442 The Comprehensive Plan for Lycoming County, PA Phase II ADOPTED AUGUST 10, 2006 Policy Technical Document Background Studies LYCOMING COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN GIS Map Set The Lycoming County Comprehensive Plan is comprised of three documents: Policy Document Plan of Regional Cooperation and Partnership Relationship to Adjacent and Regional Municipalities Plan Review, Maintenance and Approval Technical Background Studies Community Development Profile Natural and Cultural Resources Profile Land Use Profile Transportation Profile Community Facilities Profile Utilities Profile GIS Map Set Resource Inventory Maps Future Land Use Map Future Transportation Map The Comprehensive Plan for Lycoming County, PA Completed and Adopted By The Lycoming County Board of Commissioners Rebecca A. Burke Richard T. Nassberg Ernest P. Larson Prepared by Lycoming County Planning Commission W. E. Toner Hollick, Chairman Charles D. Springman, Vice Chairman Joseph H. Neyhart, Secretary Richard D. Haas, Treasurer Robert E. Waltz Robert E. Bauder, P.E. Dr. George A. Durrwachter, D.M.D. Roger D. Jarrett Ann S. Pepperman Charles F. Greevy, III, Solicitor Lycoming County Department of Planning and Community Development Jerry S. Walls, AICP, Executive Director Kurt Hausammann, Jr., AICP, Deputy Director Clifford A. Kanz, AICP Allen E. Kaplan, P.G. William R. Kelly Kevin L. McJunkin Mark R. Murawski Joshua A. Billings Fred G. Pfeiffer Frances E. Jones Consultants Gannett Fleming, Inc. Delta Development Group Larson Design Group Lycoming County | Contents c Comprehensive Plan Preamble P-1 Chapter 1 Introduction 1-1 Role and Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan Relationship of the Comprehensive Plan to Other Policy and Action Plans Definition and Overview of the Lycoming County Planning Area The Planning Process Chapter 2 Community and Economic Development Plan 2-1 - Includes community goals and objectives related to demographic, housing, and economic trends - Outlines a strategic plan for a more balanced population by age, more diversified housing options, and a stronger, more diverse economy Chapter 3 Land Use and Resource Management Plan 3-1 - Includes community goals and objectives related to land use and natural and cultural resources, including sensitive areas, such as steep slopes and floodplains Lycoming County| Contents - Outlines a strategic plan for land and resource stewardship, coordinated with infrastructure planning and development Chapter 4 Transportation Plan 4-1 - Includes community goals and objectives related to the movement of people and goods - Outlines a strategic plan for a multi-modal transportation network that improves mobility for people and the economy - Includes a County Scenic Byways program Chapter 5 Community Infrastructure Plan 5-1 - Includes community goals and objectives related to community facilities and services, and public utilities - Outlines a strategic plan for the effective delivery of services to County residents and businesses Chapter 6 Interrelationship of the Four Planning Elements 6-1 Chapter 7 Relationship and Consistency with County Plans 7-1 Chapter 8 Consistency with Local and Regional Planning 8-1 Relationship to Adjacent and Regional Municipalities Chapter 9 Implementation 9-1 Plan of Regional Cooperation and Partnership: Responsibilities to the Planning Partnership and Key Municipal Actions Plan Review and Maintenance Appendix Glossary and References a-1 Lycoming County| Contents List of Figures Figure 1 Lycoming County Planning Areas................................................................................................1-6 Figure 2 The Planning Process..................................................................................................................1-9 Figure 3 Percent of Individuals Below Poverty Level.................................................................................2-9 Figure 4 Trends in Population by Generation, Lycoming County, 1980-2000.........................................2-11 Figure 5 County and Planning Area Wages versus State Median...........................................................2-12 Figure 6 Lycoming County Wages versus State Median per Industry, 2000...........................................2-12 Figure 7 Housing Diversity (units in structure), Lycoming County, 2000.................................................2-14 Figure 8 Housing Diversity (units in structure), Rural Planning Area of Lycoming County, 2000 ...........2-15 Figure 9 Household Types, 1990 and 2000.............................................................................................2-16 Figure 10 Age of Housing Stock, Lycoming County, 2000 ......................................................................2-17 Figure 11 Age of Housing Stock, Rural Planning Area of Lycoming County, 2000.................................2-18 Figure 12 Employment Change in Lycoming County, 1990-2000 ...........................................................2-19 Figure 13 Employment Change in Pennsylvania, 1990-2000..................................................................2-19 Figure 14 Poverty Levels in the Greater Williamsport Alliance Planning Area........................................2-23 Figure 15 Ridgetop Illustration from the Lycoming County Zoning Ordinance..........................................3-7 Figure 16 Lycoming County Vision Map ..................................................................................................3-19 Figure 17 Lycoming County Vision Map ....................................................................................................9-4 List of Matrices Matrix 1 Potential Breadth of Impact of Community and Economic Development Strategies.................2-29 Matrix 2 Potential Breadth of Impact of Land Use and Resource Management Strategies ....................3-20 Matrix 3 Potential Breadth of Impact of Transportation Strategies ............................................................4-8 Matrix 4 Potential Breadth of Impact of Community Facilities, Services and Infrastructure Strategies...5-11 Matrix 5 Common Key Issues among Lycoming County and its Planning Areas......................................8-2 List of Tables Table 1 Population Change, Lycoming County, 1970-2000 ......................................................................2-4 Table 2 Resident Mobility, Lycoming County, 1995-2000 .........................................................................2-5 Table 3 Housing Affordability, Lycoming County, 2000 .............................................................................2-7 Table 4 Demographic Trends for the Greater Williamsport Alliance Planning Area................................2-22 Table 5 Population Projections ................................................................................................................2-25 Table 6 Population Forecasts ..................................................................................................................2-26 Table 7 Population Targets......................................................................................................................2-28 Table 8 Select Land Use Regulations of Rural Planning Area Municipalities ...........................................3-6 Table 9 Top 10 Natural Area of Statewide Significance in Lycoming County .........................................3-10 Table 10 State Historical Markers in Lycoming County ...........................................................................3-15 Table 11 Recommended Land Use and Development Guidance for Growth Areas and Future Growth Areas ........................................................................................................................................3-45 Table 12 Recommended Land Use and Development Guidance for Rural Resource Areas .................3-49 Table 13 Recommended Land Use and Development Guidance for Special Resource Areas ..............3-51 Lycoming County| Contents Lycoming County | Preamble p Comprehensive Plan The Commissioners are pleased to adopt the Lycoming County Comprehensive Plan. The plan is a policy document that provides guidance to the County and Municipalities in several areas such as land use, transportation, housing, infrastructure, and community development. The plan is not a regulatory document and should not be used as such. The quality of life in Lycoming County is like no other in Pennsylvania. The people, the economy, and the resources here are intimately entwined to provide safe, sound environments for raising a family, invigorating settings for education, stimulating opportunities for business and industry, and scenic landscapes. Lycoming County is a great place to live for the diversity of living environments it offers. The City of Williamsport is the urban hub –- the cultural center of activity –- for a wide range of residential neighborhoods. Small towns, such as Hughesville, Jersey Shore, and Muncy, are classic American towns, with Main Street mixed-use business districts, gridded street layouts, and walkable distances between residential neighborhoods, schools, and libraries. The County’s villages are meeting places for rural residents and gateways to the rural landscape for County visitors; they host occasional restaurants, churches and social clubs. Finally, the vast, rolling landscape, covered in field and forest patterns provides solace for those who prefer to live as much in the natural environment as in the human community. Lycoming County is a great place to work! The