Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 4/7/11 9:30 AM Page A

Guidelines for Growth 2011 comprehensive plan Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:53PMPageB

willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Photographs courtesyofWillistown Conservation Trust, Mary McLoughlin, John Gaadt ©2011 Willistown Township Robert T. Lange Norman S.MacQueen William R.Shoemaker Willistown Township BoardofSupervisors Charles Jackson, Sewer/Water/Stormwater Planning Matt Convery, GIS Mapping Yerkes Associates, Inc. David Sweet,PlanningConsultant Andreas Heinrich, P.E.,Transportation Planning Heinrich &KleinAssociates,Inc. Suzanne D.Gaadt, Publication Design John M.Gaadt, AICP,ProjectManager &LeadPlanningConsultant Gaadt Perspectives, LLC Technical Assistance William R.Shoemaker Arthur E.Newbold Gerald Bucaccio Frank Houder David E.Watt –Secretary William S.Bowers,III–Vice Chairman Rita E.R Willistown Township PlanningCommission an Comprehensive Steering Plan Committee Board ofSupervisors, municipalstaff, andresidents. Land Conservancy Authority Board,Recycling Commission, Historic Commission, OpenSpaceReview Board, and Recreation Board,EnvironmentalAdvisory Council, Assistance wasprovidedbytheTownship’s Park served astheSteeringCommittee forthisproject. The Willistown Township PlanningCommission d Pl anning Team e ves –Chairman Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPageC march 2011 Adopting Resolution

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPageD D willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania . Composite ofResources and Priorities 4.4 ProtectingNeighborhoods andHousing Stock 4.3 General Policies forPreservingAreas 4.2 General Policies forPreservingEnvironmentally 4.1 chapter 4:Protecting Community Values: Goal 1 DemographicImplicationsforPlanning 3.5 3.4 Demographic LandUsePatterns Profile 3.3 3.2 H Regional Context andInfluences 3.1 chapter 3:community Background Goal 3-ProvidingCommunity Facilities 2.3 2.2 Goal 1-ProtectingCommunity Values 2.1 chapter 2:summary of goals and policies PreparationofThisPlan 1.3 1.2 Purpose andScopeoftheComprehensive Plan 1.1 chapter 1:introduction table ofcontents for Protection Parks andRecreation Trails4.2.2 Scenic,Historic, andCultural Resources 4.2.1 of Significant Physical,Historic andScenicValue S and Services G Planning inW .. Biotic Resources –Woodlands, Pennsylvania 4.1.3 LandResources –Soils, SteepSlopes 4.1.2 Water Resources –Surface Water, 4.1.1 ensitive LandsandN oal 2-Guiding Future Growth istoric Important Bird Area,DeerManagement Important Vegetation, UpperRidley/Crum County Natural AreasInventory, Locally Natural DiversityInventorySites, Chester Ground Water Development illistown Township atural Resourcesatural 7 Summary of Key PlanningIssues 7.1 chapter 7:Implementing thePlan 6.15 Transmission Pipelines OpenSpacePreservation,LandownerAssistance 6.14 Parks andRecreation 6.13 6.12 Library Services 6.11 Education Solid Waste Collection, DisposalandRecycling6.10 6.9 Stormwater Management 6.8 Sewage Disposal 6.7 Water Supply Municipal Services andFacilities 6.6 6.5 Public Transportation Roads andGeneral Circulation 6.4 EmergencyMedical Assistance 6.3 6.2 P 6.1 Fire Protection Se chapter 6:Providing Community Facilities and Future LandUse 5.5 5.4 Industrial Development . Recommendations forPolicy Implementation 7.3 5.3 C 5.2 Institutional 5.1 Residential Development chapter 5:Guiding Future Growth: Goal 2 . 2 Guiding Principles rvi and PrivateLandStewardship ces: Goal 3 o ommercial ommercial Development lice Protection Development Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPageE 3-2 Willistown Township Population, 1950–2000 3-1 List of Figures Park andRecreation Plan Map 13 CirculationPlan Map 12 Community Facilities &Services Map 11 Future LandUse Map 10 Resources Targeted For Protection Map 9 ProtectedandDeveloped Lands Map 8 Composite ofHistoric, Scenic&Natural Map 7 ExistingRecreation Sites, Publically Map 6 Scenic,Historic &CulturalResources Map 5 Biotic Resources Map 4 LandResources Map 3 M ExistingLandUse Map 1 List of Maps 3-2 Summary ofLandUsesinWillistown Township, 3-1 List of Tables ExpenseBudget, 2009 6-2 Revenue Budge, 2009 6-1 - Median AgeforChesterCounty and 3-9 Willistown Township Population By AgeGroup 3-8 Hispanic orLatino Population inChesterCounty 3-7 Willistown Township Population byRace 3-6 Willistown Township Population Density 3-5 Population Growth andRate ofGrowth for 3-4 Rate ofGrowth inChesterCounty andWillistown 3-3 a Water Resources p 2 P 1980, 1995,and2008 2000 Willistown Township and Willistown Township Communities Chester County, Willistown andNeighboring Township Growth forWillistown Township W opulation Growthopulation andPercentage Rate of illistown Township Population, byagegroup, Resources Accessible OpenSpace&Trails References ASelection ofFunding Programs Appendix 8 Park Facility andProgrammingIssues Appendix 7 Benefits ofParks, Recreation Appendix 6 Park andRecreational Resources Appendix 5 Historic Resource Inventory Appendix 4 Methodology andRecommended Appendix 3 A Historic Trees inWillistown Township Appendix 1 Appendices Goal 3–ProvideCommunity Facilities 7-3 Goal 2–Guide Future Growth 7-2 Goal 1–ProtectCommunity Values: 7-1 Sewer Projected Flows 6-3 Township General Fund Revenues and 6-2 Guidelines Design forRoads 6-1 Willistown Township Household Income 3-20 Willistown Township Workforce Commuting 3-19 Willistown Township Workforce Occupations 3-18 Willistown Township Median Value ofOwner- 3-17 Willistown Township Rate ofHome Ownership 3-16 Willistown Township Housing StockbyMix 3-15 Willistown Township Population andHousing 3-14 Average Household Size inWillistown Township 3-13 Population Forecasts forChesterCounty, 3-12 EducationalAttainment inWillistown Township, 3-11 Willistown Township Population By Gender 3-10 ppendix 2 and Services Resource-Based Policies Expenditures, 2002-2009 Options Occupied Units of DwellingUnits Unit Growth Willistown andNeighboring Communities 2000 Implementation Currently Available forPlan Facilities andTrails in Willistown Township Network forScenicRoad Designation Visual Accents andIntrusions

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPageF F willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:39 PM Page 1

Chapter 1 1 introduction

1.1 | purpose and scope of the comprehensive plan

Guidelines for Growth is Willistown Township’s 5. A plan for community facilities and utilities, which comp re hens ive plan. Its purpose is to provide a rational may include public and private education, recreation, basis for municipal decision-making on matters which re- municipal buildings, fire and police stations, libraries, late to Willistown’s future, be it in terms of protecting hospitals, water supply and distribution, sewage and community values, guiding growth, or providing ade- waste treatment, solid waste management, storm quate community services. The plan describes goals and drainage, flood plain management, utility corridors policies which together constitute a set of guidelines for and associated facilities, and other similar facilities or municipal action and further provides strategies by which uses; the plan’s policies can be implemented. The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (Act 6. A statement of the interrelationships among the vari- 247 of 1968, as amended) gives municipalities in the ous plan components, which may include an estimate Commonwealth the responsibility and authority to plan of the environ mental, energy conservation, fiscal, for their own future. According to the Code, a compre- economic development and social consequences on hensive plan shall include but need not be limited to the the municipality; following related basic elements: 7. A discussion of short- and long-range plan imple- 1. A statement of objectives of the municipality con- mentation strategies, which may include implications cerning its future development; for capital improvements programming, new or up- guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan | 2011 comprehensive growth for guidelines dated development regu lations, and identi fication of 2. A plan for land use, which may include the amount, public funds potentially available; intensity, and character of land use proposed for resi- dence, industry, business, agriculture, major traffic 8. A statement indicating the relationship of existing and transit facilities, public grounds, flood plains and and proposed development of the municipality to the other areas of special hazards and similar uses; existing and proposed development and plans in con- tiguous municipalities, to the objectives and plans for 3. A plan to meet the housing needs of present residents development in the county of which it is a part (indi- and of those individuals and families anticipated to cating that the existing and proposed development of reside in the municipality; which may include conser- the municipality is generally consistent with the ob- vation of presently sound housing, rehabilitation of jectives and plans of the county comprehensive plan), housing in declining neigh bor hoods and the accom- and to regional trends. modation of expected new housing in different dwelling types and at appropriate densities for house- 9. A plan for the protection of natural and historic re- holds of all income levels; sources to the extent not preempted by federal or state law. 4. A plan for movement of people and goods, which may include express ways, highways, local street sys- The Code states that during the preparation of the tems, parking faci lities, mass transit routes, terminals, comprehensive plan, the planning agency shall make airfields, port facilities and other similar facilities or careful surveys and studies of existing conditions and uses; prospects for future growth in the municipality. Once adopted by the governing body of a municipality, a com- prehensive plan can be implemented through ordinances and other methods. Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage2 2 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania to helpminimizedamage. The 1997planfollowed onthe prompted thedevelopment ofnew regulatory techniques Recog nition ofseriousthreats tothenaturalenv iron ment creased traffic andcongestionin Willistown Township. choices. Develop ment inneigh boring municipalities in- ing outsidethehomeindicatedneedformorehousing the nuclearfamily, delayedmarriage,andwomen work - such aslongerlifeexpec tancies, amovement away from space andrecreationplanning.Demographicchanges gestion, naturalresourceprotectionstrategies, andopen were madetoreflectchangingdemographics,traffic con- ically thatplanretaineditsbasicfocus,however changes update tothe Township’s compre hensive plan.Philosoph- ship. struction oftownhouse develop ments withinthe Town - system intotheGreat Valley SchoolDistrict,andthecon- ship, theconsoli dation ofthe Township’s publicschool water systemintothenorth western sectionofthe Town- north eastern sectionofthe Township, theextension ofthe 202, theinstallationofapublicsewer systeminthe immediate vicinity, includ ing therelocationofUSRoute signi ficant changesin Willistown Township andinthe Supervisors in1980. That update processwas driven by ning in1979andendingwithadoptionbythe Township seven intervening years. vision toreflectchangesthathadoccurredduringthe adopted in1962.In1968,theplanunder went itsfirst re- lines F 1.2 |Planning in Willistown Township natural resourceswithinthe Township. ship recognizesitsrespon si bility toprotectthosepublic that: ural ResourcesandthePublicEstate. This Article states stitution was amendedbytheadditionofSection27,Nat- The 1997planningdocumentrepresentedthethird Guidelines forGrowth Willistown Township’s comprehensive plan,Guide- Through thiscomprehensive plan, Willistown Town- maintain themforthebenefit ofallpeople. sources, theCommon wealth shallconserveand generations tocome. As trusteeofthesere- common property ofallthepeople, including Pennsyl vania’s publicnatural resources are the historic andaestheticvaluesoftheenv iron ment. and tothepreserva tion ofthenatural, scenic, The peoplehavearighttoclearair, pure water, On May18,1971, Article IofthePennsylvania Con- or Gr owth, was originallycompletedin1961and was amendedagain,begin- as ensurethe Township’s planningpolicies areconsistent tended tosupportthe Township’s planning efforts aswell nership Grant.ChesterCounty’s grantprogramisin- by andsupportedthroughaChesterCounty Vision Part- to thisprocess. efforts andtheirassistanceprovided valuable continuity ship’s staff andvolunteers participatedinpastplanning municipal staff, andcitizensatlarge. Many ofthe Town- Open SpaceReview Board,theRecycling Commission, torical Commission,thePark andRecreationBoard,the this effort), theEnviron mental Advisory Council,theHis- Commission (whichserved astheSteeringCommitteefor ticipants includedtheBoardofSupervisors,Planning v 1.3 |Preparation of This Plan recreation, andguidanceforimplementation. quate communityfacilities, including parksand ices, protectionofcommunityvalues, provision ofade- and policiesforfuturegrowth andtheprovision ofserv- As such,theplanplacessignificant emphasisongoals vironmental resourceprotection,andrecreationplanning. plan orientedtotheprovision ofgrowth management,en- mission tomeldthetwo planningdocumentsintoone and the1993openspaceplan.Infact, itisthisplan’s growth ofpastplanning efforts, includingthe1997plan enced appropriatelyinthisplanningeffort. Township’s first nature preserve. This documentisrefer- is) toassistwiththemanagementandimprovement ofthe Preserve ManagementPlan,theintentofwhichwas (and cant landuse. recognizing agricultureasaleadingindustryandsignifi- significant roleplayedbyagricultureinthe Township, hensive planagainin2002. This amendmentatteststothe prompted theBoardofSupervisorstoamendcompre- management needsofthesurroundingneighborhoods. portive ofamulti-modaltransportationcenterandgrowth municipal planningeffort forthePaoli Communitysup- pleted work onthePaoli CommunityMasterPlan,ajoint recreation, basedonavery detailedanalysisofneeds. otic, andwater resources.Italsocontainedaplanfor inventory of Willis town Town ship’s natural,scenic,bi- mental ResourcesPlan. That planincludedanextensive heels ofthe1993OpenSpace,Recreation,andEnviron- olv It shouldbenotedthatthiseffort was partiallyfunded The planningprocessforthiscomprehensive planin- This editionof In 2006,the Township publishedtheOkehocking Recognition ofagriculturalusesandpurposes In 2001, Willistown and Tredyffrin Townships com- ed theassistanceofmany communityresidents.Par- Guidelines forGrowth is adirectout- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage3 and provided usefulguidancewhereneeded. County Planningstaff worked closelywiththe Township Landscapes 2, Watersheds, and with theobjectives ofLandscapes(including Linking Landscapes ) . greatly totheprocess. reflected intheplan’s contentandultimatelycontributed process; discussionsheldandcommentsreceived were and apublichearingwereheldduringtheplanning Finally, several publicinformation/review meetings

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 3 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage4

willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania bor hoods andhousingstock. and wildlife,historicculturalresources,neigh - pography, ground water, surface water, soils, vegetation described inChapter4addresssuchissuesasnatural to- which areecologicallysensitive. Resource-basedpolicies hance theruralcharac ter, are limitedandirre place able, or and man-madeenviron mental featureswhich eitheren- summary of goals and policies Chapter 2 emphasize the 2.1 |Goal 1-Protecting Community Values vided inChapters4,5,and6. to eachofthegoalslistedabove; additionaldetail ispro- Willistown Township residents’ values. Guidelines forGrowth. These goalsandpoliciesreflect thinking. past goalshave beenactedonorrevised toreflectcurrent flection ofpastplanningefforts andtheextent towhich Much oftheinformationcontainedinthisPlanisare- Goal 3-Provide CommunityFacilities andServices. Goal 2-GuideFuture Growth, Goal 1-Protect Community Values; fundamental goalsare: Protection Ordinance(Chapter73). The Township’s three velopment Ordinance(Chapter123),andEnvironmental ing Ordinance(Chapter139),Subdivision andLandDe- planning activities andreflectedinthe Township’s Zon- are echoedin,andadvanced bythe Township’s recent Township’s goalsthroughoutthisplanningprocess. They in the1980GuidelinesforGrowth ship’s planningefforts. These goalswerefirst articulated General policiesforprotectingcommunityvalues The following isasummary ofthepoliciesascribed Community inputwas soughtduringthedraftingof Three fundamentalgoalsunderlie Willistown Town- T ownship’s desireto protect thosenatural and; and have remainedthe 2.1.1 General Policies2.1.1 for Preserving .. General Policies for2.1.2 Preserving voluntary bodieshave thesupportandtoolsthey need. ing, workshops, andothertechniquesforensuringthese roles inamannerthatprotectsresources.Considertrain- cil andPlanningCommissioninappropriatelyfilling their • ContinuetosupporttheEnvironmental Advisory Coun- needed. ficacy ofregulatory provisions andupdaterefine as sources, areasofsteepslope,andwoodlands. Monitoref- such aswetlands,floodplainsandotherhydrologicalre- • Continuetoprotectindividual environmental resources view ofsubdivision andland development proposals. and development alternatives duringthesketch planre- property owners, asappro priate, withlandconservation mentary andaestheticallypleasingdevelopment. Assist velopment designtomeetcommunityneedsforcomple- viewed fromadjacent roads;andensureflexibility inde- tion; preserve theintegral characteristicsofthe siteas scenic, andhistoricsitefeaturesintothelotconfigura- (interconnected openspace);incorporateuniquenatural, wildlife habitat,biodiversity corridors,andgreenways nificant concentrationsofnaturalresources,openspace, and maintainsitehydrology;preserve and/orenhancesig- tion ofkey landandenvironmental resources;evaluate conservation designprinciplesthatmaximizetheprotec- • Encouragecreative andinnovative siteplanningusing recharge/supply areas,steepslopes,etc. lands, habitatareas,surface water andgroundwater the Township, e.g.woodlands andothervegetation, wet- • Reexamine prioritiesfortheconservation oflandwithin necti encourage theconserv • Continuetodevelop techniquesbywhichtoguideand land foragriculturalpurposes. ship’s historicsettlement pattern andcontinueduseof • Encouragefuturede historic orculturalresources. • Encouragethededicationofprotective easementsfor vity. Envir Areas o and Natural Resources Historic and Scenic Value o nmentally Sensitive Lands f Signi v ation oflandandpromoteitscon- ficant Physical, elopment toreinforcethe Town- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage5 Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, residentiallandusesas Township’s residentialdistricts assetforthinitscurrent vided consistentwiththeprotectionof tional, commercial,andindustriallandusesshallbepro- 2.2 |Goal 2-Guiding Future Growth and Article XXXII, Town CenterDistrict(TCD). 139, Zoning, Article XXXI, Transportation District(TD) Paoli CommunityMasterPlan,asreflectedinChapter • Promotehousingopportunitiesconsistentwiththe2001 • Promotesafehousingconditions. is sustainable. of climatechange,andencouragefuturedevelopment that energy andenvironmental resources,reducetheimpacts building technologiesintendedtoreduceconsumptionof sources andexisting communitycharacter. Promotegreen cies andguidedbytheneedtoprotectenvironmental re- growth, consistentwith existing andfuturelandusepoli- those areaswhereinfrastructureexists tosupportsuch • Allow foravariety ofhousingtypesanddensitiesin within W • Protectandenhancetheestab lished neighborhoods General Policies for Protecting 2.1.3 Plan. made inthe2006Okehocking Preserve Management • Assist intheimplementationofrecommendations serve scenicresourcesinthe Township. sign consistentwithconservation designprinciplestore- • Promotetechniquesforcreative landplanningandde- toric resourceprotectionanddocumentation. • Monitorefficacy ofregulatory provisions relatedtohis- scaping, buffering andscreeningstandards. nic qualityprotection,including,forexample, any land- • Monitorefficacy ofregulatory provisions relatedtosce- de • The locations,typesanddensitiesoffutureresidential Policies for Residential Land Uses 2.2.1 community values. v elopment shallbeconsistent withtheintentof A variety oflandusesincludingresidential,institu- Neig illisto hb orhoods and Housing Stock wn Township.wn T ownship‘s ment thatissustainable. impacts ofclimatechange, andencouragefuturedevelop- tion ofenergy andenvironmental resources,reducethe green building principles)intendedtoreduceconsump- cluding but notlimitedtoLEEDscertification orother Township willpromotegreenbuilding technologies(in- • Inordertobestaccommodateinstitutionaluses,the open space. to thepermanentpreservation ofsignificant amountsof rural portionsofthe Township onlywhenthey contribute ture available. Institutionaluseswillbeconsideredinthe protect communityvalues, andhave adequate infrastruc- land uses,beconsistentwithlocallandscapecharacter, would beharmoniouswiththecharacterofsurrounding strated tothesatisfaction ofthe Township thatsuchuses where itisdeemedappropriateand/orcanbedemon- or asconditionalusesspecialexceptions inareas tional de • Willistown Township shallaccommodatefutureinstitu- Policies for Institutional2.2.2 Land Uses through innovation andflexibility insitedesign. serve andprotectagriculturallandopenspace manner thatcomplementsthe Township’s efforts topre- being toaccommodatenew residentialdevelopment ina cle XXVI,OpenSpaceConservation (OSC),theintent ciples espousedhereinandinChapter139,Zoning, Arti- zoning districtsshallutilizetheconservation designprin- • Residentialgrowth occurring inagricultural/residential and walkability oftheir“town” cores. Tredyffrin Township toenhancethevitality, livability, the Township’s efforts andthoseofMalvern Boroughand protect openspaceandwildlifehabitat),benefit from nities thatdonotrequirelarge landareas(andsofurther ments beingmadeinthisarea,provide housingopportu- mobile population),complementthepublictransitinvest- (particularly agrowing elderlypopulationandadiverse dress thehousingneedsoffuture Willistown residents portion ofthe Township. The intentofthispolicy istoad- development andinfill opportunitiesinthenorthern tive siteplanningpractices, Willistown shallfocusonre- and encouragingimaginative andenvironmentally-sensi- ship, providing foradiversity ofhousingopportunities, • Intheinterestofprotectingcharacter Town- development. shall continuetoserve asageneralguideforresidential permitted inthe Township’s currentZoningOrdinance v elopment aspermittedinselectzoningdistricts

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 5 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage6 6 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania the needsof as appropriateforasecondclassto 2.3 |Goal 3-Providing Community Facilities is sustainable. of climatechange,andencouragefuturedevelopment that energy andenvironmental resources,reducetheimpacts building principles)intendedtoreduceconsumption of but notlimitedtoLEEDscertification orothergreen ship willpromotegreenbuilding technologies(including • Inordertobestaccommodateindustrialuses,the Town- expanding industrialareaswithinthe Township. for industrialuses,furtherconsiderationwillbegiven to determine thatindustrialdemandexceeds areasplanned date, the Township participatesinregional studieswhich be limitedtoitsexisting industrialpark.Ifatsomefuture corridor. Futureindustrialuseswithinthe Township shall dustrial de County andre • Willistown Township intendstoremainconsistentwith Policies for Industrial2.2.4 Land Uses ment thatissustainable. impacts ofclimatechange,andencouragefuturedevelop- tion ofenergy andenvironmental resources,reducethe green building principles)intendedtoreduceconsump- cluding but not limitedtoLEEDscertification orother Township willpromotegreenbuilding technologies(in- • Inordertobestaccommodatecommercialuses,the corridor extending alongRoute3. Sugartown Road,andalongtheRoute3plannedhighway east ofMalvern), alongthePaoli Pike corridorwestof business corridor(includingKingandCentral Avenues mercial de • Willistown Township shallaccommodatefuturecom- Policies for Commercial 2.2.3 more carefullythanitdoesresidentialuses. category, the Township intendstoscrutinizesuchuses stitutional uses,andthevariety ofactivities thatfit this Due tothepotentialforgreaterimpactassociatedwithin- services. Ifrequiredandappropriate, andifmunicipalre- shall periodicallymonitor the qualityandcostofsuch Where servicesareprovided byothers,the Township Community facilities andservicesshallbeprovided an an d Se d O v velopment alongtheRoute30trans porta tion rvices elopment aspermittedalongtheRoute30 ffice Land Uses Willistown’s currentandfutureresidents. gional landuseplansinguidingfuturein- wnship andshallmeet .. Policies for Emergency Medical 2.3.3 public tomaintaintheirconfidence andtrust. W enhance thesafetyandsecurityofallpeople • ContinuetosupportthemissionofDepartment needs. • Periodicallye Police Department. • Continuetooperateandfundthe Willistown Township Policies for Police Protection2.3.2 Township residents. safety andpromotebettercirculation. sider traffic calmingstrategies asappropriatetoensure meet theneedsof Willistown Township residents. Con- road network provides adequateinternalcirculationto impact totheexisting road net work. Ensurethatthelocal • Continuetoensurethatnew development minimizes accomplish thepoliciescontainedherein. and continuingdialoguewithPennDOT arenecessary to feasible andappropriate.Bothdirectmunicipalaction signalized intersections.Encourageridesharingwhere tion strategies suchasroundabouts asalternatives tonew through traffic, includingtheuseofinnovative transporta- tion network toprovide forefficient movement of • Continueworking toimprove theregional trans porta - not intendedfororincapableofsuchtraffic. rily forlocaltraffic. Discouragethroughtraffic onroads transmit throughtraf • Continuetoclarifyandplanforthoseroadsintended 2.3.4 sion of`911’ • ContinuetocooperatewithChesterCountyintheprovi- nies pro • Continuetofinancially supportvolunteer fire compa- Policies for FireProtection 2.3.1 safety of Township residents. service delivery tomeettheneedsand/oraddress sources permit,the Township shall intervene toimprove illistown Township andwork inpartnershipwiththe Ass Policies for Roads viding f i stance services. xamine whetherservicesareadequatefor ire protectionservicesto Willistown f ic andthoseroadsdesignedprima- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage7 ing energy useingovernment buildings andimprove ices inthemostef • Monitormunicipaladministrative needstoprovide serv- Policies for Municipal2.3.6 Services nity MasterPlan. ued supportforandimplementationofthePaoli Commu- pedestrian environment improvements includingcontin- • Promotetheexpansion ofpublictransportationand tomobiles foralltrips. residents andaccommodatebut donotrequireprivate au- • Encouragelandusepatternsthatincreasechoicesfor reliance onautomobiles. as appropriatetoaccesspublictransportationandreduce • Encouragepedestrianlinkagesthroughoutthe Township trian linkagesonthoseparcelsunder going development. mile ofpublictrans • Encourageany new development constructedwithin½ Policies for Public Transportation2.3.5 Chester County’s LinkingLandscapesPlan. the recommendationsandvisionstatementsidentified in fied roadsandroadshouldersinthe Township. Consider • Examineopportunitiesforsafebicycling alongidenti- such roads. tect theintrinsicnatural,scenicandhistoricqualitiesof identified bythe Township asScenicRoads. Work topro- • Considerrecognitionofandprotectionforthoseroads as needed,potentialsafetyhazards. roads aremaintainedinoptimumconditionandminimize, • Provide regular roadmaintenancetoensurethatlocal and aroundPaoli. cilities) toimprove andenhancetransportationchoicesin circulation improvements (bothroadsandpedestrianfa- of amulti-modaltransportationcenterwithcorresponding the Paoli CommunityMasterPlan,includingthecreation ceptable localandregional transportationcomponentsof Route 3.Continueimplementationofthemutuallyac- • Discouragehaphazarddevelopment alongRoute30and improvements. and parkingproblems,assignprioritiestoany needed • Develop strategies tocorrectany identified circulation an d F acilities f icient manner possible.Consideraudit- porta tion centerstoestablishpedes- • Coordinatethee (`Act 537’)planning. • Coordinatelanduseplanningwithsewage facilities Policies for Sewage Disposal2.3.8 the PA State Water Plan. a County’s integrated water resourcesplan • Promotewatershed protectionconsistentwithChester drawal permitsdonotnegatively impactlocalsupplies. suant tomonthlynotifications andensurethatwater with- • Monitorregional river basincommissionactivities pur- needs. phasize groundwater recharge tomeetwater supply • Promotetheprotectionofgroundwater qualityandem- shall bepromotedtothegreatest degree possibleand eration sourceaspracticable. Groundwater recharge • Treated wastewater shallbedisposedasclosetoitsgen- nology. tion ofthe Township tosupporttheuseofsuchnew tech- when thereissufficient evidence presented tothesatisfac- porating newly developed typesoftreatmentfacilities the field ofwastewater treatment and willconsiderincor- innovative technology isconstantlybeingdeveloped in erated andmaintained. The Township recognizesthat ogy atthetimeofinstallationandshouldbeproperly op- • Sewage facilities shouldusethebestavailable technol- cies shouldguidefutureactions: those areasidentified forpreservation. appropriate; restricttheextension ofpublicfacilities in ing sewage facilities wherecapacityexists andgrowth is • Continuetocoordinatedevelopment activity withexist- needs have beendocumented. isting developed areasofthe Township whereexisting to ensurethatanadequatesupplyofpotablew • Protectandsafeguard sourcesofwater supplyinorder Policies for Water Supply2.3.7 that reduceenergy consumption. energy efficiency byutilizinggreenbuilding technologies vailable fordomesticuseandfire protection. In addition,the Township believes thefollowing poli- xtension ofpublicse wer servicetoex- Watersheds ater is and

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 7 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage8 8 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania services. • Continuetofinancially supportlocalpublic library 2.3.12 af • MonitorGreat Valley SchoolDistrictplanswhichmight Policy for Education 2.3.11 Reduction Act” (Act101). the “Municipal Waste Planning,Recycling, and Waste late accordinglypursuanttotheauthoritygrantedunder lection servicestoensureresidents’ • Monitorcostandqualityofprivately provided trashcol- Policy for Solid2.3.10 Waste Collection, Phase II(NPDESII)program. of theNationalPollutantDischarge EliminationSystem county-wide Act 167Plan;implementtherequirements continue towork withChesterCountyasitpreparesa Ridley Creek,and Valley Creek Watersheds, asavailable; 167 Stormwater ManagementPlansfortheCrumCreek, • ImplementtherequirementsofPennsylvania Act Best ManagementPractices. management facilities throughtheimplementationof • Encourageutilizationofecologicallysoundstormwater welfare-property losses. land, erodedstreambanks,andotherfloodrelatedhealth- contribute todownstream flooding,additionalsubmerged • Minimizeincreasesinsurface water runoff volumes that supplies andstreambaseflow. ground w • Encourageandmaximizethestorageofrainfall and Policies for Stormwater2.3.9 Management agement entity. shall beoperatedandmaintainedbyaresponsibleman- • All non-residentialandcommunitysewerage systems using bestmanagementpracticesforthesysteminplace. shall beoperatedandmaintainedbythepropertyowner • Individual residentialonsitesewage disposalsystems gated andimplementedwherepractical. the beneficial reuseoftreatedwastewater shallbeinvesti- fect locallanduseplanning. Di Policy for Library Services s ater rechar posal and Recycling ge inordertosustaingroundwater needsaremet;re gu- ti • Continuetosupportongoingdialoguewithandinitia- ..4Policies for OpenSpace2.3.14 Preservation, joining municipalities. the Township and identifylikely interconnectionstoad- Establish trailandrecreationinterconnectionsthroughout and revise andupdate theplanasnecessaryover time. • ImplementtheOkehocking Preserve ManagementPlan program offerings. ship residentsabouttheirparkandrecreationsystem • Continueoutreachtoandsolicitfeedbackfrom Town- recreation. gram, asoutlinedinthe Township budget forparksand within aneffective budgetary andfiscal planning pro- • Provide parksandrecreationfacilities andservices ation andtrailresourceprotectionpriorities.) ing Community Values, Section4.2.2forparkandrecre- the Willistown community. (Note:SeeChapter4,Protect- for thebenefit ofthephysical,socialandmentalhealth • Provide parksandrecreationfacilities andprogramming recreation assets. ming servicesthathighlight Willistown’s parkand in theprotectionofenvironmentally sensitive lands and as the Willistown Conservation Trust toassistlandowners • Partner withandsupportactionby locallandtrustssuch recreation facilities, amongothers. protection efforts, openspacepurchases,andpark space throughinnovative sitedesignandnaturalresource made resources,preserve landandinterconnectopen • Continue Township efforts toprotectnaturalandman- for futuregenerations. serve landandprotectthe Township’s naturalresources comprehensive planningefforts, including efforts topre- provide informationtoresidentsaboutthe Township’s pioning landprotectionandstewardship. Continueto ational f and visitthroughthepro • Ensure Willistown isanattractive placetolive, work Policies for Parks and Recreation2.3.13 v es byprivate landowners andcommunitygroupscham- Land Stewardship Lan acilities, aswelladministrative andprogram- d owner Assistance and Private vision ofparklandandrecre- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage9 land conservation andstewardship. educational resourceforresidentsonmattersconcerning • Partner withlocallandtruststoserve asacommunity sound stewardship ofthearea’s private lands. trusts andenvironmental organizations tosupportthe • Continuetosupportandcollaboratewithlocalland trian trails. well asrecreationalassetssuchpedestrianandeques- areas ofsignificant physical,historic,andscenicvalue, as safety andwelf nate withpipelinecompaniestoprotectthepublichealth, •Monitor existing andfuturepipelineactivity andcoordi- Policy for Transmission2.3.15 Pipelines are of Willistown Township residents.

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 9 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage10

willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania the useofconservation easements.Many localgovern- Residents ofthisregion wereamongthefirst tochampion the preservation ofopenspaceandsceniclandscapes. tunate tohave acitizenrythatisstrongly committedto ation ofarichagriculturalheritageandtheCountyis for- rolling hillsofthePiedmontPlateausupportedcre- mains oneofthehighestinstate. state. Finally, themedianhousingvalue hasbeenandre- some ofthehighesthouseholdandfamily incomesinthe high schoolandcollege graduatesintheState,aswell has consistentlyhadsomeofthehighestpercentages of also relatively affluent andwelleducated. The County cally under5%sincetheearly1980’s. ChesterCounty is has enjoyed relatively low unemployment rates,histori- nomic engineforsoutheasternPennsylvania. The County nificant rolein Willistown Township. nomic factors influencingChesterCounty alsoplayasig- county ofPhiladelphia. A majorityofthesocialandeco- ting inChesterCounty Chester County Influence 3.1.2 ters ofPaoli andMalvern. dense “concentriccircles”emanatingfromthetown cen- ship hascontinuedadevelopment patternofdensetoless though fromthestandpointoforderlygrowth, the Town- In many respects,thisassessmentholdstruetodayal- rural islandsurroundedbyaseaofintensedevelopment”. plan thatthe Township “hastheappearanceofbeinga that planledtotheconclusionin1997comprehensive area,“ however thewesternadvance ofdevelopment since ship aswithinthe“ruralfringeofPhiladelphiametro ton. The 1980comprehensive plandescribedthe Town- has agreaterorienta tion toPhiladelphiathan Wilming- ton, Dela ware. Sociallyandeconomicallythe Township approximately 20milesfromPhila delphia and Wil ming - of ChesterCounty Location 3.1.1 3.1 |Regional Context and Influences community background Chapter 3 Chester Countyisparticularlyscenic. The gently Chester Countyhastraditionallybeenastrongeco- Willistown Township isstronglyinfluencedbyitsset- Willistown Township islocated intheeasternportion , f ive mileseastof West Chesterand , arelati vely affluent suburban nents ofthe Regional Transportation Networks 3.1.3 from northtosouth. urban, suburban, naturalandrurallandusesradiating county’s assessment, Willistown Township contains ing growth inappropriate areas. According tothe hancing theuniquecharacterofcountybyconcentrat- have strived toassistmunicipalitiesinpreservinganden- ter andqualityoflife.ChesterCounty’s planningefforts growth inamannerthat doesnotjeopardizetheircharac- encourages countymunicipalitiestomanageanticipated with Landscapes2 Landscapes, inJuly1996andrecentlyupdatedtheplan place. threaten thevery qualitieswhichattracteditinthefirst 2035. Ifnotmanagedappropriately, thisnew growth will lation isexpected toincreaseover 43%fromyear2000to Chester Countyintheyearstocome. The County’s popu- economy willlikely continuetoattractnew growth to ingful roleinthefuture. tors initshistoryandarenotanticipatedtoplayamean- absent inChesterCounty, have notbeensignificant fac- industries, andextractive industries,althoughnotentirely services, andpharma ceuticals. Manufacturing, defense related tohomeshopping,computertechnology, health ture, having seenstrongeconomicgrowth inindustries tax moniesforpreservation efforts. sylvania andhave consistentlyvoted infavor ofutilizing county-wide, openspacepreservation programinPenn- Residents ofChesterCountyvoted tosupportthefirst ing growth andpreservinguniqueregional features. imented withinnovative planningtechniquesformanag- ments (Willistown amongthem) have successfullyexper- the lineconnectingtoPhiladelphia alsocontinuesonto line connectstobothHarrisburg and Philadelphia(infact, Chester County, terminatinginParkesburg. The Amtrak Phil adelphia andMainLinecommunitiestowestern and Amtrak at the Paoli station. The SEPTA lineconnects regional railsystems,with easyaccesstobothSEPTA historically andtoday. important influencesonthe Township’s charac ter, both dors forsouth eastern Pennsylvania andarevery ern borders. These routesaremajortransportationcorri- 30 whichtraverse the Township at itsnorthernandsouth- The mostimportantregional transportationcompo- Chester CountyadopteditsComprehensive Plan, At thesametime,anattractive landscapeandhealthy Chester Countyappearswellpositionedforthefu- Willistown Township isalsosomewhat influencedby T ownship arethepresenceofRoutes3and in November of2009. Landscapes2 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage11 Center, wherefurniturecrafts,homedecorating,andre- “theme” retailcenters,including theMalvern Design ough, isasyetunknown. their successincontributing toandenhancingthe Bor- Street; theultimateacceptanceoftheseapplications, and have beensubmitted toredevelop portionsofEastKing completion. Recentmajorlanddevelopment applications tion planningefforts; asofthiswritingtheplanisnear and updatealistofprojectsreflectedintheirrevitaliza- work tofullyupdatetheBorough’s comprehensive plan 2008 theChesterCountyPlanningCommissionstarted funding support,torevitalize itsdowntown. Inthefall of the Boroughhasinvested significant energies, including Malvern auniqueandspecialplace.” Towards thisend, the Borough’s “small-town character, whichmakes hensive planin1999. The plan’s maingoalistomaintain tinues tobecloselylinked today. the development characterofthetwo communitiescon- Willistown weakened somewhat over time.Despitethis, traffic, thecorrespondinglinksbetweenMalvern and shopping patternsandlessenedtheimportanceofrail As auto-dependentsuburban development dispersed portation hubfortraditionallyrural Willistown Township. Malvern servinghistoricallyasamarket centerandtrans- Malvern Boroughhave beenlinked formany years,with nomic andsocialhistoriesof Willistown Township and out of Willistown Township in1889.Clearly, theeco- three sides.Inf Malvern Borough,ChesterCounty Surrounding Municipalities3.1.4 and able fordoor-to-door service. to theairportline. Airport shuttlesarealsoreadilyavail- commuters cantake thetraintoCenterCityandtransfer While nodirectraillinesconnectPaoli totheairport, mately 45minutesbycarfrom Willistown Township. Paoli toRoute29andbeyond). enue, CedarHollow Roadandbeyond), and#206(linking Exton andbeyond), #205(linkingPaoli toCentral Av- Malvern, Extonand West Chester),#204(linkingPaoli to tions to#92,#204,#205and#206),#92(linkingPaoli to 3 and926),#105(servingRoute30toPaoli withconnec- among them:#104and#120(servingportionsofRoutes lines thatprovide servicetoportionsofthe Township, New York City).Inaddition,SEPTA operatesseveral bus In recentyears,several developers have created Malvern Boroughcompleteditsmostrecentcompre- Willistown Township surroundsMalvern Boroughon The PhiladelphiaInternational Airport isapproxi- T heir Pl act, Malv ans for theFuture ern Boroughwas incorporated its borderswith East WhitelandTownship, ChesterCounty haps substantially. South Warren Avenue andPaoli Pike couldincrease, per- the St.Josephsparcelever bedeveloped, traffic along acter ofthesesitesisaprioritytheBorough.Should the Borough,andretainingexisting openspacechar- Josephs andPaoli Battlefield sitesserve asgateways to lar) institutionaluseandcharacterofthesite.BothSt. to work withSt.Josephs’ tomaintainthecurrent(orsimi- site ever besold,theBorough’s clearpolicy andintentis for appropriatelandusesshouldtheSt.JosephsRetreat ough’s comprehensive planincludesrecommendations rently owned bytheSt.JosephsRetreat. While theBor- Paoli Memorial Association). The secondparceliscur- ough, thePaoli Battlefield Preservation Fund,andthe passive openspacecommunityparkbyMalvern Bor- the schoolandisnow jointlyowned andmanaged asa north ofMalvern PreparatorySchoolwas purchasedfrom the Paoli Massacre,a44acrebattlefield/massacre site Preparatory School,isapproximately97acres(thesiteof Malvern Borough. The first parcel,owned byMalvern Willistown Township justnorthofitssharedborderwith Street, cateringtotheantique,craftandboutiqueshopper. preneurs have openedanumberofshopsalongKing lated shopsareassociated.Inaddition,private entre - and easternborderswith Tredyffrin Township, ChesterCounty considered a“low-density residentialdistrict.” Township tothewestofMalvern BoroughiszonedR-2, built out. The portionoftheborderabutting Willistown resi dential usesandamajorityofthislandissignificantly which issharedwith Willistown Township) iszonedfor Almost theentirelengthofsouthernborder(that adopted in1966andithasbeenupdatedregularly since. and Willistown. the Route202corridorwillimpactbothEast Whiteland from easttowest. Additionally, developing portionsof the U.S.Route30corridor, whichtraverses the Township closest to Willistown Township) isstronglyaffected by southern portionofEast Whiteland Township (theportion will likely impact Willistown foryearstocome. The occurred inthis Township inrecentyearsandtheresults Malvern Borough.Significant development activity has ern bordersofthe Township onthenorthandwestsideof East Whiteland Township sharestwo shortlengthsof Two large, substantiallyundeveloped parcelsabut Willistown Township sharesportions ofitsnorthern East Whiteland’s originalZoningOrdinancewas W illistown Township. They arethenorth- T redyffrin Township. Although

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 11 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage12 12 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania W Easttown Township, ChesterCounty phasis onitsplanningefforts with Willistown inPaoli. As discussedabove, Tredyffrin isplacingsignificant em- sive planandhistoricpreservation planinMarch2009. community characterofPaoli formany yearstocome. lations, areintendedtocontribute tothelivability and cently adoptedcommunityzoningandsubdivision regu- off-site transportationimprovements), coupledwith re- redevelopment oftherailstationsite(includingonand the subjectofimplementationefforts ever since.Future Paoli Community. Completedin2001,thisplanhasbeen long rangedevelopment planreferencedabove forthe and itsadvancement, ledthecommunitiestoprepare with ChesterCounty, SEPTA and Amtrak. This effort, Center Plan the creationofPaoli Rail Yard and Transportation redevelopment ofthesite.Initialplanningefforts ledto tion, thusproviding opportunitiesforurban age andmaintenanceoperationsadjacenttothePaoli sta- stemmed from Amtrak’s decisiontorelocateitstrainstor- Master Plan. cial planningdistrictstudyentitledthe tionship, Willistown and Tredyffrin cooperatedonaspe- and to Willistown Township. As aresultofthisinterrela- and contributes tothecommutertraffic volume through it provides employment forsome Willistown residents Willistown Township. As aregional employment center, munity ingeneral)exerts astronginfluenceon parison tootherneighbors, Tredyffrin (andthePaoli com- the lengthofsharedborderisrelatively smallbycom- vided intolarge lots.Several areas(thoseportions lying the Willistown-Easttown sharedborderhasbeensubdi- feet). smaller netlotsizes,(inthecaseof AA, 56,000square the Town ship hasalotaveraging option whichpermits lot sizesinthisdistrictare80,000squarefeet,although cient sizeforon-lotsewage disposalsystems.” Minimum density single-family detacheddwellingsonlotsofsuffi- provide forfarming, conservation, recreationandlow ship’s lowest density residentialuse,and“intendedto abutting Willistown Township arezoned AA, the Town- dinance was adoptedin2007. The majorityofthelands resource protectionstance. pated thatthenew plan willcontinuetotake astrong rently updatingitscomprehensive plananditisantici- illisto Easttown Township, ChesterCounty, sharesmuch of Tredyffrin Township recentlyupdateditscomprehen- Much ofthelandareainEasttown Township along The mostrecentversion ofthe Township’s zoningor- wn Township’s easternborder. Easttown iscur- , undertaken bythe Townships inconjunction The genesisforthisplanningeffort Paoli Community ary betweenChesterandDela the southside. Edgmont Township, DelawareCounty acres perunit). Township’s suburban densityresidentialzoning(1-2 parcels willeventually bedeveloped accordingtothe oped, several parcelsremainopenanditislikely these much ofthelandbordering Willistown hasbeendevel- Willistown Township areprimarilyresidential. Although Goshen Roadandthevicinityofsharedborderwith tense incoverage anddensity. Currentlandusesalong and toward Newtown Square,landusesbecomemorein- east onGoshenRoad,away from Willistown Township between ChesterCountyandDelaware County. Traveling T Westtown Township, ChesterCounty at 2acreorlarger lots. idential, ofwhichmuchlandhasalreadybeendeveloped uses inproximitytothecountyclub,particularlyR-1res- unlikely, althoughthezoningordinancedoespermitother scape alongRoute3.Significant landusechangeseems Club, providing arelatively openandundeveloped land- and Willistown iscurrentlyusedbytheEdgmontCountry The landalongtheborderbetweenEdgmont Township preserving openspaceand attractive sitefeatures. ment” asameansofproviding forhousingvariety while dential development” and“singlefamily clusterdevelop- The compre hensive planstrongly endorses“flexible resi- lands furtheraway designatedforlower densitylanduses. Route 3aredesignatedforthemoreintensive use,with ban, suburban, orsemi-urban. Those landsclosestto land areasabutting Willistown Township asruralsubur- western border. ship’s borderatthevery southernlimitsof Willistown’s the border alongCrumCreek,inthesoutheasterncornerof Newtown Township, DelawareCounty relatively stable. lized foracountryclub;ownership anduseappears maining large parcel(northofGrubbsMillRoad)isuti- by conservation easementsordeedrestrictions. The re- west ofDarbyPaoli Road)appeartobeprotectedeither o wnship andsharesasmallportionof Willistown Town- T Edgmont Townshipborders Willistown Townshipon Westtown Township liestothewestof Willistown Westtown Township’s comprehensive plandesignates Newtown Townshipshares Willistown Township’s ownship. The sharedborderisalsothedividing line The sharedborderalsoformsthebound- ware County. Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage13 them are ers andlaterlandowners. lar andregional architecture agricultural landuseover three centuries ; andvernacu- within acompactarea forproximity toa“meeting” land grantforanIndianreservation; Quaker settlement trict containingthesiteof William Penn’s first and only as partofthesettlementprocess,evidenced bythedis- reasons; Americans, thenbysettlersforindustrialandagricultural 3.2.1 3.2 |Historic Development this zoningdistrictclosesttoLineRoad. substantial amountofopenspace,occupiesaportion Creek. The Applebrook subdivision, whichcontainsa the landzonedfortheseusesisimpactedbyRidley trial, parkandresidentialdevelopment, althoughmuchof wide variety ofplanned business, research,limitedindus- Paoli Pike andEastBootRoad;theI-2zoningpermitsa 2 zoningdistrictexisting westofLineRoadbetween east remainopenalongRidley Creek.OfinterestistheI- land hasbeenbuilt out,several large tractstothesouth- pally 1acreresidentialzoning). While amajority ofthis zoned R-2Low Density Suburban Residential(princi- majority ofthelandbordering Willistown Township is in 1952andthelatestversion was adoptedin2008. A plan in2005.Itszoningordinancewas originallyadopted Township. border East Goshen Township, Chester County the yearstocome. Traffic on Route926islikely tocontinueincreasingin Township justpriortoentering Willistown Township. Thornbury Township (ChesterCounty)and Westtown Township isRoute926,whichtravels alongtheborderof dential. Land usealongtheremainingborderissinglefamily resi- ment. Several commercialusesarelocatedtotheeast. Willistown Township isusedformulti-family develop- of landonthesouthsideRoute3anddirectlyabutting within Westtown Township aredeveloped. A smallparcel cal themes,asdocumentedbylocalhistorians. East Goshen Township updateditscomprehensive Willistown Township sharesalmostitsentirewestern One ofthemaincommuterroutesinto Willistown Most ofthelandareasabutting Willistown Township Willistown Township illustratesseveral majorhistori- H , along istoric Settlement Themes interface ofearlysettlers withNative Americans settle Township LineRoad,withEastGoshen ment alongawatershed as interpretedbytheQuak- , first byNative Among ; by EnglishQuak landscape andpatternsofearly18thcenturysettlement Quaker Settlement Yarnall. reallocated toQuaker brothers Amos andMordecai verted totheProprietary. In1737,the landwas pancy oftheland.Under termsofthedeed,landre- during huntingseason.By1735they endedtheiroccu- inter mittently andleftitforextended periodseachyear chose toleave thelandasforest. They occupieditonly land fortheNative Americans. The Okehocking tribe did nothingtofosteralastingbondwiththisparticular tract, ratherthanalongtheirown propertylines. The road ceeded inhaving aroadlaidoutthroughthemiddleof water muchofthetime.In1710neighboringfarmers suc- hocking tribes’ purposes. The hilliesttractwas without tion’s boundarieswerepoorlyconceived fortheOke- 1735, itwas known asOkehocking Indian Town. nia. Fromitscreationin1702untilabandon ment in in thecountryandonlyoneestablishedPennsylva- for Native Americans. Itwas possiblythefirst reservation ple ofPenn’s creationofaplacerefuge(reservation) in 1993,istheheartof Willistown. Itisthesoleexam- District, listedontheNationalRegister ofHistoricPlaces of manorsasplacesrefuge. The Okehocking Historic to adjudicateNative American complaints, andcreation including legal purchaseofland,establishmentcourts mented. Heusedavariety ofmechanismsontheirbehalf, of ameetinghouse,thesite ofalltheirreligiouslife. munities offamilies locatedwithinahalf-day’s distance was reflectedbythestrong,agriculturally-orientedcom- ti Native Americans whom hegranteda500-acrereservation. other thantheOkehocking tribeoftheLenniLanapeto there isdoubtthatthegranteesever lived ontheland Cheshire. Pennmadesixgrantswithinthe Township, but and adjacentcountiesofHaverfordshire, Shropshire,and for settlementbypersonsfromNorthandSouth Wales surveyed for William Pennin1684.Itwas tobereserved erence to Exploration and Settlement 3.2.2 v e Americans foundinPennsylvania iswelldocu- Much of Willistown Township’s historicpastoral Despite thegoodintentofitscreators,reserva- William Penn’s respectforandprotectionoftheNa- Willistown was apartofthe50,000acre Welsh Tract The HolmesMapof1681holdsthefirst writtenref- W illistown as Willeston. ers remains. The ruralQuaker lifestyle

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 13 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage14 14 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania schools, taverns, generalstoresandcraftshops. Prime nesses grew, usuallyatmajorcrossroads,andcontained other, Aaron, inheritedthe Amos Yarnall homestead. to Isaac). Two ofhersonsmarried Yarnall women andan- Sarah Garrett,thewidow ofSamuelGarrett(first cousin Yarnall landthroughthemarriage of Amos Yarnall to son IsaacIIin1793. The Garrettfamily eventually held land alongRidley Creek. This parcelwas deededtohis Isaac, heldamortgageon141acresofMordecai Yarnall’s Pennsylvania in1684.By1739, William’s grandson, Garat) emigratedfromLeicester, Englandto Darby, Township was theGarrett’s. William Garrett(originally farms andmillswellintothemid19thcentury. nearby parcels,built additionalhousesandoperated erations ofSmedleys lived ontheland,acquiredother to thefamily toholdjointlyfor10 years. Succeed ing gen- were divided amonghisseveral sons;thetanyard was left the plantationandholdingsinotherpartsof Township land whichstraddledRidley Creek. At hisdeathin1758, he operatedabarkmillandtanyard onportionsofhis ited hisfather’s holdingsin1723.Inadditiontofarming, another 200acresimmediatelytotheeast. Thomas inher- holdings in1706.In1713,heandson Thomas acquired plantation on400acrestothewestofFrancis Yarnall’s Smedley, borninDerbyshire,England,establisheda married withthe Yarnalls andotherQuakers. George on theoriginalpurchasesthrough1800’s. married withotherQuaker families andoccupiedfarms Amos obtainedtheOkehocking lands. The Yarnalls inter- to theProprietaryin1737,brothersMordecaiand inherited muchofhislandsandaddedtothem. original purchasein1713.Hissons,Mordecaiand Amos, who obtainedbypatentanother150acreswestofhis the 400acretracttoFrancis Yarnall, hisbrother-in-law, tom landdeniedtotheNative Americans. Inturn,hesold chase includedmostofthewatercourses andfertilebot- American landweresoldtoCharles Whitaker. Hispur- their reservation (1702),400acresabutting theNative nity records. cherished theirhomesteads,andkept family andcommu- and literature. As Quakers, they heldarespectforhistory, natural sciencethanthe“frivolous” pursuitsofart,music them asagriculturally-orientedandmoreinterestedin the Smedleys andtheGarretts. The writtenrecordpaints the historyofmuch Willistown Township; the Yarnalls, Scattered villagesemerged inthelate1700’s asbusi- The thirdmajorQuaker family tosettle Willistown The Smedley family settled in Willistown andinter- Following thereversion oftheNative American lands In thesameyearthatOkehockings weredeeded Three EnglishQuaker extended families dominated ber 20,1777,spannedpartsofnorthern The Revolutionary War Delaware. Thomas Garrett,anotedabolitionistof Wilmington, of theGarrettfamily of Willistown werealsorelatives of movement, althoughnoevidence supportsthis.Members have beeninvolved inthismassive, Quaker-supported Tavern stillhastunnelsonitspropertythataresaidto Philadelphia intwo one-horsedearborns. The RisingSun (1883) alongwithDavis Garrettfortakingslaves to the HistoryofUnder ground Railroad ment. William HibbardJr. (ofPlumsockFarm) isnotedin volved inthe19thcentury’s Underground Railroadmove- area andearlypeoplesofpart Willistown asbeingin- tion containingclassroomswas built. when someminorchangesweremade.In1956,anaddi- needs ofthelocalQuaker communityuntilthe1870’s six bayswidewithtwo entrances,adequatelyserved the monies raisedbysubscription. The large meetinghouse, burying groundwhichin1809was walled instonefrom Smedley, Francis’ widow. This deedalsoprovided fora adjacent totheschoolin1798onlanddeededby Ann build atwo-story stonemeetinghousewhichwas erected through the1780’s andin1793permissionwas grantedto mission was soughttoholdaPreparative Meeting the pointthatalarger meetinghousewas required.Per- 1828 and1873. it was usedbytheOrthodoxgroupformeetingsbetween teacher. Quaker meetingswereheldthereuntil1798and purpose ofbuilding a“commodiousschool”andhiring Francis and Ann Smedley tovarious localQuakers forthe educate theirchildren.Inthatyear, landwas deededby in thisareaof Willistown tojustifyaschoolinwhich British) crossedmuchofnorthwest Willistown. The battle In retreating,theContinental Army (and the pursuing tersection ofMonumentand Warren Avenues inMalvern. fact, muchofthefight ing tookplacesouthwestof thein- pecting ContinentalscampedinmoderndayMalvern. In troops encampedin Tredyffrin descendeduponunsus- cluding whatisnow theBoroughofMalvern. British other to Religion andEducation of HistoricPlacesin1984. Plumsock. Sugartown was listedintheNationalRegister early examples oftheseareSugartown, White Horseand The BattleofPaoli, foughtontheevening ofSeptem- Popular traditionandsomewrittenaccountsholdthe In the1780s,Quaker populationhadswelledto Initially, earlysettlersweremembersofmeetingsin wnships b ut by1753,enoughQuakers hadsettled W by R.C.Smedley illistown, in- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage15 settle Transportation parcels. troop movements inrelationtoremainingopen space developed mapsthatidentifytroopencampmentsand pieces stillexist in Willistown andChesterCountyhas use planningatthemunicipallevel. Several undeveloped toric resourcesrelatedtothebattlethatcaninfluenceland ultimate purposeistoidentify, preserve andinterprethis- though educationisakey componentofthisproject,the Malvern Borough’s atlas was completedin2008. Al- East Whiteland andEastGoshen Townships. resources atlasesfor Willistown, Easttown, Tredyffrin, toric resourceatlas,ananimatedbattlemap,andhistoric area. The CountyhopestoproduceaBattleofPaoli his- contribute to ourunderstandingofthePaoli Battlefield investigation, andidentifyexisting historicresourcesthat ments, recommendarchaeologicalsitesforfurther ect tostudyandmapRevolutionary War troopmove- American Battlefield ProtectionProgramtofundaproj- dozens ofsoldierswhodiedduringthebattle. Grounds, locatedintheBorough,isburial sitefor cry forthe American cause. The Paoli Memorial thony Wayne andisthoughttohave becomearallying one-sided defeatofforcesunder American General An- became known asthe“Paoli Massacre”forthebrutaland tury. this development since thesecondhalfof20thcen- the area. Vehicle Routes76,202and476have spurred muter railways inthe1920’s increasedsuburbanization in week, delivering mailandpassengers. West Chesterto White HorseviaSugartown threedaysa Chester Pike. Philadelphia to West Chesterover whatisnow the West nia Railroad)atMalvern Borough. A trolley linelinked Philadelphia andColumbiaRailroad(laterthePennsylva- terminus in Willistown. Itlinked West Chestertothe road inPennsylvania was completedwithitseastern opment of Willistown. In1832,thefirst operatingrail- (1710 and1732). phia, followed byBoot Road(1710)andSugartown Road 1710 asthemainroadbetween Willistown andPhiladel- new routeswereneeded. GoshenRoadwas laidoutin in Willis town wereIndiantrails. As the Township grew, Transportation andmillingwereearlyfactors inthe Recently, ChesterCountyreceived agrantfromthe The electrification ofthePaoli andPhiladelphiacom- Through the1870’s, astagecoachalsotraveled from In the1800s,railways becameimportanttothedevel- ment andde velopment of Willistown. The first roads in the Agriculture 1903. was locatedinSugartown. Itwas destroyed byfire in Willistown and William PennInns. Tavern andtheStateRoad’s (now West ChesterPike) Standing examples includeGoshenRoad’s RisingSun other servicesgrew upalongthemajorroutesoftravel. tence ofthesemillstoday. paper mills.Onlyscatteredruinsmake evident theexis- mills, fullingsaw mills,gristtiltand The fullgamutofmillingoccurredhere,includingbark Willis town Township’s mostactive millingenterprises. tween 1720and1900theOkehocking areacontained ment occurredalongtheRidley Creekwatershed. Be- through the1800s. Thus, muchofthe Township’s settle- 2 millers,atailor, achairmaker, andasmith. a cooper, 2fullers,aninnkeeper, aclockandwatchmaker, sons, 3wheelwrights, aweaver, asaddler, 3storekeepers, lishments. ranks ofthearea’s “millionaire-owned” breeding estab- than 1,400acresoflandin about1913,andjoinedthe today astheDelchesterFarm. Ashton assembledmore them intothemammothRidley Valley Farm, known Philadelphia acquiredmany smallfarms andassembled ing was prevalent throughoutmuchofthe Township. decades ofthe1800stomid-20thcentury, dairyfarm- larger variety ofcropsandlivestock. Fromthelatter with large forebaysandshedadditionstoaccommodatea swine. Mid-19thcenturybarnsreflecttheseexpansions livestock suchashorses,sheep,cows, beefcattle,and Indian corn,oats,potatoes,hops,hay, butter, aswell century, farms grew larger andincludedcropsofwheat, grains, suchaswheatandcorn,ororchards.Bymid-19th family farms producingavariety ofcrops,amongthem curred inthatindustryover thelast250years. reflects itsagriculturalrootsandthechangesthatoc- acter. Muchofthe Township’s historicarchitecture ture doescontinuetodominatethelocallandscapechar- the 1950’s. While notnearlyassignificant today, agricul- T Commerce o wnship: 5cordwainers, 2carpenters,tanners,ma- Agriculture was oneofthemostimportantindustries In 1865,oneofthecountry’s first platinumrefineries Blacksmith andwheelwright operations,inns,and Mills wereanimportantindustryinthe Township In theearly1900’s Dr. Thomas G. Ashton of The agriculturalevolution began with18th-century In 1796,thefollowing tradeswererepresentedinthe T ownship fromtheperiod offirst settlementuntil

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 15 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage16 16 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania early 20thcenturystyles. of theseexceptions aretestamentstothelate19th and Kent House,designedintheGeorgian Revival style.Both gables andbitsofbargeboard; anotheristhe A. Atwater torian Harvey Garrethouse,withitsGothiccrossed- from themoreutilitarianexamples. Oneistheframe Vic- utilitarian. Onlyafew significant historichousesvary rials werelocallyobtainedandplansmodest size demandedandeconomicprosperitypermitted.Mate- which startedwithmodeststonecoresandgrew asfamily can becharacterizedasPennsylvania additive farmhouses the Township’s massive stone“Pennsylvania” bankbarns. lar architecturedatingfrom1720.Mostnote Architecture velopment rights”programs. come eligibleforbothStateandCounty“purchaseofde- Agricultural Security Area isrequiredforfarmers tobe- through thepower of eminent domain.Membershipinan cult forstateandlocalagenciestoacquirethefarmland their farming practices;inaddition,itmakes itmorediffi- Area protectsfarmers fromordinancesthatwould restrict owners. Includingfarmland inan Agricultural Security ily contiguous,maybeincludedattherequestofland - fifty (250)ormoreacresofviablefarmland, notnecessar- tural Security Area initsmunicipality. Two hundredand authorized aboroughortownship toestablishan Agricul- County’s Agricultural LandsPreservation Program. The owners ofthisfarm have alsoparticipatedinChester farming bythesamefamily forover onehundredyears. Commonwealth asaCenturyFarm tohonorcontinuous Meeting Room. Township forthefirst permanent Township Office and Willisbrook Farm, deededlandandabuilding tothe disastrous fire in1943. Abbot’s DairyinPhiladelphia. The herdwas soldaftera Delchester joinedotherdairyfarms insellingdirectlyto obtained fromotherfarmers) locally. Inthe1940’s, and was distributing milkitproduced(aswellas horse breeding,hadshifteditsmajorfocustodairying By the1930’s, DelchesterFarm, whilemaintainingits tial efforts centeringonPercheronhorsesandsomecattle. at Del-ChesterStockFarm alongRidley Creek,withini- Many oftheresidential structuresinthe Township Willistown hasasplendidcollectionofruralvernacu- In 1981theStateLegislature adopted Act 43which In 1996, Willisbrook Farm was designatedbythe On October2,1909,CharlesE.Coxe, theowner of Ashton establishedamodelhorsebreedingoperation w orthy are the NationalRe Historic Resources andDistricts the the southernpartof Township demonstrate amorein- of landinthisandotherportions ofthe Township. organizations have contributed greatlytothepreservation tions of Willistown and many ofitspartnerconservation comes moredeveloped andauto-oriented.Clearly, theac- is ararejewel, especiallyasthebroaderlandscapebe- visual intrusionsarerare.Intoday’s world, thislandscape that hasmaintaineditshistoricintegrity. Signsandother and trueto Willistown’s ruralroots. This isalandscape White Horse,andOkehocking. Buildingsareoftenold from oneanotherexcept inthevillagesofSugartown, portion ofthe Township arefew andwidelyseparated as aleadingindustryendedinthe1950’s. ship’s rurallandscapecharactereven though agriculture Township. These landscontinuetoperpetuatethe Town- preserved throughoutthesouthernportionof Willistown poses. Substantialacreagehasbeenpermanently tament totheenduringuseoflandforagriculturalpur- largest usesoflandin Willistown Township andareates- Town ship’s landarea. Agricultural/rural usesremainthe prise approximately5,242.91acres(44.86%)ofthe and/or large residentialuses (over 6acresperunit)com- and sustainavery rurallandscape. Thus active farming ship, thenatureoflarge farming operationsisto create only ahandfuloffarmers stilloperate withinthe Town- north (seeMap1:ExistingLandUse,2008). Although the development ofmarkets andrailtransportationinthe 3.3.1 3.3 |Land UsePatterns is anadvisoryagency tothe Township. XXIX ofChapter139,Zoning. The HistoricCommission Township’s HistoricPreservation Ordinance, Article ing withthe Township’s planningconsultanttodraftthe planning efforts suchasthisand,inrecentyears,work- helping topreserve the Township’s resourcesthrough charged withgatheringinfor mation, documenting,and Register. Okehocking, and White Horse,arelistedontheNational above, however, threehistoricdistricts,Sugartown, T The Township hasnoindividual resourceslistedon The landusepatternsin Willistown Township reflect It mustbenotedthattheland usesalongRoute3in In additiontobeingfairly open,buildings intherural The Willistown Township HistoricCommissionis ownship’s rural,agri cultural originsinthesouthand Gen eral Description of Land Uses gister ofHistoricPlaces. As mentioned Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:39 PM Page 17

MAP 1

front Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:39 PM Page 18

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back Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage19 sity ishigherandhousesareclosertooneanother, the residential developments, particularlythosewhereden- predominantly residentialinnature. Within many ofthese between one-halfacreandtwo acres),thelandusesare between 1950and1970. Although lotsaresmaller(often more suburban, reflectingthe Township’s growth period these viewsheds aretobepreserved inthefuture. corridor anditscontinuedvigilancewillbeneededif tributed totheprotectionofviewsheds alongtheRoute3 the Township’s energy andvisionthathave largely con- encroach ontheruralheartof Township. Ithasbeen placed ontheextent towhichsuchusesarepermitted that accessiscarefullymanaged,andlimitsare ensure thatsuchusesdonotoverwhelm adjacentlands, corridor. However, the Township hastaken greatpainsto sity residentialuseswilllikely bedrawn tothisaccessible Where permitted,additionalcommercialandhigherden- uses (suchasrestaurants)andtownhouse complexes. Pike. Nevertheless, Route3containsisolated commercial though notatthesamelevel asdoesRoute30orPaoli tensely developed patternthandoestheruralheart,al- Total Roads Parkland Commercial Industrial Institutional (Public) Institutional (Semi-public) Multifamily Residential (<1acre) Residential (1-2acres) Agricultural/Residential (2-4acres) Agricultural/Residential (4-6acres) Agricultural/Residential (6+acres) Land Use Heading northtoward Paoli Pike, landusebecomes 170(0% 170(0% 11,770(100%) 11,770(100%) 11,770 (100%) ce % ce % Acres(%) Acres(%) Acres (%) 9019 2008 1995 1980 1,200 (10.2) ,9 5.)637(5.)5,242.91(44.86) 6,387(54.2) 6,590 (55.9) ,4 1.)169(44 1,576.15(13.49) 1,689(14.4) 1,640 (13.9) 280 (2.4) 1 69 ,1 1.)1,341.62(11.48) 1,218(10.4) 810 (6.9) 5 38 ,1 1.)550.88(4.71) 1,211(10.3) 450 (3.8) 510 (4.3) 70 (0.6) 0(.)9 07)106.50(0.91) 90(0.76) 70 (0.6) 60 (0.5) 0(.)12(.8 418.81(3.58) 162 (1.38) 60 (0.5) 30 (0.2) 1980, 1995,and2008 Table 3-1:SummaryofLand UsesinWillistownTownship, Malvern isstronglyorientedtovehicular traffic. found. LandadjacenttoRoute30andPaoli Pike eastof transportation centers,andquasi-industrialusesare of densityandvariety oflanduses.Commercial,retail, Borough, landusesareeven moreinten se, bothinterms of Devon RoadandPaoli Pike onbothsidesofMalvern ticularly aroundMalvern BoroughandnearPaoli. North characterized assuburban andurbaninsomeplaces,par- is morevaried andintensethanthatinthesouth.Itis tract fromtheresidentialcharacter, but contribute toit. tional, orreligiouspurposes.Suchusesdonottendtode- the Township areoftenutilizedforinstitutional,educa- town Acres, amongothers.Large parcelsintheseareasof clude Paoli Manor, RonniePark, Stonehenge,and Willis- the 1980GuidelinesforGrowth; suchneighborhoodsin- ship was describedasacommunityofneighborhoodsin sense ofcommunityisstrong.Infact, Willistown Town- Land useinthenorthernmostportionof Township 3(.2 188.42(1.61) 73 (0.62) 3(.2 579.64 (4.96) 73 (0.62) 8(.3 48.18 (0.41) 38 (0.33) 5 64 863.56(7.39) 755 (6.4) 1(.)415.82(3.56) 71 (0.6) 355.63(3.04) —

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 19 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage20 20 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania ing acreagesmayreduceinconsistenciesinthefuture. always beanissuealthoughtheuse ofGISforcalculat- slight differences indatasets. This typeofvariation may ing usedfrom1980to2008mayhave contributed to development inselectzoningdistricts. use ofoverlay provisions thatprovide for higherdensity (where applicable),changesinzoningcategories, andthe is likely attributable toseveral things:simplesubdivision (1-2 acres),residential(<1acre),andmultifamily]. This categories [agricultural/residential(4-6acres),residential tent withincreasesinlandallocatedtootherresidential attributable toagricultural/residential(6+acres)consis- quisitions suchastheOkehocking Preserve). 1995 to2008(muchofwhichisattributable torecentac- Also worth notingisthelarge jumpinparklandfrom Township’s efforts toprovide afair shareofsuch uses). mercial purposes(agoodindicationofthesuccess has seenincreasesinlandusedforindustrialandcom- category from1995to2008.Furthermore,the Township tion hereisattributed toaslightincreaseinlandforthis 1995, followed byaslight increasein2008. The explana- the declineininstitutional(public)landfrom1980to two categories in1995. Another interestinganomalyis this anomalyisthemisallocationofacreagesforthese both categories for2008. The mostlikely explanation for bases indicatesamuchcloserallocationofacreagein current GISdataassembledfromlocalandcountydata- a declineinresidential<1acre,thoroughevaluation of ing toexplain thisasapartialconsolidationoflotsdueto marked increasefrom1980to1995;althoughitistempt- For example, theresidential1-2acrecategory shows a to morefullyunderstandwhatlandistruly“vacant.” developed fromundeveloped oruncommittedlandsinorder ties. Map8:ProtectedandDeveloped Landsdifferentiates been openlandonlarger agricultural/residentialproper- between whathadbeenlabeled“vacant” andwhathad location isthatitbecamecleartherenorealdistinction tural/Residential category. The mainreasonforthisreal- of whathadbeencalled“vacant land”intothe Agricul- 2008. Onedistinctionfromthelastplanisallocation Land Usesin Willistown Township, 1980,1995,and It shouldalsobenotedthatthemethodsofaccount- In general,the Township hasseenadeclineinland Changes inothercategories alsowarrant explanation. It isusefultolookcloselyat Table 3-1:Summaryof opment asthescarcityof“greenfields” intensifies. is likely the Township willexperience increasedredevel- remaining uncommittedlandsdeveloped; furthermore, it sures intensifyregionally, Willistown willlikely seeits minished greatlyinrecentyears. As development pres- land (potentiallyavailable forfuturedevelopment) hasdi- as such,the Township’s uncommittedorundeveloped up alarge percentageofthe Township’s overall landarea; whole, landeitherprotectedoralreadydeveloped makes voluntary donationofconservation easements. Taken asa ership (suchastheOkehocking Preserve) orthroughthe Township, issetasideasopenspace,eitherthroughown- ship land,particularlyinthesouthernportionof tain adialoguewithlocalinstitutionsinthefuture. opment proposals,the Township would dowelltomain- planning efforts suchasthiscannotanticipatedevel- owned byBrynMawr RehabilitationHospital). While the residentialdevelopment approved on landsformerly been presentedtothe Township recently(mostnotably, portions oftheirland.Infact, proposals like thishave seek toeasefinancial woes bysellingoff ordeveloping ficult economictimes,someoftheseinstitutionsmay land, yetmaybesignificantly under-utilized. Duringdif- pacting landscapecharacter. They occupy large parcelsof neighbors. neighbors toenjoy. Suchinstitutionstendtobegood properties “green”,andbymakingavailable to cient propertymaintenance,keeping large portionsof enhance qualityoflifeforneighborsbyensuringsuffi- not diminishneighborhoodcharacter. Rather, they often Sugartown schools. White ManorCountryClub,andtheGeneral Wayne and School, theRadnorHuntClub, Villa Maria Academy, the bertine Seminary, Paoli MemorialHospital,Phelps Hospital, Daylesford Abbey, theDevereux School,Nor- and LiabilityUnderwriters,BrynMawr Rehabilitation 1960’s. Usesincludethe American InstituteforProperty gory appearstohave increasedsubstantiallyduringthe counted forthelargest proportionoflanduses. This cate- than residentialoragriculturaluses,institutionalusesac- T Notable Land Uses 3.3.2 o wnship. Infact, priorplanningefforts notethatother It shouldbenotedthatasignificant amountof Town- Yet theselandusesalsohave greatpotentialforim- As notedabove, mostoftheseinstitutionalusesdo Many insti tutional usesarelocatedwithin Willistown Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage21 the rateofgro during that50-yearperiod.Onadecade-to-decadebasis, are asfollows: 2000, includingtherateofgrowth duringeachdecade, with adiminishingreservoir ofdevelopable land. its neighboringmunicipalitiesasamaturingcommunity places Willistown inacomparablepositiontoseveral of tion hasbecomemoremoderateandlessvolatile. This the U.S.Censusfor1990and2000,growth inpopula- lost population.Morerecently, asreflectedindatafrom city fromPaoli. Duringthe1970’s, the Township actually banization, spurredinthiscasebyrailaccesstocenter town’s northernendfelttheimpactsofpost-war subur- modest populationbasemorethandoubled,as Willis- gain of7,302residentsrepresentedagro substantial populationincrease.Bytheyear2000,itsnet Population Growth Population Analysis 3.4.1 3.4 |Demographic Profile Census figures forthe Township throughtheyear Since 1950, Willistown Township hasexperienced a wth hasfluctuated.Inthe1950’s, arather wth rateof270% Figure 3-1:WillistownTownship Population,1950-2000 for WillistownTownship Table 3-2:PopulationGrowthandPercentageRateof and WillistownTownship Table 3-3:RateofGrowth inChesterCounty Willistown Township asfollows: ments theoverall rateofgrowth inChesterCountyand Location 2000 1990 1980 1970 1960 1950 Year Willistown Township Chester County For theperiod1960-2000,U.S.Censusdocu- Percentage Number (%) 10,011 (9.4) 9,380 (13.2) 6,492 (139.6) 2,709 65% 8,282 (-9.2) 9,128 (40.6) 106%

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 21 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage22 22 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania County, WillistownandNeighboringCommunities Table 3-4:PopulationGrowth andRateofGrowthforChester • Daylesford Abbey Property–55dwellingunits • Applebrook Meadows –144dwellingunits tion, includethefollowing: building permitshave notyetbeenobtainedateachloca- and thenumberofadditionaldwellingunitsforwhich approved dwellingunits. Tracts thatareinthissituation, have yettosecurebuilding permitsforsomeorany ofthe ment applicationsthathave received final approval but the extent ofresidential subdivision andlanddevelop- estimated currentpopulationof10,797. the estimated2007populationof10,741,producingan permits couldbeexpected toaddanincrementof56 2000 Census),thenew dwellingsrepresentedbythese an average householdsizeof2.55(asreportedinthe Township issuedpermitsfor22new residentialunits. At as follows: Willistown, anditsneighboring municipalitiescompare amounts andratesofpopulationgrowth intheCounty, estly outpacingMalvern, Easttown and Tredyffrin. The land (alongwithChesterCountyasawhole)whilemod- growth rates,wellbehindCharlestown and East White- Chester Countymunicipalneighborswithrespectto 2007) place Willistown roughlyinthemiddleofits Chester CountyPlanningCommissionestimatesfor (based onU.S.Censusinformationfrom2000and oain19 00%nraeJl 07%Increase Tredyffrin July2007 Malvern 433,501 %Increase East Whiteland 2000 Easttown 376,736 Charlestown Willistown 1990 Chester County Location One otherindicatorofpotentialpopulationgrowth is Between January2007andNovember 2008,the Population changesforthemostrecenttwo decades 28,028 2,944 9,380 9,570 8,398 2,754 29,062 10,270 10,011 3,059 4,051 9,333 90–00(siae 2000–2007 (estimate) 1990 –2000 Table 3-5:WillistownTownship PopulationDensity them arethefollowing: time andwiththepopulationofChesterCounty. Among residents, aswelltheabilitytomake comparisonsover Charlestown (270personspersq.mi.),Easttown (1,252), tion densitiesamong Willistown’s neighborsincluded southern area.For purposesofcontext, the2000popula- the relatively densenorthern sectorandthefar lessdense that the Township’s overall populationdensityconsistsof recreation facilities. Inthatregard, itcontinuestobetrue plan, ithasabearingonsuchmattersasplanningfor population growth. As notedinthe1997 comprehensive depiction ofav Population Characteristics a 4.6%increaseinthecurrentlyestimated Township total. would yieldanadditionalpopulationincrementof507,or Applying thecurrent2.55average householdsize,this these tracts,atotalof199new residenceswould result. 5. 515.4 1990 455.2 1980 This measurecanbeseenasasurrogatefortracking Data fromthe2000U.S.Censusoffer astatistical If allapproved dwellingunitsareeventually built on (persons persq.mile;18.5mi.total) Township PopulationDensity 47.1 15.2 11.1 9.4 3.9 3.7 7.3 ariety ofaspectsthe 486,345 28,948 10,493 10,741 10,581 3,099 6,352 2000 4. 580.6 541.1 Township’s (estimate) 2007 56.8 12.2 -0.4 13.4 2.2 7.3 1.3 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage23 Table 3-8:WillistownTownship PopulationByAgeGroup Table 3-6:WillistownTownship PopulationbyRace population in2000. age composition,andeducationlevels ofthe Township (1,460). East Whiteland (778),Malvern (2,549),and Tredyffrin sa,PcfcIlne 2(.)149 (1.5) 72(0.8) Other Asian, PacificIslander Black (%) White 2000 by Race Population (%) Township 1990 2yasadoe 1,907 7,463 62 yearsandover 7,668 21 yearsandover 18 yearsandover 90 516 968 85 yearsandover 552 75 to84years 721 65 to74years 60 to64years 1,756 55 to59years 1,638 989 45 to54years 278 35 to44years 602 25 to34years 703 20 to24years 15 to19years 589 10 to14years 5 to9years Under 5years The following dataoffer asnapshotoftheethnicity, Township Population by Agegroup,2000 609 ,1 9.)9,618(96.1) 9,117 (97.2) 8 20 225(2.2) 184 (2.0) 01 49(0.4) 7 (0.1) 76.6% 19.0% 16.4% 74.5% 17.5% 0.9% 6.0% 9.9% 7.0% 9.7% 2.8% 7.2% 5.9% 6.1% 5.2% 5.5% Willistown Township Table 3-7:HispanicorLatinoPopulationinChesterCounty and eventually have someimpactonthistrend. that hasemerged duringthepasttwo decadesshould housing in Willistown, theincreasedhousingdiversity relate with,andquitelikely areattributable to,thecostof Township. While the Township percentagesseemtocor- 21-and-over (%),and62-and-over (%)withthoseofthe when comparingtheCounty’s cohortsof18-and-over figures isactuallywidening. This isfurtherborneout than ChesterCounty’s, but thedifference betweenthetwo ship’s populationnotonlyhasamedianagethatisolder tion from Table 3-6 presents different, but notmutuallyexclusive, informa- Cuban, orother),andnotrace.Inthisway, Table 3-7 the basisofnationalorigin(i.e.,Mexican, PuertoRican, 6.2%; Asian, Pacific Islander, 2.0%;Other, 1.4%. across thesegroupsasfollows: White, 89.2%;Black, Chester County Willistown Township Figure 3-2:WillistownTownship Population,byagegroup, 2000 Census datamake clearthat,since1980,the Town- The HispanicorLatinopopulationisrecognizedon In 2000,ChesterCounty’s populationwas distributed Hispanic orLatinoPopulation (of anyrace)2000 . 16,126 (3.7%) 81 (0.8%) (%),

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 23 Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:39 PM Page 24

24 Not unexpectedly, educational levels attained by Median Age 1980 1990 2000 Willistown residents exceeded those of Chester County in 2000. For the County’s population, 89.3% Willistown 34.7 years 39.4 years 42.8 years were high school graduates, 42.5% had a bachelor’s Township degree, and 15.9% had a graduate or professional de- Chester 30.5 years 33.8 years 37.0 years County gree. Population Forecasts Table 3-9: Median Age for Chester County and Willistown Township Forecasts of municipal population are prepared pe- riodically by the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Township Population by Gender, 2000 Commission in collaboration with the Chester County Planning Commission. The most current Male 4,841 48.4% forecasts are based on the 2000 U.S. Census data, and take account of birth, death, and migration rates, Female 5,170 51.6% as well as land use regulations and anticipated future development. The DVRPC/CCPC forecasts to the Table 3-10: Willistown Township Population By Gender year 2035 for Willistown and its neighboring municipalities, and for the County as a whole, This distribution of the Township’s population in are as follows in Table 3-12. 2000 was only slightly at variance with Chester County’s, in which males comprised 49.1% and females 50.9%. Consistent with the estimated populations for 2007, the rate of growth in Willistown’s population to 2035 is expected to lag well behind that of Township Population Charlestown, East Whiteland, and Chester County as Educational Attainment, 2000 a whole, but to remain generally compatible with rates in Easttown, Malvern, and Tredyffrin. These High school graduate or higher 95.3%

willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania county | chester township willistown forecasts serve as one benchmark in the development Bachelor’s degree or higher 56.6% of future land use policies in Chapter 5, where they can be examined in comparison to the results of a Graduate or professional degree 22.8% build-out analysis.

Table 3-11: Educational Attainment in Willistown Township, 2000

Location 2000 2020 2035 Change (#,%) 2000–2035 Willistown 10,011 11,580 12,149 2,138 (21.4%) Charlestown 4,051 7,505 8,944 4,893 (120.8%) Easttown 10,270 11,506 12,577 2,307 (22.5%) East Whiteland 9,333 11,844 13,173 3,840 (41.1%) Malvern 3,059 3,358 3,603 544 (17.8%) Tredyffrin 29,062 30,983 32,778 3,716 (12.8%) Chester County 433,501 557,623 622,498 188,997 (43.6%)

Table 3-12: Population Forecasts for Chester County, Willistown and Neighboring Communities Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage25 direction. above, thedwellingunitmixisstillmoving inthat demand for, inthiscase,townhouse dwellings. As noted makeup offamilies inthe Township, leadingtogreater sive plandocumenteddeparturesfromthetraditional enhanced mixofdwellingtypes. The 1997comprehen- and composition,whichlargely isaconsequenceofits ongoing diversification in Willistown’s householdsize mix ofunits,o 3.4.2 Housing Analysis Table 3-13:Average HouseholdSizeinWillistownTownship hse .027 2.70 2.55 2.70 2000 2.73 1990 County Chester 2.90 1980 Township Willistown 3.08 Location Table 3-15:WillistownTownship HousingStock Housing Units Population These comparative figures offer anotherlookatthe The following informationrelatestohousinggrowth, Average HouseholdSize Township Population andHousingUnitGrowth,1980-2006 (persons perhousehold) wnership andv by MixofDwellingUnits alue. 9020 06%Change 2006 2000 1980 8,282 2,745 Mobile home Apartment Townhouse Single-family detached by %mixofdwellingunittypes,1980–2000 10,011 3,932 Township HousingStock at alessprecipitousrate. permits issuedsince2000,thistrendshouldcontinuebut shown inSubsection3.4.2,below. Basedonthebuilding ding increaseinthediversity ofthehousingstock,as Willistown continuestobeattributable tothecorrespon- The steadydeclineinaverage householdsizein (estimate) 9019 2000 1990 1980 10,687 4,412 Table 3-14:WillistownTownship Population 89 — 8 3 and HousingUnitGrowth 81 15 3 1 60.7% 29% — 21 75 4

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 25 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:39PMPage26 26 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania tors ofcertaineconomiccharacteristics Profile Economic 3.4.3 Table 3-16:WillistownTownship RateofHomeOwnership income levels. travel totheirplaceofemployment, andselecteddataon occupations, themeansbywhichemployed residents Township residents. These includetypesandlocationsof stood at76.3%. Among Willistown’s neighbors,only ing stock.County-widein2000,thehomeownership rate tion oftownhouse units, andnotapartments,tothehous- continuing upward trendappearsattributable to theaddi- the owner-occupancy ofitsdwellingunits.Recently, this increase. ing stockrepresentedbytownhouses continuesto 2006 dataoffer clearevidence thattheshareofhous- dwelling unitsfortheperiod2000-2003,but the2004- detached. The Countydatadonotincludethemixofnew were townhouse unitsandtheremaining23single-family 2006, 217new dwellingunitswereadded;ofthese,194 of 12.4%forthesix-yearperiod.For theyears2004- ship. This representsarateofgrowth inthehousing stock 480 new residentialunitswerebuilt in Willistown Town- by theChesterCountyPlanningCommission,atotalof Chester CountyDepartmentof Assessment asprepared 87.4% 1980 Farming, fishing,andforestryoccupations Construction, extraction,and maintenanceoccupations Production, transportation,andmaterialmovingoccupations Service occupations Sales andofficeoccupations Management, professional,andrelatedoccupations Data fromthe2000U.S.Censusalsoprovide indica- The Willistown communityremainsfirmly basedin During theperiod2000-2006,basedondatafrom Township HousingStock Rate ofhomeownership 88.7% 1990 W illistown 89.1% 2000 for-sale rateat0.8%andtherental8.4%. also was widelydivergent onthebasis of tenure,withthe 4.0% of1990and3.9%in1980. The 2000vacancy rate all vacancy rateof3.2%constitutesadeclinefromthe be forseasonal,recreational,oroccasionaluse. The over- Within thisgroupof126units,17(0.4%)weredeemedto 96.8% wereoccupied,leaving avacancy rateof3.2%. lag. diversity amongfuture Township residents,continuesto residents. “Affordability,” asavehicle toattractgreater fordable, itisattributable totheincomelevels ofcurrent point that,totheextent residencesinthe Township areaf- County’s medianof$146,000. The 1997planmakes the home in Willistown was $155,000,ascomparedtothe Growth Data provided inthe Township’s 1997 owner-occupied dwellingunitsin2000was $182,500. home ownership. Charlestown Township, at92.2%,hadahigherrateof Units Table 3-17:WillistownTownship MedianValue ofOwner-Occupied tions: total work forcewas comprisedofthefollowing occupa- (3.8% ofthecivilian laborforce)wereunemployed. This Of these,4,898wereemployed; while193individuals and older, 5,091(63.8%)wereinthecivilian laborforce. Median valueofowner-occupiedunits Among allhousingunitsinthe Township in2000, For ChesterCountyasawhole,themedianvalue of Among the Township’s 7,983residentsaged16years 2000 show that,in1991,themediansalepriceofa Township HousingStock Table 3-18:WillistownTownship Workforce Occupations 2,749 1,291 284 196 359 10 Guidelines for $211,800 26.4% 56.1% 4.0% 0.4% 5.8% 7.3% Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:39 PM Page 27

Census data reported 4,785 workers 27 who described their commute to work Car/truck/van, drove alone 4,001 83.6% according to the following options: Car/truck/van, carpooled 319 6.7% Public transportation 163 3.4%

Walked 54 1.1% Other means 5 0.1% Worked at home 243 5.1%

The mean travel time to work was 25.4 minutes. Table 3-19: Willistown Township Workforce In 1999, a total of 50 Willistown families were re- Commuting Options ported to be in poverty status; of these, 39 included chil- dren under age 18. It is important to note that although the Township’s median household income is higher than the County’s, more than 60% of the Township’s popula- tion has household income of under $100,000.

Household income, 1999

<$50,000 $50,000 –$99,999 $100,000 and greater Median

Chester County $65,295 Willistown Township 31.1% 30.6% 38.4% $77,555 guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan | 2011 comprehensive growth for guidelines

Table 3-20: Willistown Township Household Income

3.5 | Demographic Implications for Planning the automobile and affect land use in the coming years. Willistown Township remains a healthy community. The Township’s 1997 Guidelines for Growth identi- The potential to expand employment opportunities is di- fied the “global i zation” of the national economy and the rectly related to a well educated population and while the uncertainty instilled in many workers regarding job secu- Township’s population is certainly aging, the historic rity and long term earning potential. Clearly the current trend towards valuing education continues. Other advan- financial crisis and its reverberations around the world at- tages exist as well, including: proximity to Philadelphia test both to the fragility of global markets and the poten- with its social opportunities and regional transportation tial for greater cooperation in the years to come. systems (which appear slated for improvements in the Nevertheless, financial uncertainty today continues to coming years); modest yet still significant additions to the leave many workers unsure of their job stability. In 1997, Township’s housing stock, particularly those units geared the first wave of “baby boomers” was turning 50; clearly to the aging population and young professionals; and a that generation is now contemplating retirement, large population of adults (generally a stable, responsible, although under unanticipated and disquieting conditions committed, and involved population group). for many. In 1997, Guidelines for Growth addressed areas in We have seen and will continue to see rapid changes which Willistown’s then-current and projected demo- in technology that promise to change the way we work, graphic trends could have potential implications for the play, and relate to the world. In addition, the high cost of Township’s future. Each of these has taken a distinct fossil fuels and their impact on air quality and contribu- course over the intervening years and forms the basis for tions to climate change will surely influence our use of future trends. Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage28 28 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania .. Imbalance Between Demographics 3.5.2 vance, aswell. which thisplandealsshouldretainmuchoftheirrele- land use,andtheprovision ofservicesandfacilities with period, andthustheissuesofresourceprotection,future looking atastagnationofitsresidentpopulationover this over the2000population.Clearly, the Township isnot appear plausible. This would constitutea21.4%increase 12,149 as Willistown’s 2035population,therefore,would growth now beingexperienced. The DVRPC forecastof continue tofacilitate themoderaterateofpopulation dwelling typesotherthansingle-family detached,should and especiallythecontinuallyexpanding availability of of bottomingout. The netincreaseinthehousingstock, 2.73 personsto2.55duringthatdecade),but gave signs age householdsizealsocontinuedthrough2000(from precipitous thanwas anticipated. The reductioninaver- ulation; theslopeofdecline,however, hasproven less County PlanningCommission’s estimateofthe2007pop- tinue tobeastrength. dant robust levels ofcommunity involvement shouldcon- barometer ofthe Township’s stablepopulationandatten- new unitswilllikely beowner-occupied, thistraditional uses withinitsborders. And, asthegreatmajorityof choices helpthe Township meetits“fair share”ofsuch tle realisticopportunity. Furthermore,additionalhousing sumers forwhom Willistown previously offered very lit- adults, first-time homebuyers, andotherhousingcon- policy, shouldbettermeettheneeds ofdownsizing older from market forces and Township landuseregulatory panded andmorevaried housingchoices,resultingboth in 1997now appears much morewithinreach. The ex- Township’s housingstockthatwas offered asanobjective rently approved but unbuilt plans,thediversity inthe as townhouses, andwith thatsamepatternmarkingcur- 2007). With thevast majorityoftherecentdwellingunits to outpacepopulationgrowth (estimatedat7.3%through growth inhousingunits (12.4%through2006)continued 3% in1980to21%2000.Sincethen,therateof townhouses asacomponent ofthehousingstock,from The 2000Censusdocumentedthecontinuedincreasein gro Growth in Population 3.5.1 demand andsupplyseemstoha wth w an The anticipatedslowdown in Willistown’s rateof Seen asaproblemin1997,thefit betweenhousing d Ho as verified bythe2000CensusandChester using Stock v e improved sincethen. .. Other Potential Implications for 3.5.5 are examined ingreaterdetailSection6.13. tions, youthleagueprograms,andthelike. T ied recreationopportunities,includingactive sportsop- more diverse population,however, willdesiremorevar- other formsofpassive recreationwillremainessential. A ship’s provision of,andcontinuedplanningfor, trailsand part, byprivate andnon-profit fitness facilities, the Town- tality, andmobility.” While theseneedswillbemet,in rather prescient,b Digital Revolution 3.5.3 nance, maybestrained. eral/state fundingforroad improvements andmainte- the Township, includingtheearnedincome taxandfed- sist forany extended period,revenue sourcesimportantto mixed-use environment. commutation andthevibrancy ofapedestrian-friendly, tion. This, inturn,shouldyieldbenefits inreducedauto contribute tothediversification of Willistown’s popula- • Improvements inandaroundthePaoli railstationcould positions accordingly. affirmatively itdesirestofacilitate themandtake policy these changes,the Township maywishtoexamine how near-term data(e.g.,the2010Census)donotcorroborate ing availability atrelatively affordable prices.If,however, cult housingmarket andthepotentialforincreasedhous- term, suchatrendmaybefurtherstimulatedbythediffi- Township’s futurepopulationarefavorable. Intheshort age, incomele • As noted,theprospectsforincreaseddiversity inthe the questofbaby-boomersto“maintaintheirener Increasingly HealthConscious Population3.5.4 to work fromhomeseveral daysaweek. to begiven tothoseworkers permittedand/orencouraged its accommodation.Furthermore,considerationwillneed too, the Township willlikely needtocontinuallyexamine vice technologyareundergoing rapidchangeand,here, require periodicreview. Cellphoneandotherwirelessde- tory languageinthatregard hasreceived andislikely to has expanded among Willistown’s residents,andregula- the time. The pursuitofhomeoccupationsundoubtedly has perhapsbeenlessacceleratedthanw • Ifcurrenteconomicandemployment uncertaintiesper- T The 1997discussionofthisimpendingtrendwas As predicted,onemanifestationofthisawareness is o wnship Policy v els, andfamily structuresamongthe ut thepaceofchangeinthisdirection as perceived at hese issues gy , vi- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage29

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 29 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage30 30 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania encourage theconserv • Continuetodevelop techniquesbywhichto guideand conservation designprinciplesthatmaximizethe • Encouragecreative andinnovative siteplanningusing recharge/supply areas,steepslopes,etc. lands, habitatareas,surface water andgroundwater the Township, e.g.woodlands andothervegetation, wet- • Reexamine prioritiesfor theconservation of landwithin necti protecting community values: goal 1 Chapter 4 . |General Policies for Preserving 4.1 | and neigh bor hoods andhousingstock. resources, includinglocallandmarks,parksandtrails, water, soils,vegetation andwildlife,historiccultural such issuesasnaturaltopography, ground water, surface ecologically sensitive. Resource-basedpoliciesaddress ter, arelimitedandirre place able, orwhichare ron mental featureswhicheitherenhancetheruralcharac - emphasize protectingthosenaturalandman-madeenvi- Environmental Resources Plan. for Growth andthe1993OpenSpace, Recreation, and on theinformationcontainedinboth1997Guidelines recreation planning. As such,thischaptergreatlyexpands management, environmental resourceprotection,and planning documentorientedtotheprovision ofgrowth date thoseplansandmeldthemintoonecohesive growth ofthesepastplanning efforts, itsmissionistoup- this version of used forthischapterfromthe1993planningeffort. While 1997 plandirectlyextracted muchoftheinformation ation, andEnvironmental Resources Plan followed ontheheelsof1993 able, and/orareecologicallysensitive. and man-maderesourceswhicharelimitedirreplace- Protection efforts shouldbeconcentratedonthosenatural values andqualityoflife Township residentsholddear. man-made environments asafunctionofthecommunity goals istoprotectthequalityof Willistown’s naturaland General policiesforprotectingcommunityvalues The Township’s 1997comprehensive planningeffort The first of Willistown’s threefundamentalplanning vity. and Natural Resources Envir o nmentally Sensitive Lands Guidelines forGrowth ation oflandandpromoteitscon- Open Space, Recre- is adirectout- . Infact, the ough ofMalvern, drainsintotheLittle Valley Creek. segment inthenortheastcornerwhichborders bor- Water Resources). A small portionofthe Township, that sources ofwater fordownstream urbanareas(seeMap2: le • Willistown Township falls withintheheadwaters ofRid- S 2. ExistingConditions/ Background riparian buffer areas),andgroundwater resources. ters areas,floodplains,wetlands,hydricsoils,and sources, whichincludesurf Continue topreserve andprotectthe Township’s water re- 1. R Water Resources 4.1.1 voluntary bodieshave thesupportandtoolsthey need. ing, workshops, andothertechniquesforensuringthese roles inamannerthatprotectsresources.Considertrain- cil andPlanningCommissioninappropriatelyfilling their • ContinuetosupporttheEnvironmental Advisory Coun- needed. ficacy ofregulatory provisions andupdaterefine as sources, areasofsteepslope,andwoodlands. Monitoref- such aswetlands,floodplainsandotherhydrologicalre- • Continuetoprotectindividual environmental resources proposals. sketch planreview ofsubdivision andlanddevelopment conservation anddevelopment alternatives duringthe ment. Assist propertyowners, asappro priate, withland for complementaryandaestheticallypleasingdevelop- bility indevelopment designtomeetcommunityneeds the siteasviewed fromadjacentroads;andensureflexi- lot configuration; preserve theintegral characteristics of unique natural,scenic,andhistoricsitefeaturesintothe greenways (interconnectedopenspace);incorporate open space,wildlifehabitat,biodiversity corridors,and hance significant concentrationsofnaturalresources, uate andmaintainsitehydrology;preserve and/oren- protection ofkey landandenvironmental resources;eval- u y andCrumCreeks,bothofwhichserv rface Water Resources esource-Based P olicy ace w ater resources(headwa- e assignificant Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 31

MAP 2 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 32

MAP 2 BACK Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage33 Guthrie, Wehadkee,and Worsham soils. town Township, alluvialsoilsaretheCalvert, Chewacla, ing events but probablefuture floodingevents. In Willis- periods oftime;alluvialsoilsindicatenotonlypastflood- from repeateddepositionoffloodwaters throughoutlong along streams). Alluvial soilsarethosethatresult events (the100-yearfloodisconsideredthebase flood areas consideredbyFEMAtobesusceptibleflooding Agency (FEMA)forthe FloodInsuranceProgram,are as mappedbytheFederalEmergency Management • Floodplainareas,inparticularthe100-yearfloodplain (TMDL) standardhasbeenapplied). only creektowhicha Total MaximumDailyLoad streams show someimpairments, theLittle Valley isthe concern ontheLittle Valley Creek(whileallthree Creek isdesignatedEV, pollutionhasbeen asourceof designated HighQuality(HQ). Although the Valley (HQ). The majorityoftheRidley Creekin Willistown is of theCreekin Township islistedasHighQuality most stringentwater qualitycriteria),whiletheremainder (the highestdesignationpossibleandtheonewith the CrumCreekisdesignatedasExceptional Value (EV) ment ofEnvironmental Protection. The West Branchof ity criteriaapply, have beenestablishedbythePA Depart- direct runoff thanarehigherorderstreams. ephemeral streams,thesestreamsaremoreimpactedby the Township. As first-order streamsarefedbyspringsor Creek, andoneorderoftheLittle Valley Creekexist in Four ordersoftheCrumCreek,two ordersoftheRidley which aremadeupofthird-order(andlower) tributaries. fourth-order streams,oftenreferredtoasmainstems, second order(andpossiblyfirst-order) tributaries; and order streamtributaries; third-orderstreams,whichhave discussed above; second-orderstreams,whichhave first- perennial streams,whichconstitutetheheadwater areas the U.S.GeologicalSurvey, consistsoffirst-order or sion, andrunoff. susceptible topollutionimpacts,sedimentationandero- areas recharge streamsduringperiodsoflow flow, but are potentially impactingdownstream users.Headwaters nificant impactsonthequalityofitssurface water, thus impacts (primarilyfromlandusepractices)willhave sig- comprises significant headwater areas,any man-induced porting healthyaquaticcommunities. As the Township ponds hasremainedrelatively highover theyears,sup- exist attheuppermostterminusofstreamcorridors. Headwaters areasincludespringsandmarsheswhich Water usedesignations,towhichcertainwater qual- Stream orderin Willistown Township, asmappedby The water qualityofthe Township’s streamsand pentine rock. As such,portionsoftheseareas have been resulted inrareflorabeing foundtoexist inareas of Ser- lacking inotheressentialnutrients. Suchlimitationshave enriched withmagnesium,chromium,andnickel, but years past. As serpentine bedrockweathers,itformssoils position andthefact thatthey wereheavily minedin drainage), areraregeologicformationsduetotheircom- sistant toweathering(andproviding goodsurface tial useatlow tomoderatedensities. of 15gallonsperminute,adequatefordomesticresiden- in theseformationshave beenfoundtoyieldanaverage ant toweathering,provide goodsurface drainage. Wells Xw). GabbroandGabbroicGneiss,whilehighlyresist- of Serpentine(Xs)and Gabbroic Gneiss(g)andGranite(gn),withbands • The Township isunderlainprimarilybyGabbro(g), Ground Water Resources aquatic organisms andother wildlife. tants, andprovide food,cover andthermalprotectionfor duce downstream transport oferodedsedimentandpollu- ecosystems, promotestabilizedstreambankswhichre- shade thatmaintainscoolwater forhealthyaquatic protect againststreambankerosionandtreeloss,provide move pollution-ladenrunoff fromenteringwater bodies, terrestrial environments; suchareasserve tofilter andre- land whichformsatransitionzonebetweenaquaticand sheds andstreamecosystems.Riparianareasconsistof years ascontributing significantly tothehealthofwater- • Riparianbuffer areashave becomerecognizedinrecent soils. the Calvert, Guthrie, Watchung, Wehadkee and Worsham bic) conditions.In Willistown Township, hydricsoilsare soils thathave beenformedundersaturated(oranaero- land areashave beenclassified ashydric soils,e.g.,those hydrologic regime, andvegetation. Soilstypicaltowet- eation ofwetlands;suchcriteriaarebasedonsoiltype, tection (PADEP) have establishedcriteriaforthedelin- and thePennsylvania DepartmentofEnvironmental Pro- terrestrial species. The U.S. Army CorpsofEngineers and provide habitatformany otherspeciesofaquaticand Wetlands alsoprovide importantnestingareasforbirds potentially entersstreamsandgroundwater aquifers. Furthermore, suchareashelpfilter andpurifyrunoff that age areasforsurface andgroundwater resources. vide significant wildlifehabitatandareimportantasstor- years fortheirimportantecologicalfunctions. They pro- • Wetlands have beenincreasinglyrecognizedinrecent The Township’s Serpentineformations,whilealsore- W issahickon formation(Xwcand

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 33 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage34 34 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania ological diversity, andaresourcesofdrinkingwater. pro ties forrecreation,helpmanageandchannelfloodw • Surface waters provide amenityvalue, offer opportuni- 3. BasisforPolicy water tested. of radon,residentsareencouragedtohave theirairand level. BecauseChesterCountytypicallyhas high levels below 4pCi/L;remedialactionissuggestedabove this 300 pCi/Lorlower). Indoor airbornelevels shouldbe or lower (publicwater suppliesshouldreducelevels to tems reduceradonlevels indrinkingwater to4,000pCi/L now, theEPA isrecommending thatindividual water sys- to radon-222mayalsobefoundingroundwater. As of should benotedthatotherisotopesofradiuminaddition seep throughbuilding foundationsintohomesasagas.It gas thatcanbefounddissolved ingroundwater orcan logic rockstructures.Radonisacolorlessandodorless the decayofradium,acommonelementinsoilsandgeo- pCi/L. Radonisanaturallyoccurringgasformedfrom pCi/L. The highestconcentration measuredwas 53,000 contained radon-222atconcentrationsgreaterthan5,000 300 pCi/L,andabout11percentofthewellssampled pled containedradon-222atconcentrationsgreaterthan (picocuries perliter). About 89percentofthewellssam- wells sampledthroughoutthecountywas 1,400pCi/L dian concentrationofradon-222ingroundwater from in ChesterCounty, Pennsylvania,” (USGS,1998)theme- Chester County. Inastudytitled“RadoninGround Water • Inrecentyears,radonhasbecomeanissueofconcernin prevent pollutionimpactstogroundwater. bance activities areanticipated. taken whendiggingorwhereotherkindsofearthdistur- such areasoftenindicateshiftsingeology, careshouldbe pose stabilityquestionsforbuilding foundations.Since more susceptibletogroundwater contaminationandmay that ofthesurroundingareas.Conversely, suchareasare zones, thegroundwater yieldsintheseareasmayexceed fault. Duetothepotentialforincreasedfracturesinfault yielding anaverage of75gallonswater perminute. weathering, provide gooddrainageandarecapableof (PNDI) (seediscussionbelow). placed onthePennsylvania NaturalDiversity Inventory vide habitatforaquaticandterrestriallife,enhancebi- As withany geologicstructure,caremustbetaken to The Township alsocontainsseveral dikes andone Wissahickon formationsaremoderatelyresistantto aters, tection, sourcewater protection,andintegrated water re- buffer protection, culturalandrecreationalresourcepro- nicipal level through stormwater management,riparian need toprotecttheresourcesofwatershed atthemu- sources ofeachwatershed.” These documentsindicatethe needs tobedoneprotectandrestorethewater re- ganizations, andotherstakeholders inunderstandingwhat “to assistmunicipalities,watershed andconservation or- CCWRA alsoprepared Watershed Action Plans (WAPs) ing forplannedgrowth. To assistwithimplementation, and otherstoprotectwater resourceswhileaccommodat- gies, criteria,andrecommendationsformunicipalities ity (CCWRA)in2002. The planoutlinesspecific strate- prepared bytheChesterCounty Water Resources Author- sources elementoftheCounty’s comprehensive plan sources protectioncomesfrom • Significant analysisofandguidelinesforwater re- health ofwatersheds andstreamecosystems. • Riparianbuffer areascontribute significantly to the ods ofprolongeddrought. could exceed available supplies,particularlyduringperi- without properplanning,suchareas’ groundwater needs water shouldmaintainlow tomoderatezoningdensities; jority ofthe Township, thoseareasnotserved bypublic water yield(average of15gallonsperminute)inthema- contribute toreductionsinstreamflow. Given ground drawals shouldnotexceed sustainablesuppliesor face andgroundwater resources.Groundwater with- • Withdrawals anddischarges ofwater directlyaffect sur- of naturalpatternsrunoff. impacted bylandusedevelopment andthemodification • Water qualityandquantitycanbedirectlyindirectly alteration ofthefloodway. sion, downstream sedimentation,andobstructionor ous safetyreasons—andtolimitthepotentialforero- should remainundeveloped andundisturbed—forobvi- undisturbed. To theextent possible,floodplainareas functions andshouldthereforeremainsubstantially Wetlands andhydricsoilsprovide importantecological impact causedbysedi mentation, erosion,andrunoff. • Headwaters areasshouldbeprotectedfromthenegative of life. tem vitaltothe Township’s longtermwelfare andquality water resourcesconstituteadynamic,interdependentsys- and contributes tostreamflow. Together, the Township’s • Groundwater isanimportantsourceofwater supply Watersheds, the water re- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage35 • In2007,the Township adoptednew stormwater man- Chapter 6. cussed inthecommunityfacilities andservicessectionof under Act 537, theSewage Facilities Planning Act, isdis- • The Township’s sewage facilities planning, asmandated Land Development Ordinance. quirements exist within the Township’s Subdivision and • Water supplytesting,distribution, andmaintenancere- nance. Township’s Subdivision andLandDevelopment Ordi- both surface andgroundwaters, areaddressedinthe • Individual sewage disposalsystems,apotentialthreatto vegetation doesnotexist. ing enhancementswheredisturbanceoccursornative tion, riparianareamanagementplansandselective plant- corridor identification, permitteduses,corridorprotec- These standards,containedintheEPO,govern riparian parian protectionbyenactingriparianbuffer regulations. • In2000,the Township recognizedtheimportanceofri- tection, isrequiredforallwetlandsinthe Township. within the Township’s EPO.Delineation,aswellpro- • Wetland delineationandprotection standardsalsoexist soils. prepared byFEMAorasotherwiseidentified byalluvial floodplain areaasdocumentedinFloodInsuranceStudies address thefloodway, theflood-fringe,andgeneral also partofthe Township’s EPO.Floodplainregulations • Willistown Township hasfloodplainregulations thatare woodlands, hydricsoils,andriparianbuffer areas. sions are:floodplains/floodways, wetlands,steepslopes, land. Naturalresourcesprotectedthroughtheseprovi- ratio toprotectedlandinordercalculatedevelopable visions requiretheapplicationofaresourceprotection such resourcesbyminimizingtheirdisturbance. The pro- through subdivision andlanddevelopment andprotects sess potentialimpactstosensiti (EPO), Chapter73,containsnet-outpro • The Township’s Environmental ProtectionOrdinance 4. Township PlanningandRegulation Today assist intherestorationofimpairedstreamsegments. to increasepublicaccessstreams,wherefeasible,and sources planning.Inaddition, Township’s areencouraged ve naturalresources visions thatas- contained intheEPOeven onthoselandsnotundergoing adhere tothemanagement and protectionstrategies therein. Encouragepublicand private landowners to needed, theresourceprotectionstrategies contained Ordinance (EPO)andperiodicallyref • ContinuetoenforcetheEn A 5. Recommendations forPolicy Implementation/ vide additionalprotectionforwater resources. PUC) andthefederalgovernment (US-EPA, DRBC)pro- county (PublicHealthDepartment),thestate(PA-DEP, • As isthecasewithwater resources,regulation bythe ing adequatewater supplyandsanitarysewage disposal. dinance, Chapter123,containsprovisions fordetermin- • The Township’s Subdivision andLandDevelopment Or- recharge. runoff andhelpsmaintainhighlevels ofgroundwater contributes toareductioninpollutantsfromsurface water less impervioussurfaces thanconventional development, ment andstormwater managementfacilities, encourages District provides incentives forrecharge-based landtreat- ing; finally, the Township’s OpenSpaceConservation ground water suppliesandcontrolofsurface water flood- part tofacilitate theconservation andproperutilizationof cultural zoningdistrict(theRU RuralDistrict)strives in degradation (Schueler, 1995,et,al.);the Township’s agri- gests watershed imperviousnesscontributes to stream were adoptedinrecentyearstoaddressresearchthatsug- surface) inseveral ways: imperviouscover standards vides protectionforwater resources(bothgroundand • The Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter139,pro- of vegetation andvalued woodlands. site constructionactivities; amongtheseistheprotection conservation practicesaimedatlimitingtheimpactsof erosion control. The ordinancealsocontainsadditional vation oftopsoil,sitegrading,andsedimentation are requirementsforconservation plans,permits,preser- tion controlduringlanddisturbance. Among otherthings • The Township’s EPOrequireserosionandsedimenta- forts withChesterCountyandothers. Pennsylvania Stormwater Management Act) planningef- Township alsocontinuestoparticipatein Act 167(the peak ratecontrol,volume andinfiltration issues. The items addressedinthenew standardsarewater quality, agement standards,containedintheEPO. Among the ctions toImplement vironmental Protection i ne andexpand, as

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 35 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage36 36 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania amount ofsewage effluent goingintothenation’s streams (NPDES) programwas createdinitiallyto reducethe NPDES program. avoid streamdischarge, consistentwiththeintentof disposal emphasisonlandapplicationinruralareasto • Maintainthe Township’s currentsewage treatmentand water resourceissues. promote abetterunderstandingofsurface andground Crum and Valley Creekstofurtherprotectresourcesand nying Watershed Action Plans(WAPs) fortheRidley, • UtilizeChesterCounty’s Watersheds Creek. needed tomitigatepollutionimpactstheLittle Valley participate inthe TMDL asadditional stepsmaybe As such,the Township shouldcontinuetomonitorand water qualityduetoPolychlorinatedBiphenyls (PCBs). Township have TMDLs establishedtoaddressimpaired ley Creek(and Valley Creek)inthenorthernpartof Creek currentlyhave established TMDLs, theLittle Val- Township. Although neithertheRidley CreeknorCrum EPA andPADEP forimpairedstreamsegments withinthe imum DailyLoad(TMDL)issuesidentified bytheU.S. • Considerationaswarranted mustbegiven to Total Max- Phase IIrule. public educationandoutreachactivities specified inthe ing thisgoal,the Township shouldconsideradditional management ordinancegoesalongway towards achiev- protecting water quality. While Willistown’s stormwater municipalities responsibleforreducingpollutantsand out water qualitycontrols,theEPA hasmadeidentified tems discharge directlyintolocalstreamsandrivers with- sewer systems,orMS4s.Becausemoststormwater sys- cific managementprogramformunicipalseparatestorm meeting theserequirements. that have createdprogramstoassistmunicipalitiesin should begiven toworking withwatershed organizations pollutants andprotectingwater quality. Consideration tivities specified intheNPDESPhaseIIruleforreducing • Consideradditionalpubliceducationandoutreachac- site design,especiallywithinheadwaters regions. velopment regu la tions tofurtherencourageinnovative • Review and,wherenecessary, revise the Township’s de- practices. development; continuetopromotewiselandmanagement The NationalPollutantDischarge EliminationSystem The U.S.EPA’s NPDESPhaseIIruleidentifies aspe- plan andaccompa- soil series: • The Township’s soilsfall predominantlyintosixteen Soils Land Resources. include soilsandsteepslopes,asdepictedonMap3: Land resourcesofsignificance in Willistown Township 2. ExistingConditions/ Background for landconservation, creative landplanninganddesign. sources of land. Continuetopreserv Continue toguideandencouragetheconservation of (opportunities) forconstructionandagriculturalpurposes. bility. Conversely, somesoilsareparticularlysuitable lands and/orriparianareas,andmaybesubjecttoerodi- be wetorflood-pronesoils,mayindicatorsofwet- constraints, somesoilshave limitations forbuilding, may portunities andconstraintsfortheiruse. With regard to • Soilsgenerallyhave several propertieswhichoffer op- the Township areClass1and2primeagriculturalsoils. hadkee, and Worsham). Almost alloftheuplandsoils these arehydricsoils(Calvert, Guthrie, Watchung, We- Chewacla, Guthrie, Wehadkee, and Worsham); several of Worsham. Several ofthesearealluvialsoils(Calvert, Guthrie, Manor, Neshaminy, Watchung, Wehadkee, and cla, Chrome,Conowingo, Edgemont,Glenelg,Glenville, 1. R Land Resources 4.1.2 headwaters andfloodplainareas. • Encouragethedonationofconservation easementsin appropriate. in the Township’s sewage facilities planandpursuedas application. This philosophyshouldbeexplicitly stated discharges over timeandcontinuetoencourageland tively seekopportunitiestoeliminateremainingstream discharges remains. As such,the Township shouldac- today, thepolicy ofreducing,ifnoteliminatingstream from pollution. While numerousstreamdischarges exist stream discharges inaneffort tobetterprotectstreams and rivers. The intentwas toeventually eliminateall esource-Based P Willistown Township andpromotetechniques Aldino, Brandywine,Calv olicy e andprotectthenaturalre- ert, Chester, Chewa- Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 37

MAP 3 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 38

MAP 3 BACK Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage39 motes resourceconservation. resources andbepartofinnovative sitedesign thatpro- • Landpreservation techniquescanprotectirreplaceable dwellings may, attheiroption,wishtoavail themselves. can representaresourceforwhichbuilders ofnew resources. Onsouth-facing slopes,accesstosolarenergy loss ofimportantecological,visual,solar, andopenspace instability, excessive erosionandsedimentation,the accordance withstandardsthatprotectagainststructural • Development onslopedlandsshouldonlybe donein seek tominimizesoillossunderany circumstances. and constraintsposedbythesoilsin Township and • Useoflandmusttake fullaccountoftheopportunities the protectionofprimeagriculturallands. should continuetoencourageinnovative sitedesignand slopes locatedin Willistown Township, the Township soils. Given thelarge amountofthesesoilsandthesteep wealth ofPennsylvania istoprotectprimeagricultural Ex • Startingin1982therehasbeenaseriesofGovernor’s 3. BasisforPolicy for terrestrialandaquaticspecies. ing streams,improving airquality, andproviding habitat corridors, byinterceptingrunoff, reducingerosion,shad- natural functions,particularlyinconjunctionwithstream character; furthermore,suchslopesperformimportant ground water recharge andstreambaseflows. sloped areasadjacenttostreamscontribute bothto tively impactingaquaticlife.Inaddition,undisturbed can increasesedimentloadsinnearbystreams,thusnega- from development inareasofsteepslope.Sucherosion to streamcorridors.Moderatese • In Willistown Township, steepslopesarelargely related Steep Slopes removal isanirretrievable loss. tation, andwildlife.Given thenatureofsuchsoils,their renders themincapableofsupportingcrops,othervege - and on-sitesepticsystems.Development atopfertilesoils able forcropsalsomakes themattractive fordevelopment yield crops.Unfortunately, whatmakes thesesoilssuit- agricultural soilsareextremely fertileandproducehigh mation ofthesesoilstakes placeover centuries.Prime eral weatheringandde compo sition oforganic matter;for- • Primeagriculturalsoilsareformedbyprocessesofmin- ecuti Wooded slopescontribute immenselyto Township ve Ordersstatingthatthepolicy oftheCommon - v ere erosioncanresult nance (EPO)andperiodicallyref • ContinuetoenforcetheEnvironmental ProtectionOrdi- tions toImplement 5. Recommendations forPolicy Implementation/Ac- that conserves landand protectsopenspace. ties forcompactdevelopment usingcreative sitedesign historic resources. The OSC Districtprovides opportuni- recreation purposes,andprotectpreserve naturaland trict isintendedtofacilitate agricultural,conservation and Conservation District). Among otherthings,theRU Dis- District) andanopenspacedistrict(theOSCOpenSpace tains bothanagriculturalzoningdistrict(theRU Rural • The Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter139,con- ment process. resource landthatmustbeprotectedduringthedevelop- out provisions intendedtocalculatetheamountofnatural tection ofnaturalresources,theEPOalsocontainsnet- ship’s soilsandslopes. landscaping contribute totheprotectionof Town- ing conservation ofvegetation, wetlandsprotection,and between 15%and25%).Finally, otherstandardsregard- (those inexcess of25%)andprecautionaryslopes(those tion districtprovides protectiontoprohibitive slopes cility designandconstruction. The steepslopeconserva- Township createdasoiluseguidetoassistwithproperfa- As partofitsstormwater managementstandards,the mize theimpactsofrunoff, erosion,andsedimentation. junction withstormwater managementstandardstomini- and sedimentpollutioncontrolstandardswork incon- exist toprotecttopsoilduringconstruction.Soilerosion vation District,respectively. Inaddition,standardsalso Conservation DistrictandRiparianBuffer Area Conser- land (hydric)soilsareprotectedthroughtheFloodplain prime agriculturalsoils. corridors, wetlandsandagricultural landscontaining and appropriatestewardship of,steeplysloping stream • Encouragethedonationofconservation easementsin, needed, theresourceprotectionstrategies containtherein. slopes innumerousw (EPO), Chapter73,pro • The Township’s Environmental ProtectionOrdinance 4. Township PlanningandRegulation Today tinues tobeamajorfocusof Township efforts. • Stewardship oflandandenvironmental resourcescon- With regard totheconservation oflandandthepro- ays. Floodplain(alluvial)andwet- vides protectiontosoilsand i ne andexpand, as

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 39 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage40 40 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania sources. Biotic Resourcesaredepicted onMap4:BioticRe- 2. ExistingConditions/ Background ti Continue topreserve and protectenvironmentally sensi- 1. R Biotic Resources 4.1.3 Space Review Board. space acquisitionprogramadministeredbytheOpen • Continuetosupportandfundthe Township’s open preserving remainingrural/agriculturallands. tion andregulating accordinglyformthefoundationfor agricultural soils. Township efforts atpromotingprotec- site design,especiallywithinslopedareasandonprime velopment regu la tions tofurtherencourage innovative • Review and,wherenecessary, revise the Township’s de- preserving soilsandnaturalsitedrainagecharacteristics. bance andcompactionondevelopment sites,thus mum maintenance”asamethodologyforlimitingdistur- • Furtherpromotetheuseof“minimumdisturbance/mini- compaction. flows) contribute tosoilpreservation andreducesoil pervious surfaces soastoavoid concentratingstorm niques, suchasdisconnection(diverting downspouts to tration andreducerunoff. Simplemanagementtech- stormwater bestmanagementpracticesthatpromoteinfil- • Promotetheuseofalternative “greentechnology” as infiltration characteristics,etc.). formation (particularlywithregard tosoilpropertiessuch agement ordinancecouldreferencetheGuideforsoilsin- during theplanreview processandthestormwater man- mission couldusetheGuidewhenevaluating siteplans cut” soilsanalysisplanningtool,e.g.,thePlanningCom- that exist inthe Township andcouldbeusedasa“first- useful referencetoolforbetterunderstandingthesoils vial propertiesandhydricproperties. The Guideoffers a sonal highwater, hydrologicsoilgroup,erodibility, allu- infiltration characteristics,aquiferrecharge, depthtosea- dress theappropriatenessofcertaintypesuses, creased use. Among otherthings,theGuideshouldad- Use GuidecontainedintheEPOordertofacilitate in- • Considerationshouldbegiven toexpanding theSoil v e landsandareasofsignificant bioticresources. esource-Based P olicy Natural Di termined endangeredspeciesaspartofthePennsylv • The Township containstwo impactzones forstate-de- Pennsylvania Natural DiversityInventorySites sive recreationandquietreflection. and noise.Further, woodlands offer opportunitiesforpas- air quality, reduceclimaticstress,andabateglare,dust moderate windspeeds,reduceairtemperatures,improve wise pollutestreams,reducethermalpollutionto face runoff, filter nutrientsandsedimentthatmight other- functions, includingtheirabilitytoreducetherateofsur- ural variety ofthelandscape. the criticalrolethatwoodlands playinsustainingthenat- moist soilsoftheforestfloor. Suchexamples underscore spring ephemeralwildflowers onlybloomontherich, will notnestelsewhere. Inaddition,numerousspeciesof are specifically adaptedtoforest-interiorconditionsand species ofsongbirds,particularlythecolorfulwarblers, ditions ofahealthyforestecosystem.For example, many plants andwildlifedependspecifically ontheuniquecon- siderable variety ofspecies. Certainspeciesofforest altered byhumansover time,arelikely tosupportacon- mature foreststandsin Willistown, even thoughgreatly native vegetation andwildlife.Several ofthelarger, more remaining aquaticspecies. both foodandshelterforthemajorityof Township’s aquatic andterrestrialenvironments; suchareasprovide also provide animportanttransitionzonebetweenthe and providing riparianhabitatforwildlife.Riparianareas areas intermsofstabilizingslopes,protectingfloodplains taries. Trees playaparticularlyimportantroleinthese along Ridley andCrumCreekstheirassociatedtribu- Township land,orapproximately33%ofthe Township. Today, woodlands compriseapproximately3,913acresof certainly occurred,suchlossisrelatively indiscernible. tively stableover thelast 29years. While somelosshas sive planindicatesthatwoodlands have remainedrela- plan andtheaerialcoverage utilizedforthiscomprehen- of woodlands mappingfromthe1980comprehensive tine Barren(alsoreferredto astheCedarBarren).In Sugartown SerpentineBarrenandthe Willistown Serpen- structures known asserpentinebarrens:theMalvern or rela • Willistown hasasizableamountofwoodlands scattered Woodlands ti Woodlands alsofulfill numerousotherecological Wooded areasalsoprovide criticalhabitatareafor Much ofthe Township’s woodlands areconcentrated vely evenly throughoutthe Township. A comparison versity Inventory. Bothareasaregeological ania Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 41

MAP 4 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 42

MAP 4 BACK Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage43 species –SP569andSP567). nificance, the“DuttonMill Woods” (containingtwo plant indicated theidentification ofanew siteofstatewide sig- of sedgesandwildflowers). Informationupdatedin2000 cattail-sweet flagmarshandwetmeadow withadiversity in Willistown Township: theDuttonMillMarsh(asmall This studyalsoidentifies onespecies oflocalsignificance lations ofasinglewildflower plantspecies–SP551). outcrop), andthe“MillRoadSite”(containingfair popu- species –SP551&SP552alongavery smallserpentine (containing smallpopulationsoftwo wildflower plant plants ofspecialconcern),the“CrumCreekBarrens” Sugartown SerpentineBarrens(whichcontainsnine were identified in Willistown Township: theMalvern or nities. In1994,several sitesofstatewide significance cial concernorareconsideredexemplary natural commu- sites intheCountythatprovide habitatforspeciesofspe- tory, publishedin1994andupdated2000,identified • The Chester County Natural AreasInventory tween barrens,includingpollinationandseeddispersal. mon elsewhere) may depend on“geneticexchange” be- of endemicplants(commontothesehabitatsbut uncom- important. The long-termsurvival ofcertainpopulations worth notingthatinterrelationshipsamongbarrenscanbe warbler, andyellow-breasted chat. American woodcock, savannah sparrow, blue-winged common species,particularlyring-necked pheasant, quent thebarrenshabitat.Inaddition,favor less species ofmammals,songbirds,andbirdsprey fre- rens provides importanthabitatforwildlife.Mostlocal ture andassortmentofplantsgrowing inserpentinebar- landscape. adapted vegetation morecloselyresemblingasavannah sion tohardwood forestisstalledonthesesites,withthe flowers, andstuntedconifersoaks.Naturalsucces- community isarare,sparsecollectionofgrasses,wild- woody shrubsandtreesonbarrens. The resultingplant have historicallyserved tominimizethedominance of species indangerofextinction. Inaddition,periodicfires habitat foranassortmentofrareplantspecies,aswell have auniquemineralcontent. These structuresprovide are onlyapproximationsoftheactualbarrensthemselves. As such,thesitesindicatedonBioticResourcesMap does notgenerallygive theexact locationofsuchsites. order topreserve theintegrity ofsuchareas,thestate Since Willistown containstwo barrens, itisalso Important torememberisthattheuncommonstruc- Serpentine barrensareraregeologicstructuresthat Chester CountyP ennsylvania Natur al Areas Inven- le the National Upper Ridley/Crum ImportantBird Area and otherusescriticaltothesurvival ofnative fauna. often leadtoalossofcover, foodsources,nestingsites loss ofnative plantsandtheproliferationofexotics can make conditionsunsuitablefornatives. Inaddition,the and otherresources,orcanexhibit otherqualitiesthat crowding forspaceor competingfornutrients,moisture ties. Invasive plantscanexclude native plantspeciesby both thestructureandfunctionofbiologicalcommuni- and thereductioninnumberofnative plantscanaffect unsuitable native habitat. The additionofinvasive species ecosystem processesandtherebyout-competeormake sidered desirableforprotection;suchspeciescanimpact • Exotic,invasive vegetation arebioticresourcesnotcon- ebration addednineteentreestothelist. however, thesurvey undertaken forthe Tricentennial Cel- teen treesoriginallysurveyed, five nolongerstand; tory” tothe Township. Itshouldbenotedthatofthesix- are believed toaddcharacter, beautyanda“senseofhis- pendix 1). The treescontainedonthislist(thirtyintotal) bration in2004(seeMap4-BioticResourcesand Ap- and refined aspartofthe Township’s Tricentennial Cele- Trees in Willistown Township” andsubsequentlyupdated Historical Commissioninapublicationentitled“Historic trees, theseresourceswereidentified bythe Township’s teristic landscapeofthe cance, e.g.,specimentreesthatareinte • The Township alsocontainsvegetation oflocalsignifi- Locally ImportantVegetation bird speciessuchastheKentucky Warbler, Wood Thrush, the Township ascriticalhabitatforwoodland dwelling Audubon hasidentified thedeciduouswoodlands within work oflandscriticaltobirdhabitatconservation such areasinPennsylvania, andispartofaglobalnet- ganizations. The UpperRidley/Crum IBA isoneof78 for conservation bymunicipalitiesandconservation or- IBA, aswellunprotected large tractsdeemedcritical made upofthepermanentlyconserved landswithinthe all ofRidley CreekStatePark and Tyler Arboretum. Itis Willistown andpartsofneighboringtownships, including 2003, encompassesanareagreaterthan14,000acres in and migratingbirds. The IBA, whichwas establishedin and protectsoutstandinghabitatforfeeding,breeding, program isaglobalconservation initiative thatidentifies y/Crum ImportantBird Area (IBA). Audubon’s IBA Nearly allof Willistown Township islocatedwithin Audubon SocietydesignatedUpperRid- Township. Defined ashistoric gral tothecharac- .

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 43 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage44 44 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania take time. years andthatphysicalmanifestationsofsuccesswill deer managementplanwillbeimplementedover several upon mutualtrustandrespect.Itisanticipatedthatthe ties, the Trust’s relationshipswiththemmustbebased communication withhuntersoperatingontheirproper- ers withinthedeerplan’s focalareaarethefirst lineof munity arecriticalpiecesoftheplan.Becauselandown- landowners andthe Trust’s outreachtothehuntingcom- committee was createdtoserve asambassadorstolocal conservation partners, toimplementaplan. A steering wildlife biologists,ecologists,landowners, hunters,and ganizations suchasthePennsylvania GameCommission, with awiderangeofprofessionals,stakeholders andor- based, scientific approachhasrequired WCT towork basing astrategy ondeercountsalone). This broader- proach todeermanagementwas selected(asopposedto cal challenge. To meetthischallengeanecosystemap- white-tailed deerintheIBA presentsthegreatestecologi- ship goalsandpriorities,theoverabundance of vate landowners. Inreviewing thesegroup’s landsteward- Bird Area (IBA) andincludingover 125(primarily)pri- nearly 7,000acresoftheUpperRidley/Crum Important implementation ofadeermanagementplancovering sylvania and Willistown Township, initiatedthe vation Trust (WCT),inpartnershipwith Audubon Penn- tal landscaping. sure toLyme Diseaseanddamagetocropsornamen- include increaseddeer-vehicle collisions,increasedexpo- habitat formigratorysongbirds.Otherchallengingissues vegetation, whichprovides criticalnestingandforaging plant communities,specifically woodland understory fects onnaturalhabitatsintheformofde Deer Management maintenance ofthesebirdpopulations. tivity toneighboringnaturalareasarevitalthe velopment. The sizeofprotectedhabitatanditsconnec- fragmentation andlosscausedprimarilybysuburban de- tion throughoutsoutheasternPennsylvania duetohabitat woodland andgrasslandspeciesaredeclininginpopula- Eastern Meadowlark, FieldSparrow, andBobolink.Both home toimportantgrasslandbirdspeciessuchasthe and meadow habitatsoftheOkehocking Preserve arealso Veery, andScarlet Tanager. The oldfields, hedgerows, During thesummerof2007, Willistown Conser- High deerpopulationshave haddramaticnegative ef- graded nati ve nomic products,mitigatede assets thatsustainwildlifecommunities,contrib • Thebioticresourcesofthe Township representvaluable 3. BasisforPolicy sources innumerousw (EPO), Chapter73,pro • The Township’s Environmental ProtectionOrdinance 4. Township PlanningandRegulation Today sources andsensitive naturalhabitats. and futureresidentstopreserve itsremainingbioticre- sity. As such,the Township hasanobligationtopresent to formhabitatnetworks thatcontribute tospeciesdiver- the existence ofnaturalareasbut how they interconnect terconnectedness ofsuchareas;inotherwords, notonly of naturalareasandadesiretopreserve theecologicalin- quires bothaconcentratedeffort toretainanabundance ment anddevelopment. Maintainingnaturaldiversity re- good despitehumandisturbanceassociatedwithsettle- • The Township’s naturaldiversity remainsgenerally serve protection. pensable elementofitsnaturalandruralcharterde- • The Township’s bioticresourcesarealimitedandindis- munity. environments thatcontribute tothecharacterofcom- recreational opportunitiesandprovide outstandingliving soil compaction. development practicesthatprotectvegetation andreduce bance tosoilsandvegetation, andadvocate low impact tity andqualitybenefits, encourages minimumdistur- Practices (BMPs)thatutilizevegetation forwater quan- visions withintheEPOencourageBestManagement ment process. resource landthatmustbeprotectedduringthedevelop- out provisions intended tocalculatetheamountofnatural tection ofnaturalresources,theEPOalsocontainsnet- ous floraandfauna. protection ofsensitive habitatareasthatarehometovari- plain andsteepsloperegulations alsocontribute tothe of woodlands; andtheprovision oflandscaping.Flood- and enhancementofriparianbuffer areas;theprotection vegetation; theprotectionofwetlands;preservation nance containsstandardsfortheconservation of Finally, the Township’s stormwater managementpro- With regard totheconservation oflandandthepro- ays. Among otherthings,theordi- vides protectiontobioticre- velopment impacts,offer ute eco- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage45 tion easementdonationsthat protectbioticresources. • The Township should continuetoencourageconserva- be encouraged. zones, vegetated filter strips,andothertechniquesshould fects oflanddisturbance,clearingandgrading),no-mow nance standards(whichcanreduceoreliminatetheaf- of disturbance),minimumdisturbance/mainte- gerprinting” (siteplanningtechniquesthatlimitthezones sites undergoing development. Techniques suchas“fin- hance theprospectsforretentionofvegetation on velopment, stormwater, andsitedesignoptionsthat en- • Continuetopromotezoning,subdivision andlandde- streams andelsewhere. mentation andprotectbiodiversity corridorsalong velopment, considerways toreducewildlifehabitatfrag- • When configuring openspace set-asidesaspartofde- ance tomanageandcontrolthespreadofsuchspecies. Preserve ManagementPlanof2006)andproviding guid- species lists(suchasthatcontainedintheOkehocking sideration shouldalsobegiven toupdatinginvasive as needed,inotherchaptersofthe Township Code.Con- ing undervarying site conditions;cross-referencethislist, as areferencetospecifysuitablenative speciesforplant- (EPO)(Appendix Bthereof).Continuetoutilizethislist tained intheEnvironmental ProtectionOrdinance • Review and,wherenecessary, updatetheplantlistcon- refine theresourceprotectionstrategies contain therein. related standards.Periodicallyassessand,ifnecessary, tion standards,conservation planrequirements,andother natural habitatsthroughwoodland/vegetation conserva- nance (EPO). • ContinuetoenforcetheEn A 5. Recommendations forPolicy Implementation/ the creationofbiodiversity corridors). tunities fortheinterconnectionofhabitatareas(through conserves land,protectsopenspace,andprovides oppor- for compactdevelopment usingcreative sitedesignthat toric resources. The OSCDistrictprovides opportunities ation purposes,andprotectpreserve naturalandhis- intended tofacilitate agricultural,conservation andrecre- vation District). Among otherthings,theRU Districtis and anopenspacedistrict(theOSCOpenSpaceConser- vides botharuralzoningdistrict(theRU RuralDistrict) • The Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter139,pro- ctions toImplement The ordinancepro vironmental ProtectionOrdi- vides directprotectionof • Encouragefuturede historic orculturalresources. • Encouragethededicationofprotective easementsfor 1. R Scenic, Historic, and Cultural Resources4.2.1 Plan. made inthe2006Okehocking Preserve Management • Assist intheimplementationofrecommendations principles topreserve scenicresourcesinthe Township. sign consistentwiththe Township’s conservation design • Promotetechniquesforcreative landplanningandde- to historicresourceprotectionanddocumentation. • Monitortheusefulnessofregulatory provisions related toric resourceprotectionanddocumentation. • Monitorefficacy ofregulatory provisions relatedtohis- scaping, buffering andscreeningstandards. nic qualityprotection,including,forexample, any land- • Monitorefficacy ofregulatory provisions relatedtosce- land foragriculturalpurposes. ship’s historicsettlementpatternandcontinueduseof cant landsinthepublicviewshed, vistapoints,historic done inconsiderabledetail, documentsvisuallysignifi- T 5) quantif • Scenic R 2. ExistingConditions/ Background significance. integrity ofsitesandstructures ofhistoricalorcultural change orisconverted tootheruses.Protectthe resources withinthepublicviewshed aslandundergoes and scenicvalue. Minimize disturbancetoscenic and protectareasofsignificant physical,historic,cultural, overall characterofthe Township. Continuetopreserve and man-maderesourceen Continue toprotectthequalityof Willistown’s natural . |General Policies for Preserving4.2 | Areasof ownship asseenfrompublicroads. The fullinventory, The Scenic,Historic&CulturalResourcesMap(Map esource-Based P Scenic Value Signi esources ies anddepictsthevisuallandscape ofthe f icant Physical, Historic and olicy v elopment toreinforcethe Town- v iron ments whichenhancethe

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 45 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage46 46 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania of continuedprotectionefforts. tance tothelocalcommunityunderscoresimportance the interrelatednessoftheseresourcesandtheirimpor- all influencethevisibilityoflandscape.Furthermore, etation, topographicfeatures,andman-madestructures context ofpublicroads and vistapoints;contributing veg- scenic, andhistoricresourcesofthe Township withinthe side ofPaoli Pike justwestofSugartown Road. Plumsock Road;andacelltower locatedonthesouth on thenorthsideof West Chester Pike (Rt.3)justwestof the intersectionofDuttonMillRoad;acelltower located the southsideof West Chester Pike (Rt.3)acrossfrom ever, including:autilitystation/transformeridentified on trusion. Three new intrusionshave beenidentified, how- 1993 isnolongerconsideredbythe Township tobeanin- the 1993study, theintrusionidentified onDevon Roadin Resources Plan.” While two intrusions wereidentified in Township’s “OpenSpace,Recreation,and Environmental planning effort matchthoseidentified in1993forthe noted thatthetwenty-seven accentsidentified forthis intrusions wereidentified (see Appendix 2).Itshouldbe fences androadsidetrash. Twenty-seven accentsandfour Intrusions includesuchitemsastransformerfacilities, silt amples ofaccentsarestonewalls, ruinsandvillages. jects orstructureswhichdetractfromthelandscape.Ex- the landscape;visualintrusionsarethosemanmadeob- tures (ornaturalhabitats)whichenhanceorcontribute to the tenidentified inthe1993study). identified aspartofthisplanningprocess(inadditionto It shouldbenotedthatthreeadditionalvistapointswere scapes representative of Willistown Township’s character. on thebasisofdepthandundisturbedqualityland- viewing opportunity. Thirteen vistapointswereselected leading fromthevistapointsshow thedirectionof Vista pointsdesignatebroad,expansive views. Arrows a visualboundary(referredtoasthescenicboundary). • Visually significant landsaredocumentedwithregard to preservation inlightofcontinuedgrowth. indication of Township andlandowner commitmentto nity. Further, thesurvival ofsuchresourcesisapartial ponent ofthe Township’s heritageandsenseofcommu- present-day Willistown andrepresentasignificant com- scape contribute significantly tothevisualcharacterof listic perspective, theresourcesthatcomprisethisland- structures, andvisualaccentsintrusions.Fromaho- The visuallandscapeishighlightedbythenatural, Visual accentsarethosemanmadeobjectsorstruc- significant depth). (hence, thedesignationof scenic vistasoroutlooksof pography, vegetative features,andbuilt environment these roadsareafunctionofthe Township’s rollingto- frontage ofeachroad),inrealitythescenicperimeters of tray auniformwidth(whichacknowledges theimmediate road status. and GrubbsMillRoad)now meetsthecriteriaforscenic length of White HorseRoad(betweenSouth Valley Road criteria forscenicroadstatus;conversely, the entire the 1993study, Forest LaneandLineRoad,tomeetthe ship nolongerconsiderstwo roadcorridorsidentified in within the Township. Itshouldbenotedthatthe Town- they collectively serve asameansofpublicenjoyment own setofqualitiesworth protecting;arguably, though, scenic fabric ofthe Township. To adegree, eachhasits qualities orattributes thatmake theseroadsintegral tothe lists anddescribestheseroads,aswellpointsoutthe sidered worthy ofscenicroaddesignation. Appendix 3 or detractfromthescenicqualityofeachroad. tributes ofeachroadandhow suchattributes contribute to analysis aidedinpointingoutthepositive ornegative at- further fine-tuning ofthepreliminarydesignations,this criteria totheresourceinventories prepared. Along with road possessedbasedonapplyingtherefined selection analysis was toquantifytheamountofscenicvalue each preliminarily identified inthefield. The purposeofthis sources) was next performed oneachroadthathadbeen natural resourcesinventories (water, landandbioticre- scenic, historicandculturalresourcesinventory andthe Appendix 3. sult ofthefield investigations andarecontainedin investigations. These criteriawerefurtherrefined asare- Map, wereappliedtothe Township’s roadsthroughfield to develop theScenic,HistoricandCulturalResources publications oftheFHA)andfrommethodologyused tion (FHA)publication teria taken inpartfromtheFederalHighway Administra- step inidentifyingscenicroadswithinthe Township, cri- natural beautyandhistoricorculturalvalue. As afirst change over time. such anapproachmakes possibleaclearevaluation of uating scenicroadsandresources;perhapsassignificant, This approachcontinuestoprovide ausefultoolforeval- Space, RecreationandEnvironmental ResourcesPlan. ship utilizedthemethodologycontainedinits1993Open • For thepurposesofidentifyingscenicroads, Town- Although theroadcorridorsidentified onMap5por- The resultisarosterofnineteenroadsthatarecon- Using therefined selectioncriteria,ananalysisofthe Scenic roadsarethosehaving ahighdegree of Scenic Byways (and subsequent Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 47

MAP 5 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 48

MAP 5 BACK Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage49 for compactdevelopment usingcreative sitedesign that toric resources. The OSCDistrictprovides opportunities ation purposes,andprotect andpreserve naturaland his- intended tofacilitate agricultural,conservation andrecre- vation District). Among otherthings, theRU Districtis and anopenspacedistrict(theOSCOpenSpaceConser- vides botharuralzoningdistrict(theRU RuralDistrict) • The Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter 139,pro- enhance thenatural(andscenic)landscape. ing andotherlandresourcemanagementtoolsto thermore, theordinancecontainsprovisions forlandscap- natural resourcesthatcontribute toscenicquality. Fur- tection ofsteepslopes,andthepreservation ofother tion ofvegetation, theprotectionofwoodlands, thepro- things, theordinancecontainsstandardsforconserva- quality ofthe Township asitexits today. Among other biotic resourcesthatinlarge measuremake upthescenic mented scenicvie structures, notallofwhicharelocatedwithinthedocu- Historic andCulturalResources (EPO), Chapter73,pro • The Township’s Environmental ProtectionOrdinance 4. Township PlanningandRegulation Today property owners and others. approaches canprovide preservation incentives to ment ofaresourceisnotfeasible,creative regulatory preserved forfuturegenerations. Where directmanage- T able tothecommunityandaddimmeasurably 3. BasisforPolicy ence foreachresourceonMap5). (the identification numberalsobeingusedastherefer- ship. Appendix 4liststhe Township’s historicresources contribute to thehistoriccharacterofoverall Town- MaporFarm Atlas) commonly referredtoastheBreous shown asContributing Resources(BreouMap1883, District andthe Whitehorse HistoricDistrict.Structures Sugartown HistoricDistrict,theOkehocking Historic toric Places,threehistoricdistrictsdoexist: the ual resourcesarelistedontheNationalRegister ofHis- the Township’s HistoricCommission. While noindivid- Survey, asamended,andthroughresearchundertaken by identified inpartfromChesterCounty’s HistoricSites o wnship’s qualityoflife. These resourcesshouldbe Willistown Township has104 documentedhistoric Scenic, historicalandculturalresourcesareirreplace- wshed (seeMap5). vides protectiontow The structureswere ater, landand • Maplandmarksofhistorical orculturalsignificance. easements) ofhistoricandculturalresources. courage thededicationoreasement(includingfaçade encourage thedonationofconservation easements.En- • Considerasceniceasementacquisitionprogramand/or sheds andscenicroads. designed tospecifically protectorenhanceexisting view- • Consideradditionallandscapingpoliciesorregulations tory anduseofeachroad. possible HistoricCommissionresearchregarding thehis- the scenicqualitiesofidentified scenicroads,including • Considerpreparationofabrochureintendedtooutline sensitive treatmentofvisualaccents. mon openspace,landscaping/buffering measures,and scenic roadcorridor, primarilythroughthesitingofcom- which would addresssiteplanninganddesignwithina • Consideradoptingabroadscenicroadsoverlay district consider appropriatesignageandeducation. local efforts orthroughthestatescenicbyway program; • Considerformalscenicroaddesignation,eitherthrough sources. process bywhichtoencourageprotectionofhistoricre- Historic Preservation Ordinance,whichprovides aclear screening, amongotherthings.Continuetoenforcethe nance (EPO)whichre • ContinuetoenforcetheEn A 5. Recommendations forPolicy Implementation/ negative effects ofproposedlandusechanges. historic resources,andprovide guidancetohelpmitigate historic resources,discourageunnecessarydemolitionof ship”, encouragecontinueduseandpreservation of fecting historicresourcescanbereviewed by the Town- “clear processbywhichproposedlandusechangesaf- nance provisions in2001. The ordinanceprovides a 139, the Township adoptedhistoricpreservation ordi- • As partofthe Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter through setbacks,buffering andinnovative design. tunities fortheprotectionofscenicroadcorridors conserves land,protectsopenspace,andprovides oppor- ctions toImplement gulates landscaping,b vironmental ProtectionOrdi- uffering, and

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 49 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage50 50 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania T 2. ExistingConditions/ Background of the Township.) includes sidewalks inthemoredenselydeveloped areas back riding,androadbicycling. (Note: The term“trail” of Willistown’s existing trailnetwork forwalking, horse- ing, andfundingtheseresources.Preserve thecontinuity sources in Preserve andprotecttheexisting parksandrecreationre- 1. Resource-Based Policy Parks and Recreation4.2.2 Trails live, work andvisit.For additionalinformationregarding and placemake the Township anattractive placeto vestments. Together, they alsocreateasense ofidentity town Township warrant protection and qualifyaswisein- As such,parks,recreationresourcesandtrailsin Willis- offer residentsachoiceintheirmodeoftransportation. benefits applytohorsebackriding aswell. Trails also portation, andenvironmental benefits. Many ofthese vide documentedqualityoflife,health,economic,trans- promotes physicalactivity. Walking andbicycling pro- benefits toindividuals andcommunities. Access totrails vide documentedmental,physicalandsocietalhealth and recreationcontribute toahealthylifestyleandpro- enhancing thequalityoflife Township residents.Parks are valuable cultural assets thatplayaimportantrolein sential communityservicein 3. BasisforPolicy and paved trails,dependingonlocation. Public trailsarecomposedofmown trails,gravel trails walks inthedenselypopulatedportionsof Township. only. As statedabove, theterm“trail”encompassesside- trails. Many private trailsareintendedforequestrianuse including pedestrianand/orbicycle trailsandequestrian public andprivate trailsthat provide foravariety ofuses, 5 forthelocationanddescriptionofeachfacility). hocking Preserve, andKirkwood Preserve (see Appendix Road Field,Sugartown Preserve, GarrettMillPark, Oke- Road Park, CrumCreekLands(currentlyunnamed),Line tree Park, 28Duffryn Road(currentlyunnamed),Mill Sites, Publically Accessible OpenSpaces,and Trails. o wnship aredepictedonMap6:ExistingRecreation Park, recreationandtrailresourcesin Willistown Parks, recreationresourcesandtrailsprovide anes- Existing trailresourcesinthe Township includeboth Existing parkandrecreationresourcesincludeGreen- W illistown Township bymanaging,maintain- W illistown Township and mission and Township Solicitorpriortoplanapproval. provided andapproved bythe Township PlanningCom- open space;includedhere are provisions thatfunding be sition, use,maintenanceandinsuranceofthecommon trian trails,andrequiresamanagementplanforthedispo- the commonopenspace,includingpedestrianoreques- Commission. Itstatesthatspecific usesarepermittedin tion ofthetrailsisapproved bythePlanning not otherwisebedeveloped andthenonlywhen reloca- Township shallnotbedisturbedunlessthe propertycan- equestrian orpedestriantraillinkagesidentified by the ing pedestrianandequestriantrails.Itfurtherdictates that features identified ashaving recreationalvalues, includ- shall beconfigured soastomaximizeconservation ofsite thereto. Italsodictatesthatlanddesignatedasopenspace the existing trailnetwork, andopportunitiesforadditions policies directedtoward theprotectionandcontinuityof • The ZoningOrdinance,Chapter 139,identifies specific Avenue. for allsubdivisions andlanddevelopment onLancaster tablished. The codealsoincludes sidewalk specifications if aconnectionwithpathonanadjoiningpropertyises- protects existing pathsbystatingapathmayberelocated both withinandbeyond the Township. The codefurther courage theformationofaninterconnectingtrailnetwork dedication oreasement. The pathsandtrailsaretoen- separate fromstreetsshallbeestablishedandsecuredby pedestrian pathsforpublicusegenerallyunrelatedtoand Commission, asystemofbicycle, equestrianand/or Supervisors, withrecommendationsfromthePlanning Chapter 123,statesthatatthediscretionofBoard • clude an • The Township’s Parks andRecreationcodedoesnotin- Trail Resources ted usesandactivities thatprotecttheparks. equipment. The Codealsooutlinesprohibitedandpermit- nance thereof,includingreplacementsofpropertyand eral supervisionofall Township parksandallmainte- the T • As statedinthe Township Parks andRecreationCode P 4. Township PlanningandRegulation Today Benefits ofParks, RecreationFacilities and Trails. the benefits ofrecreationfacilities, see Appendix 6: a The Subdivision andLandDevelopment Ordinance, rk andRecreation Resources ownship Park andRecreationBoardshallhave gen- y referencestotrails. Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 51

MAP 6 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 52

MAP 6 BACK Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage53 schools, andotherlocalnodes ofactivity. parks, publicopenspace,shopping,masstransportation, existing trailsandsidewalks withsuchdestinationsas trail andsidewalk system thatlinksneighborhoodswith • Createacomprehensive Township trailplan. Establisha code sectionwithtraillanguage. maps, andconsiderupdatingtheParks andRecreation Willistown Township Codetoreferencetrailplanning pedestrian, bicycle, and equestrianmobility. Updatethe propriate toadvisetheBoardofSupervisors.Consider Board inthevarious ordinances ofthe Township asap- potential trails.IncorporatetheP agement, maintenanceandfundingofe and potentialtrailsguidethecreation,linkage,man- • Updateexisting trailplanningefforts toidentifyexisting Trail Resources Budget. Execute theplans. ing maintenance;insertintheParks andRecreation work. Assign costestimatestoimprovements andongo- that includetimelinesformaintenanceandreplacement ing infrastructuremanagementcomponentsofparkplans • CoordinatewiththePublic e guide themanagement,maintenanceandfundingof • Monitorandupdateparkplanningefforts asneededto P A 5. Recommendations forPolicy Implementation/ with theadviceofPlanningCommission. necessary, isatthediscretionofBoardSupervisors, pervious materials.Relocationofpreexisting trails,where are nowiderthaneightfeetandnotsurfaced withim- Buffer Area Conservation District,provided suchtrails recreational trailsasaconditionaluseintheRiparian • Chapter73,Environmental Protection,provides for (with thecreationoftrailsystemsasanalternative). for, amongotherthings,reducedsidewalk requirements Open SpaceConservation Districtprovides opportunities through residentialportionsofthedevelopment. The the applicantshallendeavor toincorporateatrailsystem For unified development plans,theordinancedictatesthat xisting parkproperties. ark andRecreationark Resources ctions toImplement Works Departmentincreat- arks andRecreation xisting trailsand through consistentordinance provisions regarding use, ther facilitate thistraditional villagedevelopment pattern transportation andtown centerdistricts,attempts tofur- The 2001Paoli CommunityMaster Plan,anditsresulting gle-family detacheddwellingsonrelatively smalllots. traditional villagesort,alongwithuniformtractsofsin- cent toPaoli containsomemixed-use development ofa ship e Existing Conditions/ Background4.3.2 and Article XXXII, Town CenterDistrict(TCD). 139, Zoning, Article XXXI, Transportation District(TD) Paoli CommunityMasterPlan,asreflectedinChapter • Promotehousingopportunitiesconsistentwiththe2001 • Promotesafehousingconditions. is sustainable. of climatechange,andencouragefuturedevelopment that energy andenvironmental resources,reducetheimpacts building technologiesintendedtoreduceconsumptionof sources andexisting communitycharacter. Promotegreen cies andguidedbytheneedtoprotectenvironmental re- growth, consistentwith existing andfuturelandusepoli- those areaswhereinfrastructureexists tosupportsuch • Allow foravariety ofhousingtypesanddensitiesin within W • Protectandenhancetheestab lished neighborhoods Policies 4.3.1 . |Protecting Neighborhoods and 4.3 | Board ofSupervisorsonissuesregarding trails. and RecreationBoard,thePlanningCommission, • EstablishacommunicationprotocolbetweentheParks sentatives fromappropriategroups. • Establishatrailcoordinationprogramincludingrepre- Township. planning organizations, onestablishingatrailplanforthe tersheds Association, aswellChesterCountyandother town Conservation Trust andChester-Ridley-Crum Wa- such asthe Willistown Area Trails Association, Willis- sions, neighboringmunicipalities,localorganizations • Coordinatewithother Township boardsandcommis- As acompositeofexisting neighborhoods,the Town- xhibits areasonablede Ho illisto u sing Stock wn Township.wn gree ofvariety. Areas adja-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 53 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage54 54 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania polic Basis for Policy 4.3.3 neighboring propertyowners. ate acorrespondingsenseofstewardship onthepartof The attentiongiven totheircontinuedintegrity cangener- tures, many ofwhichareusedforresidentialpurposes. County. was owner-occupied, ascomparedto76.3%forthe bility; in2000,89.1%ofthe Township’s housingstock els ofhomeownership alsoequatetoneighborhoodsta- Chester Countyasawhole,theratewas 1.0%.Highlev- homeowner vacancy rateinthe Township was 0.8%;for hoods andthequalityofitshousingstock.In2000, ers thatconfirm thestabilityof Willistown’s neighbor- two-way communicationwiththe Township. owner association;thesegroups,inturn,helpfacilitate form ofself-governance throughacommunityorhome- population. Many oftheseneighborhoodshave theirown least abasiclinkamongitssegment ofthe Willistown structural standpointandasasocialentityformingat genuine neighborhoodquality, bothfromaphysicaland Park, Willistown Acres, andPaoli Manor. neighborhoods in Willistown areStonehenge,Ronnie housing stock,andresidents.Several easilyidentified borhoods isunique,owing toitslocation,similaritiesin comprise theirown neighborhoods.Eachoftheseneigh- townhouse communitieswithenoughdwellingunitsto dwellings thesoledwellingtype.Interspersedareseveral low grossdensity, againwithsingle-family detached newer developments have beenclusteredontractsata setbacks, andstreetscapeamenities.Furthertothesouth, established representative entity. nicate moreeffectively whereresidentsparticipateinan borhoods arestableandwell-designed,cancommu- providers shouldexperience fewer demandswhereneigh- potential forimpact. in thevicinityofexisting neighborhoods,have asimilar maintenance. Vehicular traffic volumes, bothwithinand ways throughpublicregulation) toindividual property maintenance ofpublicservices,andtheapproach(not al- the compatibilityofadjacentlanduses,provision and fects canbepositive ornegative, andstemlargely from character andthequalityoflifeitsresidents. The ef- The existence anddirectionof Township landuse Willistown hasasizableinventory ofhistoricstruc- Data fromthe2000U.S.Censusoffer several mark- With few exceptions, eachoftheselocationshasa Township andotherpublicquasi-public service y hasasubstantialbearingonneighborhood’ s .. Recommendations for Policy4.3.5 their adequacy. viewed periodicallyand revised asnecessarytoensure Township’s neighborhoods,theseprovisions shouldbere- erty maintenance;given thestrengthanddiversity ofthe • The Township Codecontainsprovisions relatedtoprop- tinuing qualityofitsresidentialneighborhoods. ments andinfrastructurefacilities necessaryforthecon- of byotherresponsibleentities,thosepublicimprove- • The Township provides, orseekstoassuretheprovision tween suchneighborhoodsandadjacentnon-residentialuses. compatibilities amongresidentialneighborhoodsandbe- prior plans,hasbeenwrittenandmappedtoprevent in- • The Township ZoningOrdinance,drawing fromthose than previously existed. diversity inneighborhoodmakeup anddwellingtypes plan carriesasimilaremphasisandrecognizesthegreater tegrity oftheneighborhoodinwhichthey maybeproposed. multi-family use,andhomeoccupationsthatprotectthein- sory dwellings,conversion ofsingle-family dwellingsfor • Maintainappropriateregulatory opportunitiesforacces- ducement orstrip/lineardevelopment. neighborhoods but donotresultinunwanted growth in- tablish theoptimumlevel oflivability forallresidential tenance, and/orrefurbishmentofpublicfacilities thates- • Planforthenecessaryandsufficient installation,main- mixed-use settingsshould besustained. but recognizethepotentialadvantages ofappropriate • Zoningobjectives thatavoid landuseincompatibilities unhealthy, and/or visuallydetractingconditions. vent “demolitionbyneglect” orthecreationof unsafe, dential structuresandproperties. The codeaimstopre- but alsoassuresasufficient standardofqualityforresi- amended) inamannerthatminimizesre Council’ nance Code(thebasisforwhichistheInternational • Administer andupdatethe Township’s PropertyMainte- preserving thequalityofe dressed theimportanceofprotectingneighborhoodsand • Willistown’s two priorcomprehensive planshave ad- Township Planning and Regulation4.3.4 Today Impl s PropertyMaintenanceCode-2006,as ement ation/ Actions to Implement xisting housingstock. gulatory impacts This Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage55 sis andin Introduction Composite of Resources and Priorities4.4 | ND forneighborhooddevelopment. type standardsintothe Township code,suchasLEED- started bytheU.S.GreenBuildingCouncil)orLEED- and Environmental Design–acertification program incorporating additionalLEED(LeadershipinEnergy Among theissuestobeconsideredisdesirabilityof building technologiesandsustainabledevelopment. codes tomaximizeopportunitiesandincentives forgreen • Review theZoningOrdinanceandbuilding/housing basis forgraphicallydepicting protectedandnon-pro- tence ofconservation oragriculturaleasements) asthe focus ofthissectionisonownership patterns(or theexis- exist, fromregulatory protectiontopublicownership, the forded aresource. While various levels ofprotection tection strategy isthedegree ofprotectionalreadyaf- strategies. vergence becomeanimportantfocal pointforprotection lands andresources.Suchareasofconcentration con- can assistininterconnectingpreserved andundeveloped occurs andareaswheresensitive development patterns where aconvergence ofmutually-enhancing resources historic building. Ontheotherhand,therearemany areas ally willdiffer significantly fromthatusedtoprotectan ple, theapproachtaken toprotectastreamcorridorgener- which toprotectthemcanvary substantially;forexam- orities forprotection. culminates inaproposedsetofresourcesconsideredpri- This typeofrefinement isthepurposeofthissectionand tions ofthe Township wherefuturegrowth isanticipated. source protectionhasalreadybeenachieved, andtopor- other, toareasalreadydeveloped, tolocationswherere- where the Township’s resourcesfall inrelationtoeach values andguidefuture growth, itisimportanttoanalyze from landusechangesbeassessed. location andcharacteristics–canthepotentialimpacts Only withaclearunderstandingoftheseresources–their cision regarding thefutureuseoflandin Township. resource basethatshouldbeconsideredformostany de- sources of Willistown Township. The resultconstitutesa A large portion ofthischapterisdevoted toananaly- One otherkey determinantofprioritywithinapro- Clearly, the type ofresourcesandthemethodsby In ordertofullyprotectthe Township’s community fo r Pr v entory ofthenatural,scenicandhistoricre- otection Township’s National Register Districts, wereidentified. toric resourceswithinthescenic boundary, aswellthe • HistoricResources–For thesake ofthisprocess,his- considered akey elementofthevisuallandscape. boundaries associatedwiththem.Scenicroadsarealso identified inthischapterandthe corresponding scenic sual landscapesaredefined asthe scenicvistapoints • ScenicResources–the Township’s mostsignificant vi- PNDI sites. lands, locallyimportantvegetation (historictrees),and nity character. These resourcesinclude:significant wood- from thestandpointofresourceprotectionandcommu- constraining onlanduse,nevertheless aresignificant steep slopesover 15%.Sensitive resources,whilenotas sources (streamcorridors,floodplainsandwetlands) land useandde are thosenaturalresourcesthatplaceclearconstraintson cal that usedinthe1997plan,itispossibletoidentify • NaturalResources–undertakingaprocessnotunlike Refinements toResource Inventories resources inneedofprotection. The outcomeofthisprocessisaproposedsettargeted tection. additional resourcecategory worthy ofattentionandpro- • The network ofidentified scenicroadswas addedasan level ofresourceprotection;and or easementwereidentified toshow areasthathave some • Developed landandprotectedthroughownership “concentration”; made toillustraterelationshipsandareasofoverlap or • A compositeoftherefined resourceinventories was greatest significance tothe Township; • The resourceinventories wererefined todepictthoseof taken: protective actions. tected inthismannerclearlycanbeprioritizedforfuture the foreseeablefuture;onotherhand,landsnotpro- easements needlittleadditionalprotectionmeasuresfor tected lands.Landsalreadyprotectedduetoownership or resources and To arrive atthesepriorities,thefollowing stepswere v elopment. Includedherearewater re- sensitive resources. Criticalresources criti-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 55 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage56 56 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania public purchases,easement acquisitionornew regulatory the potentialforadditional protectionmeasures,bethey highlight areasofresource concentrationsandunderscore 25%), woodlands, andhydricsoils. (50-75%) protectionisprovided tosteepslopes(15- than 25%),andriparianbuffer areas;in addition,partial floodplains/floodways, wetlands,steepslopes(greater 11.1 provides full(100%) protectionto nificant protection foranarrayofnaturalresources:§73- Environmental ProtectionOrdinance(EPO)provides sig- many oftheresourcesprioritized herein.For example, the Township Codedoesprovide significant protectionsfor easily quantifiable ormapped.Clearly, however, the Township’s Codesimplybecausesuchprotections arenot to evaluate regulatory protectionsoffered underthe identified scenicroadcorridors. or historicresources)notcurrentlyprotected,andthe those first priorityresourcesareas(bethey natural,scenic most signif Composite ofSignificant Resources 9, Resources Resources Targeted forProtection rity establishedoneasedorpublically-owned lands. of theseresourcescanthenextend andenhancethesecu- properties defined asprotected;thesuccessfulprotection process outlinesthoseresourcesimmediatelyadjacentto focus protectionefforts whereneeded.For example, this nated. Filteringoutsuchlandsallows the Township to resources foundtoexist ondeveloped landarealsoelimi- tion, e.g.,onprotectedlands);furthermore,those sources receive somelevel ofprotectiongiven theirloca- lands areeliminated(theassumptionbeingthatsuchre- are compared:thoseresourcesfoundtoexist onprotected posite mapandtheprotecteddeveloped landsmap and De essentially discountinglandsdepictedontheProtected Protected andDevelopedLands sources occurtogetheraredistinguishableonthemap. where concentrationsofnatural,scenicandhistoricre- to develop aCompositeMap(see7). Those areas At itscore,theprioritizationprocessattemptsto It shouldbenotedthatthisprocessdoesnotattempt This processinvolved combiningandoverlaying the The final productoftheprioritizationprocessisMap The next stepintheprioritizationprocessinvolved v eloped LandsMap(Map8).Inthisstep,thecom- i cant resourcesdescribedinthepriorsection T argeted forProtection.Shown herein are interconnection orconnectivity). sources withinabroadercontext thatprovide sociated landscapesorcontributing resources(e.g.,re- approaches thatcanessentiallyprotectresourcesandas- Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 57

MAP 7 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 58

MAP 7 BACK Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 59

MAP 8 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 60

MAP 8 BACK Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 61

MAP 9 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 62

MAP 9 BACK Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage63 mobile population),complement thepublictransitinvest- (particularly agrowing elderlypopulationanda diverse dress thehousingneedsof future Willistown residents portion ofthe Township. The intentofthispolicy istoad- development andinfill opportunitiesinthe northern tive siteplanningpractices, Willistown shallfocusonre- and encouragingimaginative andenvironmentally-sensi- ship, providing foradiversity ofhousingopportunities, • Intheinterestofprotectingcharacter Town- development. shall continuetoserve as ageneralguideforresidential permitted inthe Township’s currentZoningOrdinance Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, residentiallandusesas Township’s residentialdistrictsassetforthinitscurrent de • The locations,typesanddensities offutureresidential 5.1.1 Residential Development 5.1 | pated growth fromnow untiltheyear2035. account the Township’s regional location anditsantici- household projectionsoutlinedinChapter3,takinginto that end,the Township hasconsideredthepopulationand of presentandfutureresidentsthe Township. Toward ning practicestoinsurethatitoccursinthebestinterest fair shareofpopulationgrowth, employing soundplan- by incompatibleandpoorlyplannedlanduses. neighboring municipalities,frombeingadversely affected residential areas,bothwithinthe Township andinits acknowledges itsresponsibilitytoprotectthestabilityof opportunities andconstraints.Inparticular, Willistown ment facilities andcognizantofenvironmental sistent withavailable water suppliesandsewage treat- roads andthedesiretoreducevehicle milestraveled, con- deferential tothecarryingcapacityof Township’s vative inresponsetonew planninganddesignpractices, shall berespectfulofexisting landusepatternsyetinno- tial, institutional,commercialandindustrialdevelopment community values identified inChapter4.Futureresiden- range oflandusesconsistentwiththeprotection growth inaplannedandorderlyfashion andprovide fora Willistown Township ispreparedtoaccommodateits Thesecondmajorgoalofthisplanistoguidefuture v elopment shallbeconsistentwiththeintentof P olicies guiding future growth: goal 2 Chapter 5 tial de Existing Conditions/ Background 5.1.2 through innovation andflexibility insitedesign. serve andprotectagriculturallandopenspace manner thatcomplementsthe Township’s efforts topre- being toaccommodatenew residentialdevelopment ina cle XXVI,OpenSpaceConservation (OSC),theintent ciples espousedhereinandinChapter139,Zoning, Arti- zoning districtsshallutilizetheconservation designprin- • Residentialgrowth occurringinagricultural/residential and walkability oftheir“town” cores. Tredyffrin Township toenhancethevitality, livability, the Township’s efforts andthoseofMalvern Boroughand protect openspaceandwildlifehabitat),benefit from nities thatdonotrequirelarge landareas(andsofurther ments beingmadeinthisarea,provide housingopportu- rate acombinationofexisting buildings, adaptively- area). Development intheseareasisintendedtoincorpo- also exist inthe Tredyffrin Township portionofthePaoli around thePaoli areaofthe Township (similarstandards mixed useandtransit-oriented development inand Districts provide specific opportunitiesforcompact tion andprofessionaloffice, tonameafew. well asnon-residentialusessuchphysicalrehabilita- velopment (upto70%of [email protected]),as ted usesincludesingleandmulti-family residentialde- RA districtforparcelsofnotlessthan150acres;permit- Unified Area Development Districtisanoverlay onthe that would belostunderconventional development.” The scenic andhistoricareasruralcommunitycharacter ment isintendedto“preserve openland,sensitive natural, dential zoningdistrict;aminimumopenspacerequire- defined toincludeallparcelsover 15acresinany resi- District isaformofdensityneutralcompactdevelopment units peracre. The Township’s OpenSpaceConservation tional use,withgrossdensitiesrangingfrom1.5to12 family residentialdevelopment isallowed asacondi- range fromapproximately.25to4unitsperacre.Multi- RA-1, RAandRU zoningdistricts,wheregrossdensities dential development ispermittedintheR-3,R-2,R-1, under thecurrentZoningOrdinance.Singlefamily resi- Bothsingle-family andmulti-family typesofresiden- Recentlyadopted Transportation and Town Center v elopment areallowed in Willistown Township

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 63 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout14/5/115:35PMPage64 64 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Future emphasisonthenorthernportionof opportunities forarangeofhousingtypesanddensities. housing typeswithinthe Township. In1975, theZoning Zoning Ordinancein1970 toprovide forawiderrange of • A multi-family districtdesignationwas addedtothe tal opportunitiesandconstraints. ships totheexisting pattern oflanduse,andenvironmen- availability ofcommunityfacilities andservices,relation- Basis for Policies 5.1.3 origin formostcommunityfacilities andservices. tance fromthispopulatedcorearea,alsothepointof permitted grossdensitiesdecreaseasafunctionofdis- due toitsproximitycommuterrailservice.Ingeneral, of the Township, thefirst areatobecomesuburbanized tial development areallowed inthenortheasternportion existent landscaping. buildings, large surface parkinglots,andsparse ornon- “big-box” retailoroffice uses,onestorysingle-useretail lighting andbenches;usesnotrecommendedinclude via sidewalks anddesignedwithappropriatelandscaping, tance ofservices,pedestrian-orientedbuildings accessible cational center, etc),residentialuseswithinwalking dis- community uses(daycare,seniorcenter, postoffice, edu- story buildings, commercialusesinterspersedwith As such,recommendedusesincludemixed-use multi- to build uponandenhancethepositive attributes ofPaoli. above. New constructioninthishistoricareaisintended retail establishmentswithoffice andresidentialuses reused structuresandnew buildings thatmixgroundfloor mits residentialde • The Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter 139,per- Township Planning and Regulation Today 5.1.4 consumption anddecreasetheimpactsofclimatechange. sustainable, protectcommunityvalues, reduceenergy imaginative formsofresidentialdevelopment thatare space. habitat areasandfurtherpromoteagricultureopen including thedesiretoprotectnaturalresourcesand Space Conservation District forreasonsoutlinedabove, conservation designprinciples espousedintheOpen curring intheagricultural/residentialareaswillutilize and walkable communities.Itisprojectedthatgrowth oc- use development inordertoencouragetransitoriented is intendedtoprovide additionalopportunitiesformixed Willistown Township hasaresponsibilitytoprovide Willistown Township needstoencouragevaried and The highestgrossdensitiesforsinglefamily residen- v elopment atdensitiesbaseduponthe T ownship 5.2.1 Institutional Development 5.2 | an appropriateregional distribution ofresidentialdevelopment. (such asefforts currentlyunderway inPaoli) andpromote areas withinwalking distanceofpublictransportation permit theconcentrationofresidentialdevelopment in • Continuetoparticipateinregional planningefforts that ation andexercise. vehicular travel andproviding opportunitiesforrecre- neighborhoods andzoningdistricts,reducingtheneedfor pedestrian trailsandsidewalks tointerconnect Township adjacent toresidentialareas.Provide opportunitiesfor Provide foractive andpassive recreationusesneartoor residential zoningclassifications) foragriculturaluses. classification but includingportionsoftheRAandother rural preservation area (predominatelytheRU zoning veloped areas.Continuetopromotetheuseoflandin velopment whilemaintainingopenspaceinsparselyde- opportunities bywhichtoaccommodateappropriatede- • Continuetoexamine codeincentives andpreservation and decreasetheimpactsofclimatechange. protect communityvalues, reduceenergy consumption range ofdwellingtypesanddensitiesthataresustainable, the • Periodicallyreview theZoningOrdinance toensurethat open space. to thepermanentpreservation ofsignificant amountsof rural portionsofthe Township onlywhenthey contribute ture available. Institutionaluseswillbeconsideredinthe protect communityvalues, andhave adequate infrastruc- land uses,beconsistentwithlocallandscapecharacter, would beharmoniouswiththecharacterofsurrounding strated tothesatisfaction ofthe Township thatsuchuses where itisdeemedappropriateand/orcanbedemon- or asconditionalusesspecialexceptions inareas tional de • Willistown Township shallaccommodatefutureinstitu- .. Recommendations for Policy 5.1.5 development, respectively. open spacepreservation, mixed useandtransit-oriented in 1999,2003and2007furtherprovide opportunitiesfor ties foradiversity ofhousingtypes.Recentamendments Ordinance was amendedtofurtherprovide foropportuni- T Impl ownship continuestoprovide opportunitiesfora P olicies v ement elopment aspermittedinselectzoningdistricts ation/ Actions to Implement Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage65 public landuses.Existinginstitutionsin v .. Existing Conditions/ Background 5.2.2 more carefullythanitdoesresidentialuses. category, the Township intendstoscrutinizesuchuses institutional uses,andthevariety ofactivities thatfit this • Duetothepotentialforgreaterimpactassociatedwith ment thatissustainable. impacts ofclimatechange,andencouragefuturedevelop- tion ofenergy andenvironmental resources,reducethe green building principles)intendedtoreduceconsump- cluding but not limitedtoLEEDscertification orother Township willpromotegreenbuilding technologies(in- • Inordertobestaccommodateinstitutionaluses,the Township’s greatest populationbase. provide mixed useopportunities inproximitytothe Center District. The intentineachofthesedistrictsisto XXXI Transportation District,and Article XXXII Town Article XXXUnified Development Area District, Article opment withinselectnewer zoningdistricts,amongthose ship craftingadditionalprovisions forinstitutionaldevel- transit-oriented development have resultedinthe Town- tunities formixed usedevelopment and/or proach, recentplanningef basis, andfundamentallycontinuestosupportthisap- location ofsuchusesbeconsideredonacase-by-case Basis for Policies 5.2.3 Township residents. of usessuitableforandinproximitytotheneeds such usesinselectareasofthe Township aspartofamix uses byright.Suchprovisions recognizethesuitabilityof uses, andunified development permitsomeinstitutional ing transportationandhighway uses,office/professional Township); forexample, several zoningdistrictsgovern- (particularly inthenorthern,moredenseportionsof ernmental, educational,orreligioususesarepermitted has expanded provisions anddistrictsunderwhich gov- and various recreational/entertainment facilities. complexes, private schools,healthcarefacilities, clubs stitutions in Willistown includechurchesandreligious police andmunicipalbuildings. Existingsemi-publicin- town includetwo publicschoolsandthe Town ship’s aried natureofinstitutionalusesnecessitatesthatfuture Institutional development includespublicandsemi- While the Township hastraditionallyheldthatthe It shouldbenotedthatinrecentyearsthe Township forts aimedatproviding oppor- W illis- .. Recommendations for Policy 5.2.5 transit-oriented development. government offices andlibrariesaspartofmixed useand ditional opportunitiesforhealthcarefacilities, dents. Recentamendmentsin2003and2007provide ad- use development withincloseproximityto Township resi- tion densitywarrants additionalopportunitiesformixed ship tosurroundinglandusesandinareaswherepopula- district, aswellintherecently adopted Transportation permitted alongUSRoute 30 intheHighway Business ments andprofessionaloffices. Retailestablishments are 5.3.1 Commercial Development 5.3 | and servicesuponsurroundingareas. adverse affect upontheprovision ofcommunityfacilities while providing taxrevenues, provided thereisminimal development thatpreserve large amountsofopenspace • Continuetoaccommodatethosetypesofinstitutional uses formix ing institutionalusese • Monitorthedistrictsforwhichnew provisions govern- de Existing Conditions/ Background 5.3.2 ment thatissustainable. impacts ofclimatechange,andencouragefuturedevelop- tion ofenergy andenvironmental resources,reducethe green building principles)intendedtoreduceconsump- cluding but notlimitedtoLEEDscertification orother Township willpromotegreenbuilding technologies(in- • Inordertobestaccommodatecommercialuses,the corridor extending alongRoute3. Sugartown Road,and alongtheRoute3plannedhighway east ofMalvern), alongthePaoli Pike corridorwestof business corridor(includingKingandCentral Avenues mercial de • Willistown Township shallaccommodatefuturecom- de Township Planning and Regulation Today5.2.4 v v elopment inareaswhereitscharacterbearsarelation- elopment in Willistown Township: retailestablish- There areessentiallytwo majortypesofcommercial The currentZoningOrdinancepermitsinstitutional P Impl olicies v ement elopment aspermittedalongtheRoute30 ed usecommunities. ation/ Actions to Implement xist; determinetheviabilityofsuch

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 65 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage66 66 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania to re P mits commercialusesalongandadjacenttoRoute30, .. Basis for Policies 5.3.3 or non-existent landscaping. use retailbuildings, large surface parkinglots,andsparse include “big-box”retailoroffice uses,onestorysingle- scaping, lightingandbenches;usesnotrecommended sible viasidewalks anddesignedwithappropriateland- distance ofservices,pedestrian-orientedbuildings acces- educational center, etc),residentialuseswithinwalking munity uses(daycare,seniorcenter, postoffice, story buildings, commercialusesinterspersedwithcom- As such,recommendedusesincludemixed-use multi- to build uponandenhancethepositive attributes ofPaoli. above. New constructioninthishistoricareaisintended retail establishmentswithoffice andresidentialuses reused structuresandnew buildings thatmixgroundfloor rate acombinationofexisting buildings, adaptively- area). Development intheseareasisintendedtoincorpo- also exist inthe Tredyffrin Township portionofthePaoli around thePaoli areaofthe Township (similarstandards mixed useandtransit-orienteddevelopment inand Districts provide specific opportunitiesforcompact ment, recentlyadopted Transportation and Town Center along Route3inthePlannedHighway Corridordistrict. fied Development Area districtadjacent toPaoli Pike, and near theRoute30transportationcorridor, withinaUni- office park. clearly designatedasasupportservicewithinplanned commercial usesarepermittedalongRoute3when and Town Centerdistricts,andalongPaoli Pike. Ancillary tunities formixed usedevelopment, encourage multi- The intentoftheseprovisions istoprovide furtheroppor- oriented development inandaroundthePaoli Rail Yard. creation ofnew provisions formixed useand/ortransit- forts toplanforthefutureofPaoli areahave ledtothe mercial development. Itshouldbenotedthat recentef- uses andtraffic capacitiescanbestaccommodate com- Township Planning and Regulation Today5.3.4 town Road,andPA Route3. along oradjacenttoRoute30,Paoli Pike westofSugar- commercial usesin Willistown arepredominatelyfound aoli Pik Due tothe Township’s relative positioninproximity The Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter139,per- As mentionedinthesectiononresidentialdevelop- Professional Office districtsarelocatedalongand gional commercialandb e andRoute3wheretheexisting patternofland usiness centers,locationsfor storage operationsandhospital-related facilities. ufacturing, research,office, assembly, processing or acterize thedistrictaregenerally non-nuisancelightman- dustrial de County andre • Willistown Township intendstoremainconsistentwith 5.4.1 Industrial Development 5.4 | commercial development. to promoteanappropriateregional distribution of • Continuetoparticipateinregional planningactivities of suchusesascomponentsmixed usecommunities. governing commercialusesexist; determinetheviability • MonitortheP uses withinthesedistricts. commercial usese • Monitorthedistrictsforwhichprovisions governing transportation corridor an industrialdistrictlocatedadjacenttotheUSRoute 30 Existing Conditions/ Background5.4.2 is sustainable. of climatechange,andencouragefuturedevelopment that energy andenvironmental resources,reducetheimpacts building principles)intendedtoreduceconsumption of but notlimitedtoLEEDscertification orothergreen ship willpromotegreenbuilding technologies(including • Inordertobestaccommodateindustrialuses,the Town- expanding industrialareaswithinthe Township. for industrialuses,furtherconsiderationwillbegiven to determine thatindustrialdemandexceeds areasplanned date, the Township participatesinregional studieswhich be limitedtoitsexisting industrialpark.Ifatsomefuture corridor. Futureindustrialuseswithinthe Township shall .. Recommendations for Policy 5.3.5 more sustainable. promote development thatislessenergy consumptive and ity andeconomicviabilityofthePaoli communityand modal transportationopportunities,improve thewalkabil- Industrial development ispermittedin Willistown in Impl P olicies velopment alongtheRoute30trans porta tion ement gional landuseplansinguidingfuturein- aoli communityforwhichnew provisions ation/ Actions to Implement xist; determinetheviabilityofsuch . The typesofindustrywhichchar- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage67 5.4.5 quired forindustrialuse. located inanareawhichhasf Township Planning and Regulation5.4.4 Today Willistown’s residentialcharacter. most industrialuseswould beincompatiblewith marily ahighlydesirableresidentialcommunity, and adjoining municipalities. Township lesssuitableforindustrialdevelopment than other municipalitiesintheregion, therebymakingthe identif Future Land Use 5.5 | industrial development. that promoteanappropriateregional distribution of • Continuetoparticipateinregional planningactivities supply ofindustrialland. • Continuetomonitordemandsforandtheavailable cling, andrelatedjobgrowth. “green” industriesthatfocusonrenewable energy, recy- ship’ • Considerexpanding theusespermittedin Town- portant transportationf Basis for Policies 5.4.3 place thatlimitfuturedevelopment. (through ownership oreasement)mayhave restrictionsin future landuse;furthermore,landsclassified asprotected natural resourcescanattimespreemptclassification for vidual sites. While notillustratedhere,theprotectionof cific zoningprovisions provide landuseoptionsforindi- Depicted aresimplified landuse desig nations only;spe- future residential,commercialandindustriallanduses. The Township’s existing industrialdistrictisproperly The Township hasbeenandwillcontinuetobepri- In lightofthepoliciescontainedherein,Map10 The Township’s proximitytoandlinkageswithim- s industrialdistricttofurtherpermitandincenti Recommendations for Policy Implementation/ ies generallocationsin A cti ons to Implement acilities arenotasf acilities andservicesre- Willistown Township for avorable as vize Township residents. broad rangeoflandusesconsistentwiththeneeds nity whosepatternofdevelopment accommodatesa consistent withitsvisionofavibrant,dynamiccommu- ship tocontinueprovide opportunitiesfordevelopment public servicesandinfrastructurepermitsthe Town- This principleisthebasisforlogicalprovision of circles thatemanatewhenastoneisthrown intoapond. lated urbancore,inappearancemuchlike theconcentric should decreaseasafunctionofdistancefrompopu- ence tothesoundplanningprinciplethatzoningdensities What isimportanttonotethe Township’s adher-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 67 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage68 68 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 69

MAP 10 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 70

MAP 10 BACK Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage71 residents byfourv Existing Conditions/Background 6.1.2 ship residents. that pro Continue tofinancially supportvolunteer fire companies nual feeto Aqua America foreachfire hydrant. America’s water mains. Willistown Township paysanan- sist ofanetwork offire hydrantsinareasserved by Aqua Services. aries areshown onMap11:CommunityFacilities and Medical servicesarenotprovided. Fireservicebound- of theseservicesareseparatefromfire servicerecords. provide emergency ambulance services,althoughrecords Township. BothMalvern andPaoli FireCompaniesalso these four, Malvern andPaoli cover themajorityof Paoli, Newtown Square,andGoshenFireCompanies. Of 6.1.1 Fire Protection 6.1 | where warranted. services andimprove, support,andexpand suchofferings ices emphasizetheneedtomonitorexisting facilities and services. fire protection,emergency medicalassistanceandother istrative staff, andincreasedfinancial contributions for the expansion ofthe Township’s police forceandadmin- construction ofasewage collectionandtreatmentsystem, ample, populationgrowth hasbeenaccompaniedbythe facilities andservicesasthey have beenrequired.For ex- services shouldtheneedexist. and costofsuchservicesintervene toimprove such the Township intendstoperiodically monitorthequality resources. Where suchservicesareprovided byothers, sonably provided totheextent ofthe Township’s financial needs ofcurrentandfutureresidents,thatcanberea- are appropriateforasecondclasstownship, thatmeetthe is toprovide thosecommunityfacilities andservicesthat Fire protectionisprovided to Willistown Township Fire protectionfacilities in Willistown Township con- General policiesforcommunityfacilities andserv- The Township hastraditionally provided community The thirdof Willistown’s fundamentalplanninggoals P vide f olicy for FireProtection ire protectionservicesto Willistown Town- olunteer f ire companies:Malvern, goal 3 providing community facilities &services: Chapter 6 .. Recommendations for Policy 6.1.5 adequate forneeds. • Periodicallye Police Department. • Continuetooperateandfundthe Willistown Township 6.2.1 Police Protection 6.2 | needs. four companiestoensurethatservicesareadequatefor • Periodicallyexamine fire responsetimeforeachofthe companies. • Continuetof • Ensureactive andcontinuingfire service. re well asshiftsinhousingandpopulation.Fundingisalso Township Planning and Regulation Today6.1.4 ship, aswellvisitors. to pro Basis for Policy 6.1.3 service willberequired. next twentyyears,itisunlikely significant changesin Township isnotexpected toincreasedrasticallyover the for currentneeds.Becausepopulationin Willistown covers. assessed valuation oftheterritorywhichCompany companies, atvarying levels ofsupport,dependingonthe town Township provides supporttoeachofthesefire local municipalitiesandfromvoluntary donations. Willis- vie The Township constantly monitorsresponsetimesas The Township’s policy isbasedonthe responsibility Fire serviceandresponsetimeappeartobeadequate All fourfire companiesderive fundingsupportfrom wed duringscheduledbudget meetings. vide protectiontotheresidentsof Impl P olicies for Police Protection ement i xamine whetherprotecti nancially supportvolunteer fire ation/Actions to Implement ve servicesare Willistown Town-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 71 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage72 72 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania pro adequate andensurethattheDepartmenthasfundsto • Continuetomonitorpoliceservicesensurethey are through the Existing Conditions/Background6.2.2 public tomaintaintheirconfidence andtrust. Willistown Township andwork inpartnershipwiththe enhance thesafetyandsecurityofallpeople • ContinuetosupportthemissionofDepartment .. Recommendations for6.2.5 Policy that ariseormayinthe deplo in considerationofappropriateshiftscrimetrends and Township6.2.4 Planning and Regulation Today ship, aswellvisitors. to pro Basis for Policy 6.2.3 staffing levels aremonitoredandconstantlyreviewed. Emergency Services. are dispatchedbytheChesterCountyDepartmentof 2010-2011 tobettermeetDepartmentneeds. that thecurrentpolicebuilding willberemodeledin projected needsandlegal requirements.Itisanticipated other majorexpenditures inordertomeetcurrentand major structuralimprovements, capitalinvestments, or ities andServices. The Department routinelyconsiders building locationisshown onMap11:CommunityFacil- rebuilt in1992toserve PoliceDepartmentneeds. The the Department’s use. The formermunicipalbuilding was administrative vehicles, andthreedetective vehicles for time officers. The Township owns eightpatrolcars,two fund. for theDepartmentcomesfrom Township’s general ment serves everyone in Willistown Township. Funding vide necessaryservices. Willistown Township provides policeservices Police protectionisevaluated bytheChiefofPolice The Township’s policy isbasedonthe responsibility Police serviceappearstobeadequateatthistime; Emergency callstothe Willistown PoliceDepartment The Departmentcurrentlyemploys seventeen full- yment ofpersonnelisadjustedtomeetproblems vide protectiontotheresidentsof Impl ement W illistown PoliceDepartment. The Depart- ation/Actions to Implement Township. Willistown Town- cations andfundsavailable. funding andwirelessmoney isdistributed based onappli- state. Eachyearcountiescompleteanapplicationfor funds aresubmittedbythewirelessproviders tothe funds asanothersourceofrevenue. Note: The Wireless PEMA), throughwhichcountiescanapplyforwireless (Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency or Internet Protocol)surcharge of$1.00ispaidtothestate collected throughtelephonebills. A VOIP (Voice Over duced to$1.00whenthepopulationreaches500,000) monthly linecharge (currently$1.25,whichwillbere- 911 serviceisfundedbygeneralCountyfundsanda dispatched, theuserpaysforservice. The County’s lice department,and/orfire company. Ifanambulance is patcher contactstheappropriateambulance company, po- Upon receiving anemergency call,theCounty911dis- tance bydialingone,easy-to-rememberphonenumber. son toobtainpolice,medicalandotheremergency assis- throughout theCounty. The “911”systemallows any per- County-wide “911”systemiscompletelyfunctional Office coordinatesdisasterandevacuation planning. The Hospital islocatedonPaoli Pike. services arealsoprovided. BrynMawr Rehabilitation out-patient basis. Transitional andhomerehabilitation vides physicalrehabilitationservicesonbothanin-and Lancaster Avenue inPaoli. (initiated January1,2010). The hospitalislocatedon rently functioningunderamandatedoneyeartrialperiod was recentlyapproved asa Trauma Centerandiscur- Emergency Roomandparkingfacilities. Paoli Hospital In 2009Paoli Hospitalexpanded andopenedanew Maternity serviceswereoffered forthefirst timein1995. ical services,includingvarying levels ofsurgery. ship. Paoli Hospitalprovides emergency andothermed- County’s “911”Emergency Network. by localhospitals,fire companiesandChester 6.3.2 sion of`911’ Continue tocooperatewithChesterCountyintheprovi- emer 6.3.1 6.3 | Chester County’s Emergency ManagementServices Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation,a111-bedhospital,pro- Two hospitalsarelocatedwithin Willistown Town- Willistown Township residentsareprovided with genc Existing Conditions/Background P Emergency Medical Assistance olicy for Emergency Medical Assistance y responseservicesthroughcooperative efforts services. Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 73

MAP 11 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 74

MAP 11 back Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage75 6.4 | ices toensurethatservicesareadequateforneeds. • Routinelymonitorresponsetimesforamb sion of“911”services. • ContinuetocooperatewithChesterCountyintheprovi- to pro Basis for Policy 6.3.3 Route 3.Continueimplementation ofthemutuallyac- • Discouragehaphazarddevelopment alongRoute30and improvements. and parkingproblems,assignprioritiestoany needed • Develop strategies tocorrectany identified circulation safety andpromotebettercirculation. sider traffic calmingstrategies asappropriatetoensure to meettheneedsof Willistown Township residents.Con- local roadnetwork provides adequateinternalcirculation impacts totheexisting road network. Ensurethatthe • Continuetoensurethatnew development minimizes accomplish thepoliciescontainedherein. and continuingdialoguewithPennDOT arenecessaryto feasible andappropriate.Bothdirectmunicipalaction signalized intersections.Encourageridesharingwhere tion strategies suchasroundaboutsalternatives to new through traffic, includingtheuseofinnovative transporta- tion network toprovide forefficient movement of • Continueworking toimprove theregional trans porta - not intendedfororincapableofsuchtraffic. rily forlocaltraffic. Discouragethroughtraffic onroads transmit throughtraf • Continuetoclarifyandplanforthoseroadsintended 6.4.1 .. Recommendations for Policy6.3.5 through policereportingprocedures. Township Planning and Regulation6.3.4 Today ship, aswellvisitors. The Township’s policy isbasedontheresponsibility EMS responsetimesareperiodicallymonitored vide protectiontotheresidentsof Roads and General Circulation P Impl olicies for Roads ement ation/Actions to Implement f ic andthoseroadsdesignedprima- Willistown Town- ulance serv- elements ofthee Existing Conditions/Background6.4.2 Chester County’s LinkingLandscapesPlan. the recommendationsandvisionstatementsidentified in fied roadsandroadshouldersinthe Township. Consider • Examineopportunitiesforsafebicycling alongidenti- such roads. tect theintrinsicnatural,scenicandhistoricqualitiesof identified bythe Township asScenicRoads. Work topro- • Considerrecognitionofandprotectionforthoseroads mize, asneeded,potentialsafetyhazards. roads aremaintainedinoptimumconditionandmini- • Provide regular roadmaintenancetoensurethatlocal in andaroundPaoli. facilities) toimprove andenhancetransportationchoices ding circulationimprovements (bothroadsandpedestrian of amulti-modaltransportationcenterwithcorrespon- the Paoli CommunityMasterPlan,includingthecreation ceptable localandregional transportationcomponentsof desirable todiscouragethe useoflocalroadsforthe balanced againstthecorrection ofsafetyproblems.Itis The preservation ofthesescenicresourcesneeds tobe pecially scenic,asshown onMap12:CirculationPlan. distance, orawkward alignments. ship have problems withpoorroadsurface, limitedsight a two-lane highway, andseveral otherroadsinthe Town- Township. Paoli Pike alsocarrieshightraffic volumes for umes andthehighesttraffic crashfrequencies inthe known. These highways exhibit thehighesttraffic vol- 30) and West ChesterPike (PA Route3)—arewell parts ofthe Township –Lancaster Avenue (U.S.Route tions alongthetwo mainhighway corridorsthattraverse continues tobeanissueofincreasingconcern.Condi- gories: is inventoried andanalyzedunderthefollowing cate- tion andlandusepatternsinthecommunity. The system Township. The existing roadnetwork guidesbothcircula- This sectionofthecomprehensive planaddressesthe Significant portions ofthelocalroadnetwork arees- Traffic circulationthroughout Willistown Township AccessManagement. 4. Traffic Volumes3. andCapacity;and, RoadConditions; 2. FunctionalClassification; 1. xisting circulationsystemof Willistown

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 75 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage76 76 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania roads withinitsboundaries. 1. Functional Classification making suchdecisionsusingalogicalplanningprocess. ments bothroadfunctionandconditionsasabasisfor tract throughtraffic tothelocalroads. This sectiondocu- discouraging improvements thatincreasecapacityandat- along themajorhighway corridorsinthe Township and of improvement projectsaimedatmaximizingcapacity movement ofthroughtraffic bybothsupportingthetype points aregenerallylimited andcontrolled. distances onanintercountyorinterstatebasis. Access higher typesofserviceandfacilitate traffic over longer rates ofspeed,oftenat55milesperhour. They provide movement oflarge volumes oftraffic atrelatively high Principal Arterials Paoli Pike, andPA Route3. PA Route29,PA Route401, U.S.Route30,BootRoad, the Township withseveral interchangesaccessiblefrom ways. U.S.Route202islocatedtothenorthandwestof to allow thehighestlevels ofspeedforallvehicles. the highestlevel ofmobilityfortrucksandareintended an interstateorinter-regional basis.Expressways allow access onlyatinterchangeswhileproviding linkageson average triplengths.Expressways aredesignedtoprovide Expressways The different classifications are asfollows: sign andaccesstreatment. define thecharacterofroad,andultimately, thede- individual residentialdriveways. Roadfunctionhelpsto between neighborhoods,andsomeprovide accessfrom carry higherspeedthroughtraffic, somecarrylocaltraffic ship toplaces,andrelationshipotherroadways. Some on volumes oftraffic, travel speed,accessibility, relation- tion they serve intheoverall network. Function isbased signals within,orontheboundariesof, Township. within residentialneighborhoods. There areeleven traffic bination ofrural,scenic,andfarm roadsandstreets 51.68 milesofthenetwork, whichiscomprisedofacom- highway network ofthecommunity. The Township owns State owns 30.04miles,whichconsistsprimarilyofthe maintained bothbythe Township andbytheState. The Willistown Township hasa totalof81.72miles Lancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30)and West Chester Willistown Township doesnotcontainany express- Roadways have beenclassified accordingtothefunc- service thehighestvolumes forthehighest have astheirmajorfunction,the These roadsareo wned and number ofaccesspointsis greatestonlocalroads. and make upthemajority of Township owned roads. The Local roadsprovide forshortdistance,low speedtravel, Local Roads Road, Devon Road,and Warren Avenue. King Road,GoshenSugartown Road,Providence culation betweenandwithinresidentialneighborhoods. road networks. Minorcollectorsoftenprovide traffic cir- roads anddirectittothearterialsmajorcollector traffic atlower speeds. They gathertraffic fromlocal Minor Collectors southwestern ChesterCounty. (PA Route926)connects Willistown Township with Paoli andMalvern to West Chester, whileStreetRoad ship. Paoli Pike provides animportantconnectionfrom sidered tobemajorcollectorroadsin Willistown Town- roads tospantheentirelengthofacommunity. collector roads.Itisnotuncommonformajor rates ofspeed. Access pointsaresomewhat controlledon traffic andcarryfairly heavy traffic volumes atmoderate centers. These roadsarethe major contributors toarterial Major Collectors that fall intothiscategory. land thanprincipalarterials. points. Minorarterialsprovide greateraccesstoadjacent trips ofmoderatelengthandhave controlledaccess cipal arterialsystem. These roads provide servicesfor Minor Arterials Delaware Countyto West Philadelphia. Borough of West ChesterinCounty, through Pike (PA Route3)serves asaconnectionbetweenthe tations ondirectaccessandhigherspeeds. West Chester (PA Route3)isadivided highway whichretainsitslimi- eventually Atlantic City, New Jersey. West ChesterPike Pennsylvania, throughtheMainLinetoPhiladelphia,and which provides aconnectiontoLancasterandHarrisburg, is animportantinterstateandintercountyconnection abutting thehighway. Lancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30) time whichhasseensignificant changesinlanduses this patternhasbeenestablishedover alongperiodof some principalarterialswithreducedspeedlimits,but Lancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30)arenotaslimited ered principalarterials. Access pointsalongsegments of Pike (PA Route3),bothfour-lane highways, areconsid- The minorcollectorsin Willistown Township include Paoli Pike andStreetRoad(PA Route926)arecon- Currently therearenoroadsin Willistown Township provide thegreatestaccess toadjacentland. interconnect withandaugmenttheprin- facilitate relatively low volumes of connect municipalitiesandpopulation Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 77

MAP 12 front Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 78

MAP 12 back Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage79 ship PoliceDepartmentw Accident Reports the causeofsomecrashes. inability toseeoncomingtraffic atan intersection canbe be identified duringthedevelopment review process. The properly gradeadjacentland.Gradingrequirementscan sections. Insomeinstancesitmayalsobenecessaryto aware ofandcontrol vegetative growth adjacenttointer- need tomaintainsafesightdistances.Itisnecessarybe track offarm lanes. With increasingvolumes comesthe handle low volumes oftraffic, orsimplyfollowed the Willistown Township. Countryroadsweredesignedto alignment correctionwillbecomeincreasinglyimportant. velopment occursandtraffic increasesontheseroads, roadways evolved aslinkagesalongproperty lines. As de- vertical alignmentreferstothehillsinroad. These zontal alignmentreferstothecurves intheroad,while primarily inthesouthernportionof Township. Hori- zontal alignmentintheformofdangerouscurves, located clude: of anyone usingtheroadways. Roadway conditionsin- Areas ofconcernarethosethatposeathreattothesafety problem areaswithinthe (U.S. Route30),Providence RoadandGoshenRoad. The Chester Pike (PA Route3),Paoli Pike, Lancaster Avenue reported crashesoccurredalong thecorridorsof West year periodfrom2005through2009. The majorityofthe cation ofhighestcrashratesthatoccurredforthefive cient forthecurrenttraf 2. Road Conditions town Township. classification assignedtoeachroadsegment in Willis- and areprimarilyusedbyindividuals inthecommunity. identified aslocalroads. They mainlyhandlelocaltraffic A summaryofcrashdatafromthe Willistown Town- Sight distanceproblemsarecommonthroughout There arenumerousalignmentconcerns,mostlyhori- Bridgelimitations. - Dangerouscurves; and, - Sightdistanceproblems; - Roadway alignmentproblems; - Unimproved surfaces; - With few exceptions, theroadway network issuffi- Map 12:CirculationPlanidentifies thefunctional The remainderoftheroadsin Township maybe f ic andpopulationofthearea. Township. Map12shows thelo- as usedtoidentifypotential that thesameroadorintersection isableto that usearoadorintersection andthemaximumcapacity ice (LOS)isacomparisonbetweenthevolumes oftraffic ment, intersection,orroadway interchange.Level ofserv- of ef Level ofService 926). east ofProvidence Road, andStreetRoad(PA Route Providence Roadnorth of GoshenRoad,Road Road westofMalvern, Paoli Pike eastofDevon Road, of 5,000vehicles perdayincludeDevon Road,King vehicles perday. Otherroadsegments thatcarryinexcess day; and,KingRoadeastofMalvern carriesabout10,000 traffic totalingfromabout11,000to13,000vehicles per west ofDevon Roadalsocarriesasignificant volume of from about22,000to31,000vehicles perday. Paoli Pike the highesttraffic volumes withinthe Township, ranging (PA Route3)andLancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30)carry expected, thetraffic countsreveal that West ChesterPike the ADT volumes thatwerecompiledforthisstudy. As gional PlanningCommission(DVRPC). Map12shows were obtainedfromthefiles oftheDelaware Valley Re- appropriate timestocounttraffic volumes. levels fortheyear. Therefore, thosetimesoftheyearare enced inthefall andspringareapproximately atmedian umes inthewinter. Onaverage, traffic volumes experi- year, withheavier volumes inthesummerandlightervol- typical weekday. Traffic volumes fluctuatethroughout the fic volume, inbothdirections,onaroadsegment fora Average Daily Traffic 3. Traffic Volumes andCapacity ported crashesperyear. town Township thathadacrashrategreaterthanfive re- Mill Road.Indeed,thisistheonlyintersectionin Willis- (PA Route3)andStreetRoad(PA Route926)/Garrett ported crasheswas theintersectionof West ChesterPike The singlelocationwiththegreatestfrequency ofre- crash ratespermilearenotconsideredtobeexcessive. ridors. Duetothelengthofthesecorridors,however, the amount ofdevelopment thatisestablishedalongthecor- of theamounttraffic thatusesthemcoupledwiththe crashes occurringalongtheseroutesareexpected because Level ofserviceanalysisisusedtoestablish thelevel In addition,dailytraffic counts,datingbackto1995, A f iciency that isbeingobtainedonaroadway seg- v erage Daily Traffic (ADT)isthetotal24-hourtraf-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 79 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage80 80 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania T 4. Access Management Township. the ruralcharacteralongmany oftheroadways inthe due tothelimitednumberofsignalizedintersectionsand and intersectionsinthe Township isgenerallyacceptable lated intersectionsalongPaoli Pike, LOSontheroads along Lancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30)andperhapsiso- D inbuilt-up areas. With theexception ofintersections handle volumes atanLOSCinruralconditionsand tion andheavy traffic backupsmayresult. become toolarge forthecapacityofroadorintersec- oversaturated conditionswhenthevolume oftraffic can ered unacceptabletomostdrivers, oftenoccursunder B, andsoonuntilanLOSFisreached.F, consid- LOS Bismoredifficult than A, Cismoredifficult than cult tomaneuver fromonelanetoanother. Driving at move atthesamespeedasothervehicles, anditisdiffi- wards F, driving becomesmoredifficult. Itisnecessaryto from outsideinfluences. As theLOSmoves closerto- ability todrive atany desiredspeedwithoutpressure a driver feelstheleastamountofanxietybecause the influenceofothermotorvehicles. With anLOSof A, which adriver maymove totallyindependentandwithout considered tobethebestpossibledriving situationin based onanumberoffactors: handle. The capacityofanintersectionorroadway is trial development has thepotentialtogeneratelarge vol- on large traffic volumes forhealthybusiness whileindus- erty isofgreatestconcern. Commercialpropertydepends problems. enue (U.S.Route30),willcreatecongestionandsafety corridor, asalreadyexists onsegments ofLancaster Av- highway corridors. Too many accesspointsalongabusy dential, commercial,andindustrialaccessalongthemain velopment, itisessential forthe Township tocontrolresi- existing development andthepotentialforincreasedde- be subjecttofuturedevelopment pressures.Because of o wnship, thereareseveral large tractsoflandthatcould Due totheruralcharacteroflarge areasof Willistown Roadways andintersectionsaregenerallydesignedto LOS isexpressed usingtheletters A throughF. A is the typeoftraffic controldevice(s). - the percentageoftruckspresent;and, - the presenceorabsenceofany turninglanes; - the widthofthelanes; - the numberoflanes; - The development ofcommercialandindustrial prop- sion andLandDevelopment, §123-30. The study isre- Traffic ImpactStudypursuanttoChapter 123,Subdivi- sion andlanddevelopment applicationsmustincludea transportation isthe Township6.4.4 Planning and Regulation Today road protection. road characteroffer additionalopportunitiesforlocal Recognition ofscenicqualityandmaintenancelocal for providing efficient movement ofthroughtraffic. the Paoli CommunityMasterPlan)isthebestapproach municipalities andPennDOT (suchasisoccurringwith traffic onsuchroads.Continuingdialoguewithadjacent mains apriorityofthe Township todiscouragethrough character andcapacityofthelocalroadsystem,itre- for boththroughtraffic andinternalcirculation.Given the the Township’s roadnetwork provides ampleopportunity jority ofthe Township’s roadsarelocalroads;together, Pike) (andtosomedegree, itsminorcollectors),thema- (Rt. 30andRt.3)majorcollectors926Paoli With theexception ofthe Township’s principalarterials ship residentsandthosetraveling throughthe Township. quate, safeandreliabletransportationoptionsto Basis for Policies 6.4.3 sary togaincompliance. change inownership or useofthepropertywillbeneces- it maybedifficult tomake themcomply. Inmostcases,a not currentlycomplywithproperchannelizingtechniques Recommendations, foradditionalinformation).Ifusesdo nation ofaccesspoints(see6.4.5Circulation cess points,therelocationofaccessorelimi- among thetechniquesavailable aretherealigningofac- vehicles inspecific patternsforsimilarmovements; techniques. Channelizationisessentiallythegroupingof drive, safetyandtraffic flow becomeaconcern. out withresidentialdevelopment, eachwithaseparate ertheless, whenthefrontageofamajorarterialisstripped cause oftheextensive difference intripgeneration.Nev- problems ascommercialorindustrialdevelopment be- efficient vehicular flow. to beregulated insuchamannerastoenablesafeand way. The interactionoftraffic enteringandexiting needs ate large traffic volumes enteringandexiting thehigh- umes oftruckandemployee traffic. Bothofthesegener- The Township’s primaryregulatory toolregarding Willistown’s Policiesareaimedatproviding ade- Many existing usesdonotutilizeproperchannelizing Residential development doesnotcreatethesame T raffic ImpactStudy;major subdivi- T own- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage81 tage oftheextensive roadway andpedestrianenviron- roadway improvements whichincludetakingfulladvan- mentation ofcurrentplans for thePTCandassociated include encouragementoftimelydecisionsontheimple- Delaware Valley Friends School. tions -theChurchofGoodSamaritanand nity MasterPlanalsoincorporatestwo importantinstitu- uses adjacenttothehospitalcampus. The Paoli Commu- Hospital andthemediumdensityoffice andindustrial portation-related retailingandservicesanchoredbyPaoli devoted tohighdensitymixed useretail, office andtrans- Avenue (U.S.Route30)in Willistown Township isalso ated in Tredyffrin Township, theareaalongLancaster the highdensitymixed-use retailandoffice core issitu- portation Center(PTC). While thePTCandaportion of planning effort iscenteredontheplannedPaoli Trans- local initiative isthePaoli CommunityMasterPlan. This porting roadimprovement requests.Oneexample ofa ments areimportantfactors intheState’s decisionssup- Consequently, theinitiatives oflocalandcountygovern- staff toregularly studyroadsandproposeimprovements. state roads).PennDOT nolongerhasthetraffic planning rily responsibleforprojectdesignandconstructionon ments tostateroads(althoughclearlyPennDOT isprima- to study, recommend andoftendesignneededimprove- viding supporttogetprojectsonthe TIP), notPennDOT, and takes aproactive position inassessingneedsandpro- County (whichdesignsimprovements foritsown bridges ity of Willistown Township andwherewarranted, Chester changed considerably. Itisnow primarilytheresponsibil- and recommendingimprovements tostateroads has ments. is responsibleforimplementationofneededimprove- volumes. Inaddition,thestudyassistsinidentifyingwho ments thatareneededtohandletheincreasedtraffic tions. The resultsoftheseanalysesidentifyroadimprove- a comparisonoffuturepre-andpost-development condi- volumes fortheroads/intersectionsinstudyarea,and section physicalconditions,aforecastoffuturetraffic of existing traffic dataandaninventory oftheroad/inter- commodate siteandtotaltraffic. Includedareacollection and off-site roadsandintersections,tosatisfactorily ac- tion system,includingbothon-sitecirculationfacilities provements necessarytopermittheaffected transporta- and long-rangeplanningofsiteaccessoff-site im- more, thestudyisintendedtoprovide guidanceonshort- distributed over timetothesurroundingroads.Further- generated byadevelopment andhow thetraffic willbe quired toidentifytheamountoftraffic expected tobe The objectives ofthePaoli CommunityMasterPlan Over thelasttwentyyears,processofevaluating .. Recommendations6.4.5 for Policy streetscape andpedestrianamenities. center, andincludeprovisions designedtoimprove Paoli andcomplimentarytoamulti-modaltransportation mixed usedevelopment consistentwiththecharacterof the Paoli CommunityMasterPlan.Opportunitiesexist for consistent with Township planningefforts, specifically tricts istoguidedevelopment opportunitieswithinPaoli Town CenterDistrict(TCD). The purposeofbothdis- XXXI, Transportation District(TD),and Article XXXII, town amendedChapter 139,Zoningtoinclude Article zoning districtswithinthePaoli area;inparticular, Willis- Willistown and Tredyffrin Townships adoptedtwo new surrounding areas.Inordertofacilitate planningefforts, Community fromwhichtobasefutureupgradesinthe the pedestrianenvironment inthecoreareaofPaoli tion ofthenew PTCwill includemany enhancementsto Valley RoadandCentral Avenue. Inaddition,construc- ious signalization/roundaboutalternatives forNorth section improvements toRt.252andCentral Avenue; var- North CedarHollow Road,andLancaster Avenue; inter- ment; bridgewideningsonRt.252,North Valley Road, 30)/Paoli Pike intersectionconsistentwiththeirrealign- construction oftheLancaster Avenue (U.S.Route improvements toLancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30);re- mentation activities relatedtothePlanincludepossible culation improvements discussedaspartoftheimple- pedestrian environment withinthePaoli Community. Cir- ties; and,thesystematicupgradeandimprovement ofthe supply of,andconvenient accessto,publicparkingfacili- capacity ofthefutureroadsystem;stepstoimprove the within theimpactareaofnew PTC,consistentwith general intensification anddiversification ofdevelopment the new PTC. This willincludetheencouragement ofthe ment improvements thatareplannedasanintegral partof tion toadiversified multi-functionalcommercialand goals ofthePaoli CommunityMaster Planincludeevolu- investigate optionstoadvance itsimplementation. The ports thePaoli CommunityMasterPlanandcontinuesto through traffic. Conversely, Willistown Township sup- use highways functionallydesignedtoaccommodate for achieving thiswillbetoencouragethroughtraffic to the ruralcharacterofcommunity. A principalmeans safety ofthecurrentcirculationsystemwhilepreserving Township aretocontinueandenhancethe efficiency and Township. The maincirculationgoalsof Willistown cies thatwillachie The purposeoftheCirculationPlanistocreatepoli- Impl ement ation/Actions to Implement v e thecirculationgoalsof Willistown

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 81 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage82 82 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania use. w Future Functional Road Classification portation hub. residential centersurroundingamajorintermodaltrans- Village ofPaoli. (U.S. Route30)Corridortraverses theheartof Road/Providence Road.Indeed,theLancaster Avenue Street Road(PA Route926),KingRoad,andGoshen West ChesterPike (PA Route3),Paoli Pike/Devon Road, local roadnetwork areLancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30), serve. Those roadsthatserve ahigherfunctionthanthe vation becauseofthecurrentorfuturefunctionthey some roadswhichmaynotmeritthesamelevel ofpreser- the ruralcharacteroflocalroadnetwork, thereare ih-fwywdh1030f 0-5 t8-2 t6-0f 08 t33-50ft 20-30mph 60-80 ft 20-60mph 20-60mph 9-12ft 60-80ft 30-70 mph 80-120ft 10-12 ft 30-70 mph 3-5% 50-70mph 100-150ft 10-12ft Percent grade(max) 150-300ft Design speed 12-14ft Right-of-way width Sidewalk width 12-14ft Buffer width Parking lanewidth 12-14+ft Shoulder width Right turnlanewidth Left turnlanewidth Travel lanewidth Median width ubro ae i.2pr - ae - ae - ae - ae 1-2lanes 2-3 lanes 2-3lanes 2-4lanes 2-8lanes Min.2per Number oflanes ork isausefulguidefortheplacementoffutureland The futurefunctionalclassification oftheroadnet- Although Willistown Township wishestopreserve xrswyPicplMinorMajor Local Principal Expressway direction 010f -0f -0f 2-40ft 4-60ft 4-60ft 10-100 ft 55 t1-0f 52 t1-5f 01 t10-15ft 10-15ft 10-15ft 15-20ft 15-20ft 25-50 ft 01 t81 t8-10ft 8-10ft 10-12 ft 12 ft A81 t81 t81 t71 t7-10ft 7-11ft 8-11ft 8-12ft 8-12ft NA A1-2f 01 t1-2f 10-12ft 10-12ft 10-12ft 10-12ft NA NA reilAtra olco olco Access Collector Collector Arterial Arterial 4-8 ft 3-9% 12 ft Chester CountyPlanningCommission. roads withdifferent classifications recommendedbythe the localroads. Table 6-1liststhedesignguidelinesfor and safetycontrolwhilepreservingtheruralcharacterof network inordertomaintainefficient managedaccess guided toareaswithcollectorroadaccessthearterial future landuseofacommunity. Development needstobe work isanimportantissuebecauseittiesdirectlytothe 4-8 ft -%51%51%5-12% 5-12% 5-12% 3-9% 2f 01 t1-2f 9-12ft 10-12ft 10-12ft 12 ft The futurefunctionalclassification oftheroadnet- Source: ChesterCounty PlanningCommission, 2004 4-8 ft 2-8 ft Table 6-1:DesignGuidelinesforRoads - t4-8ft 4-8 ft - t4-8ft 4-8 ft oenone none 10 ft Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage83 part, def Preservation ofLocalRoad Character Township. This willensurethatthescenicquality ofthe gram toincreasetheaesthetic qualityoflocalroadsinthe similar tothePennDOT “ADOPT-A-HIGHWAY” pro- town Township shouldconsiderestablishingaprogram Mill Road, White HorseRoadandHillview Road. Willis- Spring Road,Davis Road,South Valley Road,Grubbs Road, Sugartown Road, Warren Avenue, BootRoad, ester Road,PlumsockProvidence Road,Goshen local road.OtherroadstobeconsideredincludeDelch- successful venture inpreserving thescenicqualityofa in thesouthwesternportionof Township, representsa them asattractive aspossible. GarrettMillRoad,located through the Township, effort mustbegiven tokeeping ship’s scenicroads,aswellallotherroadsrunning source inthefuture. umes andspeedswhilehelpingpreserve thisculturalre- characteristic bendsandgrades,willhinderincreasedvol- remain asthey are.Keeping thecartways narrow, with mobility donotbecomeaproblem,thelocalroadsshould development islimitedalonglocalroads,andsafety allowing thelocalroad network toremainlesstraveled. If This would permittraffic easyaccesstothemajorroutes, and StreetRoad(PA Route926)fromthecollectorroads. munity, aswell asalong West ChesterPike (PA Route3) tial development opportunitiestosupportthePaoli Com- Paoli Pike, withafocusonthecommercialandresiden- managed accesstoLancaster Avenue (U.S.Route30)and Suitable areasincludelandsalongcollectorroads,with to areasthatarethemostsuitableforincreasedtraffic. This isonereasonwhydevelopment shouldbedirected safety reasonstowidenthemoreheavily traveled roads. ties experience development, itmaybenecessaryfor ume oftraffic willlikely increase. the localroadsarewidened,however, thespeedandvol- these roads. This isaconcernfromsafetystandpoint.If factor inkeeping large volume andhighspeedtraffic off roads. The physicallimitationsofthelocalroadsarea only reducethecurrentaestheticappealoftheserural of thecartways toallow increasedtraffic volumes can part ofthescenicqualityCommunity. Expansion scenic views ofthe Township. These roadsareoftena ond, thelocalroadsprovide adirectlinktomany ofthe The roadsfollow originalpropertylinesandtrails.Sec- network helpsdefine thesettlementhistoryofarea. support theneedforpreservation. First,thelocalroad The ruralcharacterof Willistown Township is,in To maintainandenhancethequalitiesof Town- As Willistown Township andsurroundingcommuni- ined bythelocalroadnetw ork. Several reasons PennDOT 12year programandtheDVRPC TIP. The program fortheproject. PennDOT willidentifythetimingandproperfunding and possibleimprovements toPennDOT directly. Inturn, Township shouldalsosubmitdocumentation ofconcerns For projects thatrequirePennDOT attention, Willistown receive federaland/orstatefunding forimplementation. (DVRPC) Transportation Improvements Program(TIP)to the Delaware Valley Regional PlanningCommission the TII isthefirst stepforaprojecttobecomelistedin years (seechesco.org/planning forthemostrecent TII); combined intoasinglereportandupdatedevery two improvements submittedbymunicipalitiestothe CCPC, Improvements Inventory (TII)isaninventory ofproposed County PlanningCommission(CCPC) Transportation conditions andneededimprovements. The Chester sponsible foralertingtheproperauthoritiesaboutsafety on PennDOT andtheState,localmunicipalitiesarere- for maintainingorimproving Stateowned roadsisplaced tration every otheryear. Although financial responsibility Pennsylvania legislature andFederalHighway Adminis- Improvement Program(TIP). The TIP isapproved bythe nDOT 12 Year ProgramandtheDVRPC Transportation State fundsareused,accomplishedthroughthePen- roads andmake minorimprovements. Liquid FuelFundsareusedbymunicipalitiestomaintain mileage ofmunicipalroadsandpopulation. legislative formulawhichtakes intoconsideration purchase offuel. The funds are allocatedaccordingtoa acquired bytheStatethroughtaxes received through the under theLiquidFuelsFundprogram. These fundsare widening, oraroadrelocationproject. magnitude oftheproject,whetheritisaresurfacing, of project,whetheritisaroadorbridgeproject;andthe ership oftheroad(stateormunicipallyowned); thetype culation-related projectsdependsonsuchfactors as:own- to ha Circulation Funding Opportunities lation (seeChapter4forafulldiscussion). ties forprotectionthroughcommunityoutreachandregu- the statescenicbyway program,alsoprovides opportuni- road designation,eitherthroughlocalefforts orthrough cluding individuals andgroupsdirectly. Formal scenic also helptobuild publicsupportforpreservation byin- roadways andadjacentscenicviews remainintact.Itwill All Federalfundsbecome available through the Improvements toStateowned roads,ifFederalor Municipalities receive fundsdirectlyfromtheState To implementroadway improvements, itisnecessary v e appropriatefunding. The fundingsourceforcir-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 83 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage84 84 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Route 3).Inthe Access ManagementPlan, the Township caster Avenue (U.S.Route30)and West ChesterPike (PA entire roadway corridors ofthe Township suchasLan- cess ManagementPlan. This plancouldbecreatedforthe of thesimplerways forchannelizingtraffic include: creating aplanforfuturedevelopment ofanarea.Some from simplemethodsinvolving asingleparcelorlot,to Providence Road. Road (PA Route926),KingRoad,GoshenRoadand Route 3),aswellalongPaoli Pike, Devon Road,Street occurrence ofthispatternalong West ChesterPike (PA ment inotherareasofthe Township iscriticaltoavoid re- Proper accessmanagementforpotentialfuturedevelop- turning movements to,from,andacrossthehighway. streets anddriveways resultinginaclutterofconflicting an example ofmultiple,closelyspacedintersectingside Route 30)eastofthePaoli MemorialHospitalaccessis densely developed segment ofLancaster Avenue (U.S. cles inspecific patternsforsimilarmovements. The fic. As referencedabove, thismeansthegroupingofvehi- network. The mostappropriateway istochannelizetraf- ture androadswillnotbestrippedoutwithdevelopment. multiple accesspointsdonotbecomeaprobleminthefu- terior circulationroads.Doingthiswillhelptoinsurethat to majorroadsandguidede Circulation Recommendations other portionsofthecommunityaswell. ments, the Township shouldcontinuegiving attentionto the traffic conditionspresentandinneedofimprove- related implementationactivities) addressesaportionof the County. While thePaoli CommunityMasterPlan(and need forimprovements canbeexhibited toPennDOT and ditions bedocumentedin Willistown Township sothatthe cessity ofimprovements. Itisimperative thattraffic con- availability ofFederalorStatefundsdependsonthene- The Township shouldpursuethecreationofan Ac- Reverse frontage. - Combineaccess points; - Acceleration anddecelerationlanes; - Sideaccess; - One-way patterns; - Eliminateaccess points; - Realignaccess points; - Relocateaccess; - There aremany ways tochannelizetraffic, ranging There aremany ways toachieve anefficient andsafe Measures needtobedeveloped tolimitdirectaccess v elopment accesstowards in- 6.5.1 Public Transportation6.5 | of achieving controlledaccessalonghighways. avoided. The planwillalsoidentifymoreextensive ways points andlocationswhereaccessshouldbelimitedor could designateareasthataremostsuitableforaccess for Existing Conditions/Background6.5.2 nity MasterPlan. ued supportforandimplementationofthePaoli Commu- pedestrian environment improvements includingcontin- • Promotetheexpansion ofpublictransportationand tomobiles foralltrips. residents andaccommodatebut donotrequireprivate au- • Encouragelandusepatternsthatincreasechoicesfor reliance onautomobiles. as appropriatetoaccesspublictransportationandreduce • Encouragepedestrianlinkagesthroughoutthe Township trian linkagesonthoseparcelsunder going development. mile ofpublictrans • Encourageany new development constructedwithin½ City, Philadelphia,Harrisburg andPittsburgh. The Paoli almost 50additionaltrains perdaybetweenNew York stone ServiceandPennsylvanian Serviceoperating with AMTRAK operatesintercity serviceaspartofitsKey- ing andevening commuteractivity. Inaddition, tions withalmost60trainsperdayandvery active morn- R5 Regional railline)through thePaoli andMalvern sta- ates thePaoli/Thorndale Line(previously referredtothe system outsideofCenterCity, Philadelphia.SEPTA oper- passengers ofany railstation inSEPTA’s Regional Rail open, rurallanduses. close accesswhilealsoretainingsignificant acreagein access topublictransportation;and,very few have such Many communitiesinChesterCountydonothave good genuine opportunityfor Willistown Township residents. developing moredensely. Their nearnessrepresentsa with thoseareasofthe Township closesttothestations tions helpedshape Willistown’s currentlandusepattern, tion, locatedintheBoroughofMalvern. These two sta- located in Tredyffrin Township, and2)theMalvern sta- W Two trainstations arelocatedwithineasycommute The Paoli Stationhasthehighestvolume ofboarding illistown Township residents:1)thePaoli station, P olicies for Public Transportation porta tion centerstoestablishpedes- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage85 Exton, KingofPrussia,Paoli Hospital,69 and beyond, includingtheBoroughof West Chester, tions tosuburban locationsthroughoutChesterCounty Malvern station. These routesprovide various connec- and, oneSEPTA bus line(Route92)operatesthroughthe 206) alsooperateoutof,orthrough,thePaoli station; for atotalofabout280vehicles inlotsowned bySEPTA. AMTRAK. The Malvern stationprovides dailyparking parking spaces)inlotsowned separatelybySEPTA and (about 180dailyparkingspacesandabout310permit station provides parkingforatotalofalmost500vehicles intermodal centerisalsoproposed toincludenon-transit beyond thetypicalweekdaycommuterrushhours. The development toextend andmaintainthearea’s vibrancy higher densitytransit-orientedcommercialandresidential deed, intermodalcentersarefrequentlysurroundedby center, andusemasstransitto work inurbancenters.In- live inlower densitycommunities,drive theircarstoa characteristic intransitfacilities. They allow peopleto point. Intermodalconnectionsareviewed asanecessary bus, rail,andprivate automobile)atasingleconnecting including various formsoftransportation(pedestrian, vations intransportationplanning.“Intermodal”refersto have beenongoingsince. Implementation activities anddesignconceptrevisions Chester CountyLandscapes Vision Partnership Program. and Tredyffrin Township, withfundingprovided bythe Steering Committeerepresenting Willistown Township was preparedbytheJointPaoli CommunityMasterPlan improvements. CompletedinSeptember2001, the Plan Community MasterPlanincludespedestrianenvironment intersection improvements. A majorfocusofthePaoli including several roadrealignments,bridgewideningand plementation ofseveral roadimprovement projects fic circulationintheareawould beimproved throughim- station toaccommodateinexcess of1,000vehicles. Traf- Center would provide expanded parkingfacilities atthe mercial andresidentialdevelopment. The Transportation center surroundedbyhigherdensitytransit-orientedcom- zoning provisions topermitanintermodaltransportation Township and Tredyffrin Township have enacted new the Paoli CommunityMasterPlan. To date, Willistown bility studytocreatea Transportation Centeraspartof Chester andCheyney University. of the69 Pike (PA Route3)(Routes104and120)connectingout SEPTA alsooperatestwo bus linesalong West Chester nal, Lionville, andtheGreat Valley CorporateCenter. Five SEPTA bus lines(Routes92,105,204,205and The intermodalcenterwillincorporateseveral inno- The Paoli stationhasbeenthefocusofamajorfeasi- th Street Terminal totheBoroughof West th Street Termi- bility ofpublictransportation. is thebestapproachforenhancement andcontinuedvia- with thePaoli CommunityMaster Plan)andbelieves this Commission, SEPT adjacent municipalities,theChesterCountyPlanning Township Planning and Regulation6.5.4 Today nodes. hicular andpedestrianaccessto/frompublictransit pand publictransportationforthearea,includingboth ve- priority ofthe Township toencourageprogramsthatex- tunity fortheuseofpublictransportation.Itremainsa stations andconnectingbus routesprovides ampleoppor- en transportation, includingenhancementstothepedestrian panding adequate,safeandreliableaccessto/frompublic Basis for Policy 6.5.3 the Township could capitalizeontheircloseproximity. a genuineopportunityforthe Township andsuggeststhat bility over time. The locationofthesestationsrepresents consider how landuse changeswillaffect resident’s mo- increase. Hence,itisincumbentuponthe Township to tions to Willistown Township residentswilllikely cult formoreandpeople),thevalue ofthesesta- the populationages(makingautomobiletravel morediffi- vironmental costsofprivate automobilesincreases,and and concernsover nationalsecurity),awareness oftheen- pendence onforeignoilrise(includingfinancial costs commuting andshoppingtrips. As concernsaboutde- dents continuetorelyontheirprivate automobilesfor tions. ern portionofthe Township tofrequentthetwo railsta- has madeitpossibleformany residentsinthenortheast- at leastoneofthesetwo stations.Historically, thisaccess Township’s residentsarealsowithina5-minutedrive of station ifitisrelocatedasproposed).Mostof Willistown idents willalsobewithinwalking distanceofthePaoli mile, respectively, of Willistown Township’s borders(res- Station arelocatedwithinone-halfmileandone-quarter public transportation. The Malvern StationandthePaoli ing towalk roughlyone-quartertoone-halfmileutilize eral office buildings. uses suchasapostoffice, smallerretailshops,andsev- uses atthestation. Thus thestationsiteiszonedtopermit vironment. The Township maintainsanongoingdialoguewith Willistown’s Policiesareaimedatproviding andex- It shouldbenotedthatdespitethisaccess,many resi- Transportation plannersestimatethatpeoplearewill- The proximityofthePaoli andMalvern rail A andPennDO T (suchasisoccurring

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 85 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage86 86 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Second Class Township Code. per year). bers oftheBoardmayreceive anominalsalary($2,500 Five-person boardsarealsopermittedbytheState.Mem- every two years,thusproviding continuityofexperience. elected foratermofsixyears,withoneexpiring body consistsofthreeelectedmunicipalsupervisors, has attainedthatdensity andsocould,ifitwished,become aTownship of theFirstClass. per squaremile,a Township oftheSecond ClassmaybecomeaTownship oftheFirstClass.As reportedbythe1990U.S.Census, 1. Thedistinctionbetweentownships ofthefirstclassandsecondisbasedondensity. Uponattainingadensityofatle of theSecondClass,andisgo Conditions/Background6.6.2Existing that reduceenergy consumption. energy efficiency byutilizinggreenbuilding technologies diting energy useingovernment buildings andimprove ices inthemostef Monitor municipaladministrative needstoprovide serv- 6.6.1 Municipal6.6 | Services and Facilities portation. munities, particularlyincloseproximitytopublictrans- opportunities. Increaseopportunitiesforretirementcom- as thevicinityofPaoli Hospital).Increasemixed-use redevelopment opportunitiesforspecific locations(such the Paoli CommunityMasterPlanprogresses.Consider in thenorthernsectionsof Township, particularlyas • Examinezoninganddevelopment regulations inplace advance itsimplementation. Paoli CommunityMasterPlanandinvestigate optionsto who wishtouseit.Furthermore,continuesupportforthe providers toensurepublictransitisavailable tothose • Continuetowork withlocalpublictransportation scribed inSection6.13. transportation withrecreationaltraildevelopment de- Coordinate pedestrianopportunitiesforaccesstopublic federal, stateandcountyfundstocompletemissinglinks. ment. As apedestriansystemisdeveloped over time,seek trian linkagesonlandsundergoing new orre-develop- the Township toprovide sidewalks and/orotherpedes- and Paoli. Requiredevelopment withintheupperthirdof neighborhoods andthemix • Promotepedestrianlinkagesbetweentheresidential Recommendations for Policy6.5.5 Willistown Township isincorporatedasa Township P Implementation/Actions to Implement olicy for Municipal Services and Facilities f icient mannerpossible.Considerau- ed useareasaroundMalv v 1 erned bythePennsylvania The principalgoverning ern not levy thetax. Willistown Township collectsat.875%. the tax.PresentlyGreat Valley SchoolDistrictdoes shared equallywiththeschooldistrictifthey alsolevy 1% ofearnedincome.Ifcollected,thistaxmustbe source for Willistown Township, authorizedbylaw upto strictions ontheirland. taxes forthosepersons who agreetoplaceopenspacere- by Act 515and Act 319. These Acts reduceproperty because oftheextensive acreageinthe Township affected The value oftherealestatetaxisreducedsigni fi cant ly from therealestatetaxshouldremainrelatively constant. mills. Shortofacounty-widereassessment,revenues mills. Willistown Township iscurrentlycollectingat.28 ships ofthesecondclassratemaybeashigh14 and early2000’s. not recentlyproducedasmuchitdidduringthe1990’s year, sincesalesactivity varies. As aconsequenceithas The revenue generatedbythistaxvaries fromyearto estate islocated,theCounty, andthelocalschooldistrict. and sharedequallybythemunicipalityinwhichreal taxes, licensingfees,fines, andusercharges forservices. estate transfertaxes, realpropertytaxes, earned income a greaterorlesserdegree. Itreceives revenue fromreal utilizing thefulldiversity ofpotentialrevenue sources,to the first class,cities,andtowns.) Willistown Township is for allmunicipalclasses,includingboroughs,township of Class Township Code.(Similarenablinglegislation exists are authorizedbytheStatelegislature throughtheSecond for collectingre Municipal Finances These areasofresponsibilityareelaboratedonbelow. bility inthreemajorareas: The earnedincometaxisthelargest singlerevenue The realpropertytaxiscollectedyearly. For town- The realestatetransfertaxiscollectedbytheCounty Townships oftheSecondClasshave several options The BoardofSupervisorshasauthorityandresponsi- use andlanddevelopment. • Establishingandenforcingtownship policy inland • Establishingandoperatingmunicipaloffices; and, fees topayforoperationsandservices; employees, andincreasingordecreasingtaxes and the municipalbudget, incurringexpenses, paying • Managingmunicipalfinances, includingsetting v enues tosupportneededservices. These ast threehundredpersons Willistown Township Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage87 2002-2009 Table 6-2:Township GeneralFund RevenuesandExpenditures, tions. the cabletelevision franchisefeeandvehicle codeviola- up thebulk oftheremainingrevenues. Among theseare These fundsmustbeusedforspecific activities. ures andthenumberofmilesroadsin Township. provements. The amountreceived isbasedoncensusfig- state’s liquidfuelsfundforroadmaintenanceandim- the rateof.125% In addition,the Township collectsanopenspacetaxat unemployment andstagnant wages. The earnedincome fected bynationaleconomic trendssuchashigher tuates morethanassessedpropertyvalues. Itismoreaf- presents itsown uniquechallenges.Earnedincomefluc- and triestokeep thistaxlow. among others,reliesmoreheavily onothertaxrevenues larger landparcels.For thisreason, Willistown Township, liance onthepropertytaxcandiscourageretentionof burdens municipalservicestoamuchlesserdegree. Re- the larger parcelmightbemuchlesswealthyandoften than owners ofsmallerparcelseven thoughtheowner of large parcelsoflandpaysigni ficantly greateramounts land use.Underthecurrentsystemoftaxation,owners of reflect thedemandonservicescreatedbyapropertyand accurately reflecttheresident’s abilitytopay. Nordothey than owners ofsmaller parcels.Realestatetaxes donot pact owners oflarge parcelsofland toagreaterdegree 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 Year Licensing fees,fines, andcharges forservicesmake Willistown Township alsoreceives fundsfromthe Yet theoptionofrelyingmore on earnedincometax On acomparative basis,realestatetaxes tendtoim- $4,822,393 6,724,961 ,4,6 5,190,027 6,841,262 eeusExpenditures Revenues 7,295,226 6,010,501 ,8,1 4,475,265 6,889,115 5,257,865 3,302,984 5,353,330 $3,456,119 3,684,904 4,756,067 3,779,089 4,757,568 Township PoliceDepartmentbuilding. lic meetingsheldbythe Township. Itisadjacenttothe building hasalarge meetingroomsuitableformostpub- dition toadministrative offices, andstoragerooms, the ture was constructedin1956andaddedto1969.Inad- Township’s municipalbuilding inSugartown. The struc- neering andlegal services. well asmaintainingthevarious Township buildings. vises theroadcrew and oversees otheroutsidework as Board ofSupervisors. The Public Works Directorsuper- who oversees dailyoperationsandworks closelywiththe responsibilities. They answertothe Township Manager ployees, mostofwhomholdmultipletitlesand rently consistsofseven full-timeandthreepart-timeem- inter-fund operatingtransfers. compensation contributions, insurancepremiums,and bridge maintenance),libraries(contributions), workers moval, signs,toolandmachineryrepairs,highway and highway maintenance(generalservices,snow andicere- sultant services,etc.),health(neighborhoodleague), contributions, etc.),planningandzoning(salaries,con- (firemen’s reliefassociation,localvolunteer fire company ery, etc.),police(salaries,benefits, equipment,etc.),fire plant operations(salariesformaintenancestaff, machin- (office supplies,etc.),generalgovernment buildings and (salaries, benefits, etc.for Township staff), taxcollection gories: legislative (Supervisorssalaries,etc.),executive latter optiontoavoid increasingtaxes. rates ordecreaseexpenses. Supervisorshave electedthe face ofdiminishedrevenues, itmusteitherincreasetax Township mustwork withinabalanced budget. Inthe but have demonstratedagradualupward trend. The cial patternshave notfluctuatedwildlyinrecentyears, dents areexempt, mostparticularlyelderlypersons. tax isnotpaidoninvestment income,andsomany resi- Township operationsaremanagedprimarilyinthe The Township contracts onayearlybasisforengi- The Willistown Township Administrative staff cur- Municipal expenditures fall inthefollowing cate- As shown in Table 6-2, Willistown Township finan-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 87 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage88 88 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Figure 6-1:RevenueBudget,2009 Figure 6-1:RevenueBudget,2009 Figure 6-2:ExpenseBudget,2009 Figure 6-2:ExpenseBudget,2009 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage89 tal ResourcesPlan. draft the1993OpenSpace, Recreation,andEnvironmen- Council hasseven members.Membersofthe EAC helped ipality. WillistownTownship’s Environmental Advisory promotion anduseofnaturalresourceswithinthemunic- dealing withtheprotection,conservation, management, and recreationboard,electedofficials onmatters an EAC istoadvisethelocalplanningcommission, park thorized byPennsylvania’s Act 148of1973. The roleof fecting historicresources. for conditionaluses,specialexceptions, orvariances af- Supervisors ortheZoningHearingBoardonallrequests alteration ofhistoricbuildings andadvisestheBoardof views applicationsfor therehabilitation,enlargement or hocking, and Whitehorse. The HistoricalCommissionre- National HistoricRegister Districts,Sugartown, Oke- went intothesuccessfulnominationof Willistown’s three bers werealsoinvolved intheresearchandplanningthat ship whichisfiled inthe Township building. The mem- mapping ofhistoricalresourceswithin Willistown Town- nine members.Ithascompletedadetailedinventory and disapproval. dations tothegoverning bodyontheirapproval or sion/land development applicationsandmake recommen- capital improvements programs,andtoreview subdivi- building codes,environmental studies,water surveys, and ordinances, subdivision/land development ordinances, make recommendationsrelatedtoofficial maps,zoning sponsibilities aretopreparethecomprehensive plan, posed ofseven persons. The planningcommission’s re- Willistown Township’s PlanningCommissioniscom- not lessthanthreeandmoreninemembers. ning Code,orMPC). A planningcommissionmayhave Pennsylvania’s Act 247of1968,(theMunicipalitiesPlan- tee, andanEnvironmental Advisory Council. sion, aPark andRecreationBoard,aRecycling Commit- Board, aPlanningCommission,anHistoricalCommis- Willistown Township hascreated aZoningHearing commissions andcommitteestohelpfill theseroles. and/or landdevelopment proposals,itappointsvarious municipal landusepolicy andforapproving subdivision Board ofSupervisors)istheultimatedecisionmaker for governing body(in Willistown Township’s case,the for adoptingandenforcinglandusepolic Land UsePolicy Environmental Advisory Councils(EAC) wereau- The Willistown Township HistoricalCommissionhas Voluntary planningcommissionsareauthorizedby In Pennsylvania localgovernments areresponsible y . While the to pro Basis for Policy6.6.3 ing Boardconsistsofthreemembers. governing body. The Willistown Township ZoningHear- Zoning HearingBoardare,however, appointedbythe not alsorepresentthegoverning body. Membersofthe ing body. Therefore, itemploys itsown solicitorwhomay Hearing Boardmustmaintainautonomyfromthegovern- of thezoningordinanceandmap.Bylaw theZoning and variances, andit also hearschallengestothevalidity made bythezoningofficer, itgrantsspecialexceptions township government. Ithearsappealsfromdecisions ship government. of perspectives beingbroughtintotheworkings oftown- Township government. Additionally itprovides avariety munity andaremoreabletounderstandtheparametersof teams). Many moreresidentsareinvolved intheircom- and recreationboardmembers,adhocplanning vironmental advisoryboard,recycling commission,park bodies (planningcommission,historicalen- Recreation. ation Boardisdiscussedindetailbelow, underParks and is aseven-person voluntary board. The Park andRecre- audio tapesaswellDVDs andCDs. at the Township Buildingfortherecycling ofvideoand ongoing program,theCommissionmaintainsacontainer ered byelectricityintheirgeneralrecycling event. As an propane tanks,cellphonesandallsmallappliancespow- dition, they collectmetal,tires,recyclable batteries, collecting yardwaste tobeshreddedandrecycled. Inad- such aselectronicequipmentorinthefall they mightbe riodic recycling events forthecollectionofspecific items membership ofseven dedicatedvolunteers. They holdpe- responsible budget. provide thevery finest serviceswithintheguidelinesofa Township takes pride inmonitoringitsefforts inorderto resident’s concernsandsuggestions.Inaddition,the needs andmaintainsan“opendoor”policy toaddressing ously itsdutytoberesponsive to Township resident’s ef ficient andeffective manner. The Township takes seri- As aSecondClass Township, Willistown isobligated The ZoningHearingBoardisthejudicialarmof Clear benefits resultfromhaving somany voluntary The Willistown Township Park andRecreationBoard Willistown alsohasaRecycling Commissionwitha vide neededservicestomunicipalresidentsinan

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 89 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage90 90 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania .. Recommendations6.6.5 for Policy which thisplanwas prepared. the MPC,asiscomprehensive planningprocessunder rect outgrowth ofthe legislative authoritygrantedunder use regulations referencedthroughoutthisplanareadi- (the MunicipalitiesPlanningCode,orMPC). The land regulation comesfromPennsylvania’s Act 247of1968, Development, andChapter139,Zoning. tection, Chapter123,Subdivision andLand latory controls,includingChapter73,Environmental Pro- In addition,Part 2containsthe Township’s landuseregu- disposal, nuisances,sewers, andtaxation,amongothers. standards andfire prevention, outdoorburning, refuse contained inPart 2areregulations regarding construction tion, andtheschedulingofmeetings. Among thoseitems sions, the Township’s ethicscode,salariesandcompensa- legislative authoritytoformvarious boardsandcommis- Among thoseitemsincludedinPart 1isthe Township’s tion oftheirprovisions, whereasthoseinPart Idonot. islation inthispartgenerallyimposepenaltiesforviola- Township legislation ofaregulatory nature.Itemsofleg- ments. Part II,GeneralLegislation, containsallother employees ofthemunicipalgovernment anditsdepart- ing municipaldepartmentsandthataffecting officers and ministration ofgovernment, thatestablishingorregulat- administrative nature,namely, thatdealingwiththead- trative Legislation, containsall Township legislation ofan sors. nent natureenactedbythe Township BoardofSupervi- effective legislation (ordinances)ofageneralandperma- tains a Township Codecomprisedofallcurrently ond Class Township Code. As such,the Township main- to thosebodies. missions, delegating planningandadvisoryresponsibility pro • Continuetoprovide those municipalservicescurrently Second Class,andisgo 6.6.4Township Planning and Regulation Today vided. Continuetorelyonv The Township’s authorityforlanduseplanningand The Codeisdivided intotwo parts.Part I, Adminis- As previously stated, Willistown isa Township ofthe Impl ement ation/Actions to Implement v erned bythePennsylvania Sec- oluntary boardsandcom- tion ispreemptedfromlocalcontrolbycounty Existing Conditions/Background6.7.2 the PA State Water Plan. County’s integrated water resourcesplan • Promotewatershed protectionconsistentwithChester drawal permitsdonotnegatively impactlocalsupplies. suant tomonthlynotifications andensurethatwater with- • Monitorregional river basincommissionactivities pur- needs. phasize groundwater recharge tomeetwater supply • Promotetheprotectionofgroundwater qualityandem- a to ensurethatanadequatesupplyofpotablew • Protectandsafeguard sourcesofwater supplyinorder federal authority 6.7.1 Water Supply6.7 | drawals thatexceed 100,000gallonsperday(gpd),and lic utilitiesoperatingpublic water supply systems. ensure downstream suppliesandgrantsfranchisestopub- states releasesufficient water fromdamsandreservoirs to withdrawal iswarranted. The DRBCalsoensures that review ofthepopulationprojectiontomake surethe Each permitrequiressomestudyoftheriver systemanda mum flows requiredtosupportaquaticlifedownstream. Commission “pass-by”requirements,whicharethemini- accordance withthePennsylvania Water PlanandFish face water withdrawals arealsoregulated byDRBCin water withdrawals which exceed acertainvolume. Sur- ment, floodlossreduction,andrecreation. tion initiatives, watershed planning, droughtmanage- supply allocation,regulatory permitting,water conserva- mission programsincludewater qualityprotection,water river system withoutregard topoliticalboundaries.Com- of establishingaregional governing bodytomanagethe Delaware River BasinCommission(DRBC)withthegoal New Jersey, New York, andPennsylvania createdthe federal government aswellthestatesofDelaware, New York tothemouthofDelaware Bay. In1961the stretches 330milesfromtheheadwaters nearHancock, the Delaware River Watershed. The Delaware River vailable fordomesticuseandfire protection. For themostpart,groundwater withdrawal regula- DRBC requiresapermitfor groundwater with- DRBC regulates allstreamwithdrawals andground P olicies for Water Supply . Willistown Township issituatedwithin Watersheds ater is , state,and and Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage91 local water resources. Compendium provide significant detailformanaging tives, theCounty’s planandassociated Water Resources Water Planandworks toimplementitsgoalsandobjec- ment PlanforChesterCounty, PAanditsWatersheds Resources Planning Pennsylvania StateWater Plan Ground Water Protection Area oftheDRBC. Township iswithintheSoutheasternPennsylvania information derived fromobservation wells. Willistown County Water Resources Authority (CCWRA)basedon being overused. These areasareidentified bytheChester tion Areas” areareaswhereground water isindangerof “ground water protectionareas.” “Ground Water Protec- also forwithdrawals ofmorethan10,000gpdwithin County. While resources tomeetthepresentandfutureneedsofChester stormwater impacts, protection,andintegration ofwater tion, enhancement,preservation, improvements, reducing tems…”. The seven objectives generallyinclude: educa- the naturalcharacteristicsofreceiving watershed sys- and plannedgrowth inamannerthatisconsistentwith and …”aredesignedtoaccommodateexisting landuses of thecommunitiesChesterCounty principles andphilosophyfortheactivities anddecisions seven GoalsandObjectives that,“…representtheguiding County’s landuseplan Watersheds sources. shed boundariesareshown ontheMap2: Water Re- Lower Delaware River Subbasin. The basinandwater- Schuylkill andDarby-CrumCreek Watershed areasofthe assist inmanagingwater resources. updated sourceofinformationistobemadeavailable to consumptive water uses. This ongoingandcontinuously quality andquantitybasedonbothconsumptive andnon- quired toprovide updatedinformationregarding water rent andprojecteddemands.” Additionally, PADEP isre- (2) usedbyvarious sectors; and(3)neededtomeetcur- the amountofwater thatis:(1)available inPennsylvania; the qualityofstate’s water resourcesandquantifies update aState Water Planthatincludesinformation on 1983) PADEP isrequiredto,“…produceandregularly (replacing thepriorPA State Water Planwhichexpired in Watersheds w In accordancewiththeStateofPennsylvania’s Water Willistown Township issituatedwithintheLower - AnIntegratedW Watersheds as de Act 220of2002orState veloped asacomponentofChester Landscapes. Watersheds is consistentwiththePA State a ter Resources Manage- ’ s watersheds.”, Water Plan outlines sustain groundwater yields inthefuture. of water resources,includingwater conservation, soasto greater emphaseswillneedtobeplacedonthewiseuse to affect thoseportionsofthe Township notserved, cordingly; however, shouldfuturegrowth pressuresbegin public water will mostlikely continuetobeservicedac- in thoseportionsofthe Township currentlyserved by water recharge likely exceeds withdrawals. Futuregrowth oped sectionsof Willistown thatrelyonwells,ground being exported outofthe Township). In the lessdevel- drawals probablyexceeds recharge (localwithdrawals thority, thesmall numberofdirectgroundwater with - AQUA PA andexported tothe Valley Forge Sewer Au- portion ofthe Township, wherewater isimportedby town Township isdifficult todetermine.Inthenorthern withdrawals exceed totalgroundwater recharge in Willis - dents relyonprivate wells. Whether totalgroundwater connection. must requestalineextension andpayforthecostof landowners wishingto connectto AQUA PA’s network 926) areserved by AQUA PA. Developers orindividual along West ChesterPike andalongStreetRoad(Route The northernportionsofthe Township, aswellareas Reservoir alsoprovides somelimitedamountsofwater. Creek Reservoir. Inthe Willistown region, Springton mately 80%)of AQUA PA water comesfromPickering operate within Willistown Township. Most(approxi- is thesolepublicwater supplierauthorizedbyDRBCto public water in Willistown Township to AQUA PA. This sufficient forthepurposeintended. quires pumpteststoensurethatthequantityavailable is County HealthDepartment. The HealthDepartmentre- such asdomesticwells,arepermittedthroughtheChester water withdrawals arenotmanaged. protected fromoveruse. Cumulative impactsofground sylv crements smallerthan10,000gpd,themajorityofPenn- Basis for Policy 6.7.3 water resources. PADEP, tomanageandpromotetheconservation of River Basin,aswellotherdocumentationpreparedby PA State Water PlandataforthisareaoftheDelaware Where publicwater suppliesarenotavailable, resi- DRBC hasgrantedfranchiselicenseforproviding Ground water withdrawals notregulated by DRBC, Because mostgroundwater withdrawals occurinin- Willistown Township canutilizeWatersheds ania’ s groundwater withdrawals arenoteffectively and the

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 91 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage92 92 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania v vironmental Protection(DEP)re Chapter 123,documentsthattheStateDepartmentofEn- Township Planning6.7.4 and Regulation Today there arenoknown areaswherewater quality andquan- to influencepositive changewhenappropriate. While governmental actions thataffect water resourcesandact should monitorpotentialchangesinregulations andother protection remainsacriticalissue. As such, Willistown Recommendations for6.7.5 Policy space preservation throughoutthe Township. flows inreceiving streams. Willistown encouragesopen ground water recharge, andprovides morestablebase ceiving streams/water bodies,increases(andsustains) stream flooding,reduceswater qualitydegradation ofre- Open spacedevelopment reducesthepotentialfordown- adopted openspaceconservation ordinanceprovisions. opment andpreservation ofopenspace,the Township scapes2 Comprehensive Policy Plan”approachtodevel- lations ofthePennsylvania PublicUtilitiesCommission. systems mustbemunicipallyowned orbeundertheregu- approval foracommunitywater supplysystem. All such must bedemonstratedpriortoanapplicant’s receipt of tem. subdivision tobeserved byacentralwater supplysys- PADEP Public Water SupplyManualforany proposed Water Studiesarerequiredinaccordancewiththe on theexisting wellsofsurroundingproperties.Public the proposeddevelopment withoutany negative impacts must show thatthere is sufficient groundwater toserve proposed tobeserved byindividual wells. The testresults for bothcentralwater supplysystemsandcommunities Department priortoinstallationofany well. required tobeobtainedfromtheChesterCountyHealth facilities asaconditionofsalethelot. Well permitsare such facilities orguaranteethatpurchaserscaninstallthe proposed, theOrdinancerequiresthatapplicantsinstall systems areproposed. quirement foradequatefire protectionwherepublicwater for potablewater supply. Emphasisisplacedonthere- w elopment aretheminimumstandardsthatmustbemet ater resourcese The Subdivision &LandDevelopment Ordinance, In keeping withtheadoptionofCounty’s “Land- Provisions foradequatemaintenanceofthesystem Chapter 123alsocontainsspecific testingprocedures Where individual on-sitewater supplysystemsare Although muchoftheresponsibilityforprotecting Impl ement xists withotheragencies,water quality ation/Actions to Implement gulations pursuanttode- • Coordinatethee (Act 537)planning. • Coordinatelanduseplanningwithsewage facilities eration sourceaspracticable. Groundwater recharge • Treated wastewater shallbedisposedasclosetoitsgen- technology. faction ofthe Township tosupporttheuseofsuchnew when thereissufficient evidence presented tothesatis- porating newly developed typesoftreatmentfacilities the field ofwastewater treatment and willconsiderincor- innovative technology isconstantlybeingdeveloped in erated andmaintained. The Township recognizesthat ogy atthetimeofinstallationandshouldbeproperly op- • Sewage facilities shouldusethebestavailable technol- cies shouldguidefutureactions: those areasidentified forpreservation. appropriate; restricttheextension ofpublicfacilities in ing sewage facilities wherecapacityexists andgrowth is • Continuetocoordinatedevelopment activity withexist- needs have beendocumented. isting developed areasofthe Township whereexisting 6.8.1 Sewage Disposal6.8 | Resources Planning Act. in thePA State Water Planinaccordancewiththe Water • Follow thegroundwater protectionguidelinesoutlined moting theconservation ofwater resources. the PA State Water Plantoassistinmanagingandpro- • UtilizedatafromChesterCounty’s exist. testing hasshown thatlimitedsuppliesofgroundwater ing theperformanceofexisting wellswheregroundwater • Prevent excessive development fromnegatively impact- water forfuturegenerations. • Protectthequalityandquantityofavailable ground time, Willistown shouldcontinueto: tity issuesrequirespecialmonitoringorstudyatthis In addition,the Township believes thefollowing poli- P olicies for Sewage Disposal xtension ofpublicse Watersheds wer servicetoex- Plan and Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage93 en to protectpublichealthandwelf Existing Conditions/Background6.8.2 management entity. shall beoperatedandmaintainedbyaresponsible • All non-residentialandcommunitysewerage systems using bestmanagementpracticesforthesysteminplace. shall beoperatedandmaintainedbythepropertyowner • Individual residentialonsitesewage disposalsystems gated andimplementedwherepractical. beneficial reuseoftreatedwastewater shallbeinvesti- shall bepromotedtothegreatestdegree possibleandthe thority toown andoperatecommunitysystems, institut- could include,forexample, establishingamunicipal au- means ofsewage treatmentanddisposal. These policies Plan” establishesofficial municipalpolicy onpreferred disposal needsoftheoverall municipality. An “Act 537 new landdevelopment, andprovide forthefuturesewage problems, provide forthe futuresewage disposalneedsof vide fortheresolutionofexisting sewage disposal v 537) requiresthatallCommonwealthmunicipalitiesde- Basis for Policy 6.8.3 and federalregulations. nance, ZoningOrdinance, Act 537Plan,andcounty, state Township’s Subdivision andLandDevelopment Ordi- disposal withlanduseplanningissupportedbythe quate communityfacilities andservices -areachieved. growth, protectingcommunity values, andproviding ade- that theobjectives ofthiscomprehensive plan-guiding and planforsewage treatmentinacoordinatedfashion so necessary. Willistown Township seekstocontrollanduse spread development over muchlarger landareasthan nity systemsrequireslarger amountsoflandandcan other hand,totalrelianceonindividual septicorcommu- sewage systemswillencourageunwanted growth; onthe cally, communities have beenconcernedthat“central” ment thatmake higherdensitylandusespossible.Histori- (COLDS) aremethodsofsewage conveyance andtreat- tems andCommunityOn-LotDisposalSystems Gravity andlow pressuresanitarysewer collectionsys- and disposalarealsoimportantdeterminantsoflanduse. elop andimplementcomprehensi vironment. The chosenmethodsofsewage treatment Proper treatmentanddisposalofsewage isnecessary Pennsylvania’s Sewage Facilities Planning Act (Act Willistown’s coordinationofsewage treatmentand are, aswellthelocal ve official plans,pro- Mawr RehabilitationHospitalforadditionalflow capac- The Act 537Updatealsoindicatesarequest byBryn Plan Updateof2001itwas reportedtobeat0.089mgd. Willistown Township was 1.064mgd,but inthe Act 537 daily flow rateof1.348mgd. The reserve capacityfor 10% to3,075EDU’s in2035,resultinganaverage 1.2 mgd. was 2,521,contributing anaverage dailyflow ofabout of EDU’s connectedtothe VFSA system from Willistown cording the VSFA, asoftheend2005,totalnumber Pumping Station(viathe Valley Creek Trunk Sewer). Ac- ing atabout6.126mgdin2005throughthe Wilson Road (mgd), but in2000was reratedto9.2mgd.Itwas operat- had atotalcapacityofabout8milliongallonsperday Goshen Township Ridley CreekSewage Treatment Plant. the “NorthwestQuadrant”isalsoservicedbyEast nected tothe Valley Forge Treatment Plant. A portionof both gravity andlow pressuresewers that willbecon- the “NorthwestQuadrant”andiscurrentlyproposedtobe veyance system.Futurepublicsewerage isproposedin sewer consistingofa low-pressure collectionandcon- served bythe Valley Forge Treatment Plant. the Township. The northernportionofthe Township is are concentratedinthemorede Public Sewered Areas policy tobefollowed forfuturedevelopment. addressed. The current Act 537Planrepresentsmunicipal utility company. All conditionsoftheapproval have been town Woods wastewater treatmentfacility toaprivate field Knollcommunitydisposalsystemandthe Willis- to addresstheproposedownership transferoftheDeer- ship, andconductingadditionalsewage facilities planning cility capacityforthe“NorthwestQuadrant”of Town- area ofthe Township, acquiringadditionaltreatmentfa- collection andconveyance systemforthe“EastCentral” proval was dependentonconstructionofa low-pressure tionally approved byPADEP in2004. The conditionalap- updated in2001,adoptedbythe Township, andcondi- mental Protection(PADEP). approved bythePennsylvania DepartmentofEnviron- means oftreatment. The “Act 537Plan”isfinalized when field distribution orsprayirrigationasthepreferred that septicsystemsfunctionproperly, andpromotingdrip ing aformalsepticsystempumpingprogramtoensure Willistown’s growth isexpected toincreasebyabout The Valley Forge Sewer Authority (VFSA)facility The EastCentral Area isnow servicedbypublic Areas served bypublicsewer in Willistown Township The Willistown Township Act 537Planof1989was v eloped northernpartsof

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 93 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage94 94 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania sponsibility forsystemsin the event they fail. Inspiteof some sincethe Township maybeexpected toassumere- ownership issuesforcommunitysystemscanbe trouble- prehensive plan.Inaddition, management,operation,and more intenselythananticipatedinthecommunity’s com- community systemsmake itfeasibletodevelop land served. Ontheotherhand, developers oftenargue that historically rural Willistown landscapecharacter)ispre- more attractive development inwhichopenspace(the development onaparcel,makingitpossible to create systems have thepotential toencouragecompactsitingof warrant careful considerationandscrutiny. Community stances, appliedtotheland. treated effluent iseithertolocalstreams,or, inseveral in- sees sewage facility operations.Ultimatedisposalof instances, homeowner associationsorthe Township over- ally, thesesystems appeartobewelloperated.Insome sidiary of AQUA PA) (See Act 537-Exhibit4).Gener- Little Washington Waste Watersub- (a TreatmentPlant are locatedinthesouthernareaof Township, asisthe tem, andthe Willistown Woods Sewage Treatment Plant disposal system,thePennsPreserve SprayIrrigationSys- ment Plant,theDeerfield Knolllarge volume-sub-surface Quadrant” ofthe Township. The PlumsockSewage Treat- On-Lot DisposalSystemislocatedinthe“Northwest within Private orCommunity Treatment Facilities for anticipatedfuturegrowth. ity, but longtermfuture capacity willneedtobeacquired The Township appearstohave adequateshorttermcapac- Table 6-3:ProjectedSewerFlows to 2033arelistedintheflowing table: ity atthetreatmentplant. The flows projectedfrom 2008 ity. The resultwillbeaneedforadditionalreserve capac- 2033 2023 2013 2008 Year The Township believes communitysewer systems A variety ofprivate treatmentfacilities areoperating W Projected Flows from2008to2033 illistown Township. The Fox RidgeCommunity Flow (gpd) 1,259,668 1,223,093 1,247,293 1,234,918 tral areaofthe tems; suchsystemsarepredominantlylocatedinthecen- On-Lot DisposalAreas ship’s zoningandlanddevelopment regulations. the policiesof Act 537Plan,andadheretothe Town- space andrurallandscapecharacter, areconsistentwith Township’s policiesregarding thepreservation ofopen can beshown thatsuchsystemsareconsistentwiththe properly, managedappropriately, andoperatedsafely. benefits canbesubstantialifdesignedandconstructed potential concernsaboutcommunitysewer systems,their cilities withinitsborders. The overall development and sure theproperoperationand maintenanceofsewage fa- mandates thatthelocalmunicipality beresponsibletoas- w Township6.8.4 Planning and Regulation Today ground water supplies. treatment anddisposalmethodologiesthatrecharge the contrary, the Township willcontinuetoemphasize recharged throughindividual septicsystems.Evidenceto lies ontheuseofgroundwater fromprivate wellsthatis Valley Forge Sewer Authority), muchofthe Township re- ports water (from AQUA PA) andexports water (via pleting itsgroundwater supplies. While the Township im- Willistown is recharging, having littleinfluenceon,orde- future. trolling andmonitoringsystemstoreducefailures inthe on-site sewage servicebusinesses, whichcanaidincon- sewage disposalsystems,aswellfortheregistration of regulations forinspectionsandmaintenanceofon-site ship’s Act 537Plancontainsanordinancewhichprovides suitability, location withinfloodplains,orage. The Town- fail duetoimpropermaintenance,or canfail duetosoil Township toupdateits Act 537Plan.On-lotsystemscan tions willneedtobeaddressedinthefutureefforts bythe tiguous throughoutthe Township) withon-lotmalfunc- Act 537Plan). Sewer StudyPhaseII (implementedasdescribedinthe of the Township andwas thefocusofEastCentral area ofmalfunctionswas observed intheeasternportion been reportedinmany areasofthe Township. Onelarge systems areoperatedproperly, zonesofmalfunctionhave aste The remainderofthe Township reliesonon-lotsys- Community systemswillbepermittedonlywhereit Willistown isresponsibleforproperlymanaging It isdifficult todeterminecumulatively whether Dislocated areas(e.g.,propertiesgenerallynon-con- water systems.Pa Code Title 25§71.71 statutorily T ownship. While themajorityofthese Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage95 .. Recommendations6.8.5 for Policy partment, and Willistown Township. Environmental Protection,theChesterCountyHealthDe- Rules andregulations ofthePennsylvania Departmentof meeting thedesignstandardsof Title 25,Chapter73, provided withanon-sitesanitarysewage disposalsystem tion atthetimeofconstructionaprincipalbuilding be or communitysanitarysewage disposalsysteminopera- quires thatalllotswhichcannotbeconnectedtoapublic development. the U.S.population,andapproximately37percentofnew Decentralized systemsserve approximately25percentof tion formeetingpublichealthandwater qualitygoals.” wastewater systemsareacost-effective andlong-termop- EPA indicatedthat“Adequately manageddecentralized maintain thewatershed water balance.” ence given tolandapplicationoftreatedwastewater that wastewater treatmentanddisposalsystemswithprefer- Objectives andPolicies,are“Encourageinnovative jectives underSectionUI2.7,UtilitiesandInfrastructure for attainingthegoalssetforthinPlan. The statedob- icy Plan,adoptedin2009,listsObjectives andPolicies CCHD maintainsanelectronicdatabase. waste fromtreatmenttanksandgreasetraps;assuch,the and requiresreportingofpumpingdisposalliquid However, theCCHDdoeslicenseLiquid Waste Haulers – e.g.,theChesterCountyHealthDepartment(CCHD). sewage systemsthatarepermittedbythe“Local Agency” nance providers ofIndividual andCommunityon-lot tration, certification, orlicensureofserviceandmainte- Township isincompliancewiththesegoalsandpolices. management ofsewage treatmentfacilities in Willistown Zoning Ordinance. division andLandDevelopment Ordinance,andthe dressed asprovided intheComprehensive Plan,theSub- • Ensuringthatlandusepoliciesandregulations aread- posal Ordinance. • Reviewing andadoptingtheDraftOnsiteSewage Dis- • Following therecommendations ofthe Act 537plan. re vie The subdivision andlanddevelopment ordinancere- In areporttotheU.S.Congressdated April 1997,the Chester County’s Landscapes2Comprehensive Pol- The Pa Codedoesnotpresentlyprovide fortheregis- Willistown Township shouldcontinuetoperiodically w andupdateitssewage disposalpoliciesby: Impl ement ation/Actions to Implement stormw Conditions/Background6.9.2Existing Phase II(NPDESII)program. of theNationalPollutantDischarge EliminationSystem county-wide Act 167Plan;implementtherequirements continue towork withChesterCountyasitpreparesa Ridley Creek,and Valley Creek Watersheds, asavailable; 167 Stormwater ManagementPlansfortheCrumCreek, • ImplementtherequirementsofPennsylvania Act Best ManagementPractices. management facilities throughtheimplementationof • Encourageutilizationofecologicallysoundstormwater welfare-property losses. land, erodedstreambanks,andotherfloodrelatedhealth- contribute todownstream flooding,additionalsubmerged • Minimizeincreasesinsurface water runoff volumes that and streambaseflow. w • Encourageandmaximizestorageofrainfall andground provisions aretobeimplementedforthecontrolof 167 Stormwater Management Act ofOctober 4,1978, book. the Pennsylvania Stormwater BMPManualandHand- infiltration facilities, andothertechniquesdescribedin swales, plantingvegetated streambankbuffers, providing reducing imperviouscover, installingopenvegetated serving andprotectingsensitive environmental resources, through BestManagementPractices(BMPs)suchas pre- Stormwater quality controlisgenerallymaintained tention/detention basinsandinfiltration systems. 6.9.1 P Stormwater6.9 | Management velopment. and investigate stateorotherfundingsourcesforitsde- Program thatmeetsthecurrentguidelinesofPADEP • Developing andimplementingaSewage Management sible ManagementEntities(RME’s). any registration, certification and/orlicensureofRespon- or otherauthorities’ regulations orguidelines,including • Adopting any sewerage policy changesinfederal,state ater rechar Stormwater quantity isgenerallycontrolledby In accordancewiththeState ofPennsylvania’s Act o ater f licies for Stormwater Management ge inordertosustaingroundwater supplies acilities suchasstormsewer conveyance, re-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 95 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage96 96 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania developed andfinalized. the individual watersheds (or the County-wideplan)are ley Creek,and Valley Creek Watersheds onceplansfor Stormwater Management PlanfortheCrumCreek,Rid- future implementationofthePennsylvania Act 167 rates andvolume. The EPOalsoincludesprovisions for turbances thatimpactsurface water runoff peakdischarge ment ordinancesconsistentwiththe Act 167plans. ties arerequiredtorevise andadoptstormwater manage- under study. Regardless oftheplan adopted, municipali- ment planforthoseportionsoftheCountynototherwise adoption ofan Act 167County-widestormwater manage- Crum and Valley Creeks and theCountyispursuing actions aredeveloped. Plansarenearcompletiononthe study uponwhichmanagementstrategies andprotection Stormwater ManagementPlanistoinvolve atechnical Creek, and Valley Creek Watersheds. Each Act 167 ment plansarerequiredfortheCrumCreek,Ridley sources Authority. of 2002,preparedbytheChesterCounty Water Re- fully describedintheCrumCreek Watershed Action Plan Creek, Ridley Creek,and Valley Creek Watersheds are shown ontheMap2: Water Resources. The overall Crum along thenorthernboundary. Watershed boundariesare Creek watershed occupiestheremainderof Township pies thewesternareaof Willistown Township and Valley southeast boundarycorner. Ridley Creekwatershed occu- of Willistown Township, fromthecentralnorthwestto County discussedintheplan. Township represent3ofthe21watersheds ofChester Creek, and Valley Creek Watersheds within Willistown and MS4Stormwater Programs.CrumCreek,Ridley tively. Watersheds and protectconserve water resourcesmoreeffec- runoff; reducepollutionandotherenvironmental impacts; ulate andcontrolstormwater quantityand municipalities withinChesterCountyandhelpthemreg- 2002. Watersheds’ purposeistoserve asaguideforthe Resources ManagementPlanadoptedonSeptember17, part of Watersheds within Willistown Township werestudiedas 167 Stormwater Ordinanceinaccordancewiththeplans. each municipalitywithinCountyistoadoptan Act Watershed PlansforStormwater Management.Likewise, Pennsylvania isrequiredtoprepareandadopt Act 167 mined byPADEP. EachCountyintheCommonwealthof stormwater managementonawatershed basisasdeter- The Township Codeeffectively regulates alllanddis- Pursuant to Act 167,integrated stormwater manage- The CrumCreekwatershed encompassesamajority The CrumCreek,Ridley Creek,and Valley Creek Watersheds, ChesterCounty’s Integrated Water compliments thePADEP NPDESII primary causeofpollutioninlocalw The MS4StormwaterProgram ment throughChapter73, 6.9.4Township Planning and Regulation Today ronments throughouttheregion. and cultivated farm fields thatcandegrade stream envi- runoff fromparkingareas,streets,industrialcomplexes well astoreducepollutantsthatarecarriedbystormwater streams andinsusceptibleupstreamwatershed areas,as amounts ofwater inundatingsensitive propertiesaround This policy aimstoreduce damagefromexcessive erty damageanddetrimentalimpactstotheenvironment. storm events isextremely importantinminimizingprop- trolling thequantityandqualityofrunoff generatedby tion andenforcementofitscodesordinances.Con- runoff generatedfromlanduseactivities throughapplica- The Township believes itcanbestregulate stormwater NPDES PhaseIIprogramandtheEPA’s MS4program. ground water qualityandquantitybyconformingtothe use acti Basis for Policy6.9.3 ing itspermitrequirementsundertheMS4program. ronmental Protection(DEP).Currently, PA DEPisrevis- program isadministeredbythePA DepartmentofEnvi- ments oftheClean Water Act. InPennsylvania, theMS4 extent possibleandsatisfies thewater qualityrequire- ally reducesthedischarge ofpollutantstothemaximum a stormwater managementprogramthatmanagesandide- permit requiresthemunicipalitytodesignandimplement discharge theirstormwater intolocalwaterways. This as MS4municipalitiesarerequiredtoholdapermit ports duringandafterstormevents. ducing thequantitiesofpollutantsthatstormwater trans- program isintendedtoimprove thenation’s waters byre- Program (MunicipalSeparateStormSewer System). The stormwater managementprogramknown astheMS4 mental Protection Agency (EPA) establishedamunicipal amounts ofpollutionenteringwaterways, theEnviron- ways withoutany treatment. As aresultoftheincreasing it iseventually discharged intostreamsorotherwater- through municipalstormwater collectionsystemswhere ter runoff, pollutedorotherwise,isoftentransported Untreated oruncontrolledstormwater runoff isthe Willistown Township regulates stormwater manage- Willistown Township policy hasbeentoregulate land Municipalities suchas Willistown thataredesignated vities thataf fect runoff andsurface water and Article VIII oftheEnviron- aterw y.Stormwa- ays. Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage97 .. Recommendations6.9.5 for Policy Chapter 139–Zoning. Chapter 109-SoilErosionandSedimentControl, Chapter 123-Subdivision andLandDevelopment, regulations regarding stormwater management,including tions ofthe Township Codesupportorprovide additional riparian buffer areas.InadditiontotheEPO,othersec- erosion andsedimentpollutioncontrol,steepslopes, and vegetation, constructionwithinthefloodplain,soil storm water management,suchastheremoval oftopsoil lates otherlanduseactivities whichindirectlyaffect mental ProtectionOrdinance(EPO). The EPOalsoregu- rates. ment runoff ratesdonotexceed pre-development runoff opment tocontrolrunoff volume sothatpostdevelop- • Minimizedownstream floodingbyrequiringnew devel- water managementisadequate.Revise asneeded. • Monitorexisting regulatory provisions toensurestorm with regard towatershed management. • Continuetoparticipateinregional planningactivities pay forsystemfailures over time. tion ofsuchsystemssothatresidentsarenotforcedto • Continuetoenforcethehigheststandardsforconstruc- and regulations regarding quantityandquality control. to becompliantwithCounty, StateandFederalprograms ment ordinancerequirementsandmodifyasappropriate management regulations. Review allstormwater manage- tection Ordinanceandother Township Codestormwater • Continuetoenforcethe Township Environmental Pro- agement quantityandqualitycontrolmeasures. pervious surfaces andimprove overall stormwater man- • Continuetoseekways tominimizethecreationofim- sion/land development process. agement facilities isclearlydefined duringthesubdivi- • Ensurethatultimateresponsibilityforstormwater man- continued orimplemented: implemented. The following recommendationsshouldbe tional measures,mentionedabove, have alsobegun tobe management have beensuccessfullyimplemented. Addi- ship’ A majorityoftherecommendationsin Town- s 1997Comprehensi Impl ement ation/Actions to Implement ve Planregarding stormwater Develop andimplement aprogramthatreducesor 6. Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping new development orredevelopment areas. dischar Develop, implementandenforceaprogramto address 5. P turb oneacreorgreateroflandarea. control programforconstructionsiteacti Develop, implementandenforceanerosion sediment 4. Construction Site Runoff Control non-stormw Develop andimplementaplantodetecteliminate 3. IllicitDischargeDetectionandElimination which impro stormw Provide opportunitiesforcitizenstoparticipateinthe 2. Public Participation/Involvement has onwater quality. inform citizensabouttheimpactsthatstormw Distribute educationalmaterialsandconductoutreachto 1. Public EducationandOutreach streams. These elementsare: are intendedtoreducepollutantsdischarged intolocal ment Program’s six“minimumcontrolmeasures”which • ContinuetoimplementtheMS4Stormwater Manage- Control Program. and PADEP’s Chapter102ErosionandSedimentation charge EliminationSystemPhaseII(NPDESII)program • Enforcetheregulations oftheNationalPollutantDis- Act 167Plan. ual watershed plansandChesterCounty’s County-wide Creek, and Valley Creek Watersheds pursuanttoindivid- Stormwater Management Act fortheCrumCreek,Ridley • ImplementtherequirementsofPennsylvania hance theoverall qualityofthestreamsin Township. courage theuseofBestManagementPracticesthaten- for allprojectsthatinvolve streamsandwetlands.En- sure thatriparianbuffers areestablishedand/orenhanced achieve groundwater recharge andreduceflooding.In- natural resources.Encourageinfiltration ofstormwater to eliminate orminimizedisturbancetoareaswithsensitive • EncouragetheuseofBestManagementPracticesthat ost-Construction Runoff Control ges ofpost-constructionstormw ater managementprogramorotherprograms ater dischar ve water quality. ges intothestormwater system. ater runoff from vities thatdis- ater runof f

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 97 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout14/6/111:41PMPage98 98 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania remo Basis for Policy 6.10.3 arrangements. dent tomake his/herown trashremoval andrecycling trash. Willistown Township, however, allows eachresi- cipalities cancontractwithprivate haulerstoremove within theCountymustbelandfilled. Localmuni - flow controlordinance dictateswheretrashcollected vests regulatory controltothecounties.Chester County’s cling, and Waste Reduction Act” (Act101),whichlargely Pennsylv Existing Conditions/Background 6.10.2 Reduction Act” (Act101). the “Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling, and Waste late accordinglypursuanttotheauthoritygrantedunder lection servicestoensureresidents’ Monitor costandqualityofprivately provided trashcol- Policy for Solid Waste Collection, 6.10.1 Solid Waste Collection, Disposal 6.10 | stormwater discharges intotheirlocalwaterways. runoff fromtheirown propertyandbyreportingany non- stormwater programbyreducingorpreventing pollutant owner isencouragedtoparticipateinthemunicipal ment ofstormwater runoff. Every residentandbusiness water qualityinitswatersheds throughbettermanage- prevents pollutantrunoff frommunicipaloperations. and Article III,Recycling. Among theissuesaddressed ticle I,Disposal, Article II,Municipal Waste Collectors, bish andRefuse. hauling servicespursuantto Chapter87,Garbage,Rub- Township Planning and Regulation Today6.10.4 ties fortrashremoval andrecycling. keep costsreasonableandprovide highqualityopportuni- that thecontinuedfosteringofcompetitive serviceswill and respondtocitizenconcerns.Itisgenerallyagreed of private sectorservices,regulate pursuantto Act 101, The Township believes itsrolewithregard totrash Solid waste collectionanddisposalisregulated in Willistown Township iscommittedtoimproving The Township continuestomonitorandregulate trash v al andrecycling istomonitor thecostandquality Disposal and Recycling an ania bythe“Municipal d R ecycling This chaptercontainsthree articles: Waste Planning,Recy- needsaremet;re gu- Ar- T Education | 6.11 fashion. are undertaken inasafe,environmentally appropriate contractors, ensuringtrashremo • Continuetomonitorservicesprovided byprivate School District.Inadditionto panded, andreopened. rooms, Sugartown hassubsequentlybeenremodeled, ex- However, due to theneedforadditionalelementaryclass- school onthehighsite, Sugartown was closed. mentary schoolduetotheconstructionofanew middle Elementary School. When General Wayne becameanele- Kathryn D.Markley Elementary SchoolandCharlestown Valley HighSchool,Great Valley MiddleSchool,the schools notlocatedwithin Willistown Township areGreat mentary School. The fourGreat Valley SchoolDistrict Sugartown ElementarySchoolandGeneral Wayne Ele- the District,two arelocatedin Willistown Township - East Whiteland Townships. Ofthesixschoolbuildings in trict serves theBorough ofMalvern, andCharlestown and 6.11.2 af Monitor Great Valley SchoolDistrictplanswhichmight Policy for Education 6.11.1 tion ofnew schoolsare two examples ofitsrelevancy. municipal plansandactions.Schooltaxes andtheloca- .05Recommendations for Policy 6.10.5 video andaudiotapesaswellDVDs andCDs. a containeratthe Township Buildingfortherecycling of cled. As anongoingprogram,theCommissionmaintains ment, aswellforyardwaste thatisshreddedandrecy- batteries, propanetanks,cellphonesandelectronicequip- tion ofspecific itemssuchasmetal,tires,recyclable unteers. Periodicrecycling events areheldforthecollec- Commission withamembershipofseven dedicatedvol- and leafwaste. bitions, spillage,andcollectionofrecyclable materials are licensinganddisposal,violationspenalties,prohi- o fect locallanduseplanning. wnship, schooldistrictdecisionscangreatlyinfluence While educationisnotdirectlyprovided bythe Willistown Township ispartoftheGreat Valley As mentionedabove, Willistown alsohasaRecycling Impl Existing Conditions/Background ement ation/Actions to Implement W v illistown theschooldis- al andrecycling efforts Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout14/5/115:36PMPage99 Library System;alibrarycard fromany individual library volunteers. Bothlibraries arepartoftheChesterCounty part timestaff. Eachlibraryisalso supportedbyseveral Manager andtwo fulltimeLibrariansaswellthree Tredyffrin Township LibraryandhasafulltimeBranch part timestaff. The Paoli Libraryisabranch ofthe time Director, afulltimeChildren’s Librarianandten total of56½hours.Malvern PublicLibraryhasafull Darby RoadinPaoli, isopensixdaysperweek,fora week, foratotalof62hours.Paoli PublicLibrary, on and Warren Avenues inMalvern, isopensixdaysper ties oftheGreat Township Planning and Regulation Today 6.11.4 pressure. concerns, amongthemincreasedtaxes anddevelopment fect landusedecisionmakingandcanleadtoavariety of district. Conversely, schooldistrictplanscananddoaf- the pressureadditionaldevelopment placesontheschool local libraries.Malv Existing Conditions/Background 6.12.2 ices. Continue tofinancially supportlocalpubliclibraryserv- 6.12.1 Library Services 6.12 | impacts onpropertytaxes. • Monitorschoolbudgets andperiodicallyexamine their lated tolanduse. tent withthisComprehensi • Ensurethatany plansfornew constructionareconsis- between de 6.11.3Basis for Policy 6.11.5Recommendations for Policy sues andonbehalfof Township residents. comment appropriatelypursuanttolanduseplanningis- takes seriouslytheneedtomonitorsuchactivities and The Township’s planningefforts considertheactivi- Willistown Township residentsarewellserved by The Township clearlyrecognizestheinterconnection Impl P olicy for Library Services ement v elopment andschoolcapacity, particularly V ation/Actions to Implement alley SchoolDistrict;the Township ern PublicLibrary v e Plan’s recommendationsre- , locatedatFirst a pursuant toananalysisoflocalrequestsandfunding Township Planning and Regulation Today 6.12.4 for usinglocaltaxdollarstosupportlibraries. more, Township residentshave indicatedstrongsupport brary servicestotheresidentsof Basis for Policy 6.12.3 as budgets aredrafted. sion tofund,andthefundingamount,ismadeeachyear Township in2009totaledjustunder$75,000. The deci- anteed. Fundingsupportforlibrariesby Willistown both librariesannually, althoughthefundingisnotguar- lic LibraryandPaoli Library. The Township supports within theserviceareaofbothlibraries:Malvern Pub- from fines andfeesforuse. Willistown Township falls receive fundsfrombooksalesandotherfund-raisers, based onthepopulationwithinthatarea.Librariesalso tain fundingsupport,eachlibraryclaimsa`servicearea,’ local municipalitybeforcedtosupportalibrary. To ob- funding isnotguaranteedfromany source,norcana and alsoreceive somefundingfromtheState.However, County’s system. entitles theowner touseallthelibrarieswithin Willistown residentsandothers; Administration: how ation activities includingtrailsavailable fortheuseof • Services–composedofProgramming: organized recre- environmental protection). and othersitesin Willistown setasideforrecreationand parks, andparklands(propertyowned bythe Township areas, pavilions, parkingandotheramenitiesavailable at • F consists oftw The parksandrecreationsystemin Willistown Township Parks and Recreation 6.13 | in the • Continuetoprovide financial supportforbothlibraries .25Recommendations for Policy 6.12.5 v ailability. acilities –playingfields, playgroundequipment,picnic The Township funds locallibrariesonanannualbasis The Township recognizes theimportanceoflocalli- Chester Countylibrariesarefundedbythe W Impl illistown servicearea. ement o maincomponents: ation/Actions to Implement T ownship. Further-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 99 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage100 100 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Marsh CreekStateP v dards andtheirapplicabilityto Willistown Township). (see Appendix 7 foradescriptionoftheCounty’s stan- Mini parks. The County’s standards arepopulationbased gional, Sub-regional, Community, Neighborhood and F Existing Conditions/Background 6.13.2 adjoining municipalities. out the Township andidentifylikely interconnectionsto • Establishtrailandrecreationinterconnectionsthrough- and revise andupdate theplanasnecessaryover time. • ImplementtheOkehocking Preserve ManagementPlan program offerings. ship residentsabouttheirparkandrecreationsystem • Continueoutreachtoandsolicitfeedbackfrom Town- recreation. gram, asoutlinedinthe Township budget forparksand within aneffective budgetary andfiscal planningpro- • Provide parksandrecreationfacilities andservices ation andtrailresourceprotectionpriorities.) ing Community Values, Section4.2.2forparkandrecre- the Willistown community. (Note:SeeChapter4,Protect- for thebenefit ofthephysical,socialandmentalhealth • Provide parksandrecreationfacilities andprogramming recreation assets. ming servicesthathighlight Willistown’s parkand ational f and visitthroughthepro • Ensure Willistown isanattractive placetolive, work 6.13.1Policies for Parks and Recreation cations. agement, maintenanceandsecurity, andpubliccommuni- land, facilities andprogrammingservices,includingman- Willistown manages,fundsandoperatesitsrecreation Standards, thetypesofparksf ferred toasthe2002ChesterCounty classifying eachrecreationalparkwithintheCounty; re- County Parks Departmenthave developed asystemfor arying de a cilities Willistown residentsareserved, tosomeextent andto The ChesterCountyPlanningCommissionandthe acilities, aswelladministrative andprogram- grees, byseveral ark, ChesterCounty; vision ofparklandandrecre- regional acilities identif ak including: parks Recreational Park White Clay ied areRe- County orneighboringcountyparkf County. Park, Delaware County;FrenchCreekStatePark, Chester Creek StatePark, ChesterCounty;Ridley CreekState Map 6:ExistingRecr pendix 5:P Open Spaceand Trails W Trails community accessislimited. Radnor Pony Club,and White ManorCountryClub; Phelps School, Villa Maria Academy, RadnorHuntClub, Campus, BrynMawr RehabilitationHospitalgrounds, the immediateregion, includingDevereux’s Mapleton facilities arealsofoundthroughout the Township andin serves Willistownresidents. Borough’s RubinoPark isidentified asaminiparkand only miniparklocatedin Willistown Township. Malvern Duffryn Avenue trailcorridor(currentlyunnamed)isthe Burke Park andHoraceJ.QuannMemorialPark. The Malvern Boroughthatserve Willistown residentsinclude for publicaccess).Neighborhoodparkslocatedin the CrumCreekOpenSpaceiscurrentlynotmaintained Elementary SchoolandCrumCreekOpenSpace(Note: serve, Sugartown ElementarySchool,General Wayne clude GreentreePark, MillRoadPark, Sugartown Pre- YMCA. Neighborhoodparkslocatedin Willistown in- Woods, EastGoshenPark, andtheUpperMain Line Paoli MemorialGrounds,MonumentPark, Randolph Willistown but arenotlocatedinthe Township include Community parkandrecreationfacilities thatserve Mill Park, Kirkwood Preserve, and Willisbrook Preserve. clude Okehocking Preserve, LineRoadField,Garrett Township. The communityparkswithin Willistown in- the locationofapproximately 5milesoflooptrailsat and pedestrianwalking facilities. Map6alsoidentifies Warren Avenue, andGreen Lane,areusedasequestrian trails. The Township’s threedirtroads,Plumsock Road, of-way provide forlightuseasunimproved pedestrian noted thatcurrentlythosetrailslocatedalongroadright- equestrian trailslocatedalongroadsides).Itshouldbe ety ofparkfacilities meeting signif hood serv illisto At the Map 6alsoidentifies thepublicly accessibletrailsin Significant otherprivate openspaceandrecreation Willistown Township residents areserved byavari- e Willistownresidents. i park needs.Parks within Willistown include cant publicandquasi-publicfacilities, identified on wn Township (mostofwhichareunimproved sub-regional ark andRecr eation Sites,Publicly , withmostsitesdetailedin Ap- eational Resources in Willistown park level, noneoftheChester community acilities currently and neighbor- Accessible Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage101 for adescriptionofthisplanning effort. rently inthebe t Malvern. Oneopportunity toaddressthiswillbethrough borhoods totheadjacenttown centersofPaoli and trail/sidewalk access fromthe Township’s northernneigh- Greenway Trail). Currentlythereislimitedpedestrian tutes thegenerallocationofMalvern-Willistown proposed Patriot’s Path south(aportionofwhichconsti- are beingexamined aswell aspartofMalvern Borough’s Park. Inter-municipal linkagesto Willistown Township nicipal trailsandsidewalks, andtrails within Valley Forge tion oftheCounty’s Chester Valley Trail, alongwithmu- a multi-municipalpedestriannetwork consistingofasec- operated facility like theCountyStruble Trail, but rather land Township. The Patriots Path would notbeaCounty Borough andtheBattleofCloudsPark inEast White- Township withboththePaoli MassacreSiteinMalvern link Valley Forge National HistoricPark in Tredyffrin the proposedlocations. Trail Corridor. SeeMap13:Park andRecreationPlanfor Willistown Conservation Trust Kirkwood-Okehocking Greenway Trail componentofthePath, aswellthe cludes thePatriots Path andtheMalvern-Willistown erty trailsareshown on themap. public landsandinroadright-of-ways. Noprivate prop- trail network weaves throughprivate, institutional,and Dovecote LanetothenorthandRoute3 south. This dle andsouthernsectionofthe Township between work ofunimproved equestriantrailsthroughoutthemid- Township. roads, thereisnobike pathorright-of-way network inthe connections. Although numerouscyclists use Willistown present currentorprojectedfuturebarrierstotrailinter- 3, Rt.30,Paoli Pike, andotheridentified arterialsthat identified onMap6;suchobstaclesarecomprisedofRt. in northern Willistown. Roadcrossingobstaclesarealso developed portionofSchoolLanebySugartown School ment insouthern Willistown, andattheendof cesses intwo developments: theHunter’s Rundevelop- construction ofthiscorridor. Also identified aretrailac- purchased andthe Township iscurrentlyplanningforthe the proposedDuffryn Avenue Trail Corridorhasbeen Willisbrook Preserve, andKirkwood Preserve. Landfor fryn Avenue Trail Corridor, andtrailsatGreentreePark, Preserve (usedmainlybyequestrians),theintendedDuf- pedestrians withlightequestrianuse),trailsatSugartown Willistown’s Okehocking Preserve (usedprimarilyby he Malvern-Willistown Greenway Trail project(cur- The Patriots Path isapossibletrailcorridorthatcould Additional trailplanninginvolving the Township in- In addition,the Township hasafairly extensive net- ginning planningstages).See Appendix 7 create communityandenrichli the missionofP 6.13.3Basis for Policy pendix 7. gram offerings and Township staffing canbe foundin Ap- a dedicated Township staff; specific detailsregarding pro- program opento Township residentsandadministeredby Park andRecreation ProgramServices ticularly given thepotentialforregional traillinkages. potentially providing opportunitiesforcommuting,par- ational facility toanother, sotooarethey valuable in nection oftrailsisvalue ingettingfromonerecre- recreational andtransportationasset. While the intercon- ther describedin Appendix 7. to Willistown Township aredepictedonMap13andfur- used, andpartiallydeveloped. Those corridorspertinent classified into3categories; undeveloped, informally recommended Regional RecreationCorridorshave been located withinandadjacentto Willistown Township. The Corridors in tified regional andcountyscaledRegional Recreation and even nationaltrails. local trailsfit intothelarger network ofcounty, regional nity. FromtheCounty’s perspective, itisimportantthat to protectedopenspacesoutsideoftheirlocalcommu- ities toconsiderhow theirtrailsandopenspaceswilllink ChesterCounty, PA, 2002,encouragesmunicipal- work in and equestriannaturalsurf posed projectwhichseekstoestablishapublicpedestrian documentation ofthepositive impactsandbenefits of courage athriving, healthycommunity. There isextensive and programs;theDepartment’s overall visionistoen- Landscapes: palities, ChesterCounty, throughitspublication mation onthisplanningef Road andRoute3.See Appendix 7foradditionalinfor- at the Township’s Okehocking Preserve onDelchester serve onGoshenandDelchesterRoads,terminating Road, continuingthroughthe Trust’s Rushton Woods Pre- the Trust’s Kirkwood Preserve, locatedonGrubbsMill nities bothwithinthe The basisforparksandrecreationpoliciesisfoundin Willistown Township maintainsanactive recreation Finally, itis important tonotethattrailsarebotha The ChesterCountyPlanningCommissionhasiden- The Kirkwood-Okehocking Trail Corridorisapro- While trailcorridorswillpro Linking Landscapes A PlanforthePr arks andRecreationDepartmentto T ownship andtoadjoiningmunici- fort. ace trailcorridorbe otected OpenSpaceNet- ves throughpeople,parks , anumberofwhichare vide additionalopportu- ginning at Linking

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 101 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage102 102 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania dix 6: health ofindividuals andtheircommunities(see Appen- parks andrecreationonthephysical,mentalsocial they serve aswelltoeachother. should bebasedonlinkingdestinationstothepopulous The intentisthatthedesignofa Willistown trailnetwork enthusiasts, neighboring Township residents,visitors,etc. travel opportunitiesforresidents,school students,sports and insomecasesequestrianpotentiallybicycle, ignated inaneffort torecognizealternative pedestrian, structure ofgeneralizedplanningcorridorshasbeendes- within andoutsideofthe Township, andobstructions,a opment densities,locationofdesirabledestinations ing landusesinthe Township, differing residentialdevel- trail planning:baseduponexisting trailconditions,differ- tem. tion ofproposedcorridorsandatrailclassification sys- description oftrailplanningissues,includingadescrip- Recreation Facilities, and Trails. See Appendix 7fora benefits) arediscussedin Appendix 6: life, health,economic,transportationandenvironmental benefits oftrailsandtrailrecreation(includingquality was morewalking/hiking trails. Documentationofthe vey, thenumberoneimprovement requestedbyresidents need formorewalking andhikingtrails;inthe2004sur- adequacies werethe Township’s lackofsidewalks and survey, thenumberoneandtwo recreationalin- recreational activity ishikingandwalking; inthe2009 and 2009residentsurveys: ineach,thehighest priority rives itspriorityinpartfromtheresultsofboth2004 also includedin Appendix 7. services. Informationregarding the Township’s surveys is nents informulatingastrategy toaddressneedsand ings onspecific projects,have been importantcompo- Surveys of2004and2009,anumberpublicmeet- surveys andpublicmeetings. The Parks andRecreation Other guidanceincludedtheresidentresponsereceived in assessment, referencedabove, isdescribedin Appendix 7. short andlongtermrecreationneeds. This inventory and facilities iscomparedtoapplicablestandardsascertain An inventory ofdiverse parkandrecreationallands the Protected OpenSpaceNetworkinChesterCounty. Parks andRecreationforLinkingLandscapes: A Planfor 2002 bytheChesterCountyPlanningCommissionand portunities, the Township utilizedthosedeveloped in The Township has taken thefollowing approachto The establishmentofa Township trailnetwork de- As atooltoevaluate localrecreationalneeds andop- Benefits ofParks, Recreation Facilities and Trails Benefits ofParks, ). ule identif actions tobeaddressedwithintheimplementationsched- The recommendationsidentified below areintendedas 6.13.5Recommendations for Policy veys of2004and2009areusedforplanningpurposes. • The resultsofthe Township Parks andRecreationsur- site forfutureactive recreation. opportunities; alsodiscussedistheuseofaportion ing Preserve whileproviding importantpassive recreation improving theuniquenaturalresourcesofOkehock- vides the Township withablueprintformanagingand • The Okehocking Preserve ManagementPlan,2005, pro- 4, Section4.2.2. Code referencesregarding trailscanbefoundinChapter existing rightsandremediesseverability. Additional issuance; codeprovision violationsandpenalties;and, ers anddutiesoftheParks andRecreationBoard;permit on Map13,Park andRecreationPlan.S to acquireandde parks andrecreationneedsshortagese • The Township shouldfocusonspecific areaswhere Facilities 7. in Appendix future parkandrecreationplanningareidentified f • Chapter96,Parks ofthe Willistown Township Code,de- Township Planning and Regulation Today 6.13.4 i nes useregulations andprohibitions;enforcement;pow- Paoli Pike innortheastern Willistown, ismadeupof - Area 2(aminiparkservicearea),located southof Tredyffrin shouldalsobepursued. Hospital lands.Coordinationwithneighboring developing recreationalfacilities onPaoli Memorial residential propertyandexamining thepossibilityof tions includemonitoringtheavailability of sity residentialdevelopment. Park development op- will bechallenginginthisareaduetothehighden- enue). Landsavailable forminiparkdevelopment railroad tracksandU.S.Route30(Lancaster Av- ern partofPaoli and Willistown bytheMainLine Tredyffrin Township line,isdivided fromthesouth- - Area 1(aminiparkservicearea),locatedalongthe Impl ied inChapter7. ement velop parklandsintheareasidentified ation/Actions to Implement Additional considerationsfor uch needsinclude: xist andseek Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 103

MAP 13 FRONT Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:40 PM Page 104

MAP 13 back Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout14/5/115:39PMPage105 departments toutilizeunique assetsineachmunicipality. nate efforts withneighboringparks andrecreation gramming andencourageuse. Communicateandcoordi- and otheror • Partner withneighboringparksandrecreationprograms Services -Programming maintenance programandschedule forallparkfacilities. a • Considercreatingaparkmanagementplanthatoutlines will serve allareasofthe Township). velopment -majorcommunity recreationaldevelopment herein whichwillserve theareaunderapplicationforde- marked forspecific parkandrecreationneedsidentified receipt offees-in-lieu(fundscollectedshouldbeear- of theMunicipalitiesPlanningCode);setupafundfor tion whereappropriate(inaccordancewiththeprovisions 37 toenablecollectionoffees-in-lieuparklanddedica- • EnactformalS/LDOprovisions toamendsection123- toric resourcesrelatedtothe War ( identifying suchactivity istopreserve andinterprethis- related totheBattleofPaoli; the u movement routesandtwo separateengagementsites 4 containstwo different Revolutionary War troop Greenway Trail project.)Itisworth notingthat Area (This conceptisincludedintheMalvern-Willistown Malvern MonumentGroundsandPaoli Battlefield. linkages couldconnecttheseneighborhoodstothe ple.) SafepassageacrossSugartown Roadviatrail of private lands.(PhelpsSchool grounds,forexam- aside throughsubdivision, orthroughnegotiated use of whichmaybeavailable foracquisitionorset family residentialdevelopment andopenland,some the Township), consistspredominantlyofsingle Borough (anddepictedinthenorthwesterncornerof area), locatedimmediatelytothewestofMalvern - Area 4(aproposedneighborhoodparkservice meet miniparkserviceneeds. quate internalopenspaceorrecreationalfacilities to development. These usesdonotappeartohave ade- house developments andsinglefamily residential Westtown Township line,ismadeupoflarge town- - Area 3(aminiparkservicearea),locatedalongthe the availability oftheseresidentialproperties. development optionsrelyprincipallyonmonitoring in thisareaduetotheintensityofdevelopment. Park able forminiparkdevelopment willbechallenging high densityresidentialdevelopment. Landsavail- ganizations topromotef acilities andpro- see alsoSection3.2.2). ltimate purposeof .4 OpenSpace Preservation, Landowner 6.14 | monitor trailsin Willistown Township. local equestrianriderstomaintain,improve, create and groups suchas Willistown Area Trails Association and • Coordinatewithlocaltrail,equestrianandhiking known tocoincidewith publicroads. areas mappedasdesirabletrail“links’ andtrailsegments tion ofexisting trails,additionaltrailrights-of-way in more clearlyspecifyrequiredcontinuance/formaldedica- wherever landdisturbanceisproposed. Amend 123-37to ments forinventory ofexisting formalandinformaltrails Ensure thatthe Township Codeincludesstrictrequire- partnerships toestablisha Township-wide trailnetwork). nance, andmonitoring;opportunitiesforworking Township andothersregarding trailownership, mainte- the desirefortrailestablishment;appropriateroles Code thatreflectintendedusersandlocations(including • Consideraddingtraildesignstandardstothe Township a Township-wideundertaking TrailsPlan. Recreation Plan(Map13). As partofthiseffort, consider surrounding communitiesasmappedinthePark and cultural andretaildestinationsinboth Willistown and ation sites,openspaceareas,residentialneighborhoods, which increaseaccess/linkagebetweenexisting recre- boring municipalities. The focusshouldbeonroutes sociation, the Willistown Conservation Trust, andneigh- trail usergroupsincludingthe Willistown Area Trails As- cooperation withthelocalandregional organizations and for futuregenerations. serve landandprotectthe Township’s naturalresources comprehensive planningefforts, includingefforts topre- provide informationtoresidentsaboutthe Township’s pioning landprotectionandstewardship. Continueto ti • Continuetosupportongoingdialoguewithandinitia- ship Landowner Assistance Policies for and OpenSpacePrivate Land Steward- Preservation, 6.14.1 W • Promoteestablishmentofrecreationaltrailsthroughout Services –Trails Programming all aspectsofrecreationalprogramming. • Continuetomanage,improve, andexpand asnecessary, v illisto es byprivate landowners andcommunitygroupscham- wn aspartofaComprehensive Trails Network in Ass i stance and Private Land Stewardship

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 105 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage106 106 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania natural resourcesandopenspaceconserv space fundforlandandeasementpurchasestoadopting grant programs).Intheintervening years,the Township lands preservation programsandopenspace park public purchase(suchascounty andstateagricultural purchases, limiteddevelopment, andbargain sales),and ship actions(suchasconservation easementdonationsor continued useof Act 515and319),private landsteward- of theofficial map),incentives underPA law (suchas transfer ofdevelopment rights(TDR)techniques, anduse source ordinance,innovative sitedesignordinances, (such asenvironmental protectionordinances, historicre- categories: Township planningandregulatory techniques space preservation weregroupedaccordingtofourbroad preservation andrecreation.Recommendationsforopen resources, but developed specific plansforopenspace toried the Township’s openspaceandenvironmental sources Plan,” adoptedin1993. This plannotonlyinven- its “OpenSpace,Recreation,andEnvironmental Re- sets. gently topreserve itsopenlandandothercommunityas- and conservation groups, the Township hasworked dili- provisions tosupportinginitiatives byprivate landowners open spaceforman Open SpacePreservation Existing Conditions/Background 6.14.2 land conservation and stewardship. educational resourceforresidentsonmattersconcerning • Partner withlocallandtruststoserve asacommunity sound stewardship ofthearea’s private lands. trusts andenvironmental organizations tosupportthe • Continuetosupportandcollaboratewithlocalland trian trails. well asrecreationalassetssuchpedestrianandeques- areas ofsignificant physical,historic,andscenicvalue, as in theprotectionofenvironmentally sensitive landsand as the Willistown Conservation Trust toassist landowners • Partner withandsupportactionbylocallandtrustssuch recreation facilities, amongothers. protection efforts, openspacepurchases,andpark space throughinnovative sitedesignandnaturalresource made resources,preserve landandinterconnectopen • Continue Township efforts toprotectnaturalandman- A milestoneforthe Township was thepreparationof Willistown Township hasbeenactive inpreserving y years;fromestablishinganopen ation ordinance alliances hasbeenwiththe servation T The Township’s Partnership withtheWillistown Con- available as“sendingarea”for TDR. techniques hasbeensosuccessfulthatinsufficient landis on; forexample, preservation ofopenspaceusingother velopment), have beencarefullyconsidered but notacted TDR orfee-in-lieu(ofopenspaceset-asidesduringde- plished. Several techniquesdiscussed,suchastheuseof to encourageinnovative sitedesign,have beenaccom- protection ordinancetorevising development regulations ulatory techniques,fromadoptinganenvironmental dations containedintheplan.Many oftheidentified reg- has worked vigorouslytoaddresseachoftherecommen- lands. the purchaseofnatural,scenic, historic,andrecreational Resources (DCNR),aswellprivate donations,toward Pennsylvania DepartmentofConservation andNatural other publicsources,principallyChesterCountyand the enabled the Township toleverage significant dollarsfrom Establishment oftheOpenSpacePreservation Fundhas whelmingly passedthereferenduminNovember of1999. and preservation ofopenspace. Township voters over- one percenttoestablishafundsolelyforthepurchase creasing the Township’s earnedincometaxby1/8 Referendum. The referendumasked residentstofavor in- cated forthepassageof Township’s OpenSpace ects. In1999, WCT worked withthe Township andadvo- with the Township onmany conservation-oriented proj- watersheds oftheRidley, Crum,andDarbyCreeks. manently preserve nearly5,000acreswithintheupper has beenthedonationofconservation easementsthatper- rounding communities. The result oftheseefforts sofar vation organization in Willistown Township andsur- to assurethelongtermcontinuationofavigorousconser- area’s critical,natural,scenic,andhistoricresources, and to meettheever increasingchallengesthatthreatenthe non-profit community-basedlandtrust,whosemandateis easements. In1996the Trust evolved asanindependent lands inperpetuitythroughthedonationofconservation Willistown andneighboringtownships toprotecttheir worked closelywithmorethanninetylandowners in vancy. Between1980and1996,theProgram’s staff formed asasatelliteprogramoftheBrandywineConser- sor, the Willistown Area Conservation Program,was (WCT). WCT hasitsoriginsin1980whenpredeces- One ofthe Township’s mostsuccessfulpreservation From itsadvent, WCT hassuccessfullypartnered r ust W illistown Conservation Trust th of Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage107 arbrook Lane(aportionof theCrumCreekOpenSpace). Township topurchase the2acre Wroten propertyonSug- Chester Countyintheamount of$165,000toenablethe On behalfofthe Township, WCT securedagrantfrom Wroten Property from atrailheadparkinglotalongGrubbsMillRoad. ing andhorsebackridingtrailsonthepreserve, accessible bird species. There isalsoanextensive network ofwalk- and foraginghabitatforanumberofdeclininggrassland Creek, andmany acres of openfields thatprovide nesting tally sensitive lands,including frontagealongtheCrum Kirkwood Preserve alsocontainssignificant environmen- serve was $6,000,000. An exceptionally scenicresource, Grubbs MillRoad. The total purchasepriceforthepre- WCT inpurchasingits83acreKirkwood Preserve on vided $3,150,000ofitsown openspacefundstoassist from ChesterCountyintheamountof$500,000,andpro- In 2004and2005the Township securedapublicgrant Kirkwood Preserve conservation easement ontheentireacreage. quired bythe Township (LineRoadField). WCT holdsa tion foractive recreationaluse,and27acreswereac- were acquiredbyGreaterChester Valley Soccer Associa- added toNLT’s adjacent Willisbrook Preserve, 21acres Center. Sixty-one(61)acresofthisacquiredtractwere Sugartown BarrenstractfromBrynMawr Rehabilitation Chester Valley Soccer Association toacquirethe109-acre volving the Township, NaturalLands Trust, andGreater amount of$729,000toward ajointacquisitionprojectin- WCT obtainedagrantfromChesterCountyinthe Sugartown Barrens entire preserve. chase. The Trust holdsaconservation easementonthe from ChesterCountyby WCT toward this Township pur- Pennsylvania DCNRandanother$290,000was obtained $2,000,000 ingrantfundswas securedbythe Trust from acre Okehocking Preserve along West ChesterPike. Over lic fundingthatenabledthe Township toacquireits183 From 2001through2007 WCT obtainedsignificant pub- Okehocking Preserve the following landacquisitionprojects: fund, Willistown Township haspartneredwith WCT on purchases. For example, sinceestablishingitsopenspace protection andjointlyseekfundingforlandeasement tion organizations suchas WCT toidentifyprioritiesfor cessful efforts have involved partnershipswithconserva- In recentyears,someofthe Township’s mostsuc- natural resourceprotection. sustainable agricultureandpromotingopenspace its landprotectionandstewardship missionbymodeling Program establishedin2008by WCT asaway tofurther eral efforts areunderway, includingtheCommunityFarm volves thepracticeofsustainablelocalagriculture.Sev- below). Township (seeadditionalinformationunder6.14.4, demonstration projectreplicableonotherlandsinthe serves bothasapropertymanagementplanand management planfortheOkehocking Preserve that that end,the Township undertooktodevelop apreserve nated useandbenefits thelarger community. Towards taken inamannerthatisbothconsistentwiththedesig- Land managementonpreserved landsmustbeunder- the wiseste Land Management tion andlandmanagement. joint stewardship efforts focusedonenvironmental educa- natural andsceniclandscapes,aswellcollaborateon ther withorganizations suchas WCT toprotectadditional property. land. The grantcovered theentirepurchasepricefor and isadjacenttoother Township owned conservation This propertycontainsfrontagealongtheCrumCreek The missionoftheprogramis: One usebeingexamined onlandsinthe Township in- A large component ofprotectingresourcesinvolves In thefuture, Township intendstocooperatefur- watersheds; scenic resources,primeagriculturalsoilsandcritical • toprotectandenhance Willistown’s naturaland ogy; tive, renewable energy usageand“green”technol- • tocreateafarm infrastructurethatmodelsinnova- ing foodlongdistances; • toreducefossilfuelconsumptionfromtransport- food tothelocalcommunity; • toprovide avariety offresh,healthy, chemical-free agricultural practices; • todemonstrate,teach,andpromotesustainable w ardship oflandsset-asideforpreservation.

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 107 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage108 108 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania open spaceisitselfanobleendea to LinkOpenSpace Greenways andOtherOpportunities throughout thegrowing season. and inreturn,they receive aweeklyshareoffreshfood pay anannualmembershipfeetocover productioncosts, At thebeginning ofthegrowing seasonCSAmembers way togetlocallygrown producestraightfromthefarm. ture, whichoffers families aconvenient andinteractive gram’s “CommunitySupported Agriculture” (CSA)ven- Woods Preserve. RushtonFarm ishometothefarm pro- ester Roads,andadjacenttothe Trust’s 30-acreRushton Farm, locatedattheintersectionofGoshenandDelch- tion ofgreenway: creation ofgreenways. OfuseisthePartnership’s defini- eral documentsaimedatassistingmunicipalitieswiththe sylvania Greenways Partnership, whichhascreatedsev- mutually exclusive. these usesarenotalways compatible,neitherarethey tunities, andpromotealternative transportation. While habitat andnaturalresources,provide recreationaloppor- Greenways have beenestablishedtoconserve wildlife per, andpeoplecantravel, exercise, andenjoy nature. through whichanimals(andplants)canmigrateandpros- historic sites,andcommunitiestocreatecorridors spaces establishedtoconnectourparks,wildlifeareas, ways.” Greenways aregenerallydefined aslinearopen to interconnectlarge areasofopenspacetoform“green- Although thepreservation andwisemanagementof The centerpieceofthe WCT programisRushton One effort worth notinginPennsylvania isthePenn- backgrounds regardless offinancial circumstances. bounty offreshfoodwithpeopleallagesand • tosharethejoy ofworking onthelandand works; and • tosupportotherfarmers, localchefsandfoodnet- greenways areprimarilyrecreationalcorridors, porate bothpublicandprivate property. Some canals, ridgetops,orother features. They canincor- shorelines, orwetlands.Somefollow oldrailways, or water-based, runningalongstreamcorridors, tural, andscenicfeatures.Greenways canbeland- wide corridorsthatincorporatediverse natural,cul- that runthroughurban,suburban, andruralareas to vary greatlyinscale,fromnarrow ribbonsofgreen “A greenway isacorridorofopenspace.Greenways v or, itisalsoimportant ning forgreenways, aswell astrailsandbikeways, should residents ofthe Township. Furthermore, Township plan- an aestheticandrecreation benefit topresentandfuture open spacewhichisbiologicallyproductive andprovides space. Greenways shouldbeaninterconnectedsystemof greenways thatconnectorconsolidatelarge areasofopen should alsobemadetobuild asystemofcontiguous encompass morethanjuststreamnetworks; attempts implementation. Butgreenways, bytheirvery definition, eration andtheleveraging offundsforplanning and tection efforts andshouldfosterintergovernmental coop- Crum Creekslendvalue tothe Township’s greenway pro- Creek andtheHighQualitydesignationofRidley and pled withtheExceptional Value designationofthe Valley awareness. The majorityoffirst-order streammiles,cou- community character, passive recreation,andresident parian buffers, vegetation, wildlifehabitat,water quality, of whichwillsupport Township objectives regarding ri- creeks representenvironmental corridors,theprotection ley, Ridley andCrumCreekstreamnetworks. All three Willistown, thefocusforgreenways creationisthe Val- some locationswillcontainthesemeansofaccess.In ment toseparatetrailcorridorsandbikeways, andin education aboutlandmanagementpractices. objective canoccurwithlandowner contactandpublic benefit. Inmany cases,attainingthegreenway protection tion oreasementdonationhasthemostpotentialpublic ship willwant toidentifyparcelswherepublicacquisi- greenway isneitherfeasiblenoressential,but the Town- stretch ofthegreenway. Fullpublicownership ofthe of development proposals,wherethetractcontainsa in thecreationofcommonopenspaceduringreview the greenway corridors.Suchaccessshouldbeapriority added objective withinappropriatelyselectedsegments of paramount purpose.Publicaccessbymeansoftrailsisan tegrity, aswellscenicandculturalqualities,isthe streams traversing the Township. Protectionofnaturalin- tal corridorwhoselocationisdefined bythemajor the conceptualroleofgreenway isasanenvironmen- A protectedgreenway willbeanimportantcomple- As acomponentof Willistown’s openspacenetwork, opportunities.” communities, andstimulateeconomicdevelopment beauty andthequalityoflifeinneighborhoods vide recreationalbenefits, enhancethenatural protect natural,cultural,andscenicresources,pro- and function,but overall, agreenway network will human passage.Greenways differ intheirlocation ronmental protectionandarenotdesignedfor while othersfunctionalmostexclusively forenvi- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage109 ber thatpreserv menting therecommendationsofpastplanningef Township Planning and Regulation Today 6.14.4 the Township’s futurepreservation efforts. relationships withlandowners willplaycrucialrolesin for partnershipsamongavariety ofentitiesandworking without theperseverance ofallinvolved. Thus, theneed landowners. Nosingle toolorgroupoftoolswillwork commitment ofthe Township, itscitizensandlarge the preserv Basis for Policy 6.14.3 large openspace parcels. greenway corridorsalongstreamandamong forts andformsthebasisfordeterminingappropriate basis forfuture Township preservation andoutreachef- use patternsandwater resources;thisanalysisformsthe source protectionpriorities(parcels)given currentland Resources andPrioritiesforProtection,identifies re- aries isalsoimportanttoconsider. tected greenway corridorsbeyond the Township bound- plan element,LinkingLandscapes. complement andhelpimplementtheCounty’s openspace particularly asthe ral (andscenic)landscape. land andresourcemanagementtoolstoenhancethenatu- ordinance containsprovisions forlandscapingandother hydric soils,andriparianbuffer areas.Furthermore,the plains/floodways, wetlands,steepslopes,woodlands, sources protectedthroughtheseprovisions are:flood- land inordertocalculatedevelopable land.Natural re- the applicationofaresourceprotectionratiotoprotected by minimizingtheirdisturbance. The provisions require vision andlanddevelopment andprotectssuch resources tial impactstosensitive natural resourcesthroughsubdi- Chapter 73,containsnet-outprovisions thatassesspoten- • The Township’s Environmental ProtectionOrdinance, cessfully accomplishedthefollowing: and the1997Comprehensive Plan,the Township hassuc- recommendations containedinthe1993OpenSpacePlan ship, andinnovative sitedesign. Among those source protection,openspacepreservation, landsteward- Willistown hasbeenimmenselyeffective atimple- While the Township believes ithasbeensuccessfulin Chapter 4,inparticularSection4.4,Compositeof ation ofopenspace,itisimportanttoremem- ation involves thecreative energy and y relatetonaturalandman-madere- Extensions ofthepro- forts, was passedby Township residents.Unlike the Township’s Review Boardshortly aftertheopenspacereferendum Preservation Fund,the Township formedanOpenSpace • Inlightofthecreation Township’s OpenSpace parks, openspacereservations, andtrails. lands, andhistoricdistricts,aswellproposedpublic land, preserves, development restrictedopenspace,eased Willistown’s currentmapcontainsexisting publicpark- willingness topurchaseitorarrangeforitspurchase. space inthiscaseultimatelydependsonthe Township’s (and permitstimetonegotiate), thepreservation ofopen While thistechniqueoffers the Township temporaryrelief velop thelandinaccordancewithapplicableordinances. within thatperiod,itmustpermitthelandowner tode- Township hasnotpurchasedorcondemnedtheland division ordevelopment foraperiodofoneyear. Ifthe which themunicipalitymaywithholdlandfromsub- wise develop thelandcovered bythereservation, after written noticeifthey intendtobuild, subdivide orother- public useorparkland.Ownersofsuchtractsmustserve Township maynotonlydesignatebut reserve landfor lic parks,aswellpedestrianways andeasements. The items thatmaybemappedareexisting andproposedpub- with regard topubliclandandfacilities. Among those appropriate elementsoftheircomprehensive planning palities PlanningCode,authorizemunicipalitiestomap official maps,aspermittedbythePennsylvania Munici- • Willistown Township adopteditsOfficial Mapin2004; negative effects ofproposedlandusechanges. historic resources,andprovide guidancetohelpmitigate toric resources,discourageunnecessarydemolitionof ship”, encouragecontinueduseandpreservation ofhis- affecting historicresourcescanbereviewed bythe Town- vide a“clearprocessbywhichproposedlandusechanges nance provisions in2001. The ordinanceprovisions pro- 139, the Township adoptedhistoricpreservation ordi- • As partofthe Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter (through thecreationofbiodiversity corridors). portunities fortheinterconnectionofhabitatareas that conserves land,protectsopenspaceandprovides op- ties forcompactdevelopment usingcreative sitedesign historic resources. The OSCDistrictprovides opportuni- recreation purposes,andprotectpreserve naturaland trict isintendedtofacilitate agricultural,conservation and Conservation District). Among otherthings,theRU Dis- District) andanopenspacedistrict(theOSCOpenSpace vides bothanagriculturalzoningdistrict(theRU Rural • The Township’s ZoningOrdinance,Chapter139,pro-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 109 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage110 110 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania dents. preserving landforfuturegenerationsof Township resi- in ordertofundandpursuethehighestlevel of successin groups, w • Continuestrategic partnerships withconservation Recommendations for Policy 6.14.5 ment philosophyfortheproperty. provement uses/functions–aspartofanoverall manage- the recreationalandnaturalresourcepreservation andim- tegrate theprimaryuses/functionsofthisproperty-both Creek, thusimproving thewatershed asawhole;and,in- improve thispropertyasasub-watershed ofRidley versity; respectthetract’s historiccharacter;protectand space andrecreationallandsthattogethersustainbiodi- habitat; integrate intoalarger network ofprotectedopen resources; preserve andimprove naturalecosystemsand provide humanrecreationandedification aboutnatural Preserve. The managementmissionforthePreserve isto: dated, asneeded)tomanagetheuniqueresourcesof as areferenceguidetobeconsultedperiodically(andup- ties” for Township residents. The publicationisintended while providing importantpassive recreationopportuni- the uniquenaturalresourcesofOkehocking Preserve Township withadocumentformanagingandimproving 2006. The publication’s intentisto“provide Willistown prepared itsOkehocking Preserve ManagementPlanin demonstration projectforotherstofollow, the Township lands inaresponsiblemanner, aswelltoprovide a • As partofthe Township’s efforts tomanageitsopen preservation strategies available toprivate landowners. and limiteddevelopment, allofwhichareeffective or withoutretainedlifeestates),bargain sales,codicils, chase ofconservation easements,thegiftingofland(with 1968) andcontinuestopromotethedonationand/orpur- Land Preservation Programs(asauthorizedby Act 442of County/Commonwealth ofPennsylvania Agricultural preservation ofagriculturallandthroughtheChester public andprivate fundingoptions. lically acquireandmaintainopenspaceusingavariety of partnering withmany organizations over theyearstopub- umented herein,the Township hasbeensuccessfulin oversees themunicipalacquisitionofopenspace. As doc- ship parksandpreserves, theOpenSpaceReview Board Parks andRecreationBoard,whichmanagesall Town- Furthermore, the Township hasencouragedthe Impl atershed associations,residentsandlando ement ation/Actions to Implement wners road rights-of-way. generally runthroughprivate landand/oralongpublic ern Pipelines,andaMobilOilpipeline. The pipelines pipelines, includingtw The Township iscurrentlyhosttoseveral transmission 6.15.2 Existing Conditions/Background safety andwelf nate withpipelinecompaniestoprotectthepublichealth, Monitor existing andfuture pipelineactivity andcoordi- 6.15.1 P Transmission Pipelines 6.15 | and/or amenitiesisanoptiondiscussedabove. on individual tracts.Note:Fee-in-lieuofrecreationland ago but concludeditpreferredtoseeopenspaceset-aside lieu provisions (ofanopenspaceset-aside)several years should alsobenotedthatthe Township consideredfee-in- of any set-asideprovisions enacted.For therecord,it that greenways and/ortrailscouldbeincorporatedaspart as ameansofpreservingopenspace.Importanttonoteis (i.e., withintheresidentialdevelopment takingplace)and means ofproviding recreationwhereitisneededmost upon arationalformula,shouldbeconsidered,bothas no specific set-asideisrequired.Suchaset-aside,based the recreationalandopenspaceneedsofresidents,” require “anadequateareaofland…beprovided toserve nance, Chapter123. While currentregulations (§123-43) Township’s Subdivision andLandDevelopment Ordi- • Strengthentheopenspaceset-asideprovisions ofthe protection. ing publicacquisitionandlandowner outreach)toachieve ample), whileotherlandsneedconcertedefforts (includ- be built on(floodplains andotherriparianareas,forex- of ways, includingtherecognitionthatsomelandscannot Township. Assembling suchlandsisachieved inavariety viewshed areasandtrailcorridors)tothecitizensof recreation benefit (including,but notlimitedto,scenic as biodiversity corridors)andprovide anaestheticand should, wherefeasible,bebiologicallyproductive (such has themostpotentialpublicbenefit. Suchgreenways parcels wherepublicacquisitionoreasementdonation nect orconsolidatelarge areasofopenspace;identify • Assemble asystemofcontiguousgreenways thatcon- o licy for Transmission Pipelines are of Willistown Township residents. o SunOilpipelines,a Texas East- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage111 of theCommonwealth. planning goalsdesignedtomeettheneedsofcitizen’s Chester County’s Landscapes2,andapplicablestatewide also complywithotherapplicablepoliciesofthisplan, uses withhighon-sitepopulations.Regulations should pipelines, andinvestigate measures toprotectnew land development proposalswithinproximityoftransmission tion withpipelineoperators,particularlyasrelatedto new should examine thefeasibility ofincreasedcommunica- occur. Inadditiontobuffers andsetbacks,the Township residents ofnew development shouldapipelinefailure back standardsappropriatetoreduceadverse impactsto sions forpipelinerights-of-way, andbuffering and set- with transmissionpipelines,appropriateaccessprovi- needs toaddressarethosesurface land usesaffiliated palities PlanningCode, Act 247,asamended. Among the land usesinconformancewiththePennsylvania Munici- protect thepublichealth,safetyandwelfare andregulate the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commissiondesignedto complimentary tothePennsylvania OilandGas Act and pipeline acti • The Township shouldmonitorexisting andfuture Recommendations for Policy 6.15.5 past andcontinuestodosoonanas-neededbasis. The Township has monitoredpipelineactivity inyears Township Planning and Regulation Today 6.15.4 remediation facilities, expanded soildisturbance,etc.). panded accesspoints,groundwater recovery and lution toindirectimpactsassociatedwithcleanup(ex- impacts suchascontaminatedsoilsandgroundwater pol- public healthandwelfare canbesignificant, fromdirect emergencies suchasfailures dooccur, varied threatsto derground pipelines arerelatively benign;however, where pipeline failure occur. Undernormalcircumstances,un- risks forthosecommunitiespotentiallyaffected shoulda energy demands ofthe Atlantic seaboardbut alsopose transmission pipelinesprovide opportunitiestomeetthe pipeline anda Texas Easternpipeline(seeMap11).Such ship, amongthemseveral SunOilpipelines,aMobil ber ofpipelinesrunningthroughportionsthe Willistown Township recognizes theexistence ofanum- 6.15.3 Basis for Policy Impl vity andenact,wherefeasible,re ement ation/Actions to Implement gulations T own-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 111 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage112 112 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage113 nation ofitsresidentpopulation over thisperiod,andthus intensifies. Clearly, the Township isnotlookingatastag- creased redevelopment asthescarcityof“greenfields” furthermore, itislikely the Township willexperience in- likely seeitsremaininguncommittedlandsdeveloped; opment pressuresintensifyregionally, Willistown will from large areasofthe Township. Nevertheless, asdevel- have effectively eliminatedthepossibilityofdevelopment easement strategies and Township purchases. Suchefforts un tarily andperpetuallypreserved throughconservation ship’s future.Large areasofthe Town ship have beenvol- to beanoverwhelming influencein Willistown Town - absolute numbers, Chapter 3,CommunityBackground, ics discussedasthepoliciesandimplementationactions. tion stepsbackandhighlightssomeoftheimportanttop- the planningprocess.Settingasideplandetails,thissec- goals andpoliciesnototherwiseenvisioned atthestartof not all,thesesameplanningissuesledtothecreationof identif identif Summary of KeyPlanning Issues 7.1 | work planforimplementationduringtheupcomingyear. viewed periodically(not lessthanannually)todevelop a resource needs. frame forimplementation),andfundingoptionsand/or identifying responsibleparties,prioritization(atime policies andimplementationstrategies intableform, fashion. Finally, Section7.3summarizesthisplan’s goals, sire ofthe Township tomanagegrowth inasustainable principles forpolicy implementation,specifically, thede- ment. Section7.2summarizesthe Township’s guiding the key planningissuesdiscussedthroughoutthisdocu- policy developed forthisplan.Section7.1summarizes plementation (actionstoimplement)accompany each some fashion; assuch,recommendationsforpolicy im- oped withtheclearintentionthatthey beimplementedin 4, 5and6. Accordingly, eachgoal’s policiesweredevel- summarized inChapter2andexpanded uponinChapters Throughout thisdocument,key planningissueswere It ishighlyrecommendedthatthisChapterbere- The goalsandpoliciesdeveloped forthisplanare ied initiallyinChapter2.Insomecases,although ied whichfurtherinformedthegoalsandpolicies increases inpopulation showed that,in are notlikely implementing theplan Chapter 7 velopment, development inwhichmoreof theinherent the Town ship’s zoningordinancepermit new kindsofde- and othermeans.Consider alsothatseveral changesin ment, throughregulation, purchase,easementdonation demon strates theclearbenefits of protectingtheenviron- since adoptionoftheoriginal Town ship hasorshouldwaver. The twenty-sixplusyears Environmental protectionisnotanissueonwhich the scenic, cultural,andhistoricresourcesofthe Town ship. the needforcontinuedvigilanceinprotectingnatural, Chapter 4,Protecting Community Values, mixed-use environment. commutation andthevibrancy ofapedestrian-friendly, tion. This, inturn,shouldyield benefits inreducedauto contribute tothediversification of Willistown’s popula- improvements inandaroundthePaoli railstationcould cent toBrynMawr RehabilitationHospital).Inaddition, Abbey andthe Applebrook development proposaladja- Devon Roaddevelopment applicationatDaylesford living andcondominiumcommunities(amongthemthe cations foralifecarefacility (Sunrise)andseveral senior years, the Township hasexperienced development appli- tent, thistrendhasalreadyaffected Willistown; inrecent will alsoexperience changedhousingneeds. To someex- town Town ship’s populationmirrorsnationaltrends,it care anddailyliving support. To thedegree that Willis- boomers willneedretirementfacilities thatoffer health health carefacilities. Intheireighties andnineties,baby- located witheasyaccesstorecreation,entertainment,and small lots,withlow maintenance lawns, (ornoneatall), sixties, andearlyseventies arelikely topreferhomeson adults formingfamilies. Babyboomersintheirfifties, housing needsthanthey didaschildrenoryoung boomers having turned55in2001),have very different ing retirementtoday(thevery first cohortofbaby and heavy relianceontheautomobile.Babyboomersfac- (the boom)favored large lots,relatively low densities, and 1960’s, thehousingmarket forthe`youngfamily’ boomers’ areapproach ing retirementage.Inthe1950’s ficantly. The American populationisagingandthe`baby- the nation’s populationisexpected tochangesigni - deals shouldretainmuchoftheirrelevance, aswell. provision ofservicesandfacilities withwhichthisplan the issuesofresourceprotection,futurelanduse,and On theotherhand,demographic composition Guidelines forGrowth emphasized of

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 113 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage114 114 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania to, scenicviewshed areasandtrailcorridors). aesthetic andrecreationbenefit (including,but notlimited benefit (suchasbiodiversity corridors)aswellan greenway systemthatprovides abiologicallyproductive preservation andconsolidationofatownship-wide additional parkdevelopment andprogramming andthe recreation andenvironmental resourcesplan, including Township’s comprehensive planwithitsopenspace, with renewed vigorasaresultofthemerging ofthe objectives ofthePaoli CommunityMasterPlanareality. Transportation District)contribute towards makingthe ship’s new zoningdistricts(the Town CenterDistrictand higher density, mixed usecommunities;andthe Town- support, andaregreatlyreinforcedwhensurroundedby portunity forthe Town ship. Transportation hubsboth tion. This significant investment representsagenuineop- transportation projectsunderway atthePaoli Train sta- ning, andopenspacepreservation. Chapter6discussed most notablytransportation,parksandrecreationplan- couple landuseplanningtoinfrastructureinvestments, gionally, where appropriate,theprovision ofservices,and a comprehensive andcostefficient manner, coordinatere- ated theneedtoprovide adequatecommunityfacilities in Chapter 6,CommunityFacilities andServices, residential, commercial,andindustrialdevelopment. Paoli) andpromoteanappropriateregional distribution of transportation (suchasefforts currentlyunderway in development inareaswithinwalking distanceofpublic ning efforts thatpermittheconcentrationofresidential Township shouldcontinuetoparticipateinregional plan- crease theimpactsofclimatechange.Furthermore, community values, reduceenergy consumptionandde- dwelling typesanddensitiesthataresustainable,protect should continuetoprovide opportunitiesforarangeof mains fundamentallycorrectandthatthe Township plan shown inpastversions of mary finding ofthischapteristhatthefuturelanduse including residential,industrial,andinstitutional. A pri- tablished Town ship policiesforvarious sortsoflanduses, Chapter 5,GuidingFuture Growth, the desiretoprovide atownship-wide trailsnetwork. ing andenhancingparkfacilities andservices,including the Township shouldcontinueitsefforts towards provid- while promotinggrowth fortoday’s needs.Itisalsoclear natural andscenicquali ties ofatractcanbepreserved Park and recreationplanningalsomoves forward Guidelines forGrowth examined andes- reiter- re- nerships withlocalconservation groupssuchas the chase orregulation) andthroughitscommitmentto part- land andopenspacepermanently preserved (through pur- been aleaderinpreservation, bothintermsofagricultural tural landsanddwindlingopenspaces, Willistown has wards itspreservation. Inaneraofdiminishingagricul- Township value whatitisthey have andhave worked to- planning andpreservation efforts thatthecitizensofthis tion forthisoutlyingmunicipality. and representsalongstandinggrowth managementtradi- ment modelespousedby William PennforPhiladelphia phy ofgrowth mimicsthe“greencountrytown” develop- (such astheOkehocking Preserve). This classicphiloso- densities towards rural,agriculturalandopenspaceuses (Malvern andPaoli) andradiateoutinlesser that growth beconcentrated inornearanurbancore Township continuesitsbeliefintheplanningphilosophy future generations.Fromthestandpointoflanduse, its residentswithoutcompromisingthequalityoflife fiscal policies,the Township strives tomeettheneedsof stewardship totheprovision ofsocialservicestosound ability inallitselements,fromenvironmental lief thatitscomprehensive planningencompassessustain- be furtherrefined inyearstocome,itis Willistown’s be- ity inameaningfulway. initiatives have aimedtodefine andmeasuresustainabil- have occurredsinceandrecentfederal,statecounty tainable development, andahostofotherundertakings international earthsummits,apresidentialcouncilonsus- a definition ofsustainabilitysimilartothatabove. Several ment, known astheBrundtland Commission,first offered the World CommissiononEnvironment andDevelop- concept ofsustainabilitydatesfromthelate1980’s when prosperity, ecologicalintegrity andsocialequity. The and individual lives indicatesacommitmenttoeconomic tainability ingovernment services,businesses, schools future generationstomeettheiro meet presentneedswithoutcompromisingtheabilityof 7.2.1 Manage Growth Sustainably ble foritsproduction. plan andreflectsthestrongsentimentsofthoseresponsi- Each isderived fromthetopicsdiscussedthroughoutthis ship’ Guiding Principles 7.2 | It hasbeenabundantly clearthrough Willistown’s While itislikely thatmeasuresofsustainabilitywill Sustainability canbedefined simplyastheabilityto Listed below aretheguidingprinciplesfor Town- s landusepoliciesandimplementationstrate wn needs.Further gies. , sus-

Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage115

“sustainability indicators” that complement the County’s the complement that indicators” “sustainability

tivelydevelop and data collect to agreeable mutually

Landscapes 2 Landscapes of goals the

nity Master Plan, working Plan, Master nity realize to County Chester with

ued efforts ued Paoli the of goals the implement to Commu-

national levels. national efforts such of Examples contin- include

ence policies and practices at the county, the at practices and policies ence regional, and

alliances and partnerships with organizations with partnerships and alliances influ- that

vironmental practices) and outward and practices) vironmental striving by form to

looking both inward both looking own its (at en- and economic social,

as this is worthy is this as consideration. of

able development. able organization an in Membership such

organizationshave who sustain- to commitment a made

ments as well as national and regional and national as well as ments government local

ICLEI, is an international association of local govern- local of association international an is ICLEI,

tional Council for Local Environmental Local for Council tional Initiatives” or

- Local Governments Local - Sustainability. for “Interna- The

Township.organization the is therefore interest, Of ICLEI

to its belief that sustainability is a core principle for the for principle core a is sustainability that belief its to

demand on services created by a property and land use). use). land and property a by created services on demand

reflect a resident’s a reflect they do nor pay to ability the reflect

parcels; furthermore, real estate taxes estate real furthermore, parcels; accurately not do

parcels of land to a greater degree greater a to land of parcels owners than smaller of

tivetaxes estate real basis, owners impact to tend large of

discourage retention of larger of retention discourage compara- a (on parcels land

chooses not to do so because reliance on such taxes such on reliance because so do to not chooses can

while the the while Townshiptaxes, estate real its increase could it

consideration to how to consideration revenues. its raises it For example,

tainability perspective, tainability the Townshipgiven also has much

more efficient more ways providing of sus- a From services.

under Pennsylvania under law), the Townshipfind to chosen has

ble given ble the Township’spermitted as rates tax current

trend. Rather than raise taxes raise than Rather trend. permissi- clearly option (an

cent years, the cost of services has continued an upward an continued has services of cost the years, cent

Townshiprevenues have relatively remained re- in stable

prudent in how in prudent revenues. spends and collects it While

modal transportation choices). transportation modal

nity Master Plan and its emphasis on improved on emphasis its and Plan Master nity multi-

participation in the implementation of the Paoli the of implementation the in participation Commu-

(from expanding (from sidewalk and trail active to opportunities

developingalternative for opportunities travel of modes

and parks and recreation services to its commitment to commitment its to services recreation and parks and

financialfire libraries, local of support services protection

public services, from its premier police department to its to department police premier its from services, public

and conservation and others. among easements,

open space through joint county and state grant requests grant state and county joint through space open

WillistownConservation Trustpreserve permanently to

As the the As Townshipcontinue must it future, the to looks

Clearly the the Clearly Township’sattest years recent in actions

Withregard fiscal to policy, the Townshipremains

Willistownproviding to committed also is superior

(including working (including collec-

evidencedPaoli the in Plan, Master Community

Furthermore, the recognition that Paoli that recognition the Furthermore, evolving, is as

essential if the the if essential Townshippreserve to wishes areas. natural

taining a high quality of life in already developed already in life of quality high a taining is areas

attractive,new developed. be to need not do lands Main-

gree that our already developed already our that gree remain communities

tivelyprovide redevelopment. for opportunities Tode- the

PaoliPike have largely been developed, selec- might and

ship that is largely is that ship developed. of north areas land The

focus to focus

7.2.3 Continue 7.2.3 to Focus on Developed Portions

ceptional, and irreplaceable. and ceptional,

these lands are environ are lands these significant, mentally ex- scenically

developmentFurthermore, communities. surrounding in

agricultural/rural use today, use agricultural/rural of preponderance the despite

areas of prime agricultural soils and remain largely remain and soils agricultural prime of areas in

the Future Land Use Plan. Plan. Use Land Future the large comprise lands These

Rural/Agricultural/Preserved/SuburbanLow on Density

from development from as designated areas land those

tural resources – it has a special responsibility to protect to responsibility special a has it – resources tural

mental resources – including its scenic, historic and cul- and historic scenic, its including – resources mental

all Town protect to responsibility a has ship

tegrityenvironment. natural the of the Although v

7.2.2 Continue 7.2.2 Strong a Land and Resource

policies and actions contained herein. contained actions and policies

strivesthe through goals planning core its implement to

the the Townshipreview to continue will efforts such it as

developeddocument’s this within and horizon planning

protection). Undoubtedly other programs exist programs other Undoubtedly protection). be will or

ties, greater transportation options and environmental and options transportation greater ties,

Department of of Department Transportationlivable at aimed communi-

ment of Housing and Urban Development, Urban and Housing of ment U.S. the and

the Environmental the Protection Agency,Depart- U.S. the

Communities (an innovative (an Communities forged agreement between

programs, such as the federal Partnership federal the as such programs, Sustainable for

communities), and investigating and communities), efforts federal grant and

and conservation and investment state through resources of in

proach to encouraging sustainable economic development economic sustainable encouraging to proach

Resource Conservation” Resource interagency coordinated (a ap-

on the “Keystone the on Growth, for Principles Investment and

ning goals), fostering continued dialogue at the state level state the at dialogue continued fostering goals), ning

existingLandscapes

ation of en of ation

In recent years, the the years, recent In Townshipits of much turned has

The The Town preser- the champion to continue will ship

andRedevelopment

o

Prese

f the T the f

w

ards its northern end, that portion of the the of portion that end, northern its ards Town-

vironmental resources and the functional in- functional the and resources vironmental

rv

ationEthic

ownshipand Opportunities for Infill

indicators and the the and indicators Township’splan- its environ- its

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 115 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout14/5/115:39PMPage116 116 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania pated torisedramaticallyintheyearscome. spend onauto mobiles, gas,andinsurancecosts,allantici- decrease theportionoftheirincomethatfamilies must and commutingtowork. Integrating landusescanalso spent shuttlingdependentelderlytoandfromactivities pendent onparents.Furthermore,itcandecreasethetime activities, ratherthanbeingisolatedathomealone,orde- It canalsomeanchildrenwalk orbike toafter- school tegrating landusescanalsoreduceenergy consumption. ated withlow density, landconsumptive development. In- and canreducethesocialenvironmental costsassoci- areas arerequiredforthesameamountofdevelopment, uses canbothprotecttheenvironment, sincesmallerland garding futuredevelopment inPaoli. Integrating land as sensiblepolicy andformedthebasisfordecisionsre- close proximity – dences, employment,recreation, andshoppingtoexist in that is, will planforintegrated landuses– the Township involves thedegree towhichthe Township efficient. portation systems,willlikely needtobeincreasinglycost energy costs.Futureinvestments, particularlyfortrans- the unsustainablegrowth patternsofthepastandrising response tothecurrentrecession,but alsodueinpartto criminately fundnew infrastructureinvestments, partlyin state andfederalorganizations willbelessabletoindis- under standing ofenvironmental processes.Finally, local, managing suchinformation,andscienceimproves our as new dataabouttheenvironment, includingways of ices. Environmental aware ness willcontinuetoincrease phasize smallerlots,sitedclosertoamenitiesandserv- of transportationandotherservices,willmostlikely em- driven bybaby-boomer’s needsandincreasesinthecost tations aboutgovernment roles. The housingmarket, increasing environmental awareness, andchangingexpec- sprawl. These threetrendsare:changinghousingneeds, trends couldpromotesustainablelanduseratherthan decisions over theplanninghorizon.Fortunately, these ment optionsandincreasingtransportationchoices. underscores theopportunitiesforbroadeningdevelop- Part ofthedesiretofocusonnorthernportion Three landusetrendsarelikely toinfluencelanduse such efforts areincreasinglyrecognized permitting resi- 7.2.4 Continue Planning from a community v Recommendations for Policy7.3 | Implementation tion. SEPTA, DRBC,andtheFederalHighway Administra- it, amongthoseChesterCounty, PADEP, PennDOT, ing municipalitiesandwiththelarger bodiesthatimpact sues, itwillalsocontinueitscoordinationwithneighbor- Township works toaddressstrictlylocallandplanningis- scapes2 andstormwater managementplanning. While the continued coordinationwithChesterCountyonLand- neighboring communitiesregarding trailplanning,and Township inPaoli, coordinationwithMalvern andother gard includeplanningefforts underway with Tredyffrin mized. to ensurethattraffic im pacts, amongothers,aremini- neighbors, theCounty, andstatefederalorganizations Willistown. Willistown willneedtowork closelywithits mean literallyhundredsofnew tripsperdaythrough gle landdevelopment inaneighboringmunicipalitycould nor istraffic volume anindividual municipalissue. A sin- other water resourceissuesdonotstopatmunicipallines, gional perspective. Stormwater managementissuesor responsible formonitoring thesepolicies,turningsuch General policiesarestated below. The Township is source-based policiesforprotecting communityvalues. dear. Chapter4identifies bothgeneralpoliciesandre- nity values andqualityoflife Township resident’s hold and man-madeenvironments asafunctionof thecommu- goals istoprotectthequalityof Goal 1-ProtectingCommunity Values priority forexecution, andidentifyfundingissues. parties forimplementationandcoordination,establish a ship’s threemaingoals,aswellassignresponsible plementation strategies developed foreachofthe Town- ommendations forfutureaction. policies andstrategies bywhichtofullyimplementrec- community facilities andservices– ledtothecreationof the T Each ofthe Township’s threemaingoals-toprotect Prime examples of Willistown’s hardwork inthisre- The first of Willistown’s threefundamentalplanning The following tables summarize thepoliciesandim- A final emphasisforthiscomprehensive planisfor own ship tocontinueconsiderissuesfromthere- R e gional Perspective alues, guidefuturegro wth, andprovide T ownship’s natural Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage117 needed. ficacy ofregulatory provisions and updateandrefine as sources, areasofsteepslope,andwoodlands. Monitoref- such aswetlands,floodplainsandotherhydrological re- • Continuetoprotectindividual environmental resources view ofsubdivision andland development proposals. and development alternatives duringthesketch planre- property owners, asappro priate, withlandconservation mentary andaestheticallypleasingdevelopment. Assist velopment designtomeetcommunityneedsforcomple- viewed fromadjacent roads;andensureflexibility inde- tion; preserve theintegral characteristicsofthe siteas scenic, andhistoricsitefeaturesintothelotconfigura- (interconnected openspace);incorporateuniquenatural, wildlife habitat,biodiversity corridors,andgreenways nificant concentrationsofnaturalresources,openspace, and maintainsitehydrology;preserve and/orenhancesig- tion ofkey landandenvironmental resources;evaluate conservation designprinciples thatmaximizetheprotec- • Encouragecreative andinnovative siteplanning using recharge/supply areas,steepslopes,etc. lands, habitatareas,surface water andgroundwater the Township, e.g. woodlands andothervegetation, wet- • Reexamine prioritiesfortheconservation oflandwithin necti encourage theconserv • Continuetodevelop techniquesbywhichtoguideand S General Policies forPreservingEnvironmentally mended protectionstrategies. exercise whentargeting specific resourcesforrecom- process). Efforts atimplementationshouldconsiderthis prioritization (Maps7,8,and9graphicallydepictthis strategy forresourceprotectionbaseduponGIS implementation ofresource-basedpolicies. cies isan“on-going”activity, consistentwiththe source-based policiesover time.Review ofgeneralpoli- efforts intoaction,andcomplimentingorrevising re- ensitive LandsandN It shouldbenotedthatChapter4alsoidentifies a vity. ation oflandandpromoteitscon- atural Resourcesatural the implementationstrate The tableonthefollowing page(page118),summarizes Resource-Based Policies Plan. made inthe2006Okehocking Preserve Management • Assist intheimplementationofrecommendations preserve scenicresourcesinthe Township. design consistentwithconservation designprinciplesto • Promotetechniquesforcreative landplanningand historic resourceprotectionanddocumentation. • Monitorefficacy ofregulatory provisions relatedto landscaping, buffering andscreeningstandards. scenic qualityprotection,including,forexample, any • Monitorefficacy ofregulatory provisions relatedto of landforagriculturalpurposes. Township’s historicsettlementpatternandcontinueduse • Encouragefuturede historic orculturalresources. • Encouragethededicationofprotective easementsfor identifies fundingissues. coordination, establishesapriorityforexecution, and assigns responsiblepartiesforimplementationand resource-based policiesdescribedinChapter4,aswell Physical, H General Policies forPreservingAreasofSignificant voluntary bodieshave thesupportandtoolsthey need. ing, workshops, andothertechniquesforensuringthese roles inamannerthatprotectsresources.Considertrain- cil andPlanningCommissioninappropriatelyfilling their • ContinuetosupporttheEnvironmental Advisory Coun- istoric andScenicV v elopment toreinforcethe gies de veloped foreachofthe alue

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guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 119 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage120 120 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage121

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122

Table 7-1: Goal 1 – Protect Community Values: Resource-Based Policies

Goal 2 - Guiding Future Growth Goal 3 - Providing Community Facilities and Services

The second major goal of this plan is to guide future The third of Willistown’s fundamental planning goals growth in a planned and orderly fashion and to provide for is to provide those community facilities and services that a range of land uses consistent with the protection of the are appropriate for a second class township, that meet the community values identified in Chapter 4. Future residen- needs of current and future residents, and that can be rea- tial, institutional, commercial and industrial development sonably provided to the extent of the Township’s financial shall be respectful of existing land use patterns yet innova- resources. General policies for community facilities and tive in response to new planning and design practices, def- services emphasize the need to monitor existing facilities erential to the carrying capacity of the Township’s roads and services and improve, support, and expand such offer- and the desire to reduce vehicle miles traveled, consistent ings where warranted. with available water supplies and sewage treatment facili- The table on page 125 summarizes the implementation

willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania county | chester township willistown ties and cognizant of environmental opportunities and con- strategies developed for community facilities and services straints. The Township is prepared to accommodate its fair described in Chapter 6, as well as assigns responsible par- share of population growth and has considered the popula- ties for implementation and coordination, establish a prior- tion and household projections outlined in Chapter 3, tak- ity for execution, and identifies funding issues. ing into account the Township’s regional location and its anticipated growth from now until the year 2035. The table on page 123 summarizes the implementation strategies developed for residential, institutional, commer- cial and industrial development described in Chapter 5, as well as assigns responsible parties for implementation and coordination, establishes a priority for execution, and identifies funding issues. Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage123

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 123 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage124 124 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Table 7-2:Goal2–GuideFuture Growth Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage125

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 125 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage126 126 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage127

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 127 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage128 128 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage129

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 129 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage130 130 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania sources areevolving(particularly inlightofcurrenteconomicconditions),theemphasishere is on specific fundingprograms.See Appendix 8foraselectionoffundingprogramscurrentlyavailable. the potentialforsharedfunding opportunitiesandresponsibilities,regardlessoftheavailability of *A noteaboutfunding:Giventhe timehorizonofthisplanandtherecognitionthatfunding Table 7-3:Goal3–ProvideCommunity Facilities andServices Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage131 10) 9) 8) 7) 6) 5) 4) 3) 2) 1) are thosetreesnolongerstanding. Tricentennial. Trees representedonbothlistsaresonoted,as tories, startingwiththosetreesinventoried forthe2004 What follows isacompletelistoftreesidentified inbothinven- trees wereaddedandnolongerstandingdeleted. the 2004listcamefromoriginalinventory, othernotable for atreetourmapofthe Township. While someofthetreeson once againinventoried whatitreferredtoas“treasuredtrees” Township’s Tricentennial Celebrationin2004the Township Recreation, andEnvironmental Resources Plan eventually becamepartofthe Township’s 1993OpenSpace, inventoried historictreesaspartofacommunityinventory that historic treesin willistown township Appendix 1: White HorseRoad;estimated age:250years. American Sycamore #5 in1993plan. White HorseRoad;estimatedage:275years;alsolistedas American Sycamore White HorseRoad;estimatedage:203years. American Sycamore Valley Road;estimated age:100+years. Norway Maple Road; estimatedage:150years(nolongerstanding). White Oak estimated age:125years. White Oak estimated age:100years. White Oak estimated age:100years. Red Maple estimated age:300years;alsolistedas#2in1993plan. White Oak listed as#1in1993plan. Pike; estimatedage:approximately280-340years;also American Beech Willistown Township’s Historic Commission (Quercus alba) (Quercus alba) (Quercus alba) (Quercus alba) (Acer rubrum) (Acer platanoides) (Fagus grandifolia) (Platanus occidentalis) (Platanus occidentalis) (Platanus occidentalis) – location:GrubbRoad; – location: Waynesborough – location:GrubbRoad; – location:GrubbRoad; – location:BryanRoad; – location:South – location:Paoli . As partofthe – location: – location: – location: Appendices 20) 19) BurrOak 18) 17) 16) 15) 14) 13) NorwayMaple 12) 11) 26) 25) 24) 23) 22) 21) AmericanSycamore Burr Oak Road; estimatedage:200years. Providence Road;estimated age:175years. American Sycamore Horse); estimatedage:200years. roads ofGoshenandProvidence Roads(Village of White Honey Locust Horse); estimatedage:73years. of GoshenandProvidence Roads(Village of White Silver Maple estimated age:275years;alsolistedas#9in1993plan. White Oak Road; estimatedage:95years. Tulip Poplar Road; estimatedage:110years. Road; estimatedage:110years. Norway Maple White HorseRoad;estimatedage:250years. American Sycamore Boot Road;estimatedage:350 years. Copper Beech Annex off Sugartown Road;estimatedage:300+years. Oak years. Clovis Annex off Sugartown Road;estimatedage:300+ Beech by Longwood Gardens). estimated age:300years(designateda William Penn Tree Ash estimated age:160years. Ash years; alsolistedas#3in1993plan. Goshen Road/Providence Road;estimatedage:270-290 Road; estimatedage:200years. (Fraxinus excelsior ) (Fraxinus excelsior) (Quercus alba) (Fagus grandifolia) (Quercus macrocarpa ) (Quer (Quercus alba) (Liriodendron tulipifera) (Acer saccharinum) (Gleditsia triacanthos) (Fagus sylvaticavar. purpurea) (Acer platanoides) (Acer platanoides) cus macr – location:Brushwood BrynClovis (Platanus occidentalis) (Platanus occidentalis) (Platanus occidentalis) - location:GoshenRoad; ocarpa) – location:DelchesterRoad; – location:Brushwood Bryn – location:GrubbsMillRoad; - location:Providence - location:Providence – location:crossroads – location:Hillview – location:Hillview – location:cross- - location:Hillview – location: – location: – location: – location:

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 131 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage132 132 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania 33) 32) 31) 30) 29) 28) 27) (no longerstanding);listedas#7in1993plan. of Jaffrey and Warren Avenue; estimatedage:250years White Oak estimated age:239years;listedas#6in1993plan. White Oak listed as#4in1993plan Tait’s Farm; estimatedage:264years(nolongerstanding): American Sycamore Road; estimatedage:unknown. location: Sugartown Strawberries Farm off Sugartown years. Strawberries Farm off Sugartown Road;estimatedage:250 White Oak estimated age:200years. Ash 200+ years. Sugartown Roadat Village ofSugartown; estimatedage: American Beech Copper Beech (Fraxinus excelsior ) ( (Quercus alba) (Quercus alba) Quercus alba)–location:NortheastCorner (Fagus sylvaticavar. purpurea ) (Fagus grandifolia) (Platanus occidentalis) – location:Sugartown Road; – location:South Valley Road; – location:Sugartown – location: – location: – 41) 40) 39) 38) 37) 36) 35) 34) Silver Maple age: 350years;listedas#16in1993plan. corner of White HorseandGrubbsMillRoad;estimated American Sycamore standing); listedas#15in1993plan. Jarvis Property;estimatedage:210years(nolonger American Sycamore in 1993plan. Hillview Road;estimatedage:190years;listedas#14 Tulip Poplar estimated age:250years;listedas#13in1993plan. White Oak Road; estimatedage:348years;listedas#12in1993plan. American Beech listed as#11in1993plan. Run Road;estimatedage:248years(nolongerstanding); White Ash Road; estimatedage:298years;listedas#10in1993plan. Silver Maple standing); listedas#8in1993plan. and BootRoads;estimatedage:108years(nolonger ( ( Fraxinus americana)–location:34Rabbit Quercus alba)–location:Hillview Road; ( ( ( Acer saccharinum) –location:Sugartown Liriodendron tulipifera) –location: Acer saccharinum) –location:761Hillview ( Fagus grandifolia) –location:Hillview ( ( Platanus occidentalis Platanus occidentalis ) –location: ) –location: Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage133 27) Wetland 26) Ruin 25) Stone Wall 24) Old Wind Mill 23) Ruin 22) Village StoneWall 21) StoneWall 20) StoneWall 19) StoneWall 18) StoneWall 17) StoneWall 16) 15) Stone Wall 14) Village StoneWall 13) StoneWall 12) StoneWall 11) StoneWall 10) StoneWall 9) BarnRuin 8) StoneBridge 7) StoneBridge 6) StoneWall 5) StoneBridge 4) SpringHouseBuilding 3) Ruin 2) StoneBridge 1) Visual Accents visual accents and intrusions Appendix 2: D) Cell Tower C) Cell Tower B) PA DOT Maintenance A) Utility Transformers &Cell Tower Visual Intrusions

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 133 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage134 134 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania 1) cation, follow. utes, thecriteriathatapplytoit,anditsfunctionalroadclassifi- A briefdescriptionofeachroad,itspositive ornegative attrib- 6) Recreationalactivities alongoradjacenttoroads. habitat, PA naturaldiversity inventory sites,etc.);and logic formations,woodlands, meadows, wildlife roads (watercourses, wetlands,rockoutcropsandothergeo- 5) Naturalresourcesand/orecosystemsincloseproximityto bridges, stoneetc.); settlement,springhouses,covered stone walls, ruins,village 4) Historiccharacteristicsof,oralong,roads(historichouses, 3) Scenicaccentsand/orvistasalongroads; changes withterrain,etc.); 2) Characteristicsofroads(runswithtopography, winds, tion, etc.); 1) Scaleofroads(size,dimension,functionalroadclassifica- waysonline.org) includedcombinationsofthefollowing: ways selection (taken inpartfromtheFHWA publication, natural beautyandhistoricorculturalvalue. Criteriausedfor network for scenic road designation methodology and recommended Appendix 3: Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5 Boththenorthandsouthsidesof road Attributes - Sugartown Road Boot Road Scenic roadsaredefined asroadshaving ahighdegree of and theNationalScenicByways [email protected] - Stretchbetween Township LineRoadand nic quality which partiallydetractsfromtheroadssce- development onthesouthsideofroad Village NationalRegister District;some ent); roadintersectsSugartown Historic slopes andprimeagriculturalsoilspres- and historicstructures(wetlands,steep shed, forestedpatches,ruins,stonewalls, contain openlandwithinthepublicview- Scenic By- 2) 3) 4) Green Lane Sugartown Road Spring Road Functional RoadClassification -MinorCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5,6 Boththeeastandwestsidesofroad Attributes - Goshen Road Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,4,5 Predominantlywooded, however openland Attributes - Warren Avenue road) Functional RoadClassification - LocalCollector(dirt 1,2,3,4,5 Applicable Criteria- Partially wooded, dirtroadwhichgives a Attributes - Road - BetweenDuttonMillRoadandSugartown - BetweenSugartown Roadand District) town Historic Village NationalRegister historic structures(includingtheSugar- agricultural soilspresent);numerousvistas, boundary elsewhere (PNDIsiteandprime tions withtreecanopy providing thescenic public viewshed; patchesofforestedsec- land, large portionsofwhicharewithinthe contain large expansive views ofopen Crum Creek;ampleprimeagriculturalsoils District); roadcrosseswestbranchofthe town Historic Village NationalRegister cluding theroad’s bisectionoftheSugar- road; historicstructuresalongtheroad(in- significant portionofthesouthside within thepublicviewshed comprisesa cantly toscenicquality and make-up ofroadcontribute signifi- development whichpartially detracts;size soil present;historicstructurevisible;some significant portionsofprimeagricultural public viewshed; roadcrossestributary; provides views ofopen landwithinthe rural feel;southsidenearSugartown Road - StretchbetweenPaoli Pike and Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage135 6) 5) Functional RoadClassification - Minor Collector(portions Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5,6 UpperportionofroadbetweenSpringand Attributes - frey RoadandGoshen Road Davis Road Warren Avenue Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,5,6 Northsideofroadpredominantlywooded Attributes - - Between Warren Avenue andGrubbRoad of whichareadirtroad) east sideoftheroad Radnor HuntClubbacksuptothesouth- nic vistaatintersectionwithDavis Road; public viewshed; several historicsites;sce- several patchesofopen landwithinthe Goshen Roads)isdirtandaddsaruralfeel; portion ofroad(betweenProvidence and tion ofcreekadjacenttoroad;southern tributary); evidence ofwetlandsalongpor- (portions ofsteepslopeleadingdown to tributary ofCrumCreekintersectingroad Providence Roadsheavily wooded with dence ofwetlands road passesover CrumCreekwithevi- vista atintersectionwith Warren Avenue; ing thelandtosouthofroad;scenic with White ManorCountryCluboccupy- Portion betweenSpringRoad/Jaf- - 8) 10) 7) 9) Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,5 Part wooded andpartopenlandwithinthe Attributes - Road Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,4,5,6 Tree linedroadwithpond;westsideof Attributes - Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4 Several opensectionsofroadwithmuch Attributes - Grubbs MillRoad Grubb Road Hillview Road Treble Lane White HorseRoad Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5 West sideofroadpredominantlywooded; Attributes - Horse Road - BetweenGrubbRoadandSouth Valley - Portionbetween Treble Laneand White soils present from scenicquality);primeagricultural portion ofroadfairly developed (detracts tions ofGrubbandSouth Valley Roads; public viewshed; bridgesthescenicpor- to creek slopes andevidence ofwetlandsadjacent lic viewshed; visualevidence ofsteep small patchesofopenlandwithinthepub- road passesover CrumCreek;several road borders White ManorCountryClub; agricultural soils along portionofroad;evidence ofprime Creek); historicstructures;stonewall (barn ruinandstonebridgeover theCrum land inthepublicviewshed; visualaccents prime agriculturalsoils evidence ofsteepslopes,wetlandareaand cent (springhouse)andhistoricstructure; land withinthepublicviewshed; scenicac- east sidecontainsseveral portionsofopen - BetweenDavis RoadandBarr - BetweenSouth Valley Roadand

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 135 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:40PMPage136 136 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania 13) 12) 11) Functional RoadClassification -MinorCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5,6 Significant portionsofland(primarilypas- Attributes - Apple TreeRoad Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5 Significant portionsofopenlandwithin Attributes - Goshen Road Providence Road Grubbs MillRoad Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5 Almostentirestretchofthisroadopen Attributes - and thetownship line South ValleyRoad road tributary ofCrumCreekoriginatesnear stone walls alonglarge portion oftheroad; Radnor HuntClubwithinonescenicvista; the NationalRegister of HistoricPlaces); Village area(determined tobeeligiblefor toric structures,includingthe Whitehorse sive views inthe Township; numeroushis- scenic vistascomprisingthemostexpan- ture) withinthepublicviewshed; several of otherportionstheroad follow creek);steepslopesdefine character road crossesCrumCreek(portionsof lined withstonewall runningalongroad; the publicviewshed; sectionspartiallytree- lands (withinproximityofcreek) evidence ofprimeagriculturalsoilsandwet- not significantly detractfromscenicquality; also fairly developed but development does Creek); portionofroadtree-lined;portions wall andstonebridge(traversing theCrum eral historicstructures,includingastone with goodpublicviews; Scenicvista;sev- - Portionbetween Warren Avenue and - Betweentownship lineand - Between Waynesborough Road and Township LineRoad(astretchbetweenPaoliPike and ChowningDrive). scenic roadstatus;theseare:Forest Lane(asmallstretchbetweenHickoryandOak Tree Lane) Note: Two roadcorridorsidentified inthe1993openspaceplanweredeemedtonolonger qualifyfor 15) 14) Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5 Stonewall andhistoricstructureshighlight Attributes - Goshen Road Functional RoadClassification -MinorCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5,6 Significant portionsoflandalongroadin Attributes - Marlborough Road Goshen Road Marlborough Road dence ofprimeagriculturalsoils viewshed, portionorroadtree-lined;evi- entirely ofopenlandwithinthepublic this smallroad;roadiscomprisedalmost evidence ofprimeagriculturalsoils one portionofroad;rollingcountryside; tion oftheroad;RadnorHuntClubalong toric Places);stonewalls alonglarge por- eligible fortheNationalRegister ofHis- Whitehorse Village area(determinedtobe ous historicstructures,includingthe the publicviewshed; scenicvistas;numer- - PortionbetweenDuttonMillRoadand - BetweenProvidence Road and Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage137 17) 16) 18) Functional RoadClassification -MinorCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5 Largely wooded withpatches ofopenareas Attributes - Chester Pike (Rt. 3) Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector(dirtroad) Applicable Criteria-1,2,4,5 Wooded, dirt roadwithstrongruralfeel; Attributes - Chester Pike (Rt.3) Garrett MillRoad Delchester Road Plumsock Road Functional RoadClassification -LocalCollector Applicable Criteria-1,2,3,4,5 West sideofroadoffers significant open Attributes - Chester Pike (Rt.3) lands andPNDIsites greatly toscenicquality;evidence ofwet- scale ofroadandrollinghillscontribute with historicgroupingofhomes;small portions oftheroad;smallonelanebridge structures, aswellastonewall along that provide views; numerous historic icantly toscenicquality size andmake-up ofroadcontribute signif- of wetlandswithincloseproximitytoroad; road; significant steepslopesandevidence Creek intersectsroad,portionrunswith eral historicstructures;tributary ofRidley few areaswithinthepublicviewshed; sev- quality is anintrusionwhichdetractsfromscenic quality; PENNDOT maintenancebuilding soils; rollingtopographyaddstoscenic of theroad;evidence ofprimeagricultural tures, includingastonewall alongportions scenic vistapoint;several historicstruc- land withinthepublicviewshed; expansive - BetweenGoshenRoadand West - BetweenGoshenRoadand West - BetweenGoshenRoadand West 19) West ChesterPike (PA 3) Functional RoadClassification -Principal Arterial Applicable Criteria-2,3,4,5 Northsideofroadcontainsopenland Attributes - Road andGarrettMill scenic quality age facility) partiallydetractfromroad’s road andscenicintrusion(PennDOT stor- lated tributary crossunderroad;scaleof dence ofPNDIsite;Ridley Creekandre- views alongtheroad;historicbarn;evi- tion; steepslopes,whichcontribute tothe tions, includinglocallyimportantvegeta- within thescenicviewshed; forestedsec- - SectionbetweenPlumsock

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 137 Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/30/11 3:41 PM Page 138

138 Appendix 4: willistown township historic district listing national register districts - class 1

Number Tax Parcel Number Address Breou Map Name

Sugartown District S-1 54-6-3 266 Boot Road B. Stewart S-2 54-6-6 260 Spring Road N. William S-3 54-6-9-2 251 Spring Road J. Entriken S-4 54-6-9-3 253 Spring Road Sugartown School S-6 54-6-21 690 Sugartown Road S. Worrall S-7 54-6-22 698 Sugartown Road L. Hoopes S-8 54-6-26-3 423 Dutton Mill Road Spread Eagle S-9 54-6-8 697 Sugartown Road Friends School S-10 54-6-9-1 701 Providence Road E. Burns

Okehocking District 0-1 54-6-83-2NT 7069 Goshen Road Friends Meeting 0-2 54-6-55-1 7098 Goshen Road William Kirk 0-3 54-6-42 7126 Goshen Road J. Johnson 0-4 54-6-43 8002 Goshen Road Fronefield 0-6 54-6-44 8016 Goshen Road Shroder 0-7 54-6-45 8024 Goshen Road Smith 0-8 54-6-69 8055 Goshen Road Miles 0-9 54-6-39 8066 Goshen Road R. B. Smedley 0-10 54-6-67 8085 Goshen Road J. G. Smedley (Mill) 0-11 54-6-68 8067 Goshen Road J. G. Smedley (House) 0-12 54-6-72 928 Garrett Mill Road H. Garrett willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania county | chester township willistown 0-15 54-6-73 988 Garrett Mill Road Cullen 0-16 54-6-74 944 Garrett Mill Road H. Garrett 0-17 54-6-91 955 Garrett Mill Road H. Garrett 0-18 54-6-75 959 Garrett Mill Road Shady Grove School 0-19 54-8-11 980 Garrett Mill Road H. Garrett 0-20 54-8-12 1002 Garrett Mill Road T. Smedley 0-21 54-8-12-1A 1006 Garrett Mill Road T. Smedley 0-22 54-8-13-1 6022 West Chester Pike G. P. Hughes 0-23 54-8-14 5316 West Chester Pike William Evans (Barn) 0-24 54-8-14-2 5314 West Chester Pike William Evans 0-25 54-8-73 5303 West Chester Pike Etty 0-26 54-9-4 5261 West Chester Pike Hidell 0-27 54-9-1 5240 West Chester Pike G. Matlack (Mill) 0-28 54-7-24 964 Plumsock Road Campbell 0-29 54-6-85 936 Plumsock Road T. Yarnall (Estate) 0-30 54-6-83-1 920 Plumsock Road T. Yarnall (Estate) 0-31 54-6-81 921 Delchester Road S. Irvin 0-32 54-6-79 969 Delchester Road T. Yarnall (Estate) 0-33 54-6-79-2 975 Delchester Road T. Yarnall (Estate) 0-34 54-6-89 974 Delchester Road A. C. Anderson Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage139 W-7 W-6 8 6 5 4 3 2 W-5 W-3 11 10 9 1 Class IIBreou MapStructures Address Tax Parcel Number W-2 Whitehorse District Number 15 14 13 12 21 20 19 18 23 22 29 28 27 26 25 24 30 32 31 38 37 36 35 34 33 39 40 42 41 54-7-46 54-7-46-1 54-7-44 54-2-70-3 54-2-39 54-2-41 54-2-38 54-2-32 54-2C-119 54-7-14-2A 54-7-13 54-3-16-2 54-3-23 54-2-109 54-2-92-1 N/A 54-7-13-3 54-3-18 54-3-17 54-3-432NT 54-6-27-1 54-6-23 54-5-8 54-5-6 54-6-31 54-6-30-1 54-8-33 54-8-31 54-8-800 54-8-6 54-8-2 54-6-28 54-8-34 54-8-35 54-8-22 54-7-49 54-7-47 54-9-3 54-9-2 54-8-64-14 54-8-64-26 54-7-62 54-7-63 54-7-65 54-7-64 7001 GoshenRoad 944 Providence Road 7005 GoshenRoad 650 Sugartown Road 356 Paoli Pike 6 TiburonLane 744 MonumentRoad 730 MonumentRoad 544 Sugartown Road 7 Farmhouse Lane 655 Sugartown Road 9 Callery Way 369 Paoli Pike 743 MonumentRoad 6154 GoshenRoad N/A 7020 GoshenRoad 675 Sugartown Road 673 Sugartown Road 7000 GoshenRoad 418 DuttonMillRoad 350 BootRoad 409 DuttonMillRoad 213 LineRoad 70Ws hse ieMiltonGarrett 1720 West Chester Pike 111 Worington Drive 209 DuttonMillRoad 240 DuttonMillRoad 17 GreenLane 47 GreenLane 2093 DuttonMillRoad 8116 GoshenRoad 42 StreetRoad 68 DartmouthRoad 2087 DuttonMillRoad 24Ws hse ieBroomhall 980 Providence Road 5214 West ChesterPike 2069 DuttonMillRoad 2071 DuttonMillRoad 28Ws hse ieHannahGreen 1018 Providence Road 5208 West ChesterPike 15 MarlboroughRoad 11 MarlboroughRoad 6081 GoshenRoad 9 MarlboroughRoad Farra William Williams M. T. Bartram M. T. Bartram J. Strong J. Strong(W.H. Inn) Hall S. Grubb Esler N/A S. Grubb Howard Williams Stewart William Cox W. Brown Fahnestock Breou Map Name Hughes Dean Carey Josh. Garrett Manning Thompson (Barn) Benjamin Smedley Dutton J. O. Thomson Taylor Thomas Cox Samual Davis Milton Garrett J. Bishop E. Cox Elwood Smedley Elwood Smedley Thomas Smedley Elwood Smedley D. W. Green Leedom D. W. Green Nathan Yarnall Nathan Yarnall Reuben Thomas Reuben Thomas

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 139 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage140 140 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 ubrTxPre ubrAddress Tax Parcel Number 43 Number 60 59 58 57 56 61 62 63 64 69 68 67 66 65 73 72 71 70 75 74 78 77 76 80 79 82 81 84 83 87 86 85 54-7-16 54-7-6-1 54-7-15 54-6-59 54-6-58 54-6-87 54-6-88 54-7-45 54-7-54-1 54-7-54 54-7-21 54-7-44 54-7-22 54-7-67 54-7-66 54-7-68 54-4-17 54-4-45 54-4-20 54-7-10-2 54-7-11 54-6-18 54-4-23 54-4-16 54-4-10 54-3-384 54-3-384-1 54-4-6 54-4-7 54-4-9 54-3-343 54-3-376 54-3-377 54-3-383-2 54-3-340 54-1Q-306 54-3-299 54-3-287 54-1P-174 54-3-300-17 54-3-357 54-3-333 54-3-379 54-3-325 54-3-314-3 54-3-188 54-3-189 54-3-190 2700 Whitehorse Road 864 GrubbsMillRoad 7040 GoshenRoad 741 Hillview Road 800 GrubbsMillRoad 8 BarrRoad 822 GrubbsMillRoad 775 Hillview Road 7036 GoshenRoad 7043 GoshenRoad 7037 GoshenRoad 7025 GoshenRoad 16 MarlboroughRoad 6101 GoshenRoad 6014 GoshenRoad 944 Providence Road 6004 GoshenRoad 6011 GoshenRoad 6019 GoshenRoad 6029 GoshenRoad 760 Hillview Road 34 RabbitRunRoad 44Gub ilRa EnochOttey 2424 GrubbsMillRoad 40Gub ilRa EnochOttey 2400 GrubbsMillRoad 333 South Valley Road 39SuhVle odS.Davis 339 South Valley Road S.Davis 2309 South Valley Road 2320 South Valley Road 220 South Valley Road 327 South Valley Road 37SuhVle odW. Alexander P. Bond 2307 South Valley Road 2287 South Valley Road 28 Devon Road 9 HorseshoeLane 13 HorseshoeLane 69 Devon Road 158 GrubbRoad 136 GrubbRoad 8 Greenstone Way 57 GrubbRoad 151 GrubbRoad 123 Jaffrey Road 732 Whitehorse Road 179 GrubbRoad 221 SpringRoad 209 SpringRoad 129 Davis Road 231 SpringRoad William Evans William Stong Elizabeth Yarnall Elizabeth Yarnall Thomas Massey (Estate) Is. Bartram Davis (Estate) Is. Bartram G. W. Miller Elijah Stewart Gurbb’s Mill William Stong M. A. Weir White HorseSchool Sager Wharton Breou Map Name F. Leonard Stong Stong Barr Jesse Davis William Edwards Thomas Smedley Smedley School Thomas Smedley Thomas Smedley Thomas Smedley Thomas Smedley Robert Morris Bajeux W. W. Entriken Greentree School Hilbberd Evans Beaumont Joseph Gowdy William Williams Morgan Hall Hilbberd Evans R. Paist R. F. Matthews Jno. Garrett Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage141 ubrTxPre ubrAddress Tax Parcel Number 88 Number 92 91 90 89 95 94 93 96 98 97 100 99 54-3-192 54-6-9.5 54-6-10 54-6-12 54-3-322-1 54-6-53 54-6-46 54-6-49 54-6-54 54-6-17 54-6-60 54-6-55-3 54-8-8 54-8-73 54-7-65-2 54-7-60-2 54-7-23 54-7-19 54-7-15-2 54-7-13-3A 54-7-12 54-7-1 54-6-83 54-6-79-3 54-6-78-5 54-6-78 54-6-29 54-6-19 54-6-1.6 54-4-22 54-3B-43 54-3-8 54-3-387 54-3-386 54-3-301 54-2C-119-1 54-2-57 54-2-38 54-1P-10 54-1P-1 54-1L-83 54-1-23 54-1-20 54-6-57 750 Warren Avenue 736 Warren Avenue 808 Warren Avenue 779 Sugartown Road 3 SteeplechaseLane 739 Providence Road 729 Warren Avenue 816 Warren Avenue 728 Providence Road 831 Providence Road 852 Providence Road 840 Warren Avenue 217 DuttonMillRoad 5303 West ChesterPike 822 GrubbsMillRoad 766 Hillview Road 401 DuttonMillRoad 764 Hillview Road 791 GrubbsMillRoad 9 Hickory Lane 583 Sugartown Road 544 Sugartown Road 332 Central Avenue 340 Central Avenue 987 Providence Road 958 PlumsockRoad 6074 GoshenRoad 16 BarrRoad 870 Providence Road 910 PlumsockRoad 967 DelchesterRoad 999 DelchesterRoad 995 DelchesterRoad 310 BootRoad 15 Queens Avenue 50 GrubbRoad 2030 WaynesboroughRoad 2028 WaynesboroughRoad 647 Warren Avenue 13 ArlingtonAvenue 454 KingRoad 172 Lancaster Avenue 826 Providence Road 6041 GoshenRoad HarveyGarrett Amos Garrett Amos WilliamRogers Breou Map Name William Johnson Garrett Davis Mrs. M.Hall William Evans (Barn) Joseph Bennett Hibberd Josiah M E.Church J. Bishop Pharoah Josiah Hibberd

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 141 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage142 142 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania 54-3-315-E. lands. Tax parcelnumbersrespectively: 54-3-311;54-3-312-E; of CrumCreek,riparianbuffer, woodland, hydricsoils,wet- ship Fund.Undeveloped futurepassive recreation:MainStem Chester CountyLandscapes21stCenturyPreservation Partner- owned by Willistown Township. 1.93acrespurchasedbythe and Jaffrey Road,locatedacrossJaffrey Roadfrom5.7acres acres owned by Willistown onthecornerofSugarbrookLane Description: 1.93acresonSugarbrookLane,linkingwith3.23 Agreement ofSale. An additiontounnamedCrumCreeklands. Location: 4SugarbrookRoadinmideastern Willistown: Under Crum Creek OpenSpace–Currently unnamed 297-2. nic pavilion, restrooms.18.8acres. Tax parcelnumber54-3- equipment forrecommendedages5-12,2baseballfields, pic- Description: MillRoadPark: Samantha’s Park playground by theUpperMainLine VFW innorthern Willistown. Location: 1MillRoad,Malvern PA 19355,off ofGrubbRoad Mill RoadPark Open SpaceFund. Tax parcelnumber54-1P-26. proximately 0.16acre.Purchasedbythe Willistown Township to Malvern Borough’s Randolph Woods Park of38acres. Ap- Description: Currentlybeingdesignedaspocket park/traillink Location: 28Duffryn Roadinnortheastern Willistown. Duffryn Avenue Trail Corridor-Currently unnamed through 2039. Tax parcelnumber54-1P-167. rooms. 8acres.LeasedfromGreat Valley SchoolDistrict and 5-12,basketball courtandrecreationalfields, gazebo,rest- Description: Playgroundequipmentforrecommendedages2-5 Woodland Avenue innortheastern Willistown. Location: 21GrubbRoad,Malvern PA 19355onthecornerof Greentree Park willistown township park and recreational resources in Appendix 5: Space Fund. Tax parcelnumber54-2-95-3. servation Trust. Purchasedbythe Willistown Township Open sociation. Underconservation easementwith Willistown Con- Under longtermleasetotheGreaterChester Valley Soccer As- Description: Undeveloped futureactive recreation.27acres. ern Willistown. Greater Chester Valley Soccer Association Fields innorthwest- Location: 139LineRoad,Malvern PA 19355,adjacenttothe Line RoadField servation Trust. Tax parcelnumber54-6-9-6. 16.2 acres.Underconservation easementwith Willistown Con- ration/education gardeninpartnershipwithGreenerPartners. acre building envelope. Sugartown Gardens-organic explo- Description: Undeveloped futurepassive recreationand1.2 of Willistown. Providence Road,Malvern PA, 19355inthemiddle Location: 705Providence Road,betweenSpringRoadand Sugartown Preserve Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage143 trails. brook Preserve. SeeMap6forexisting, publiclyaccessible Trust Kirkwood Preserve, andtheNaturalLands Trust Willis- (approximately 5milesoftrails),the Willistown Conservation fered at Willistown Township’s Okehocking Preserve enue township property. Mown andwooded looptrailsare of- trail corridorisslatedfordevelopment atthe28Duffryn Av- and onmunicipalconservation trustowned lands. A 225’ • Publiclyaccessibletrailsarelocatedinroadright-of-ways institutional openspacelandsandalongroadways. throughout Willistown Township inapatchwork ofprivate and • Informalunpaved trailrecreationopportunitiescanbefound FOLLOWS: RESOURCES AREAS TRAIL EXISTING cel numbers:54-2-95-1;54-2-95-2;54-2-125;54-5-6-1 Description: 126acres,owned byNaturalLands Trust. Tax par- street address. Location: Adjacent to Willistown’s LineRoadField,nocurrent Willisbrook Preserve Open SpaceFund. Tax parcelnumbers54-7-19-1;54-7-19-3. Trust. Purchasedwithassistancefromthe Willistown Township Description: 83acres,owned by Willistown Conservation street address,insoutheastern Willistown. Location: CornerofGrubbsMillandGoshenRoads,nocurrent Kirkwood Preserve 2B; 54-8-14-2;54-8-14-1;54-8-20 bers: 54-8-14-5;54-8-14-4;54-8-14-2A;54-8-2679;54-8-14- easement with Willistown Conservation Trust. Tax parcelnum- ship andMunicipalgrantProgramfunding.Underconservation Chester CountyLandscapes21stCenturyPreservation Partner- gram; Landand Water Conservation FundthroughDCNR;and Community Conservation andPreservation Partnership Pro- partment ofConservation andNaturalResources(DCNR) Purchased bythe Willistown Township OpenSpaceFund;De- recreation. Over 5milesofmown andwooded trails.180acres. Description: Passive recreationwithpermittedfutureactive in southern Willistown. Location: 5316 West ChesterPike, Newtown SquarePA 19073, Okehocking Preserve number 54-8-13. from ChesterCountyMunicipalGrantProgram. Tax parcel nic pavilion, restrooms.20acres.Purchasedwithassistance 12, 2baseballfields, 1soccerfield, sandvolley ballcourt,pic- Description: Playgroundequipmentforrecommendedages5- 19073, insoutheastern Willistown. Location: 1040GarrettMillRoad,Newtown SquarePA Garrett MillPark

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 143 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage144 144 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania employee absenteeism,andincreasedproductivity. property values, reducedhealth careandinsurancecosts,reduced The economicbenefits ofparksandrecreationincludeincreased • EconomicBenefits ences andsuccesses,detersnegative behavior. veloping individual character, enhances educationalexperi- diversity andharmony. Youth benefit sociallyasitaidsinde- bonds byconnectingandunitingfamilies andbuilding cultural promotion ofstewardship. Parks andrecreationpromotesocial are active inrecreationprograms,increased volunteerism, and crime, improvement inacademicperformanceofchildrenwho following documentedways: reduction ofadultandjuvenile Communities arestrengthenedbyparksandrecreationinthe • Community/SocialBenefits life satisfaction). life (increasedselfesteem,personalandspiritualgrowth, and mediate stressreduction,relieved stress,improved qualityof vidual mentalhealthbenefits include: reduceddepression,im- organized sportsandrecreationprograms.Documentedindi- benefits forthosethroughoutlifewhoparticipatein boosted immunesystem,increasedlifeexpectancy, andhealth mented physicalhealthbenefits include:reducedobesity, People benefit fromparksandrecreation inmany ways. Docu- • Individual Benefits and openspace,more. growth andenrichment,aswelltheeconomicvalue ofparks ties, individual healthandwellbeing,socialcommunity ation playinpromotingphysicalactivity andlivable communi- These benefits emphasizethevital rolethatparksandrecre- ated byfacts, field studies,testimonialsandresearch findings. category aredozensofspecific benefits, whichare substanti- Economic, andEnvironmental. Within each parks andrecreation:Individual, Community, identified fourmajorBenefit Categories of American andCanadianorganizations have and SocialBenefits ofRecreation(2005).) ety, andCaliforniaStateParks: The Health the Pennsylvania RecreationandParks Soci- National RecreationandPark Association, ther detailedbyandwas gatheredfromthe (The following condensedinformationisfur- health ofindividuals andtheircommunities. ation onthephysical,mentalandsocial tive impactsandbenefits ofparksandrecre- There isextensive documentationoftheposi- Park andRecreation Facilities facilities and trails benefits of parks, recreation Appendix 6: learn aboutnature. resources, andtheprovision ofaccessibleplacestoenjoy and preservation ofplantandanimallife,theprotectionnatural The environmental benefits ofparksandrecreationincludethe • Environmental Benefits healthy senseofidentityand place. citizens thatcanstrengthenrelationships andcontribute toa munities enabletheinteractionbetweenneighborsandother propriate bicycle andpedestrianfacilities andamenities,com- opportunities forsocialcontactwithothers.Byproviding ap- ronments offer alternatives topersonalvehicles, whichlimit life. Comfortableandaccessiblepedestrianbicycle envi- walking increasesisamajorfactor forimproving qualityof visit. palpable sensethatthesearesafeandfriendlyplacestolive and towns wherepeoplecanregularly beseenwalking, thereis a tracting businesses andworkers andresidents.Incities munity’s livability -afactor thathasaprofoundimpactonat- people walking andbicycling canbeagoodindicatorofcom- benefits tothequalityoflifeincities andtowns. The number of Better conditionsforwalking andbicycling have intangible • QualityofLifeBenefits www.bicyclinginfo.org). Bicycle InformationCenter (www.walkinginfo.org and Highway Administration inpartnershipwiththePedestrianand gathered fromtheUSDepartmentof Transportation Federal The following informationontheaforementionedbenefits was Trail Resources The socialinteractionpossiblewhenthenumberofpeople Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage145 walk ora10-minutebike ride(1995NPTS). percent ofalltripsareshorterthantwo miles-a30-minute lion bike tripsintheU.S.everyday (2001NHTS). About 40 Safety Board). There are96millionwalking tripsandninemil- older donotdrive (2001NationalHighway Transportation off-road, head-on,and sideswipemotorvehicle crashes. two-lane roadshasbeenshown toreduce thefrequency of run- safety formotorists.For example, addingpaved shoulderson provements toaccommodatepedestrianscanalsoenhance nificantly lessspacepertraveler thandriving. Roadway im- energy, pollution, anddriver frustration. Walking requiressig- were designedtohandle,resultingingridlock,wasted timeand tion. Many streetsandhighways carrymoretraffic thanthey which representsabouta10-minutebike ride. mately 40percentofalltripsarelessthantwo milesinlength- Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS)foundthatapproxi- enough tobeaccomplishedonabicycle. The 1995 National Many ofthetripsthat Americans make every dayareshort • TransportationBenefits maintenance costs. roads would give greaterlongevity toroadsurfaces, lowering dents issignificant. A reductionofthenumber ofcarsonthe The costofpublicroadupkeep tomunicipalitiesandtheirresi- other things. portation, meaningthey have moremoney tosave orspendon pedestrians, peoplecanwalk moreandspendlessontrans- many American incomes. When safefacilities areprovided for Car ownership isexpensive, andconsumesamajorportionof Walking andbicycling areaffordable formsoftransportation. • EconomicBenefits tion agesinthecomingyears. benefit thatwillbecomeincreasinglyimportantasourpopula- an increasedchanceofremainingindefinitely independent-a adults includingastrongerheart,positive mentaloutlook,and Regular exercise provides myriadhealthbenefits forsenior lower healthcarecosts. Physical activity canalsoimprove mentalhealthandeven disease, stroke, andotherchroniclife-threateningillnesses. moderate physicalactivity reducestheriskofcoronaryheart benefits amongthosewhoareleastactive. Engaginginlightto increases inlighttomoderateactivity willproducemeasurable lives atrisk,reportstheCenterforDiseaseControl.Even small more sedentaryandobeseand,consequently, areputtingtheir than now. An alarmingnumberof Americans arebecoming The issueofphysicalactivity hasnever beenmoreimportant • HealthBenefits Some statistics: Approximately 12percentofpersons15or Walking andbicycling canhelptoreduceroadway conges- Older adultscanalsobenefit fromwalking andbicycling. (Worldwatch Institute). keeps about15poundsofpollutantsouttheairwebreathe American Bicyclists). A short,four-mile roundtripbybicycle more pollutingonaper-mile basis thanlongertrips(Leagueof starts” createhighlevels ofemissions,shortercartripsare pollution controldevices canwork effectively. Since“cold emissions happensinthefirst few minutesofoperation,before proximately 60percentofthepollutioncreatedbyautomobile Green Commuter, A PublicationoftheClean Air Council). Ap- and 49percentofnitrogenoxidesreleasedintheU.S.(The cent oftotalcarbondioxide,81percentmonoxide, sions fromthetransportationsector. trips isaneasyway toreduceenergy needsandpollutionemis- Switching motorvehicle tripsover tobicycle and/orpedestrian millions ofbarrelsoil,anon-renewable energy source. Clean Air Act Amendments. Every daycarsand trucksburn areas donotmeettheairqualitystandardsspecified inthe1990 emissions intheU.S.Notsurprisingly, many metropolitan percent ofcarbonmonoxideand55nitrogenoxide cording totheEPA, transportation isresponsiblefornearly80 Motor vehicles createasubstantialamountofairpollution. Ac- • Environmental/Energy Benefits transportation andchoice. can ensurethatallcitizenshave accesstoaviablemodeof and convenient pedestrianandbicycle facilities, the Township transportation createsabarriertomobility. Byproviding safe car, andpeoplewithcertaindisabilities,thislackofchoicein option todrive, suchasadolescents,thoseunabletoafford a choose how they want totravel. For thosewhodonothave the as sidewalks andcrosswalks, communitiesallow peopleto choice. When providing pedestrianandbicycle facilities such Perhaps themostimportantfactor inwalking orbicycling is • ChoiceandMobility Some statistics:Motorvehicle emissionsrepresent31per-

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 145 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage146 146 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania ation. ings. Someparksareusedforbothactive andpassive recre- recreation,” andthey have aminimaleffect ontheirsurround- watching. These lower energy activities areknown as“passive eter, lessathleticactivities, suchasfishing, picnickingandbird ation.” Otherparksaredesigned,maintainedandusedforqui- child’s play. These activities arereferredtoas“active recre- strenuous recreationactivities suchasexercise, teamsportsand parks aredesignedandmaintainedtobeusedprimarilyfor scribe parksbasedontheways inwhichthey areused.Some public recreationalfacilities. Recreationplannerstypicallyde- stresses thatparksareacquired,designedandmanagedtobe and haspublicrecreationasitsprimaryuse. This definition public, isspecifically managedtoprovide publicrecreation, for recreationbyagovernment agency, isopentothegeneral any outdoorpropertythatisowned in-feeorpermanentlyeased that ofChesterCounty. LinkingLandscapesdefines a“park”as Their Applicability toWillistown Township 2002 ChesterCounty Recreational Park Standardsand park facility and programming issues Appendix 7: egbrod05mls(qa . o35ars5000.5acres to 5,000 400acres to 100,000 2.5to3.5acres Source: CCPC,June1982andFebruary 2002. 0.5miles(Equal 8.5 acresper Mini Park Park Neighborhood 20acresper 7.5 miles(Equal Community 30 miles(Equal Park Sub-regional Radius Regional Park Recreational Park Type of Park Willistown Township’s definition ofparkscoincideswith The 2002ChesterCounty RecreationalParkStandards oa i.wl)1,000people to an8min.walk) or a30min.walk) 1,000people to a60min.drive) oa1 i.wl)per1000people to a15min.walk) 3.0 to6.0acres 1000 people 2.5 miles(Equal to a15min.drive) oa5mn rv per1000people to a5min.drive Service .5m.(qa 0.25acresper 0.25 mi.(Equal (Figure 4.1LinkingLandscapes iiu ceg MxmmSizeof Maximum Standard Minimum Acreage Township chosetodoso. not requiredtofollow theCounty’s 2002Standards, Willistown some formofpopulationbasedrecreationstandard. Although open spaceplanusingCountyfundsarerequiredtoinclude below. Municipalitiesthatcompleteorupdatetheirmunicipal gories ofparksusedinthestandardsareshown inthetable The 2002population-basedcountystandardsandthecate- 25,000 RecreationalPark Population 2,000 None ) 0.01 acre 999 acres 19.9 acres 20 acresto 399 acres to 0.49acre 1000 acresormore Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage147 then noted. the servicesandfacilities currentlyavailable. Any shortagesare ent recreationalneeds.Recreationneedsarethencomparedto proportion ofelderlypeopleorschool-agechildrenhave differ- populations. For example, populationswhichhave agreater ments canbemadeforpopulationsthatarenottypicaloflarger mated populationof Willistown Township was 10,741. Adjust- the sizeofpopulationbeingplannedfor. A July2007esti- acreage per1,000residents. Those standardsarethenappliedto expressed intermsofnumber offacilities oramountofpark sources, andnotasareactiontocommunity’s population. because thesefacilities areestablishedbasedonavailable re- population- basedstandardsfortrailsorspecialpurposeparks ear recreationalparks.CurrentlytherearenoChesterCounty The standardsweredeveloped toapplyconventional non-lin- identify overcrowding onparksthathave alreadybeenbuilt. parks would bebuilt toserve allpartsoftheCounty, andto these population-basedStandardstoensurethatrecreational consider addingmoreparkfacilities intheregion. Radius exceeds theMaximumPopulation,parkplannersshould lation foragiven ServiceRadius.Ifthepopulationofa • The ural resourcebasedparks. and sportsfields have ahigheruserdensitythanwooded ornat- have adensityof250usersperacre.Ingeneral,playgrounds park withan Acreage Standardof5acresper1000 userswould per acreofparkland.Itismeasuredinacres1000users. A • The this circle. modate therecreationneedsofallpeoplewholive within a parkonmap.Ideally, aparkshouldbedesignedtoaccom- • The The 2002Standarddefinitions areasfollows: As indicatedabove, recreationalstandardsarefrequently The ChesterCountyPlanningCommissiondeveloped Maximum Population Acreage Standard Service Radius of aparkiscircularareadrawn around describes thenumberofparkusers is thelargest recommendedpopu- providing passive recreationopportunities withinandbetween community recreationalandbusiness uses andtrailsystems; idential areas,communityfacilities, parks,andneighboring portunity forresidents,school children,andvisitorstolinkres- trail network acrossthe Township asanalternative travel op- Local andRegional Trail PlanningEfforts for Willistownresidents. once available, willbehelpfulinplanningandprogramming opening ofSugartown in2008. The 2010censusinformation, closure ofSugartown ElementarySchoolin2001andthere- dren in Willistown hassinceincreased. This isevidenced bythe group was asfollows: According tothe2000census, Township populationbyage 5t 9yas721 1,756 55 to59years 1,638 989 45 to54years 278 35 to44years 602 25 to34years 703 20 to24years 15 to19years 589 10 to14years 5 to9years Under 5years 2yasadoe 1,907 7,463 62 yearsandover 7,668 21 yearsandover 18 yearsandover 90 516 968 85 yearsandover 552 75 to84years 65 to74years 60 to64years Willistown envisions theestablishmentofestablishinga Since the2000census,itappearsthatnumberofchil- Township Population by Agegroup,2000 609 76.6% 19.0% 16.4% 74.5% 17.5% 6.0% 0.9% 9.9% 7.0% 9.7% 2.8% 7.2% 5.9% 6.1% 5.2% 5.5%

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 147 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage148 148 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania is proposedthatthemajority of thetrailwould becreatedby ship’s Okehocking Preserve onDelchester RoadandRoute3.It on GoshenandDelchesterRoads, andterminatingatthe Town- Road, continuingthroughthe Trust’s Rushton Woods Preserve ning atthe Trust’s Kirkwood Preserve, locatedonGrubbsMill pedestrian andequestriannaturalsurface trailcorridorbegin- nership withthe Township, the Trust seekstoestablishapublic project ofthe Willistown Conservation Trust (“Trust”). Inpart- Kirkwood-Okehocking TrailCorridor sued. travel forthisneighborhoodtoGeneral Wayne shouldbepur- across Warren Avenue and/or Paoli Pike andDevon Road. Safe town serviceareaifsafepedestrianlinkagecouldbeattained tary Schoolcouldserve theresidentialareaeastofSugar- adjacent toitasaneighborhoodpark.General Wayne Elemen- and Recreation Plan therein toMalvern Borough andbeyond. SeeMap13: northern sectionsof Willistown Township anddestinations Park (Willistown). This isatoppriorityprojectlinkingthe eral Wayne Elementary School(Willistown), andMillRoad Randolph Woods (Malvern), GreentreePark (Willistown), Gen- field (Malvern), QuannPark (Malvern), Burke Park (Malvern), (Willistown), Paoli MemorialGrounds(Malvern), Paoli Battle- open spaceswestofSugartown RoadviaMonument Valley Trail. Among theproposedtraildestinationsare:public ship Park, Ridley CreekStatePark andtheCounty’s Chester munities tooutsidedestinationssuchastheEastGoshen Town- and historicsites.Furthermore,thetrailwillconnectbothcom- Malvern’s library, shoppingandbusiness district,parksystem conversely, thetrailwillalsoconnect Willistown residentsto ough and Willistown residents,parks,andhistoricdestinations; Elementary schoolin Willistown, sportsfields usedbyBor- trail willconnectMalvern BoroughresidentstoGeneral Wayne Planning Commissionand Willistown residents. The proposed Chester-Ridley-Crum Watersheds Association, ChesterCounty Malvern Borough, Willistown Conservation Trust (WCT), ect istheresultofapartnershipamong Willistown Township, project (currentlyinthebeginning planningstages). This proj- this willbethroughtheMalvern-Willistown Greenway Trail town centersofPaoli andMalvern. Oneopportunitytoaddress from the Township’s northernneighborhoodsto theadjacent The Patriots Path andMalvern-Willistown Greenway Trail given thepotentialforregional traillinkages. tentially providing opportunitiesforcommuting,particularly recreational facility toanother, sotooarethey valuable inpo- the interconnectionoftrailsisvalue ingettingfromone Trails arebotharecreationalandtransportationasset. While e.g., parks,commercialcenters,naturalareas,schools,etc. coordinates available trailrouteswithidentified destinations, developed sites;anddesigningatrailnetwork thatutilizesand The Kirkwood-Okehocking Trail Corridorisaproposed Sugartown ElementarySchoolserves theresidentialarea Currently thereislimitedpedestriantrail/sidewalk access for proposedtraillinksanddestinations. Park the onlylogicallocationsfor multi-municipal trails. The rec- note thatRegional RecreationCorridorsarenotpresumed tobe bike routes thatlinkthem.LinkingLandscapesiscarefulto like state parksandhistoricvillages–thetrails,paths that includespointsofinterestorrecreationaldestinations – municipal trail. The corridorisdefined asalinearareaofland identified as aprimelocationfortheconstructionofmulti- dor isaconceptualplanningzonethat adjacent to Willistown Township. A Regional RecreationCorri- Linking Landscapes, regional andcountyscaledRegional RecreationCorridorsin Chester County’s RegionalRecreation Corridors known asGoshenRoadin Willistown Township). bridge Preserve inEast Goshen onStrasburg Road(whatis hocking Trail willalsobranchoff toconnectthe Trust’s Ash- Trail Corridors. The Trust envisions thattheKirkwood-Oke- Okehocking-Plumsock andGoshenRoadEast-West Arterial South Arterial Trail Corridorandthe Township’s proposed overlay the Township’s proposedSugartown-Delchester North- of-way. This proposedtrailwilllinktoandinsomesections trail easements,orwherefeasibleandsafe,publicroadrights- vation easement,donationsbyprivate landowners ofadditional utilizing existing protected trailsonlandspreserved byconser- The ChesterCountyPlanningCommissionhasidentified a numberofwhicharelocatedwithinand Linking Landscapes has Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage149 structed andextend fromnorthofUSRoute1nearChester trail isapotentiallinkthrough theRidley corridor. Township. This trailiscurrentlyintheplanningphase. This to theold Wawa trainstationeast of USRoute1inMiddletown abandoned raillinefromjustwestofI-95inChester Township length, partofwhichwould border Willistown Township. Ridley CreekCorridorswould createatrailloopof19milesin completion ofthiscorridor, andthatofthePaoli Battlefield and lege, andfromtheretotheCountyChester Valley Trail. The Chester Borough,andthennortheastthroughImmaculataCol- tends fromtheEastBranchofBrandywineCreekinto West access toEastGoshen Township Park. in Willistown Township would provide Willistown residents’ Corridor southofMalvern Boroughextending alongPaoli Pike the SchuylkillCorridor. The portionofthePaoli Battlefield cess Valley Forge NationalHistoricSiteviathelower endof County Chester Valley Trail. Township residentscouldalsoac- Willistown residentswithatwo-mile longtraillinktothe Battlefield CorridornorthofMalvern Boroughwould provide to theCountyChester Valley Trail. The portionofthePaoli Paoli Pike toMalvern Borough,andfromthereupCrumCreek fied asundeveloped, extends fromRidley Creekeastalong Valley Trail. connecting Ridley Creek StatePark withtheCountyChester Willistown residentswould have accesstoa13milelongtrail County SeatCorridor. Ifthese2corridorswerecomplete, is withinfourmilesoftheCountyChester Valley Trail, viathe ing benefits oftheRidley corridoristhatthenorthernterminus to trailsat Willistown’s Okehocking Preserve. Oneoftheexcit- It would alsohave theaddedbenefit ofproviding greateraccess access toRidley Creek State Park innearbyDelaware County. provide thecommunitiesinEast-centralChesterCountywith Goshen Township. The primarypurposeofthisCorridoristo and thenprivately owned landuntilcrossingover intoEast of thecreekinanorthwesterlydirectionthroughPreserve into ChesterCounty. The corridorthenfollows themainstem entrance toOkehocking Preserve, whereRidley Creekcrosses Willistown Township fromthesouthnearRoute3parking lata College. This corridorcrossesintoChesterCountyand Border, upRidley Creektoitsheadwaters justwestofImmacu- developed, extends fromtheChesterCounty-Delaware County depicted onMap13. ridors pertinentto Willistown Township areasfollows andare developed, informallyused,andpartiallydeveloped. Those cor- Recreation Corridorshave beenclassified into3categories; un- final alignmentofatrailorpath. The recommendedRegional cause they allow municipalplannersflexibility inlocatingthe single trailorpath. These extra-wide corridorsareusefulbe- This widthismuchwiderthantherightofway neededfora ommended Regional RecreationCorridorsare2,000feetwide. The Rocky Run Trail andtheDarlington Trail arecon- The ChesterCreekRail-Trail Projectextends alongan The CountySeatCorridor, classified as undeveloped, ex- The Paoli Battlefield Regional RecreationCorridor, classi- The Ridley Regional RecreationCorridor, classified asun- velop ballfields there),andGreat Valley MiddleandHigh Field; the Association leasingthefield andhasrightstode- lacrosse programlocatedadjacent to Willistown’s LineRoad Valley Soccer Association (anextensive regional soccerand and maintainstheballfields attheircost),theGreater Chester group isthesoleuserof Willistown’s MillRoadPark ballfields (comprised of Willistown andMalvern Boroughresidents;this the Willistown boundary),theChester Valley Little League Upper MainLine YMCA (locatedapproximatelyamilefrom point ofpublicparticipationby Willistown residents) arethe cies inthearea. The mostsignificant ofthese(fromthestand- sports opportunitiesareoffered mostlybyquasi-publicagen- ties, socialactivities, and pedestriantrails. The recreational events, organized sportsprograms,artsandcrafts,natureactivi- local recreationalprogramsincludingspecialcommunity fifth gradeandcheerleadingcamp for4thgraders). School forchildrenwhohave completedKindergarten through elementary recreationcampsatGeneral Wayne Elementary munity event), and Willistown SummerCamps(sixweeksof Sugartown ExplorationGardenFamily Fall Fest(alocalcom- camps currentlyoffering 4weeksofcampforages5–11), Sugartown GardenGrowing GreenerSummerCamps(youth hocking SunsetSummerSend-Off (anendofsummerevent), (local communityevents hostedthroughoutthesummer),Oke- ming includes: Thrilling Third Thursdays atGreentreePark cluding thecontrolofaccesstotownship facilities. and regulations for Township parksandrecreationfacilities, in- mendations totheBoardofSupervisorswithrespectrules including replacementsofpropertyandequipment;recom- supervision ofall Township parksandallmaintenancethereof, Code, Chapter96,Parks andRecreation,include:general staff. This Board’s responsibilitiesareoutlinedinthe Township seven-person board,collaborates withtheParks andRecreation of camps. tor, whohiresnecessaryteachersandassistantsforsixweeks Willistown SummerCamps,includingaCampDirec- rate ofrentalthannonresidents. Additional staff ishiredforthe Parks andRecreation). Willistown residentsareoffered alower the applicationandpaymentprocessprovides reportsto Willistown parksystem(the Township administrationmanages field useandpavilion rentalschedulingandprocessingforthe Assistant totheDirectorofParks andRecreationadministers and themanagementof Township’s parkproperties. The oversees theoperationof Township’s recreationprograms and apart-timeParks andRecreation Assistant. The Director currently includesafull-timeDirectorofParks andRecreation, Willistown Park andRecreation Program Services through theRidley CreekRecreationCorridor. State Park. These trailswould linkto Willistown Township Creek northeastto Tyler Arboretum andadjacentRidley Creek Willistown residentsare alsoserved byawidevariety of Willistown Parks andRecreationDepartmentprogram- The Willistown Park andRecreationBoard,avoluntary, The Parks andRecreationstaff of Willistown Township

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 149 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage150 150 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Daily LocalNews nounced intheweekender sectionorothersuchofthe recreation emaildatabase;andfinally, events maybean- nouncement, Happynings, tively); the Willistown Township Parks andRecreationE- are placedintheschoolnewsletter ande-newsletter respec- and General Wayne Elementaryschools,andannouncements tions andbusinesses (fliersarealsodistributed toSugartown to theMalvern andPaoli Librariesandlocalpartnerorganiza- able atthe Township Administration building andaredelivered holidays); fliersaboutParks andRecreationevents areavail- for parksandrecreationevent announcementsand Township Building at688Sugartown Road(thememoboardsareused Good SamaritanChurch,andatthe Township Administration cated atthecornerofCedarHollow RoadandPaoli Pike at the Parks andRecreationstaff); the Township memoboards,lo- newsletter (Parks andRecreationrelatedarticlesarewrittenby recreation Department);the Recreation website(maintainedandupdatedbytheparks ing channels: cilities toresidents,businesses, andvisitorsthroughthefollow- communicates informationaboutitsrecreationservicesandfa- The Willistown Township Parks andRecreationDepartment Public Outreach and Recreation. Upper MainLine YMCA, andEastGoshen Township Parks Parks andRecreation,theMalvern Business Association, the town Township includeevents hostedbyMalvern Borough Willistown Township). School sportsprograms(thepublicschooldistrictthatserves Local community www.willistownparks.org, theParks and at nocharge. recreational programsthatserve Willis- is distributed totheparksand WillisTowne Crier , the Township Manager andChairmanoftheBoardSupervisorsreview a The DirectorofParks andRecreationalongwith Township Budgeting Department patrolsallparksonaregular basis. ment. For securitypurposes,the Willistown Township Police Park signageismanagedbytheParks andRecreationDepart- tacting a Township contractororthePublic Works Department. issues, theDepartmentmanagesremediationbyeithercon- notifies theParks andRecreationDepartmentofmaintenance cation asaplaygroundequipmentinspector. Where thepublic the Public Works Departmentisalsocurrentlyseekingcertifi- per weekandkeeps recordoftheseinspections. A memberof inspections oftheplaygroundequipmentapproximatelyonce Works. The Public Works Departmentconductsinformalsafety needed basisandiscoordinatedbytheDirectorofPublic ing andinfrastructuremaintenanceisconductedonanas Parks andRecreationistheliaisontothesecontractors.Build- tenance iscontractedthroughpublicbidandtheDirectorof nance andevent specific maintenance. All othergroundsmain- and utilities,contactscontractorsfortheannualmainte- hocking farm housetenantonallissuespertainingtothe year. The DirectorofPublic Works isthecontactforOke- such aserectingParks andRecreationevent tentsfive timesper parks. Public Works alsoassistswithspecialevents, asneeded, with therestroomfacilities, andattendstoany graffiti atthe restrooms onceperweek,tendstoany minorplumbingissues empties thetrashcansonceperweek,cleansandstocks currently opensandclosestheparksinspringlatefall, parks andrecreationmaintenanceservices. The Department The Willistown Township RoadDepartmentprovides limited Maintenance andSecurity Willistown hasbeensuc- users helpoffset costs. and selectedathleticfield ation programparticipants Fees collectedfromrecre- Township generalfund. staff arefundedthrough the and recreationactivities and recreation invoices. Parks approving onallparksand managing thebudget and Director isresponsiblefor and RecreationBudget. The tion isitemizedintheParks fund, andtheremainingpor- are identified inthegeneral parks andrecreationcosts pervisors. A portionofthe proval totheBoardofSu- budget submissionforap- prior totheManager’s rector forinitialapproval budget proposedbytheDi- Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage151 veys: ineach,the highestpriorityrecreationalactivity ishiking priority fromtheresultsofboth the2004and2009residentsur- 2004. Dogwalking moved tofifth in2009fromthird2004. 2004. Bicycling moved down tofourthin2009fromsecond 2004. Gardeningmoved tothirdplacein2009fromfourth joyment moved intosecondplacefromarankingofninthin Hiking/Walking, isthesameasin2004survey. Nature en- the passageoftime. The 2009numberonerecreationalactivity, shows similarparkandrecreationprioritiesofresidentsover and recreationfacilities. A comparisonofthe two surveys being tounderstandandplanforthefutureof Willistown’s park ship residentsaparkandrecreationsurvey in2004;theintent lectures, holidayandheritagefestivals. shows, summercamps,fireworks, parades,birdingwalks, book nights, outdoorconcertsandtheater, outdoorartsandcrafts residents, includingcommunitygardens,workshops, movie children. More“community”events andprojectsaresoughtby bution ofrequestsforequipmentboth playground equipmentisbeingrequested,withaneven distri- stewardship ofthosespaces.Newer, safer, age-appropriate space isparamount,assustainabilityandenvironmental maintained andsecure. The preservation andpurchaseofopen trails andparks,alongwater, withbenches,nearrestrooms,and hiking, walking, biking,riding,paved, connectingwithother ties itoffers. formed ofthe Township’s parksystemandtheoutdooractivi- interested inoutdooractivities andthatthey wishtobein- request apapercopy ofthesurvey ifthey sopreferred. Towne Crier two Township memoboards,andinprominentplacementthe signs postedthroughoutthe Township, throughpostingonthe newsletters sentthroughGreat Valley SchoolDistrict,onyard 2009, attheParks &Recreationwebsite,throughflyersand ways, including:announcementatapublicmeetinginFebruary of futureplanning. The survey was marketed inavariety of ation Departmentconductedanonlinesurvey for thepurpose and 2009 Willistown Township Recreational Surveys of2004 specific need. raffles anddonationboxes tooffset costsorraisemoney fora for events atSugartown andOkehocking Preserves oftenhave cessible parksthatarefreetothepublic.Steeringcommittees Currently, the Township hostssixevents atthreeofitsfive ac- summer campprogramspayforthemselves fromuserfees. offset costsofsignificant parksandrecreationprojects. The Resources, andtheDepartmentofEnvironmental Protectionto Grant Program,theDepartmentofConservation andNatural cessful inacquiringgrantsfromtheChesterCountyMunicipal The establishmentofa Township trailnetwork derives its Prior tothe2009survey, the Township mailedall Town- In summary, theresponses overwhelmingly favor trails– The responsesclearlyindicatethat Willistown residentsare In Spring2009,the Willistown Township Parks &Recre- Spring 2009issue.Residentswereencouragedto older and younger create acomprehensive trailplanforthe Township. prehensive trail network andshouldbeusedbythe Township to 13: Park andRecreation Planformthefoundationforacom- Sites, Publicly Accessible OpenSpaces,and Trails, andMap purposes. Township thataredesignatedfortransportationandrecreation based network ofinterlinkingtrails andpathsthroughoutthe • COMPREHENSIVE TRAIL NETWORK - A destination- Network, thefollowing designations shouldbeconsidered: As abasisforthecreationof Township Comprehensive Trail public andlandowner agreementsoreasements. tions; thisprocessmayinvolve working withprivate, quasi- easements willbeanimportanttoolincreatingtrailconnec- corridors aretobelocated.Conservation easementsandtrail and respectright-of-way setbackswhereimpedingcriticaltrail Township anditspartnersshouldwork withlocallandowners Township comprehensive trailnetwork. ganizations willbeacriticalcomponenttothesuccessof country skiing,babystrollers,etc. including hiking,jogging,running,bicycling, equestrian,cross- scape. Trails maybegearedtooneormoretypesoftrailuse, and/or visual,tothebroadopenspaceandrecreationalland- yet frequentlyaretheprimarymeansofaccess,bothphysical separated fromequestrianroutes. routes willbeseparatedfrompedestrianandmust clearance toaccommodateallpermitteduses.Ideally, bicycle adhered to.Multi-usetrailsmusthave sufficient width and quired forintendedtrailusetype(s)shouldbedeveloped and will needtohandleheavy use.Minimumdesignstandardsre- trails shouldconnecttoexisting sidewalks; trailsinsuchareas higher densitynorthernandsomesouthernresidentialareas, roadways, yetseparatedfromthem,shouldbeformalized.In ments. Lackingsuchopportunities,locationsparalleltopublic through publicacquisitionorestablishmentofease- permanent wherepossible. Trails canbemade permanent preferable toroadsiderights-of-way routesandshouldbemade low-traffic-volume roadways. Off-road rights-of-way are such asrailroadrights-of-way, utilityeasementsandscenic, stream valleys orwoodlands, orsuitableman-madecorridors with ProposedCorridors A Trail Classification SystemforWillistown Township dents was morewalking/hiking trails. 2004 survey, thenumberoneimprovement requestedbyresi- sidewalks andneedformorewalking andhikingtrails;inthe two recreationalinadequacieswerethe Township’s lackof and walking; inthe2009survey, thenumberone andnumber The informationincludedinMap6:ExistingRecreation In ordertouse Township andPennDOT rights-of-way, the Partnering withneighboringmunicipalitiesandlocalor- Pathways ortrailsonlyoccupy anarrow, linearlandarea, Ideally, trailswilloccupy suitablenaturalcorridorssuchas

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 151 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage152 152 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania Township, aswell asmulti-municipalandregional trailnet- ern andwestern Willistown, linkingdestinationswithinthe corridors provide theprincipalconnectingroutesbetween east- • EAST-WEST ARTERIAL TRAIL CORRIDORS–Suchtrail enue-Plumsock RoadCorridor. Sugartown-Delchester Corridor, and2)theSouth Warren Av- works anddestinationsbeyond the Township. the Township, as wellasmulti-municipalandregional trailnet- northern andsouthern Willistown, linkingdestinations within trail corridorsprovide theprincipalconnectingroutesbetween • NORTH-SOUTH ARTERIAL TRAIL CORRIDORS –Such Trail, theRocky Run Trail andtheDarlington Trail. Trail, andDelaware Countyfacilities -theChesterCreekRail- YMCA; ChesterCountyfacilities –theCountyChester Valley Bartram’s Bridge; Tredyffrin Township -theUpperMainLine ley CreekStatePark, Tyler Arboretum; Newtown Township - tle Leaguefields atMonumentPark; Edgmont Township -Rid- - Burke Park, QuannPark, Paoli Battlefield, Chester Valley Lit- - the Township Park and Ashbridge Preserve; Malvern Borough boring municipalitiesarethefollowing: EastGoshen Township Willistown FriendsMeeting). Among thedestinationsinneigh- Samaritan, Paoli Presbyterian, St.Francis-in-the-Fields;and town UnitedMethodist,ChristMemorialLutheran,Good (including St Thomas Mar Thoma ofDelaware Valley, Willis- Greater Chester Valley Soccer Association fields andchurches ment, Sugartown andGeneral Wayne ElementarySchools, ministration Building, Willistown Township PoliceDepart- Trust, HistoricSugartown Village, Willistown Township Ad- serve, Rushton Woods andFarm, Willistown Conservation all Willistown Parks, Kirkwood Preserve, Willisbrooke Pre- Township. Willistown destinationsinclude,amongotherthings, Park andRecreationPlan,asaremany sitesadjacenttothe among others. ities, government services,andcommunityorganizations, business districts,churches,town centers,libraries,sportsfacil- designated openspaces,neighborhoods,schools,historicareas, Township Comprehensive Trail Network; includedareparks, boring municipalitiesthatarelinked throughthe Willistown • DESTINATION: Locationsin Willistown Township orneigh- ties topedestrian,and/orbicycle, and/orequestrianusers. trails offer low-speed transportationandrecreationopportuni- agement, andemergency purposes.Ingeneral,the Township’s chairs orasauthorizedbythe Township formaintenance,man- shall exclude allmotorizedvehicles except motorizedwheel functions aspartofaninter-modal transportationsystem. Trails tended toserve transportation,commuting,and/orrecreational erwise authorizedordesignatedbythe Township. Trails arein- Willistown Township Comprehensive Trail Network orasoth- pedestrian orequestrianaccessway orabikeway aspartofthe • TRAIL: A corridorthroughwhichpasses,orwillpass,a The North-South Arterial Trail Corridorsinclude:1) The Destinations within Willistown aredepictedinMap13: tential obstacles). way; steepslopes;etc.(seeMaps6 and13forexisting and po- such asastopsignortraffic light;bridges;lackofright-of- a factor, roadcrossingsthatdonothave any traffic regulation speed isasafetyfactor, roadcrossingswheresitedistancesare Obstructions includestreamcrossings;roadcrossingswhere progress alongadesignatedtrail. • OBSTACLES: Any type ofhindrancetosafeorgeneral agement, andemergency purposes. chairs orasauthorizedbythe Township formaintenance,man- shall exclude allmotorized vehicles except motorizedwheel contained withinaroadcartway orroadshoulder, bikeways ational functions.Exceptwhereadesignatedbikeway routeis cycle traffic. Bikeways mayserve transportationand/orrecre- • BIKEWAY: A typeoftrailcorridordesignedprimarilyforbi- significant serviceto Willistown residents. ship. These trailsarenotcurrentlydocumented,but provide a in themoredenselydeveloped residentialareasofthe Town- vides ameansofcloseradiusinner-neighborhood connections • CONNECTOR PATHS: A typeofinformalfootpaththatpro- also linkintothegreater Willistown trailnetwork. Preserve inEastGoshen Township. This proposedcorridorwill ship’s Okehocking Preserve, andthe Trust’s Ashbridge serve, the Trust’s Rushton Woods Preserve, Willistown Town- link thefollowing destinations: The Trust’s Kirkwood Pre- town Conservation Trust (“Trust”). This Connector Trail will Okehocking Trail Corridor beingspearheadedbythe Willis- are mainlyequestriantrails,lightlyusedbypedestrians. are largely locatedinthesouthernportionof Township and ner ofthe Township. Unimproved (naturalgrassorsoiltrails) mainly locatedinthemoredenselydeveloped northeasterncor- Improved trails(sidewalks orothertrailswithsurfacing) are tunities topedestrian,and/orbicycle, and/orequestrianusers. yond andoffers low-speed transportationandrecreationoppor- East-West Trail CorridorsorDestinationsin Willistown andbe- trail thatprovides ameansofconnectiontotheNorth-Southor • CONNECTOR TRAILS: A typeofimproved orunimproved bered corridors.) (See Map13:Park andRecreationPlanforcorrespondingnum- (Garrett MillPark onGarrettMillRoadtoPlumsockRoad) Goshen RoadCorridor;and,5)Okehocking Preserve Corridor eral Wayne SchoolCorridor;3)SpringRoad4) Malvern-Willistown Greenway Corridor;2)Sugartown-Gen- propriate junctures. also connecttotheNorth-South Arterial Trail Corridorsatap- works anddestinationsbeyond the Township. These corridors An example ofaConnector Trail istheplannedKirkwood- The East-West Arterial Trail Corridorsinclude:1) The Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage153 components oftheplaninclude: • Considerundertakinga Township-wide trailplan.Suggested handicapped individuals. with Disabilities Act, aimingtomaximizerecreationaccessfor developed inconformance withrequirementsofthe Americans • Ensurethatallcommunityrecreationalfacilities andtrailsare year oldageappropriateplaysetsatGreentreePark. proached byresidentsandlocalorganizations toconsider5-12 lation-based needs.For example, the Township hasbeenap- ensure thatexisting lands aredeveloped tomeetspecific popu- other facilities inthefuture.Furthermore, Township should Preserve. Otherlike organizations shouldbeconsideredfor cess, parking,utilityandpavilion infrastructureatOkehocking Center Board,hasbeenformedandisworking toimprove ac- For example, anon-profit organization, theOkehocking Nature oped toprovide opportunities forvarious recreationalactivities. • Ensurethatexisting recreational landsareadequatelydevel- Recreation Planning Additional Considerations forFuture Park and able senseofcontinuityandjourney fortheuser. construction andgraphicfeaturescreatesanidentifi- - Identification ofatrailnetwork thatintegrates design, tions. - Trail planningandimplementation,withfundingop- monitoring obligations. others regarding trailownership, maintenance,and - Re-examine appropriaterolesforthe Township and tate additionaltrailplanningefforts. - UtilizeandupdateMaps613asnecessarytofacili- that reflectintendedusersandlocations. Subdivision andLand Development Ordinance (S/LDO) - Optionsforupdatingtraildesignstandardstothe establishment efforts. Recreation Codeasnecessarytofurther Township trail - SuggestedrecommendationsforupdatingtheParks and and PENNDOT codesand regulations. gather informationonpermittedusagefrom Township widths ofrights-of-way onallroadswithinthe Township; - Creationofaright-of-way mapidentifyingdifferent complete sectionsandotherdesiredlinks. restricted tolocalor Township residents,includingin- - Designationoflocaltrailstowhichaccessmaybe sections orotherdesiredlinks. - Designationofmajorarterialtrailsincludingincomplete public circulation). tool forplanningpurposesandnotanitembroad (such inventory would be intendedtoremainaworking notations astorestrictionsofuseoraccessany kind - A comprehensive inventory ofknown trails,with

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 153 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage154 154 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania program offerings. park andrecreationsystem Township residentsabouttheir to andsolicitfeedbackfrom among others.Continueoutreach libraries, andschoolnewsletters, parks.org website,memoboards, newsletter, www.willstown- residents involves the Township tions andoutreachto Willistown developed. Currentcommunica- employ new modesasthey are munication withthepublicand prove allcurrentmodesofcom- • Continuetomaintainandim- agement oftheparksystem. to supportmaintenanceandman- nent Township Codesasneeded ation Codeandany other perti- • UpdatetheParks andRecre- sues. to addressparkmaintenanceis- Public Works Department,whichcurrentlyhaslimitedability may necessitatetheneedforadditionalinvolvement bythe recommendation, whichalsowas containedinthe1997plan, update theprogramasnew facilities comeonline.Note: This • Develop aregular parkmaintenanceprogramandperiodically time. ment Planandrevise andupdatetheplanasnecessaryover • ContinuetoimplementtheOkehocking Preserve Manage- recreation staff responsibilitiesasitsparknetwork expanded. of the1997Comprehensive Planthatthe Township create cidentally, bothpositionsareconsistentwitharecommendation and parttimeassistant(20042006,respectively); notcoin- the Township hiredafull-timeDirectorofParks andRecreation maintenance, securityandprogramming.Note:Inrecentyears including theroleofother Township departmentsforpark • Considerfuturestaff needsforparkandrecreationactivities, dations as Township prioritiesandneedschange. - Make provisions fortherefinement ofplanrecommen- ship PoliceDepartment. trail safetyplanincooperationwiththe Willistown Town- velop rulesandregulations fortrailuseandinstitute a - Develop communityoutreachandeducationplan;de- mentation plan. trail connectionandconstructionprojects;createimple- - Furtherconsidertrailconnectionneedsandprioritize approved bytheBoardofSupervisors. • Continuetowork withintheparksandrecreationbudget as funding (currentlysixsuchevents arefunded). have beenhighlysuccessfulandhave requiredonlymodest to offer freepublicevents onaperiodicnature;suchevents camps thatarefeefundedatnocosttothe Township. Continue Willistown residents.Continuetooperateexisting summer they arecompetitive giving discountedfeeconsiderationto Continue monitoringfeesforfield useandpavilion rentalsso velopment asfees-in-lieuofrecreationlandand/oramenities. bonded indebtedness,orfundsassessedofnew residentialde- fund, dedicatedmillage,transfertaxmonies,shorttermloans, programming arefundablethroughthe Township’s general Township parksandrecreation.Recreationalimprovements and • Evaluate andconsideralternative fundingmechanismsfor Board. • Maintainandencourageanactive Parks andRecreation park andrecreationassetsdevelop avolunteer database. • Continuetobuild strongvolunteer supportforthe Township’s Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage155 purposes. of thisplan,otherfundingprogramsmaybecreatedforsimilar While several fundingoptionsmaynotexist throughout thelife vides challengestodirectfundingofimplementationefforts. implementation. available andthepotentialforsharedopportunitiesplan intended toacknowledge thetypeoffundingopportunities can beexhaustive, norarethey intendedtobe;rather, they are of fundingprogramscurrentlyavailable. Bynature,nosuchlist over time,thisappendixisintendedasasampling ofthetypes and therecognitionthatfundingsourceschangeevolve OTHER COUNTY REGIONAL STATE Funding ProgramName Funding Agency FEDERAL Funding Source implementation currently available for plan a selection of funding programs Appendix 8: Examples offundingoptionscurrentlyavailable include: The stateoftheeconomyattimeplanadoptionpro- Given theplanninghorizonforthiscomprehensive plan eaaeVle einl EfficientGrowth for GrowingSuburbs(EGGS)and Delaware Valley Regional PECO VisionPartnershipProgram(VPP) Chester County Planning SustainableCommunities PlanningGrants HUD (inclosecooperation Chester County Chester County Chester County Commission Transportation andCommunity Development Planning Commission (DVRPC) PA Community RecreationandConservation Program (C2P2) Conservation Partnerships PA DCNR,Community with EPAandDOT) Foundations Local andRegional PA DCED Open SpaceFundingOpen Agricultural LandsPreservation Energy andCommunity DevelopmentBlockGrants Initiative (TCDI) Agricultural LandsPreservation Technical Assistance Rivers Conservation Rails-to-Trails Pennsylvania RecreationalTrails (LUPTAP) Planning, AcquisitionandConstruction Grants Green Region Land UseandTechnical AssistanceProgram

guidelines for growth | 2011 comprehensive plan 155 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/30/113:41PMPage156 156 willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania in ChesterCounty, PA, adoptedFebruary26,2002. 14. LinkingLandscapes, November 9,2009. 13. Landscapes2, System, Grant Application 12. FederalHighway Administration (FHWA) NationalScenicByway consultant. Conservation Assistance Program,with Whiteman & Taintor as tional ScenicByways Program,NationalPark Service,Rivers, Tails, and Byway’s IntrinsicQualities, 11. BywayBeginnings: Understanding, Inventorying, andEvaluatinga estimates. Website dataregarding U.S.CensusandDVRPC demographicdataand 10. DVRPC (Delaware Valley Regional PlanningCommission),2005 estimates. Website dataregarding U.S.CensusandCountydemographicdata 9. ChesterCountyPlanningCommission,2005 8. 2000Census.www.census.gov/census2000/states/pa Nagy andGoulding. 7. Acres ofQuakers, May 31,2005. vestment &ResourceConservation, EconomicDevelopment Cabinet, 6. CommonwealthofPennsylvania Keystone PrinciplesforGrowth, In- published byOxfordUniversity Press,1987. 5. The ReportoftheBrundtlandCommission, How-To Manual. 4. Creating Connections: The Pennsylvania Greenways and Trails 2007, asamended. Development Ordinance,andEnvironmental ProtectionOrdinance, 3. Willistown Township Code,ZoningOrdinance,Subdivision andLand by WillistownTownship. 2. OpenSpace, Recreation, andEnvironmental Resources Plan, Township. 1. GuidelinesforGrowth, General References Pennsylvania Greenways Partnership. Chester CountyComprehensive Policy Plan,adopted Willistown Township, Pennsylvania, June2006. A PlanfortheProtectedOpenSpaceNetwork 1997 Comprehensive Plan,by Willistown www.bywaysonline.org 1999. FederalHighway Administration, Na- Our CommonFuture, 1993, November 2006,byBuchartHorn,Inc. 4. Regional Act 537Planfor Valley Forge Sewer Authority, dated Willistown Township, issuedJuly7,2008by Yerkes Associates, Inc. 3. Valley Forge Sewer Authority Act 537PlanNeeds Analysis for in 2004,by Yerkes Associates, Inc. 2. Act 537PlanUpdatefor Willistown Township, dated2001asupdated Willistown Township, ChesterCounty, PA by Yerkes Associates, Inc. Administration ofSewerage Systems,dated August 1,1996, 1. StandardsforDesign,ConstructionandMaintenance Sewage Disposal Chester County, PA andits Watersheds, adoptedSeptember17,2002. 2. Watersheds, fault.aspx http://www.pawaterplan.dep.state.pa.us/statewaterplan/docroot/de- 1. PA State Water Planat Water Supply 2004. Pennsylvania RecreationPlan2004-2008. 5. Pennsylvania. DepartmentofConservation andNaturalResources. Parks andRecreation,NRPA, 6/1/2005 4. Parks and Youth Development: UnderstandingtheRoleofPublic 3. Tredyffrin Township Park, RecreationandOpenSpacePlan 2006 2. LondonGrove Township, Comprehensive Plan Amendment, July Chester County, PA, adoptedFebruary26,2002. 1. LinkingLandscapes, Parks and Recreation McKee andGaadtPerspectives, LLC dated December2002bytheCCWRA,CCPC,CampDresserand 3. CrumCreek,Ridley Creek,and Valley Creek Watershed Action Plans, Chester County, PA andits Watersheds, adoptedSeptember17,2002. 2. Watersheds, ual, DatedDecember30,2006,byPADEP 1. PADEP Pennsylvania Stormwater BestManagementPracticesMan- Stormwater Management d. Pennsylvania Water Planning c. Pennsylvania Water Atlas b. State Water PlanPrinciplesandExecutive Summary, March2009 a. Pennsylvania State Water Plan An Integrated Water ResourcesManagementPlanfor An Integrated Water ResourcesManagementPlanfor A PlanfortheProtectedOpenSpaceNetwork in Willistown comp plan FINAL_Layout 1 3/28/11 3:50 PM Page 157 Willistown compplanFINAL_Layout13/28/113:50PMPage158

willistown township | chester county | pennsylvania WWW.WILLISTOWN.PA.US 610-647-5300 malvern, pennsylvania 19355 40 lloyd avenue, suite 204/206 greentree office plaza planning commission willistown township