club is located to the east of right of way of the abandoned railroad. Bally. Community Rod and Gun Club - The Club is a Goodwill Fire Co. Ballfield - This field which provides private club containing eight acres. The Community the area residents with a facility for large field Rod and Gun Club is used for fishing and trap activities is owned by the Goodwill Fire Company. shooting and is located to the northwest of The Fire Co. administers and funds the operations of Bechtelsville in Washington Township. the field. The ballfields are along the eastern boundary of the Borough behind the fire and ambulance stations near Bally’s community park. CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS

Bechtelsville Bally

Bechtelsville has one public recreation park and a private Churches Community Rod and Gun Club. Two churches are found within Bally, the Most Blessed Bechtelsville Community Park - Bechtelsville Sacrament Church on Pine Street in the northeast and recreation area is located along the abandoned Hereford Mennonite Church on Route 100 towards the railroad in the center of the Borough from Mill to southern part of the Borough. A museum is located Spring Street. There are seven acres that contain: 2 between Most Blessed Sacrament Church and the outdoor basketball courts, playground equipment, Elementary School. This museum is owned and operated by basebalVsoftbal1 fields, 1tennis court, 3 pavilions and the church and is open to the public. open space areas equipped with picnic tables and benches. The tennis and basketball courts have Senior Citizen Center recently been resurfaced along with the newly renovated pavilions. Bally Borough Council dedicated part of the newly renovated Borough Hall to the senior residents of Bally in the summer of 1989. The building was remodeled and COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

made handicap accessible with a ramp along the outside. ship recently constructed a large hall on the northern edge Independent of Borough Council the seniors organized of the Borough at Main Street and Limekiln Road. The programs with their own financing efforts consisting of fund- Morning Star Fellowship currently uses the hall as its church, raising and donations. The senior citizens which use the but is planning to construct a church at this site in the near facility come from the Borough and surrounding areas and future. must be over the age of 55.

Bally Community CenterRouth Center EDUCATION

The Mennonite Church founded the Bally Community Bally and Bechtelsville both belong to the Boyertown Area Center in the early 1970’s and the church still runs the School District. In addition there is a parochial school, St. events with the help of volunteer chaperons from the Francis Academy, in the Bally Borough and numerous community. The Center is located next to the church on the private schools located in the area. comer of Main and Third Streets. Bally Community Center provides the following services: a game room with pool Public Schools tables, a study center with tutors when needed, sports such as basketball and soccer, but most important is the support Elementaw group, safe environment, and constant positive role models that are present at Bally Community Center. The Center There are no Boyertown School District school buildings has installed a new floor to provide a safer, quieter location located within either of the boroughs. Children from the for indoor activities. The Community Center will reopen in Borough attend Washington and Colebrookdale Elementary the middle of September. Periodically the Center will Schools. Washington Elementary School is located in sponsor special activities such as musical concerts or sports Washington Township, to the Southeast of Bally Borough. events. Colebrookdale Elementary School lies in Colebrookdale Township directly north of Boyertown Borough, east of Bechtelsville Montgomery Avenue. Bally’s public school children attend Washington Elementary, and Bechtelsville’s children are Churches divided between Washington and Colebrookdale Elementary Schools. Bechtelsville has two c..urches in different parts of the Borough. Trinity Lutheran Church lies across the street from the community park on Main Street. Morning Star Fellow-

I COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Junior Hish TABLE VII-2 There are two Junior Highs in the Boyertown School BOYERTOWN SCHOOL DISTRICT District. Residents of Bally and Bechtelsville attend both Enrollment - Capacity

schools. Boyertown Junior High East is located in New SCHOOL ENROLLm CAPACITY Hanover Township, Montgomery County. Boyertown Junior High West in Colebrookdale Township, is adjacent to Boyertown Borough. Junior high schools in the Boyertown School District are attended by grades seven through nine. Colebrookdale Elementay * Hish School End Elementay Gilbertsville Elementary 453 350

The Senior High School for Boyertown School District lies New Hanov./Upper Fred. Elem on the Colebrookdale, Boyertown Borough boundary. Students in grades ten through twelve attend this facility. II-MII

Private Schools

Bally's Most Blessed Sacrament Elementary school, now known as the St. Francis Academy, is the only private school in either borough. The Most Blessed Sacrament Church II HIGH SCHOOL runs the facility and recently changed the name to increase enrollment and popularity of the parochial school. Kinder- garten through eighth grade students are educated at this Source: Superintendent office Boyertown Area School District facility. NOTE: Enrollment exceeds capacity in some schools because capacity number does not include space in room used for Kindergarten, Three other private schools exist around the Bally- Special Education, and additional activities - art, music, and gym Bechtelsville area are: Montessori Academy and Wayside Enrollment number does include children in these classroom. * Elementary Schools attended by Baiy and BechteGville residents.

VII-7 COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Chapel Christian School near Boyertown; The Pine Forge EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Academy in Pine Forge and the Perkiomen School in Pennsburg. Bally

Additional parochial schools in the region include: Police Westmont Christian School, Salem Christian School, Gateway Christian School, Berks Christian School, Hill Bally Police Department is located within the Borough Hall School, Wyndcroft, Christopher Dock, St. Pius X, and and occasionally joins forces with County and State Police Allentown Central Catholic when needed. The station owns two vehicles and hires one full-time and one part-time police officers. Two additional Higher Education police are available if needed. Bally Borough Police work in conjunction with the state police located in Reading There is no higher education facility located within the barracks. Boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville, but the following are Private Four-Year Colleges and Universities located in the -Fire surrounding area: Albright College, Reading; Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, Center Valley; Alvemia Goodwill Fire Company in Bally houses seven vehicles to College, Reading; Cedar Crest College, Allentown; provide services to an extended coverage area including Lafayette College, Easton; Lehigh University, Bethlehem; adjacent townships and counties. Moravian College, Bethlehem; Muhlenberg College, Allentown; Ursinus College, Collegeville. Ambulance

State colleges and universities are as follows: Kutztown Bally Community Ambulance Association serves the University, Kutztown; and Pennsylvania State University - Boroughs of Bally and Bechtelsville, Washington township Allentown Campus in Fogelsville and Berks County Campus and surrounding townships and counties when dispatched in Spring Township (near Reading). by Berks County. The Goodwill Fire Company shares their facilities with the Ambulance Association which maintains Other schools servicing the Bally Bechtelsville area are: three vehicles. Reading Area Community College, Reading; Montgomery County Community College, Pottstown; Lehigh County Community College, Schnecksville; and Northampton County Community College, Bethlehem.

VI18 COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

Bechtelsville Bally

Police Bally Borough Hall has a more than adequate facility due to recent renovations. Excess space has allowed the Borough Bechtelsville does not have its own police department. to share its facilities with the senior residents in the area, as Instead they have a contract agreement with the previously mentioned. Colebrookdale Township to provide police service and additional service can be obtained from Bally Borough Bechtelsville Police and the state police to handle any problems. Bechtelsville has begun to move into its recently renovated Borough Hall from its old Borough Hall on Race Street. The new facility is located in the renovated historic Bechtelsville Bechtelsville’s Keystone Fire Company has a wide coverage Railroad Station. This new facility has sufficient interior area including: Bechtelsville Borough, parts of Washington, space, ample parking and plenty of room for expansion to Pike, and District Townships. The Fire Company houses meet the Borough’s present and future needs. three vehicles. The Company has twenty-five volunteer residents who are active fire fighters. Keystone Fire Company has been praised by the Boyertown Base for OTHER GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS having the best response time in the surrounding areas. Bally and Bechtelsville each have their own U.S. Post Office Ambulance and corresponding zip codes for the Boroughs. Bally’s post office is located at the comer of Seventh and Main Street. Bechtelsville has no ambulance service of its own and relies Bechtelsville is located at the comer of Main and Race on the Bally Community Ambulance Association for these Streets. services.

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS

Both Bally and Bechtelsville have recently renovated their borough halls. COMMUNITY FACILITIES

BOROUGH HALUSENIOR CENTER

BALLY SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

GOODWILL FIRE COMPANY/BALLY COMMUNITY AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION

U.S. POST OFFICE

LEONARD MELCHER MEMORIAL PARWBALLY SWIMMING POOL

GOODWILL FIRE COMPANY BALLFIELD

HEREFORD MENNONITE CHURCH

BALLY YOUTH CENTER

MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT CHURCH

ALTE SCHULE

SAINT FRANCIS ACADEMY

- SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVIUE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN Landscape Architects . Engineers . Planning Consultants brll Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bally - Berks County, Pennsylvania URDC- 28 Bethlehem Plaza . Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018 VII-10 COMMUNITY FACILITIES

I 0 BOROUGHHALL 8 KEYSTONE FIRE COMPANY @ U.S. POST OFFICE 0 BECHTELSVILLE COMMUNITY PARK @ MORNING STAR FELLOWSHIP CHURCH

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

SCALE IN FEET

I BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN pi Landscape hchitects. Eweera. planninl consultants brll Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania URDC 28 ~emehemp1-a . eweh hem. pe-w~a 18018 MI-11 CIRCULATION BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

CIRCULATION

Circulation refers to the movement of people and goods. The PennDOT designates Route 100 as a principal arterial, system of roads and the availability of public transportation are according to the Department’s Rural Area Highway Functional important to understand in planning for future land use, roads Classification System. Principal arterials are roads that carry and pedestrianbicycle ways in Bally and Bechtelsville. Even large volumes of traffic between regional population centers, more important is thoroughly understanding the location of the such as from Pottstown to Allentown. PennDOT also includes physical characteristics of and the use of the existing roads, Route 100 as part of its Priority Commercial Network. This alleys, sidewalks and other ways in both boroughs. Any plans refers to roads considered important to the State economy for future growth or changes in land use must carefully consider because of their heavy truck traffic. the adequacy of each borough’s existing system of roads and ways for people to walk and even bicycle. Public Transportation

REGIONAL CIRCULATION The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Airport (25 miles to the north) and the Reading Regional Airport (23 miles to the west) are the two major airports closest to the Bally-Bechtelsville area. The A regional circulation network consists of roads for vehicular transport and the public transportation offered by airplane, train, Pottstown-Limerick Airport and Pottstown Municipal Airport (10 bus and specialized paratransit service. miles to the south), Grimes Airport in the northwest comer of Berks County, Kutztown Airport, and the Morgantown Airport Roads are the County’s other commercial airfields. The Butter Valley Golf Port in Upper Hanover Township, Montgomery County is also located near the Bally-Bechtelsville area. Bally and Bechtelsville Boroughs are each located along PA Route 100, the most important regional thoroughfare in eastern No fixed route bus or passenger rail lines currently serve either Berks County. South of the Bally-Bechtelsville area, Route 100 Bally or Bechtelsville. Nor is there any realistic prospect of passes through Boyertown and Pottstown, and into central gaining these services in the foreseeable future. The Berks Area Chester County where it intersects with it the Pennsylvania Reading Transit Authority (BARTA) provides door to door van Turnpike (1-76) and U.S. Route 202. Route 100 north of Bally service to anyone in Berks County physically unable to use and Bechtelsville extends into Lehigh County and connects with regular bus service. PA Route 22 at Fogelsville, approximately .5 miles west of Allentown.

VIII-I CIRCULATION BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN

BALLY BOROUGH Main and Second Street intersection. Other minor accidents have occurred primarily at other Main Street intersections. PA Route 100, which is named Main Street in the Borough, Several other roads collect traffic from the Borough’s residential I bisects Bally and provides its only direct access to other major streets and feed it to Main Street, such as North Church, North highways in southeastern Pennsylvania. Bally contains 5.66 Eighth, North Ninth and South Church Streets. Circulation miles of roads. This includes 1.14 miles of State roads and 4.52 among these streets appears to operate effectively without the miles of Borough-owned roads, excluding alleys and other need for traffic signals. Road conditions and road widths are streets not eligible for State liquid fuels tax funds. sufficient throughout the Borough.

The Borough’s road pattern is essentially a grid system with Major portions of Bally do not have sidewalks. In several areas, certain uncompleted links. Main Street running north-south and missing sidewalk segments present a gap-tooth effect that creates Seventh Street in the east-west direction are the only streets that an inconvenience for pedestrians and a safety hazard for run completely through the Borough. Bally owns several rights- children on bicycles. There is also a need for more handicap of-way that could provide the missing connections in the ramps along existing sidewalks in the Borough. The map on the Borough’s road network. This is particularly true with regard to following page shows where road conditions and widths are extending Fifth Street, though certain other of these rights-of- inadequate and where sidewalks exist and do not exist. way are located in wetlands and other floodprone areas.

Main Street is Bally’s most heavily travelled road. 1993 BECHTELSVILLE BOROUGH PennDOT traffic counts report an average of 16,274 vehicles per day on Main Street at the southern boundary of the Route 100 passes just east of Bechtelsville and connects to the Borough. These same counts indicate an average of 9,518 Borough via East Chestnut Street and Mill Street. Route 100 vehicles per day where Main Street intersects with the northern provides Bechtelsville’s sole access to the regional highway boundary of the Borough. This indicates that traffic to and from network in Berks and surrounding counties. Bechtelsville Bally is much more heavily concentrated in southern sector of contains 3.19 miles of roads, including 1.68 miles of State roads the Borough than in the northern portion. and 1.51 miles of Borough-owned roads. This total excludes alleys and private rights-of-way in the Borough that do not There are no traffic signals in Bally at present, though some qualify for State liquid fuels funds. people have suggested the need for signals at Main and Second Streets and Main and Seventh Streets to permit safer left turns. Main Street or old Route 100, the only road that runs entirely According to Bally officials, few accidents have occurred in the through Bechtelsville, is the Borough’ most heavily traveled Borough recently. The most serious and frequent occur at the route. 1993 PennDOT traffic counts show an average of 4853

VIII-2 CIRCULATION BACKGROUND FOR THE PLAN I vehicles per day where Main Street crosses the southern more sidewalks and handicap ramps along existing sidewalks to boundary of the Borough. Traffic is somewhat lighter at Main facilitate safer non-vehicular travel. Street and the northern Borough line, averaging 3936 vehicles per day. PennDOT counts show that Main and Chestnut Streets is the busiest intersection in Bechtelsville. Traffic there is slightly heavier than at Main and Mill Streets, the Borough’s other connection to Route 100.

Main Street’s steeply sloped crown and irregular surface is Bechtelsville’s most significant road problem. This State-owned road is currently being reconstructed between Chestnut Street and Limekiln Road. Main Street will still need to be reconstructed between Chestnut Street and the Borough’s southern border. Poorly aligned intersections at Mill and Main Streets, Race and Main Streets and Oak and Cherry Streets also hamper traffic circulation in the Borough. The Borough plans to add a cul-de-sac at the end of East Spring Street to accommodate business development in this area. The potential exists to extend certain streets in Bechtelsville along undeveloped Borough-owned rights-of-way.

During 1993, the Colebrookdale Township Police Department noted only three automobile accidents within Bechtelsville. One accident along South Main Street between Mill Street and Cole- brookdale Township, another along East Spring Street between Main and Railroad Streets, and finally one at the intersection of Railroad and East Chestnut Streets. All three accidents were attributed to poor weather or unsafe driving practices rather than existing road alignment.

Narrow road widths present occasional problems for on-street parking in Bechtelsville. Like Bally, Bechtelsville also needs SUMMARY OF ASSETS AND CONCERNS ASSETS, CONCERNS AND GOALS

I SUMMARY OF ASSETS AND CONCERNS 0 Unique History of Bally and Bechtelsville continues to play an important role in each community. Bally’s and Bechtelsville’s strengths and weaknesses are the 0 Fire Protection and Ambulance Service are modem and basis for preparing a plan to guide the two boroughs’ future well-funded community services available to both Bally and development and preservation. The plan attempts to capitalize Bechtelsville residents. upon each community’s assets and identify ways to overcome or mitigate concerns. This is a logical approach to planning for 0 Agordable Housing supplies ample choice and opportunity the future. to prospective homeowners and renters in both municipalities. The following summary of assets and concerns reflects the Community Parks in both Bally and Bechtelsville feature themes most frequently cited by the joint planning committee, a range of well-maintained, centrally located recreation municipal staff, community leaders and other residents who facilities. participated in the citizen input initiatives undertaken for this plan. Assets and concerns common to both Bally and Bechtels- are followed by a listing of those specific to each vile CONCERNS municipality.

0 Conserving Remaining Open Space, including sensitive ASSETS natural features, is a major concern in the two communities. 0 Implementing Selected TransportationImprovements, 0 Convenient Access provided by Route 100 is an important including street and sidewalk enhancements is an important competitive advantage for both Bally and Bechtelsville. concern in each borough.

0 Industrial Activity in each borough complements the jobs 0 Entrunces to both Bally and Bechtelsville need enhance- and tax revenues produced by the local retail and service ments to help improve appearances and strengthen businesses. community identity.

0 Quality of Life in the Bally and Bechtelsville area is a Rising Costs and Stagnant Revenues are constraining genuine advantage due to the area’s proximity to both rural the ability to fund annual operating costs and capital areas and urban centers. projects in each municipality. Strong Work Ethic of local residents provides a highly productive and dependable work force.

IX-1 SUMMARY OF ASSETS AND CONCERNS ASSETS. CONCERNS AND GOALS

0 Intergovernmental Cooperation among Bally, Bechtels- that are focused on planning for the effects of encroaching ville and surrounding municipalities to explore the feasibility suburbanization. of shared municipal services will be needed in the future to reduce the costs and/or improve the quality of local Issues such as resource preservation, circulation improvements, government services and programs. and the cost of public services command attention in Bally and Bechtelsville. This comprehensive plan reflects these concerns. 0 Innovative Business Approaches to merchandising, hours The plan's recommendations address a range of topics in addi- of operation and marketing are needed to each community's tion to the future of remaining developable land. Together, commercial drawing power. these interrelated recommendations present a vision of how Bally and Bechtelsville can best capitalize on their assets and Bally and Bechtelsville each have their own individual assets overcome their constraints throughout the 1990's and beyond. and concerns, in addition to the ones described above. Bally has a healthy Main Street business corridor and a unique history derived from early settlement of the Borough by Jesuit mission- aries. Bechtelsville features a large undeveloped sector and an abandoned rail corridor, each of which could strongly influence the future of local open space preservation efforts. Bally's concerns include a minor public water quality issue and preservation of existing agricultural lands. Bechtelsville still relies on private wells rather than a public water system.

THE VISION

The main purpose of comprehensive planning is to provide vision for the future. The vision will help direct decisions on growth and preservation issues for the next ten to fifteen years. The current land use pattern must be the basis for this vision in developed communities like Bally and Bechtelsville where the overall pattern of land use is largely set. However, mature communities, such as Bally and Bechtelsville, face challenges and opportunities that do not exist in rural or semi-rural areas

IX-2 BALLY WITHIN THE REGION ASSETS, CONCERNS AND GOALS

WITHIN THE REGION THE BERKS COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

In preparing this plan, Bally and Bechtelsville considered This joint comprehensive plan is consistent with the goals of the comprehensive planning policies, zoning policies and develop- Berks County Comprehensive Plan, as reproduced below: ment trends in adjacent municipalities and County planning policies as reflected in the Berks County Comprehensive Plan. To develop and adhere to a systematic, coordinated land use pattern which provides a variety of uses, recognizes land capacities, and respects natural features, and environmental and ADJACENT MUNICIPALITIES physical factors.

Bally Topreserve naturalfeaturesand conserveenvironmentalresources throughout Berks County, to protect and improve environmental quality, and to preserve open space in suitable locations and Both Bally and Bechtelsville recognize the future will be quantities. influenced by what occurs outside their boundaries. Compre- hensive planning in Bally considers existing and planned land To provide, to every resident and future Berks County resident, uses in Washington Township, the only municipality that borders the opportunity for affordable, safe, and healthful housing with the Borough. Bally recognizes the importance of development sufficientrange of choice by type and location. and preservation decisions made by Washington Township. For instance, Bally is expanding its sewage treatment plan to accom- To maintain and improve the economic base of Berks County and modate new growth in Washington. The Borough’s agricultural to provide maximum employment opportunities for all Berks preservation land use planning area relates directly to farmland County residents. I spanning the Bally-Washington municipal boundaly. To provide facilities and services to Berks County residents in the Bechtelsville areas of health, protection, cultural enrichment, education, recreation, and social services, commensurate with the needs of the population. Bechtelsville is bordered by Washington Township and Cole- brookdale Township. Conservation and low density residential 0 To provide a multi-modal, balanced transportation system which land uses are recommended for property along the Borough’s provides for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, boundaries with these townships. Proposed conservation and with minimum disruption to the environment, and with maximum low density residential land use designations in Bechtelsville are conservation of resources. consistent with the patterns of development in adjacent portions of both Washington and Colebrookdale. BALLY WITHIN THE REGION ASSETS. CONCERNS AND GOALS

To provide the opportunityfor increased citizen participation in the The Berks County Comprehensive Plan recognizes existing planningprocess to establish community values and reflect human development in Bally and recommends future growth in those concerns. areas of the Borough not already developed. The County plan is, by necessity, more generalized than the Bally Borough Plan. To develop and maintain multi-municipal cooperation in meeting However, the more site-specific future land use designations governmental responsibilities. contained in the Borough Plan are generally consistent with the overall direction of the County Plan. For instance, the Bally To conserve energy and to effectively use renewable energy sources. Plan specifies industrial or different densities of residential development in those portions of the Borough that the County To preserve and promote all communfty, cultural and aesthetic designates as "Future Development Area". The Bally Borough elements that Identify Berks County as a special and unique place Comprehensive Plan is fairly consistent with the County Plan in to live and work. that the Borough's Plan recommends preservation of agricultural land with some opportunities for residential development in an This comprehensive plan is also compatible with the specific area designated by the County for future growth or like the land use objectives contained in the Berks County County plan, The Bally Borough Comprehensive Plan encour- Comprehensive Plan, as described below: ages the protection of unique environmental features through setbacks rather than zoning overlay areas such as environmental Provide for a balance of growth and conservation; protection areas. Mdmize the presetvation of ecologically sensitive areas, natural resources and agriculture; The Berks County Comprehensive Plan recognizes existing Dkourage continued sprawl; growth in Bechtelsville. The County Plan designates part of the Promote a consolidated development pattern in or adjacent to Borough's undeveloped land as "Future Development Area" and existing developed centers which have or will have adequate part as "Conservation" area. Bechtelsville's future land use plan infrastructure; Revitalize exfstfng urban areas and communities; is consistent with the Berks County Comprehensive Plan in Promote innovative design patterns and techniquesof development regard to both conservation and future development areas. including, mixed use, neo-tradftfonal village desfgn, cluster, and sliding scale provisions; and Encourage intergovernmental plannfng.

x-2 GOALS ASSETS, CONCERNS AND GOALS

GOALS NATURALFEATURES

The goals identified below are the specific aims of this compre- To conserve steep slopes, floodplains, woodlands, wetlands hensive plan. Subsequent sections of this Plan contain recom- and other sensitive environmental resources. mendations that suggest ways to achieve these goals. Both goals and recommendations are described in seven parts: Bully

Land Use and Housing To protect the drainageway corridor along the unnamed Natural Features tributary of the West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek from 0 Historic Resources erosion and encroachment. 0 Transportation Community Facilities and Services Bechtelsville Economic Development Energy Conservation 0 To preserve the steeply sloped wooded area in the western portion of the Borough, and the Borough’s two stream coni- dors which contain floodplains, wetlands and woodlands. LAND USE AND HOUSING

0 To provide land for an appropriate mix of suitably located HISTORIC RESOURCES residential and non-residential land uses. To identify and help preserve man-made landmarks that Sally are reminders of the two boroughs’ unique heritages.

0 To provide land for a range of housing types to complement Bully the Borough’s Main Street commercial corridor and in-town industrial areas while preserving agricultural land uses within 0 To conserve and enhance Main Street building facades and the Borough. the Borough’s cultural and religious landmarks.

Bechtelsoille Bechtelsville

0 To accommodate residential development and business uses 0 To conserve and enhance architectural resources found in a manner compatible with the Borough’s natural setting. throughout the Borough’s housing stock and encourage

XI-1 more non-residential restoration to complement the Bechtelsville successful train station rehabilitation project. 0 To continue to improve public sewer, stormwater, police CIRCULATION protection and recreation facilities and periodically reevaluate the need for a public water system. To work with PennDOT, local developers and others to fund and implement local road improvement and pedestrian improvement priorities. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

0 To encourage environmentally safe commerce and industry Bully that will provide jobs and add to the two boroughs’ tax 0 To establish traffic signals at key intersections and complete base. missing street and sidewalk links along main roads in the Borough. Bulb

Bechtelsville 0 To strengthen the economic role of the Main Street comdor To finish reconstructing Main Street, improve hazardous and encourage new industrial investment in the Borough. intersections, construct sidewalks where needed and develop Bechtelsoille a bikeway/pedestriantrail along the vacated railroad right-of- way. 0 To maintain desirable levels of commercial and industrial development in the Borough. COMMUMIY FACILITIES AND SERVICES 0 To work with the appropriate parties to ensure that residents ENERGY CONSERVATION continue to benefit from well planned and cost effective public setvices. 0 To implement energy saving practices at the municipal level and encourage energy consemation throughout the two Bully communities. To continue upgrading public water, sewer, stormwater, police and fire protection and recreation facilities and services.

XI-2 LAND USE AND HOUSING PIAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN The combined Land Use and Housing Plan recommends appropriate types and densities of residential and non-residential uses that should be encouraged in each borough. Land use recommendations are presented first for Bally, then Bechtelsville. The Land Use Plan for Bally contains the following categories:

BALLY

0 AGRICULTURAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS - Agricultural Residential - Low Density Residential - Medium Density Residential - High Density Residential

0 BUSINESSAREAS - Town Center - General Commercial - Industrial

0 COMMUNITY FACIUTIES - Publiflemi-Public - Parks and Recreation

0 MAIN STREET ENHANCEMENT AREA These land use plan categories for Bally are shown on the accompanying map and described in the following text. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN

1-1 1-1 AGRICULTURAL RESIDENTIAL* ( 4 DwellingdAcre; Sighs) LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL* ( 4 DweIlingdAcre; Singles) MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL* ( 8-11 DweIlingdAcre; Si+ and Twins) HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL* ( 12-15 DwellingdAcre; Singles, Twins and Townhouses) Fl...... TOWNCENTER

...e. GENERALCOMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL PUBLICI SEMI-PUBLIC

PARKS AND RECREATION

MAIN STREET ENHANCEMENT AREA OVERLAY

CLUSTER PRovIsION MOW25% Reduction of Lot Si with 20% Presented Common Open Space

BALL,Y/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN fi landsclpc kcMtects. mm. plannfry Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bally - Berks County, Pennsylvania UEC 28 &mehem Plan. Bethlehem. PemmPia 18018 XU-? LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN PIAN RECOMMENDATIONS

AGRICULTURAL AND RESIDENTIAL AREAS High Density Residential - The High Density Residential area would provide for all housing types: singles, twins, duplexes, Agricultural Residential - The Agricultural Residential area is low-rise apartments and townhouses. The maximum density is intended to help permanently preserve agricultural land and intended to be up to approximately 12 to 15 units per acre (an related uses such as dairy, crop, livestock and poulty fanning. average of approximately 3,000 square feet per unit). To meet Limited residential use is permitted in this planning area. requirements of State law, manufacturedmobile home parks Residential development would be limited to 20% of the portion should also be possible in this area, with approval of Borough of any given tract within the Borough’s Agricultural Residential Council (as a conditional use) or the Zoning Hearing Board (as areas. Single-family detached homes with a minimum lot size of a special exception use). Manufacturedmobile homes should approximately 113 acre (14,500square feet) would be permitted. have a maximum density of approximately 5 homes per acre Development would be directed along existing streets and sewer after deleting unbuildable acreage such as steep slopes and lines and remaining agricultural areas remain contiguous. floodplain areas.

Low Density Residentlal - The Low Density Residential area Note: 1. A clustering option should be available in all resi- is intended primarily for single-family detached homes with dential areas that allows developers to reduce lot sizes minimum lot areas of approximately 1/4-acre (l0,OOO square (for example, 10,OOO sq.ft. to 7,500 sq.ft. lot) in feet). Low Density Residential is the largest planning area in the exchange for dedicating 20% or more of their tract as Borough. permanent open space. Land dedicated for recreational open space should be suitable for recreational uses. Medium Density Residential - The Medium Density Bally should determine a percentage of the lands dedi- Residential area provides land for single-family detached homes, cated that would need to be suited for active recreational twins (side-by-side), duplexes (one unit above another) and facilities. Detention ponds should not be accepted for townhouses. Appropriate minimum lot areas range from 4,000 dedication since they have no recreational use. The to 6,000 feet per unit (8-11 units per acre) depending on the open space could be deeded to the Borough, donated to type of home. In the case of the townhouses, density is based a conservation group or maintained by a homeowners’ on average lot area. Selected service, light retail and office association. Clustering proposals should be subject to conversion uses should also be permitted with Borough Council Borough Council approval. approval(as a conditional use) or with Zoning Hearing Board Approval (as a special exception use). These commercial uses 2. Driveways exiting onto arterial and collector streets should front on Main Street, be of limited size and be should be minimized. established within existing buildings. LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

BUSINESS AREAS COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Town Center - The Town Center would be a mixed use area PublidSemi-Public - Public/Semi-Public areas include the providing for a variety of housing types in combination with Borough's major institutional uses such as Borough Hall, the small retail, service and office uses. Certain uses, such as car cemetery, the fire hall, churches, the Museum and the post washes, auto repair, auto sales and gas stations, that would be office, among others. less compatible with a village environment would not be encouraged. Parks - The Borough's Community Park is included in this category and Bally Fire Company ball fields located adjacent to General Commercial - The General Commercial area is the Borough park. intended to provide for a wide range of commercial uses, including larger retail sales, restaurants, motels, offices, services and the auto-oriented uses better suited in areas outside the MAIN STREET ENHANCEMENT AREA OVERLAY Town Center. Main Street Enhancement Area - This overlay area provides Industrial - The Industrial area is designed to accommodate for the improved character and image along Main Street, Bally's environmentally-safe manufacturing, warehousing and w holesale primary thoroughfare. The area is intended to promote rehabili- uses. Heavy industrial uses, such as asphalt and chemical plants tation, restoration, redevelopment and visual enhancement of should be discouraged in the Borough because Bally is small the Main Street corridor. Voluntary and regulatory approaches and residents are likely to live close to the community's should be considered to improve the quality of signs, building industrial areas. Residential uses would be permitted by special facades and landscaping along this corridor. exception. Proposed residential uses within the industrial area would need to be contiguous with either existing residential NOTE: Overlay areas are sections of the Borough where development or one of the "Residential Areas" described above. special regulations or procedures could be put into effect in In addition, residential uses within this area must provide addition to those regulations associated with the area's adequate buffers if adjacent to nonresidential uses. underlying zoning designation. LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN

BECHTELSVILLE

The Land Use Plan for Bechtelsville contains the following categories:

RESIDENTIAL AREAS

0 Conservation Residential 0 Low Density Residential 0 Medium Density Residential 0 High Density Residential BUSINESS AREAS

0 Towncenter 0 Industrial

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

Public/Semi-Public Parks and Recreation

OVERLAYAREAS

Environmental Protection Greenways

The land use categories for Bechtelsville are shown on the accompanying page and described on the following pages. FUTURE LAND USE PLAN

CONSERVATION RESIDENTIAL* ( 3 AcresEwelling; Singles) .I LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL* ( 4 Dwellings/Acre; Singles) MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL* ( 8-11 DwellingdAcre; Singles and Twins) HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL* ( 12-15 DweUings/Acre; Singles, Twins and Townhouses) ...... E...... I...... TOWN CENTER INDUSTRIAL

PUBLIC/ SEMI-PUBLIC

ii .“ .,;> PARKS AND RECREATION GREENWAY

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA OVERLAY

* CLUSTER PROVISION: Mow 25% Reduction of Lot Size with 20% Preserved Common Open Space

SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN bnhcape Architects. Engineers. Plannily consultants @’ -1 tad Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania UJC28 ~eaehemplaza . ~ealehe~.~e-~l~ni~ 18018 XI14 LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

RESIDENnAL AREAS NOTE: As in Bally, a clustering option should be available in all residential areas of Bechtelsville that Conservation Residential - This category is intended to avoid allows developers to reduce lot sizes in exchange intense development on the wooded and steep areas in the for dedicating 20 percent or more of their tract as western part of the Borough. This categoty includes the largest permanent open space. The dedicated open undeveloped areas of Bechtelmille. These areas provide for space should be suitable for recreational uses, single-family detached homes at approximately 1 home per 3 whether passive or active. Detention ponds and acres. other land which has no recreational value should not be accepted for dedication. The open space Low Density Residential - The Low Density Residential area could be deeded to the Borough, donated to a is primarily for single-family detached homes with minimum lot conservation group or maintained by a home- areas of approximately 1/4acre (l0,OOO square feet). owners’ association. Clustering proposals should be subject to Borough Council approval. Medium Density Residential - The Medium Density Residen- tial area provide land for single-family detached homes, twins (side-by-side), duplexes (one unit above another) and BUSINESS AREAS townhouses. Appropriate minimum lot areas would range from 4,000 to 6,000 square feet per unit (8-11 units per acre) Town Center - The Town Center would be a mixed use area depending on the type of home. In the case of townhouses, providing for a variety of housing in combination with small density would be based upon an average lot area. retail, service and office uses. New heavier auto-related commercial uses (such as car washes, auto repair, auto sales High Density Residential - The High Density Residential area and gas stations) that would be less compatible with a village- provides for all housing types: singles, twins, duplexes, low-rise oriented downtown would not be encouraged. apartments and townhouses. The maximum density is approximately 12 to 15 units per acre (an average of approximately Industrial - The industrial area is designed to accommodate 3,000 square feet per unit). To meet requirements of State law, manufacturing, warehousing, wholesale sales and other environ- manufactured/mobile home parks would also be possible in this mentally safe industrial uses. Because of the relatively small size area, with approval of Borough Council (as a conditional use) of the Borough and the close proximity of residences, heavier or the Zoning Hearing Board (as a special exception use). industrial uses (such as asphalt and chemical plants) should be Manufactured/mobile homes should have a maximum density of prohibited throughout the Borough. This area might also approximately 5 homes per acre after deducting unbuildable provide for certain heavier commercial uses, such as auto repair. land such as steep slopes and floodplain areas. LAND USE AND HOUSING PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

COMMUMIY FACILITIES Public/Semi-Public - Publidsemi-Public areas recognize the Borough's major institutional uses such as Borough Hall, the cemetey, the fire hall, churches and the post office, among others.

Parks and Recreation - The Borough's Community Park would be included in this categoy. In addition, a greenway is proposed along the Swamp Creek. That greenway is intended only for natural and scenic open space, however, the land may or may not be publicly-owned. This categoy also includes the proposed conversion of the abandoned railroad right-of-way into a pedestrian and bicycle trail. A portion of this trail has already been acquired by the Borough. OVERLAY AREAS - (Overlay areas are sections of the Borough where special regulations or procedures could be put into effect in addition to those regulations associated with the area's ' underlying zoning designation.)

Environmental Protection Area - The Environmental Protection area includes environmentally sensitive natural features, such as woodlands, wetlands, creeks and flood-prone lands. The following Natural Resource Plan section lists Strategies for protecting these resources.

Greenway - The Greenway area encompasses the abandoned railroad corridor that traverses the entire length of the Borough. The Borough should continue to seek ownership or easements for recreational uses along the trail. NATURAL FEATURES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

NATURAL FEATURES PLAN Open space can be preserved in public ownership, private ownership or by a semi-public organization, such as an The living environment in Bally and Bechtelmille is comprised association of homeowners. The difference is how much access of both natural and man-made features. Natural features refer the general public has to the preserved open space. The to steep slopes, flood-prone areas, woodlands and other facets following is a summary of important open space preservation of the local ecology, as described in the Chapter 111. The techniques. following recommendations describe policies and techniques designed to help conserve the natural environment for future 0 Conseroation Easements - Conservation easements can generations in both boroughs to enjoy. be used to allow private owners to continue to own and use their land, while selling or donating the right to develop it OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION The land is then maintained by its owner, without public expense. This method is significantly less expensive than public purchase. Open spaces warrant protection because of their many essential functions: Zoning, Subdivision and Land Veuelopment Regula- tions - These regulations can be used to preserve open 0 Preserving and protecting natural stormwater drainage space, especially on lands that are clearly physically channels such streams and swales, as unsuitable for building. For example, a higher net density 0 Maintaining the natural environmental processes and might be permitted if a developer preserves key areas of a balances, including ensuring adequate groundwater and tract (such as the steep slopes and creek valleys) in some high water quality, appropriate form of open space. 0 Providing an important aesthetic relief from built-up areas, 1. Cfusfering - See the discussion of this zoning technique 0 Preserving areas of scenic beauty, contained in the Land Use and Housing Plan section of this document. 0 Preserving lands that are not naturally suited for development, 2. Mandatoy Dedication - Municipalities can require 0 Providing land for active and passive recreation, both (through subdivision and land development ordinance presently and in the distant future, regulations) that residential developers donate land (or fees in lieu of land) for recreation. This technique 0 Preserving habitats for birds, fish and wildlife, and primarily preserves land for active recreation. These 0 Retaining area for farms and woodlots. active recreation lands can also have open space value. NATURAL FEATURES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

PRESERVING SENSITIVE NATURAL FEATURES Future development in Bally and Bechtelsville should respect the Land varies greatly in the amount of development that it can natural features of the land. Remaining environmentally naturally support. Some land, such as flood-prone and very sensitive lands should be conserved to maintain environmental steeply-sloped property, should remain in open space. Other balances. The following table provides guidelines on how lands are physically suited for moderate or intense development. important natural features can be conserved.

TABLE XIII-1 Guidelines For Protecting-- Important Natural Features Type of Potential Pdems strategies Natural Feature Description If Not Protected for Protection Steep Slopes Slopes of 15% have 15 feet of vertical 0 Difficulty of maintaining and snow- Use special precautions during building. change for evey 100 feet of horizontal plowing steep roads. 0 Site houses on the most suitable land, whlle distance. Vey steep slopes of 25% 0 Highercostsofbuildings. keeping steep slopes in open space. above rise vertically 25 feet for evey 0 High rate of septic system failures. 0 Keep natural vegetation intact 100 feet Steep slopes are sometimes Increased erosion and runoff. 0 Enforce municipal regulations that protect wooded and along creeks. BaUy is rela- 0 Winter driving hazards from steep roads steep slopes tively flat with only Sdsteeply sloped and driveways. 0 Require larger lot sizes in steep areas. areas. BechtelsviUe has significant 0 Disturbance of dareas. Limit building on steep slopes of 15% to 25% sloped areas in the western and 0 Increased costs to extend public water and prohibit building on vey steep slopes of southern sectors of the Borough. and sewer ha. 25% and above.

~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ Groundwater Groundwater is stored underground 0 Polluted groundwater. 0 Continue to control the percentage of lots after entering through the soil or 0 Dywells. cavered by buildings and paving. seeping from creeks. Both private web 0 Make sure remaining septic system are and public water system are dependent designed and operated properly. upon groundwater. 0 Monitor underground storage tanks for leaks. 0 Avoid polluted stormwater runoff. 0 Avoid high volume withdrawals of groundwater. i I

7 TABLE XIII-1 Guidelines For Protecting Important Natural Features

~ ~~ ~~ Type of Potential Problems strategies Natuml Feature Description If Not Protected for Protection ~~ Floodplains Areas that are prone to flooding. These 0 Increased flooding in other areas. Prohibit construction of new structures within include not only the legally designated 0 Loss of potential public recreation area. the 100 year flocdway (which is the adual floodplain, but also areas along Threats to important wildlife and bird main flood channel) and along the adjacent drainage channels BechtMe's 100- habitats. 100 year flood-fringe. Prohibit construction year floodplain includes dewloped with in 100 feet of the centerline of a stream property. No lW-year floodplains are or significant drainageway where l00-year delineated for &4r, however alluvial floodplains are not delineated. soils are indicators of limits of potential Seek to preserve natural vegetation flooding. immediately adjacent to creeks and drainageways. 0 Seek to preserve more land along local streams and drainageways.

Wooded Areas Areas with numerous mature trees. 0 Loss of important bird and wildlife Restrict cutting of trees during building. Baly has very little wooded land; habitats. 0 Seek to preserve tree stands in public or BechtMe contains significant woad- 0 Loss of hunting areas. private open space. lands, particularly on its steep slopes. 0 Loss of air purification. 0 Seek replanting of woods that must be 0 Increased erosion and runoff. disturbed. 0 Loss of scenic resources. 0 Noise and incompatible development -may become more noticeable. shanaw Depth to Areas with shallow soils*with bedrock 0 Expensive building. 0 Avoid Mdhg in these areas. Bedrock close to the surface. rn=m~~~m=-~~mrnm~~m~m

NATURAL FEATURES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

TABLE XIII-1 Guidelines For Protecting-- Important Natural Features Type of Potential Problems Strategies Natural Feature Description If Not Protected for Protection I

Creewrainage- There is one drainageway within Bally 0 Loss of potential public recreation areas. Prevent soil erosion to avoid sedimentation of ways Borough an unnamed tributary of the 0 Threats to important bird, fish and creeks and drainageways. West Branch of the Perkiomen Creek wildlife habitats. Consider areas along creeks and drainageways There are two streams within Bechtels- 0 Increased erosion and flooding. for public greenways. de: the Swamp Creek and an Prevent runoff from polluting creek and drain- adjoining unnamed tributary. ageways with pesticides, grease and industrial wastes. Prevent runoff that is heated by parking lots in the summer from harming aquatic life. Require buildings and paving to be setback from creek banks and significant drainageways. Control the peak rates of stormwater runoff from development to avoid increased flooding.

Natural Drainage Channels that cany stormwater to 0 Increased flooding. 0 Preserve adequate width along channels in Channels creeks during heavy storms. Erosion of soil. open space. 0 Prevent erosion.

~~ ~~~~~ ~ High Water Table Soils that have a shallow depth to the 0 Flooded basements. Continue to enforce the state and federal SOi or Hydric seasonally high water table. 0 Disturbance of natural drainage and wetland regulations. soi groundwater recharge. Place on-lot septic systems and buildings 0 Poor foundation stability. outside these areas. 0 Failed on-lot septic systems. 0 Waterproof basements. 0 Carefully design all facilities. I HISTORIC RESOURCES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

HISTORIC RESOURCES PLAN 0 Establish special sign requirements for historic properties.

Historic resources are buildings and other structures that are Install historic style welcome signs at key gateway entrances remnants of the area’s heritage and early development. History to both boroughs. and culture, as described in Chapter 11, are evident throughout the two boroughs. Conserving historic structures, sites and Make productive use of historic buildings to ensure their landscapes is an important goal of this comprehensive plan. proper maintenance, while being sensitive to the architectural characteristics of the exterior of the building and the site. PRESERVING THE HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT Do not demolish buildings that contribute to the area’s small Berks County Planning Commission recently completed an town charm. inventory of properties in the County on the National Register of Historic Places. These are sites that are formally certified as Retain the exterior features visible from a street that give a having national historic significance. Neither Bally nor building its historic character. Bechtelsville contain any of these sites. However, there are - These features include windows, dormers, doors, several structures in the boroughs with local historic merit. two porches, porch roofs and trim, moldings and other details at the juncture of front walls and roofs. The following recommendations are intended to further preser- - Special attention is needed to avoid covering brick or vation of historic resources and to preserve the small town features are deteriorated beyond qualities of Bally and Bechtelsville: trim with siding. If repair or were removed in the past, they should be replaced with features that are similar in appearance. 0 Encourage local preservation groups to compile an inventory of historic resources in Bally and Bechtelsville 0 Maintain the scale, spacing, proportions, setbacks and and to seek official recognition for the area’s eligible materials of older buildings in any new construction visible historic properties. from a public street. Encourage conservation easements and historic facade - Scale and proportions are especially important con- easements to preserve private historic resources. cerning rooflines and the spacing and sizes of windows, dormers and doors. For example, the spacing and sizes of window frames should be consistent with the historic style of the building and/or adjacent buildings. HISTORIC RESOURCES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

- Front doors should be constructed of wood. If Use colors that were common during the period of con- modem storm doors are used, they should be struction, including using color to highlight attractive trim primarily constructed of glass or plexiglass to allow and other details. views of the front door. - Modem-style bay windows should be avoided. 0 Clean brick and other masonry with water, brushes, mild - Windows (other than first floors of storefronts) detergents and/or steam cleaning. Avoid use of sandblasting should appear to be separated into sashes and/or or use of harsh chemicals to avoid deterioration of the bricks panes. over time. - Material type, color and texture of older buildings should be used in new construction. 0 Repoint brick joints with mortar as needed and joints of other materials should be regularly caulked to ensure 0 Retain changes that have occurred over time that are stability and waterproofing. compatible with and add to a building’s character. 0 Remove signs that are too high, too large, internally lit, - Modem materials may be suitable if they appear constructed of plastic or that cover attractive features of the the same as older materials. building.

Ensure new additions are compatible with historic - Modest-sized wood signs that are scaled to the pedestrian buildings and that a) the addition does not destroy and in proper proportion to the walls to which they are historic features, b) similar proportions and scale are attached should be added. used, c) the site of the addition is carefully planned and d) compatible materials are used. In the future, a small pamphlet should be published and - Wherever possible, additions should be placed on distributed to property owners which would expand on these the rear of the building. If additions are placed on ideas and further enhance restoration and preservation in Bally the side of the building, they should be setback and Bechtelsville. from the street. - Modem alterations (such as wood decks, satellite antennae, skylights, sliding doors, garage doors and sunrooms) should be kept to the rear of buildings.

I XlV-2 mm~~-==-rn-=--~=m==-

CIRCULATION PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

CIRCULATION PLAN I Bally I Bechtelsville Transportation refers to the ways people travel, such as by car, by public transit and by foot. The transportation network in Arterials I Main Street (Route 100) I None Bally and Bechtelsville should permit safe, efficient movement of Collectors Barto Road (Old Route Main Street both people and goods over roads, alleys and sidewalks. loo) (Old Route 100) North Church Street Chestnut Street Second Street Franklin Street Seventh Street Limekiln Road ROADWAY CLASSIFICATIONS Mill Street Race Street The area road network should be accessible and convenient. Roads have various functions; some roads are designed to Local I All Others expedite through traffic, while others mainly provide access to local residential areas. Roads can be classified by function according to the following categories: The Berks County Comprehensive Plan contains the following Arterials - Roads that provide a rapid connection between guidelines concerning design features and the functional densely populated areas, such as between Bally and Boyertown. classification of roads. These guidelines are generally applicable to both Bally and Bechtelsville. Collectors - Roads that collect traffic from local residential areas and funnel it onto arterials.

Locals - Roads that provide direct access to residential areas.

This functional classification of roads has important implications. Rights-of-way should be wider and front yard setbacks greater on roads that carry higher traffic volumes. High volume roads should have more lanes and higher speed limits than secondary streets. Roads in Bally and Bechtelsville should be classified as follows: I

xv-1 CIRCULATION PIAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

HIGHWAY FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATIONS RECOMMENDED STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND RECOMMENDED DESIGN EEATURES I Recommended improvements to the street systems in Bally and General Right-of-way Cartway Bechtelsville are described below and shown on the Classification Provisions Width (Feet1 accompanying Circulation Plan. Art- Art- - 3555MPH' 80 - 48-52 feet - Someaaessmnhols - 12'wide to and from adjacent hvel Ian- development with Bally - Encourage USQ of shoulders mverse and side in rural street frontage and area and 0 Bally should consider design alternatives for realigning the parallel a- roads curbing in - NoParking urban intersection of Main Street, Barto Road and South Second mas Street. Colledor - 2535MPH 60 - 34-40 feet Someaaessmntrob - 12'wide - 0 to and from adjacent travel lanes Bally should work with the Pennsylvania Department of development with Transportation (PennDOT) to establish traffic signals at the - Parking permitted on stabilized one or bath sides shoulders two following intersections: or curbing - 8'wide lane5 pro- - North Main Street (Route 100) and Seventh Street; and vided for - South Main Street (Route 100) and Second Street. parking Local - 1535MPH 50 - 28-34 feet - Noamessmnkdto with stabi- 0 Bally should try to minimize future driveway curb cuts on and from adjacent lized Main Street (Route 100) in view of traffic volumes on this development shoulders - Parkingpermittedon or curbing road. Driveway curb cuts should also be minimized along one or both sides - MY collector streets such as South 7th Street. widths can be reduced based on interior haffiC pattern

*35 MPH in Bally. SOURCE Berks County Planning Commission. ~~m=rnmm=~===-=rn~~mmm

CIRCULATION PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS I

Bechtelsville PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE ACCESS

Bechtelsville should work with PennDOT to complete its Each borough should prepare a prioritized program to complete Main Street reconstruction project between Chestnut its sidewalk system in stages, especially along roads with heavy Street and Limekiln Road. pedestrian traffic such as Main Street and North Church Street in Bally and North Main Street in Bechtelsville. Areas in need 0 Bechtelsville should consider design alternatives for of sidewalks or sidewalk reconstruction are shown on the realigning the intersection of Race Street and Main Circulation Plan Map on the following page. Street. Neither borough currently is pursuing dedication of bikeways on 0 Bechtelsville should try to minimize future curb cuts on existing roads. However, opportunities exist for multi-purpose North and South Main Street. greenways in each community. Greenways are linear parks and open space corridors of all kinds, such as walkways, bikeways, 0 Bechtelsville should consider improving Cherry Lane to hiking trails, jogging paths, nature trails and wildlife habitats. Borough standards. Bechtelsville should continue efforts to create a greenway along PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION its abandoned railroad right-of-way. Bechtelsville’s potential greenway corridor is shown on the Circulation Plan Map. A No fixed route bus or passenger rail service exists in Bally or trail could be constructed for walking, jogging and bicycling Bechtelsville. Nor is there any realistic prospect of gaining these along Bechtelsville’s greenway. See Chapter XVII for a services in the foreseeable future. The Berks Area Reading description of greenway design principles. Transportation Authority (BMTA) provides door-to-door van service to anyone physically unable to use regular bus service. The two boroughs should encourage para-transit or special bus service to employment centers and popular shopping areas.

xv-3 CIRCULATION PLAN

STREET CLASSIFICATIONS

ARTERIAL STREET

E': *F:**+*~'Z! COLLECTOR STREET

LOCAL STREET CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS # TRAFFIC SIGNAL INSTALLATION 0 INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT

..I...... I SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION

SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVIUE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 19 Landscape Architects . Engineers . Planning consullants bra Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bally - Berks County, Pennsylvania URDC- 28 Bethlehem Plazs . Bethlehem. Pennv1vania 18018 xv4 CIRCULATION PLAN

STREET CLASSIFICATIONS - ARTERIAL STREET COLLECTOR STREET

LOCAL STREET CIRCULATION IMPROVEMENTS 0 INTERSECTION REALIGNMENT - STREET RECONSTRUCTION ...... SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION GREENWAY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION

SCALE IN FEET

BALLY/BECHTELSVILLE JOINT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN pl Landscape kchitects . Engineers. Planning Consultants tall Urban Research & Development Corporation Borough of Bechtelsville- Berks County, Pennsylvania UEC 28 huehem plaza. ~~t.~~h~~~~~~~l-~18018 xv-5 COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

I COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES PLAN PUBLIC WATER

Bally and Bechtelsville each provide or help fund a variety of Bally community-oriented facilities and services to their residents. These include: Continue searching for a new well with the capacity and water quality needed to supplement the Borough’s public public water and sanitary sewerage; water supply. 0 stormwater management; and 0 Consider long-range replacement of selected under-sized 0 police, fire and rescue, among others. water mains to increase fire protection. Through their school board members, Bally and Bechtelsville Bechtelsville also have input into Boyertown Area School District decisions affecting educational services to their residents. Consider a feasibility study to examine the cost and long range feasibility of a public water system. Aging facilities, a growing population and rising costs challenge the two boroughs’ ability to deliver basic services without increasing taxes and user fees. Each community ties to share PUBLIC SEWERAGE costs and resources with neighboring municipalities whenever possible. However, inter-municipal efforts are not yet wide- Bally spread in the region. Cost-effective management, incremental improvements and continued efforts to foster more regional 0 Continue the Bally Municipal Authority’s program to cooperation will be necessary in the future to maintain the gradually replace sanitary sewer lines in poor condition. efficient delivery of community services to which local residents are accustomed. 0 Proceed with plans to expand capacity at the Bally Sewage Treatment Plant to accommodate new wastewater flows The following recommendations are proposed to help improve from Washington Township and future development within community facilities and services in Bally and Bechtelsville. Bally.

XVI-1 COMMUNITY FACILITIES & SERVICES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Bechtelsville POLICE, FIRE AND RESCUE

0 Work to incorporate remaining properties with on-lot Bally and Bechtelsville septic systems into the public sewer system as individual site conditions warrant. Periodically consider the potential for a joint police force involving Bally Borough, Bechtelsville Borough and Wash- STORMWATER MANAGEMENT ington Township. Joint police departments are often the most cost-effective way to provide 24-hour police protection. Bally 0 Bally should continue to help fund the operating and capital 0 Proceed with plans to reduce flooding and erosion by needs of the Goodwill Fire Company and Bechtelsville redirecting stormwater flows in the Southwestern portion should continue to help support the Keystone Fire of the Borough to a nearby old stream bed. Company. Both boroughs should maintain funding assistance to the Bally Community Ambulance Association.

0 Direct future stormwater runoff from currently undeveloped lands in the Borough to adjacent drainage basins that do not flow into Bally’s major drainageway.

0 Prohibit new construction within 100 feet of the drainageway centerline.

Bechtelsville

0 Prohibit further construction on flood-prone soils.

XVI-2 COMMUNIW FACILITIES & SERVICES PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

EDUCATION

Bally and Bechtelsville

Both boroughs should continue to work with the Boyertown Area School District to plan for evolving school facility needs according to the following principles:

- Schools should be located near the students they serve. Schools should either be within walking distance or easily accessible by car and bus. As the School District continues to grow it may become feasible to locate a new elementary school in Bally and/or Bechtelsville or to expand Washington Elementary School. - Schools should be located on adequately sized properties away from commercial and industrial uses. - Future school construction and renovation should be undertaken with the idea of making indoor and outdoor facilities available for community use.

XVI-3 .I ~ ammmm@~~@U51~H'111.~.111111-'L~u-I

PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE PLAN Bechtelsville

This section is intended to serve as the official "recreation plan" Bechtelsville Community Park (7.4 acres) and the recently for Bally and Bechtelsville until a more detailed parks, recreation acquired railroad rights-of-way (2.4 acres) are the Borough's and open space plan is prepared. This section of the compre- publicly-accessible parkland. As the name implies, Bechtelsville hensive plan describes the policies and recommendation Community Park serves the entire municipality rather than a designed to guide future growth of the two boroughs' park and particular neighborhood. The Borough has plans to improve recreation system. the old railroad bed although no improvements have been made to date. Bechtelsville has no neighborhood parks. Bechtelsville, with a 'projected population for the year 2000 of SUMMARY OF EXISTING CONDITIONS AND NEEDS 906 residents, should have 9.5 acres of parkland according to the NRPA guidelines. Currently, the Borough has a surplus of Bally .3 acres according to this guideline.

Bally Borough has two publicly accessible recreation sites totalling 8.0 acres in area. Leonard Melcher Park, which ENHANCING THE PARKS AND RECREATION SYSTEM includes the Borough swimming pool, is located on 4.6 acres. The Goodwill Fire Company ballfields, situated adjacent to The following recommendations are designed to help enhance Leonard Melcher Park, encompass approximately 3.4 acres. parks and recreation in Bally and Bechtelsville by: Both the parWpool complex and the Fire Company ballfields serve the entire Borough, as opposed to specific neighborhoods. 0 Expanding recreation program opportunities;

The National Recreation and Park Association suggests munici- 0 Improving local parks and the recreation facilities within palities should have 10.5 acres of active, publicly accessible these parks; parkland per 1,000 residents. Bally's 1990 population of 973 persons and its projected year 2000 population of 1,009 suggest 0 Coordinating the administration of local parks and recreation the Borough should have 10.6 acres of parkland. The Borough systems; is 2.6 acres short of this guideline at present. NRPA guidelines further specify that municipalities should have up to 2 acres of Ensuring that parks remain safe, attractive and well- neighborhood-serving parks as part of their 10.5 acres per 1,000 maintained; residents. Bally has no neighborhood parkland.

XVII-1

~ PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

Employing a full range of funding techniques to Charge a fee in lieu of mandatory land dedication under the implement desired improvements; and Bally Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordi- nance. This fee on a per lot basis should equal the Better informing area residents about recreation oppor- approximate market value of 1,150 square feet of unde- tunities in and around the two boroughs. veloped, residentially-zoned property in the area, the amount of land Bally Borough would require to be dedicated for recreation for each proposed dwelling unit, as RECREATION FINANCE described above. The fee can be part of a fee schedule that is periodically reviewed by the Borough. Alternatively, the Bally value of the fee can be set on a case-by-case basis using an appraiser selected by the Borough and funded by the 0 Establish mandatory dedication provisions in the Bally developer. Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. The amount of the land donation required from residential Bechtelsville developers by the Borough should be commensurate with the demand for recreation typically created by the average- 0 Establish mandatory dedication provisions in the Bechtels- sized Bally Borough household. National Recreation and ville Borough Subdivision and Land Development Ordi- Park Association (NRPA) guidelines suggest this amount nance. The same methodology described above applied to should equal 1,150 square feet per household in Bally Bechtelsville’s average of 2.85 persons per household Borough. The guideline of 1,150 square feet per household suggests that Bechtelsville should require residential is determined by using the following rationale: developers to donate 1,304 (round to 1,300)square feet per I lot. 1. NRPA recommends up to 10.5 acres of parkland per 1,000 persons. 0 Establish a fee in lieu of mandatory dedication under the 2. 10.5 acres contains 457,380 square feet, Bechtelsville Subdivision and Land Ordinance. This fee 3. 457,380 square feet per 1,000 persons is the should equal the value of 1,300 square feet of residentially I equivalent of 457.38 square feet per person, and zoned land in the Borough, as described above. As noted 4. 457.38 square feet multiplied by 2.51 persons above, the fee can be part of a fee schedule or appraised on (1990 average household size) equals 1,148square a case-by-case basis. feet per household; round to 1,150 square feet. PARKS AND RECREATION PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

RECREATION MAINTENANCE 0 Finally, the boroughs should continue to publish their award winning newsletters that include information about Conduct regular safety inspections at both Boroughs' recreation as well as other municipal news. Bally's quarterly I recreational facilities to ensure compliance with US. newsletter is mailed with the water and sewer bill. Consumer Product Safety Commission playground safety . Bechtelsville's annual newsletter is mailed separately to standards. residents.

Be aware of municipal obligations under the Americans I With Disabilities Act to provide suitable access for all to publicly sponsor recreation programs and facilities.

RECREATION COMMUNICATIONS

Prepare a brochure describing parks, recreation facilities and recreation programs available to local residents. Use municipal mailings and/or other techniques to deliver this brochure to all area households in an effort to better publicize the area's recreation opportunities. Local recreation providers should consider a range of ways to communicate recreation information. Several alternatives which should be considered and/or continued include a centrally located message board, a short recreation flyer/newsletter in a tax, sewer or water bill, announcements on cable television "community bulletin boards" and announcements on a local radio station. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN 0 Establish a forum for borough government to meet with a group of local business people 2 to 4 times per year in a Recommended land use policies in Bally and Bechtelsville are manner similar to the meetings held during the formulation based on the concept of preserving the area’s overall environ- of this Plan. ment and quality of life. Within this context, local planning should support the area’s economy and the growth of local 0 Consider ways to better utilize vacant or underused buildings business. New jobs and enhanced tax revenues from business and land. development are important ingredients in a healthy local economy. A variety of industry, commerce and service-oriented 0 Consider ways to make more efficient use of private parking businesses is important for establishing and maintaining a strong spaces, such as through shared use. job base within the region. 0 Consider options to make the best use of existing on-street A thriving business sector has many benefits, including a positive parking spaces along the Main Street corridor, such as by effect on local property values. Economic development efforts establishing time limits for the best spaces to ensure regular in Bally and Bechtelsville should have two primary objectives: turnover by customers.

1)to revitalize the Main Street corridor in Bally and commercial I uses in Bechtelsville, 2) to stimulate growth in industrial areas in 0 Ensure sewer lines are extended to areas planned for future the two boroughs. The following recommendations are commercial and industrial development. designed to help increase trade, create jobs and enhance local tax revenues.

0 Work with the Berks County Chamber of Commerce to concentrate more promotional resources on the Bally Bechtelsville Area as opposed to Reading and Berks County overall.

Work with the Tri-County Chamber of Commerce’s Boyertown Council to fully promote the Bally and Bechtelsville Area.

XVIII-1 ENERGY CONSERVATION PLAN PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS

ENERGY CONSERVATION PLAN

Both Bally and Bechtelsville recognize the need to conserve I energy and preserve non-renewable resources. The two boroughs should encourage subdividers and other developers to utilize the following techniques: Site buildings on an east-west axis. Use landforms to deflect winter winds. Site homes on an east-west axis to maximize solar access and minimize heating costs. Use landforms such as steep slopes to deflect winter winds.

0 Site homes on south and southeast facing slopes to maximize solar heating. Orient unheated buildings to buffer heated buildings from Site buildings on south and southeast Use unheated buildings to buffer heated buildings from .winter winds. winter winds. facing slopes. Use darker colors to absorb more radiant energy from the sun. '.*1' * Use overhangs for shade control. 32 Favor deciduous trees over conifers to provide more shade a"' at- in summer and more sun in winter. Use conifers instead in areas where winter winds should be buffered. Use darker colors to absorb more Use overhangs for shade control. radiant energy from the sun. These techniques respect the two basic principles of energy conservation: proper orientation to the sun and protection from the extremes of summer and winter weather. Municipal officials in both Bally and Bechtelsville can save energy by monitoring borough operations. Use of heating, ventilating, lighting and air conditioning should be energy-efficient at all borough-- property. - - Fuel conservation practices should be observed when operating Deciduous trees provide shade in Use coniferous trees to buffer municipal vehicles. summer and sun in winter. winter winds. IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN ACTION PROGRAM

IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN Bally and Bechtelsville should continue to monitor their zoning ordinances to ensure they remain current in light of municipal The goals and recommendations in this plan should- be planning goals, prevailing development trends and state law. frequently reviewed and updated as necessary. As part of its continuing planning process, Bally and Bechtelsville should cooperate with Berks County and their neighboring municipali- SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS ties to ensure future planning has a regional outlook, not just a local perspective. This comprehensive plan is valuable because Subdivision and land development ordinances include regula- it makes recommendations on land use and natural resource tions to control the layout of streets; the planning of lots; and preservation, among other topics. This comprehensive plan the provision of utilities. The objectives of a subdivision and contains recommendations for guiding future development and land development ordinance are to: for preserving the historic, natural and cultural resources. But, it is not a legislative document. There are three basic tools coordinate street patterns; needed to help implement this plan: 1) the zoning ordinance, assure adequate utilities and other improvements are I 2) the subdivision and land development ordinance, and 3) the provided in a manner that will not pollute streams, wells capital improvement program. and/or soils; reduce traffic congestion; and ZONING REGULATIONS provide sound design standards as a guide to developers, the planning commission and other municipal officials. The zoning ordinance is a legal tool to regulate the use of land. Its regulations apply to: 1) the permitted use of land, 2) the Bally and Bechtelsville should each continue to periodically height and bulk of structures, 3) the percentage of a lot that review its subdivision and land development ordinance to bring may be occupied by buildings and other impervious surfaces, 4) it up to date as necessary. yard setbacks, 5) the density of development and 6) the height and size of signs. The zoning ordinance has two parts -- 1)the zoning map which delineates zoning districts, and 2) the text which sets forth the regulations that apply in each district along with general information regarding administration of the ordinance.

XX-1 IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN ACTION PROGRAM

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMMING ROLE OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION

Capital improvements relate to streets, stormwater systems, The Bally Borough Planning Commission and the Bechtelsville water distribution, sewage treatment and other major public Borough Planning Commission must each assume a lead role in facilities. These projects, which involve the expenditure of funds assuring that this comprehensive plan is implemented and beyond those needed for normal operations and maintenance, updated as needed. The planning commissions should should be prioritized in the form of a six-year capital improve- periodically review the plan and recommend any changes to ments program. The program should be prepared by each reflect current conditions and priorities. The Pennsylvania borough’s planning commission and adopted by each borough Municipalities Planning Code also gives the planning council. commission other responsibilities. At the request of the borough council, the planning commission may: The capital improvements program should include a capital budget which identifies the highest priority projects recom- 0 make recommendations to the governing body concerning mended for funding in the next annual budget. Each borough the adoption or amendment of an official map; planning commissions should revise its capital improvements 0 prepare and present a zoning ordinance to the governing program and capital budget every year as projects are body and make recommendations on proposed amendments completed, new needs arise and priorities change. A capital to it; improvements program has many benefits, including the following, among others. 0 prepare, recommend and administer a municipality’s subdivision and land development ordinance; 0 It helps assure that projects are based on the ability to pay 0 prepare and present a building code and housing code to and on a schedule of priorities determined in advance. the governing body; 0 It helps assure capital improvements are viewed compre- 0 submit a recommended capital improvements program to the hensively. governing body; It promotes financial stability by scheduling projects at 0 promote public interest in, and understanding of, the proper intervals. comprehensive plan and planning; It facilitates proper allocation of community financial 0 make recommendations to governmental, civic and private resources. agencies and individuals as to the effectiveness of the proposals of such agencies and individuals;

xx-2 IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN ACTION PROGRAM

hold public hearings and meetings; and 0 in the performance of its functions, enter upon lands to make examinations and land surveys with the consent of the owners.

ROLE OF THE GOVERNING BODY The Bally Borough Council and the Bechtelsville Borough Council must also play a vital role in implementing this comprehensive plan. Council has the final decision on any action that requires an ordinance or expenditure of funds. Council should maintain a relationship of trust and confidence with the planning commission. Council and the planning commission should keep one another informed of all important planning-related matters. POPULAR FUNDING SOURCES ACTION PROGRAM I

POPULAR FUNDING SOURCES

There are hundreds of funding sources available from federal sources, including grants and loans, that can help municipalities government, state government, private organizations, and in: community development, economic development, foundations, for a variety of activities. The following list was recreation, housing, water and sewer, and stormwater developed to summarize the most commonly used funding management, among other areas.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT /I PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community services & - County Entitlements (CDBG) including: community facilities, public utilities, housing rehabilitation, parks June - Counties on behalf (Federal) and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements, and building facades of municipalities improvements. Grant money may only be used in areas proven by survey or J& - Competitive census to be 51%low to moderate income. Community Facility Loans Farmers Home Administration (FmHA) is authorized to make loans to Ongoing (Federal) develop community facilities for public use in rural areas and towns of not more than 20,OOO people. FmHA loan funds may be used to construct, enlarge, or improve community facilities for health care, public safety and public services. Community Facilities Program Provides Grant-in-aid assistance for needed public facilities to strengthen the Letter of Intent - January income-producing capability, improve the health and safety, and alleviate to April financial hardship of community. Application - March to May I I Community Services Block Grant Provides a full range of services and activities having a measurable and April (CSBG) potentially major impact on the causes of poverty in the community. (PA DCA)

Housing and Community Develops housing for persons of limited income and creates suitable living JdY Development Program environments within their communities. (PA DCA)

1 Intermunicipal Projects Grants Promotes cooperation between neighboring municipalities so as to foster July increased efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of municipal services at the local level.

~~~~ ~ ~~~~~~~ Local Government Capitol Projects Provides low interest loans to municipalities with populations of 12,OOOor January Loan Program less for the purchase of equipment and the purchase, construction, (PA DCA) renovation or rehabilitation of municipal facilities.

~~ ~~ ~ ~ Neighborhood Assistance Program Provides for the following services: community services, crime prevention, February through March Employment and Community education, job training, neighborhood assistance and help solve the critical Conservation problems of unemployment and underemployment; elimination of social and economic conditions that result in individual dependency upon the aid and support of welfare agencies and reduction of community and neighborhood deterioration. Pennfree Community Based Drug Assists organizations in eradicating drug problems or preventing them from June Prevention Program entering their neighborhoods. (PA) Small Communities Planning Assist eligible municipalities to prepare strategies for community conservation August Assistance Program and economic development.

State Planning Assistance Grant Assists local governments to prepare some of the following plans, strategies or April Program (SPAG) ordinances: Comprehensive Plan, EnvironmentaUPhysical Strategy, Special- ized study, Municipal Ordinance, regulating zoning, land development or environmental protection.

~ ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES

Business Infrastructure Development Grants or loans for local sponsors in order to install specific infrastructure Ongoing Program (BID) improvements necessary to complement industrial development by private (PA) company which increase PA's share of domestic and international commerce and create net, new jobs. m=mm~m==-=mm-m=mm===

POPULAR FUNDING SOURCES ACTION PROGRAM I

Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community services - County (CDBG) including: community facilities, public utilities, housing rehabilitation, parks Entitlements (Federal) and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements, and building facades June - Counties on improvements. Grant money may only be used in areas proven by survey or behalf of municipalities census to be 51%low to moderate income. J& - Competitive Community Economic Recovery Assists economically distressed communities to identify and respond to August Program (CERP) opportunities for business growth. , Community Facilities Program Provides Grant-inaid assistance for needed public facilities to strengthen the Letter of Intent - income-producing capability, improve the health and safety, and alleviate Janualy to April financial hardship of community. Application - March to May

Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Program Encourages private companies to invest in enterprise zones that have been designated by the Department.

Incubators Facilities in which a number of new businesses operate under one roof with Ongoing affordable rents, sharing services and equipment and having equal access to a wide range of professional, technical, and financial programs. 11 Industrial Community Action Program Stimulates local government in conjunction with real estate investor/ Ongoing developer to reuse dormant manufacturing and industy facilities in order to create new jobs in PA (loans and grants). IIC Neighborhood Assistance Program Provides for the following services: community services, crime prevention, Februay through March Employment and Community education, job training, neighborhood assistance and help to solve the critical Conservation problems of unemployment and underemployment; elimination of social and economic conditions that result in individual dependency upon the aid and support of welfare agencies and reduction of community and neighborhood deterioration. Neighborhood Assistance Tax Credit Authorizes tax credits to private companies to encourage investment and Upon submittal of II Program promote job growth and economic revitalization in these targeted areas. Propods Pennsylvania Community Through the Grow PA Fund, PCD & FC can make loans available, guaran- Information received Development and Finance teed by the Federal Small Business Administration, for working capital, 9/93 Corporation (PCD & FC) equipment and real estate to businesses across the state employing less than Small Business Financing 500 people. (PA) Site Development Program Sponsors the development of competitive industrial sites for Pennsylvania January through July (PA) businesses by providing matching grants. Small Communities Planning Assist eligible municipalities to prepare strategies for community conservation August Assistance Program and economic development. I State Planning Assistance Grant Assists local governments to prepare some of the following plans, strategies or April Program (SPAG) ordinances: Comprehensive Plan, EnvironmentaUPhysid Strategy, Special- ized study, Municipal Ordinance, regulating zoning, land development or environmental protection.

Taxable Bond Program Qualifications indude: borrow at least $200,000, produce one permanent (PA) employee in three years for every $50,000borrowed, be approved by the industrial development authority before being forwarded to the state.

Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Stimulates economically hard pressed local government to revitalize their Program (UPARR) recreation and parks system and make a commitment to long term maintenance.

Venture Capitol Corporation An incorporated company which provides funds for business start-ups in return for an equity position in the new enterprise. RECREATION DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES

~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~~~~~ ~ ~~ ~ Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community sewices & - County (CDBG) including: community facilities, public utilities, housing rehabilitation, parks Entitlements (Federal) and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements, and building facades June - Counties on improvements. Grant money may only be used in areas proven by survey or behalf of municipalities census to be 51%low to moderate income. J& - Competitive m=mm=~==mmm--am==m-

POPULAR FUNDING SOURCES ACTION PROGRAM

~ Heritage Parks Program Creates a system of state Heritage Park preserve and interpret the significant January (PA) contribution that certain areas made on industrial heritage of the state and nation. Funds will be used for four types of projects: Feasibility studies, Management Action Plan, Special purpose study projects, and Implementa- tion projects.

Historic Preservation Survey and Survey and planning grants for historical preservation November II Planning Grants-in-aid The Intermodal Surface Authorizes highway and mass transit programs that provide states with PennDOT applications 11 Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) increased flexibility to develop and coordinate an efficient ground transpor- due in midJanuary tation network. PennDOT developed a grant under this act for the following projects: facilities for pedestrians and bicycles, acquisition of scenic or historic sites and highways, landscaping, historic preservation, rehabilitation of historic facilities, preservation of rail comdors, control of outdoor advertising, archeological research, and mitigation of highway pollution.

Keystone Recreation, Park and Provides bonds to fund the planning, acquisition, development, rehabilitation, Conservation Funds (Key 93) and improvement of parks and recreation facilities, natural areas, historic sites, zoos and libraries.

Land and Water Conservation Fund Matching grant program for community to acquire, develop, and rehabilitate Selected through RIRA (PA) (LWCF) outdoor recreation and park areas and facilities. applicants

_____ ~~ ~_____ ~~ ~_____ ~~~ National Recreational Trails Funding Funds used for trail and trail-related improvements. The program is admini- December (Symms NRTA) stered using an 80DO matching funds ratio. Funding is contingent upon a (DER) Federal appropriation of funds for the program. Recreational Improvement and Matching grant program for community to acquire, rehabilitate, ,plan, and October Rehabilitation Act (RIRA) study local park and recreation facilities.

POPULAR FUNDING SOURCES ACTION PROGRAM

HOUSING DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES

Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community services & - County (CDBG) including: community facilities, public utilities, housing rehabilitation, parks Entitlements (Federal) and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements, and building facades June - Counties on improvements. Grant money may only be used in areas proven by survey or behalf of municipalities census to be 51%low to moderate income. J& - Competitive

Fair Housing Initiatives Program Strengthens and furthers the Fair Housing Act - the funded organizations JdY undertake testing and other enforcement progmms to prevent or eliminate housing discrimination.

HOME To improve affordable housing for low-income through government super- Notify intent to (PA DCA) vision. Notification of Funds Available (NOFA) is published according to area participate 30 days after and time frame. NOFA

Housing and Community Develops housing for persons of limited income and creates suitable living JdY Development Program environments within their communities. (PA DCA) HUD - Comprehensive Homeless Provides funding for the following: Emergency shelter grants, transitional Approval based on Assistance Plan (CHAP) housing, permanent housing for the handicapped, supplemental assistance to completed CHAP (Federal) assist the homeless and Section 8 mod rehab funds. Pennsylvania Community Accepts residential mortgage applications from non-profit organizations and Information received Development and Finance individual owners who wish to build, purchase or rehabilitate a one to four 9/93 Corporation (PCD 8z FC) unit property. The mortgages are available at very competitive rates and Affordable Housing Financing terms and at zero points. Down payment costs are typically five percent or (PA) less.

~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~~ ~~ Rental Rehabilitation Program (RRP) Provides grants to help support the rehabilitation of privately owned property to be used primarily for residential rental purposes.

Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC) Provides home ownership and rental housing opportunities to moderate- Ongoing income, low-income, and very low-income families and individuals through its affordable housing disposition program. ~~~ - Creating additional rental housing at costs affordable by low-mod income families in Lehigh Valley program makes loans available at preferential rates (Lehigh Valley) and terms for sponsors and developers of affordable housing. WATER AND SEWER DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES

~ ~~ Community Development Block Grant Provides grants to municipalities for various types of community senrices & - County (CDBG) including: community facilities, public utilities, housing rehabilitation, parks Entitlements (Federal) and recreation, street and sidewalk improvements, and building facades June - Counties on improvements. Grant money may only be used in areas proven by survey or behalf of municipalities census to be 51%low to moderate income. J& - Competitive Farmer’s Home Administration Grants and loans for water and waste disposal in communities with 10,OOO (FmHA) people or less. (Federal)

Pennsylvania Infrastructure Offers loans and grants to public or private ownerS or operators of drinking 4 times a year Investment Authority - PennVest water, sewer, or storm water projects. (PA) I State Grants for Operation of Sewage Provides for payments to municipalities which have expended money to December Treatment Plants acquire and construct sewage treatment plants in accordance with the Clean (PA) Streams Program. ENVIRONMENTAL DEADLINES/ PROGRAMS DESCRIPTION NOTES 11 Environmental Education Grants Grants to public and private schools, conservation and education organiza- December Program tions and institutions and county conservation districts to further (PA) environmental education. Solid Waste and Recycling Grants Grants may be used to identify markets, develop recycling and public 2 times throughout the education programs, and purchase collection, processing and storage year Lequipment for recycling.