CHANGINGOUR

LANDSCAPE

AWARDS

American Planning AssociationPennsylvania Chapter

Making Great Communities Happen

THE VANTAGE POINT

February 2011 • Number 158 • www.planningpa.org

APAPA A Publication of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning Association

by Janet Sweeney, and Howard J. Grossman, AICPConference Co-Chairs

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Applications Now Available

Deadline to Apply: May 20, 2011

2011PA Chapter Annual Awards Program

EACH YEAR THE BESTand the brightest plans andplanners are recognized bytheir peers through thehighly competitive PAChapter of APA Awards Program.

The Chapter is nowaccepting nominations forthe 2011 Annual Awards.The winners will beannounced at the AnnualAwards Program, scheduledfor Tuesday, October 17,2011 during the PA ChapterAnnual Conference.

The annual awards appli-cation is available online at www.planningpa.org or bycalling the PA Chapteroffice at 717-671-4510. Thedeadline for this year’sawards applications isFriday, May 20, 2011.

To view winners frompast years, visit www.planningpa.org andclick on Annual Awards,found under the Events &Training heading.

Many thanks to theAwards Committee members for their commit-ment to this program eachyear! ¿

THE PLANNING Committee for the upcoming October 2011Annual Conference continues to meet monthly at the office of theNEPA Alliance. Committees have been organized, a logo has beenprepared, and program topics have been discussed and approved sothat interested planners can begin to prepare program proposals.Mobile tours are also in the process of being developed and a widerange of activities are being organized to take advantage of thebeauty and aesthetics of the October fall season in the Scrantonarea. The Hilton Scranton will be the headquarters for the Confer-ence, and there are many geographic sites and places that will beattractive for the hundreds of attendees who are likely to participate.

As each month goes by, the extensive planning examples that arelocated within the northeastern Pennsylvaniaregion are being collected and assembled so thatthese projects can be made known to all atten-dees. October 16-18 will be a special time. Help uscelebrate the role of professional and lay plannersacross the 67 counties of the Commonwealth. Wewelcome your ideas, your creative thoughts, andof course your attendance at this keystone eventin the Keystone State.

Call for PresentationsDeadline: March 18, 2011Sponsor, Exhibit and AdvertiseDeadline for inclusion in the Preliminary Program: June 22, 2011(See Page 2 for details)

THE VANTAGE POINT 1

Best Conference Ever!2011 Annual ConferenceOctober 16–18, 2011

Northeastern Pennsylvania is planning the...

2 THE VANTAGE POINT

Call for PresentationsAnnounced!

The PA Chapter is seekingdynamic presenters to sharetheir knowledge and expertise atthe 2011 Annual Conference inScranton, PA. Applicants areencouraged to submit sessionproposals that support the con-ference theme “Our ChangingLandscape” and the list of sug-gested topics developed by theConference Committee.

The deadline for submissionof session proposals is Friday,March 18, 2011.

Submissions are accepted online only

Visit www.planningpa.org and click on “Annual Confer-ence” for more information. If you have any questions please contact the ChapterOffice at 717-671-4510 orinfo@planningpa.org.

Sponsors, Exhibit and Advertise! Connect with PA Planners at the Annual Conference

The PA Chapter AnnualConference offers excellentopportunities to sponsors,exhibitors and advertisers. Be apart of the largest annual gath-ering of Pennsylvania’s profes-sional planners and planningofficials by sponsoring,exhibiting or advertising at theevent. The Preliminary Pro-gram, distributed in July 2011, isexpected to reach 5,000 mem-bers of Pennsylvania’s planningcommunity. Additionally morethan 550 planners will be inattendance at the conference.

To be sure your company ororganization maximizes the ben-efit of these opportunities con-firm your arrangements with thePA Chapter office no later thanJune 22, 2011.¿

Details are available online atwww.planningpa.org. Click on “Annual Conference.”

THE FUTURE CITY Competi-tion, a school based program formiddle school students, is heldfrom September through Feb-ruary every year. The NationalFuture City Competition issponsored in part by theNational Engineers Week Foun-dation, a consortium of profes-sional and technical societies,including engineers, planners,architects, and major U.S. corpo-rations.Students are expected to:

• Design and layout a city ofthe future using Sim4 computersoftware

• Build a table-top modelusing recycled materials illus-trating one section of the city

• Write a 500 -700 word tech-nical report which is researchedwith a bibliography of refer-ences.

• Present the city model toteams of judges at an all daycompetition. In Philadelphia,

the Future City Program is vol-unteer run and uses the supportof the entire engineering andassociated communities. Over200 volunteers work on the pro-gram each year as committeemembers, mentors, organizers,and judges. This year, Section Councilmember Joseph Luste, repre-senting Pennoni Associates,served as a mentor to Girard

Future CityProgram

College Middle School inPhiladelphia, and Councilmember Brian O’Leary, repre-senting the Montgomery CountyPlanning Commission, served asa mentor to Stewart MiddleSchool in Norristown.

In addition, Council memberJohn Pickett of the DelawareCounty Planning Departmentserved as a judge for the PA APASoutheast Planning ExcellenceAward, given to NorthwoodAcademy Charter School inPhladelphia.

All of us lending a helpinghand to the students either byjudging or mentoring found itmost encouraging that theseyoungsters have properly consid-ered urban and regional plan-ning issues in planning out theircities and the good of the popu-lations to be served. Credit isalso extended to their schoolsand teachers for a job “welldone”.¿

The mission of the National EngineersWeek Future City Competition is to providea fun and exciting educational engineeringprogram for middle school students, whichcombines a stimulating engineering chal-lenge with a “hands-on” application topresent their vision of a city of the future.

Phi ladelphia

Northwood Academy CharterSchool, Philadelphia, PAAward: “Planning Excellence” By PA Chapter of APAJudge: John Pickett, AICP, PE

Stewart Middle School, Norristown, PAAward: “Project Technology” Mentor: Brian O’Leary, AICP

Girard College Middle School, Philadelphia, PAAward: “Total Quality Management” Mentor: Joseph Luste, PP, PhD

by Joseph F. Luste, Jr. PP, PhD, Southeast Council Education Committee

SE Sect ion Counci l lends a hand!

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

THE VANTAGE POINT 3

PHILADELPHIA2035 consistsof two tiers of planning: a 25-year citywide plan and 18strategic district plans. The citywill be “remapped” based onnew zoning code classificationsas well as the goals and recom-mendations of the district land-use plans. This integrated plan-ning and zoning process includesa third structure to engage citi-zens and inform them aboutplanning issues—the CitizensPlanning Institute.

The focus of the CitizensPlanning Institute is to educateand inform citizens so that theycan be more effective at citizenplanning activities. One of thegoals of the CPI is to providepractical tools individuals cantake back to their neighborhoodorganizations or communities.

Thanks to a generous grantfrom the William Penn Founda-tion, the pilot phase of the Insti-

tute was launched in May, 2010.A series of three weekly “CitizenPlanner” classes has just con-cluded. This pilot course wasdesigned to test the developmentof classroom materials for ‘101’level introductions to planningissues and the work of thePhiladelphia City PlanningCommission, land use andzoning, and the project develop-ment process. Despite limitedtime for public notification, over80 applications (each requiringan essay) were received for just30 student spots. Applicants rep-resented 24 of the 165 residen-tial neighborhoods in the cityand a wide diversity of civic andother neighborhood organiza-tions.

The course was developed forindividuals within neighborhoodcivic organizations who arehighly motivated to engage inplanning issues on equal footingwith other stakeholders. Partici-pants in the pilot were activelyengaged in learning from eachother, as well as from volunteerinstructors and panelists. Theresponse from participants hasbeen overwhelmingly positive:“The course really opened myeyes to the process…This course

by Donna J. Carney, AIA, LEED APDirector, Philadelphia Citizens Planning Institute, Philadelphia City Planning Commission

The Philadelphia City Planning Commission andZoning Code Commission are currently engaged in two large initiatives—reforming the city’s out-dated zoning code (first authored in 1933) and the preparation of Philadelphia2035, the City’s comprehensive plan (last updated in 1962).

was worth my time and effortand then some. I believe thisprogram has the potential to re-create our communities.” (partic-ipant comment on final courseevaluation)

This spring, the CPI “core”course will be expanded withadditional “elective” classes, suchas urban design, transportation,housing, commercial corridordevelopment, and the developer’sperspective. Learners who suc-cessfully complete the corecourses and a determinednumber of elective courses willearn a Certificate of Completionas Citizen Planner. Additionally,the Institute is envisioned to actas a clearinghouse throughwhich civic groups can shareinformation and best practices.The website, www.citizensplanninginstitute.org will beupdated to share outcomes fromthe pilot course and to enabledownloading of materials fromthe course.

Research on other “citizenplanning academy” models usedin other jurisdictions across thecountry and the PA MunicipalPlanning Education Institute(PMPEI) informed the design ofthe course structure.¿

More information about Philadelphia2035 will be available in a future issue of The Vantage Point.

The Philadelphia Citizens Planning Institute &Integrated Planning & Zoning Process

American Planning AssociationPennsylvania Chapter

Making Great Communities Happen

587 James DriveHarrisburg, PA 17112717 671-4510 (P)717 545-9247 (F)www.planningpa.org

Susan Shermer, CMPAdministrative Directorsshermer@shermer-assoc.com

Sarah Galbraith Laucks, CMPChapter Administratorsgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com

APAPA

The Vantage Point is published six times a year by the Pennsylvania Chapter ofthe American Planning Association andis available at www.planningpa.org.Material may be reprinted provided The Vantage Point is credited. The viewsexpressed in The Vantage Point are notnecessarily those of the PA Chapter ofAPA. Send comments and subscriptionrequests to Sarah Galbraith Laucks,CMP at 717-671-4510 orsgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com.

The Vantage Point is printed on RolandOpaque30 Smooth Bright White 70#and contains FSC certified 50% post-consumer fiber. The paper is EcoLogoand FSC Mixed Sources certified and ismanufactured using renewable biogasenergy. Roland papers are produced byCascades, an environmentally friendlycompany whose paper production prac-tices saves 30 million trees a year. Inclu-sion in this newsletter of ads does notimply endorsement by PA APA.

Please help us close the loop and recycle this newsletter.

A Message from President Alexander J. Graziani, AICPINSIDER

IT IS INTERESTING to note that the requirement to produce the report came fromGovernor Ridge’s “Growing Smarter” efforts and the MPC amendments of 2000.Therefore, this report should get some traction with the new administration.

For over a year the State Planning Board acted as the major component of thesteering committee who met with the DCED Governor’s Center for Local GovernmentServices (GCLGS) staff and their consultant team to help identify land use issues. TheGCLGS and their consultant also held two work sessions with additional stakeholdersplus conducted an outreach to County planners at our 2010 Annual Conference in Lan-caster.

Every planner should take time to read the report and share it with their employers,clients and their community. The report contains relevant findings, like how changingdemographics are requiring different development demands. Among its recommenda-tions is a case for the relevance of planning for strong communities. The report is veryconsistent with our recently adopted Chapter 2011-2014 Development Plan.

To insure plans are relevant they must be implemented. Therefore the report containsfive keys to a valuable, implementable plan:

• Focus on community issues and assets.• Organize the plan the way local officials and citizens think.• Devise practical and workable recommendations.• Create a structure and capacity to implement the plan.• Get and keep local ownership of the plan.Our duty as planners is to take this very timely and relevant report and help it get

attention. The messages, issues and recommendations speak for the need for planningfrom the local level all the way up to the State Planning Board. I encourage eachmember of our Chapter to consider how they can help this report get in front of as manydecision makers as possible. Printed copies are limited, however, with the use ofwebsites and email list serves the online version at www.newpa.com will ensure widecirculation.

Lastly later this year the chapter will hold elections for President, Vice President, Sec-retary and Treasurer. I have asked the six sections of the chapter to provide me withnames for a nominating committee. Please be free to share with me or your sectionchairs if you are interested in serving on the nominating committee or for standing forelections to the officer positions. Coupled with the ballots for elections we will alsolooking to update our by-laws.

Thanks for your membership in the association and as always if you ever have an issuethat you feel needs my attention please email me at info@planningpa.org.¿

View the PA Five Year Land Use and Growth Management Report at:http://www.newpa.com/get-local-gov-support/community-planning/land-use-reports/2010-state-land-use-and-growth-management-report

ON JANUARY 14, 2011 the State Planning Board met in conjunction with a release of the Penn-

sylvania Five Year Land Use and Growth Management Report. This report mandated by the MPC

presents the PA Chapter with the opportunity to amplify our message that planning is an

essential function of government to a new legislature and Governor Corbett in Harrisburg.

View the 2011-2014 Development Plan: www.planningpa.org/about_development_plan11-14.shtml

4 THE VANTAGE POINT

THE VANTAGE POINT 5

PA Chapter Executive CommitteePRESIDENTAlexander J. Graziani, AICPSmart Growth Partnership VICE PRESIDENTCharnelle Hicks, AICP, PPCHPlanning, Ltd.SECRETARYJohn Pickett, AICP, PEDelaware County Planning DepartmentINTERIM TREASURER John Pickett, AICP, PEDelaware County Planning Department LEHIGH VALLEY SECTION REPRESENTATIVEAnthony P. Toth, AICPProfessional PlannerNORTHEAST SECTION REPRESENTATIVEPeter T. Wulfhorst, AICPPenn State Cooperative ExtensionNORTHWEST SECTION REPRESENTATIVERoy Brant, PhDCrawford County Planning CommissionPAST PRESIDENTCarl Hess, AICPBorough of State College

Section ChairsCentralTara Hitchens, AICPLancaster County Planning CommissionLehigh ValleyAnthony Toth, AICPProfessional PlannerNortheastChristine DettoreMonroe County Planning CommissionNorthwestRoy Brant, PhDCrawford County Planning CommissionSoutheastGraciela Cavicchia, AICPThe Reinvestment FundSouthwestJeff Grim, AICPSouthwestern Pennsylvania Commission

Committee ChairsProfessional Development Officer/Professional Development Committee ChairSusan Elks, AICPPlanning Officials DevelopmentOfficer/Chair of the Planning Officials Development CommitteeShirley A. Yannich, PP, AICPCommunications Committee ChairDennis Martinak, AICPEducation Committee ChairCliff Kanz, AICP2011 Conference Co-ChairsHoward Grossman, AICPJanet SweeneyLegislative CommitteeShannon Debes, AICP, ChairSusan Smith, Esq., AICP, Vice Chair

Contact information is available at www.planningpa.orgunder “About Us”.

THE REPORT FINDS that PA’srecent history of land-consumptivedevelopment continued into themid-2000s. Then, the 2008-09recession brought an unprece-dented drop in building anddevelopment. Despite that,according to Steve Deck, ProjectManager for PB Americas, Inc.and the report’s consulting team,“The pace of developmentchanged but not the pattern.”Indicators showed what littledevelopment there was stilloccurred mostly in suburban,exurban, and rural areas.

Other significant findingsare that Pennsylvania’s demo-

graphics are changing – agingpopulation, smaller households, and more immigrants.

And, state and local governments are facing growing fiscal stress, which means less ability tosupport basic infrastructure and services and other assets necessary to attract investment for homesand businesses.

The report recommends that a solution can be found in green and walkable develop-ment. It is an emerging market opportunity. Changing demographics point to demandfor closer-knit living with less cost for housing and transportation. There is growinginterest by homebuyers and businesses for green buildings and development. It’s awin-win of capturing an economic growth market and having a more sustainabledevelopment pattern.

The report also recommends that,with strained budgets, state and localgovernments must be more strategic ininvesting. They should focus on assets –infrastructure and services, economicdrivers, and place amenities – most crit-ical to attracting and keeping people andbusinesses. The report states planning isessential to this, and that local govern-ments need help to conduct successfulplanning.

The 2010 State Land Use andGrowth Management Report is found atDCED’s website www.newpa.com, click“Get Local Gov Services” then click“Community Planning.” ¿

Five-Year Report Calls for Green and Walkable Development

by Denny PukoGovernor’s Center for Local Government Services, PA Department of Community & Economic Development

The Commonwealth released the 2010 State Land Use and Growth Manage-ment Report at the January 14, 2011 meeting of the State Planning Board. Thereport is mandated by the PA Municipalities Planning Code and preparedevery five years. The task is assigned to the Center for Local Government Serv-ices in the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Findings from the 2010 report:• From 1992 to 2005, developed land in PA more than dou-bled while population grew 4.5% and the economy (GDPin constant $) grew 33%.• Residential building permits dropped from a 20-yearhigh in 2004 of 49,665 to a 50-year low in 2009 of18,275.• Currently one in five Pennsylvanians is over age 60. By2020 it will be one in four.• Annual unmet state and local transportation needs areestimated at $2.3 billion, rising to $5 billion by 2020.Water and wastewater capital needs exceed $36.5 billionfor the next 20 years.• Marcellus Shale natural gas was not foreseen in the 2005report. It has emerged with major community and landuse impacts in the state.

6 THE VANTAGE POINT6 THE VANTAGE POINT

2011 IS AN ELECTION YEAR FOR THE CHAPTER. This summer we will hold elections for the Chapter’s Board

Officers—the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. Following is a timeline of the process thatwill take place between now and August. For additional information

about elections for the Chapter, please refer to the Bylaws. They are available on the Chapter website,

www.planningpa.org, under the section “About Us”.

FebruaryNominating Committee appointed by the Executive Committee.

AprilThe Nominating Committee will provide information to Chapter

members about how to indicate their interest in running for a chapter office. Details will be published in the April issue of The Vantage Point, via E-News, and on the PA APA website.

MayThe Nominating Committee will file their Report of

Nominations with the Chapter’s Executive Committee. The President will appoint a Teller Committee with advice from

the Executive Committee.June

The Executive Committee will validate the status of all the nominees. The nominees will published in the June 2011 issue of

The Vantage Point, via E-News, and on PA APA website.By August 1

Chapter members may nominate additional candidates to the elections slate by August 1.

August 8The official ballot will be distributed to all members

of the Chapter by mail and email.September 9Voting closes.Mid-September

The Teller Committee meets to review the voting results.October

Election results announced at the Chapter Annual Meeting and via The Vantage Point, E-News and the website.

January 2012New Officers begin their two-year terms.

If you are interested in being considered for the Officer Positions please watch for details in April. ¿

Announcing Elections for Chapter Officers

2011 ELECTIONS

Each year, the Governor’s Center for Local Government recognizes the achievements of localgovernment at the Excellence in Local GovernmentLuncheon and Awards Ceremony. More than 300guests will attend to honor the work of local governments as they partner with their communitiesand use forward-thinking approaches to revitalizetowns, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for residents.

The PA Chapter of APA sponsors this importantannual event together with other local governmentassociations. Our sponsorship includes 20 tickets to the luncheon which takes place at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, PA on Thursday, April 15, 2010 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Would you like to attend? A limited number ofseats are still available and are open to PA Chaptermembers. We would be pleased if you would joinmembers of the Chapter’s board and staff at theevent! If you would like to attend, please send anemail to info@planningpa.org with your name, title, organization, phone number and email addressno later than April 1, 2011. The seats will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis. There is no cost toattend. ¿

PA Chapter Members Invited to Attend!

APAPA

PA Chapter of APA is looking for

A Few Good PLANNERS

Excellence in Local Government Awards and Luncheon

A A R D S !W

!neededplanners

for the PA Chapter Booth at the PSATS Annual Convention

PLANNERS are needed to staff our exhibit booth duringthe PSATS Annual Conventionat the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. Volunteers mayattend educational sessions onthe day they volunteer.

Show dates and hours:SUNDAY, APRIL 1712:00 noon to 5:00 pmMONDAY, APRIL 187:30 am to 4:00 pmTUESDAY, APRIL 197:30 am to 1:00 pm

To volunteer, please contact the PA Chapter Office at 717-671-4510 or info@planningpa.org. Let us know which days and times you are able to volunteer.

Thank you! ¿

WEBCASTseries

March 1Child Care (Introductory)Planning and Women Division

March 10Peter Kageyama Renewing Our Love Affair with Cities(Allied)Ohio Chapter

March 11Urban Retail (Advanced)Economic Development Division

March 18Special Assessments Must Create Special Benefits: How to Avoid an Unconstitutional “Takings”(Introductory) LAW CREDITSWestern Central Chapter

Remember!Webcasts are ...• FREE.• Approved for CM Credits• Convenient to attend from your desk and phonePENNSYLVANIA SPONSORS the webcast series together withother APA chapters. All webcasts take place from 1:00pm to2:30pm Eastern Time. For session descriptions and to register visitwww.utah-apa.org. New sessions are added on a regular basis—check the schedule often. Attendees are strongly encourage to register early. Schedule subject to change.

earnCMc

redits

THE VANTAGE POINT 7

March 25Planning for an Aging Society:Technologies for Safe Transportation MobilityTechnology Division

April 1New Tools for Public Participation: Possibilities andPitfalls (Advanced)Technology Division

April 8Ethics: A Framework for Decision-Making (Advanced)ETHICS CREDITSPennsylvania Chapter

April 15Campus Planning for Pedestrians and Bicyclists(Advanced)Ohio State University

May 6Using GIS to Improve Planning Decisions, Part 1: Identifying Factors that Influence Rural LandParcelization—Advanced PDO(Advanced)Wisconsin Chapter

May 13Secrets to Improce Consultant-Client Relations(Introductory)Private Practice Division

May 19New Ideas for Bike-friendlyCommunities (Introductory) Indiana Chapter ¿

THE PA CHAPTER IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS for the 2012 IrvingHand, FAICP Excellence in Planning Professional Development Award, presentedeach year to a planner for his or her professional development.

Dr. Hand has long been a strong advocate of professional development. In hishonor, Delta Development Group funds this annual award given in his name by thePA Chapter.

This award is designed for a planner in mid-career who needs additionalresources to fund a professional development activity. This activity might be any-thing from graduate school or specialized training to a study trip to learn aboutplanning techniques in another part of the world.

Visit the PA Chapter website at www.planningpa.org for the application. Thedeadline to apply is Friday, August 26, 2011. The recipient is announced at the2011 Annual Conference and the funds will support professional activities in the2012 calendar year. ¿

Planners: support your professional development

DEADLINE TO APPLY: AUGUST 26, 2011

Apply for the Irving Hand Professional Development AwardFUNDS AVAILABLE

8 THE VANTAGE POINT

AROUNDthe state

Southeast SectionPlans for 2011by Graciela Cavicchia, AICP, PP,Southeast Section Chair

THE SOUTHEAST Sectionwill continue to offer valuableeducational and networkingopportunities. We are excitedabout the programs we havescheduled this year andencourage you to becomeinvolved!

Plans for 2011 include:• High-quality and afford-

able seminars through the Pro-fessional Development Insti-tute (PDI) which was attendedby over 500 professionals in2010. Please visit www.apa-pase.org for PDI’s 2011 Semi-nars.

• The Southeast Section Cocktail Reception & Student

Scholarship Awards. Excellentopportunity to network andmeet professionals in the planning, design, and develop-ment fields. This year our Section’s Event will be held inPhiladelphia.

• Quarterly Newsletter &News Flash and our Blog atwww.apapase.org to keep youupdated on the latest in theregion.Central Section Activitiesby Richard Koch, AICP, CentralSection Vice Chair

CENTRAL SECTION willpresent a Spring 2011 Educa-tion Session on law updatesand new, innovative public par-ticipation techniques. The ses-sion takes place April 7, 2011 atthe Wildwood ConferenceCenter at Harrisburg Area Com-munity College and is open to

Student Member:Robert A Gejeran, Southeast Section

Individual Members:David Palomera, Southwest SectionKelly Gutshall, Land Studies Inc, Central Section

New Chapter Members Welcome!We welcome the following new memberswho recently joined the PA Chapter of the Amer-ican Planning Association! With your membershipyou join nearly 3,000 other planning officials,professional planners and others who care abouthow Pennsylvania continues to grow the placeswhere we live, work, and enjoy recreation. Theboard and staff of the Chapter are available toanswer any questions. Feel free to contact us at717-671-4510. ¿

News &articles

forThe Vantage PointDEADLINES FOR UPCOMING 2011 ISSUES:

April: March 11, 2011June: May 13, 2011August: July 8, 2011October: September 16, 2011December: November 11, 2011

Submit to: sgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com

Congrats!

Congratulations to Pennsylvania’snewest members of the AICP. Thefollowing planners attained theirAICP during the Fall 2010 examtesting period:

Laura Ahramjian, AICPPhil Ehlinger, AICPMark Evans, AICPKarla Farrell, AICPPatricia Fought, AICPJill Hall, AICPLarry Kurpakus, AICPMark Lazzari, AICPDavid Manhardt, AICPCaroline Marshall, AICP

MANY THANKS to themembers of the PA ChapterProfessional DevelopmentCommittee for their ongoingefforts in providing exampreparation support throughstudy notes, websiteresources, and a prep session.

members and guests. This ses-sion will be submitted to APAfor CM credits. Visit www.plan-ningpa.org for additional details.

Central Section Council alsowelcomes a new memberJonathon Pinkerton, AICP.Jonathon is Vice President of theSusquehanna Gateway HeritageArea based in Wrightsville, PA.He replaces long time Boardmember, Frank Chlebnikow.

The Section is investigatingthe development of the Student Representative/Mentoring Program to providestudents with an opportunity toview and discuss the planningprofession. Similar programs areoffered by the Chapter’s South-east and Southwest Sections.Shippensburg University may bea potential partner for a pilotprogram in the Central part ofthe state. ¿

by Susan Elks, AICP, Professional Development OfficerPDOcorner

THE VANTAGE POINT 9

AICP ExamThe spring 2011AICP exam appli-cation window isnow closed, andthe testingwindow is set forMay. The PAChapter awardedtwo reduced-feescholarships for the May exam—congratulations to therecipients! In these difficulteconomic times, it is its ownreward to assist planners whoare working to advance theircareer through certification.Speaking of the exam, the PAChapter will be holding itsannual in-person, all-day prepsession on Saturday February26, 2011, which provides gen-eral testing tips and focusedreview of all of the test contenttopics. Full details and regis-tration information is availableat the PA Chapter website,www.planningpa.org. There is no fee to attend for PA Chapter members.

Donate Your AICP Exam Study MaterialsIf you have taken the exam inthe past and are wonderingwhat to do with your studymaterials, consider helping outfuture test takers. The Profes-sional Development Com-mittee would love to grow oursmall library of materials forplanners studying for theAICP exam. If you have anyAICP exam study materialsthat you would be willing topart with, please contactmyself or the Chapter office.Thanks in advance for your willingness to share your mate-rials.

Remember... Free WebcastTraining is AvailableFor 2011 training,keep in mind thefree planning web-cast series spon-sored by chapters,divisions, and uni-

versities. Initially begun by agroup of chapters, including thePA Chapter, the series has con-tinued to grow, and multiplewebcasts are now offered eachmonth—over 48 credits annu-ally. Details can be found on thePA Chapter’s Events Calendaronline, or go directly to theUtah Chapter website. Sessionswill be added throughout theyear, so continue to check back.The PA Chapter is providing theApril 8, 2011 session on ethics.

Announcing! PA Chapter-sponsored Trainings on Transportation and ZoningIn addition to participating indistance learning opportunities,the PA Chapter is committed toproviding in-person training toits members. Sections accom-plish much in this regardthrough the dedication of volun-teers. The Professional Develop-ment Committee of the PAChapter is coordinating two sep-arate in-person training series invarious locations across the statein 2011, focused on transporta-tion and zoning. Details on thetransportation training, beingheld in March and April, arenow posted to the Events Cal-endar on the Chapter website.Details on the zoning trainingwill be posted when finalized. Asalways, the Events Calendar is agreat resource for findingtraining, CM and otherwise.Visit www.planningpa.org. ¿

THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD DO is read Article II of thePennsylvania Municipal Planning Code (MPC). This is theenabling legislation the Commonwealth has adopted to create andguide Planning Commissions. The law sets forth the mechanismfor a municipality to adopt an ordinance that will establish a Plan-ning Commission. Further, the MPC clearly defines the powersand duties of a Planning Commission that the Governing Bodymay request.

SECOND, MAKE SURE YOUR MUNICIPAL STAFF has pro-vided you with basic documents; such as:

• Your Comprehensive Plan• A Zoning Map• An Official Map, if one exists• The Zoning Ordinance• The Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance(SALDO)

• The Planning Commission’s Bylaws, Rules and Regulations• Last year’s Planning Commission’s Annual Report to theGoverning Body

THIRD, ASK IF YOUR MUNICIPALITY is a member of the PA Chapter of the American Planning Association. The fee issmall and the benefits are many. Go to www.planningpa.org formore information.

FOURTH, ATTEND SEMINARS AND COURSES designedespecially to educate Planning Commissioners. On the above web-site for the PA Chapter of APA you will find a link to the Pennsyl-vania Municipal Planning Education Institute (PMPEI). Theyoffer classes on how to prepare/review/update your Comprehen-sive Plan, how to evaluate development applications based on yourSALDO and how to prepare and/or amend a Zoning Ordinance.These classes are held once a week, in the evening for 3 hoursover a three week period. The participants not only gain usefulinformation they network with freshman and senior PlanningCommission members.

LASTLY, ENJOY YOUR NEW ROLE and pat yourself on theback for taking the initiative to be a public servant that providesexpertise for the future development and economic stability inyour municipality. ¿

Are You a NEWPlanning Commission Member?

by Shirley Yannich, PP, AICPPlanning Officials Development Officer

NOT EVERY NEW APPOINTEE has an understanding of whatis expected of them when asked by the Governing Body to serveon the Planning Commission. If you are one of those persons,fear not, this article will help you get started and will enableyou to participate at your meetings with confidence.

AICP Prep SessionSaturday

February 26, 2011Camp Hill, PA

9:00am – 4:00pm

FearNot!

10 THE VANTAGE POINT

from Angela Vincent, Region 1Director, Board of Directors

Register now for the National APA Conference!Join APA and more than 5,000 fellow planners and offi-cials in Boston for the 2011National Planning Conference,April 9-12. www.planning.org/conference

New England or Region 1 Reception at the National APA Conference in BostonBased on the popularity of theRegion 1 Reception at the NewOrleans, we are currently solic-iting feedback on the demand tohold either a New England or anentire Region 1 Reception. NewJersey, Pennsylvania, New Yorkmembers – would you want toparticipate in a Region 1 reception? If so, please emailAngela Vincent ASAP to informthe planning for this event. She can be reached atangela.vincent@iclei.org.

International Forum on Sustainable Urbanization— Next GenerationPlanners 40 and Under Invited!Young planners are invited toparticipate in APA’s “Interna-tional Forum on SustainableUrbanization—Next Genera-tion,” a one-day youth forumtaking place April 9, 2011 at theAPA National Conference inBoston.

As the most urbanized coun-tries and fasted growing urbanareas in the world, the UnitedStates and China are facing achallenging future, and the voicefrom young generations of bothcountries represents a shape offuture. As the first unofficial dia-logue channel for young genera-tions between United States andChina, the purpose of this eventis to provide a venue to get Chi-nese and American young gener-ations (under age of 40) toexpress their perspectives onurban issues. Participants are notlimited to planners, but all theyoung people who care aboutour cities in the future. For moreinformation contact Andy Fangat chinaprogram@planning.org

or 202-872-0611 ext.1039.from David Kruse, SRC Representative from Region 1

Student Opportunities for Interaction at the APA National ConferenceThis year’s National Conferencewill be upon us before we knowit! Between numerous sessions,mobile workshops, tours, andmeeting with Planning peers,there are also many opportuni-ties for “young” planners to net-work with each other. One of thefirst events offered is the HappyHour Networking Social at Kingson Saturday from 4pm to 6pm.Monday will include two moreevents centered on Young Plan-ners. The Student and YoungPlanners Discussion, from 9amto 10:15am, will showcase someof the work each group has com-pleted. Later in the day, a YoungPlanners Groups Discussion takesplace from 2:30pm to 3:45pm -this session can “build uponexisting resources and strate-gies.”

Additionally, an added benefitto this year’s Conference is thepresence of Fenway Park and thestart of Major League Baseball’s2011 season. The Tampa BayRays will be in town for a 3-game series, beginning Mon-day night. Tickets are availableas low as $29. Groups of ticketsare available and can be a greatway for professional plannersand students to interact in aunique way, building off the mobile workshop earlier in the day regarding TOD andSports. ¿

APA National Conference Coming Soon!

updatesAPA

APA Announces Application Period for Student Project Awards

As a student, the deadline for submitting projects foraward considerations is fast approaching. The AICPOutstanding Student Award will be accepting submis-sions between March 1 and May 5, 2011. The followinglink takes you to the student section of APA’s websitefor further details: www.planning.org/students/

Rittenhouse Squarein Springtime.

2Two PennsylvaniaCommunitiesHonored!

2010 Great PlacesAwards

IN OCTOBER 2010, APA recog-nized the third round of Great Placesin America Awards. Through GreatPlaces in America, APA recognizesunique and authentic characteristicsfound in three essential componentsof all communities — streets, neigh-borhoods, and public spaces. APAGreat Places offer better choices forwhere and how people work and liveand are defined by many thingsincluding planning, architecturalstyles, accessibility and communityinvolvement. Since APA began GreatPlaces in America in 2007, 40 neigh-borhoods, 40 streets and 30 publicspaces have been designated in 47states and the District of Columbia.

The 2010 awards recognized two Pennsylvania communities for theirgreat spaces:

• Liberty Street in Franklin, PA—Great Street• Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia,PA—Great Public Space

We’ll share more about these twogreat Pennsylvania places in the Aprilissue of The Vantage Point.¿

PA Municipal Planning Education InstituteSchedulePMPEI offers in-depth, stimulating, and interactive educa-tion for citizen planners, zoners, appointed and electedmunicipal and county officials, and professionals involvedin planning.

PMPEI produces four courses, each offered through three in-dept sessions:• Course in Community Planning• Course in Zoning• Course in Zoning Administration• Course in Subdivision and Land Development Review

The courses are offered annually throughout the state. Forthe current schedule with locations and for full descriptionsof each course, visitwww.planningpa.org/events_pmpei.shtml.

New courses are added regularly. Don’t see one in yourarea? Contact contact Stan Lembeck, AICP atsml1@psu.edu for more details on how to host a PMPEIcourse in your community. ¿

THE VANTAGE POINT 11

Gannett Fleming Celebrates 95th Anniversary — Planning Practice Integral to Firm’s Success

Gannett Fleming, founded in Harrisburg, celebrated its 95th anniversary in 2010. From a two-person office the company hasgrown to more than 2,100 professionals in more than 60 officesworldwide. During the past 95 years, Gannett Fleming has com-pleted projects in every U.S. state and more than 50 countries.

The company’s Planning Practice is a multi-disciplinary group of certified community and transportation planners, archi-tects, landscape architects, environmental managers, and GIS/ITanalysts. It boasts more than 50 planners with diverse areas ofexpertise, including transportation, freight, transit operations, com-munity, land use, and strategic planning efforts, as well as corridorstudies, urban design, management consulting, and workforcedevelopment. The practice has explored and addressed many issuesfacing varied communities and has had the opportunity to imple-ment the most effective approaches to help plan for the future.

The PA Chapter of APA congratulates Gannett Fleming on their achievements! ¿

PMPEI

Planner notes...

Do you need a SUMMER INTERN?

PA CHAPTER OF APA member agencies, companies, andorganizations are welcome to post internship opportunities onthe Chapter’s website www.planningpa.org. This service is pro-vided at no charge as a benefit of Chapter membership.

To post an internship please send the following information to info@planningpa.org:• Name of Company/Organization and website address• Contact Email, Telephone, and Mailing Address• Internship Title and General Description (include duties, qualifi-cations, hours, if the internship is paid or unpaid, and dates)• Information on How to Apply and Deadline• Date to Remove Posting from PA Chapter website ¿

training opportunitiesEVENTS&

12 THE VANTAGE POINT

Making Great Communities Happen

587 James DriveHarrisburg, PA 17112

APAPA

Non Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDHarrisburg, PAPermit No. 561

logonwww.planningpa.org

2011 ASLA PA-DE Annual MeetingApril 8-9, 2011Skytop Lodge, Skytop, PAwww.landscapearchitects.org

APA National ConferenceApril 9-12Boston, MAwww.planning.orgAn excellent opportunity to earn multipleCM credits and connect with colleagues.Pre-Registration closes on March 10.

Brownfields 2011April 3-5, 2011Philadelphia Convention CenterPhiladelphia, PAwww.brownfields2011.org

2011 National Roads Regional ConferenceMay 5-6, 2011Cumberland, MDwww.planningpa.org

9th Annual PA Land Conservation ConferenceMay 19-21, 2011Hilton HarrisburgHarrisburg, PAwww.conserveland.org

PA GIS Conference 2011May 23-26, 2011Harrisburg, PAwww.pagisconference.org

PA Chapter of APA Annual ConferenceOctober 16-18, 2011Scranton, PAwww.planningpa.org ¿

Events are added regularly. Visit www.planningpa.org for all events and registration details.

The PA Chapter of APA is pleasedto make “Tools for an Effective

Planning Commissioner” availablefor FREE viewing. The video, pro-duced by the PA Chapter of APA in

association with Penn State Cooperative Extension, is

available by visiting www.planningpa.org.

Click on Video under the Events&Training section.

"Tools for an Effective Planning Commissioner"

Quicklink to free video:http://www.planningpa.org/events_video.shtml

VIDEOTOWATCH

PLANNING

OFFICIALS:

Video Training

Now Available