COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

TULPEHOCKEN TOWNSHIP

BERKS COUNTY PA.

LIGHT- HEIGEL 8 ASSOCIATES, INC

PALMYRA, PENNSYLVANIA

. I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

~I I I 1

~’

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

TULPEHOCKEN TOWNSHIP

BERKS COUNTY PA. JUL 10 1991

LIGHT - HEIGEL a ASSOCIATES, INC.

PALMYRA, PENNSYLVANIA

TABLE OF C0NTE"S

Chapter

. 1. IIVI'RODUCTION TO PLANNING

Responsibility for the Planning Document Who Should Use the Comprehensive Plan Implementing the Comprehensive Plan Implications of Planning on a Regional Scale

Berks County Comprehensive Plan - 1985 Planning in Adjacent Municipalities

REGIONAL SETTING AND HISTORY OF DEVELOEMENT 2.

Regional Setting History of Development Township Churches '

Changing Character

3. POPULATION STUDY

Past Population Trends Population Projections

4. NATURALFEATURES

Drainage Geology Slopes Soi 1s

Soil Survey of Berks County Soil Associations Soil Suitability for On-site Disposal

of Sewage Effluent

5. EXISTING LAND USE

Agriculture and Woodland Residential Uses

The Farmstead Single Family Detached Mobile Homes Two-Family Dwellings Multi-Family Dwellings

General Retail Motor Vehicle Sales and Service Personal, Business, Professional and

Commercial Uses

Repair Services Manufacturing Junk Yards Transportation, Communications and Utilities

i

Page

1

4

4 5 6 6

7

7 8

10

10 10 11 11 11 12

12

15

15 17 17 17 18 18 19 19 19 19

20 20 21 21

I I I I I

I m

I I -I I I I I I I I I I

'I I I 1

Community Facilities and Services ,

Pub1 ic Educa t ion Private EducatiodTraining Churches Recreation Facilities Postal Service Protection and Medical Facilities Libraries

Water Supply Sewage Disposal Solid Waste Disposal

Water Supply, Sewage and Solid Waste Disposal

Summary and Conclusions

6. STREETS AND HIGHWAYS

Types of Highways Arterials Collectors Local Roads

Planned Improvements Summary and Conclusions

7. DEVEU)PMENT AND POLICY STATEMENTS

Preservation of the Natural Environment Community Appearance The Economy Affordable Housing Community Services Transportation

8 . CCMPREHENSIVEPLAN

Growth Potential Economic Considerations Transportation Proposals Future Land Use

Residential Areas Comrcial Development Manufacturing Agriculture and Woodland Public Facilities Conservation Areas

Housing Facilities

Recreation Facilities Water Utilities Sewer Services Solid Waste

22 22 23 23 25 25 25 26 26 26 26 27 28

29

29 29 29 30 30 30

31

31 32 32 33 33 34

35

35 36 36 39 39 43 43 44 45 45 45 45 46 46 46 47

i i

9. IMPLEMJ3I"TTEON

Land Use Regulation Planned Residential Development (PRD) Ordinance Building Code Fire Prevention Code Plumbing Code Electrical Code Housing Code

Financial Assistance Continuing the Planning Program Role of the Township Planning Commissions Role of the Township Supervisors

RES@LUTION OF ADOPTION

APPENDIX

48

48 48 48 49 49 49 49 49 49 50 SL3

5 1

52

i i i

I 1 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I U I I I I I 1 I I I I I

11 I

I I

II

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

a 9 10

LIST OF DIAGRAMS

Diagram

Past Population Trends 8 Population Projections 8 Summary of Existing Land Use 16 Dwelling Units OE Type and Location 17 General Retail Establishments 19 Motor Vehicle Sales and Service Establishments 20

Services 20 Local Manufacturing Establishments 21

Personal, Business, Professional and Repair

Tulpehocken Area School District Building Status 23 hcal Churches 24

1 2

Ideas for Better Subdivision Design Lotting Practices Along Major Roads

40 41

i v

CHAPTER1

INTRODUCTION "Yl PLANNING

The Planning Document contains material developed as a part of the planning program for the township of Tulpehocken. into two basic parts. information on the past development and existing conditions found within the tamship. natural features, housings, population, transportation network, and community facilities and utilities. of public policies for the development of Tulpehocken Township. divided into mjor sections on development policy, future land use, transportation plans, community facilities and utilities plans, and implementation.

The Document is divided The first, Community Analysis, provides factual

This includes an analysis of such subjects as:

Part two, the Comprehensive Plan, contains the official expression This Plan is

Responsibility for the Planning Document

The Planning Document represents the combined efforts of the Planning Commission and Supervisors of Tulpehocken Township. This material was < prepared by the consultants during twelve months of study, review, and critical appraisal by the Plam-ing Commissioners and Supervisors. The Supervisors were the final authority on the policies contained in the Plan. It is they who are the policy-making body directly responsible to the citizenry -- the voter.

It should be clearly recognized by all who use this report that the policies expressly prepared at one time will need to be changed as social and economic conditions change. A policy that at another time; consequently, the information on which these policies are based is expected to need periodic updating, and it is also intended that the Planning Connnissions and Supervisors will review annually the policies expressed herein to insure that they are consistent with the social, economic and physical conditions of the area, and the goals and aspirations of the citizen.

Who Should Use the Comprehensive Plan

The Comprehensive Plan is the official statement of public policy by the The Township Supervisors concerning the growth and development of the area.

Plan is intended to be used by the Township Supervisors, any departments of tamship government that may be formed, units and agencies of other governments, and by private citizens and members of the business community. It is intended to be used as the basis for planning capital improvements and rendering the services for which township government is responsible. Comprehensive Plan should provide the necessary information to other units and agencies of local, state, and federal government that will permit coordination of planning and development programs. individual citizens and members of the business cornunity with sufficient information to facilitate planning, protect existing development, and indicates new areas of opportunity for private action.

The

The Planning Document should provide

1

I I 1 I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1

Implementing the Comprehensive Plan

There are three basic ways in which the policy of a Comprehensive Plan can be eEfectively implemented. support, the policies pertaining to relationships of various land uses generally will be followed voluntarily by citizens who carry out specific projects. Voluntary cooperation is not always assured, however. Consequently, regulatory codes and ordinances are required to insure compliance with established development standards. tools, a zoning ordinance and land subdivision regulations, are as part of this joint planning program.

If .the Plan has wide public acceptance and

Tbo important regulatory

Finally, the mre general plans and policies set forth in the Comprehensive Plan may be implemented by developing precise public project plans. public utility systems such as sewage and water, and public buildings. the Plan may be implemented through voluntary cooperation, through use of precise public plans, and through effectively administered codes and ordinances. Chapter 9.

These include plans for roads, parks, and recreation areas, schools, Thus,

Some of these implementation tools will be elaborated upon in

Implications of Planning on a Regional Scale

Appropriate plans for Tulpehocken cannot be developed until the plans of adjacent municipalities and Berks County have been taken into consideration. This is especially true with respect to the plans for regional transportation facilities, regional part and recreation areas, and public facilities such as water supply, sewerage and solid waste disposal.

Berks County Comprehensive Plan - 1985. Tulpehocken, along with the townships of Bethel, Upper Tulpehocken, Penn and Jefferson, and the borough of Bernville and Strausstown, comprise Planning Area VI1 of the Berks County Comprehensive Plan - 1985. Commission calls for Planning Area V I 1 to remain as a completely rural environment with agriculture and recreation-open space being the predominant land uses. developmnt and preserved for outdoor recreation. Great Valley should continue to be farmed where conditions are favorable.

The plan concept proposed by the Berks County Planning

The woods of the Blue Mountain are to be protected from The rolling land of the

The Land Use Plan Map shows the great majority of the township as agriculture and open space. designated as forest preserve. growth primarily locate in or adjacent to existing settlements, small concentrations of residential development are shown at the villages of Frystown, Mt. Aetna, and Rehrersburg. of the interchanges to Interstate 78 and in the village centers. new comercia1 expansion, however, is anticipated to occur adjacent to the interchanges. Other land uses designated for the township on the Land Use Plan Map include: and two small existing industrial establishments. propose new industrial areas for Planning Area VII.

A sizeable area in southeastern Tulpehocken is Since the Plan recornends that new residential

Commercial development is shown at each Almost all

institutional uses such as churches, the elementary school, The County Plan doesnot

2

Planning i n Adjacent Municipagities. Tulpehocken is bordered on the east and sou th by t h e townships o f Upper Tulpehocken, J e f f e r s o n and Marion, and to t h e no r th by B e t h e l Township, a l l i n B e r k s County. None has a comprehensive p l a n or is i n t h e process o f prepar ing one. The s tudy area is bounded on t h e west by B e t h e l Township and Jackson Township, both of which are i n Lebanon County. B e t h e l has no local comprehensive p lan ; however, Jackson Township had a p l a n prepared by t h e Lebanon County Planning Commission i n 1970. Jackson Township t h a t is adjacent to t h e Township is des igna ted f o r a g r i c u l t u r a l uses . Lebanon County also has a county comprehensive p l an t h a t shows t h e area bordering Tulpehocken as a n a g r i c u l t u r a l region.

The area of

I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I

3 I

I I I I I I I I I I

CHAPTER2

REGIONAL SEITING AND HISTORY OF DEVELX)PMENT

Regional Setting

Tulpehocken Township is located in the extreme northwest corner of Berks County in a physiographic region known as the Great Valley. comprises 23.1 square miles of gently rolling to hilly countryside that is devoted primarily to farming. 111 persons per square mile. population is clustered in and around the villages oE Mt. Aetna and Rehrersburg, the actual number of persons per square mile is closer to 67, making it one of the lowest population density areas in the-county.

The area

The 1980 population of 2,569 amounted to only Considering that much of the township's

Jackson Township in Lebanon County forms the western boundary, Marion Township lies directly south of Tulpehocken, and the townships of Jefferson and Upper Tulpehocken border the study area on the east: Bethel Township in Berks County lies to the north. With the exception of the Swatara Creek, the boundaries of the township are basically artificial political lines that were drawn by surveyors in the 1700's and early 1800's.

Tulpehocken Township is approximately 20 to 25 miles from Reading, which explains why much of the area is mre oriented toward Myerstown and Lebanon. Myerstown is three miles from Mt. Aetna. Many of the residents of the area shop and work in these t w o Lebanon County comni t ies.

Lebanon is 10 miles from Mt. Aetna.

Interstate 78 provides local residents excellent access to Harrisburg some 35 miles to the west and Allentown 50 miles to the east. North-south travel is provided by Routes 501, 645, and 419. south via mute 501 while Pottsville is approximately 25 miles to the north via Route 419.

Lancaster is 35 miles to the

Route 183 provides the principal access to the Reading area.

Berks County and southeastern Pennsylvania as a whole are part of a much larger region that stretches along the Eastern Seaboard from southern New Hampshire to northern Virginia. "Megalopolis" contains the Nation's center of political pawer--Washington, and the apex of the most financial, corporate and communications decisions--New York City. Philadelphia and Baltimore, are less than a three-hour drive from any part of Tulpehocken Township. evidence of close proximity to these cities is the large volume of traffic on Interstate 78.

This region which is comnly referred to as

Both cities, along with the major metropolitan centers of

To many local residents, however, the only noticeable

4

History of Development

The northwestern corner of B e r k s County was settled i n 1723 by German Pa la t ines . o f New Y o r k State u n t i l they reached the Swatara Creek . settlers followed the Swatara eastward and e s t a b l i s h e d farms i n Tulpehocken Township. a f t e r t h e t r e a t y by which t h e T u r t l e Indians sold the e n t i r e area between Blue

They t r ave led down the Susquehanna River from t h e Schoharie Val ley From t h e r e t h e

Se t t lement d i d no t occur i n B e t h e l Township u n t i l 1733, f i v e y e a r s

-* Mountain and South Mountain.

Tulpehocken Township, named for the Indian word Tulpewihaki, which means "Land of Tur t l e s " , was e s t a b l i s h e d by the c o u r t i n Lancaster i n 1729. a d d i t i o n to p r e s e n t day Tulpehocken, i t o r i g i n a l l y included t h e townships o f Upper Tulpehocken, Marion and Je f f e r son . Tulpehocken i n 1820, Marion was c r e a t e d as a separate township i n 1843, and J e f f e r s o n Township was c r e a t e d i n 1851.

I n

Upper Tulpehocken s p l i t from

Three highways played an important role i n t h e e a r l y growth of northwestern B e r k s County. Berks and Dauphin Turnpike. Sinking Spr ings and Lebanon. P resen t day U.S. 422 fo l lows t h i s same route . The B e r n v i l l e Road, Pa. 183, went from Reading to State H i l l and Bernv i l l e , and e v e n t u a l l y to Mil le rsburg (Bethe l ) . part o f Lebanon and B e r k s Count ies and connected t h e v i l l a g e s o f Rehrersburg, Strausstown and S h a r t l e s v i l l e . i n f luences t h e growth of Tulpehocken, although not located wi th in boundaries , was t h e Union Canal. I t w a s dug along Tulpehocken Creek i n 1828 and f o r many years served as a n important t r a n s p o r t a t i o n l i n k between t h e northwestern part of t h e county and Reading.

The f i r s t highway to t r a v e r s e t h e area was t h e I t was b u i l t i n 1729 and connected Reading wi th

State Road was b u i l t across t h e upper

Another important t r a n s p o r t a t i o n l i n k t h a t

Tulpehocken was almost exc lus ive ly a r u r a l a g r i c u l t u r a l township; however, s e v e r a l s i g n i f i c a n t t r a d i n g c e n t e r s d i d develop a t t h e beginning of the n i n t e e n t h century. The o r i g i n a l p l a n included 94 lots t h a t were disposed of by lottery. another 53 lots were laid o u t on t h e nor th s i d e o f town. The early i n d u s t r i e s of Rehrersburg included coachmaking, organ bui ld ing , tanning, foundry work and brick manufacturing. shop, s add le ry and t insmi th . by way o f B e r n v i l l e was e s t a b l i s h e d i n 1818.

Rehrersburg was laid o u t i n 1803 by Jacob Rehrer. I n 1819

There were gene ra l stores, inns, a lumber yard, tai lor Dai ly mail s e r v i c e from Womelsdorf and Reading

M t . Aetna was l a i d o u t i n 1810-by Pe te r Wohleber and f o r many years called Wohleberstown. o f f i c e was e s t a b l i s h e d . s e v e r a l c r a f t shops and a number of m i l l s . r es idences .

The name M t . Aetna was adopted i n 1854 then t h e post I n 1885 t h e r e were four stores, t h r e e t ave rns ,

By 1900, t h e v i l l a g e had 55 The cross-roads v i l l a g e of Host also g o t its start i n t h e 1800's .

I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I 1 1 1 I 5

I I I I I I I I I I

Township Churches

Churches played an important part in the early growth and social development of the township. they were founded follows:

A listing of the early churches and the dates

St. John's Host Church - 1728 Altalaha Lutheran Church - 1757 Trinity Church - 1847 Little Swatara Church of the Brethren - 1856 St. John's United Church of Christ - 1885 Rehrersburg Mennonite - 1972

Changing Character

Farming remained almst the sole way of life until all-weather roads and the autombile made outside areas convenient. along with improved access, provided by Pa. Routes 501, 419, 645 and 183, helped to slowly change the character of the area from almost exclusively agricultural to agricultural and rural non-farm. population of Tulpehocken increased by 217 persons; during the next decade another 208 residents were added to the population. that Tulpehocken is starting to take on the character of an area whose population is largely rural non-farm.*

The construction of U.S. 22,

Between 1940 and 1960 the

These figures alone show

*Information on the history of Tulpehocken Townships was taken largely from: L. Montgomery, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1909, pp.306-307.

Historical and Biographical Annals of Berks County Pennsylvania, Morton I 6

CHAPTER3

POPULATION STUDY

Consideration must be given to the population trends of an area in any planning program. A population study will review and analyze past population trends, and will utilize this review and analysis as the basis for projecting future population. This population projection m y then be used to determine the approximate demand for new residential development, and the amount of land that will be required for new residences. land needed for future residential development are utilized when preparing the future land use plan map and zoning map.

These projections of the amunt of

Past Population Trends

The graph on the following page illustrates the individual population trends that have taken place since 1900 for the township, and the combined trends for the township. be discerned by reviewing these charts. First, during the 1900-1930 period the area was largely agriculturally oriented, and the rural villages served the commercial needs of the farm population. As farming became more mechanized and efficient, fewer families were needed to till the soil; and fewer village families were, in turn, needed to serve the connnercial needs of the declining farm population. Therefore, the population of the area showed a steady declining trend from 1900 through 1930. Also during this period, many farm homes and homes of hired hands were either abandoned or were ultimately converted to single family homes occupied by non-farming families.

It appears that three distinct population trends can

The increasing population trend in the township during the 1930-1940 decade probably is the result of the Great Depression. During this period, jobs in urban areas were scarce. of life and more young people remained on the farm rather than seeking jobs elsewhere. level since they supplied the goods and services to the rural population of the area. their shopping in earlier periods, so that the villages were far mre important commercial centers than they are today.

Many families returned to farming as a way

The village populations would have been maintained at a steady

It is important to remember that few people traveled very far to do

It appears that a distinct change in the type of population inhabitating the area began sometime during they latter half of the 1940's. Sometime late in that decade the first discernible trend toward suburban development began and significant numbers of people who were employed outside the area began to live in Tulpehocken Township.

The scattered clusters of small-scale suburban development that began reaching out into the area was especially evident during the 1960'~~ when an approximate 13 percent increase in population took place.

7

I I I I I 1 I I 1 I I I 1 I I ?I I I I

. .

decade r evea l t h a t , as land p r i c e s rise in suburban cities, people tend to m v e o u t and cons t ruc t homes Tulpehocken.

areas close to i n r u r a l areas

t h e c e n t r a l such as

The numbers of new ind iv idua l s and f ami l i e s projected f o r t h e area are no t overwhelming i n absolute numbers, but they w i l l s t i l l be q u i t e s i g n i f i c a n t l o c a l l y . I t is also important to consider t he f a c t t h a t i f a large-scale development or a l a r g e mobile home park were to be cons t ruc ted wi th in t h e township, i t could r a d i c a l l y change t h i s g r w t h fo recas t .

Th i s p ro jec t ed popula t ion growth means t h a t t h e new r e s i d e n t s o f Tulpehocken Township must be provided f o r i n such a way as to avoid problems for them as w e l l as problems for t h e e x i s t i n g r e s i d e n t s and taxpayers. example, r e s i d e n t i a l c l u s t e r s t h a t are allowed to develop on lots t h a t are of an inadequate s i z e w i l l mean t h a t sewage problems w i l l occur and t h a t t h e e x i s t i n g water table i n some areas may even be lowered s i g n i f i c a n t l y . Allowing s t r ips o f r e s i d e n t i a l development to occur a t scattered p o i n t s a long a l l t w n s h i p and state highways w i l l cause t r a f f i c hazards and congest ion a long key t r a f f i c routes (as w e l l as a d d i t i o n a l expense and d i s r u p t i o n when t h e s e roadways must be widened i n t h e f u t u r e ) .

For

A t t h i s po in t , it appears t h a t t h e Comprehensive P lan should encourage some c l u s t e r i n g o f new res idences , a t responsible d e n s i t i e s , i n o rde r to best accommdate t h e growth of t h e area, to preserve t h e area's farmland, and to protect t h e t r a f f i c ca r ry ing c a p a c i t y of t h e township r o u t e s as well. Development should also be restricted or proh ib i t ed i n those areas t h a t are s e v e r e l y a f f e c t e d by t h e limitations imposed by n a t u r a l fea tures . inc lude f lood plains, seasona l high water t a b l e s , and areas or steep slopes. These n a t u r a l l i m i t a t i o n s are d iscussed in more d e t a i l i n Chapter 4.

These

9

I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I 1

The following table illustrates the population trends OE the ,township since 1900:

TABLE 1 PAST POPULATION TRENDS

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 * 1982 * 1984 * 1986

* 1988

SOUEECES:

.1 , 764 1,520 1 , 422 1,366 1,538 1,602 1,583 1,791 2,569 2,510 2,624 2,620

2,700

U.S. CENSUS OF POPULATION * ESTIMATED BY U.S. BUREAU OF THE CENSUS

Population Projections

--- -13.8 -6.5 -3.9 +12.6 +4.2 -1.2 +13.1 +43.4 -2.3 +4.6

LESS THAN 1/2 OF 1% D-E +5.6

Based upon an analysis of past population trends and a review of recent

This projection is in Table 2. development in the area, Light-Heigel h Associates has made an estimate of the future population growth. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 25 persons, since an absolutely accurate estimate of the population of a small area 10 and 20 years hence is not possible. The general trend and magnitude of population growth, however, can be estimated and is important since this population growth will have great bearing upon the plan .

TABLE 2 POPULATION PRXECTIONS

YEAR ,ADDITIONAL

POPULATION PERSONS PERCENTAGE

1990 2,850 2000 3,225

The projections in Table 2 estimated to increase during the

230 8.8 3 62 12.7

show that the rate of population growth is planning period. Trends during the past

8

NATURAL FEATURES

Natural f e a t u r e s can determine t h e s u i t a b i l i t y of a p a r t i c u l a r parcel of land for gene ra l urban development. Any complete Township Comprehensive Plan OK zoning ordinance should seek to d e l i n e a t e those genera l ized areas i n which t h e m u n t or type of f u t u r e development should be either s e v e r e l y restricted OK prohibited. slopes, flood p la ins , and areas with high water tables. should also be con t ro l l ed i n areas containing soils t h a t w i l l no t properly absorb and treat septic tank e f f l u e n t .

Such districts might include areas o f excess ive ly steep Development densities

T h i s chapter reviews t h e local n a t u r a l f e a t u r e s o f Tulpehocken Tonnship, including: drainage, geology, slopes and soils. The information contained i n t h i s chapter w i l l be an important part of t h e a n a l y s i s t h a t determines t h e Comprehensive Plan.

Drainage

P b s t of Berks County l i es i n the drainage area o f t h e Sc l iuy lk i l l River. However, o n l y a small por t ion of the total area of t h e township is found i n the S c h u y l k i l l River dra inage area. p o r t i o n of Tulpehocken Township which gene ra l ly lies east of Cherry H i l l Road and south of Schaefferstown Road. t r i b u t a r i e s . Creek and its t r i b u t a r i e s . The L i t t l e Swatara forms t h e nor thern boundary of Tulpehocken Township. Drainage i n t o t h i s creek is carried to t h e Susquehanna River and even tua l ly reaches t h e Chesapeake Bay.

This is t h e area i n t h e sou theas t e rn

The area is dra ined by M i l l Creek and its The r e m i n d e r of Tulpehocken is dra ined by the L i t t l e Swatara .

Tulpehocken township is located i n t h e Great Valley region.

The geo log ica l s t r u c t u r e s underlying the major portions of t h e township

These s t r u c t u r e s are e s s e n t i a l l y

are Martinsburg formations from t h e Ordivician period. described as a gray to dark g r a y s h a l e with sandstone interbeds. l imestone may also be found i n these areas. impervious, however, some fo ld ing and j o i n t i n g h a s occurred. Wells t h a t are jud ic ious ly located along these folds or j o i n t s would probably be a b l e to supply adequate amounts of water f o r i n d u s t r i a l or municipal use. have reported over 200 gal lons .

These formations are Some

A few wells

The geology under and surrounding the Blue Mountains consists o f a Shawangunk formation from t h e S i l u r i a n geologica l era. usua l ly l i g h t gray to tan i n color and consist of t h i c k bedded impure q u a r t z i t i c sandstone and conglomerate with t h i n s h a l e interbeds. yields i n t h i s area are e s s e n t i a l l y unknown, but they are assumed to be adequate for domestic suppl ies .*

These rocks are

Ground water

*I3erks County Master Water and Sewer Plan, Sec t ion II--Geology and Ground Water.

10

Slopes

The topography of an area is one of the prime cons ide ra t ions fo r development. not gene ra l ly important, however, t h e degree of slope on t h c parcel is usua l ly s i g n i f i c a n t . 100 f e e t o f ho r i zon ta l d i s t a n c e , expressed as a percentage.

The actual e l e v a t i o n above sea l e v e l of an ind iv idua l p a r c e l is

Slopes are de f ined here as the amount of v e r t i c a l drop for each

Land t h a t has very Little slope can be a problem to develop s i n c e i t is However, land with slopes ranging from so l e v e l t h a t i t lacks good drainage.

around two to 10 percent u sua l ly poses Eew problems f o r a wide v a r i e t y of development. Land w i t h a s l o p e of approximately 10 to 15 pe rcen t is g e n e r a l l y better s u i t e d to r e s i d e n t i a l development than to commercial or i n d u s t r i a l development. Lands with slopes i n excess of 15 pe rcen t begin to cause s e r i o u s problems f o r proper development; and areas with g r e a t e r than 20 percent slopes should n o t be considered g e n e r a l l y s u i t a b l e f o r any type of in t ense de ve lopme n t .

There is an area of s i g n i f i c a n t l y steep slopes i n Tulpehocken Township. This area is located approximately one mile south of Rehrersburg and extends gene ra l ly south to the township l i n e ( to the west of Host). A second area of steep s lop ing land is found i n t h e southeas te rn po r t ion of t h e township, east o f Host .

General ly t h e remainder of t h e township con ta ins a mild and r o l l i n g t e r r a i n with slopes ranging between 5 and 15 pe rcen t throughout mst of t h e area.* As previous ly mentioned, t hese moderately s lop ing areas w u l d pose l i m i t e d problems for pro,perly-planned development. s i g n i f i c a n t areas within t h e township t h a t do have s e v e r e slope limitations for development and these l i m i t a t i o n s should be c a r e f u l l y considered i n any f u t u r e zoning or subdiv is ion regula t ions .

However, t h e r e are

Soi 1s

With concern f o r our n a t u r a l environment r a p i d l y increas ing i n r ecen t years, more and more land use d e c i s i o n s are being made much more than j u s t a g r i c u l t u r a l s u i t a b i l i t y ; they s e r v e as a n ind ica to r i n iden t i fy ing p o t e n t i a l on-lot waste disposal problems, and determining t h e gene ra l s u i t a b i l i t y f o r var ious forms of development.

Soil Survey of B e r k s County. by t he issuance of t he B e r k s County Soil Survey i n September, 1970. a d d i t i o n to a d e s c r i p t i o n o f va r ious soil a s soc ia t ions and ind iv idua l soil type, t h i s comprehensive document con ta ins sections on t h e use and management of soils for crops and pastures, use of t he soils f o r woodland, use of t h e soils €or w i l d l i f e , use of soils f o r engineering and use of t h e soil survey i n cornuni ty development. I t is t h e latter than is of primary concern i n t h e p repa ra t ion of t h e Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance f o r t h e township.

A g r e a t deal of information was made a v a i l a b l e In

*Slope map: P l a t 4, B e r k s County Physical C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and E x i s t i n g Land Use Report.

11

I I I I I

I I I I

i

I I

Table 7 on pages 56 and 65 of the Soil Survey lists all of the soils in

Soil features 'the county and shows the kinds and estimated degrees of limitation that affect use of these soils for various types of community development. that are relevant when considering community development are: bedrock, degree of slope, permeability, incidence of flooding, depth to a seasonal high water table, texture and stoniness.

depth to ,

The degrees of limitations for community development are rated as slight, moderate and severe. the degree of limitation can be none to slight, but few soils have no limitations that require special practices to overcome these limitations during development, and a rating of severe indicates soil limitations that generally are very difficult to overcome. factors for which soil suitability has been considered in Table 7 of the Soil Survey are:

Slight limitations for development indicate that

The various community development

On-site disposal of sewage effluent Sewage lagoons Locations of homes and other buildings of three stories

or less Landscaping and lawns at homesites Streets and parking lots for subdivisions Athletic fields Parks and extensively used play areas Sanitary land fills Ceme ter ies

! L b factors, on-site disposal of sewage effluent and locations of homes and other buildings of three stories or less, have been mapped as part of the planning program and will be discussed in greater detail later in the soils sect ion.

Soil Associations. Township: the Berks-Weikert-Bedington Association.

There is one soil association found in Tulpehocken

The Berks-Weikert-Bedington Association are shallow to deep well-drained soils that were largely formed on weathered shale and sandstone. Association occupies all of Tulpehocken Township. well-suited to general farming, however, there are areas where the soils are steep, eroded or poorly drained and thus are better suited to pasture or woodland.

This Most of the association is

Soil Suitability for On-site Disposal of Sewage Effluent. concerning the ability of soils to handle effluent from septic systems is tal. Residents of Tulpehocken Township are entirely dependent upon such facilities for liquid waste disposal. Facilities Act No. 537 became effective (January 1, 19681, increased attention has been given to the problems caused by improperly installed on-lot sewage

Knowledge

Since the Pennsylvania Sewage

12

disposal systems. it is possible to identify general areas where the installation of on-lot systems may create problems.

Now that the Berks County Soil Survey has been completed,

The min limiting features OE the soils for drainage fields for septic tanks are restricted permeability, steepness of slope, shallowness over bedrock, and the presence of a seasonal high water table. soils are underlain by cavernous limestone, the underground water can be contaminated by seepage through crevices in the rocks or through solution channels.

In addition, where

Soil permeability is the rate of water movement through the soil. Ideally, this should be approximately one inch per hour for gocd performance. Greater percolation rates can result in pollution of ground water reserves due to inadequate filtration, while a rate slower than one inch per hour means that the soil has a limited capacity to absorb septic tank effluent. that have high ground water levels become saturated with septic tank effluent and later turn into foul-smelling, unhealthy bogs. water table, should be at least four feet below the surface even during the wettest seasons. Filter fields should be at least 50 feet from any stream, open ditch or other watercourse into which unfiltered and contaminated effluent could escape and spread. floodplains.

Soils

The ground water level, or

Filter fields should never be in

Rock formations and other impervious layers should also be at least four feet below the trenches or seepage bed of a filter fielc?. necessary for the adequate filtration and purification of septic tank effluent. problems in either the construction or maintenance of filter fields when the soils are otherwise satisfactory. more difficult to lay out and construct, while seepage beds become impractical. effluent to the downhill soil surface.

This depth is

Slopes of less than 10 percent usually do not create serious

On steeper slopes, trench filter fields are

In addition, it my be difficult to control the lateral flow of

Any one of the above factors can make an area unsuitable for on-lot sewage disposal systems. lots of a larger than normal size will be required to provide an adequate layout of filter fields.

As parts of the planning program for Tulpehocken Township soil

If negative conditions exist but are not critical,

suitability for on-site disposal of sewage effluent was mapped on a series of soil maps, soils were rated as having slight, moderate or severe limitations for on-site disposal according to criteria provided by the Soil Survey. In addition, areas with a potential for ground water pollution were noted by a cross-hatch pattern. or no limitations that affect their use as disposal fields for effluent from properly installed septic tanks. Those having a rating of "moderate" may be borderline and should be investigated carefully at the exact site where a disposal field is to be installed.

Soils that have a rating of "slight" generally have few

In conclusion, the information contained on the maps showing soils suitability for home location and for disposal of sewage effluent, when weighed with other considerations, will be of great value in preparing the future land use plan and zoning ordinance for the township. The soil

I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 13

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

suitability groupings, however, are not a substitute for the detailed investigation needed on each site prior to undertaking specific construction projects .

It should also be noted that these natural features maps consider only the characteristics of the soils; not considered are other important components of the plan such as existing land use patterns, distances to established urban centers, the transportation network, availability of public utilities, and community development goals. other sections of this report.

These factors are examined in

14 I .

EXISTING LAND: USE

A detailed study of the present land use pattern in an area is basic to the practice of planning. necessary information upon which the recommended plan for future development must be based.

Essentially, such an investigation provides the

One of the first objectives of the Comprehensive Planning Program was to thoroughly inventory the township to determine the existing use of the land. This was accomplished initially in a March, 1971 survey during which the consultant drove all roads in the area and recorded field data and impressions on a set of work maps. This information was revised during August, September, and October of 1989 and supplemented with updated data, provided by the Tulpehocken Township Planning Commission, Berks County Planning Commission, and the Long Range Development Program for the Tulpehocken Area School District, all of which served as the backbone for analysis and preparation of the Existing Land Use section. Land use data recorded on the field work maps was checked by the planning commission and later used in the preparation of a final existing land use map at a scale of 1" = 800' for the township.

The remainder of this chapter will be devoted to analyzing the present use of the land, by land category, and to identifying existing and potential problems that should be considered in the future land use plan and zoning ordinance .

Aur iculture and Woodland

Tulpehocken Township encompasses 23.1 square miles or 14,957 total acres. farming and woodland. in these uses. occupying 91.7 percent of the township. 4 percent of Tulpehocken is in forest cover.

By far the great majority of the township's land area is devoted to Table 3 reveals that nearly 95 percent of the area is

Farmland heavily dominates the Tulpehocken land use pattern by However, only 470 acres or less than

Farming and forest uses are a reflection of an area's natural features All of Tulpehocken is part of the and soil capabilities.

Berks-Weikert-Bedington Soil Association which is suited for the growing of crops. farming and the raising of poultry are not uncomn. of southeastern Tulpehocken Township are forest-covered while the poorly drained soils are used primarily for pasture.

Most of this area is in general farms although dairy and beef cattle The steep, eroded slopes

15

I ' .. - -- .-.. . . . .. .. . . .- ... -_ - . - .. .. ..- . . .- -. . .

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I

TABLE 3 SUMMARY OF EXISTING LAND USE

RESIDENTIAL AGRICULTURAL * CcMMEIicIAL INDUSTRIAL RECREATIONAL INSTITUTIONAL EDUCATIONAL WOODLAND OTHER - ROAlE, ETC.

401 13 ,712 9 3 2 21 14 470 325

2.7 91.7

.66

.02

.O1

.14

.09 3.1 2.2

ToTIlL ACRES= 14,957

SOUFCE: BERKS COUNTY PLANNING CCMMISSION, 1980 DATA: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE - CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE 1987.

* ACCORDING T6 THE BERKS CCUNTY PLANNING CCMMISSION, THE COUNTY, AS A WHOLE, LOST MORE THAN 13,000 ACRES OF F m N D FROM 1977-1987. THIS IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 5% OF ALL FARMS.

Agricul ture and woodland w i l l , and should, cont inue to be t h e predominant land use. woodlands are protected from haphazard development. also be protected although some land, especially i n areas near t h e v i l l a g e s , should be considered for development.

1 t . w i l l . k important to i n s u r e t h a t t h e area's major The best farmland m u s t

I I I I I I

16

Res iden t i a l Uses

Res iden t i a l uses c l e a r l y occupy the g r e a t e s t percentage oE developed land area i n Tulpehocken. Although the township has not a t t r a c t e d much commerce and indus t ry , a s u b s t a n t i a l number of new res idences have been bu i n the p a s t decade. r e f l e c t e d i n t h e area's 1960 and 1970 populat ion increase of approximately percent . l i k e l y increased by about t h e same percentage.

. This was noted on the land use survey and is also

The total number o f r e s i d e n t i a l acres shown i n Table 3 has most

It

16

The Farmstead. and t h e €armsteads were among t h e earliest res idences b u i l t . farmsteads recorded on the f i e l d survey are old and appear to have been b u i l t i n t h e 1 9 t h Century, g e n e r a l l y a prosperous per iod of a g r i c u l t u r e . Despite t h e i r age, t he area's farm homes are i n reasonably sound c o n d i t i o n al though some still lack indoor plumbing f a c i l i t i e s .

Farming was the f i r s t widespread occupat ion i n Tulpehocken, Most o f t h e

Table 4 g i v e s a more re f ined breakdown on the type and l o c a t i o n of dwel l ing u n i t s .

S i n g l e Family Detached. The convent iona l s i n g l e family detached dwell ing is de f ined as a s t r u c t u r e t h a t has open space on a l l four sides and c o n t a i n s o n l y one dwell ing u n i t . Technica l ly , farmsteads are also s i n g l e fami ly detached houses. However, f o r t h e purposes of t h i s s tudy t h e term " s i n g l e family" w i l l be used to describe o n l y non-farm dwell ings.

Table 4 shows t h a t s i n g l e family detached res idences are t h e dominant housing form found i n t h e township. f i e l d survey, 270 or 45.3 pe rcen t are s i n g l e family detached. Approximately 25 pe rcen t o f t h e homes found i n t h e v i l l a g e s are s i n g l e family detached and what might be considered a s u r p r i s i n g percentage, SS percent, of t h e non-vil lage u n i t s are i n l i k e s t r u c t u r e s .

Of t h e 596 dwell ing u n i t s recorded on t h e

TABLE 4 DWELLING UNITS BY TYPE AND LOCATION

FARMSEAD S/. 08 SINGLE FAMILY

MOBILE HaMES 36/6.0 ?wo FAMILY 58/9.7 MULTI -FAMILY 16/2.6

DETACHED l53/25.6

145/24.3 150/24.4

117/19.6 270/45.3 w 9 . 2 91/15.2 --/-- 58/9.7 11/1.8 27/4.4

268 328 S96/100

* Does not include apartments and/or housing, provided by Teen Challenge Farm f o r its employees or s tuden t s .

sourn: LAND USE FIELD SURVEY, MAIicH 1971. BERKS COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, 1986.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I

Many ot t h e region 's s i n g l e family houscs have been b u i l t i n t h e past two decades on i so la ted Lots or in smlL subdiv is ions oE t y p i c a l l y two to 10 houses t h a t have spread along e x i s t i n g roads. subd iv is ions.

Mobile Homes. of housing h 3 s been the tremendous growth, b o t h numerically and percentage-wise, i n the u t i l i z a t i o n of mobile homes. conventional s i n g l e family dwell ing lost its l eade r sh ip i n t h e new housing supply, dropping from 73 percent o f production i n 1960 to o n l y 43 percen t f o r 1969. MobiLe homes appear to account €or near ly a l l t he Nat ion 's lowmst housing. OE a l l the new dwell ings pr iced a t $10,00(d or less i n 1969, 96 percent were mobile homes: o f those under $20,000, 74 percent w e r e . m b i l e homes. *

The area con ta ins no Large

Possibly th2 most s t a r t l i n g recent n a t i o n a l even t i n t h e f i e l d

During t h e 1 9 6 0 ' ~ ~ t h e

Iil January, 1990, t h e r e were 91 mobile homes i n Tulpehocken which represents about 16 percent oE t he total housing stock. individual lots and, similar to s i n g l e family detached s t r u c t u r e s , have developed along country roads. house a married son or daughter or a h i r e d helper. Some mobile homes s e r v e as seasonal dwellings. There are as y e t no l a r g e mobile home parks: however, there is one small mobile home park with 30 homes and concent ra t ions o f s i x to 10 mobile homes can be found a t s e v e r a l l oca t ions i n Tulpehocken Township.

Most o f these are on

Others have been placed on farms, probably to

Most mobile homes observed i n t h e f i e l d appeared to be i n good repair. I f fu tu re development is proper ly regula ted by hea l th codes and land use con t ro l s , mobile homes could cont inue to provide some of the area's moderate and lowmst housing needs. I n J u l y o f 1974, the Township enacted a Pbbile i iok Ordinance.

TW-Family Dwellings. percent o f t he total housing s t o c k . urban form of housing which may exp la in why 98 of the r eg ion ' s 108 two-family u n i t s are found i n the v i l l a g e s . probably b u i l t i n t h e last century; many are on very narrow lots and appear i n need of repairs. w i l l con t r ibu te much to any new housing cons t ruc t ion ; t he re fo re , t h e primary concern is t h a t e x i s t i n g two-family homes are maintained so as n o t to

Two-family or semi-detached dwell ings account f o r 10 Two-family cons t ruc t ion is p r i m a r i l y a n

A l l o f t h e two-family u n i t s are old and were

I t is not an t i c ipa t ed t h a t t h i s form o f housing

- - deteriorate fu r the r . I

I I *Frederick H. Bair, Jr., Modular Housing, Including Mobile Homes: A

Survey of Regulatory Practices and Planners ' Opinions, Planning Advisory Serv ice Information Report No. 265. (Chicago American Socie ty o f Planning Officials, 1969) , p.3.

1

18

Multi-Family Dwellings. Multi-family housing or apartments account for only 11 u n i t s or 3.6 percent of t h e h o u s i q inventory; and t h e major i ty oE' these , u n i t s are Eound in t h e v i l l a g e s of 'Rehrersburg and M t . Aetna. u n i t s are mostly conversions from other uses o f are u n i t s assoc ia ted with c o m r c i a l establ ishments . Most are i n old s t r u c t u r e s . The new garden apartment complexes of t h e type so preva len t i n or a d j a c e n t to R e a d i n g and Lebanon have y e t to reach Tulpehucken. apar tment cons t ruc t ion w i l l take place i n t h e fu tu re , however.

Multi-family

I t is not u n l i k e l y some small-scale

In add i t ion to t h e multi-family res idences prev ious ly mentioned, Teen Chal lenge Training Center c o n t a i n s group quarters accorranodations for 200 persons.

Comrcial Uses

For the purposes of t h i s a n a l y s i s t h e township's commercial use has been ca t egor i zed as gene ra l retail; motor vehic le sales and serv ices : and personal , bus iness , proEessiona1 and repair se rv ices . The B e r k s County Planning Commission land use survey o f 1980 revealed t h a t some 9 acres, only 0.6 p e r c e n t of t h e area, were i n commercial uses (see Table 3). By 1986, t h e last year €or which f i g u r e s are a v a i l a b l e , commercial uses still occupied under t e n acres. much a n t i c i p a t e d i n the near fu tu re .

Very l i t t le commercial expansion has occurred i n t h e v i l l a g e s , nor is

General Retail. listed i n Table 5. W i t h a f e w except ions t h e s e retail activities are o r i e n t e d toward providing t h e day-to-day needs of the local r e s iden t s . convenience stores, located i n t h e Rehrersburg and M t . Aetna areas provided t h e r e s i d e n t s with a limited s e l e c t i o n of g roce r i e s , cosmetics, medicines, etc. and offer gaso l ine and f a s t foods over extended ope ra t ing hours.

The type and number of gene ra l retail es tab l i shments are

Two new

TABLE 5 GENEFUU RETAIL ESTABLISHMEWS

HOBBY SHOP - 1

ROADSIDE STAND - VARIABLE APPLIANCES - 1 NURSERIES - 2 BED AND BREAKFAST - 1 CONVENIENCE STORES - 2 SHOE STORE - 1 EATING ESTRBLISHMENTS - 2 TAVERNS OR INNS - 3 FURNITURE F A W R Y - 1 GREENHOUSES - 3 0VF.RHEAD GARAGE DOOR - 1

USED RESTAURANT EQU1F)MENT - 1

SOURCE: TULPEHOCKEN TOWNSNIP PLANNING COMMISSION 1989

Major purchases must be acqui red i n tYyerstm, Lebanon and o t h e r l a r g e r re ta i l o u t l e t s . are located i n the v i l l ages .

Approximately one-third of t h e area's genera l re ta i l es tab l i shments

Motor V e h i c l e Sales and Serv ice . sales and s e r v i c e e s t a b l i s h m n t s recorded on t h e land use survey. these are found i m d i a t e l y ad jacen t to t h e a r te r ia l r o u t e s 419 and 501. is a n t i c i p a t e d t h a t nea r ly a l l of t h e f u t u r e growth of t h i s cormnercial segment w i l l take place adjacent to these routes .

Table 6 con ta ins a list of t h e motor v e h i c l e Most o f

I t

I I 1 1 I 1 I 1 I I I I I I I I I I 1

19

I I I I I I I

I I I I 1 1 I

ms STATIONS * AU"WfOf3ILE REPAIR SERVICE - 1 BODY SIIOP - 1 AUKMOBILE SALES-USED - 4

TRUCK SERVICE - 1 CAMPING TRAILER SALES - 1 FREIGHT LINE TERNINAL - 1

omrcIp,L K N S P ~ I O N STATION - 3**

TIERE ARE NO TRWITIONAL GAS STATIONS WITHIN THE "SHIP. GASOLINE IS AVAILABLE AT THE CONVENIENCE STORES LISTED I N TABLE 5 .

HOWEYER,

OFFICIAL m s w m o r ~ STATIONS MAY OR MAY NOT OFFER AWOBILE REPAIR SERVICES.

SOURCE: TULPEHCCKEN TOWNSHIP PLANNING CCPMISSION 1989.

Personal, Business, Professional and Repair Services. Services available locally to area residents are listed in Table 7. Nearly all personal service establishments, barber and beauty shops and the like, a;e located in the villages while mst repair services are found in rural areas. repair services are, of course, available at gasoline stations as w e l l . a planning standpoint it is important to note that nearly every service is operated out of a house or a converted farm building and thus might be considered a home occupation. of the township's zoning ordinances.

Limited auto From

This fact must be considered in the preparation

TABLE 7 PERSONAL, BUSINESS, PRfFESSIONAL AND REPAIR SERVICE

AUCTIONEER - 2 BARBER SHOP - 1 BEAUTY SHOPS - 5 CQMMEKIAL PRINTER - 1 FUNERAL H@E - 1 GENERAL CONTRACTOR - 6 INSURANCE - 2

MACHINE SHOP - 1 PLUMBIEX; - 1 PLUMBING, HEATING & ELECTRICAL - 1 TINSMITH - 1 TV REPAIR - 1 WELDIEX; - 1

I SOURCE: LAND USE FIELD SURVEY, M", 1971. TULPEHEKEN TOWNSHIP PLANNING CCPilMISSION 1989.

I Manu f ac tur i np

Tulpehocken does not have the necessary employment base, utilities and I accessibility to attract major manufacturing industries. In addition to the firms listed in Table 8 which employ approximately 100 persons, establishments account for all of the area's manufacturing activity.

These

. . .. . ... .. . 'il : .C , , . .i _,.. 20

. - . -

DI EETZNBACH MANUFACTURI I% co. HOST R3AD POTATO CHIPS 1 0 - 20

GAFW4N MANUE'ACJJJRI ffi co . Ea. AETNA hWENSSWEATERS 4 7 - 6 8

PIEFFER'S MACHIm SHOP m. AETNA REPAIR OF MACHINERY 30 - 40

I t is important to no te t h a t t he major local manufacturing a c t i v i t y is t h e women's appare l industry. r u r a l Pennsylvania because of t h e r e a d i l y a v a i l a b l e supply of inexpensive labor and the close proximity to New York City , t he garment c e n t e r of the Nation. These operations need l i t t l e capital to begin and do no t r equ i r e ex tens ive p l a n t f ac i l t i e s - - in many cases no mre than a vacant barn or old warehouse is required.- P a s t h i s t o r y has shownethat small apparel manufacturers are notor ious for low wages and t h a t t h e seasona l na tu re of t h e w o r k r e s u l t s i n f requent lay-of fs . Nevertheless , t h e area's apparel manufacturers do provide needed jobs and t h e i r local nature makes i t p o s s i b l e for many wmen to help supplement t h e fami ly incone.

Small apparel factories are not uncommon in

Business f a i l u r e s are very conunon.

Junk Yards

Junk yards are a necessary land use t h a t should be g iven special cons ide ra t ion i n planning f o r r u r a l munic ipa l i t i es . associated with e x i s t i n g junk yards are the r e s u l t o f t h e i r improper loca t ion or inadequate screening, tm problems t h a t could have been a l l e v i a t e d by a n a c t i v e l y enforced zoning ord inance and junk yard ordinance. survey revealed t h a t t h e r e are 2 junk yards i n the township and they appear to possess t h e f a u l t s prev ious ly mentioned. and l i t t e r were found s c a t t e r e d about the yards of several residences. Enforcement of t h e Zoning and Junk Yard Ordinances should keep mst of these l i t t e r e d areas from developing i n t o numerous small and scattered junk yards i n t h e fu tu re .

Most of t h e problems

The land use

In addi t ion , it was noted t h a t j u n k

Transpor ta t ion , Communications and Utilities

Road rights-of-wiy account f o r a major por t ion o f the land area devoted to t h i s category. devoted to the Other-Roads, etc. category and it can be assumed t h a t mst of t h i s is i n roads.

Table 3 lists 325 acres, 2.2 percent of the to ta l area,

Telephone se rv ice provided by t h e Bethel and M t . Aetna Telephone and Telegraph Company se rves the e n t i r e s tudy area while electric service is supplied by the Metropolitan Edison Company. t ransmiss ion l i n e s of the Metropol i tan Edison Company t r a v e r s e Tuipehocken i n an east-west d i r ec t ion .

A 500 KV and twin 230 Kv

21

I I 1 1 I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I

1 I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 I I I

Community Facilities and Services

The people of a comnunity depend upon a variety of services essential to their health, recreation, education and safety. Schools, parks, police and fire protection, solid waste and sewage disposal Eacilities, libraries and churches are among the amenities found in many rural communities.

The demand for public and quasi-public services invariably grows with the passage of time. physical deterioration of functional obsolescence, while demands for expanded and for entirely new services accompany population growth and improvements in the standard of living.

Existing facilities are rendered inadequate through

Res,pnsibility for providing community services may rest with the local government, a higher level of government such as the county or state, or with quasi-public agencies that may receive some public financial support. facilities, notably schools, are administered by public authorities independent of local government. Others, such as refuse collection, are operated privately as commercial enterprises. considerations aside, the extent and adequacy of community facilities play a critical role in maintaining the general welfare of the municipality of its residents.

Some

But administration

The remainder of this section will be devoted to an analysis of the existing community facilities and services available in the township.

Public Education

The Tulpehocken Area School District administers public education within the Township and its jurisdiction extends beyond the study area to include- Bernville and the Townships of Bethel, Penn and Jefferson. encompasses 101 square miles and according to the 1985 District Census, the population was 2,409 persons.

The district

There is one elementary building with facilities for grades K-2, located in the Township, this is the Tulpehocken Elementary School. buildings are within the Township.

No other

There are two elementary - junior high buildings in the District. The Bethel School, with facilities for grades 3 - 8 and the Penn-Bernville building, with facilities for grades K - 8. educational facilities for grades 9 - 12. districts' buildings.

Tulpehocken High School provides Table 9 shows the status of the

Some 1,600 students currently attend the district schools. Enrollment has remained steady and generally reflected national trends in family size and child bearing preferences. 1990-2000 School Year enrollment at 1836.*

Enrollment projections for the District place the

*A Long Range Development Proqram, Tulpehocken k e a School District, 1969, as amended 1986, p. 62.

, I 22

Private Education/Training

I I I

The Teen Challenge Training Center, located just south of Rehrersburg, on Teen Challenge Road, offers Training in 22 different skill areas. The farm encompasses 350 acres of which 6 are devoted to training facilities. Although offering training primarily to troubled inner-city youth, the center provides such services to the community as auto maintenance and small appliance repair. These services are not in direct competition with local commercial establishments, but oEEer hands-on experience to p r q r m p,irtici.pants.

TABLE 9

I TULPEHOCKEN A R ~ A SCHOOL D I S T X C T BUILDING STATUS

BETHEL- ELEMEN- TARY & J U N I O R H I G H

PENN- BERN- V I L L E ELEMEN-

-ci TARY & J U N I O R H I G H

TULPE- HOCKEN

TARY ELEMEN-

TULPE- HOCKEN H I G H SCHOOL

ATTEN- PEAR ADDI- RENOVA- CONDI- ACRE- P U P I L CURRENT GRADES DANCE B U I L T T I O N S T I O N S T I O N S AGE CAPACITY ENROLL- HOUSED ~~~~

CENTERS _ ~ ~ _ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - - ~ - - - - ~ - - - ~ - - - - - - - ~ - - - ~ - - - ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ,

MENT U S E \

401 3-8 Y E S 1931 1953 1979 EXCELL- 19.0 510 SHOP; ENT ANNEX 1954

1931 1951 1960 VERY 13.92 685 437 K-8 Y E S I 1960 GOOD

1957

1964

VERY 8.0 300 I

226 K-2 Y E S GOOD

EXCELL- 42.16 718 ENT

498 YES I 9-1 2

I 1562 TOTALS = 83.08 2213

SOURCE: A LONG RANGE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM, TULPEHOCKEN AREA SCHOOL D I S T R I C T , 1986, P. 84

Churches. hard to overstate. Wst often the founding of a church in a wilderness signaled the start of growth for the area. historic structures of a cornunity and, especially in rural townships, they are usually the most imposing man-made features. place for worship, churches serve as a social gathering point as w e l l .

The important position churches assume in rural Pennsylvania is

Churches are often among the most

In addition to providing a

23

I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I E I I

TABLE 10 LOCAL cHUw=m

CHUWJH OF THE BRETHREN

Little Swatara Church Tulpehocken Twp. of the Brethren

LUTHERAN

Altalaha Lutheran Church Rehrersburg

Salem Lutheran Church Bethel

MENNONITE

Rehrersburg Mennonite Tulpehocken Twp. Church

UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

St. John's Host Church Tulpehocken Twp.

St. John's United Mt. Aetna Church of Christ

Salem United Church Bethel of Christ

Trinity Church Rehrersburg

19642

1757

1931

19644

1728

(3)

1810

(3)

i964 3 71

1808 132

1931 137

(3) 115

(3) 3 26

1885 180

1810 195

1847 175

'Total membership in local churches; 1631 persons (54% United Church of Christ, 22% Church of the Brethren, 16% Lutheran, and 7% Mennonite).

During the period 1969-1989, local churches experienced an average Total membership declined from 2168 persons in decline in membership of 30%.

1969 to 1631 persons in 1989.

'Membership formed from consolidation of Merkey's, Frystown and Schubert Meet in Houses.

( 3 ) Date unknown.

( 4 ) Located on Airport Road, this congregation occupies the former Little Swatara Church building.

24

At one time, there were several active German Baptist Meeting Houses belonging to the Little Swatara Church of the Brethren. was built in 1856, another in 1874, and yet another in 19L2. Although not all within Tulpehocken Township, they were active for over 100 years and their impact on the region cannot be overlooked. A point in fact is that, in 1964, services at these meeting houses were discontinued with the erection of a new, large brick and stone edifice adjacent to the Tulpehocken Elementary School. Current membership is about - 370.

The first of these

.

Tulpehocken Township contains five active churches--Altalaha Lutheran, Trinity United Church of Christ, St. John's United Church of Christ, St. John's Host United Church of Christ, and Little Swatara Church of the Brethren, the latter of which was discussed in the preceding paragraph.

Altalaha Lutheran Church, located at the west end oE Rehrersburg, officially dates to 1757 when a temporary church was built. The present brick structure was erected in 1808. St. John's United Church of Christ was originally a Lutheran and Reformed Union Church and was built in Mt. Aetna in 1885. township. over 550 persons. Lutheran congregation began to worship there in 1865 it became a Union Church. Since the Lutheran congregation discontinued worship in 1961, the church has been exclusively the United Church of Christ. Trinity United Church of Christ is located in the eastern part of Rehrersburg on the road leading to Strausstown. Congregation and a Lutheran Congregation. Congregation withdrew to join the other Lutheran churches in-the area.

Recreation Facilities. township according to the 1986 Berks County Planning Commission land use study. This represents .02 percent of the total area and approximately 1 acre per thousand persons, a figure w e l l below the State Planning Board's recommended 15 acres per thousand persons.

St. John's Host Church is situated in the southeastern part of the It was founded in 1728 and had an unusually large membership of

Although it was exclusively a Reformed Church, when a

It was erected in 1847 and originally had both a Reformed In 1960, members of the Lutheran

There are only 2 acres of recreational land in the

Mt. Aetna Cornunity Playground and Rehrersburg Lions Club Park both serve the important function of providing the villages with neighborhood recreation facilities. for other field sports, basketball courts and a variety of play equipment for younger children. active recreation.

These playgrounds contain ball diamonds and open areas

The Tulpehocken Elementary School has outdoor areas for

Postal Service. There are two United States Post Offices located in Tulpehocken Township: addition, there are six rural delivery routes.

Mt. Aetna - 19544, and Rehrersburg - 19550. In

Protection and Medical Facilities. Keystone Fire Company provide ample fire and emergency medical service protection to the entire township area. from outside areas can be called upon to assist in fighting major fires or in emergencies.

The Mt. Aetna Fire Company and Rehrersburg

In addition, volunteer fire companies

Tulpehocken is part of the Lebanon County Police Call Network and maintains limited police protection of their own through police officers assigned on a part-time basis. the Pennsylvania State Police.

Additional police protection is provided by

I 1 I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I

25

"ulpe'mcken Township d o e s . n o t conta in a medical c l i n i c or h o s p i t a l . The rural cha rac t e r of the township and its proximity to a l a r g e urban area preclude the establ ishment of such facilities i n the foreseeable fu tu re .

I I I

Township r e s iden t s have ' a t t h e i r d i s p o s a l t h e s e r v i c e s o f t h e B e r n v i l l e Family P rac t i ce Center i n J e f f e r s o n Township or the Strausstown Family Health Center i n Upper Tulpehocken Township. a t the Lebanon Valley and Good Samaritan Hospi ta l s i n Lebanon, and Reading

Major medical t rea tment can be obta ined

Hospital and Medical Center , Cornunity General and S a i n t Joseph ' s Hospitais i n I wading.

Libraries

There are no pub l i c libraries within Tulpehocken Township. However, area r e s i d e n t s are served by t h e Bethe l Township Community Library , to which Tulpehocken Township c o n t r i b u t e s and the B e r k s County Bookmobile, though not a permanent part o f t he landscape, does provide bi-weekly s e r v i c e to Rehrersburg and surrounding Tulpehocken Township.

Water Supply, Sewage and S o l i d Waste Disposal

I

. -_ - I fi Water Supply.

wells f o r t h e i r water supply. Residents o f t h e township r e l y s o l e l y on i n d i v i d u a l on-lot .

Because o f the p o t e n t i a l o f ground water ~- ~

po l lu t ion , it has been recommended i n t h e B e r k s County Master Water and Sewer Plan* t h a t the following areas develop water systems: I - - Rehrersburg Area--A water system c o n s i s t i n g of t w o w e l l s , a 540,006

ga l lon s to rage tank, and a d i s t r i b u t i o n system should be b u i l t by 1975. (See Note 1)

L"

- ---- M t . Aetna Area--Mt. Aetna should bu i ld a water system c o n s i s t i n g of a --- _I___

well, a 240,000 g a l l o n s t o r a g e tank, and a d i s t r i b u t i o n system by 1975. (See Note 1)

Sewage Disposal. There are a t p r e s e n t no p u b l i c s a n i t a r y sewage systems i n t h e township. cesspools which poses a problem s i n c e nea r ly t h e e n t i r e area has soils with severe l i m i t a t i o n s f o r on-lot systems. Berks County Master Water and Sewer Plan prepared by Gilbert Associates. Plan recommends s e v e r a l cour ses of a c t i o n t h a t should be undertaken.** These include :

I 1

On-lot d i s p s a l is achie_vgd,primarily - --- - - - through septic tanks and

These problems were noted i n t h e 1970 The

*Gilbert Associates , Inc. , B e r k s County Master Water and Sewer Plan, A Report to t h e Commissioners of B e r k s County and the B e r k s County Planning Commission (Reading, Pennsylvania: Figure 7. I May 13, 19701, pp. VI-57 to VI-61 and

**Ibid., - pp. VII-55 to VIII-58 and Figure 9.

B e r k s County Planning Commission, B e r k s County Sewer and Water Systems, February, 1982, P. 89. I

26 - , ..- . . *

-- That Strausstown Borough and Bethe l Township b u i l t a j o i n t sewer system by 1980, wi th a 0.15 M.G.D. (Mil l ion Gal lons per Day) tertiary waste t reatment f a c i l i t y . by way o f a f o r c e main to a t rea tment p l a n t to be cons t ruc ted south of Strausstown. (See Note 1)

T h i s recommended system would se rve Schubert .

-- That separate sewage c o l l e c t i o n systems and waste t rea tment f a c i l i t i e s should be planned f o r t h e v i l l a g e s o f Bethe l and Rehrersburg. 1975. (See Note 1)

Both systems are recommended f o r cons t ruc t ion by

-- That t he M t . Aetna area should be sewered, with t rea tment a t t h e Myerstam p l a n t . Th i s should occur by 1990. (See Note 1)

A t t h i s time t h e r e does no t appear to be an urgent need f o r sewers i n t h e remaining areas of t h e township. s i t u a t i o n should be reappra ised as a precaut ionary measure. sizes should be r equ i r ed f o r f u t u r e development (Mihimum 2-5 acres).

Solid Waste Disposal. owned c o l l e c t i o n agencies . Research conducted dur ing t h e p repa ra t ion of t h e School D-istx-ice's Development Program revealed t h a t t hese agencies are doing an adequate j o b and should cont inue to do so i n t h e near f u t u r e .

A s t h e area develops, however, t h e Larger lot

Refuse c o l l e c t i o n is provided by s e v e r a l p r i v a t e l y - ----

Note 1

The B e r k s County Master Water and Sewer Plan was i ssued i n May o f 1970, and has n o t been formally rev ised . Commission issued an i n t e r i m document, e n t i t l e d Berks County Sewer and Water Systems.

_- descEi-besuaTTous aspects of t h e sewer and water systems used by B e r k s County Res idents and bus inesses . r e v i s i n g t h e B e r k s County Master Water and Sewer Plan."

I n 1982, t h e B e r k s County Planning

The p re face of t h i s report states t h a t "This report lists and _ -

This report was prepared as t h e f i r s t step i n

To d a t e , t h e Master Plan remains t h e same as it was i n May of 1970. The B e r k s County Planning Connnission awaits funding .- f o r - the project. As it relates to t h e s t u d y - a i t h e - - r e v L s e d blaster Plan is expected to make similar recommendations for t h e Township and surrounding areas. Obviously, t h e implementation d a t e s m u s t be revised.

27

I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I i I I

m

I I I I I I

I U

Summary and Conclusions

Tulpehocken Township is p r imar i ly a r u r a l mun ic ipa l i t y whose land u s e p a t t e r n is cha rac t e r i zed by €arming and Eorest uses. area is devoted to these uses. development w i l l be s i g n i f i c a n t l o c a l l y , it is a n t i c i p a t e d t h a t t he area

Nearly 94 percent OE t h e Although t h e projected m o u n t s of new suburban

- *- should remain predominantly r u r a l well i n t o the next century .

_ / - z --/------

The area's r e s i d e n t i a l populat ion is growing c \ t a s t e a d y rate. Single-Emily homes are being added i n small subd iv i s ions t h a t are s t r i p p i n g o u t along r u r a l roads, or as scattered dwell ings. Because they are inexpensive, mobile homes are becoming inc reas ing ly popular as res idences and 10 percent of the area's housing s t o c k is i n t h i s form o f dwell ing. mobile homes are on ind iv idua l lots or adjacent to Earmsteads, and t h e r e are s e v e r a l small mbile home p a r k s i n Tulpehocken Township. l a r g e r mobile home parks w i l l be proposed i n t h e fu tu re .

Most

I t is l i k e l y t h a t

Commercial uses are p r imar i ly o r i e n t e d toward se rv ing t h e day-to-day needs o f local r e s i d e n t s with gene ra l re ta i l es tab l i shments found i n t h e v i l l ages . Personal s e r v i c e s are found i n the v i l l a g e s while most repair s e r v i c e s have located i n r u r a l areas.

Local i n d u s t r i a l a c t i v i t y is l imi ted i n number, b u t d i v e r s e - i n products and/or s e rv i ces . o f the local i n d u s t r i a l labor force . are an t i c ipa t ed a t t h i s t i m e .

The area's apparel manufacturers account f o r over 60 percen t N o major new i n d u s t r i a l es tab l i shments

There are 2 junk ya rds located i n t h e township. E f f o r t s should be made to c o n t r o l t h e l o c a t i o n and appearance of new junk y a r d s and t h e expansion of e x i s t i n g ones through zoning. A Junk Yard Ordinance was passed i n October of 1969. common r u r a l problem.

S t r i c t enforcement o f t h i s Ordinance should l i m i t t h e spread of t h i s

Residents of the township o b t a i n water from i n d i v i d u a l wells and use on-lot disposal methods for r e m v i n g sewage. Due to t h e n a t u r e o f t h e soils and the d e n s i t y o f popula t ion i n some areas, e s p e c i a l l y t h e v i l l a g e s , t h e s e methods w i l l n o t be adequate i n t h e fu tu re . Already s e v e r a l v i l l a g e s and t h e Teen Challenge Training Center have been cited by t h e Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Resources as having sewage problems t h a t c o n s t i t u t e a hea l th hazard. Teen Challenge Tra in ing Center has i n s t a l l e d a package - type sewage t reatment f a c i l i t y and is now i n compliance. I t has been recommended i n t h e B e r k s County Master Water and Sewer Plan, as prepared by t h e consu l t ing f i r m of Gilbert Associates, t h a t c e n t r a l water supply and sewage disposal systems be i n s t a l l e d i n most of the f i v e v i l l ages . depend on t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y of o u t s i d e f i n a n c i a l a i d s i n c e local per capita costs are a n t i c i p a t e d to be high.

The f u t u r e o f t h e s e systems may

I 28

CHAPTER 6

STREETS. AND HIGHWAYS

The p u r p s e of a streets and highways s tudy is to f i r s t e x p l a i n t h e func t ions of var ious types o f streets and highways and then to c l a s s i f y t h e major rou te s i n the area by type. highway proposals t h a t now exist, as w e l l a s p o t e n t i a l problems and t h e

This report w i l l also review t h e street and

--'----i--mpl-ications_ o f the street and highway system f o r f u t u r e planning.

Types of Highways

Arterials. l a r g e nunbers of veh ic l e s from one reg ion or area to another , a t r e l a t i v e l y high rates of speed. The p rov i s ion of access to a d j a c e n t land development is a r e l a t i v e l y unimportant func t ion o f arterial highways. a special ca tegory o f ar ter ia l highways i n t h a t i n t e r s t a t e s allow access o n l y a t in te rchanges and gene ra l ly have higher ope ra t ing speeds and t r a f f i c capacities than do o the r arterials.

Arterial highways have as t h e i r major purpose t h e movement of

I n t e r s t a t e highway is

I n Tulpehocken, t h e arterial highways include: Route 501 (south of 1-78} and Route 419. I t should be noted t h a t 1-78 and Route 422 (located o u t o f t h e planning area to t h e n o r t h and south of Tulpehocken) are east-west r o u t e s , whi le t h e o the r r o u t e s s e r v e north-south t r a f f i c .

- r e g i o n a l throughfare and s e r v e s l a r g e volumes of t r a f f i c t r a v e l i n g between Harr i sburg on t h e west and t h e Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton or t h e New York met ropol i tan areas on t h e east. u t i l i z e s t h i s rou te due to its s t r a t e g i c l o c a t i o n and t o l l - f r e e connect ions to t h e freeways and i n t e r s t a t e highways i n t h i s ,portion o f t h e no r theas t e rn United S t a t e s . area, provides good access between Lebanon and Reading.

1-78 is t h e major

An unusual ly heavy volume o f t ruck t r a f f i c

Route 422, even though it is located o u t s i d e t h e planning

Route 419 se rves to o r i e n t many persons l i v i n g i n t h e e a s t e r n end of t h e township to t h e Reading area, while 501 provides good access to t h e Lebanon and Myerstown areas from t h e western p o r t i o n o f t h e township.

Collectors. roads and t h e arterial highways system. carry t h e high volumes o f t r a f f i c associated with arterial highways, t h e t r a f f i c speeds may be s l i g h t l y lower, and the d i s t a n c e t r ave led on a collector road is gene ra l ly less than would be t h e case on a n arterial highway.

Collector highways se rve to c a r r y t r a f f i c between s t r i c t l y local Collector roads t y p i c a l l y do n o t

The 1990 Highway C l a s s i f i c a t i o n brochure, publ ished by t h e Berks County Planning Commission, list a number o f collector roads i n t h e s tudy area. These roads are c l a s s i f i e d as major collectors and minor collectors. routes t h a t are designated as major collectors appear to be of g r e a t e r r eg iona l importance and w i l l probably be des t ined to c a r r y l a r g e r amounts o f t r a f f i c i n t h e fu tu re .

The

- -.

-The major collectors t h a t are designated i n t h e area are: Route 645, south of 1-78: and t he Hamlin-Frystown-Rehrersburg-Schaeffersto Road.

\ ,

29

I .I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I

The minor collectors are: Strausstown Road, Summer Mountain Road, Deck Road (east o f 501) , Winte r sv i l l e Road (south of Rehrersburg Road), and Stouchsburg Road (east of M t . Aetna).

Local Roads. The primary purpose o f a local street or road is to provide access to a b u t t i n g properties. Lax1 roads t y p i c a l l y c a r r y rather low volumes o f t r a f f i c f o r r e l a t i v e l y short d is tances . lower than is the case on arterials or collectors and, t he re fo re , veh ic l e s genera l ly operated a t slower speeds on local roads.

The remaining streets and highways are considered local roads.

Design s t anda rds on local roads f r equen t ly are

Planned Improvements

During the planning period, no new road cons t ruc t ion is an t i c ipa t ed . I t is the ob jec t ive of t he Superv isors to maintain t h e townships t r a n s p o r t a t i o n network and to improve the s a f e t y f ac to r o f i n t e r s e c t i o n s where f eas ib l e . Current ly , s i t e d i s t a n c e improvement work is planned f o r t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n a t Wintersv i l le Road and L i t t l e Swatara Church Road.

Summarv and Conclusion

With the exception o f a few scattered i n t e r s e c t i o n s t h a t d o no t have adequate v i s i b i l i t y , t h e r e appear to be few major t r a f f i c hazards i n Tulpehocken. However, Route 419, between new Schaefferstown Road and Strausstm Road and especially both i n t e r s e c t i o n s have been t h e s i t e of s e v e r a l s e r ious c o l l i s i o n s . pressures o f populat ion and t r a f f i c are no t sizeable enough to warran t large-scale highway cons t ruc t ion wi th in the planning per iod. v i s i b i l i t y , alignment, and grade should be t h e focus of cons t ruc t ion a c t i v i t i e s .

Since thezarea is still l a r g e l y r u r a l , t h e

Improving

It is important to remember t h a t t h e e x i s t i n g t r a n s p o r t a t i o n rou te s have played a l a rge part i n t h e r e c e n t development i n t h e area. Suburban and rural r e s iden t s f ind it r e l a t i v e l y easy to commute to jobs i n nearby areas: s c a t t e r e d development has taken place along many state and township roads; and t h e interchange areas along 1-78 o f f e r g r e a t p o t e n t i a l f o r development.

The chal lenge i n Tulpehocken Township w i l l be to u t i l i z e t h e advantages

However, any p l a n s f o r f u t u r e development must also protect t h e of the e x i s t i n g street and highway system when planning f o r f u t u r e development. e x i s t i n g system fo r t r a n s p o r t a t i o n routes as large-scale cons t ruc t ion of new or re loca ted per i d .

t h e r e are no p l ans f o r r o u t e s dur ing t h e planning

CHAPTER 7

Munic ipa l i t i e s engaged i n planning to s u c c e s s f u l l y accommodate f u t u r e growth s h o u l d ' f i r s t formulate a series of policy s t a t emen t s t h a t r e f l e c t t h e thinking of local o f f i c i a l s and a major i ty o f t h e i r c o n s t i t u e n t s p r i o r to developing t h e i r long-range p lans . account as the p lans f o r f u t u r e land use, t r a n s p o r t a t i o n , community f a c i l i t i e s and u t i l i t i e s are prepared. T h i s process w i l l r e s u l t i n a Comprehensive P lan t h a t is related not o n l y to phys ica l and economic cond i t ions b u t to community a t t i t u d e s . These g o a l s s ta tements are also important s i n c e they show how t h e township hopes to accomlate f u t u r e growth wi thout c r e a t i n g new problems and worsening e x i s t i n g problems.

These s t a t emen t s can then be taken i n t o

i S i x major planning concerns are l i s t e d b e l o w . A g e n e r a l g o a l is

proposed i n each ins tance , followed by specific o b j e c t i v e s t h a t should be accomplished to achieve t h e goa l . t a n g i b l e phys i ca l cons ide ra t ions , and o t h e r less v i s i b l e i s s u e s , but a l l have a bear ing on the c r e a t i n g o f a p l easan t , e f f i c i e n t r u r a l environment i n Tulpehocken Township.

Some of t h e g o a l s and o b j e c t i v e s involve

P rese rva t ion of t h e Natura l Environment

To r econc i l e e x i s t i n g and projected f u t u r e development with the o p p o r t u n i t i e s and l i m i t a t i o n s a f forded by t h e n a t u r a l f e a t u r e s i n t h e area so t h a t t h e environmental ba lance w i l l no t be drastically upset .

Objectives

1. Streams and t h e i r flood p l a i n s , ponds, wet lands, and areas of s e v e r e h igh water tables should n o t be encroached upon to such an extend t h a t t h e n a t u r a l cond i t ions o f t h e i r waters and banks are degraded. Development should be restricted or p roh ib i t ed i n t h e s e areas.

2. All d i r e c t causes of water p o l l u t i o n should be e l imina ted and t h e p o l l u t i o n p o t e n t i a l of a l l f u t u r e developments should be eva lua ted and considered prior to approval o f t h e subd iv i s ion or development plan.

3 . The ground water resources must be vigorous ly protected, so t h a t on- lo t wells may cont inue to y i e l d potable water f o r domest ic and o t h e r purposes.

4. Unique geologic , vege ta t ive and o t h e r e c o l o g i c a l zones should be protected to ensure v a r i e t y i n t h e environment.

5. Development should be s e v e r e l y restricted or p r o h i b i t e d i n areas wi th slopes i n excess of 26% to avoid problems o f e r o s i o n , ground water contaminat ion, storm dra inage , etc.

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I

31

I 6 . Adequate sized lots should be required in rural areas in order to avoid problems due to inadequate disposal of septic tank effluent.

1

I 1 1 1 1

To preserve and enhance the open, uncongested qualities that help create a rural atnnsphere throughout township.

Objectives

1. All development should be related to natural features. Unusually scenic elements of the natural environment such as dense woodlands, water bodies, stream valleys, steep slopes and hilltops should not be bulldozed out of existence by unimaginative development plans.

2. Farmland should be protected from haphazard development so that the

The location and appearance of scenic detriments such as junk yards

agricultural heritage and economy of the area may be preserved.

3. should be controlled through elimination, isolation or screening from view.

4. Utilities should not detract from the overall quality of the environment. If underground installation is impractical, facilities should be of an attractive design and should blend with the landscape.

5. Pleasing views should be protected.

6. Signs should be controlled to ensure that they are reasonable in size and attractive in design.

The Economy

To provide for a viable local economy, controlled utilization of resources, and a variety of employment opportunities.

Objectives

1. The most productive agricultural lands shall, when practical, be kept out of development, and their continued use as farmland is encouraged.

2. Encouragement of limited commercial and industrial development will be practiced since the predominantly rural character of the township will exist at least through the end of the planning period.

3 . In light of changing retailing and travel patterns, commercial clusters should be limited to the villages. legitimate home occupations, should be generally discouraged.

Scattered comrcial uses, except

3?

4 . Limited warehousing and l i g h t i n d u s t r i a l uses t h a t do not have s u b s t a n t i a l water supply o r sewage d i s p o s a l requirements should also be clustered around t h e s e interchanges.

Affordable Housinq _ -

--4-- - ' Goal

To ensure s a f e , decent and adequate homes €or e x i s t i n g and p rospec t ive r e s i d e n t s of t h e area.

Objec t ives

1. Adequate housing sha l l be a v a i l a b l e to a l l r e s i d e n t s and a v a r i e t y of typs o f r e s i d e n t i a l structures and housing d e n s i t i e s should be encouraged to maximize housing op t ions and create phys ica l d i v e r s i t y , as w e l l as d i v e r s e housing mus t be af fordable . can be purchased by peogde for a reasonable p r c e n t a g e of t h e i r income. person wi th a n "average income" ought to be able to buy an "average price" new house. However, housing d e n s i t y must be r e l a t e d to t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y of c e n t r a l water supply and sewerage f a c i l i t i e s , or the a b i l i t y of t h e soils handle on-lot d i s p o s a l of sewage e f f l u e n t . encouraged around the v i l l a g e s where sewage and water f a c i l i t i e s are pro- posed to be provided a t some po in t i n t h e fu tu re .

Affordable housing is appropr i a t e housing t h a t A

to Res iden t i a l c l u s t e r i n g should be

2. Prevent ion of b l i g h t and o f proper ty value dep rec i a t ion should be practiced through f u t u r e enactment and enforcement of adequate codes and ordinances. multi-family conversions and year-round occupat ion of seasona l dwell ings.

These measures should p r o t e c t t h e township against ind i sc r imina te

3. Res iden t i a l development in proximity to t h e v i l l a g e s should be encouraged, t h u s helping to encourage the p re se rva t ion of small town i d e n t i t y and values . which sewer and water f a c i l i t i e s are proposed to be e s t a b l i s h e d a t some time i n t h e f u t u r e .

I n add i t ion , growth should be encouraged around those v i l l a g e s i n

4. Adequate codes and ordinances should be adopted i n order to protect t h e township a g a i n s t unregulated tmbi le home park development. l e g i s l a t i v e measures should seek to regulate r a t h e r than p r o h i b i t mbile home park development.

These

Comunitv Se rv ices

To provide se rv ices , f a c i l i t i e s and uti l i t ies i n l i n e with the requirements and d e s i r e s of a modern rural conununity.

Objec t ives

I. Proposals f o r var ious land use types and d e n s i t i e s should be made with an eye toward t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of providing necessary suppor t ive s e r v i c e s , such as roads, schools, and sewerage and water facilities.

33

I I

I I

I I I I I I I I I I I

I 1

iI I I I I

2. The timing and loca t ion of a l l community s e r v i c e s , : f a c i l i t i e s and ’u t i l i t i es t h a t a r e provided should be c a r e f u l l y coordinated. t hese facilities should also be coordinated w i t h f u t u r e plans of land developers and buyers.

The provis ion o f

3 . The concept of locrrting and acquir ing sites f o r needed community f a c i l i t i e s or s e r v i c e s i n advance of development should be implemented. approach w i l l save money, and ensure the best possible l o c a t i o n fo r t he f a c i l i t i e s and utilities.

This

4. Historic bu i ld ings and sites should be preserved, i d e n t i f i e d with information plaques and incor,mrated i n t o t h e o v e r a l l f a b r i c of t h e community.

S . I f i t ever becomes necessary, t he township government should s tand ready to extend a d d i t i o n a l f i n a n c i a l support to t h e volunteer f i re companies and a u x i l l i a r y ,police.

6. The township should move toward the goa l o f even tua l ly providing public sewer and water s e r v i c e to those areas i d e n t i f i e d i n the B e r k s County Master Water and Sewer Plan, w h i l e recogizing t h a t it may not be poss ib l e to meet t h e time table for development out l ined i n t h i s plan.

Transportat ion

To provide sa.fe, e f f i c i e n t , economical, q u i e t and p l e a s a n t f a c i l i t i e s I;”

f o r t h e mvements of people and goods within and through t h e townships.

O b j e c t i ves

1. Movement of t r a f f i c should be f a c i l i t a t e d by su r fac ing unpaved roads, widening narrow roads, improving hazardous s e c t i o n s and i n t e r s e c t i o n s , and improving areas o f t r a f f i c congestion. should gene ra l ly be given higher p r i o r i t y . facilities (such as Route 501) should be undertaken on ly i n ins tances where improvements to the e x i s t i n g mvement network would f a i l to s a t i s f y c u r r e n t and f u t u r e needs.

Heavily-used and through roads The cons t ruc t ion of e n t i r e l y new

2. T r a f f i c c o n f l i c t s between movement m r r i d o r s and ad jacent land use a c t i v i t i e s s h a l l be minimized by discouraging random development along busy arterial and collector roads.

3. Since only l imi t ed highway improvements are proposed for t h e area, i t is e s s e n t i a l to p r o t e c t t h e e x i s t i n g highway system and make t h e g r e a t e s t possible use of its p o t e n t i a l . with regard to t h e i r e f f e c t on t h e existing’highway-sys&ee.-

All f u t u r e developments should be reviewed

- - - - 4.

highway, t h e e x i s t i n g right-of-way should be enlarged to recommended s tandards. can, i n some way, a id i n so lv ing the problems t h a t they he lp to create.

Whenever development takes place ad jacen t to an e x i s t i n g street or

Thus, the developments t h a t add to e x i s t i n g t r a f f i c and conges t ion

34 ” ,.

I 1 . I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I

.I€ any comprehensive plan is to be implemented it must be largely based upon local goals and aspirations. must be realistically tempered by such factors as existing development patterns, growth potential of the area, limitations imposed by the natural environment, existing and proposed transprtation facilities.

However, these local goals and aspirations.

The purpose of this chapter is to present the Comprehensive Plan for Tulpehocken Township, and to relate the proposals of the Plan to the above factors. in Chapter 7, and this Plan chapter will also briefly recapitulate the existing and Euture conditions that are expected to exist in the townships--covering such subjects as the area's growth potential, economic considerations, transportation proposals, future land use, housing needs, and proposals for community facilities and utilities.

The Comprehensive Plan will be based upon the goals that are listed

The planning period encompassed in this document spans 20 years--the period extending from 1990 through 2010. It is expected that the variety and amount of change that have taken place in Tulpehocken Township in the past years will continue to take place in the future; and these changes will occur at an ever-accelerating rate. Therefore, this Plan should be evaluated in detail every five years throughout the planning period and updated where necessary. A major review and significant revisions will mst likely be needed around 2000.

Growth Potential

The Plan assumes a continued pattern of rural non-farm population growth in Tulpehocken "bwnship. into the area will largely have differing socio-economic characteristics than the old-time residents. =io-economic characteristics of many of today's suburban dwellers.

This generally means that the new residents moving

In this respect these new residents will share the

Approximately 362 more persons are expected to locate in Tulpehocken Township during the period from 1990 through 2000.

The population projections prepared by the Consultant are somewhat

the Consultant feels that these projections are reasonable since recent trends have shown a growing tendency for developnt to "leap-frog" out into the rural areas, by-passing the mre expensive development land that is located closer to city centers. Census of Population. est ima tcs .

---higher than those prepared by the Berks County Planning Commission. However,

The Consultant's estimate also considers the 1980 The Census showed a higher population than the County

/ _ _ _ - ->- - _ _ - -t-ion can only be an estimate. the projections presented in the population chapter of this report may, in fact, be conservative since a large-scale developent of any type could potentially radically increase the growth rate in the area.

It is possible that

35

,

' I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I

Although t h e data presented above is composed e n t i r e l y of board estimates, i t serves t h e purpose of i l l u s t r a t i n g t h e deve lopmnt pressures t h a t w i l l be placed.on land i n Tulpehocken Township i n t h e fu tu re .

Economic Considerat ion

Due to t h e predominately r u r a l character of Tulpehocken Township, and the lack of pub l i c water and sewer Eacilities, major new areas o f commercial and i n d u s t r i a l developmnt are l i m i t e d to t h e areas near t h e in te rchanges of 1-78. In addi t ion , e x i s t i n g commercial and i n d u s t r i a l areas i n t h e v i l l a g e s are projected to remain stable or show moderate growth.

No isolated spots of new commercial or i n d u s t r i a l f ac i l i t i es are proposed i n t h e Plan because such scattered uses o f t e n cause d i s r u p t i o n or even b l i g h t i n t h e areas i n which they are located. are recommended because t h i s form of developmnt h a s been made obsolete by recent changes i n r e t a i l i n g and t r a v e l pa t te rns . convenient as c lus t e red shopping f a c i l i t i e s and they also create a hazard to the pub l i c who t r a v e l s the thoroughfare along which t h e s e uses are located.

N o s t r i p commercial uses

Such uses are no t as

Future i n d u s t r i a l land requirements are limited because a h s t every type of i n d u s t r i a l use demands pub l i c water, sewers and good access to t r anspor t a t ion rou te s and labor markets.' There are few areas t h a t have or w i l l have these advantages: and these areas are found i n t h e v i l l a g e s and near t h e interchanges of 1-78. should be limited to warehousing and those types of l i g h t i n d u s t r i a l uses t h a t do no t have ex tens ive requirements for water or sewer f a c i l i t i e s .

Even there t h e i n i t i a l development of indus t ry

>r

The local economy i n Tulpehocken is l a r g e l y a g r i c u l t u r a l , and special

Extens ive home cau t ion must be used to discourage t h e random and disorderly development t h a t would d i s r u p t the product ive a g r i c u l t u r a l lands i n t h e area. occupations e x i s t i n t h e area and should cont inue to be allowed. these uses should be regula ted by zoning i n order to prohibit the i n t r u s i o n o f commercial or i n d u s t r i a l developments i n t o a quiet r e s i d e n t i a l or r u r a l area under the gu i se o f a home occupation.

However,

There are s e v e r a l j u n k yards i n t h e township and these are economically v i ab le . recognizing t h a t these junk ya rds e x i s t and seeking to regu la t e , rather than prohibit, these operat ions. These regula t ions should seek to e l i m i n a t e t h e major f a c t o r s t h a t lead to complaints about junk ya rds , especially requ i r ing screening from view from p u b l i c rights-of-way and p r o h i b i t i n g o p e r a t i o n s i n improper locat ions.

Special provis ions should be w r i t t e n i n t o t h e zoning ord inances

Transpor ta t ion Proposals

1) A t t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of Four Poin t Road and Route 419 two problem are evident. Four Poin t Road west of 419 is low i n e l e v a t i o n and needs to be raised for better s i g h t d i s t ance . The road is steep i n t h i s area, which w i l l make t h i s improvement mre d i f f i c u l t . addi t ion , trees t h a t are located on t h e sou theas t e rn and south- western rprtions o f t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n cou ld be trimmed for better v i s i b i l i t y .

I n

36

2) By c o n t r a s t , t h e area around with New SchaeEferstown Road

t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of Four Po in t Road is r e l a t i v e l y l e v e l . There is,

however, a s l i g h t s i g h t d i s t a n c e problem c rea t ed by a tree i n t h e southeas te rn p o r t i o n o f t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n .

3) The 'IT" i n t e r s e c t i o n o f Host Church Road and Parks ide Inn Road is cha rac t e r i zed by a t i g h t tu rn ing rad ius , no stop s i g n s , and i n a e q u a t e s i g h t d i s t ances . basks on t h e sou theas t e rn and southwestern p o r t i o n s of t h e i n t e r - s e c t i o n be c u t back to improve s i g h t d i s t ance .

I t is recxmmended t h a t t he e a r t h e n

I n gene ra l , m s t r e a d i l y apparent t ra f f ic hazards i n t h e township seem to stem from problems oE poor s i g h t d i s t a n c e a t i n t e r s e c t i o n s . hazards can be improved, a t r e l a t i v e l y l i t t le expense, by proper grading i n the areas around the i n t e r s e c t i o n . In some cases t h e e x i s t i n g right-of-way is no t a v a i l a b l e to do t h i s grad ing and so permission w i l l have to be sought from the landowners.

Many of these

New highways and highway improvement are c o s t l y and very few highway improvements involving new c o n s t r u c t i m are proposed. Therefore , i t is a b s o l u t e l y e s s e n t i a l t h a t e x i s t i n g streets and highways be maintained and modest made where necessary and t h a t t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s be protected so t h a t they can be u t i l i z e d to t h e i r f u l l e s t p o t e n t i a l . S ince it is e s s e n t i a l to .

protect e x i s t i n g roads, t h e P lan does no t recommend s t r i p development of any type. create numerous p o i n t s of p o t e n t i a l t r a f f i c hazards, acc iden t s , and t r a f f i c congest ion. The n e t r e s u l t is t h a t t h e s a f e t y and t h e t r a f f i c - ca r ry ing capacity of t h e road is even tua l ly impaired. the va lue o f t h e past investments o f t he taxpayer i n t h a t f a c i l i t y . I n add i t ion , t h e acc iden t s , t he acc iden t s damages to automobiles and o t h e r property means t h a t t h e r e are also l a r g e losses o f p r i v a t e capital.

Th i s type o f development r e s u l t s i n a mul t i tude o f driveways which

Th i s r e s u l t e f f e c t i v e l y reduces

The P lan also recommends t h a t a l l f u t u r e subd iv i s ion or land developments be requi red to dedicate t h e amount o f right-of-way t h a t is necessary to meet recommended s t anda rds as a cond i t ion to t h e approval o f any new subd iv i s ions or land developments. New developments, and the t r a f f i c and p o i n t s of access that they gene ra t e , tend to create and i n t e n s i f y e x i s t i n g t r a f f i c problems i n an area. However, f e w people consider t h i s s i n c e t h e e f f e c t is cumulat ive and may n o t be no t i ceab le with any one development a t any one given p i n t o f time.

I f t h e township r e q u i r e s ded ica t ion of adequate rights-of-way, t hen new developments can p o t e n t i a l l y assist i n r e so lv ing some of t h e traffic problems thay they tend to create. a v a i l a b l e t h a t can be even tua l ly used f o r a number o f p u r p s e s , inc luding highway widening, i n t e r s e c t i o n improvements, shoulder s t a b i l i z a t i o n , d ra inage improvements, cons t ruc t ion of t u rn -o f f s and improvements to c u t s and f i l l s .

Th i s is accomplished when t h e developer make land

Following are the recommended minimum rights-of-way t h a t should be required i n a l l new developments. All arterial highways should be c o n t a i n t h e right-of-way r e c o m n d e d by t h e District o f f i c e o f t h e Department o f Transpor ta t ion . r emt tmnda t ions , or t h a t t h e District o f f ice ' c a M O t respond i n time to process a subd iv i s ion or land development app l i ca t ion , a minimum of 80 feet

I n t h e event t h a t t h e District o f f i c e does n o t have s p e c i f i c

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I

right-of-way should be required for alL arterial highways. feet, minimum, from each s i d e of the c e n t e r l i n e o f t h e highway.) t h a t m u l d be a f f e c t e d are Route 501 and Route 419.

(This would be 40 The routes

The land necessary to produce a total right-of-way o f 60 Eeet (30 Ecet on each s i d e of the c e n t e r l i n e ) should be requi red to be dedicated on a l l major and minor collectors. These rou te s are Route 501, Route 645, Rehrersburg-SchaeEferstown Road, Camp Swatara Road, Strausstown Road, Summer Mountain Road, Deck Road (east of 5011, W i n t e r s v i l l c Road (south o f Rehrersburg Road) and Stouchsburg Road (east o f Mt. Aetna).

All remaining streets and highways would have a requirement o f a total right-of-way o f 50 f e e t . t h e e x i s t i n g c e n t e r l i n e .

This m u l d be a d i s t a n c e of 25 f e e t on each side o f

It is important to note t h a t t h i s requirement f o r a d d i t i o n a l r ights-of-way would no t a f f e c t t h e areas of e x i s t i n g development, bu t r a t h e r would apply on ly to areas of new development. Also, to avoid confusion, it should be poin ted o u t t h a t a developer who owned land on only one side oE an e x i s t i n g highway would o n l y be responsible f o r ded ica t ing an adequate right-of-way from t h e c e n t e r l i n e of t h a t p a r t i c u l a r s i d e o f t he road.

An example may h e l p to i l l u s t r a t e t he above p i n t . For most roads i n t h e area the e x i s t i n g right-of-way is now 33 f e e t (or 16 1/2 f e e t on each side of the c e n t e r l i n e ) , and t h e proposed right-of-way would be 50 f e e t (or 25 f e e t . on each s i d e of t h e c e n t e r l i n e ) . on ly on one side o f t h e road would be required to dedicate a s t r i p 8 1/2 f e e t wide along h i s road f ron tage (8 1/2 feet is t h e d i f f e r e n c e between t h e 16 1/2 feet t h a t exist and t h e 25 feet requi red) .

Therefore, a developer with land located

38

Future Land U s e

As can be seen by the references i n other p o r t i o n s oE t h i s report, t h e f u t u r e land use oE Tulpehocken Township w i l l be inf luenced by a number of €actors inc luding , predominately, t h e economic and growth p o t e n t i a l oE t h e area i n combination w i t h limitations placed upon developmrnt by n a t u r a l E ea tures .

Res iden t i a l Areas. developed around the v i l l a g e s of M t . Aetna and Rehrersburg. f u t u r e t h e r e s i d e n t i a l c l u s t e r s t h a t p r e s e n t l y e x i s t w i l l remain. I n add i t ion , major new areas o f r e s i d e n t i a l growth are anticiLpated around Rehrersburg and i n t h e M t . Aetna areas. fxisis of t h e water and sewer facil i t ies t h a t t h e B e r k s County Master Water and Sewer Plan proposes f o r cons t ruc t ion i n those areas wi th in t h e planning per id.

I n the past, s i g n i f i c a n t r e s i d e n t i a l c l u s t e r s have Of course , i n t h e

T h i s growth is pred ica t ed upon t h e

The P lan recomends a minimum o f one-half acre lots f o r t h e r e s i d e n t i a l areas a d j a c e n t to t h e v i l l a g e s . "his r e c o m n d e d lot s i z e is a compromise from the p o i n t o f view of on-lot sewerage d i s ,p sa l , s i n c e lots w i t h on-lot sewer faci l i t ies should s e n e r a l l y be a t least an acre i n s i z e based upon t h e information i n t h e Berks-County soils Survey. w i l l e v e n t u a l l y be i n s t a l l e d i n these areas and excess ive ly large lots m u l d

However, sewerage faciiities

then prove expensive to serve. p u b l i c water and sewer facil i t ies could be smaller than one-half acre, bu t t h e fact t h a t t h e s e lots must use on-lot septic tank systems for s e v e r a l y e a r s i n t h e in t e r im r u l e s o u t smaller lot sizes. Therefore, t h e one-half acres lot s ize recommended i n t h e P lan r e p r e s e n t s a reasonable compromise i n view o f t h e circumstances.

On t h e other hand, lots t h a t are served wi th

The recommended minimum lot s i z e s for the r e s i d e n t i a l areas around t h e

The recomended minimum lot s izes wi th in v i l l a g e s would be decreased to 10,000 square f e e t when these areas are served by p u b l i c water and sewer systems. t h e v i l l a g e s would be i n t h e range of 6,000 to 8,000 square f e e t , after p u b l i c sewer and water f a c i l i t i e s are a v a i l a b l e . U n t i l then new c o n s t r u c t i o n i n and around t h e v i l l a g e s should take place on lots o f one-half acre i n size.

The remaining land, o t h e r than t h e land i n and around the v i l l a g e s , should be examined to determine what p o r t i o n s should be des igna ted as a g r i c u l t u r a l p re se rva t ion . The d e n s i t y o f development i n these areas, i.e. number o f dwel l ing u n i t s per acre, m u l d be determined on a s l i d i n g scale basis. area f o r t h e adequate d i s p o s a l o f septic tank e f f l u e n t , t h e " idea l" s o l u t i o n from an environmental p o i n t of view would be to p r o h i b i t development i n most areas of t h e township a l t o g e t h e r . Even though t h i s would f o r e s t a l l problems o f p o l l u t i o n o f t h e ground water supply, it would n o t be a reasonable s o l u t i o n i n view of t h e p r i v a t e proper ty r i g h t s involved. Therefore, lots of a t least one acre i n s i z e can provide some p r o t e c t i o n to the p u b l i c h e a l t h by ensur ing t h a t an adequate land area e x i s t s i n which c o n s t r u c t p re sen t and f u t u r e disposal t i le f i e l d s , and by p r o h i b i t i n g development a t urban d e n s i t i e s i n a n area i n which a s i g n i f i c a n t development a t urban d e n s i t i e s i n a n area i n which a s i g n i f i c a n t percentage of septic tank ma1Eunctions can be reasonably expected.

I n view o f the adverse r a t i n g s o f t he ma jo r i ty o f the soils i n the

~

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

39

IDEAS FOR BETTER SUBDIVISION DESIGN I I

--

PROPER LOTTING ON A CUL-DE-SAC POOH LOTTING ON A CUL-DE-SAC

BAD GOOD

MAKE BETTER LOTS FROM RIBBON SfRlPS

I 1

- I s

I I I I I

----- TREET INTERSErTION T Y P E S rn-

GOOD

40

. . :... I . . . .

LOTTING

RLVLR8L FRONTAOE

ON ARTERIAL ROADS

FRONTAGE ROAD

I I I I I I I I EXTEWOEO STREETS LOOP

CUL- DE- SAC

---6 /= t-- ---- -.#a$

REAR ACCES3

I

APlhPlAL

----I I I I

41

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 1 1

Landowners i n the area may wish to " s t r i p develop" r e s i d e n t i a l areas along e x i s t i n g roads. serv ice , operates new p i n t s oE traEfic congest ion and hazards, and creates a n undesirable Eorm of development that is one lot deep and may be s e v e r a l miles in length.

Th i s type of dcveLopmnt is e x t r e m l y expensive to

I t is recommended t h a t t he Township Planning Commission require--as a uniform policy--that a l l f u t u r e subdiv is ions n o t be allowed to con ta in s t r i p development. There w i l l be s i g n i f i c a n t r e s i s t a n c e s i n c e t h e developer avoids the oost o f cons t ruc t ing new roads by developing a long e x i s t i n g roads. long-range cost to the publ ic , however, w i l l be less of taxpayer ' s investment and property losses mentioned previously.

The

Mobile homes constitute an important and d i s t i n c t type o f s i n g l e family development. located permanently on s i n g l e lots must be regula ted i n the same manner as any o ther s i n g l e family home. s p e c i f i c separate treatment f o r ind iv idua l mbile homes on ind iv idua l m b i l e home lots.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ru led t h a t mobile homes

Recognizing t h i s , t h i s P lan has suggested no

However, one form o f mbile home development, t h e mobile home pa rk , is s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f f e r e n t than any o ther form o f s i n g l e family development and deserves s p e c i a l t reatment both i n the Plan and i n t h e proposed zoning ordinance. Mobile home parks gene ra l ly i n v o l v e - t h e lease o f lots, r a t h e r t han t h e i r sale, f o r t h i s particular type of development. Mobile Home Ordinance i n J u l y of 1974.

The Township passed a

No mobile home p a r k s should be allowed to develop or to expand without i n s t a l l i n g c e n t r a l i z e d p u b l i c water and sewerage systems that are acceptable to the S t a t e Department o f Environment Resources. systems are i n s t a l l e d , it would be reasonable to allow a density of around five-fold increase over t he comparable d e n s i t i e s for o t h e r s i n g l e family d e v e l o p n t and is suggested s o l e l y because o f t h e unique na tu re o f t h e m b i l e home park and because the p u b l i c hea l th and wel fare are considered when adequate c e n t r a l i z e d water and sewerage f a c i l i t i e s are required. Mobile home parks should be a t least 1 0 acres i n size to allow f o r good management and to avoid a l a r g e number of small scattered sites.

I f these c e n t r a l i z e d

The township o f f i c i a l s must not, however, f o r g e t t h a t t h e sewage systems installed i n mobile home parks do not completely treat t h e e f f l u e n t from t h e s e homes. These p l a n t s do provide t h e t reatment t h a t is required by c u r r e n t regula t ions of the Pennsylvania Department o f Environmental Resources.

As mentioned previously, due to the r u r a l na tu re of t h e township and to t h e type of sewerage f a c i l i t i e s t h a t would be a v a i l a b l e to mobile home parks i n the near f u t u r e , t he P lan proposes a d e n s i t y l i m i t of f i v e u n i t s per acre for mobile home parks of 10 or more acres i n size. cu r ren t l oca t ions f o r these mobile home parks would be around the interchanges o f 1-78. v i l l ages , then a re-zoning f o r mobile home p a r k developments can be considered i n those areas t h a t can be served by these f a c i l i t i e s .

The mst appropr i a t e

In the fu ture , when sewerage f a c i l i t i e s are made a v a i l a b l e i n t h e

I n no case should mobile home parks approaching t h e recommended density be located on local roads or unimproved roads. access to, an arterial or collector highway is necessary due to t h e h igher d e n s i t y of development of t h i s type o f land use.

Locat ion on, or inunediate

42

No mult i -Emily development is proposed by the P lan i n any area of t h e township o u t s i d e the e x i s t i n g v i l l a g e s . multi-family developnent i n t h e s e v i l l a g e s . developments should n o t be allowed u n t i l such time as p u b l i c water and sewer f a c i l i t i e s are a v a i l a b l e to s e r v e them. areas can be proposed a t t h a t time. apartment development should be l imi t ed to the areas around the v i l l a g e s , as mentioned above. I n any event , t h e same requirements listed f o r mbile home parks should apply--that is, t h e l o c a t i o n of these developments should be l i m i t e d to those areas along, or w i t h immediate access to, e i t h e r arterial or collector highways.

Commercial Development. Tulpehocken Township w i l l be s i g n i f i c a n t i n terms o f p a s t popula t ion l e v e l s , t h e projected populat ion i n c r e a s e w i l l no t be s u f f i c i e n t to require a great deal of new commercial development. There w i l l be a requirement for s o m e l imi t ed commercialdevelo,pment t h a t w i l l be necessary to se rve t h e f u t u r e populat ion.

The Plan must recognize t h e e x i s t i n g However, new multi-family

Adequate zoning f o r new mult i - family I n gene ra l t h e sites f o r

Even though the populat ion growth projected i n

I The e x i s t i n g commercial areas i n and around t h e v i l l a g e s w i l l be adequate to s e r v e the day-to-day shopping needs o f t h e r e s i d e n t s of t h e area. Some r e fu rb i sh ing of e x i s t i n g f a c i l i t i e s and some commercial expansions m u l d be d e s i r a b l e i n t h e v i l l a g e areas.

Strip commercial development involves a l l o f t he d i f f i c u l t i e s p r e v i o u s l y mentioned and i n a d d i t i o n i t attracts more traffic than s t r i p r e s i d e n t i a l development, thus magnifying a l l o f t he prev ious ly mentioned problems.

S ince t h e r e are no demands for commercial f a c i l i t i e s t h a t cannot be met either i n t h e v i l l a g e s or i n t h e interchange areas and s i n c e t h e r e is o n l y one major highway (1-78) t h a t carries l a r g e volumes of t r a v e l e r s who l i v e o u t s i d e t h e reg ion (and who must purchase food, f u e l , and o t h e r commercial s e r v i c e s local ly) , then t h e r e r e a l l y is no need for the deve lopmnt of commercial areas i n o t h e r parts of the township. T h i s lack of need r u l e s o u t completely t h e cons ide ra t ion of commercial strips.

M a l a . must be met before they w i l l locate i n a n area. t h e need f o r gooil t rucking access to major highways i n order to e a s i l y t r a n s p o r t raw materials and goods, good access to nearby concen t r a t ions o f employees, good access to some nearby raw material, p u b l i c water f a c i l i t i e s , and p u b l i c sewer f a c i l i t i e s . i n t h i s report t h a t t he market f o r a d d i t i o n a l i n d u s t r i a l development is l i m i t e d to t h e area.

Most manufacturing e n t e r p r i s e s have s e v e r a l requirements which Among t h e s e f a c t o r s may be

I n view of t h e above, t h e conclus ion is reached ..

The;,most promising new i n d u s t r i a l areas to cons ider are those near the interchanges. These areas have t h e fol lowing advantages: good t ruck ing access f o r raw materials, good t rucking access f o r f in i shed products, l o c a t i o n on a highway network t h a t can e a s i l y br ing employees i n t o a p l a n t from a wide surrounding area and t h e public r e l a t i o n s advantage of high v i s i b i l i t y o f t h e f a c i l i t y to t h e t r a v e l i n g pub l i c .

43

I I I 1 I I I- 1 I 1 I 1 1 I' I I' 1 B E

I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I B

Since t h e v i l l a g e s oE Rehrersburg and p s s i b l y M t . Aetna are proposed to cons t ruc t water and sewer Eacilities wi th in the planning period i t is reasonable to expect some limited new i n d u s t r i a l expansion and new loca t ion i n these areas. labor pol is ava i l ab le .

The v i l l a g e s have another advantage i n t h a t a l i m i t e d local

I t is proposed t h a t t h e zoning ordinance f o r t h e area i n i t i a l l y attempt to l i m i t i n d u s t r i a l uses to t h e type t h a t would not require p u b l i c water and sewer f a c i l i t i e s . As f a c i l i t i e s are developed, then the zoning i n t h e a f fec ted i n d u s t r i a l areas can be broadened to include those uses t h a t r e q u i r e these f a c i l i t i e s .

Agricul ture and Woodland. both now and i n t h e fu tu re , w i l l be a g r i c u l t u r a l p u r s u i t s and woodland. forested areas o f the township is now l a r g e l y l imi t ed to areas t h a t conta in extremely shallow or poor soils or steep s lopes , or both. should not be removed and t h e s e areas should be p ro tec t ed from development because they are not s u i t a b l e f o r subdividing. suburban d e n s i t y o f development i n these areas w i l l inc lude e ros ion , roadbuilding and access d i f f i c u l t i e s , storm drainage problems, inadequate water suppl ies , and problems with acceptable d i s p o s a l o f septic tank e f f l u e n t .

mininum of f i v e acre lots when slopes i n the land area average 1 5 percent or grea te r . The genera l ized areas i n which these slopes or a l l u v i a l soils are found are indica ted on t h e Comprehensive Plan map. topography information ( requi red to be provided by a r e g i s t e r e d surveyor or .engineer) on each and every subdivis ion and land development p l a n w i l l determine whether a specific parcel f a l l s i n t o t h e above mentioned category. I f a parcel of land does f a l l i n t h i s category, then t h e zoning ordinance should require t h e recommended lot size.

By f a r the predominate land use i n Tulpehocken, The

Th i s f o r e s t cover

The r e s u l t s of a typical

Therefore, t h e Plan recommends t h a t development be restricted to a

The review of t h e

A l s o , i n t h e i n t e r e s t o f promoting the p re se rva t ion of a g r i c u l t u r a l l and i n the area, it is necessary to avoid t h e haphazard development o f odd b i t s and pieces o f land a t typical suburban d e n s i t i e s (approximately two to four lots per acre). areas, and suburban d e n s i t i e s are allowed only i n those areas t h a t are expected to be served by water or sewer f a c i l i t i e s w i th in t h e planning period.

Therefore, one acre lots are required i n a l l a g r i c u l t u r a l

I n regards to a g r i c u l t u r a l p reserva t ion , t h e township has adopted an Agr icu l tura l Secur i ty Area under the cri teria e s t a b l i s h e d by Pennsylvania A c t 43 of 1981. land within the township and is a major cons ide ra t ion i n t h e development of fu tu re land use plans.

This area con ta ins over 4,000 acres or approximately 26% of the

I t should also be noted t h a t the s t r i p r e s i d e n t i a l type of development that was discussed previous ly also has t h e e f f e c t o f maximizing t h e number o f p o t e n t i a l po in t s o f c o n f l i c t between a g r i c u l t u r a l uses and r e s i d e n t i a l uses. These p i n t s of c o n f l i c t can become q u i t e severe and even lead to law s u i t s . The most c o m n problems involve the close proximity o f r e s idences to f i e l d s t h a t are fertilized with c e r t a i n types of manures, proximity to cattle feeding pens or to modern "egg factories".

44

I Publ ic Facilities. Towhship or immediate area . t h e U.S. Army Corps oE Engineers i n 1979, was the last l a r g e p u b l i c works project i n t h e area.

There are no s i g n i f i c a n t new p u b l i c works proposed €or t h e The completion oE t h e B l u e Marsh D m p r o j e c t by

Conservation Areas. Areas oE severe n a t u r a l l i m i t a t i o n s (o ther than the steep slope areas mentioned above) inc lude flood p l a i n s . The gene ra l i zed conserva t ion zone on t h e Comprehensive Plan map inc ludes these two c a t e g o r i e s of n a t u r a l l i m i t a t i o n s . However, a v a i l a b l e and so t h i s information must be requi red on a l l subdiv is ion or land d e v e l o p n t p lans .

Lot s i z e s o f a minimum of f i v e acres should be requi red i n a l l flood p l a i n s and no s t r u c t u r e s should be allowed wi th in 100 feet of any stream. These minimum lot s i z e requirements and t h e placement and f i l l t echniques t h a t w i l l be necessary both to protect t h e proper ty from flood damage and also to prevent any development which m y act as a dam to flood waters and thereby t h r e a t e n other p r o p e r t i e s i n t h e area.

The land development or subd iv i s ion p lan must r e q u i r e t h e developer or owner to show how drainage problems w i l l be overcome i n a l l areas con ta in ing soils t h a t are associated w i t h either seasonal h igh water tables or f lood p l a i n s , based upon t h e soils c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e U.S. Soil Conservation Serv ice . I t is q u i t e ,oossible t h a t , i n many ins t ances , t h e information conta ined on the development p l a n w i l l i n d i c a t e t h a t no problem e x i s t s wi th regard to f lood plains or high water tables.

Housing .

Exis t ing housing supply is a p rec ious c o d i t y and no mun ic ipa l i t y can a f f o r d to lose s i g n i f i c a n t a u n t s of housing due to b l i g h t or l a c k of adequate maintenance. In order to prevent b l i g h t and to s t a b i l i z e p rope r ty va lues (and t a x assessments) it is proposed t h a t t h e township cons ide r s adopt ing adequate model housing and bu i ld ing codes and ordinances. S e v e r a l m o d e l codes are a v a i l a b l e t h a t can be adopted by r e f e r e n c e and it is recommended t h a t t h e sugges t ions of the B e r k s County Planning Commission be solicited and considered prior to t h e s e l e c t i o n of e n a c t r e n t of any of these models.

Facilities and Utilities

T h i s s e c t i o n is devoted to a cons ide ra t ion o f f u t u r e needs for schools, r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s , and water and sewer u t i l i t i e s .

The Tulpehocken Elementary School is located on an e i g h t acre site and no expansion of the bui ld ing is considered necessary u n t i l a t least the f i r s t h a l f of the planning per iod. s choo l board to acquire a d d i t i o n a l land for s i te expansion i n t h e near f u t u r e . These a c q u i s i t i o n s w i l l ensure that the land is a v a i l a b l e when it is needed. I t is also reasonable to assume t h a t land prices w i l l cont inue to inc rease i n t he f u t u r e , thereby making an a c q u i s t i o n i n t h e near f u t u r e even more a t t r a c t i v e .

However, it is cons idered desirable for t h e

.

45.

Recreational Facilities. It is rcxmnncinded that recreational facilities primarily be provided at the existing schools and at the playgrounds located in Bethel, Mt. Aetna and Rehrersburg. Eacilities is usually low in rural and semi-rural areas. ThereEore, it is recommended that the first priority be given to establishing active

the greater use of existing facilites. increase the developmnt of existing facilities, as the usage increases. third priority would be to acquire new recreational facilities, as the existing facilities are generally well located with regard to the existing population concentractions, as previously mentioned. project provides nearby recreational facilities for Township residents.

The demand for large-scale recreational

a recreational programs, in cooperation with the school district, to enmurage The second priority would be to

The

The Blue Marsh Dam 7

\

-. ' The only recommended deviation from.the above priorities would be found in the case of a new development of 26 or more lots. subdivision and land development ordinance should require a minimum area to be dedicated by the developer for recreational use. homeowners who help to create the demand for new recreational areas will also help to meet that demand in their area.

In those cases, the

In this way, the new

So that adequate recreational facilities remain available to present and future township residents, it is recommended that the township develop and adopt a Recreation Plan, as required under Section 503 [ll] of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.

The developers will not give this land away at no cost, of course. Actually, the value of the land and its cost to the developer will be passed onto the new homeowners in the form of higher lot prices. persons who benefit from the new facility will pay for it directly.

Thereby, the

Water Utilities. establishment of water facilities in the planning area. desirable to have these facilities made available in those areas as soon as feasible, and this Plan recommends that they b installed prior to 2000.

The Berks County Master Water and Sewer Plan reconunended the However, it is

- - In order to reduce costs and to avoid the street repairs and general disruptions that would otherwise ensue, it is recommended that the water and sewer system be installed simultaneously.

Sewer Service. - Plan that the areas around Bethel and Rehrersburg have sewerage service. will be necessary to begin giving consideration now to the provision of service in those areas in order to have system installed and operating by the end of the decade. Mt. Aetna is propsed to join the Myerstown sewerage system at the end of the planning period.

It is recommended in the Berks County Master Water and Sewer It

The first step necessary to provide service is the undertaking of a sewerage feasibility study, and it is reconanended that such a study be done. This study should give detailed engineering consideration to the areas oE service and financial feasibility of providing service. This type of study is outside the scope of Comprehensive Plan; however, the Berks County study is of a regional nature and does leave certain questions unanswered which should be considered in an unbiased feasibility study.

-i

--4

R . 46

The proposed Mt. 4etna system is projected to be served by the Werstown system. would require some pumping, since Mt. Aetna is located on the opposite side of a drainage break from Myerstm. The question of the financial feasibiLity of connecting to the Myerstm system must be carefully considered, with updated cost estimates, in any Euture feasibility study.

This service would require several miles of sewer mains and also

This sewerage service will encourage development in the area and this potential new development can, in turn, help to pay for the system.

The proposed Bethel and Rehrersburg systems will be located within a relatively close distance of one another. done, some consideration should be given to comparing the captial and operating m s t s of constructing two sewerage treatment facilities versus the one facility that might be constructed to serve both areas. (It should be pointed out that if only one facility is constructed, then much more sewer mains must be installed in order for both communities to make use of the facility,) given consideration in the eventual evaluation of the costs and benefits of these alternatives.

At the time a feasibility study is

The potential land that could bc served by this facility must be

It is possible that unanticipated large-scale development could take place which would force the installation of sewers in other areas of the two townships prior to the'end of the planning period. and zoning ordinance are adopted then the likelihood of this happening is reduced.

\ If the recommended plan

Solid Waste. comnunities with a population density of 300 or more per square mile prepare and adopt a solid waste plan. Tulpehocken is not directly affected by this requirement since it does not have this population density. was amended by Act 97 and in 1988 further amended by Act 101, which requires recycling initially for communities with populations of 3,500 or more. Alhtough there are no oommunities in the Township with this figure, more

recyclables. role in promoting and facilitating separation and recycling programs, which can only help to mitigate the environmental problems being faced all over.

Act 241, the Solid Waste Management Act, requires that all

However, this act

. landfills and consequently trash haulers are demanding separation of Therefore, it is reconuneniled that the Township take a leadership

- - - - -1 4 7 . . ' .

3 I 1 I

I CHAPTER 9

IPWL,RENTATION

The purpose oE t h i s chapter is to f u r t h e r explore some oE t h e ways to p u t t h e recommendations of the Plan i n t o eEfect. appropriate, and sources where funds may be a v a i l a b l e are summarized here , and f i n a l l y the continued r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e Tulpehocken Planning Commission and t h e Board of Supervisors is stressed.

The ord inances which are I I I Land U s e Regu l a t ion

As suggested throughout t h i s Comprehensive Plan, t h e Township has t h e l e g i s l a t i v e power to regu la t e use of land for t h e purposes of promoting hea l th , s a fe ty , morals and t h e gene ra l welfare of t h e community, inc luding t h e coordinat ion of development. To accomplish these ends it is recommended that:

- The septic system ordinance be kept i n eEEect, and j u d i c i o u s l y administered,

The junk yard ordinance be enforced,

I -- -- The subdiv is ion ordinance reviewed and rev ised as necessary to I ' a s s u r e t h a t it is c o n s i s t e n t with t he Comprehensive Plan.

-- The zoning ord inance implementing t h e p r i n c i p l e s i n t h e Con- prehensive P lan be reyiewed and rev ised , as necessary. I

I I I I I I I I

-- The a d d i t i o n a l r e g u l a t o r y ordinances which follow be considered for fu tu re adoption.

Planned Res ident ia l Development (PFID) Ordinance. A PRD is a n area of land developed as a s i n g l e e n t i t y f o r a number o f dwel l ing u n i t s . provide f o r c e r t a i n depa r tu re s from t h e provis ions o f t h e zoning and subdiv is ion ordinances i n order to encourage innovat ions i n r e s i d e n t i a l design. Since PRD's o f f e r , c e r t a i n advantages, t h e enactment of a PRD ordinance should be considered i n t h e fu tu re when development p re s su res warrant t h i s .

The s t anda rds

Building Code. In order to protect t h e pub l i c from t h e s a f e t y hazards of poor q u a l i t y construct ion, t hese r e g u l a t i o n s p re sc r ibe s t anda rds f o r t h e q u a l i t y o f materials to be used, as well as cons t ruc t ion methods for a l l new bu i ld ings and repairs to e x i s t i n g bui ld ings . Contemporary bui ld ing codes permit t h e inc lus ion of performance s t anda rds to allow some f l e x i b i l i t y by spec i fy ing desired results from tests rather than thge exac t materials and dimensions t h a t should be used. Insurance Association, is probably t h e most appropriate. a l l of the e s s e n t i a l elements necessary for a s su r ing sound bui ld ing cons t ruc t ion i n the comuni ty . recognized the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development as being appropr i a t e f o r less developed communities. OfE ic i a l s Conference of America, Inc. (EKJCA), which is more detailed and broader i n scope.

The Nat iona l Building Code, publ ished by t h e American T h i s code provides

A l s o , i t is one of the s tandard codes

An a l t e r n a t e is the Building

I. 48

Fire Prevention Code. assure protectibn from fire hazards in structures. published by the American Insurance Association, should be considered for adopt ion.

Plumbing Code. in any structure that is being initially constructed or that is expanded to include plumbing fixtures. of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers be considered.

Such regulations provide for basic minimum standards to The Fire Prevention Code,

A code of this type assures the safety of plumbing facilities

It is recomnended that the National Plumbing Code

Electrical Code. facilities in any structure that is being initially constructed, expanded or altered. National Fire Protection Association, be considered for adoption and enforcement.

This code assures the safe installation of electrical

It is recommended that the National Electric Code, published by the

Housing Code. existing housing units. and sanitary maintenance of dwelling units, owner and occupant responsibilities in the care and maintenance of housing units; and the minimum space requirements. condemnation of unsafe dwelling units. It is recommended that either the Building Officials Conference of America, Basic Housing Code, or A Proposed Housing Ordinance, published by the American Public Health Association be considered.

This d e provides minimum safety and sanitary standards for The standards contained therein pertain to the safe

This d e also provides the legal basis for the

Financial Assistance

The implementation of certain recommendations in this Plan requires

Fbssible sources of financial assistance are I expenditures of township funds. Township funds can frequently be supplemented by state or federal grants. listed in the Appendix.

Continuing the Planning Program

To be effective over a period of time, planning must be a continuing process. and updated to assure that they properly reflect the conditions of the time. Hence, a continuing planning program should be made a permanent part of the administrative €unctions of the township.

Planning proposals and recommendations must be periodically reviewed

The Township Supervisors and Planning Commission will undoubtedly desire the assistance of professional planners, engineers, attorney, the Berks County Planning Commission, and other specialists in applying the recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan to the administration of the townships. consultation will save time, provide realistic and impartial alternative solutions and in the long-run result in high quality, timely service to township residents .

This

1 I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I 1

I 49

1 I I I I I I I I I 1 I I

I I I

Role of the Township Planninq Commissions

Act 247 of the Comnonwealth of Pennsylvania gives the Planning

In addition, the commission m y also do the Comission the responsibility to prepare the Comprehensive Plan for the development of the community. following :

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6 .

7.

Prepare and administer the official map, zoning ordinance, Sub- division and land development regulations, and planned residential development regulations.

Prepare building and housing codes.

Make recommendations for a capital improvements program.

Make recomndations to governmental, civic and private agencies and individuals.

Hold public hearings and meetings.

Conduct meetings with representatives of adjacent municipalities, school bards, sewer and water authorities, etc. to assure proper cooperation and coordination in the achievement of planning programs.

-Make public reports to summarize its progress and familiarize the public with the objectives and accomplishments of the planning process.

While the Consultants and the County Planning Commission can offer technical assistance in the preparation of this Plan, it will be the job of the "bwrship Planning Commission to make the day-to-day decisions necessary to implement the stated goals. It is primarily the Planning Commission that will have to inform and work with the residents in bringing about what is desired for the area. The developwnt of a comprehensive plan will have k e n a wasted effort, unless the oommissions are fully committed to both the plan and the idea of the planning process.

Role of the Township Supervisors

The Board of Township Supervisors also play an important role in implementing this Plan. reject any ordinance suggested by the Planning Commission and they also have the final authority concerning expenditures of any township funds. it is essential that the Supervisors and their Planning Commission work togehter in following the recomndations in this Plan.

It is their responsibility to either approve or

Therefore,

After the Plan and its related ordinances are adopted, the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission will be responsible for the enforcement of the various codes, administration of zoning and subdivision regulations and the various codes.

All possible efforts should be made to ensure the proper

'I 1. 50

RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION

RESOLUTIO#

. UHEREAS, t h e s p e c i a l m e e t i n g of t h e Board of S u p e r v i s o r s o f

T u l p e h o c k e n T o w n s h i p , B e r k s C o u n t y , P e n n s y l v a n i a , h e l d t h i s 1 2 t h d a y

o f A p r i l , 1990, a t 8 : O O p.m. i n t h e T u l p e h o c k e n T o w n s h i p M u n i c i p a l

B u i l d i n g , was d u l y a d v e r t i s e d a s r e q u i r e d by S e c t i o n 3 0 2 of t h e

M u n i c i p a l i t i e s P l a n n i n g Code of P e n n s y l v a n i a ,

amended by Act 170 of 1988, by p u b l i c a t i o n of

E a g l e a n d R e a d i n g T i m e s o n March 2 8 a n d A p r i l

YHEREAS, t h e p r o p o s e d C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n

r e f e r r e d t o h e r e i n was s u b m i t t e d t o t h e B e r k s

Commiss ion , t h e T u l p e h o c k e n T o w n s h i p P l a n n i n g

Act 247 o f 1 9 6 8 , a s

n o t i c e i n t h e R e a d i n g

4, 1990; a n d

of T u l p e h o c k e n T o w n s h i p

C o u n t y P l a n n i n g

C o m m i s s i o n , e a c h

m u n i c i p a l i t y w h i c h i s c o n t i g u o u s t o T u l p e h o c k e n T o w n s h i p a n d t h e

T u l p e h o c k e n S c h o o l D i s t r i c t a t l e a s t 85 d a y s p r i o r t o t h i s m e e t i n g ,

for t h e i r comments ; a n d

YHEREAS, a l l c o m m e n t s u h i o h Nave b e e n r e c e i v e d by t h e a f o r e s a i d

p l a n n i n g a g e n c i e s , c o n t i g u o u s m u n i c i p a l i t i e s a n d s c h o o l d i s t r i c t h a v e

b e e n r e v i e w e d by t h e B o a r d of S u p e r v i s o r s a n d ordered t o b e a p p e n d e d

to t h e m i n u t e s OP t h i s s p e c i a l m e e t i n g ;

UOU, THEREFORE, BE I T RESOLVED t h a t t h e B o a r d of S u p e r v i s o r s of

T u l p e h o c k e n T o w n s h i p , B e r k s C o u n t y , P e n n s y l v a n i a , h e r e b y a d o p t s ,

as t h e C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n of T u l p e h o c k e n T o u n s h i p , B e r k s C o u n t y ,

- P e n n s y l v a n i a , t h e p r o p o s e d C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n , a c o p y of w h i c h i s

a t t a c h e d h e r e t o , w h i c h was p r e p a r e d by t h e e n g i n e e r i n g f i r m of

L i g h t - H e i g e l a n d Assoc ia tes , I n c . , of P a l m y r a , P e n n s y l v a n i a , a n d

t r a n s m i t t e d t o t h e B o a r d of S u p e r v i s o r s , o n F e b r u a r y 12, 1990,

s p e c i f i c a l l y i n c l u d i n g t h e map, c h a r t s a n d t e x t u a l matter

t h e r e i n .

Adopted t h i s 1 2 t h d a y o f A p r i l , 1990.

B O A R D OF SUPERVISORS OF TULPEHOCKEN TOWNSHIP BERKS C O U N T Y ,

C ha i cman

51 ?

I I I I I I I I I I I I

-. I I I I I I .I

I I I I I I I I I

I I I I I I I I I

APPENDIX

Financial Assistance Programs

There are a multiplicity oE Federal And State programs operating to provide grants, loans and technical assistance for local projects. Often, it is difficult or impossible to plan €or and fund such projects without reliance on these programs, When a local project is contemplated, exhaustive review of all available aid programs should be undertaken: help for a single project could be forthcoming through both Federal and State mechanisms, and perhaps from mre than one agency at the same level of government.

A listing of selected aid programs follows. Although the list is by no means complete, it does describe in brief certain programs that might be utilized .

Federal Programs

BASIC WATER AND SEWER FACILITIES GRANT. To provide grants to construct water and sewer facilities including Eacilities to store, supply, treat, purify or distribute water, sanitary sewer systems for the collection, transmission and discharge of liquid waste (excluding sewage treatment works) and storm sewer systems for the collection, transmission and discharge of storm water. Funding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development. 14.301. (1)

FEDERAL CONSTRUCTION GRANTS FOR WASTE WATER TREA?MENT WORKS. Grants are made under this program which are limited to the construction of waste water treatment works, including intercepting and outfall sewers. Collector sewers and water supply systems are not eligible for grant assistance. Agency: Water Quality Office, Environmental Protection Agency. 66.400.

Administering

WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL SYSTEMS FOR RURAL CC"1TIFS. Funds may be used for the installation, repair, improvement, or expansion of a rural water system including distribution lines, wells, pumping facilities, and cost related thereto. improvement, or expansion of a rural waste disposal system including the sewer line with collection and treatment of all wastes including solid wastes. Administering Agency: Farmer's Home Administration. 10.418.

Funds may also be used for the installation, repair,

(1) Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance reference number.

OPEN SPACE LAND PROGRAMS. Funds are available to assist communities to acquire and develop land to be used as permanent open space, including the acquisision of land or interest in land and certain structures, demolition of inappropriate structures where developed land is being acquired, and real estate services. Eligible improvement costs include basic facilities such as roadways, signs, landscaping, and swimming pools, etc. Funding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development. 14.303.

WA'I'ER, STREAM PROTECTION AND FWOD PREVENTION LOANS. Those funds may be used for installation, repair, improvment of facilities to drain farmland, store and convey water for irrigation and domestic use, and stabilize annual stream flow, special land treatment measures and structures primarily for

52

c

flood prevention and installation, repair and improvement oE water storage facilities for recreation, fish and wildlife improvement and pollution abatement by stream Elow regulations and other costs incidental thereto. Adrninistecing Agency: Farmer's Home Administration. 10.419.

SOIL AND WATER LOANS. Funds may be used to level land: carry out basic land treatment practices, including liming, fertilizing a d seeding: establish permanent pastures and farm forests: establish forestry practices: improve irrigation: develop water supplies , and other irrigation equipment: acquire water rights: restore and repair ponds and tanks, ditches and canals: dig ditches and install tile to drain farmland: develop ponds and water control structures for the production of fish under a controlled condition. Administering Agency: Farmer's Home Administration. 10.416.

ESOURCE, CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMESJT LOAN. Loan funds may be obtained to install or improve rural community outdoor oriented recreational facilities, install or improve soil and water development, conservation control and use facilities, and special purpose equipment necessary to carry out the above purposes. Administering Agency: Farmer's Home Administration. 10.414.

IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE AND CIIWER SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION LOANS. Loans may be made to eligible applicants for irrigation, drainage, and other soil conservation measures. farmers or rural residents. Administering Agency: Farmer's Home Administration. 10.409.

The services or facilities must primarily serve

RECREATION FACILITIES LOAN. Funds may be obtained to develop land and water resources, repair and construct buildings, purchase land, equipment, livestock, or related recreation items and pay necessary operating expenses. Administering Agency: Fanner's Home Administration. 10.413.

FEDERAL EXTENSION PROGRAMS FOR RECREATION, WILDLIFE, AND NATURAL BEAUTY. Funds to assist conamities and enterprises to exploit opportunities for outdoor and on-farm recreation, and helps outdoor recreational managers determine market demands. Funding Agency: Extension Service, Department of Agriculture. 10.507.

PARK AND RECREATION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. Assistance is rendered to agencies to further their park and recreation programs and consists of technical and advisory services on such matters as agency organization, operation and maintenance of park systems, personnel training, historical and archeological programs, and general development planning. Agency: National Park Service, Department of the Interior. 15.906.

Administering

New State Programs

I I

PENN VEST FUNDING. The Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority

Up to $ 695 million in funds are available for bbst assistance will be in the form of low

(PIIA) is a new program for financing drinking water and sewage treatment facilities in Pennsylvania. establishing revolving loan funds. interest loans, which will range from 1 to 6 percent. available for economically distressed comunities. South Third Street, Harrisburg, Pa. 17101 - (717) 787-8137.

There are some grants Contact the PIIA at 22