Pennsylvania

A PLAN FOR LAND USE, TRANSPORTATION

AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PA’s Municipal Boundaries

Development in the Greater Philadelphia Region (1930–1990)

262% Increase in Land Developed and a 56% Increase in Population

Recent History of Land Use in PA

1997 – 21st Century Environment Commission established by Executive Order

1998 – 21st Century Environment Commission reports responsible land use is PA’s

top environmental priority1999 – “Land Use Planning” – Executive Order

guides state agencies on decisions impacting land use

Recent History (Cont.)

1999 - State land use advisory groups were established, and they conducted

public outreach

1999 - Noteworthy County/multi-municipal land use planning activities began to

occur

2000 – State Interagency Land Use Team Report provides inventory of Commonwealth programs that impact land use

2000 – Major revisions to the Municipalities Planning Code (MPC)

PA’s Vision Statement

Orderly and efficient growth, community revitalization and quality of life enhancement of the Commonwealth that:

• Preserves open space• Promotes economic vitality• Protects natural resources• Controls sprawl• Optimizes investments in infrastructure (public

and private)

Achieving PA’s Vision

Foster intergovernmental cooperation at all levels focusing on land use decision making and infrastructure investment to:

• Promote sound land use principles• Utilize tools from MPC• Conduct education and outreach• Provide financial incentives• Leverage state funding among agencies• Build on existing partnerships• Share “Best Practices” and technical assistance

PA Strengths

Interagency structure in place at the state level to coordinate land use and transportation planning

Local government offers opportunities for public input in decisions in land use, transportation, and economic development

Funding for local planning increased and is more coordinated

Robust and enduring planning partnerships Strong state commitment

PA Opportunities

Strengthen local community involvement and integrate their land use vision for the future with transportation planning, programming and project development

Implement multi-municipal planning

Make better use of interagency structures currently in place

Offer incentives for regional cooperation

PA Opportunities (Cont.)

Explore and implement various pilot programs to reverse trends that compete with our “Growing Smarter” goals

Evolving process for state agencies to consider local plans when making infrastructure and permit decisions

Collaborate with the General Assembly to address land use policy issues

PA Weaknesses

Local governments are not required to have a comprehensive plan

Most municipalities do not think regionally Limited interstate communication on land use,

economic development and transportation issues Scarce staffing and funding for small

municipalities Lack of county oversight on developments of

regional significance Cumbersome impact fee procedures Limited use of municipal capital improvement

programs and budgets

Threats

Global or external forces that impact land use and transportation• Air quality attainment issues

• National and global economic forces

• Safety and security of infrastructure and other resources

• Future viability and efficiency of passenger and freight railroads

PA Priorities Change the culture of land use decision making

to realize PA’s vision

Encourage municipalities to think and act regionally

Reinvest in established communities

Strengthen and implement existing state agency processes, procedures and funding mechanisms to promote the critical link between land use planning and transportation project development

Peer Review