Summary of Recommendations from County Comprehensive Plans in the SEDA-COG Region Clinton County

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1 Clinton County Action Strategy Develop Public Shuttle Service. Advocate establishment of bus service for special events and specific destinations. Evaluate the need for park and ride facilities in outlying areas. Increase bicycle and pedestrian facilities and connections. Work with local officials and SEDA-COG to identify specific improvements and to have them added to the PennDOT Twelve Year Program. Continue to support needed improvements to the airport facilities as identified in the PennDOT Twelve Year Program. Explore opportunities for better connection to other transportation modes, including air, road, and transit. Goal Encourage the development of alternative mobility systems, including transit and bicycle/pedestrian facilities, where appropriate. Improve access for trucks to Western Clinton County to assist with economic development in the area. Make Piper Airport an integral part of the County s transportation and economic development network. Clinton Establish strategic alliances with adjacent counties and SEDA- COG to re-instate projects to upgrade US 220 to Interstate standards and completion of I-99. Organize to ensure that U.S. 220 is upgraded to I-99 status. Develop improvements that are coordinated, improve the visual and safety standards of the corridor and make PA 150 an attractive and efficient gateway to these communities. Work with PennDOT and local municipalities to make transportation/ land use improvements along PA 150 from Woodward Township to Bald Eagle Township/Mill Hall Borough. Continue to work closely with the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority to identify opportunities for rail service improvements within Clinton County. Monitor operations of Norfolk-Southern and their future plans. Work with existing and potential new businesses to identify rail needs and issues. Work with the Economic Partnership to promote rail services as a potential asset for new business development. Explore the potential for leisure excursion trains. Encourage the continuation and expansion of rail service in the County. N-1

2 Clinton County Action Strategy Continue efforts to attract additional charter services at the Airport. Market sport pilot license and the light-sport aircraft industry. Develop a program for County Scenic Byway designation. Provide model language for local zoning ordinances with signage provisions. Goal Make Piper Airport an integral part of the County s transportation and economic development network. Clinton Work to obtain funding to enhance the Bucktail Scenic Highway, including the creation of occasional pull offs and clearing overgrown trees in select areas to provide views of the River. Assist communities in preparing corridor management plans. Help promote County designated scenic byways via tourism agencies. Create additional scenic byways for Clinton County. Support and assist communities in submission of a Pennsylvania Byways nomination to PennDOT, where State designation is desired. Drawn from CLINTON COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE, Adopted September 8, 2005 N-2

3 Columbia County Action Strategy Policy The CCOPD should take the lead in developing a detailed transportation study to identify deficient or inadequate transportation facilities focusing on: Improvements to ease congestion and improve safety along U.S. Route 11 in the high growth areas, Determination of the viability of constructing a Berwick by-pass, Development of the Bloomsburg Airport, Examination of alleviating major traffic congestion areas. The Columbia County Commissioners should take the lead in developing a U.S. Route 11 coalition with adjoining counties to focus on assisting with the planning and implementation of improvements to U.S. Route 11. Columbia The Columbia County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA) should provide assistance and guidance in the planning and implementation of future transportation improvements. The CCIDA should specifically focus on the Berwick by-pass and Bloomsburg Airport issues. The Columbia County Commissioners should take the lead in the development of a County-wide priority listing of transportation improvements needed and be used as a guide in providing input into the development of the PennDOT 12-year plan. The Columbia County Planning Commission should advise the County Commissioners in the annual update of its priority listing of proposed projects for the PennDOT 12-year plan. The CCOPD should consider developing model traffic impact study requirements for incorporation into municipal and County subdivision and land development ordinances. The CCOPD should provide technical guidance in the update of municipal subdivision regulations to be flexible and in accordance with AASHTO and PennDOT guidelines. Designate public safety priorities for County bridges. Identify and map major transportation rights-of-way to be preserved for future use. Use of this map as a guide for municipalities to coordinate future Comprehensive Planning, Official map and zoning efforts. Rail rights-of-way should be considered for future use in the Rails to Trails program and for future road construction or extension. Encourage municipalities to develop and adopt an "Official Map" to reserve rights-of-way for future use. Provide a safe, efficient and congestion free transportation system that will adequately serve the proposed type, location and intensity of future land uses within the County. Promote the preservation of transportation rights-of-way to facilitate greater circulation of people and goods. N-3

4 Columbia County Columbia Action Strategy The County and municipalities should conduct short and long range transportation planning which is consistent with all aspects of the Comprehensive Plan. Pursuant to the development of the County-wide capital improvements program plan, as enumerated in Objective 1.2, an effort should be made by the CCOPD to annually review and update such a plan. All planning efforts should be continuous and coordinated with adjoining counties. Consideration of various funding methods for new transportation facility improvements should include the following: Highway Assessment for Capital Improvement, General Obligation Bonds, Turnbacks, Impact fees, ECONS, Liquid Fuels, Transportation Partnerships. The CCOPD should take an active role in coordinating the recommendations of the detailed transportation study and the Transportation Capital Improvements Program Plan. Policy To minimize land use, social, and environmental impacts; as well as construction and maintenance costs involved with new or improved transportation facilities. Provide a safe, efficient and congestion free transportation system that will adequately serve the proposed type, location and intensity of future land uses within the County. Drawn from the 1993 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE COUNTY OF COLUMBIA, PENNSYLVANIA Summary of Recommendations from Mifflin County Mifflin Recommendation Undertake preliminary engineering and environmental studies to address interchange deficiencies along U.S. Route 322. Develop a corridor study and environmental overview of U.S. Route 522 from Lewistown to Selinsgrove. Transportation study for the Borough of Lewistown - parking & traffic. Corridor study of U.S. Routes 22/522 south of McVeytown to Mount Union. Support the ongoing efforts with the South Central Centre County Transportation Improvement Plan to improve highway access between Centre and Mifflin Counties. Action & Implementation Strategy The county should continue to place high priority on the projects currently listed on PennDOT s Twelve Year Improvements Program. Consideration should also be given to new projects. N-4

5 Mifflin County Mifflin Recommendation As recommended in the Derry Township Comprehensive Plan (1997), investigate the feasibility of establishing a fixed route bus system that would serve Electric Avenue from Lewistown to Yeagertown to assist the elderly, employees of Standard Steel, the Hospital and other employers in the area, as well as reduce traffic on Electric Avenue during peak hours. Improve passenger rail service in Lewistown between Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Establish reliable high speed passenger train service between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with a scheduled stop in Lewistown. Consider developing a countywide, GIS based Transportation Information System (TIS) modeled on the TIS currently used by the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission. The county should consider integrating the location of current and proposed transportation improvement projects with its interactive Web Mapping Internet site. Local citizens could be made aware of each project s status, as well as providing them the opportunity to provide comment on potentially new transportation projects. Develop access control plans for major arterials on which direct access from abutting properties impairs the safe operation of the roadway(s). Improve upon the existing nonresidential Highway Occupancy Permit notification and coordination system with PennDOT. Support the SEDA-COG Joint Rail Authority in their efforts in preserving rail freight service and jobs in central Pennsylvania. Ensure the Mifflin County Airport Master Plan considers the provision of an efficient intermodal system to maximize the movement of freight between trucks, planes, and rail. Consider the feasibility of implementing a public transit system designed to service the High and Limited Growth Areas, as well as the Rural Development Areas discussed in the Future Land Use Plan. This may be initially accomplished by preparing a Transit Development Plan for these growth areas. Assist the Mifflin-Juniata Agency on Aging in monitoring the transit needs of transit dependent individuals. Action & Implementation Strategy The county should continue to place high priority on the projects currently listed on PennDOT s Twelve Year Improvements Program. Consideration should also be given to new projects. Continue to develop and enhance the county s transportation planning services. Strengthen the county s transportation planning role through municipal level transportation planning practices. Strengthen the county and region s ability to provide continued rail freight transportation services. Improve the county s ability to provide efficient and dependable public transportation services for all age groups and abilities. N-5

6 Mifflin County Mifflin Recommendation During land development reviews, recommend the provision for the development of interconnecting pedestrian walkways and bikeways to facilitate accessibility to areas of employment, transportation, and business services. In cooperation with SEDA-COG and PennDOT, develop a bicycle and pedestrian plan for the county. This should be tied in with the recommendation for preparing a Countywide Comprehensive Recreation, Parks, and Open Space Plan (See Infrastructure and Community Facilities Plan). Develop a detailed sidewalk/bicycle plan that will demonstrate how to expand and improve, in an affordable manner, the use and safety of sidewalk and trail facilities within the right-of-way adjacent to residential employment, retail, and recreational areas. Strongly encourage private commercial/employment-oriented development to provide bicyclists and pedestrians with necessary support systems, such as bicycle racks and lockers. Encourage municipalities to include provisions for pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the respective ordinances. In cooperation with SEDA-COG and PennDOT, coordinate between Amtrak, Greyhound and Trailways Bus Lines to improve connecting services for persons commuting between Lewistown and State College. Action & Implementation Strategy Improve the county s ability to sustain existing and future human-scale levels of movement. Improve the county s ability to sustain existing and future human-scale levels of movement. Improve the County s ability to sustain existing and future multi-modal modes of movement. The county should encourage local officials to include a transportation planning element in municipal comprehensive plans. Strengthen the county s transportation planning role through municipal level transportation planning practices. In consultation with the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP), the county should revise and adopt a standardized liquid fuels tax distribution formula. Continue to support both the Mifflin County Airport Authority and PennDOT in their efforts to develop, adopt, and implement the Master Plan. Foster a cooperative relationship between the Mifflin County Airport Authority and surrounding municipalities. Drawn from the MIFFLIN COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, adopted December 21, Revise the county s liquid fuels distribution formula. Support the planning efforts for the Mifflin County Airport Master Plan. N-6

7 Northumberland County Roadway Strategies Northumberland County shall develop a plan to monitor highway congestion, identify problem areas and recommend improvements. Recommended improvements will focus on improving the efficiency of the existing roadway network through intersection improvements and traffic signal timing coordination. Northumberland County will develop and actively promote strategies to manage transportation demand including car- and van-pooling, increased use of mass transportation, and the use of pedestrian and bicycle networks. Northumberland County will work closely with the municipalities and SEDA-COG in identifying hazardous segments of highway and in the implementation of projects that correct the problem in a safe and efficient manner. Specific and uniform highway design standards and principles as listed in the table below should be incorporated into each municipality's development control ordinances based on the functional classification of the roadway. Northumberland Where arterial roadways pass through densely developed areas, existing cartways should be used for the movement of vehicles rather than curbside parking. Municipalities should refrain from allowing strip commercial and residential developments that have individual access points onto arterial or major collector highways. When planning new limited-access expressways, the expressway should have at least four travel lanes, divided, with access points a minimum of one mile apart in urban areas and two miles apart in rural areas. When planning new limited-access expressways, interchanges and ties to other highways should be considered where they can relieve congestion on other roadways. When planning new limited-access expressways, where other policies of this Comprehensive Plan indicate that an area is suitable for growth interchanges should be provided and improvements made to intersecting arterials and major collectors to take full advantage of the new roadway. Before constructing any roadway, appropriate evaluation of impacts on the natural and social environments will be conducted. Municipalities should use options available to them under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to identify and preserve rightsof-way for new roadway corridors. The State, SEDA-COG, County, and municipalities should conduct active highway and bridge inspection and maintenance programs to identify and implement necessary improvements required to preserve existing infrastructure and prevent or delay costly replacements that could be avoided. N-7

8 Northumberland County Roadway Strategies The State and Federal governments should continue their practice of dedicating funding toward the repair and replacement of deficient State and municipal bridges. The County should continue to use its Liquid Fuels tax revenues to systematically repair or replace deficient County-owned bridges and, when available, as a supplement to State and local funding for municipally-owned bridges. Northumberland The State should continue turning back to municipalities, with their approval, the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of Stateowned roadways that serve essentially local traffic. The County will continue to seek recommendations from municipalities and citizens for roadway and bridge projects to be considered at each update of the State's Twelve-Year Program for transportation capital improvements. All available public funding sources for transportation projects should be expanded to meet the unmet demand. Non-traditional mechanisms such the use of Impact Fees as authorized under PA Act 209, of 1990 also should be used. Mass Transportation Strategies Policies The Federal, State and County governments should provide adequate financial support for the existing services. Northumberland County also should explore the provision of Public transportation should be extended to those areas of the County financial support to establish mass transit services to unserved with acceptable population densities. areas, particularly in and adjacent to the City of Sunbury and between the developing communities in the developing northern portion of the County. The Lower Anthracite Transportation System, with the assistance of Northumberland County and municipalities, should develop and maintain a program to encourage the use of public transportation services. Municipalities with land suitable for growth should promote, through zoning, densities sufficient to support public transportation. The provision of publicly supported mass transportation services will be promoted for all citizens to increase mobility, conserve energy resources, improve the environment, and increase economic growth. Design features to enhance the attractiveness of public transportation should be incorporated into appropriate municipal development regulations. Development within the Existing and Future Growth Areas should proceed at densities that can support cost-effective public transportation services and incorporate design elements that allow effective and efficient service. N-8

9 Northumberland County Mass Transportation Strategies Efforts to comply with ADA regulations should be supported in considering transit programs in Northumberland County. The provision of frequent fixed-route service to rural areas is not recommended. Recognizing, however, that transit-dependent persons are not restricted to the urban area, efficient para-transit service to the rural area should be supported. Policies In compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, all citizens shall have equal access to public transportation services. Funding for private non-profit agencies to purchase small transit vehicles for elderly and handicapped as allowed under the Urban Mass Transportation Act should be supported provided the service is available to the public. Aviation & Rail Strategies Public transportation should be developed in coordination with private providers and other forms of transportation to provide maximum interconnection of modes. Policies Northumberland All airports within Northumberland County should provide at least the minimum safety requirements as mandated by the FAA and Bureau of Aviation standards. Every municipality containing an airport hazard area shall adopt and enforce airport zoning regulations as required by Title 74, Chapter 59 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. The regulations may specify the land-uses permitted and regulate the height of structures and natural objects. The County will encourage the improvement of services at all airports to increase safety and capacity and will support the expansion of carrier services, provided the service is available to the public. Airport operators shall work closely with surrounding municipalities to ensure that local development regulations protect persons and property both on the ground and in the air. Improvements at the airport should be implemented in cooperation with users and surrounding municipalities. Northumberland County will support improvements to the region's airports in the PennDOT Twelve Year Program of capital projects. Municipal zoning ordinances should make maximum use of existing rail lines provided the location is consistent with other development policies contained within this Comprehensive Plan. The County will encourage the improvement of services at all airports to increase safety and capacity and will support the expansion of carrier services, provided the service is available to the public. All major industrial areas should have reasonable access to rail freight services. N-9

10 Northumberland County Northumberland Aviation & Rail Strategies Operators should conduct a systematic inspection and maintenance program of tracks, signals, and rolling stock to ensure safe operations. Rail service providers should investigate the adequacy of existing public rail sidings and relocate them if necessary. Northumberland County will support the addition and expansion of inter-modal (railroad-truck) services where appropriately sited. Adequate highway access between the sites and nearby arterials should be maintained to allow the safe and efficient movement of trucks. Where possible, at-grade crossings on arterials and major collectors should be eliminated and replaced with gradeseparated structures. Policies Maintenance of existing rail services and expansion to emerging industrial areas will be supported. Conflicts between highway and rail systems should be eliminated. Where they cannot be eliminated, safety features should be provided. Abandoned rail rights-of-way should be acquired, where feasible, for their reuse as transportation corridors (highway or rail) or multi-use recreational trails. Drawn from the NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, Adopted June 28, Summary of Recommendations from Snyder County Recommendations Action Strategy Objective Snyder Encourage the establishment of a transportation committee, comprised of a representative from PennDOT, Local Officials, and the County, to identify projects and improvements to be included in PennDOT s twelve year program. Keep the public/citizens informed of the process and recommendations for support and involvement. Annually identify, prioritize, and implement transportation system improvements, as well as enhance existing conditions. By providing safe and accessible highway and bridge systems to support the efficient movement of people and goods throughout the County and SEDA-COG region. N-10

11 Snyder County Recommendations Conduct a survey to establish the need for Public Transportation within the County or region. Partner with the Central Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce to recruit businesses that would utilize airport facilities. Continue to encourage municipal/community support in the operation of the Airport Authority. Encourage the County to take an active role in support, promotion, and development of the Airport. Action Strategy Efforts should be made to improve public transit service between Selinsgrove, Sunbury, and Lewisburg. Promote the Penn Valley Airport as a benefit to economic development opportunities. Objective Coordinating public transit and facilities planning to ensure accessibility to existing and new development. By improving, expanding, and marketing the Penn Valley Airport s facilities and services to support future economic growth. Snyder Work with SEDA-COG s Joint Rail Authority, and the Central Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce to recruit rail uses to the area. Preventative maintenance needs to be addressed, railroad crossings need to be better marked or signalized. Enhance communications with Norfolk Southern rail officials to foster a cooperative relationship in sustaining the Bridge Line Route and Sunbury Line rail systems. Continue to support those activities and/or entities as necessary to strengthen Snyder County and the region s rail freight services. By supporting and encouraging the continued use of Snyder County s rail freight services. Assist the Snyder County Planning Department with the development of bike routes within the County. Explore various funding sources such as Keystone Community Grants, and CDBG monies to develop sidewalks or trails. Encourage municipalities to adopt regulations that require sidewalks and provide design standards. Provide non-vehicular facilities, where possible, to link residential areas to scenic and natural areas, schools, businesses, and other community facilities; nonvehicular facilities include pedestrian walkways, trails, and bikeways. By promoting the concept of livable communities through the development of pedestrian walkways and bikeways that interconnect residential areas with employment, transportation, business, and recreation centers. N-11

12 Recommendations Summary of Recommendations from Snyder County The plan element should evaluate existing facilities and services as specified by the MPC, and identify deficiencies to be corrected or changes that will need to be made to accommodate future growth. A community facilities and utilities plan will be developed to focus on setting forth recommendations having strategic significance on the County s ability to accommodate future growth and development opportunities. Action Strategy As required by Section 301 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), Snyder County should prepare a planning element for community facilities and utilities and amend this Comprehensive Plan to include it. Objective Develop a study to gain a better understanding of the existing levels of community facilities and public utilities and services within Snyder County, including public sewer and water utilities, telecommunications, electric power, and natural gas facilities. Snyder Establish a formalized County coordinated transportation planning program that involves all of Snyder County s municipalities, SEDA-COG, local legislators and PennDOT District 3-0. Such a program could be modeled after Union County or Mifflin County s transportation planning programs. Work with local officials to evaluate the Plain Sect s transportation issues and concerns, particularly in terms of mobility along State Route 104 and other roadways located in the County s southeastern region. Prepare corridor studies of U.S. Route 522 from Middleburg to Selinsgrove and State Route 35 from Mount Pleasant Mills to Selinsgrove. These studies would look at improving traffic capacities, levels of service, recommend overall improvements including road realignment and widening where necessary, and review land uses along this corridor. Continue to work with local officials and SEDA-COG in identifying and programming local and regional transportation system improvements. Provide a countywide transportation planning program to enhance and sustain the County and region s efficient movement of people, goods and services. Drawn from Snyder County in the 21st Century, Adopted May 29, N-12

13 Union County Union Recommendations Develop model access management regulations for use by municipalities to improve traffic flow and safety along major corridors. Develop model regulations, including a traffic impact study ordinance and roadway design guidelines that address provision of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, for use in the land development process. Define a network and publish a map of preferred onroad routes for non-motorized travel. Pave shoulders of preferred routes to a width of six to eight feet where needed. Establish a countywide bicycle network and publish a map to enhance public awareness. Install signs and dedicated or shared bicycle lanes along identified routes. Develop an off-road, multi-use trail system, starting with the Mifflinburg-Lewisburg Rail Trail and Susquehanna Greenway Trail as priorities. Incorporate pedestrian facilities into transportation improvements projects wherever possible to provide connectivity throughout the County. Coordinate with school districts on Safe Routes to School program to promote safe travel routes for school children. Evaluate and prioritize needs for enhanced transit service in Union County. Consider establishing a community-based transportation management organization to assess and monitor public transit needs. Develop model parking regulations that reduce the number of spaces required through approaches such as shared parking, mixed-use development, and credits for multi-modal access. Include provisions for nonmotorized travel modes (bike racks and hitching posts for horse-drawn vehicles). Implement targeted capacity improvements, particularly along the US Route 15, PA Route 45, and PA Route 192 corridors and at higher volume intersections, to improve traffic flow through context-sensitive design solutions. Adopt access management ordinances to improve traffic flow and safety along the US Route 15, PA Route 45, and PA Route 192 corridors. Coordinate ordinances with adjacent municipalities along the corridors, including Buffalo Township in the Central Planning Area. Enact regulations defining the responsibilities of new developments to mitigate traffic impacts and provide for alternative travel modes (i.e., traffic impact study ordinance and roadway design guidelines that address provision of pedestrian and bicycle facilities). Go through the process required to enact traffic impact fee ordinances in accordance with the Pennsylvania Impact Fee Law, Act 209 of 1990 (amended in 2002). Consider adoption of a joint (multi-municipal) ordinance. N-13

14 Union County Recommendations Pave and maintain shoulders of roadways identified as part of the countywide non-motorized network by Action CW-52 to a width of six to eight feet to safely accommodate non-motorized users. Install/maintain signs and striping demarcating dedicated or shared bicycle lanes along streets and roadways identified as part of the countywide bicycle network by Action CW-53. Maintain and construct sidewalks as necessary to provide connected networks within walkable town and village centers, including the Primary Growth Area and the Secondary Growth Areas. Consider preparing and adopting official maps defining connected future street and sidewalk networks for the Primary Growth Area and the Secondary Growth Areas. Work with PennDOT to establish safe pedestrian facilities and connections to adjacent neighborhoods along US Route 15. Enact parking regulations that reduce the number of spaces required through approaches such as shared parking, mixed-use development, and credits for multimodal access. Include provisions for non-motorized travel modes (bike racks and hitching posts for horsedrawn vehicles where appropriate). Union Develop and implement a parking metering and permitting program in Lewisburg to encourage appropriate use of public parking areas. Develop and implement a parking signage plan in Lewisburg to guide both local residents and visitors to public parking areas. Implement targeted capacity improvements, particularly along the PA Route 45 corridor at higher volume intersections, to improve traffic flow through context sensitive design solutions. Adopt access management ordinances to improve traffic flow and safety along the PA Route 45 corridor. Coordinate ordinances with adjacent municipalities along the corridors, including East Buffalo Township in the Eastern Planning Area. Enact regulations defining the responsibilities of new developments to mitigate traffic impacts and provide for alternative travel modes (i.e., traffic impact study ordinance and roadway design guidelines that address provision of pedestrian and bicycle facilities). Monitor parking along Route 45 in Mifflinburg and consider the need for metered parking in the future if parking demand increases. Develop and implement a parking signage plan in Mifflinburg to guide both local residents and visitors to public parking areas. Monitor the need for capacity and safety improvements, particularly along the PA Route 45 corridor, to improve traffic flow through context-sensitive design solutions. Identify opportunities to develop multi-use trails in the Central Area. Drawn from Cultivating Community, A Plan for Union County's Future, Draft version. N-14