The Crash Course for Municipal Planning Commission Members in Cumberland County 1

Combination of background information and detailed technical “how to” information 3-night course, 7.5-hours total: 100 Level Course – Basic PC member background and orientation 200 Level Course – Comp plan preparation, ordinance review, and S/LD review “how to” 300 Level Course – Administration “how to” and emerging issues 2

Can we plan? – The legal framework for planning and the PC Why plan? – Making the case for the role of the PC What to plan? – Roles and responsibilities of the PC 3

Comprehensive plan preparation and amendment Contents Purpose Preparation Implementation S/LD application review and comment Process What to look for Helpful tips Ordinance preparation and review Purpose Process Helpful tips 4

PC administration Establishing review processes Running effective meetings Decision making do’s and don’ts Current and emerging issues Alternative energy Transportation Farmland preservation Others 5

The 100 Level Course 6

Name Municipality Years planning or related experience Reason why you wanted to become a PC member Top question you would like to have answered through the training 7

Establishing the legal framework for the PC 8

9 PA Municipalities Planning Code Act 247 of 1968, as amended Includes counties & home rule municipalities Excludes Philadelphia & Pittsburgh MPC Article II authorizes creation of planning commissions Governing body must create PC by ordinance

Appointed by governing body PC comprised of 3-9 members Majority must be citizens not employed by or an elected official of the municipality Appointed to 4-year terms May be compensated May be removed for mal/mis/non feasance 10

Elect chair, vice-chair & any other officers May take a variety of formats Commission, department, committee Establish own rules for procedures Subject to requirements of Sunshine Act & Open Records Law Meetings must be advertised & open to public Minutes & records must be open to public 11

PC must interact with a variety of other organizations Governing body Important to understand philosophy & policies Regular two-way contact Other boards, committees, authorities Zoning Hearing Board Recreation commission Historic preservation committee Environmental advisory committee Water and sewer advisory committee County planning commission Neighboring municipalities Private land-owners, developers, design professionals, business owners 12

Making the case for the role of the PC 13

Create the “blueprint” of your preferred community Manage the way your community changes Enhance the predictability in your community Create an attractive place to live/work/recreate Why wouldn’t you plan? 14

Should Be: Action oriented Dynamic Focused Community driven Streamlined Efficient Process driven Once and done Generic Special interest serving Time consuming Expensive Shouldn’t Be 15

Roles and Responsibilities of PCs 16

First and most detailed level of review for the municipality Link between the public, private sector and governing body Responsible for giving your governing body sound technical planning advice If you don’t plan, who will? 17

All activities are at the request of the governing body What is the best use of your PCs time? Required Prepare comprehensive plan Keep records of all actions Prepare annual report to governing body (due in March) Optional Review and comment on S/LD applications Prepare land use ordinances Review land use ordinance amendments Prepare & present various studies & plans Approve S/LD plans 18

Largest task, review required every 10 years by MPC Multidisciplinary blueprint to the future of your municipality Should be actively implemented by PC and partner organizations Many ways to meet basic requirements with variations in time and money 19

How old is your comp plan? Does your comp plan still reflect a realistic vision for your community? Are there inconsistencies between your comprehensive plan and ordinances? 20

Usually take up biggest percentage of PC’s time PC review is generally more technical & detailed than governing body’s review Make use of township staff and professionals Consider any recommendations from county PC 21

Do the S/LD plans meet your zoning and S/LD? Can the S/LD plans be improved? Do you like the layout and design of the plans that you are seeing? Is your process to review and comment on S/LD plans as efficient as it can be? 22

Implement the goals & objectives from comp plan Consider impact of proposals on entire municipality, not just site Consider consistency with county and neighbors Must reflect requirements of MPC & any case law 23

Implement the goals & objectives from comp plan Identify issues with zoning/S/LD through conduct of business Be cognizant of emerging trends May require assistance from staff or consultants Consider consistency with county and neighbors Must reflect requirements of MPC & any case law is a good resource to review major law cases 24

Have you seen repeated problems with your ordinances in S/LD plans? How old are your zoning and subdivision ordinances? Do you receive repeated zoning amendment requests? Does your ordinance need an entire overhaul or just a tweak? 25

Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Consistent with comp plan and zoning Identify preferred sewer service areas Estimates supply and demand Requires planning module with every S/LD application Water supply Environmental resources Historic preservation Housing Economic Development Hazard Mitigation Open Space / Farmland Preservation “Make such studies as…necessary…to fulfill this act.” 26

Are there specific issues in your municipality that require more study? What specific answers do you need? What outcomes would be desirable is a special study was conducted? Is the study an “in-house” or outsourced effort? 27

Every PC member should have as applicable: Municipalities Planning Code DCED Planning Series publications Municipal comp plan S/LD and zoning ordinance Official map County Data Comp plan Online GIS data/tools Any related maps / plans Village plans, downtown plans, etc. Many of these documents are on your PCU CD 28

Same Location, Same Time 29