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BATH BOROUGH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Adopted: May 1, 1978

Mayor

Archibald W. Leigh

Borough Council , .

Allen Haidle, President Barry Fenstermaker Sterling Heckman Andrew Markulics Gerald Scheffler Thomas Williams Martin Yany Elizabeth Fields*

Planning Commission

Stephen Kondikoff, Chairman Frank Dalcin George Gasper Richard Haidle Raymond Houser William Santo Gerald Scheffler James Smith Charles Schmalzer*

Secretary

Carl L. Rehrig

Solicitor

William G. Ross

Engineer

M.J. McTish & Associates

* former member

The preparation of this plan was financed in part through a planning grant from the Department of Community Affairs under the provisions of Act 7A approved June 4 , 1976 as administered by the Bureau of Planning, Pennsylvania Department of Community Affairs. This plan w a s prepared by the Bath Borough Planning Commission with technical assistance from the staff of the Joint Planning Commission Lehigh-Northampton Counties.

Cover photo by PennDOT: October 8, 1974.

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The report c o n t a i n s b a c k g r o ~ d s t u d i e s w i t h c u r r e n t i n - formation on n a t u r a l f e a t u r e s , e x i s t i n g 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 , u t i l i ties, popula t ion , and bui ld ing condi t ions . Resul t s of t h e q u e s t i o n n a i r e d i s t r i b u t e d i n A p r i l , 1977. are a l s o included. Response t o t h e q u e s t i o n n a i r e was e x c e l l e n t and we feel t h a t it proved very u s e f u l i n a s s i s t i n g t h e p lanning commission develop goa ls and policies f o r t h e p lan . F i n a l l y , t h e rc lmr t c o n t a i n s f u t u r e p lan elements for 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 .

W e have apprec ia ted t h e d e d i c a t i o n shown by Borough Plan- ning Commission members and o t h e r o f f i c i a l s i n devot ing cons iderable t i n W t o review d r a f t m a t e r i a l and to remm- mend pol icy . consul tan t and look forward to o u r continued a s s o c i a t i o n .

W e have enjoyed s e r v i n g as your p lanning

F r e d e r i c H. Brock Assis tan t Director

hTw o l e v Taremae

P r o j e c t Planner

PHB:OT: pn

Enclosure

BATH BOROUGH PLANNING COMMISSION Barh. Pa. 18014

March 20. 197n

Borough Councfl Borough of Bath Bath. Pennsylvania 18014

G entlcmen:

It is a pleasure for the Borough Planning Commission to submit tn you its Bad Bath Borough Comprehensive Plan.

The Plan represents one year of intensive study. During this period we have learned much about our Borough and have set forth what we feel a r e reasonable g o d s and policies for future land uses. community facilities 4 utilities, and transportation,

A public hearing on the proposed Comprehensive Plan was held on February 27 a s required by the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. It 1s the Planning Commission's recommendation that Borough Council adopt the Comprehensive Plan as the official statement of policy regarding future development in Bath.

The Planning Commission, a s pur appointed advisory body. pledges Its continued support to assist your d f o r t s to make Bath a fine commuruty in which to live.

Sincerely yours.

K d L # Stephen Kondikoff. Chairman Bath Borough Planning Commission

I

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page - List of Illustrations , , . . , , . . . . V

Chapter 1 Introduction to the Comprehensive Plan , 1

Section 1: BACKGROUND STUDIES . , . . 3

2

3

Questionnaire , . , , , . . . . 5

Natural Features . , , , . . , , 13 Flood Plains (Alluvial Soils) , , , 13 High Water Table . , . . . . . 13 Seasonal High Water Table . , . . 17 Steep Slopes . . , . , . , 17 Moderate Slopes , . . . . , . 17 Shallow Depth to Bedrock . , , . 19 Variable . . . ,- . . , , , , 19

4 Existinq Land Use , . , , , . . . 20 Residential , . , , , . . . . 20 Commercial , . , , . , , . . 23 Industrial and Warehousing , , , . 23 Transportation, Communications and Public Utilities . , . . 23

Public and Quasi-public . , . . . 24 Parks and Recreation , , , . . 24 Agriculture and Vacant , . . . . 25 Land Uses Adjacent to Bath . . . . 25

5

6

Transportation . . . . , . . . , 27 Highways . . . , , , , , , . 27 Mass Transit . . . . . . . 34 Rail Service . . . . , . , . 34 Air Travel , . . , . . . 34 Pedestrian and Bicycle Travel . , . 35

^I

Existing Community Facilities and 1Jtilities . . . . , . . . . . 36 Schools . . . . , . . . . , 36 Municipal Building , , . , . , 37 Police Protection , , . , , . . 37 Fire Protection . . . , . , . 39 Recreation .. . . , . . . . . 39 Sanitary Sewerage . . . . . . 40 Water Supply . . , . . , , , 40 Storm Drainage . , , . . . , , 40

iii

Chapter

7 Population . . . . . . . . . . . 44

8 Building Conditions . . . . . . . . Procedures for the Survey . . . . Conclusions . . . . . . . . . Preliminary Recommendations . . . .

Introduction . . . . . . . . . 1 Results of the Survey . . . . . .

Section 2: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN . . . .

4 6

46 4 6 4 8 5 4 55

57

9

10

11

12

13

Goals and Policies . . . . . . . . Land Use Plan . . . . . . . . . .

Less Intense Residential . . . . . More Intense Residential . . . . . Mixed Uses . . . . . . . . . . Commercial . . . . . . . . . Industrial . . . . . . . . . Public and Quasi-Public . . . . . Parks and Recreation . . . . . . Overlay Districts . . . . . . .

Transportation. Utilities. and Community Facilities . . . . . . . . . . Transportation . . . . . . . . Utilities . . . . . . . . . . Community Facilities . . . . . .

Implementation . . . . . . . . . Ordinance Adoption and Enforcement . Capital Improvements . . . . . . Participation in Grant and Loan Programs . . . . . . . . .

Coordination . . . . . . . . . Continued Planning . . . . . . .

Relationship of the Bath Comprehensive Plan to Plans for Adjacent Communities .

i

APPENDIX: Building Conditions Survey Form . . . .

59

67 67 67 69 69 70 70 70 70

73 73 74 7 5

77 77 7 7

78 78 79

80

83

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. 1 P

iv

List of Illustrations

Paqe - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17

Chart

1

Table

1 2

3 4 5

6

7 8

9 10 11 12

Soil Limitations . . . . . . . . 14 Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Existing Land Use-1977 . . . . . . 21 Land Use Adjacent to Bath . . . . . 26 Functional Classification of Roads . . 28 Traffic Volumes . . . . . . . . 30 Road Hazards . . . . . . . . . 31 Accident Records 1973-1975 . . . . . 34 Existing Sanitary Sewer System . . . 41 Existing Water Distribution System . . 42 Area Currently Served by Storm Sewers . 43 Use of Structures . . . . . . . . 47 Building Configuration . . . . . . 47 Overall Quality of Structure Rating . . 51 Appearance of Structure Rating . . . 53 Condition of Sidewalks . . . . . . 53 Future Land U s e Map . . . . . . . 68

Existing Land Use-1977 . . . . . . 22

Percentage Distribution of Population Aqe 5 Soils Limitations for Uses Related to Town and Country Planning . . . 15-16

Housing Stock by Housing Type . . . . 20 Accident Rates-Bath Intersections . 32-33 Enrollment 1972-1977 - George Wolf Elementary School . . . . . . . 36

Northampton Area School District-Most Likely Forecast-Membership-First Day of School . . . . . . . . . . 38

Bath Population 1940-2000 . . . . . 44 Multi-Family Units by Number of Units in Structure . . . . . . . . . 48

Quality of Structure-Individual Features 49 Quality of Structure-Overall Rating . . 50 Appearance of Structure . . . . . . 52 Suggested Minimum Lot Sizes-Maximum Densities . . . . . . . . . . 72

V

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Based on the need for assuring Bath's future as a viable and attractive community, the Bath Borough Planning Commission with the support of the Borough Council has developed this Bath Borough Comprehensive Plan. The plan should serve as the framework for both private and governmental actions which will influence the future of Bath.

The Planning Program began with various background studies. These studies researched and documented the factors relevant to Bath's future. In addition, a survey of every household in.the Borough was conducted in order that the residents' opinions and desires could be recognized and incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan.

The next step was to draft and to reach consensus on goals and policies which Bath should strive to achieve. The creation of a future land use map was based on the application of the goals and policies to the existing conditions as revealed through the background studies. Lastly, the Compre- hensive Plan includes measures by which the achievement of the goals and policies can be pursued.

1

Section 1 Bmkground Studies

a 3

Chapter 2: QUESTIONNAIRE

The starting point used in the formulation of the policies in this plan was the attitudes of Borough residents. Prior to the undertaking of any other planning work, the Planning Com- mission distributed questionnaires to all households in Bath in order to give everyone an opportunity to contribute their opinions toward the plan. In all, approximately 650 questionnaires were distributed. Forty- one percent of the questionnaires were completed and returned. This return rate easily exceeded the 25 percent rate which was needed in order to assure the representative nature of the replies. As follows, the questions and the responses are reproduced. Analysis of the response is given.

1. How many people are there in your family? Please indicate by age group.

Age Group 0-4 5-1 8 19-39 40-64 6 5+

Number

~

67 162 253 204 81

Question one was used as a check of how typical the responents were of the total population. The following table compares the age groupings of the respondent's families with Bath totals in the 1970 Census Survey.

TABLE 1

PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF POPULATION AGE

Age Group 0-4 5-18 19-39 40-64 65+

1970 Census 8.4 25.3 24.6 30.1 11.6

10.6 Questionnaire Respondents 8.7 21.1 33.0 26.6

Table 1 reveals that the 0-4 and 65+ age groups are represented to the extent expected. The 19-39 age group was overrepresented

5

whi le t h e 5-18 and 40-64 age groups were underrepresented. N o adjustments of t h e survey d a t a w e r e f e l t t o be necessary due t o t h i s g r e a t e r than expected s h i f t t o t h e middle. If t h e answers would have shown a markedly younger than or o l d e r than expected age breakdown a concern might have a r i s e n as t o t h e r e p r e s e n t a t i v e n a t u r e of t h e responses .

2. What type o f house do you l i v e i n ? D o you own or r e n t ?

s i n g l e home 143 (57.4%)

t w i n 53 (21.3%)

townhouse 22 (8.9%)

apartment 25 (10.0%)

own 204 (83.3%)

o r

r e n t 41 (16.7%)

mobile home 3 (1.2%)

o t h e r ( p l e a s e i d e n t i f y ) 3 ( 1 . 2 % )

3. I f your family needed t o move, what type of home would you l i k e t o move i n t o ? Would you p r e f e r t o own o r r e n t ?

s i n g l e home 187 (82.0%)

twin 2 (0 .9%) own 192 (87.3%)

townhouse 4 (1.7%) or

apartment 22 (9.7%) r e n t 28 (12.7%)

mobile home 1 0 (4.4%)

o t h e r ( p l e a s e i d e n t i f y ) 3 (1 .3%)

These two ques t ions w e r e used t o d i s c o v e r t h e r e s i d e n t ' s p r e f e r - ences f o r housing type and mode of ownership as compared t o t h e i r c u r r e n t arrangements. The answers t o t h e s e q u e s t i o n s w e r e used t o determine, i n p a r t , t h e types of housing which should be provided f o r by t h e Plan.

An overwhelming m a j o r i t y of s i n g l e fami ly detached, twin , and townhouse r e s i d e n t s wished t o r e s i d e i n s i n g l e family detached homes. Such a response could n o t be cons idered an a t y p i c a l American response. P re fe rences for apartments and mobile homes are commensurate wi th c u r r e n t r e s idency levels.

The respondents had a h igh c u r r e n t level of home ownership. Preferences f o r ownership s l i g h t l y exceed t h e c u r r e n t l e v e l .

4. I f more s i n g l e family homes w e r e t o be b u i l t i n t h e Borough, would you p r e f e r t h a t most l o t s i z e s be l a r g e r 73 (30.5%) , t h e s a m e as 1 0 9 (45.6%), smaller 19 (8 .0%) , o r d o n ' t know 38 (15.0%) than t h o s e i n t h e Holiday H i l l s area (100 feet by 1 1 0 f e e t ) ?

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5. If more townhouses w e r e t o be b u i l t i n t h e Boroush, would you p r e f e r t h a t m o s t l o t s i z e s be l a r g e r 1 3 0 (57:8%) , t h e same a s 42 ( 1 8 . 7 % ) , s m a l l e r 5 ( 2 . 2 % ) , o r d o n ' t know 48 (21 .3%) than those i n t h e O l d Forge Estates area (18 fee t by 1 5 0 f ee t ) ?

An understanding of l o t s i z e p re fe rences can be garnered f r o m these responses . Lot s i z e s of 1 0 0 feet by 1 1 0 f e e t f o r s i n g l e family homes are accep tab le t o Bath r e s i d e n t s although almost one t h i r d p r e f e r r e d larger l o t s i z e s . I n c o n t r a s t , t h e ma jo r i ty of r e s i d e n t s wanted l o t s i z e s l a r g e r t han 1 8 feet by 1 5 0 f e e t for townhouses.

6. I n what town do t h e working members of your family work?

Bath 8 5 Other Northampton County 1 6 Bethlehem 60 Other Pennsylvania 23 Allentown 44 Travel 8 Nazareth 22 New J e r s e y 7 Easton 1 5 Unemployed 5 Northampton 7 Retired 25

TOTAL 317

7. D o you th ink t h a t more job o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n and d i r e c t l y around t h e Borough is:

92 (36 .9%) very d e s i r a b l e , 78 ( 3 1 . 3 % ) d e s i r a b l e , 47 ( 1 8 . 9 % ) no t d e s i r a b l e , 32 ( 1 2 . 9 % ) d o n ' t know.

Q u e s t i o n s i x i n d i c a t e s t h a t most respondents work wi th in one-half hour ' s d r i v e of B a t h , a l though less than one- th i rd work w i t h i n t h e Borough i t se l f . Thus, t he survey r e v e a l s Bath employment w i t h i n t h e con tex t of t h e o v e r a l l Lehigh Val ley job market. A sent iment was expressed by 69.2 p e r c e n t t h a t the a d d i t i o n of l o c a l job o p p o r t u n i t i e s w a s desirable. Policies toward achiev ing t h i s end a r e included w i t h i n t h e p l an .

8. Please mark where you shop f o r t h e fol lowing i t e m s :

M - Most Of ten S - Sometimes

White- O t h e r h a l l ( p l e a s e

Allentown Bath Bethlehem Nazareth Northampton M a l l s name 1 M-S M - S M-S M-S M-S M-S M-S

Food 3-10 173-58 19-27 23-26 0-9 3-10 5-.7 Clothing 58-72 3-7 41-53 8-25 4-30 83-80 3-11 Appliances 53-56 2-9 22-33 16-20 18-23 50-43 1-5

23-42 90-78 35-40 21-20 4-15 1-5 2-8 MGBical e r v i c e s

7

The shopping h a b i t s t a b u l a t e d are a r ea l i s t i c p o r t r a y a l o f t h e r e t a i l i n g s t a t u s of Bath. The Borough c a p t u r e s t h e l i o n ' s s h a r e of t h e everyday shopping needs of i t s r e s i d e n t s as r ep resen ted by t h e food and medical s e r v i c e s c a t e g o r i e s . However, purchases of s p e c i a l i z e d i t e m s where a v a r i e t y of choice is impor tan t as r ep resen ted by t h e c l o t h i n g ca tegory , o r of major i t e m s as represented by t h e app l i ances ca tegory , are r a r e l y made i n Bath. The s p e c i a l i z e d and major purchases are p r i m a r i l y made i n t h e shopping malls of Whi teha l l Township or i n Allentown, and t o a lesser degree i n Bethlehem. Other Northampton County boroughs such as Northampton and Nazareth are of l i m i t e d importance t o Bath shoppers.

9. What types of stores and off ices does Bath need more o f :

111 food store - 112 eye doc to r - 136 drug store

100 d e n t i s t

- 132 c l o t h i n g s t o r e - 70 doc to r - -

Other ( p l e a s e name) 1 7 : Res taurant (5 ) a l l o t h e r s 2 or less

The g r e a t e s t need w a s perce ived f o r c l o t h i n g stores and drug s t o r e s . Addi t iona l eye d o c t o r s , food s t o r e s , and d e n t i s t s rece ived cons iderable i n t e r e s t a l s o . The perce ived need f o r more doc to r s w a s a t a lower level. The g e n e r a l l y h igh response l e v e l t o t h i s ques t ion i n d i c a t e s an overal l f e e l i n g by t h e r e s i d e n t s of a need f o r a d d i t i o n a l stores and services i n Bath.

10. If LANTA bus s e r v i c e w e r e avai lable , would your family use i t ?

0 - Often S - Sometimes

T r i p Purpose Bethlehem Nazareth Easton Northampton Allentown

0-s 0-s 0-s 0-s 0-s

Work 14-11 3- 7 3- 3 4-4 8-11 Shopping 34-66 13-34 6-16 8-47 39-84 O t h e r 10-16 . 4-11 2-7 4-16 10-18

This mini-marketing s tudy for Bath t r a n s i t service reveals t h a t s u f f i c i e n t i n t e r e s t e x i s t s t o m e r i t f u r t h e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n of ser- v i c e f e a s i b i l i t y and d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h LANTA o f f i c i a l s as t o t h e ex tens ion of service. Most of t h e i n t e r e s t f o r bus service w a s f o r shopping t r i p s t o Allentown and Bethlehem, wi th lesser i n t e r e s t f o r shopping t r i p s t o Nazareth and Northampton. L i t t l e i n t e r e s t w a s shown f o r bus service i n conjunct ion wi th work t r i p s .

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11. What t r a f f i c problem areas would you l i k e t o see improved? Please l i s t l o c a t i o n .

Bad I n t e r s e c t i o n s

Chestnut & Main 27 Main & Broad 5 Main & Race 2 2 Northampton & Washington 5 Chestnut & Northampton 11 Northampton 6, Broad 4 Main t Walnut 8 Main & Northampton 4 Northampton & Walnut 6 Other 22

Excessive Speeds

West Main S t r e e t 22 Broad S t r e e t Eas t Main S t r e e t 1 9 Race S t r e e t

Green Street Northampton S t r e e t 18 Walnut S t r e e t 1 6 Other Chestnut Street 13

8 4 3 9

Poorly Maintained Roads

M i l l S t r e e t 53 Mulberry S t r e e t 8 Holiday H i l l Roads 1 8 S leepy Hollow Road 3 Alleys ( i n g e n e r a l ) 13 Other 1 9

The responses t o t h e s e ques t ions focused s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n on t h e s e a r e a s i n terms of needs foq improvements and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n recommendations.

1 2 . D o you know of any a r e a s where d ra inage i s a problem? Please l i s t l o c a t i o n .

Old Forge area 15 E a s t Main S t r e e t 4 Holiday H i l l a r e a 1 0 North Chestnut S t r e e t 3 Wolf School area 7 Walnut & M i l l 3 Northampton Street 6 West Main S t r e e t 3 Northampton & Chestnut 5 Vacant f i e l d by Sacred K e i m Street a t 400 Heart

Other 11 4

Block of E a s t Main S t .

The response t o t h i s ques t ion focused s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n on t h e s e a r e a s i n terms of s torm dra inage recommendations.

13. A r e you s a t i s f i e d w i t h Borough r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s ?

- 20 very s a t i s f i e d , - 1 0 0 s a t i s f i e d , - 1 0 2 n o t s a t i s f i e d ,

- 30 d o n ' t know

9

1 4 . What types of r e c r e a t i o n a l f a c i l i t i e s does t h e Borough need? (more than one i t e m can be checked)

- 56 playground f o r small c h i l d r e n - 142 swimming pool

39 t e n n i s c o u r t s 7

32 open areas - 23 a t h l e t i c f i e l d s

19 none

- 1 0 9 bowling l a n e s - - 49 s p e c i a l f a c i l i t i e s for -

s e n i o r c i t i z e n s

Other (p l ease l i s t ) 9: Movie Theater (4), . R o l l e r Rink (2)

Question 13 revealed a s p l i t i n op in ion r ega rd ing t h e p r e s e n t Bath r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s . Need was most commonly c i t e d f o r a swimming pool and f o r bowling l anes . Other cho ices e l i c i t e d f a r less favor . The number of responses t o q u e s t i o n 14 i n d i c a t e d an overal l high l e v e l of i n t e r e s t i n t h e development of new r e c r e a t i o n f ac i l i t i e s .

15. What makes t h e Borough look n i ce? What t a k e s away from i t s appearance?

These open ended q u e s t i o n s generated a v a r i e t y o f comments which expressed what r e s i d e n t s l i k e d and d i s l i k e d about t h e Borough's c h a r a c t e r . The P lan , where a p p r o p r i a t e , a t t empt s t o r e t a i n t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s favored wh i l e improving or e l i m i n a t i n g those c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s seen as negat ive .

What Makes t h e Borough Look N i c e ?

We 11 kept (maintained) homes Clean streets Trees General c l e a n l i n e s s Parks Res tora t ion a t o l d b u i l d i n g s C l e a n yards Improvements t o homes Open space areas & sur rounding farms Other .:'

60 39 31 20 20 20 15 11 5

21

What Takes Away from i t s Appearance?

Hot dog r e s t a u r a n t a t square 49 P r o p e r t i e s t h a t are n o t maintained 37 Junked cars and s c r a p 31 L i t t e r & t r a s h 26 Mobile homes 16 O l d bu i ld ings and shacks 15 Downtown area 11 Sleazy h o t e l s 8 Dir ty streets 8 P o l l u t i o n by indus t r i e s (cemen t d u s t , e tc . ) 8

Uncut weeds 6 Other 35

L o i t e r i n g 7

10

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1 6 . A r e t h e r e any b u i l d i n g s or areas t h a t should be preserved because of t h e i r h i s t o r i c importance o r na ture? Please l ist .

Town H a l l 30 S i e g f r i e d Cemetary 4 Municipal Bui ld ing 6 Others 1 5 Log Cabin 18

The Old Town H a l l and t h e log cab in w e r e most f r equen t ly nominated f o r h i s t o r i c a l p re se rva t ion . The responses i n d i c a t e d t h a t a l though c e r t a i n bu i ld ings are perceived as having h i s t o r i c s i g n i f i c a n c e , no percept ion of a g e n e r a l h i s t o r i c area or d i s t r i c t e x i s t s .

17. I f you were p u t i n charge of t h e Borough budget, which of t h e fol lowing i t e m s would you feel are m o s t important? (Please mark 1 by t h e i t e m you feel i s most important , 2 by t h e i t e m nex t most impor tan t , etc.)

- street maintenance

- r e c r e a t i o n f ac i l i t i e s

- c r e a t i o n of off street

- street l i g h t i n g

7 improving t h e Borough

- s o l v i n g dra inage problems

- improving p o l i c e p r o t e c t i o n

or programs water system

park ing i n t h e c e n t e r of town

- h i s t o r i c p r e s e r v a t i o n

C i t i z e n ' s q u e s t i o n n a i r e s o f t e n i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e r e s i d e n t s f e e l t h a t a number of programs and services are needed. The munici- p a l i t y r a r e l y can respond t o a l l of t h e needs. importance were achieved , t h e municipal o f f i c i a l s could better move t o m e e t t hose needs. ques t ion f o r c e s t h e r e s i d e n t s t o make t h e s e choices .

I f some o rde r of

The mock budget process se t up by t h i s

BUDGET ITEMS

R e s p o n s e s by Rank

O Q 3

1 98 60 36 11 2 36 48 56 29 3 20 23 36 26 4 11 19 22 26 5 10 15 18 17 6 3 6 9 19 7 2 8 2 14 8 1 3 0 2

P o i n t s * 1,265 1,146 1 , 1 0 9 734

11 8 13 16 29 19 22 28 21 19 25 20 14 22 2 3

654 613

0 3

10 3 17 2 9 1 12 4 18 3 19 11 32 16 22 76

528 217

* These we igh ted p o i n t t o t a l s of t h e r e l a t i v e impor t ance of budge t i t e m s w e r e a c h i e v e d by m u l t i p l y i n g e v e r y 1st r a n k v o t e by 8 , e v e r y 2nd r ank vote by 7, e v e r y 3 r d r a n k v o t e by 6, e v e r y 4 t h r ank v o t e by 5 , e v e r y 5 t h r a n k v o t e by 4 , e v e r y 6 t h r ank v o t e by 3, e v e r y 7 t h rank v o t e by 2 , and e v e r y 8 t h r ank v o t e by 1.

11

The responses show a s u r p r i s i n g l y w e l l de f ined pecking o r d e r among t h e budget i t e m s , r e v e a l i n g a r e l a t i v e l y great amount of agreement by Borough r e s i d e n t s . Most importance w a s p laced on improving t h e water system. S i g n i f i c a n t emphasis w a s a l s o p laced on improving p o l i c e p r o t e c t i o n and s t reet maintenance. A t t h e o t h e r end of t h e spectrum, spending for h i s t o r i c a l p re se rva t ion generated l i m i t e d enthusiasm. The d ra inage , r e c r e a t i o n , s t reet l i g h t i n g , and midtown off-street park ing i t e m s occupied t h e middle ground i n budget preferences .

12

I

1 I I I I I I .1

I t I I B I L

0 Io LI

0'

Chapter 3: NATURAL FEATURES

The development of a p rope r ty i s i n f l u e n c e d by t h e p h y s i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e ground. The p resence of c e r t a i n c h a r a c t e r - i s t ics l i m i t s t h e type and amount of development t h a t may be a p p r o p r i a t e f o r t h e p rope r ty . The s o i l s informat ion p resen ted i n t h i s c h a p t e r g i v e s impor tan t c l u e s t o t h e l i m i t a t i o n s which a r e p r e s e n t i n Bath. The 1974 S o i l Survey o f Northampton County, Pennsylvania which mapped s o i l by type for Bath i s t h e b a s i s of t h e fo l lowing informat ion . Map 1 uses i n t e r p r e t e d s o i l in format ion t o show s o i l s l i m i t a t i o n s f o r homes of t h r e e stories o r less. Also, Table 2 l i s t s so i l s l i m i t a t i o n s f o r lawns and landscaping , and streets and park ing lots f o r t h e va r ious s o i l types p r e s e n t i n Bath. An a n a l y s i s o f soi ls l i m i t a t i o n s f o r s e p t i c tank a b s o r p t i o n f i e l d s and sewage lagoons was cons idered unnecessary a s Bath is served by a c e n t r a l sewage d i s p o s a l system. S o i l s u i t a b i l i t y for a g r i c u l t u r e also w a s n o t examined.

The t e x t which fo l lows d e s c r i b e s s o i l l i m i t a t i o n s which are r e l e v a n t t o Bath, details t h e problems o f t e n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e l i m i t a t i o n s , and sugges t s how t h e l i m i t a t i o n s can be d e a l t wi th .

Flood P l a i n s ( A l l u v i a l So i l s )

Flood p l a i n s are t h o s e areas of normally d r y land which are SUS- c e p t i b l e t o temporary inundat ion by water. A l l u v i a l s o i l s ( so i l s which have been d e p o s i t e d on land by waters) serve as a rough i n - dicator of t h e e x t e n t of f lood p l a i n s . loam s o i l i s t h e s o l e a l l u v i a l s o i l .

I n Bath, t h e Holly s i l t

The development of l a n d subject t o f l o o d i n g p e r i o d i c a l l y r e s u l t s i n p rope r ty damage and even loss of l i f e . I n a d d i t i o n , development which c o n s t r i c t s t h e flow of f l o o d waters r e s u l t s i n i n c r e a s e d

bflood h e i g h t s on upstream o r nearby p r o p e r t i e s when water backs up due t o an o b s t r u c t i o n , i nc reased w a t e r v e l o c i t y downstream, and downstream damage from f l o a t i n g d e b r i s .

.

Flood damage can be b e s t minimized by n o t l o c a t i n g s t r u c t u r e s i n areas s u b j e c t t o f lood ing . Recrea t ion , open space , a g r i c u l t u r e , r e s i d e n t i a l backyards, and park ing l o t s where cars are parked on a temporary b a s i s are a p p r o p r i a t e i n f l o o d p l a i n s . Any development t h a t does occur i n t h e f lood p l a i n should be f loodproofed. P o t e n t i a l l y f l o a t a b l e o b j e c t s should be anchored.

High Water Table

These so i l s are p o o r l y dra ined . With t h e excep t ion of t h e COmlY s i l t loam so i l s , w a t e r w i t h i n 1% t o 3 feet o f t h e ground s u r f a c e is characterist ic a t m o s t t i m e s of t h e y e a r . 0

13

SOIL LIMITATIONS (Houses of Three Stories or Less, With Basements)

, r I /

14

TABLE 2

SOIL LIMITATIONS FOR USES RELATED TO TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING

Homes of t h r e e s t o r i e s o r less, w i t h basements

S t r e e t s and parking l o t s Lawns and Landscaping f o r subd iv i s ions S o i l

Bo B Bedinqton sha ly s i l t loam 3-8% s lopes

B r A Berks sha ly s i l t loam 0-3% s lopes

B r B Berks sha ly s i l t loam 3-8% s lopes

B r C Berks sha ly s i l t loam 8-15% s lopes

Berks sha ly s i l t loam 15-258 s lopes

BsF Berks and Weikert s o i l s 2 5 6 5 % s lopes

B t A Brinkerton s i l t loam 0-3% s lopes

B t B Brinkerton s i l t loam 3-10% s lopes

C1A Clarksburg s i l t loam 0-3% s lope

C1B Clarksburg s i l t loam 3-8% s lopes

CmB Comly s i l t loam 3-8% s lopes

BKD .

S l i g h t S l i g h t Moderate : s lope

Moderate: 1 4 t o 34 feet Moderate: 1 4 t o 34 f e e t Moderate: 1+ t o 34 feet t o bedrock t o bedrock t o bedrock

Moderate: 14 t o 34 f e e t S l i g h t t o bedrock

Moderate: 1+ t o 3 4 f e e t t o bedrock

Moderate: 14 t o 34 f e e t t o bedrock

Moderate : s lope Severe : s lope

Severe : s l o p e Severe : s lope Severe :

Severe :

Severe :

Severe :

s l o p e

- s lope Severe : s lope Severe: s l o p e

Severe: high water t a b l e

Severe : high water t a b l e

high water t a b l e



high water t a b l e

Moderate: seasonal high water t a b l e

S l i g h t Moderate: s easona l high water t a b l e

Moderate: s easona l high water t a b l e

S l i g h t Moderate : seasonal high water t a b l e

Moderate : seasonal high water t a b l e

Severe : seasonal high water t a b l e ,

Moderate: seasonal h i g h water t a b l e

(cont inued)

TABLE 2 (cont inued)

S O I L LIMITATIONS FOR USES. RELATED TO TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING

r ul

H o m e s o f t h r e e stories S t r e e t s and park ing l o t s S o i l or less, wi th basements Lawns and Landscaping f o r subd iv i s ions

H o Holly s i l t loam

RYB Rider s i l t loam 2-8% s l o p e s

Severe: h igh water t a b l e ; Severe: h igh water t ab le ; Severe : h igh water t a b l e ; f l ood ing f l o o d i n g f lood ing

Moderate: 2 t o 34 f e e t t o Moderate: 2 t o 34 f e e t bedrock t o bedrock

Moderate: 2 t o 3% f e e t to bedrock

RYC Rider s i l t loam 8-15% s l o p e s

U r A Urban land nea r ly l e v e l

U r C Urban land s lop ing

WkC Weikert channery s i l t loam 8-15% s l o p e s

WkD Weikert channery s i l t loam 15-25% s lopes

Moderate: s lope ; 2 to 3+ fee t Lo bedrock

Variable: s easona l h igh water t a b l e

Severe : s l o p e

Moderate: 1 to 1% f e e t t o bedrock; s l o p e

Severe: s l o p e

Moderate: s l o p e ; 2 t 0 . 3 4 Se=rere : s l o p e f e e t t o bedrock .

Variable: seasona l h igh Var i ab le : s easona l h igh water t a b l e water table: s l o p e

Severe: s l o p e Severe : s l o p e

Moderate: 1 t o 14 f e e t t o bedrock; s l o p e

Severe : s l o p e

Severe: s l o p e

Severe: s l o p e

SLIGHT Limi t a t ion : Land t y p e s t h a t have few l i m i t a t i o n s f o r t h e use be ing cons idered . MODERATE L imi t a t ion : Land t y p e s t h a t have l i m i t a t i o n s t h a t r e q u i r e s p e c i a l p r a c t i c e s t o overcome

SEVERE L imi t a t ion : Land t y p e s t h a t have l i m i t a t i o n s t h a t a r e very d i f f i c u l t or expens ive t o

VARIABLE L imi t a t ion : Land types where t h e degree of l i m i t a t i o n i s d i f f i c u l t t o c l a s s i f y .

or correct.

overcome or c o r r e c t .

Source: So i l Survey o f Northampton County, Pennsylvania , U . S . Department of A g r i c u l t u r e , So i l Conserva t ion Se rv ice , Issued: J u l y 1974, pp. 62-70.

I

Problems r e s u l t i n g from development of severe high water t a b l e areas inc lude f looded basements, foundat ions t h a t se t t le and c r a c k , and d i f f i c u l t t o d r a i n yards . One o f t h e major l i m i t a t i o n s i n high water table a r e a s , t h a t of u n s u i t a b i l i t y f o r on - lo t sewage d i s p o s a l , i s n o t r e l e v a n t t o Bath due t o t h e Borough's c e n t r a l sewer system.

High water table a r e a s can be used b e s t f o r r e c r e a t i o n , open space , and p a s t u r e s . Upon connect ion t o a c e n t r a l sewage d i s - p o s a l system, low d e n s i t y r e s i d e n t i a l development may be f e a s i b l e wi thout basements o r w i t h waterproofed basements.

0

Seasonal High Water Table

These s o i l s are a lso poor ly dra ined . Unlike t h e high water s o i l s , t h e s e s o i l s are c h a r a c t e r i z e d by water w i t h i n 1+ t o 3 f e e t of t h e ground s u r f a c e d u r i n g on ly c e r t a i n p e r i o d s o f t h e year . The problems and p r e c a u t i o n s r e l e v a n t t o t h e h i g h water t a b l e soils are a l s o r e l e v a n t t o t h e s e a s o n a l high w a t e r t a b l e s o i l s .

S t e e p Slopes

S teep s l o p e areas are t h o s e areas wi th s l o p e s i n excess of 1 5 pe rcen t . Problems a s s o c i a t e d wi th t h e development o f s t e e p s l o p e a r e a s inc lude : t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r accelerated s o i l e r o s i o n , e a r t h s l i p p a g e (mantle c r e e p ) which can c r a c k foundat ions and w a l l s o r i n t h e most severe case des t roy s t r u c t u r e s , i nc reased d i f f i c u l t y i n managing s torm runoff due t o fas ter speeds o f t h e r u n o f f , and u n s u i t a b i l i t y f o r on - lo t sewage d i s p o s a l systems. The s e r i o u s n e s s of t h e problems g e n e r a l l y i n c r e a s e w i t h t h e degree of s l o p e involved.

The above l i s ted problems cou ld b e s t be avoided i f s t e e p s l o p e areas w e r e main ta ined i n r e c r e a t i o n , open space , f o r e s t , o r s e l e c t e d a g r i c u l t u r a l uses . With t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y o f c e n t r a l sewerage, l o w d e n s i t y r e s i d e n t i a l development could be a p p r o p r i a t e based on t h e a b i l i t y t o m e e t s t a n d a r d s w i t h regard t o s o i l e r o s i o n , s torm d r a i n a g e , and e a r t h s l i p p a g e . Because of t h e s e e x t r a factors which must be c o n t r o l l e d , t h e development of s t e e p s l o p e areas is more c o s t l y than comparable development on gen t ly s l o p i n g land .

Moderate SloDes

Moderate s l o p e areas are t h o s e areas wi th s l o p e s between e i g h t and f i f t e e n pe rcen t . The same l i m i t a t i o n s as w i t h s t e e p s l o p e areas are a p p l i c a b l e , b u t t o a lesser degree. B a s e d on t h e use of ade- q u a t e s o i l e r o s i o n c o n t r o l and storm d r a i n a g e p l a n s , r e s i d e n t i a l development i s a p p r o p r i a t e i n moderate s l o p e areas.

These s l o p e s , however, do l i m i t t h e development o f l a r g e b u i l d i n g s such as f a c t o r i e s and shopping centers. Park ing l o t s are m o r e d i f f i c u l t t o f i t on moderately s l o p i n g land .

17

SLOPE BOROUGH OF BATH

SLOPE 0 0-8% = 15-25%

845% t - - ~ 25.. yo

MAP 2

4

Shallow Depth t o Bedrock

! Problems can occur w h e r e less than three and one-half feet s e p a r a t e t h e bedrock and t h e s u r f a c e . The primary l i m i t a t i o n , t h a t of u n s u i t a b i l i t y f o r convent iona l on - lo t sewage d i s p o s a l systems, is i r r e l e v a n t t o Bath. However, t h e ' i n c r e a s e d costs of b u i l d i n g basements, foundat ions, and underground u t i l i t i e s must be considered.

Var iab le

I n a r e a s where t h e s o i l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s have been obscured by urban development, t he so i l s are c l a s s i f i e d as urban land. The l i m i t a t i o n s involved f o r Ba th i n t h e s e a r e a s r e l a t e t o p o t e n t i a l seasonal high water t a b l e .

19

Chapter 4 : EXISTING LAND USE

The compi la t ion and a n a l y s i s of e x i s t i n g l a n d uses i s ano the r a r e a of in format ion necessa ry f o r dec id ing how f u t u r e land use i n t h e Borough is t o b e managed. This i n fo rma t ion , by r e v e a l i n g t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n , c h a r a c t e r , and i n t e n s i t y of c u r r e n t l and u s e s , g ives d i r e c t i o n as t o t h e p o t e n t i a l s and t h e c o n f l i c t s t h a t are p o s s i b l e i n t h e cont inued development of t h e Borough.

Map 3 schemat i ca l ly i l l u s t r a t e s c u r r e n t p a t t e r n s o f land use us ing s t a n d a r d l and use c a t e g o r i e s . These c a t e g o r i e s have rece ived minor m o d i f i c a t i o n s so as to be more r e l e v a n t t o t h e Borough.

R e s i d e n t i a l

Covering 139.5 acres ( 2 4 . 2 % of t h e l a n d ) , t h e r e s i d e n t i a l l and uses shape much of B a t h ' s c h a r a c t e r . The fo l lowing t a b l e de- t a i l s t h e housing s t o c k i n t h e Borough.

TABLE 3

HOUSING STOCK BY HOUSING TYPE

Number Percentage

S i n g l e Family Detached 336 47.8 Twins 1 4 2 20.2 Townhouses (Row) 107 15.2 Apartments 110 15.7 Mobile Homes 8 1.1

TOTAL 70 3 100.0

S i n g l e . f a m i l y de tached u n i t s are t h e most common housing t y p e account ing f o r n e a r l y one-half of t h e Borough housing s t o c k . Choice i n housing t y p e i s a v a i l a b l e f o r homeowners as twins and townhouses comprise more than one - th i rd of t h e housing s tock . One-seventh of t h e housing s t o c k is i n r e n t a l u n i t s . Only e i g h t mobile homes w e r e recorded.

I n t h e midtown area, r e s i d e n t i a l l and u s e s are i n t e r s p e r s e d wi th commercial, i n d u s t r i a l , and p u b l i c and quas i -pub l i c land uses . S i n g l e fami ly de tached homes and twins are t h e pre- dominate types of r e s i d e n t i a l s t r u c t u r e s a l though some apar tments , o f t e n above s t o r e s o r convers ions of o t h e r r e s i d e n t i a l s t r u c t u r e s , and townhouses e x i s t . Away from t h e midtown, s i n g l e fami ly de tached homes on larger l o t s are t h e most common t y p e of r e s i d e n t i a l u n i t s . However, t h e on ly areas i n Bath e x h i b i t i n g homogenity i n housing types are t h e areas o f t h e t w o newest developments, Holiday H i l l ( s i n g l e fami ly detached) and O l d Forge (townhouses).

20

EXISTING LAND USE - I977

MAP 3 21

PARKS & R

EXISTING LAND USE - 1977

CLASSIFICATION

Residential Commercial Industrial & Warehousing Transportation, Communications

& Public Utilities (including roads)

Public & Quasi-public Parks & Recreation

Total Developed Land

Agriculture Vacant

Total Land Area

ACRES

139.5 . 19.8 42.1

81.7 47.1 17.4

347.6

123.0 105.4

576.0

22

(INCLUDING ROADS)

% OF TOTAL % DEVELOPED

40.1 24.2 5.7 3.4 12.1 7.3

23.5 14.2

5 .0 3.0 13.6 8.2

100.0% 60.3%

21.4 18.3

100.0%

0

L tl P c 8 L B

01 L b L L R 1

m

8

c a

Commercial

Commercial l and uses c o n s t i t u t e 19.8 acres or 3.4 p e r c e n t of Borough land. Such a pe rcen tage o f l a n d use is t y p i c a l f o r boroughs as t h e use i s r e l a t i v e l y i n t e n s e . The 52 non-of f ice commercial uses t a k e advantage o f t h e h e a v i l y - t r a v e l l e d s ta te roads by f r o n t i n g thereon . Although most s t o r e s f r o n t on Walnut Street , t h e mixing of v a r i o u s land uses p r e v e n t s t h e e x i s t e n c e of any concen t r a t ed commercial a r e a .

The i n d i v i d u a l u ses o f f e r a wide v a r i e t y of goods which reflect l o c a l o r i e n t a t i o n . That is t o say t h a t Bath does n o t s e r v e t h e shopping needs of a n extended area. The Borough has no large s t o r e s such as department , j u n i o r department , or d i s c o u n t ou t - lets.

The r e t a i l uses can be classi f ied as fo l lows:

Bank G a s S t a t i o n Auto r e p a i r shop Food store Tavern Ho t e l - B a r B e e r D i s t r i b u t o r Res taurant S t a t e l i q u o r store Auto sales Motorcycle sales General stores Laundromat

3 6 2 2 1 3 1 7 1 2 1 2 1

F l o r i s t 1 Monuments 1 L i g h t i n g f i x t u r e s 1 Carpets 1 Beauty Salon-Barber Shop 8 Funera l Home 1 C a r d Shop 1 Hardware 1 Bakery 1 P a i n t Store 1 Antique Shop 1 Hobby Shop 1 Bicyc le Shop 1

I n d u s t r i a l and WarehousinQ

I n d u s t r i a l and warehousing l and uses t o t a l 42.1 acres (7.3% of t h e land). I n d u s t r i a l u ses i n c l u d e t h e Bath Supply Company, A l - Din0 Clo th ing Manufacturing I n c . , Mary Fashions , Sandra-Jo (garment manufacture) , Rad0 (garment manufacture) , Mike's Spor t swear , Kaer ' s (garment manufac ture) , Deysher 's S l augh te r ing , and t h e C a s t Metal Manufacturing Company. s t o r a g e b u i l d i n g s are i n use throughout t h e Borough. Some i n - d u s t r i a l l and uses are s c a t t e r e d amidst r e s i d e n t i a l development. The i n d u s t r i e s , a l t hough n o t l a r g e , do p rov ide employment oppor tuni t ies f o r Borough r e s i d e n t s and assist i n t h e Borough t a x p i c t u r e . p r i o r t o t h e concept o f i n d u s t r i a l pa rks make i n t e n s e use of t h e land.

S e v e r a l small warehouses-

The i n d i v i d u a l s i t e s which w e r e most ly developed

Transpor t a t ion , Communications and P u b l i c U t i l i t i e s

Bath has examples of each of t h e types uf l and uses w i t h i n t h i s ca t egory - an I n t e r s t a t e D r e s s Carr iers t r u c k t e r m i n a l ( t r a n s - p o r t a t i o n ) , a Consol ida ted R a i l Corpora t ion (ConRail) f r e i g h t s t a t i o n which w a s former ly o p e r a t e d by t h e Lehigh and New England Railway Company ( t r a n s p o r t a t i o n ) , a B e l l Telephone System exchange

23

(communications), and t h e Bath Borough Author i ty municipal sewage t rea tment p l a n t ( p u b l i c u t i l i t i e s ) . Much of t h e 81.7 acres (14.2% of t h e Borough t o t a l ) , though, i s t h e area inc luded w i t h i n t h e road rights-of-way.

P u b l i c and Quas i -publ ic

These land uses which e n r i c h t h e l i v e s of Borough r e s i d e n t s and provide necessary services cove r 47.1 acres (8.2% of Borough l a n d ) . Uses i n t h i s ca t egory are:

Churches

S t . J o h n ' s Lutheran Church Sacred Heart (Roman C a t h o l i c ) C h r i s t Reformed Church (U.C.C.)

Schools

George Wolf Elementary School (Northampton A r e a School D i s t r i c t ) Sacred Heart ( C a t h o l i c ) 'Elementary

Ceme t a ries

Green Mount Sacred Heart S t . John ' s Lutheran

Other P u b l i c Bu i ld ings

U . S . P o s t O f f i c e Bath Municipal Bu i ld ing S e n i o r C i t i z e n s Center ( N o . County Bureau f o r t h e Aging) Bath F i r e Company

Non-Profit Organ iza t ions

Bath Republican Club American Legion P o s t 470 Bath F i r e Company S o c i a l H a l l Mason's Lodge

Pa rks and Rec rea t ion

I n a d d i t i o n to t h e f i e l d s and f a c i l i t i e s inc luded w i t h the schoo l p r o p e r t i e s , Bath has f o u r recreation s i tes on 17.4 acres (3.0% of Borough l a n d s ) .

These si tes are l o c a t e d i n t h e s o u t h e r n , wes te rn , and n o r t h e r n p o r t i o n of Bath and are i n r easonab le proximi ty t o most r e s i d e n t i a l development. t h e e a s t e r n extreme o f t h e Borough.

A s u b s t a n t i a l walk t o a p a r k is necessary on ly from

2 4

A l l f o u r s i t e s are designed f o r a c t i v e , as opposed t o p a s s i v e , r e c r e a t i o n uses . Fac i l i t i es provided i n c l u d e numerous b a l l - f i e l d s and t e n n i s c o u r t s . One s i t e i s a " t o t l o t " .

0

A g r i c u l t u r e and Vacant

The p o r t i o n of l and n o t c u r r e n t l y developed w i t h urban l and u s e s i s s u b s t a n t i a l , 228.4 acres or 39.7 percen t . These a r e t h e areas t h a t w i l l be conver ted t o urban development as t h e Borough con- t i n u e s t o grow. The h igh percentage o f land w i t h i n t h e s e cate- g o r i e s i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e r e i s a c o n s i d e r a b l e area f o r f u t u r e growth and development. A major end o f t h i s p lanning e f f o r t i s t o see t h a t such growth occurs t o B a t h ' s b e s t advantage.

P r e s e n t l y , 123 acres (21.4%) i s farmed, a n unusual ly h igh per - cen tage f o r a community such as Bath.

Vacant land accounts for 105.4 acres o r 18.3 p e r c e n t of t h e Borough. Land uses c a t e g o r i z e d as vacan t i n c l u d e f o r r e s t e d l and , open b u t unfarmed f i e l d s , unused b u i l d i n g s , and abandoned q u a r r i e s .

Land U s e s Adjacent t o Bath

These uses a lso m e r i t c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n a p l a n f o r Bath. Incom- p a t i b l e uses should be minimized bo th w i t h i n and a d j a c e n t t o t h e Borough.

Only t h r e e types of l a n d use surround Bath - i n d u s t r i a l , abandoned q u a r r i e s , and a g r i c u l t u r e . The pr imary i n d u s t r i a l use i s t h e Key- s t o n e Cement Company p l a n t t o t h e southwes t of t h e Borough, between Routes 512 and 329. The development of m o s t of t h e remainder of t h e land s o u t h of Bath as t h e "512 I n d u s t r i a l Campus" has r e c e n t l y commenced.

The main bodies of t h e t w o abandoned q u a r r i e s t h a t p r o j e c t i n t o t h e Borough are con ta ined i n t h e Townships of Upper Nazareth and E a s t Al len .

The remaining land t h a t a d j o i n s t h e Borough i s i n a g r i c u l t u r e . These a g r i c u l t u r a l u s e s should n o t i n h i b i t proposed urban l a n d development w i t h i n t h e Borough. Conspicuous i n i t s absence are r e s i d e n t i a l u ses s t r u n g o u t a long t h e roads l e a d i n g t o t h e Borough.

25

- AND USE SDJACENT TO BATH

MAP 4 26

Chapter 5: TRANSPORTATION

A community's t r a n s p o r t a t i o n l i n k s t o t h e o u t s i d e a r e impor tan t i n determining i t s economic v i a b i l i t y and its d e s i r a b i l i t y f o r residences. I n t h i s age of interdependence, Bath ' s bus iness r e l y s on t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n system f o r d e l i v e r y of products and goods t o t h e reg ion and na t ion . Ba th ' s r e s i d e n t s r e l y on t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n system f o r access t o jobs o u t s i d e of t h e Borough. Within t h e community, t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n system must supply access to i n d i v i d u a l p r o p e r t i e s w i th t h e g r e a t e s t degree o f s a f e t y poss ib l e .

Highways

The most important element i n t h e t r a n s p o r t a t i o n system is t h e highway network. I n t h e p a s t decades, t h i s mode has become t h e overwhelming choice fo r f r e i g h t movement, work t r i p s , shopping t r i p s , and o t h e r pe r sona l t r i p s . Recommendations f o r Ba th ' s highway system w i l l fo l low an examination of t h e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and func t ion of t h e roads , t r a f f i c volume d a t a , hazardous road cond i t ions , a c c i d e n t r e c o r d s , and s t a t e highway p lans f o r t h e area.

C l a s s i f i c a t i o n s and Funct ions

The Pennsylvania Department of Transpor t a t ion (PennDOT) has d iv ided roads i n t o f o u r c a t e g o r i e s . These f o u r c a t e g o r i e s a r e def ined as fo l lows:

a

P r i n c i p a l A r t e r i a l s - s e r v e c o r r i d o r movements having t r i p l e n g t h and t r a v e l d e n s i t y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s i n d i c a t i v e of s u b s t a n t i a l s t a t ewide o r i n t e r s t a t e t r a v e l ; s e r v e a l l urban a r e a s over 50 ,000 popula t ion and most o f t h o s e wi th over 25 ,000 popula t ion ; provide an i n t e g r a t e d network except where geographic or o t h e r unusual cond i t ions d i c t a t e stub connections.

Minor A r t e r i a l s - s e r v e remaining urban a r e a s (over 5 , 0 0 0 popu- l a t i o n ) and o t h e r t r a f f i c gene ra to r s having an equ iva len t popu- l a t i o n ; form an in tegra ted-ne twork w i t h t h e r u r a l p r i n c i p a l ~

ar ter ia ls t o provide i n t e r s t a t e and in t e rcoun ty s e r v i c e ; g e n e r a l l y i n c l u d e a l l f e d e r a l primary rou te s and U . S . t r a f f i c r o u t e s n o t r u r a l p r i n c i p a l a r te r ia l s .

C o l l e c t o r s - se rve county s e a t s and o t h e r e s t a b l i s h e d communities no t adequately served by t h e a r t e r i a l systems; s e r v e conso l ida t ed schoo l s , mining, sh ipp ing and a g r i c u l t u r a l c e n t e r s , county pa rks , etc.; provide s e r v i c e t o a l l developed a r e a s w i t h i n a r easonab le d i s t a n c e of a c o l l e c t o r road c o n s i s t e n t w i th popula t ion d e n s i t y .

Local - i nc ludes a l l remaining r u r a l roads; p r i m a r i l y provides access t o a d j a c e n t l and ; provides t h e l o w e s t l e v e l of m o b i l i t y ; through t r a f f i c movement no t a primary func t ion .

e 27

FUNCTIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF ROADS

MAP 5 28

o Sharp curves approximating 9 0 degree t u r n s occur on K e i m , S i e g f r i e d and Green Streets.

29

As can be seen from Map 5, Bath has no p r i n c i p a l a r t e r i a l s . Race Street , Walnut Street, Northampton Street , and West Main Street are considered minor a r te r ia l s . Chestnut Street and E a s t Main Street are collector roads. A l l of t h e s e roads are maintained by PennDOT. The remaining Borough roads are c l a s s i f i e d as local. These roads are maintained by t h e Borough. s i z e , Bath has a large number of major roads. Route 512 from Bethlehem t o Wind Gap t r a v e r s e s Bath as does Route 2 4 8 , f r o m Easton and Nazareth t o Palmerton. Route 3 2 9 from Northampton t e r m i n a t e s i n Bath as does Route 9 4 6 from D a n i e l s v i l l e . While t h e s e roads provide good r eg iona l access, they s imultaneously inconvenience local r e s i d e n t s . A s u b s t a n t i a l p o r t i o n of t h e Borough's development l i n e s t h e s e roads. Residents are sub- j e c t e d t o t h e n o i s e and fumes of t h e mostly non-local t r a v e l which passes .

0

For a borough of i t s

Traf f ic Volumes

The amount of t r a f f i c on a road i s a good i n d i c a t o r of i t s use. The t r a f f i c volumes shown on Map 6 are based on f i e l d work conducted i n t h e summer o f 1977 i n conjunct ion wi th t h i s planning s tudy. Except for Bar ra l l Street , a l l o f t h e streets ca r ry ing s u b s t a n t i a l t r a f f i c are a r t e r i a l o r collector roads. The load ing of m o s t of t h e t r a f f i c on t h e s e roads i s appropr i a t e as l o c a l roads should n o t c a r r y heavy t r a f f i c volumes. The s t r e t c h o f road wi th t h e most t r a f f i c is Main S t r e e t between Race Street and Ches tnu t .S t r ee t . N o roads i n Bath are congested i n terms of t h e t r a f f i c volume exceeding road capac i ty . This l a c k of congest ion can be a t t r i b u t e d t o t h e l i m i t e d amount of Bath generated t r a f f i c and t h e s p l i t t i n g of through t r a f f i c between two east-west roads and t w o north-south roads.

4

Road Hazards /

Road hazards are f e a t u r e s i n t h e road system des ign o r environment t h a t a l low or force acc iden t s t o occur . Map 7 i d e n t i f i e s l o c a t i o n s i n Bath where road des ign problems occur. Bath ' s primary problems relate t o t h e ex tens ive a l l e y system. The l ayou t of t h e a l l e y system preceeded t h e knowledge of t h e re- quirements o f t h e p r e s e n t automobile era. The fol lowing are road hazards worth not ing:

o The most f r e q u e n t problem is t h a t of i n t e r s e c t i o n s w i t h i n s u f f i c i e n t s i g h t d i s t a n c e . These are l o c a t i o n s where d r i v e r s on one s t ree t cannot see cars approaching on a d j a c e n t streets because t h e i r v i s i o n i s blocked by shrubs , b u i l d i n g s , o r parked automobiles. I n every case of i n s u f f i c i e n t s i g h t d i s t a n c e i n Bath except one, an a l l e y is involved wi th t h e problem.

TRAFFIC VOLUMES SUMMER 1977

I

II I 8 E I I I .I I I U

0'

91 I P

d MAP 6

30

D I

ROAD HAZARDS

MAP 7 31

o Angle parking spaces backing d i r e c t l y i n t o a s t r ee t near an i n t e r s e c t i o n occur i n conjunct ion wi th t h e Bath Hotel, Al-Din0 E n t e r p r i s e s and Wunderler's Mar- k e t . Such parking arrangements are p a r t i c u l a r l y dangerous as they add t o t h e number of c o n f l i c t i n g

... t r a f f i c movements w i t h i n an i n t e r s e c t i o n a rea .

o O l d Forge Drive and Sleepy H o l l o w Road are unmarked dead ends. Dr ivers must t u r n t h e i r v e h i c l e s on p r i - v a t e proper ty .

on oppos i t e s i d e s of a s t reet do n o t l i n e up, causing motorists t o jog t h e i r movements, t h e Old Forge Drive, Northampton Street, Main Street, Bridge S t r e e t s i t u a t i o n i s m o s t s e r i o u s .

o Of t h e t h r e e l o c a t i o n s i n Bath where i n t e r s e c t i o n s

o I n t e r s e c t i o n s are best designed a t r i g h t angles . The Sleepy Hollow Road - Walnut Street i n t e r s e c t i o n i s t h e only i n t e r s e c t i o n i n Bath where a sha rp ang le causes a problem for m o t o r i s t s a t t empt ing t o turn .

o N a r r o w roads can a lso pose s a f e t y problems. Most of Ba th ' s a l l e y s are only one l a n e i n width al though two- way t r a f f i c is permi t ted . The wooden b r idge over t h e Monocacy Creek on S l a t e P o s t Road i s wide enough t o handle only one l a n e o f t r a f f i c .

Accident Record

Road s a f e t y is reflected o f t e n by i t s a c c i d e n t record. M a p 8 , based on PennDOT reco rds , p l o t s t h e l o c a t i o n o f every a c c i d e n t which r e s u l t e d i n bod i ly i n j u r y o r i n p r o p e r t y damage i n excess of $100 dur ing t h e y e a r s 1973-5. Leading a c c i d e n t l o c a t i o n s w e r e Main Street w e s t of Northampton Street (111, the i n t e r - s e c t i o n s o f Walnut Street-Main Street (11) , Walnut Street- Northampton Street ( 1 0 ) , Northampton St ree t -Ches tnut Street (8), and Race S t ree t and Main Street (7).

The r e l a t i v e s a f e t y o f a s t r e t c h o f road o r of a n i n t e r s e c t i o n i s measured i n terms of t h e number of a c c i d e n t s p e r m i l l i o n veh ic l e m i l e s o r p e r m i l l i o n v e h i c l e s e n t e r i n g t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n . A s based on t h e s e measures, Bath i n t e r s e c t i o n s e x h i b i t an out- s t and ing s a f e t y r eco rd when a c t u a l a c c i d e n t rates are compared to average or expected a c c i d e n t rates.

TABLE 4 Streets Forming Accidents p e r 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0

I n t e r s e c t i o n Vehicles En te r ing I n t e r s e c t i o n

1. Chestnut & Northampton 2. Walnut & Northampton 3 . Walnut & Main

.107*

.093

.088 (cont inued)

* For example, an a c c i d e n t rate of . l o 7 a t t h e i n t e r s e c t i o n of Chestnut and Northampton Streets means t h e r e is one acc iden t f o r approximately every 9 , 3 4 5 , 7 9 4 vehicles e n t e r i n g t h e inter- s e c t i o n .

32

L IE L L 0 gl

I

0 S t r e e t s Forming I n t e r s e c t i o n

4 . Northampton & Main 5. Washington & Northampton 6. Race & Main 7. Chestnut & Main

Accidents per 1 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 V e h i c l e s Enteking I n t e r s e c t i o n

.082

.071

.065

. 0 4 1

S t a t e Highway P lans

The Pennsylvania Department of Transpor ta t ion i s n o t c u r r e n t l y planning t o undertake any major improvements t o t h e s ta te highways going through Bath. Also, no highway improvements are being planned i n t h e Bath area which would change road u t i l i z a t i o n i n t h e Borough dur ing t h e nex t 1 2 y e a r per iod .

I

Mass T r a n s i t

Bath is not p r e s e n t l y served by any bus r o u t e , t h u s l i m i t i n g t h e mobi l i ty of t h o s e r e s i d e n t s without access t o an automobile. The Lehigh and Northampton Transpor ta t ion Author i ty (LANTA) pro- v ides t r a n s i t s e r v i c e i n t h e two county area. Based on t h e responses to t h e c i t i z e n ' s ques t ionna i r e , LANTA should be approached a s t o t h e ex tens ion of s e r v i c e t o B a t h . Many respondents i n - d i c a t e d a n i n t e r e s t i n us ing LANTA bus service f o r shopping r e l a t e d t r i p s .

R a i l Serv ice

The Bath area c u r r e n t l y receives f r e i g h t , b u t n o t passenger , ser- v i c e from t h e Northampton and B a t h Railroad and t h e Consolidated R a i l Corporation (ConRail) . The Northampton and Bath Rai l road has a s m a l l yard a t t h e southern boundary of Bath b u t has no i n d u s t r i a l s i d i n g s . However, t h e Rai l road , a subs id i a ry of t h e United S t a t e s S t e e l Corporat ion, has f i l e d n o t i c e wi th t h e I n t e r s t a t e Commerce Commission ( I C C ) t h a t it in t ends t o f i l e f o r abandonment w i t h i n t h r e e years .

ConRail s e r v i c e i n Bath c o n s i s t s of a s m a l l f r e i g h t s t a t i o n where room i s a v a i l a b l e f o r p u b l i c loading and unloading. ConRail c u r r e n t l y provides no i n d u s t r i a l s i d i n g s i n Bath. Whereas ConRail s e r v i c e t o Bath eminates from a branch l i n e wi th l i g h t ca r load ings , t h e abandonment of t h e l i n e i s a p o s s i b i l i t y . Because some in - d u s t r y r e q u i r e s r a i l service, Bath 's a t t r a c t i v e n e s s f o r i n d u s t r y could s u f f e r i f abandonment occurred. Bath should defend i t s i n t e r e s t s i n any a c t i o n of t h e I C C which would depr ive t h e Borough of r a i l s e rv i ce .

A i r Travel

The Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton Ai rpor t i n Hanover Township (Lehigh County) provides modern a i r p o r t f a c i l i t i e s , a convenient t e n minute d r i v e from t h e Borough. The a i r p o r t is served by three major a i r l i n e s and s e v e r a l commuter a i r l i n e s . F a c i l i t i e s f o r p r i v a t e a i r c ra f t are a lso a v a i l a b l e .

0

3 3

ACCIDENT RECORD 1973-1975

0- Number Indicates Number of Accidents

MAP 8 34

P e d e s t r i a n and B i c y c l e Travel

These two modes o f t ravel should n o t be overlooked i n any c o m - muni ty ' s t r a n s p o r t a t i o n p lanning , p a r t i c u l a r l y as t h e f u t u r e a v a i l a b i l i t y and p r i c e of f o s s i l f u e l s becomes more u n c e r t a i n .

P e d e s t r i a n t r a v e l o c c u r s a long t h e e x i s t i n g s idewalk system. Sidewalks can be found a long a l l major streets i n t h e midtown area and i n some areas of t h e remainder o f Bath. To i m - prove p e d e s t r i a n t ravel , t h e Borough should c o n s t r u c t s idewalks i n t h e s e areas wi thou t s idewalks , c o n c e n t r a t i n g i n i t i a l l y i n s t r e t c h e s where haza rds t o walking are p r e s e n t and where t h e use of t h e s idewalks would be greatest. I n t h e mid-town area, t h e Borough should improve or encourage p rope r ty owners t o i m - prove t h o s e s idewalks which t h e housing c o n d i t i o n s survey cited as i n need of minor o r major r e p a i r s .

Bicyc les p r e s e n t l y u s e t h e highway system, n o t any s p e c i a l l y des igna ted b i k e p a t h s or b i k e r o u t e s . The expected amount of b i c y c l e r i d i n g i n Bath does n o t war ran t t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s e p a r a t e b i c y c l e p a t h s . Bicyc le t rave l should con t inue t o r e l y on t h e highway system.

35

Chapter 6: E X I S T I N G COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND UTILITIES

Schools

The Bath school system became f u l l y i n t e g r a t e d i n t o t h e Northampton Area School D i s t r i c t d u r i n g t h e 1961-62 school y e a r as p a r t of Pennsylvania’s o v e r a l l school d i s t r ic t c o n s o l i d a t i o n program. P r i o r t o t h a t t i m e , pr imary l eve l s t u d e n t s from Bath a t t ended t h e George Wolf School on Washington S t r e e t . a t t ended Northampton High School on a t u i t i o n basis.

High school s t u d e n t s

I n 1968, a n’ew George Wolf e lementary schoo l w a s completed on A l l e n S t r e e t . The b u i l d i n g c o n t a i n s 35 i n s t r u c t i o n rooms, an a r t room, a music room, conference rooms, and a cafe tor ium. A gymnasium was added i n 1974. Kindergar ten through s i x t h g rade s t u d e n t s a t t e n d t h e school . I n a d d i t i o n t o Bath s t u d e n t s , bussed s t u d e n t s from p o r t i o n s of A l l en , E a s t A l l e n , and Moore Townships c u r r e n t l y a t t e n d t h e school . The fo l lowing table d e p i c t s recent enro l lment a t t h e school .

TABLE 5

ENROLLMENT 1972-1977 GEORGE WOLF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Year Number

of S t u d e n t s

1972-73 1973-74 1974-75 1975-76 1976-77

714 823 915 961 916

The r e l a t i v e l y l a r g e changes i n en ro l lmen t f r o m y e a r t o yea r are a t t r i b u t e d t o changes i n t h e buss ing d i s t r i c t s of t h e v a r i o u s elementary schoo l s w i t h i n t h e D i s t r i c t . D i s t r i c t must be viewed on a d i s t r i c t - w i d e b a s i s , n o t on t h e b a s i s of s i n g l e schools . a l l e v i a t e d by moving buss ing d i s t r i c t boundaries . school c a p a c i t y i s n o t c u r r e n t l y a problem f o r t h e Northampton A r e a School D i s t r i c t . Although s u f f i c i e n t space f o r expansion e x i s t s a t t h e George Wolf School , no such expansion i s c u r r e n t l y envis ioned.

Capac i ty i n t h e School

Capac i ty problems a t i n d i v i d u a l s choo l s a r e Elementary

Other communities which a re a p a r t of t h i s School D i s t r i c t are Al len , Eas t A l l en , Lehigh, and Moore Townships, and Chapman and Northampton Boroughs.

36

The Northampton A r e a School D i s t r i c t ' s Jun ior -Senior High School and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e o f f i c e s are l o c a t e d on Laubach S t r e e t i n Northampton Borough. The Junior -Senior High School i s c u r r e n t l y o p e r a t i n g ove r c a p a c i t y . The School D i s t r i c t i s e v a l u a t i n g t h e need f o r expansion of t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s .

The l a t e s t p r o j e c t i o n s f o r School D i s t r i c t enro l lment i n d i c a t e a n expected s l i g h t i n c r e a s e i n enro l lment and Ba th ' s s h a r e o f t h e enro l lment .

0

A s an a l t e r n a t i v e to t h e p u b l i c s choo l system for g rades Kindergar ten t o e i g h t h , t h e Sacred Heart School i s ope ra t ed i n con junc t ion w i t h the Sacred Heart Roman C a t h o l i c Church. The schoo l , l o c a t e d on Washington Street , c o n s i s t s of f o u r c lassrooms, a n audi tor ium, a l i b r a r y , and rooms f o r s p e c i a l educa t ion . The c u r r e n t enro l lment of 85 t o 90 s t u d e n t s d u r i n g t h e 1976-77 school y e a r c o n s i s t s of s t u d e n t s from Moore and E a s t A l l en Townships, p o r t i o n s of L o w e r and Upper Nazareth Town- s h i p s , Chapman Borough, as w e l l as Bath. The c a p a c i t y of t h e school i s 1 0 0 t o 1 3 0 s t u d e n t s . School o f f i c i a l s , expec t ing a l e v e l enro l lment , do not p r o j e c t any enlargements of t h e f a c i l i t i e s .

Municipal Bui ld ing

Upon t h e opening of t h e new George Wolf School , t h e Washington S t r e e t f a c i l i t y w a s deeded t o t h e Borough for use as a munici- p a l bu i ld ing . The former schoo l , b u i l t i n 1915, now houses a l i b r a r y , meet ing rooms, o f f i c e s for t h e p o l i c e department , and s t o r a g e rooms.

0

P o l i c e P r o t e c t i o n

This s e r v i c e is c u r r e n t l y rendered t o t h e Borough by a f u l l t i m e Chief of P o l i c e and e i g h t pa r t - t ime patrolmen. Primary dayt ime coverage i s provided by t h e Chief of P o l i c e . Nighttime and week- end coverage i s p r i m a r i l y provided by t h e pa r t - t ime par t ro lmen, who average 60 hours of service each month. I n g e n e r a l , active p a t r o l i n g is performed from 7 a . m . t o 2 a . m .

The Borough owns a r a d i o equipped p a t r o l car. A t t h e t i m e s when t h e car is n o t avai lable , p r i v a t e cars are used w i t h a p o r t a b l e r a d i o u n i t , t h e mileage be ing reimbursed t o t h e owner. One room i n t h e municipal b u i l d i n g i s devoted t o t h e P o l i c e Department purposes . C h i e f ' s home t e l ephone o r through t h e Blue Mountain Cont ro l Cen te r d i s p a t c h e r s .

Borough p o l i c e can be reached e i t h e r through t h e P o l i c e

Backup service t o Bath p o l i c e i s a v a i l a b l e from t h e S t a t e P o l i c e b a r r a c k s on A i r p o r t Road i n Bethlehem. t h a t such backup s e r v i c e i s i n f r e q u e n t l y needed.

Recent exper ience i n d i c a t e s

37

TABLE 6

NORTHAMPTON AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT MOST LIKELY FORECAST - MEMBERSHIP - FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

Based on d e c l i n i n g b i r t h rate i n d i c a t e d by Live B i r t h and Local Census Data

1977-78 1978-79 1979-80 198 0-81 1981-82 1982'83 1983-84 1984-85

K 1 2 3 4 5 6

EMR To t a l w

03

7 8 9

EMR Total

10 11 12 EMR

Total

424 485 517 452 447 433 4 61 57

3,276

487 476 522 40

1,525

513 476

23 1,497

48 5

481 430 48 9 514 440 444 4 37 57

3,292

493 489 526 40

1,548

524 489 4 58 23

1,494

415 486 4 34 485 503 437 448 56

3,264

466 4 94 541 40

1,542

527 4 98 470 23

1,518

460 421 489 430 476 505 441 57

3,279*

478 4 68 54 5

40 1,532

542 501 47 5 24

1,542

522 465 423 485 420 477 514 58 m

470 480 517 39

1,506

54 8 516 47 8 24

1,566

534 525 4 67 418 472 420 471 58

3,365

550 469 530 42

1,590

518 521 493 24

1,556

550 54 0 527 462 406 473 427 59

3,444

520 5 57 521 43

1,641

531 494 498 24

1,547

563 554 541 520 449 399 480 62

3,568

463 524 620 43

1,650

522 50 5 472 23

1,522

Grand Total 6,298 6,334 6,324 6,353 6,436 6,511 6,632 6,740

Source: School Enrol lment P r o j e c t i o n s Update of t h e Northampton A r e a Schools - Educational Se rv ice Bureau,College of Educa t ion , Temple U n i v e r s i t y .

* Breakdown by Community: Bath-228, Chapman-17, Northampton-604, Allen-355, E a s t A l l e n - 4 9 8 Lehigh-880, Moore-682: TOTAL-3,264.

6

Fire P r o t e c t i o n

F i r e p r o t e c t i o n and ambulance s e r v i c e are provided by v o l u n t e e r members of t h e Bath Fire Company. The F i r e Company w a s formed i n 1839 and became a f i r e f i g h t i n g o r g a n i z a t i o n i n 1895. Cur ren t membership approximates 500. O f t h e s e , 37 members are a c t i v e f i r e f i g h t e r s whose t r a i n i n g inc ludes p r a c t i c e a t t h e County f a c i l i t i e s .

Equipment owned by t h e Fire Company i n c l u d e s a 1971 LaFrance 1 , 0 0 0 g a l l o n pumper, a 1968 I n t e r n a t i o n a l 2,300 g a l l o n t anke r , a 1955 Dodge 750 g a l l o n pumper, a 1953 Chevro le t pane l van-emergency t r u c k , a 1973 Dodge ambulance, and a 1965 C a d i l l a c ambulance. These v e h i c l e s are s t o r e d a t t h e Center Street F i r e Company bu i ld ing . A t p r e s e n t , t h e F i r e Company i n t e n d s t o purchase a n a d d i t i o n a l 1 , 0 0 0 g a l l o n pumper.

The c o s t s of t h e s e services are o f f s e t p r i m a r i l y through dona t ions t o va r ious F i r e Company fund r a i s i n g ac t iv i t ies . The Borough budget i nc ludes a s i z e a b l e a l l o c a t i o n f o r f i r e s e r v i c e s . Other funds are r a i s e d through charges for services. Ambulance ser- v i c e i s b i l l ed t o t h e u s e r . Also, t h e F i r e Company has a con- t r ac t f o r f i r e p r o t e c t i o n and emergency service i n E a s t A l l en Township f o r which reimbursement is made.

Most of Bath has f i r e hydran t s i n connec t ion w i t h f i r e p r o t e c t i o n . However, problems i n ma in ta in ing adequate f i r e f l o w i n p o r t i o n s of t h e Borough make t h e u s e of t h e t a n k e r necessary .

Recrea t ion

Borough r e c r e a t i o n needs are m e t through t h r e e Borough owned f a c i l i t i e s , one s c h o o l f a c i l i t y , and one p r i v a t e f a c i l i t y . The maintenance and o p e r a t i o n of t h e Borough f a c i l i t i e s are t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e Bath Borough Recrea t ion Commission. Borough funding for t h i s f i v e member,Council appoin ted Commission i s d i r e c t e d toward t h e costs of a summer r e c r e a t i o n program and toward vandalism r e p a i r . The summer r e c r e a t i o n program, r u n by two playground s u p e r v i s o r s , p rov ides a c t i v i t i e s f o r c h i l d r e n aged f o u r to 1 4 .

Borough owned f ac i l i t i e s i n c l u d e t h e Meadows (two t e n n i s c o u r t s , s k a t i n g pond, f i e l d s , p i c n i c t a b l e , and t h r e e benches ) , Keystone Park ( large p i c n i c p a v i l l i o n , sma l l f i r e p l a c e , f u l l l e n g t h baske t - b a l l c o u r t , b a l l f i e l d w i t h backs top , and assorted playground equipment), and t h e pa rk sou th of t h e Lutheran Church (two bal l - f i e l d s wi th backs tops , sma l l p i c n i c p a v i l l i o n , and a f u l l l e n g t h b a s k e t b a l l court-macadamized t e n n i s c o u r t ) . A l l Borough r e c r e a t i o n f ac i l i t i e s are o r i e n t e d towards act ive r e c r e a t i o n uses .

The O l d Forge townhouse development i n c l u d e s a fenced t o t l o t wi th va r ious p l a y equipment. T h i s f a c i l i t y has n o t been d e d i c a t e d t o Bath and remains f o r t h e use of O l d Forge r e s i d e n t s .

39

Extensive l e v e l f i e l d s are a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e George Wolf School s i t e . Other outdoor f a c i l i t i e s i nc lude a b a l l f i e l d w i t h a small backstop and v a r i o u s playground equipment.

S a n i t a r y Sewerage

V i r t u a l l y a l l developed a r e a s of Bath are se rved by a c e n t r a l s a n i t a r y sewerage system t h a t w a s b u i l t i n 1 9 6 6 . This system is opera ted by t h e Borough under lease from t h e Bath Borough Author i ty which w a s formed f o r t h e purpose o f funding t h e system. The p l a n t provides a secondary level o f treatment f o r t h e sewage and has a c a p a c i t y of 300 ,000 g a l l o n s p e r day. C u r r e n t l y , n o t a l l of t h e c a p a c i t y is i n u s e or has been a l l o c a t e d t o p o t e n t i a l u se r s .

Map 9 d e p i c t s t h e l o c a t i o n of t h e t r e a t m e n t p l a n t and t h e sewer l i n e s . N o s e r v i c e is p r e s e n t l y provided i n areas beyond Borough boundaries .

Water Supply

Water supply t o most developed a r e a s of Bath is supp l i ed through two c e n t r a l w a t e r supply systems. The m a j o r i t y of t h e Borough is served by t;he munic ipa l wa te r system. Water i s ob ta ined through a combination o f s p r i n g s and w e l l s a t a r a t e of 100 g a l l o n s p e r minute. S t o r a g e i s provided by a 500,000 g a l l o n tank which is divided i n t o t w o cells . Corros ion of t h e p i p e s has taken i t s t o l l on t h e p r e s s u r e t h a t t h e system can ma in ta in f o r f i r e f i g h t i n g purposes . Map 1 0 d e p i c t s t h e l a y o u t of t h e water system. A s w i t h t h e s a n i t a r y s e w e r system no area o u t s i d e of t h e Borough i s served.

I n conjunct ion w i t h t h e development of t h e Holiday H i l l s sub- d i v i s i o n , a p r i v a t e l y owned w a t e r company, t h e Holiday H i l l Water Company, was e s t a b l i s h e d . This system, which i s n o t r e g u l a t e d by t h e Pub l i c U t i l i t y Commission, s e r v e s t h e Holiday H i l l s development exc lus ive ly . Two w e l l s a re t h e s o u r c e of t h e water, one wi th a c a p a c i t y of 150 g a l l o n s p e r minute , t h e o t h e r w i t h a c a p a c i t y of less than 20 g a l l o n s p e r minute. A 2 , 2 0 0 g a l l o n p r e s s u r e tank p rov ides t h e on ly s t o r a g e f o r t h i s water system. This l i m i t e d s t o r a g e c a p a c i t y is inadequate f o r f i r e p r o t e c t i o n purposes.

Storm Drainaqe

The Borough has e s t a b l i s h e d a system of s torm sewers t o h e l p cope wi th storm water runof f . Much of Bath is served by s t o r m sewers inc lud ing most of t he midtown area. The p i p e s i n t h e midtown area d i scha rge p r i m a r i l y i n t o t h e Monocacy Creek. The l a c k of dense development o r major s w a l e s i n t h e o u t e r area allows storm d r a i n a g e t o be managed by means o t h e r t han s t o r m sewers. Map 11 shows t h e areas c u r r e n t l y se rved by s torm s e w e r s . A r e a s i n need of improved storm sewers i n c l u d e t h e Holiday H i l l development and M i l l Street .

I E r c E r

L L! r L

4 0

EXISTING SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM

BOROUGH OF BATH

I I

*..I*. h II - ,IC-- - nm --w w u u

m-n w -I

111--1 Existing Sanitary Sewers

Ism. nm IMP. Q - ..

MAP 9 41

EXISTING WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

MAP IO 42

1

I I I I I I I

.I I I

0'

I I I I

I 1

3

AREA CURRENTLY SERVED BY STORM SEWERS

a Service Area of Storm Sewer System

MAP II 4 3

Chapter 7: POPULATION

Table 7 traces t h e p a s t popu la t ion t r e n d s f o r Bath, estimates t h e Borough's c u r r e n t popu la t ion , and f o r e c a s t s f u t u r e popula t ion .

TABLE 7

BATH POPULATION 1940-2000

Year

1940 1950 1960 1970 1973 1976 1980 1985 1 9 9 0 1995 2000

Popu la t ion

Low A l t e r n a t i v e High A l t e r n a t i v e

17201 1824l 1736; 1829 2234; 2532

25703 26303 26803 27:403 27903

2600; 2740 2890; 3040, 31903

P e r c e n t Average Annual Change

- Low High

- . 6

-.5 I- . 5

7.4 4 .4

0.4 0.7 0.4 1 . 0 0.4 1.1 0.4 1.1 0.4 1 . 0

Sources :

1. U . S . Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census. 2. J P C estimate based on Northampton County Assessment

3 . Based upon r e c e n t Lehigh Val ley Transpor t a t ion Department t a x data,

Study (LVTS) f o r e c a s t s .

I n s t e a d of us ing a s i n g l e se t of forecasts, t w o sets are used. The t w o form a low and a h igh l i m i t f o r t h e range of popu la t ion t h a t can reasonably b e expected. The r ange is being provided because of t h e hazards involved i n f o r e c a s t s f o r a community t h e s i z e of Bath. A s i n g l e d e c i s i o n by t h e p r i v a t e sector could in - v a l i d a t e any s i n g l e popu la t ion f o r e c a s t . I f t h e f o r e c a s t , f o r i n s t a n c e , assumes t h a t o n l y one s u b s t a n t i a l development w i l l occur du r ing a c e r t a i n p e r i o d , and two s u b s t a n t i a l developments occur, t h e f o r e c a s t becomes i n a c c u r a t e . The p r o v i s i o n o f t h e range then provides a margin of s a f e t y .

Both sets of f o r e c a s t s are based on t h e premise t h a t a m u n i c i p a l i t y ' s growth is r e l a t e d t o Northampton County growth as i t s amount of deve lopable land is related t o t h e amount of deve lopable County l and . Using t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p , t h e low f o r e c a s t assumes t h a t B a t h ' s

4 4

growth is d i r e c t l y p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e h igh popula t ion estimate f o r Northampton County as p ro jec t ed i n t h e J P C r e p o r t E s t i m a t e d Populat ion Changes i n t h e Lehigh Val ley : 1970-2000. The high p r o j e c t i o n , i n s t e a d , uses a s imula t ion technique t h a t accounts f o r the o v e r a l l randomness of p r i v a t e market dec i s ions t o a r r i v e a t Bath ' s p ropor t ion of Northampton County growth.

Table 7 shows t h e re la t ive s t a b i l i t y of Bath ' s popula t ion up t o 1 9 7 0 a t which t i m e r a p i d growth commenced. The f o r e c a s t s expec t t h e popula t ion growth t o cont inue because of t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y o f land s u i t a b l e f o r development and c e n t r a l i z e d u t i l i t i e s . How- ,

e v e r , t h e r a t e of growth is no t expected t o be nea r ly as g r e a t a s i n t h e p a s t seven yea r s . This r educ t ion is based on t h e l i m i t s i n t h e amount of l and remaining f o r development and on p red ic t ed decreases i n t h e average fami ly s i z e .

4 5

Chapter 8: B U I L D I N G CONDITIONS

I n t r o d u c t i o n

A s i g n i f i c a n t problem f a c i n g many older developed communities i s t h e maintenance, conse rva t ion , and r e h a b i l i t a t i o n of i t s e x i s t i n g b u i l d i n g and housing s t o c k , A s such , as p a r t of t h i s comprehensive p l a n a thorough b u i l d i n g c o n d i t i o n s survey and a n a l y s i s w a s performed f o r t h e Borough of Bath. Primary emphasis has been p laced on t h e o l d e r , c e n t r a l p o r t i o n of t h e Borough, a n area which had been i d e n t i f i e d p r e v i o u s l y by t h e J o i n t Planning Commission as p o t e n t i a l l y i n need of housing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n .

The major t h r u s t o f a b u i l d i n g c o n d i t i o n s s t u d y is t o examine s t r u c t u r e s f o r d e f e c t s , de te rmine t h e needs f o r maintenance and r e p a i r , and t o t h e n recommend c o u r s e s o f a c t i o n s or programs de- s igned t o s o l v e t h e i d e n t i f i e d problems and reduce b u i l d i n g d e f i c i e n c i e s .

I n o r d e r to f u l l y unders tand t h i s a n a l y s i s and t h e conc lus ions reached f o r Bath, i t is first necessa ry t o e x p l a i n b r i e f l y t h e methodology used i n conduct ing t h e survey .

Procedures for t h e Survey

A s p rev ious ly mentioned major emphasis w a s p l aced on surveying s t r u c t u r e s i n t h e c e n t r a l p o r t i o n of B a t h . Map 1 2 shows t h e area i n which a d e t a i l e d e x t e r i o r c o n d i t i o n s survey w a s per - formed. Within t h i s area a s e p a r a t e e v a l u a t i o n w a s performed f o r each s t r u c t u r e and p rope r ty . I t should be emphasized t h a t t h e survey c o n s i s t e d on ly of a n e x t e r i o r a n a l y s i s , No e v a l u a t i o n has been made of i n t e r i o r s t r u c t u r a l c o n d i t i o n s , t h e p re sence or absence of i n t e r i o r plumbing fac i l i t i es , or factors such as overcrowding w i t h i n a dwel l ing u n i t . Data on several o f t h e s e f a c t o r s i s a v a i l a b l e on ly f o r t h e e n t i r e Borough; t h e r e f o r e , it i s n o t p o s s i b l e t o de termine sub-concent ra t ions w i t h i n the community. However, i n t h e course of t h e a n a l y s i s r e f e r e n c e is made t o some of t h i s Borough-wide d a t a where i t appea r s t o add t o o r c l a r i f y informat ion ga the red d u r i n g t h e f i e l d survey.

A survey form w a s completed f o r each p r o p e r t y w i t h i n t h e c e n t r a l a r e a . Informat ion recorded inc luded t h e l a n d u s e of t h e p r o p e r t y ; t h e type of b u i l d i n g ; t h e number of dwe l l ing u n i t s ; number of s t o r i e s ; t ype of c o n s t r u c t i o n and e x t e r i o r mater ia l ; park ing con- f i g u r a t i o n ; t h e q u a l i t y of t h e founda t ion , e x t e r i o r w a l l s , roof and roof s t r u c t u r e s , porch and s t e p s , chimney and c o r n i c e s , windows, door s , g u t t e r s , f i r e e scapes , f ences and s idewalks ; t h e appearance of t h e e x t e r i o r w a l l s , lawn and landscaping; and t h e presence and c o n d i t i o n of o t h e r b u i l d i n g s (ga rages , sheds , e tc . ) on t h e p rope r ty .

4 6

0 USE

. . . . ..........

OF STRUCTURES

LEGEND

T o t a l l y Res ident ia l

Par ti a 11 y R e si den tia 1

T o t a l l y Non-Residential

p& . . . . . . .I ....

p j . . . . . . . Dl MAP 12

For each of t h e " q u a l i t y " f a c t o r s it w a s no ted whether maintenance, minor o r major r e p a i r , o r replacement w a s needed. An o v e r a l l r a t i n g of t h e s t r u c t u r e w a s made by combining t h e i n d i v i d u a l e v a l u a t i o n s . A copy of t h e Bui ld ing Condi t ions Survey form used i s inc luded as Appendix A t o t h i s P lan .

R e s u l t s of t h e Survey

S l i g h t l y more than 300 s t r u c t u r e s c o n s i s t i n g o f 3 4 6 dwel l ing u n i t s w e r e surveyed i n t h e c e n t r a l p o r t i o n of Bath. The r e s u l t s i n d i c a t e o v e r a l l s a t i s f a c t o r y housing c o n d i t i o n s , b u t a lso r e v e a l several problem areas and a g e n e r a l need f o r more e x t e n s i v e maintenance of o l d e r p r o p e r t i e s .

The area surveyed can be c l a s s i f i e d as be ing p r i m a r i l y r e s i d e n t i a l , b u t t h e r e are a f a i r amount of n o n - r e s i d e n t i a l and mixed uses w i t h i n t h e c e n t e r p o r t i o n or midtown area (see Map.12). A s i g n i f i - c a n t number o f commercial u s e s can be found a long Main and Walnut Streets, many c o n t a i n i n g r e s i d e n t i a l u n i t s as w e l l .

A v a r i e t y of d i f f e r e n t b u i l d i n g c o n f i g u r a t i o n s are p r e s e n t i n t h e surveyed area (see Map 1 3 ) . On t h e p e r i m e t e r most of t h e u n i t s are detached w i t h a l i m i t e d number of twins (semi-detached). Most of t h e a t t a c h e d dwe l l ings ( r o w housing) and mult i - family dwe l l ings are l o c a t e d toward t h e c e n t e r of t h e survey area. I n p a r t i c u l a r , these l a t t e r types of dwe l l ings can be found a long Main and Chest- n u t Streets. I n a d d i t i o n , t h e r e are t h r e e h o t e l s , each c o n t a i n i n g a number of dwel l ing u n i t s , and t w o mobile homes w i t h i n t h e survey area.

Of t h e more t h s n 300 p r o p e r t i e s surveyed on ly 33 conta ined more than one dwel l ing u n i t . Most of t h e s e w e r e homes w i t h a s i n g l e apar tment u n i t . Very few cou ld be c l a s s i f i e d as major mul t i - family s t r u c t u r e s . The fo l lowing table i l l u s t r a t e s t h i s p a t t e r n . Many of t h e s e s t r u c t u r e s w i t h more than one dwe l l ing u n i t are l o c a t e d along Main Street.

TABLE 8

MULTI-FAMILY U N I T S BY NUMBER OF UNITS I N STRUCTURE

N o . o f U n i t s No. of S t r u c t u r e s

2 3 4

6-13

23 4 2 4

4 8

I!

r T

' 5 I E D b

ql 0 e r B I;

P

1 I

0'

P

A major p o r t i o n of t h e b u i l d i n g c o n d i t i o n s a n a l y s i s has been r e l a t e d t o t h e e x t e r i o r p h y s i c a l q u a l i t y of t h e i n d i v i d u a l s t r u c t u r e s . A s p rev ious ly mentioned t h e c o n d i t i o n of n ine d i s t i n c t f e a t u r e s of t h e b u i l d i n g were observed and recorded - foundat ions , e x t e r i o r w a l l s , roof and roof s t r u c t u r e s , porch and s t e p s , chimney and c o r n i c e s , windows, door g u t t e r s and f i r e escapes. For each s t r u c t u r e t h e s e f e a t u r e s were eva lua ted and p laced i n one of t h e f i v e fo l lowing c a t e g o r i e s :

0

1 - N o r e p a i r s needed; adequate ly maintained 2 - Maintenance needed 3 - Minor r e p a i r needed 4 - S e v e r a l minor r e p a i r s and/or semi-major r e p a i r s 5 - Major r e p a i r s and/or replacement needed

The fo l lo iwng t a b l e i n d i c a t e s t h e o v e r a l l c o n d i t i o n s f o r each o f t h e n ine items surveyed by t h e s e f i v e c a t e g o r i e s .

TABLE 9

QUALITY OF STRUCTURE - INDIVIDUAL FEATURES

T o t a l N o . of Condi t ion Category (Percentages * S t r u c t u r e s

Fea ture 1 2 3 4 5 Surveyed** - a Foundation 55.8 E x t e r i o r Walls 50.5 Roof and Roof S t r u c t u r e 52.9 Porch/Steps 28.1 Chimney and Cornices 49.6

Doors 51 ..3 G u t t e r s 49.8

Windows 26 ..9

F i r e Escape 20.0

20.4 25.8 27.8 29.4 29.8 46.1 33.4 29.5 50 .O

21.8 1.8 0.4 14.7 5.7 3.3 10.7 5.8 2.7 30.4 8.4 3.7 15.3 4.2 1.1 18.2 6.4 2.4 9.3 3.6 2.3

12.5 4.7 3.4 20.0 0.0 10.0

285 299 291 299 262 29 7 302 295 10

* 1 - No r e p a i r s needed; adequate ly maintained 2 - Maintenance needed 3 - Minor r e p a i r needed 4 - S e v e r a l minor r e p a i r s and/or semi-major r e p a i r s 5 - Major r e p a i r s and/or replacement needed

**The number surveyed v a r i e s due t o t h e f a c t t h a t n o t all s t r u c t u r e s possessed each of t h e n i n e f e a t u r e s and i n some cases f e a t u r e s such as r o o f s , foundat ions , etc. w e r e n o t v i s i b l e .

Table 9 ind ica tes some v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e e x t e n t of d e f e c t s for t h e n ine f e a t u r e s surveyed. I t e m s such as windows, porches , and s t e p s g e n e r a l l y showed t h e most need for maintenance o r r e p a i r . This i s n o t unexpected i n an o l d e r area s i n c e t h e s e types of i t e m s r e q u i r e f r e q u e n t maintenance t o be k e p t i n good c o n d i t i o n and , 0

4 9

u n l i k e t h i n g s such as r o o f s and founda t ions , l a c k of maintenance r e s u l t s p r i m a r i l y i n a e s t h e t i c d e t e r i o r a t i o n r a t h e r t han sub- s t a n t i a l p h y s i c a l d e t e r i o r a t i o n of t h e p r o p e r t y . The reasonably good c o n d i t i o n s f o r foundat ions , w a l l s , and r o o f s r e f l e c t t h e sound o v e r a l l s t a t u s of t h e housing s t o c k i n t h e survey area.

A composite o v e r a l l r a t i n g f o r t h e s t r u c t u r e w a s t h e n de r ived by averaging t h e v a l u e s f o r each of t h e i n d i v i d u a l f a c t o r s sur - veyed. These o v e r a l l r a t i n g s were then t a b u l a t e d and f u r t h e r grouped i n t o f o u r categories each r e p r e s e n t i n g a d i f f e r e n t ex- t e n t of overal l maintenance o r r e p a i r t h a t w a s needed.' These f o u r c a t e g o r i e s are shown on Map 14. s e n t s t h o s e p r o p e r t i e s which b a s i c a l l y do n o t need r e p a i r and which are f o r t h e m o s t p a r t adequate ly main ta ined . The second ca t egory r e p r e s e n t s p r o p e r t i e s where e i t h e r a s i g n i f i c a n t number of i n d i v i d u a l items need maintenance o r where one or two features need minor r e p a i r ( o r some combination of t h e two). The t h i r d ca t egory i n c l u d e s t h o s e p r o p e r t i e s where a s u b s t a n t i a l number of f e a t u r e s need minor r e p a i r and i n some cases one or two elements may need major repair o r replacement . are t h o s e p r o p e r t i e s where s u b s t a n t i a l major r e p a i r s are i n o r d e r or t h e b u i l d i n g should be cons idered for demol i t ion . be noted t h a t a l l s t r u c t u r e s w i t h i n each of t h e s e f o u r cate- g o r i e s are n o t i d e n t i c a l i n q u a l i t y and t h a t where d e t a i l e d p l a n s are contemplated for i n d i v i d u a l p a r t s of t h e Borough t h e i n d i v i d u a l r a t i n g s h e e t s should be consu l t ed . Also, pro- p e r t i e s a t t h e t o p of a ca t egory may n o t be t o o d i s s i m i l a r t o p r o p e r t i e s a t t h e bottom of t h e ca t egory immediately above it.

The f i r s t ca t egory r ep re -

The f o u r t h ca t egory

I t should

The fo l lowing t ab le i n d i c a t e s t h e number o f s t r u c t u r e s i n t h e survey area which f e l l i n t o each of t h e f o u r overall c a t e g o r i e s .

TABLE 10

QUALITY OF STRUCTURE - OVERALL R A T I N G

P e r c e n t of S t r u c t u r e s Category . N u m b e r of S t r u c t u r e s Surveyed

1 2 3 4

104 110 60 20

35.4 37.4 20.4

6 . 8

100.0 I

Geographica l ly , many of t h e p r o p e r t i e s f a l l i n g i n t h e l o w e r cate- g o r i e s are l o c a t e d i n t h e same g e n e r a l p o r t i o n s of t h e survey area- Major c o n c e n t r a t i o n s of t h e p r o p e r t i e s i n need of repair can be found i n t h e t w o areas h i g h l i g h t e d on Map 14. S p e c i f i c a l l y , t h i s i nc ludes much of t h e area along Main Street and a s m a l l s e c t i o n

B c

B L

50

OVERALL QUALITY OF STRUCTURE RATING

Cordoned Area Denotes Major Concentrations of - Properties i n Need of Repair.

V JUNE 1977

MAP 14

a long Green S t r e e t . Together t h e s e areas comprise s l i g h t l y more than 20 a c r e s and r e p r e s e n t t h e housing s t o c k most i n need of re- p a i r and improvement.

I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s e s t r u c t u r a l items r a t i n g s w e r e made f o r each p rope r ty f o r s e v e r a l appearance f a c t o r s as w e l l . Eva lua t ing t h e s e f a c t o r s a l lows one t o judge t h e v i s u a l amen i t i e s of a n area i n a d d i t i o n t o t h e s t r u c t u r a l e lements . While i t i s g e n e r a l l y t r u e t h a t t h e s e two f a c t o r s are i n t e r r e l a t e d , i . e . , housing t h a t i s s t r u c t u r a l l y d e f i c i e n t u s u a l l y i s v i s u a l l y u n a t t r a c t i v e as welL, t h i s is n o t always t h e case. Some u n i t s which are s t r u c t u r a l l y sound may p r e s e n t a poor v i s u a l appearance, due t o l a c k of maintenance o r n e g l e c t . Of ten t h e s e u n i t s r e q u i r e on ly cosmetic improvements ( p a i n t , l andscaping , e tc . ) t o make t h e u n i t a t t r a c t i v e as w e l l . Conversely, u n i t s which are reasonab ly a t t r ac t ive may posses s numerous d e f e c t s which a f f e c t appearance on ly i n a minor way (such as d e f e c t s i n a . founda t ion ) . For each s t r u c t u r e t h e v i s u a l appearance of t h e e x t e r i o r w a l l s , lawn and landscaping , s idewalks, and f e n c e s w a s recorded . This in format ion w a s t hen grouped i n t o c a t e g o r i e s , w i t h major emphasis on t h e appearance of t h e e x t e r i o r w a l l s and lawns. Map 1 5 shows t h e r e s u l t s of t h i s a n a l y s i s by f o u r major c a t e g o r i e s of appearance. The f i r s t ca tegory cons is t s of u n i t s which are e i t h e r e x c e l l e n t i n appearance a t p r e s e n t o r would r e q u i r e on ly m i n i m a l work t o r each t h i s con- d i t i o n . The second ca t egory r e p r e s e n t s u n i t s which have a n over- a l l good appearance b u t would r e q u i r e some improvements t o t h e i r appearance. The t h i r d ca t egory i n c l u d e s u n i t s which could be cons idered a s f a i r i n appearance a t p r e s e n t and which would re- q u i r e a s i z a b l e amount of w o r k ' t o r each e x c e l l e n t cond i t ion . The f o u r t h ca t egory are t h o s e u n i t s which are c u r r e n t l y poor i n appearance and which need ve ry s u b s t a n t i a l work t o v i s u a l l y i m - prove. The fo l lowing t a b l e shows t h e number and percentage of u n i t s surveyed which f a l l i n t o each of t h e s e f o u r c a t e g o r i e s .

TABLE 11

APPEARANCE O F STRUCTURES

Appearance Number P e r c e n t Category of U n i t s of U n i t s

1 2 3 4

1 6 2 52.7 77 25.1 42 13.7 26 8 .5

T o t a l 307 100.0

52

I n gene ra l t hose areas a l r e a d y desc r ibed as having a c o n c e n t r a t i o n of s t r u c t u r a l d e f i c i e n c i e s a l s o have t h e largest number of u n i t s w i th a poor p h y s i c a l appearance. However, as Map 1 5 i l l u s t r a t e s , t h e r e i s a l s o a s c a t t e r i n g of t h e s e u n i t s throughout o t h e r p o r t i o n s of t h e survey a r e a , i n p a r t i c u l a r a long p o r t i o n s of Ches tnut and Main S t r e e t s and a long Wabash Avenue.

A comment should be made a t t h i s p o i n t r ega rd ing t h e c o n d i t i o n of s idewalks i n t h e survey area and t h e i r a f f e c t on o v e r a l l appearance. A s Map 1 6 i l l u s t r a t e s , t h e r e are many p r o p e r t i e s i n need of r e p a i r e d o r r ep laced s idewalks. These c o n d i t i o n s , a l though n o t used i n t h e a c t u a l r a t i n g , t end t o c o n t r i b u t e t o a l a r g e e x t e n t t o t h e o v e r a l l bad appearance o f some of t h e s e a r e a s . I n many cases, r e p a i r s o r replacement are needed t o t h e s idewalk i n f r o n t o f t h e p r o p e r t y as w e l l a s t h o s e l e a d i n g t o t h e s t r u c t u r e . I n many cases cu rb ing is i n poor c o n d i t i o n and needs r e p a i r o r replacement . A l s o , it should be noted t h a t t h e r e are numerous accesso ry b u i l d i n g s (ga rages , sheds , e tc . ) which are i n need of maintenance or r e p a i r . I n g e n e r a l , t h e c o n d i t i o n of accesso ry s t r u c t u r e s is poore r t han t h e c o n d i t i o n of t h e main s t r u c t u r e and o f t e n has a n e f f e c t o f reducing t h e over- a l l a t t r a c t i v e n e s s of t h e p rope r ty .

Although c o n d i t i o n s w e r e n o t measured i n o t h e r areas of t h e Borough o u t s i d e of t h e survey area, a windshie ld survey w a s performed which g e n e r a l l y r evea led good housing c o n d i t i o n s o u t s i d e of t h i s area w i t h on ly a f e w s t r u c t u r e s a p p a r e n t l y i n need of r e p a i r or extreme maintenance.

Conclusions

Overa l l b u i l d i n g c o n d i t i o n s w i t h i n t h e Borough of Bath are sound. Despi te t h e f ac t t h a t many of t h e s t r u c t u r e s are very o l d (over 60 p e r c e n t o f t h e housing s t o c k w a s c o n s t r u c t e d b e f o r e 1940) they are g e n e r a l l y s t r u c t u r a l l y sound and wel l -maintained. Many p o r t i o n s of t h e Borough have no s e r i o u s housing problems and a t t h i s t i m e r e q u i r e no s p e c i a l e f f o r t s . However, it should always be k e p t i n mind t h a t o l d e r housing is more s u b j e c t t o n e g l e c t and even tua l d e t e r i o r a t i o n and g e n e r a l l y r e q u i r e s more maintenance t o keep it i n sound cond i t ion .

I n t h e c e n t r a l p o r t i o n of t h e Borough where t h e survey w a s conducted t h e r e are a s u b s t a n t i a l number of u n i t s (approximately 58% o f t h e t o t a l surveyed) which a re c l a s s i f i e d as being i n need of maintenance (or minor r e p a i r ) . T h e s e . a r e b a s i c a l l y sound, l i v a b l e u n i t s where through age and some n e g l e c t c e r t a i n d e f e c t s have occurred and s m a l l r e p a i r s are needed. Many of t h e s e are u n i t s where several weekends of concen t r a t ed home "fix-up" e f f o r t s (such as p a i n t i n g , pa tch ing r o o f s , r e p a i r i n g windows, g u t t e r s , etc.) could r e t u r n them t o e x c e l l e n t c o n d i t i o n . Others i n t h i s ca t egory might r e q u i r e s m a l l improvements n e c e s s i t a t i n g some c a p i t a l o u t l a y such as re- p l a c i n g r o t t e d windows or doors . However, t h e s e u n i t s do n o t r e q u i r e e x t e n s i v e work and appear t o b e w i t h i n t h e scope of improvements t h a t t h e ave rage homeowner cou ld make.

54

I

5 P c c c c r

c I! sr L Q L

B I

0'

.r

8

I

' 0 I

I

1 t

1

0

0

The number of s t r u c t u r e s t h a t need more e x t e n s i v e r e p a i r o r demol i t i on is f a i r l y s m a l l , b u t t h e s e u n i t s are f a i r l y con- c e n t r a t e d w i t h i n p o r t i o n s of t h e c e n t r a l survey area pre- v i o u s l y desc r ibed i n t h i s chap te r . These areas ( t h e Main Street c o r r i d o r and a small s e c t i o n of Green Street) r e q u i r e some concer ted r e h a b i l i t a t i o n e f f o r t before cond i t ions become p r o g r e s s i v e l y worse and sp read i n t o a d j a c e n t areas. Within t h e s e areas t h e r e are i n d i v i d u a l u n i t s where p r i v a t e maintenance and r e p a i r seem p o s s i b l e . However, some of t h e s e s t r u c t u r e s r e q u i r e f a i r l y expensive r e p a i r s t o b r ing them up t o adequate c o n d i t i o n s and may be beyond what t h e i n d i - v i d u a l p rope r ty owners can a f f o r d . Th i s may be e s p e c i a l l y t r u e s i n c e t h e area c o n s i s t s of o l d e r s t r u c t u r e s , mixed uses and i s q u i t e "crowded" due t o t h e p r e s e n t h igh d e n s i t y of development and f a i r l y large t r a f f i c volumes on t h e major streets i n t h i s area. I n s h o r t , t h e p o t e n t i a l f o r people t o i n v e s t i n p r o p e r t i e s i n t h i s s e c t i o n of t h e Borough seems very l i m i t e d .

A l i m i t e d number of r e s i d e n t i a l conve r s ions have a l r eady oc- c u r r e d i n t h e Borough as evidenced by t h e more than 30 s t r u c t u r e s w i t h t w o or more u n i t s . Because many of t h e s t r u c t u r e s i n t h i s p o r t i o n of t h e Borough are l a r g e , and consequent ly have l i m i t e d market p o t e n t i a l as s i n g l e fami ly d w e l l i n g s , it can be expected t h a t t h i s t r e n d w i l l con t inue i n t h e f u t u r e . Because t h i s p a r t of Bath i s a l r e a d y dense ly developed care must be taken i n how convers ions t a k e p l a c e t o avoid overcrowding and inadequate off- street park ing .

P o r t i o n s of t h i s c e n t r a l area c o n t a i n a mix tu re of commercial and r e s i d e n t i a l u s e s . While t h e s e types of uses can c o - e x i s t t h e r e is o f t e n undue p r e s s u r e p l aced on r e s i d e n t i a l u n i t s i n t h i s environment. There i s a s t r o n g e r tendency f o r r e s i d e n t i a l convers ions , e i t h e r t o mult i - family o r to more commercial u s e s . A l s o , there is more p o t e n t i a l f o r d e t e r i o r a t i o n of t h e r e s i d e n t i a l u n i t s and a cor responding loss i n m a r k e t a b i l i t y . Much of t h i s is a l r e a d y e v i d e n t a l o n g Main Street. Care must be exe rc i sed i n a l lowing f u r t h e r commercial a c t i v i t y i n t h e s e types o f areas i f t h e Borough wishes t o ma in ta in r e s i d e n t i a l s t r u c t u r e s as w e l l .

P re l imina ry Recommendations

A s p a r t of t h e Borough's Zoning Ordinance, which w i l l be developed based on t h i s comprehensive p l a n , p r o v i s i o n s should be inc luded t o r e g u l a t e convers ions of r e s i d e n t i a l u ses ( i .e . s i n g l e fami ly t o two fami ly or mul t i - fami ly) and t o c o n t r o l commercial development i n r e s i d e n t i a l areas.

The Borough should encourage e f f o r t s t o ma in ta in and upgrade e x i s t i n g s t r u c t u r e s . I n p a r t , t h i s cou ld be through promotional o r i n fo rma t iona l a c t i v i t i e s designed t o i n s t i l l p r i d e i n o n e ' s dwel l ing and encourage p r i v a t e r e p a i r and maintenance e f f o r t s .

55

A l s o , as p a r t o f t h i s t h e Borough may wish t o cons ide r t h e adopt ion of housing and b u i l d i n g codes which can r e q u i r e p rope r ty owners t o make needed r e p a i r s and then a s s u r e through i n s p e c t i o n s t h a t de t e - r i o r a t i o n does n o t occur i n t h e f u t u r e .

For t h e c e n t r a l areas most i n need o f repair ( s p e c i f i c a l l y t h e Main Street c o r r i d o r and a s m a l l s e c t i o n o f Green Street) t h e Borough should c o n s i d e r t h e development of a community development p l a n and a p p l i c a t i o n f o r f e d e r a l or s t a t e funds. I n t h e s e areas s u b s t a n t i a l r e h a b i l i t a t i o n e f f o r t s are needed, most l i k e l y r e q u i r i n g o u t s i d e funding and t h e coope ra t ion of local banks. A community development program f o r t h i s area cou ld g e n e r a t e needed monies fo r r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , augment p u b l i c improvements t o streets and s idewalks , and encourage p r i v a t e investment . Monies secu red f o r t h i s area cou ld be made a v a i l a b l e t o p r o p e r t y owners i n t h e form of g r a n t s and l o w i n t e r e s t l o a n s which could b e used by t h e s e owners t o have r e p a i r s done t o t h e i r dwe l l ings . I n ' a f e w p l a c e s , t h e Borough might wish t o u s e some of t h e s e monies f o r a c q u i s i t i o n and select ive demol i t i on of ve ry poor s t r u c t u r e s . F i n a l l y , community development funds of t h i s t ype can be used f o r p u b l i c improvements t o streets, s idewalks , c u r b s , water and sewer systems and storm sewers.

56

Section

I

Lornpre

57

a Tensive

Chapter 9 : GOALS AND POLICIES 0 I n many ways, t h i s chap te r is t h e f o c a l p o i n t of t h e Comprehen- s i v e Plan. The community based consensus of goa l s and p o l i c i e s i s t h e d i r e c t i o n g iv ing f o r c e f o r matters r e l a t i n g t o B a t h ' s developmen.t.1 Commission and Borough Council , and a c t i o n s by o t h e r community groups should be r e fe renced t o t h e s e g o a l s and p o l i c i e s . The conformance of a l l t h e s e a c t i v i t i e s . t o t h e p o l i c i e s should be sought.

Fu tu re planning e f f o r t s , d e c i s i o n s by t h e Planning

A mention should be made t h a t t h e s e p o l i c i e s a r e not forever set i n t i m e . I n f u t u r e y e a r s Borough l e a d e r s i n working with t h e Comprehensive P l a n may sense t h a t community a t t i t u d e s a r e changing or c e r t a i n occurrences have made o t h e r p o l i c i e s obso le t e . A t such a t i m e , a c a r e f u l r e e v a l u a t i o n and updating of these p o l i c i e s i s necessary f o r t h e i r cont inued relevance.

OVERALL DIRECTIONS

The purpose of t h i s Comprehensive P lan is:

A. t o a l low t h e o r d e r l y development of Bath based on t h e coord ina t ion of development wi th u t i l i t y and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n systems and community f a c i l i t y c a p a b i l i t i e s ,

c h a r a c t e r , B. to blend growth i n t o Bath wi thout damaging t h e Borough's

@

C. t o provide f o r t h e maximum c o m p a t i b i l i t y between a d j a c e n t land u s e s ,

D. t o a l low development i n harmony w i t h t h e n a t u r a l f e a t u r e s of Bath,

E. t o provide inc reased employment and shopping o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r Bath r e s i d e n t s ,

F. to p r o t e c t t h e q u a l i t y of Bath ' s e x i s t i n g housing and to prevent t h e d e t e r i o r a t i o n of t h e midtown area, and

G . t o provide f o r a convenient and s a f e system of t r a f f i c movement t o and w i t h i n Bath.

HOUSING

A. The housing needs of a l l of Bath ' s p r e s e n t and f u t u r e popula t ion s h a l l be m e t .

1. Seve ra l housing types should be used t o m e e t t h e d i f f e r e n t housing needs.

For i n s t a n c e , t h e F u t u r e Land U s e P l an was formulated SO as to f u r t h e r t h e p o l i c i e s contained i n t h i s chap te r .

59

0

2. Housing p r i c e s should no t be unnecessa r i ly r a i s e d through t h e u s e o f excess ive l o t s i z e s .

B. Housing development w i l l be permi t ted as a p p r o p r i a t e suppor t ing f a c i l i t i e s such as u t i l i t i e s , roads and parking are a v a i l a b l e t o t h e s i te .

1. For new housing, t h e above o b j e c t i v e w i l l be m e t by t h e a p p l i c a t i o n of a p p r o p r i a t e improvements s t anda rds i n t h e subd iv i s ion and zoning ordinances.

2 . Conversions of s i n g l e family homes to apartments i n t h e midtown area w i l l be permi t ted upon proof t h a t t h e needed suppor t ing f ac i l i t i e s are a v a i l a b l e .

C. The Borough s h a l l b e preserved as an a t t r ac t ive and p l e a s a n t r e s i d e n t i a l community.

1. Ex i s t ing b u i l d i n g s should be w e l l m a i n t a i n e d . i n conjunct ion w i t h b u i l d i n g and housing codes.

2. R e h a b i l i t a t i o n programs should be used i n c e r t a i n midtown areas t o p reven t t h e d e t e r i o r a t i o n of t hose areas through j o i n t private-governmental a c t i o n .

3 . Bath r e s i d e n t i a l areas should be made more a t t r a c t i v e through t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of p u b l i c improvements such as b e t t e r side-' walks and roads.

EMPLOYMENT

A. Addi t ional employment o p p o r t u n i t i e s s h a l l be provided f o r Bath r e s i d e n t s .

1. Bath w i l l encourage the l o c a t i o n o f a d d i t i o n a l employers i n t h e Borough. (This encouragement should i n c r e a s e t h e Borough t a x base.)

B. Because of t h e r e l a t i v e l y small amount of s u i t a b l e areas i n Bath which are open, t h e b e s t use of t h i s l a n d must be made.

1. The types of employment f ac i l i t i e s (whether they be in - d u s t r i a l , o f f i c e , or o t h e r ) which use many employees p e r acre w i l l be encouraged t o l o c a t e i n Bath.

2. The types of employment f a c i l i t i e s such as l a r g e warehouses which u s e few employees p e r acre w i l l n o t be encouraged t o locate i n Bath.

C. The expansion of e x t r a c t i v e i n d u s t r y i n Bath w i l l n o t be encouraged.

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D.

E.

A.

B.

L.

D.

E.

F.

Employment f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be loca t ed where they produce a minimal t r a f f i c , n o i s e and v i s u a l impact on r e s i d e n t i a l areas.

1. Employment f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be sepa ra t ed from r e s i d e n t i a l areas.

The es tab l i shment of new employment fac i l i t i es and t h e expansion of e x i s t i n g employment f a c i l i t i e s w i l l occur on t h e b a s i s o f t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y of t h e needed suppor t ing f a c i l i t i e s such as roads , u t i l i t i e s and parking.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT

Bath ' s commercial f a c i l i t i e s must meet local shopping needs.

1. The es tab l i shment of those s t o r e s noted as lacking i n Bath i n t h e r e s iden t survey w i l l be encouraged.

2. The es tab l i shment of commercial u ses which would i n j u r e t h e moral c h a r a c t e r of Bath w i l l be s t r i c t l y regula ted .

Bath should serve a greater r o l e i n s e r v i n g t h e shopping needs of nearby townships.

1. Opportunity should be given f o r t h e establishment of a

Commercial development, whether as new stores o r conversions of p a r t s of r e s i d e n t i a l s t r u c t u r e s i n t h e midtown area, s h a l l proceed on t h e basis of t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y of needed suppor t ing f a c i l i t i e s such as roads , u t i l i t i e s , and parking.

Commercial f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be loca ted where they produce a m i n i m a l t r a f f i c , n o i s e , and v i s u a l impact on r e s i d e n t i a l areas.

s m a l l shopping c e n t e r t o se rve t h e s e area needs.

1. Except i n t h e midtown area, commercial f ac i l i t i e s w i l l be sepa ra t ed from re s iden t i a l areas.

Commercial f a c i l i t i e s should provide an a t t rac t ive image for Bath . 1. I n t h e midtown area, bu i ld ing r e h a b i l i t a t i o n and facade

r e s t o r a t i o n s h a l l be encouraged.

2 . S ign c o n t r o l s w i l l be used t o a s s u r e t h e appropr i a t eness

Commercial development should occur i n a coord ina ted and u n i f i e d manner r a t h e r than as random s t r i p development.

of s igns .

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SANITARY SEWERAGE

A. The p u b l i c h e a l t h must be p r o t e c t e d through t h e proper t r ea tmen t and d i s p o s a l of sewage.

1. Development should occur on t h e basis of connect ion t o t h e s a n i t a r y sewer system.

a. Sewerage system c a p a c i t y expansion (both treatment p l a n t and s e w e r l i n e ) w i l l be cons idered on t h e basis of needs f o r service and b e n e f i t s t o Bath.

b. The use of on l o t sewage d i s p o s a l systems s h a l l be discouraged by t h e requirement o f s i g n i f i c a n t l y l a r g e r l o t s i z e s i f on l o t systems are t o be used.

2. Ex i s t ing uses n o t c u r r e n t l y connected t o t h e sewer system must be connected when f i n a n c i a l l y feasible.

3 . The sewage t r ea tmen t p l a n t must be k e p t up t o d a t e so as t o m e e t w a t e r q u a l i t y s t anda rds .

B. P o l i c i e s on t h e ex tens ion of sewer service s h a l l be used to guide Borough development.

1. Where development i s a p p r o p r i a t e , ex t ens ions w i l l be made based on t h e deve lopers ' w i l l i n g n e s s t o pay for t h e ex- t ens ion .

2. Where development i s n o t a p p r o p r i a t e , ex tens ions w i l l

C. Extension of s a n i t a r y sewer service o u t s i d e Bath w i l l be con-

n o t be made.

s i d e r e d on t h e b a s i s of b e n e f i t s t o B a t h .

1. Extensions s h a l l occur through t h e sale of t h e c a p a c i t y to a n in te rmediary agency such as a township sewer a u t h o r i t y .

2. Extensions t o nearby i n d u s t r i a l areas s h a l l occur upon completion of f e e s h a r i n g agreements w i t h a p p r o p r i a t e sewer a u t h o r i t i e s .

. WATER SUPPLY

A. Water of s u f f i c i e n t q u a n t i t y and adequate q u a l i t y t o meet Bath needs must be suppl ied .

1. Development must occur on t h e basis of connect ion t o t h e Borough w a t e r system.

a . Addi t iona l sources of w a t e r w i l l be added as needed.

62

b. The use of i n d i v i d u a l w e l l s should be discouraged by t h e requirement of s i g n i f i c a n t l y larger l o t s i z e s when i n d i v i d u a l w e l l s are t o be used.

2. Ex i s t ing uses n o t c u r r e n t l y connected t o a water system must be connected when f i n a n c i a l l y f e a s i b l e .

3 . Borough water needs w i l l be b e s t m e t through t h e use of a s i n g l e w a t e r system.

4 . The water system s h a l l be improved t o supply an adequate amount needed f o r u se and adequate p r e s s u r e f o r f i r e f l o w .

a. P ipes w i l l be l a i d or r e l a i d so as t o m e e t t h e above ob j ec t ive .

5 . Water q u a l i t y w i l l be monitored t o a s s u r e a safe supply.

B. P o l i c i e s on t h e ex tens ion of water service s h a l l be used t o guide Borough development.

1. Where development is a p p r o p r i a t e , ex tens ions w i l l be made based on t h e deve lopers ' w i l l i n g n e s s t o pay f o r t h e ex tens ion .

2. Where development is n o t a p p r o p r i a t e , ex tens ions w i l l n o t be made.

C. Extension of w a t e r . s e r v i c e o u t s i d e Bath w i l l be considered on t h e bas i s of b e n e f i t s t o Bath.

1. Extensions should occur through t h e sale of t h e c a p a c i t y t o an in te rmediary agency such as a township water a u t h o r i t y .

2. Extensions t o nearby i n d u s t r i a l areas should occur upon completion of fee sha r ing agreements w i th a p p r o p r i a t e a u t h o r i t i e s .

STORM DRAINAGE

A. Damage from s torm w a t e r , both i n Bath and downstream, w i l l be prevented through s t o r m w a t e r management.

1. Approval o f new development w i l l be condi t ioned on t h e implementation of storm dra inage management systems which minimally i n c r e a s e s torm w a t e r v e l o c i t i e s and concen t r a t ions .

2. P re sen t water c a r r y i n g channels such as streams and s w a l e s s h a l l n o t have t h e i r func t ions c o n s t r i c t e d by t h e i n a p p r o p r i a t e placement o f o b s t r u c t i o n s and f i l l .

6 3

TRANSPORTATION

A. A safe and e f f i c i e n t road network w i l l be provided.

1. New roads t o be cons t ruc t ed i n Bath s h a l l be compatible w i t h t h e e x i s t i n g road network and s h a l l be based on good des ign p r i n c i p l e s .

2. Areas of c u r r e n t p o t e n t i a l t r a f f i c s a f e t y problems w i l l be co r rec t ed .

a. The use of t h e a l l e y system w i l l be minimized by d iscouraging t h e placement of a d d i t i o n a l t r a f f i c sources such as homes and bus inesses on them.

b. Inadequate s i g h t d i s t a n c e problems w i l l be e l i - minated by:

1) making a l l e y s one way where p o s s i b l e , 2) -p l ac ing mirrors, 3 ) trimming hedges where they b lock needed

4 ) p r o h i b i t i n g park ing where t h e cars block

~

v i s i o n , and

needed v i s i o n . c. Businesses which p r e s e n t l y u s e angled o n - s t r e e t parking

w i l l be d. Turnarounds should be c o n s t r u c t e d on p r e s e n t dead end

roads where f e a s i b l e . e. A t t hose midtown i n t e r s e c t i o n s c o n t r o l l e d by t r a f f i c

l i g h t s , easier t r u c k t u r n i n g movements w i l l be pro- moted by marking l i n e s where t r a f f i c s h a l l s t o p a t p o i n t s f u r t h e r from t h e corner .

f . Acute a n g l e i n t e r s e c t i o n s should be r e a l i g n e d so a s to form r i g h t ang le i n t e r s e c t i o n s .

3 . The p h y s i c a l c o n d i t i o n of t h e e x i s t i n g road network w i l l be improved.

a . Roads of g r e a t e s t use and p o o r e s t c o n d i t i o n w i l l

I encouraged t o a c q u i r e o f f - s t r e e t parking a r e a s .

r e c e i v e p r i o r i t y f o r r e p a i r . b. Al leys n o t needed fo r p u b l i c thoroughfare w i l l be

e l imina ted . c. Al leys must be b e t t e r i d e n t i f i e d through t h e use

of street s i g n s .

The mob i l i t y of t h o s e r e s i d e n t s of Bath who do n o t have t h e u s e of c a r s w i l l be expanded.

1. LANTA w i l l be approached as to t h e ex tens ion of bus s e r v i c e t o Bath as based on the i n t e r e s t expressed i n t he r e s i d e n t survey.

B.

C. Rai l f r e i g h t service should be cont inued so as t o add t o the a t t r a c t i v e n e s s of B a t h for i n d u s t r y .

1. Bath w i l l oppose a t t empt s t o c u t o f f s e r v i c e .

6 4

D.

A.

B.

C.

A.

Easy access from one area of t h e Borough to another w i l l be a v a i l a b l e f o r p e d e s t r i a n s and b i c y c l i s t s .

1. Walking w i l l be encouraged by improving sidewalks where p r e s e n t l y i n need of r e p a i r and by c o n s t r u c t i n g s ide - walks i n areas where they are needed b u t do n o t e x i s t .

2. Bicycl ing w i l l cont inue a long t h e s t ree t system.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Development should be made compatible wi th t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e land.

1. Flood damage w i l l be ave r t ed by excluding development from areas s u b j e c t t o f lood ing du r ing a 1 0 0 yea r storm.

accelerated storm w a t e r flow w i l l be minimized by d iscouraging t h e development of s t e e p l y s lop ing areas.

2. The p o t e n t i a l f o r accelerated s o i l e ros ion and

a. I n 1 5 t o 25 pe rcen t s l o p e areas l o w d e n s i t y develop-

b. I n 25 p e r c e n t and g r e a t e r s l o p e areas extremely ment w i l l be allowed.

low d e n s i t y development w i l l be allowed,

3 . Natura l d ra inage systems w i l l be r e spec ted by development. Swales w i l l n o t be i n d i s c r i m i n a t e l y rechannel led ,

o r piped.

Area w a t e r q u a l i t y w i l l be p ro tec t ed .

1. E f f l u e n t from t h e sewage t r ea tmen t p l a n t w i l l be kep t a t accep tab le q u a l i t y l e v e l s .

2 . The q u a l i t y of water sources w i l l be monitored and kept a t s a t i s f a c t o r y l e v e l s .

Res iden t i a l areas s h a l l n o t be compromised by a i r , no i se , or v i s u a l p o l l u t i o n .

1. Res iden t i a l areas w i l l be s e p a r a t e d from i n d u s t r i a l and commercial areas.

2. Standards w i l l be se t f o r i n d u s t r y t o a s s u r e t h e e l imina t ion of t h e s e p o l l u t a n t s .

RECREATION

The r e c r e a t i o n needs of Bath r e s i d e n t s should be m e t .

1. Recreat ion f ac i l i t i e s should be made convenient t o a l l areas of the Borough.

a. The r e c r e a t i o n needs of t h e r e s i d e n t s of new

65

developments should be m e t through t h e deve lope r ' s donat ion of land s u i t a b l e f o r r e c r e a t i o n or through t h e impos i t ion of a f e e which s h a l l be app l i ed t o Borough r e c r e a t i o n programs.

e a s t e r n p o r t i o n of t he Borough s h a l l be explored. b. The e s t ab l i shmen t of a r e c r e a t i o n area i n t h e

2. Recreation and open space programs w i l l remain o r i e n t e d toward a c t i v e , no t pas s ive uses .

a . Extens ive open spaces w i l l n o t be provided i n Bath.

3 . Recrea t ion programs and f ac i l i t i e s w i l l be based on r e s i d e n t s ' i n t e re s t s and w i l l i n g n e s s t o pay.

a. The f e a s i b i l i t y and costs of c o n s t r u c t i n g a swimming pool s h a l l be s t u d i e d , f o r c i t i z e n response.

B. The es tab l i shment of p r i v a t e r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be encouraged.

1. Land u s e r e g u l a t i o n s w i l l a l l o w uses such a s bowling a l l e y s .

COMMUNITY FACILITIES

A. An a p p r o p r i a t e l e v e l of s e r v i c e w i l l be provided.

1. The Northampton A r e a School D i s t r i c t w i l l be encouraged t o modernize t h e Wolf School as needed and t o provide s u f f i c i e n t c a p a c i t y i n t he school system.

2. F i r e hazards w i l l be reduced.

a . The f i r e f i g h t i n g a c t i v i t i e s of t h e Bath F i r e Company w i l l con t inue to receive f i n a n c i a l suppor t .

b. T h e wa te r system w i l l be improved so a s t o provide a s u f f i c i e n t amount and p r e s s u r e of water f o r f i r e f i g h t i n g .

'c. The i n s t a l l a t i o n of hydrants w i l l be r equ i r ed f o r new development.

d. Only b u i l d i n g he igh t s w i t h i n t h e c a p a b i l i t i e s of f i r e p r o t e c t i o n w i l l be allowed.

e. New i n d u s t r i a l and commercial b u i l d i n g s w i l l be r e q u i r e d t o i n s t a l l s p r i n k l e r s t o assist f i r e f i g h t i n g .

f . Bui lding cond i t ions and overcrowding w i l l be con- t r o l l e d s o a s t o improve f i r e s a f e t y .

3 . The p o l i c e department w i l l be expanded as t h e need f o r s e r v i c e s r e q u i r e s .

4 . Exis t ing municipal bu i ld ings w i l l con t inue t o be used a s needs d i c t a t e . New bu i ld ings w i l l be b u i l t as needs a r i s e .

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c1

1 E P L ll&j

L L

Q L El L L IC1 L

m R

#

P

Chapter 1 0 : LAND USE PLAN

The c r e a t i o n of a land u s e p l an for Bath is another means by which t h e f u t u r e of t h e Borough can be d i r e c t e d . des igna te s land uses and d e n s i t i e s which are appropr i a t e f o r d i f f e r e n t areas of t h e Borough i n accordance wi th t h e p o l i c i e s of t h i s Comprehensive Plan. I n t u r n , t h e implementation of t h e land use p l an he lps t o achieve t h e p o l i c i e s of t h e Comprehensive Plan.

This p l an

Bath has been d iv ided i n t o seven l and use c a t e g o r i e s : I n t e n s e R e s i d e n t i a l , More In t ense R e s i d e n t i a l , Commercial, Mixed Uses, I n d u s t r i a l , P u b l i c and Q u a s i Pub l i c , and Parks and Recreat ion on t h e Land U s e P lan Map on page 68. a d d i t i o n , two-coverlay" areas are shown. These areas mark t h e presence of f lood p l a i n s and s t e e p s lopes .

L e s s

I n

L e s s I n t e n s e R e s i d e n t i a l

L e s s I n t e n s e R e s i d e n t i a l (LIR) uses are suggested f o r much o f t h e Borough east of Washington Street. Other areas suggested f o r L I R uses are t h e area w e s t of t h e O l d Forge development and Bridge Street , and t h e area south of Keystone P a r k . The purpose of t h i s d i s t r i c t i s t o provide a p l e a s a n t low d e n s i t y r e s i d e n t i a l area. A suburban type open f e e l i n g would be re- t a ined . a t maximum d e n s i t i e s of f o u r u n i t s p e r acre (approximately 10,000 square f o o t l o t s ) and t w i n s a t d e n s i t i e s of f i v e dwell ing u n i t s p e r acre (approximately 8 ,000 square l o t s ) . Commercial and i n d u s t r i a l uses should n o t be permi t ted as they would c l a s h wi th t h e intended r e s i d e n t i a l c h a r a c t e r . These proposed land use types and d e n s i t i e s are c o n s i s t e n t w i t h t h e e x i s t i n g types and d e n s i t i e s of t h e area. The d e n s i t i e s allowed would be p o s s i b l e based on t h e u s e of pub l i c water and sewer systems i n developments.

U s e s allowed inc lude s i n g l e family detached dwell ings

More I n t e n s e R e s i d e n t i a l

More I n t e n s e R e s i d e n t i a l ( M I R ) uses are suggested f o r t h e area from Walnut Street t o t h e O l d Forge development no r th of midtown. The area i s s u i t a b l e f o r more i n t e n s e development because of t h e p r a c t i c a l i t y of sewer and water ex tens ions t o t h e area, t h e good road access avai lable from Chestnut and Walnut Streets, t h e e x i s t e n c e o f f avorab le topography, and because some i n t e n s e r e s i d e n t i a l development has a l r eady occurred i n t h e a rea . This second pure ly r e s i d e n t i a l d i s t r i c t has been created to a l low f o r a g r e a t e r range i n housing choice f o r f u t u r e Bath r e s i d e n t s . Housing types and suggested maximum d e n s i t i e s are s i n g l e family detached dwell ings a t s i x u n i t s p e r acre (approximately 7,500 square f o o t l o t s ) , - t w i n s a t e i g h t u n i t s p e r acre (approximately 5 , 0 0 0 square f o o t l o t s ) , townhouses a t 1 2 u n i t s p e r a c r e

67

FUTURE LAND USE MAP

MAP 17 68

(approximately 2 ,500 square f o o t l o t s ) , and low rise apartments a t 1 2 u n i t s p e r acre. This g r e a t e r range o f housing types and g r e a t e r d e n s i t i e s w i l l a l low for t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of housing which i s a f f o r d a b l e t o more people. Y e t , an open f e e l i n g can s t i l l be r e t a i n e d . Maximum d e n s i t i e s i n t h i s area are f a r less than cha rac t e r i zed t h e development i n Bath ' s midtown area p r i o r t o 1950. As i n t h e L e s s I n t e n s e R e s i d e n t i a l area, new commercial and i n d u s t r i a l development i s no t allowed f o r i t s incompa t ib i l i t y wi th r e s i d e n t i a l u ses .

Mixed Uses

Most of t h e midtown area i s suggested f o r Mixed Uses ( M U ) . This most s u b s t a n t i a l l y developed p o r t i o n of Bath is cha rac t e r i zed by s i d e by s i d e r e s i d e n t i a l , commercial, p u b l i c and quas i -publ ic , and i n d u s t r i a l uses . Although r e s i d e n t i a l u s e s are numerically dominant, t h i s m o s t i n t e n s e l y developed area f e a t u r e s l i t t l e open space and is branded by i t s mix of uses . Because of t h i s c h a r a c t e r , t h e des igna t ion of t h e area f o r some s i n g l e land use type would have been purpose less and f u t i l e . The housing types and d e n s i t i e s allowed re f lec t e x i s t i n g midtown development, s i n g l e family detached dwel l ings a t seven u n i t s p e r acre (approximately 6 ,000 squa re feet p e r l o t ) , twins a t 1 0 u n i t s p e r acre (approximately 4 ,000 square f o o t l o t s ) , townhouses a t 1 2 u n i t s p e r acre (approximately 2 ,500 square f e e t p e r u n i t ) and low rise apartments a t 1 5 u n i t s p e r acre. Conversions of dwel l ings i n t o apartments should be allowed i f 2 ,000 square f e e t of l o t a r e a i s a v a i l a b l e for each proposed apartment. Unlike i n r e s i d e n t i a l d is t r ic ts , commercial u ses are permit ted. How- eve r , t h e expansion of i n d u s t r i a l u ses i n t h i s t i g h t l y developed a r e a should n o t be allowed as they have a nega t ive e f f e c t on t h e o t h e r uses . This combination o f u ses has been chosen so as a

t o he lp main ta in t h e v i a b i l i t y and l i v e a b i l i t y of t h e midtown area and t o minimize t h e t r a f f i c congest ion.

I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e midtown area, a n area t o t h e no r th o f Main S t ree t a t t h e e a s t e r n extreme of Bath has been des igna ted f o r mixed uses . This area, c u r r e n t l y farmed, is s u i t a b l e f o r in - t e n s e development based on t h e reasonable s lopes of t h e s i te , sewer and water a v a i l a b i l i t y , and good road access from Main Street . The i n t e n s e r e s i d e n t i a l u ses allowed could f u r t h e r add t o a f f o r d a b l e housing cho ice i n Bath. Also, l i m i t e d commercial development t o serve t h e e a s t e r n p o r t i o n of Bath is poss ib l e .

Commercial

I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e commercial uses allowed i n t h e Mixed U s e d i s - t r i c t , a d i s t r i c t s o l e l y for Commercial uses i s provided. The purpose of t h i s d i s t r i c t i s n o t on ly t o recognize e x i s t i n g c l u s t e r s of commercial development b u t a l s o t o provide a n a r e a f o r expanded commercial f a c i l i t i e s so as t o m e e t t h e shopping needs of Bath r e s i d e n t s . The areas s e l e c t e d . a r e a n area along Walnut Street south of M i l l S t ree t and an area between Walnut and Chestnut Streets no r th of S i l k M i l l Street. I n a d d i t i o n t o s e r v i n g t h e shopping needs of Bath c i t i z e n s , t h e Bar ra l l Street d i s t r i c t

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could serve portions of Moore Township. characterized by good site access, public utility availability, suitable topography, relative freedom from nearby conflicting land uses, and central location. Whereas land most suitable for commercial development is limited, these commercial areas should be reserved for commercial uses. Residential, industrial, and other uses will not be allowed to waste the good commercial sites. Lastly, these commercial areas allow for concentrated commercial development which has fewer traffic safety problems and greater visual appeal than strip commercial development.

Both locations, are

Industrial

The Industrial districts recognize existing industrial development and allow for the introduction of new employment opportunities and tax ratables into Bath. The Industrial area stradling Race Street is intended as the primary area for new industry. Char- acteristics of site suitability are isolation from other uses, public utility availability, good access, the potential for rail service, and near level topography. The other Industrial areas reflect existing businesses. Whereas only limited areas of Bath are well suited for industrial uses, allowing other uses in industrial areas could preclude industrial expansion in Bath. As such, only industrial uses should be allowed in Industrial districts.

Public and Quasi-public

The Public and Quasi-public districts are included in the land use plan primarily to depict areas of present major public facilities, not as a definitive plan for such uses. Thus, the existing school property will not be mistaken by people un- familiar with the Borough as an area for future residential development, for instance, when the property is already com- mitted to a public use. Additional public and quasi-public \

uses would be appropriate within the Less Intense Residential, More Intense Residential, and Mixed Use districts.

Parks and Recreation

As with the Public and Quasi-public district, the Parks and Recreation district is primarily an inventory of existing sites and facilities so as to avoid confusion. The exact locations of new areas will depend in large part on the pattern of future Borough development. to the inclusion of the Monocacy Creek flood plain and the various steep slope areas for parks and recreation uses.

Particular consideration should be given

Overlay Districts

The suggested land uses and densities are modified by the presence of the two overlay districts. These two overlay districts cannot be 100 percent accurately mapped. flood plain district, the presence of a site within the mapped district is a signal that on site work is necessary to determine if the area truly is subject to flooding and, accordingly, if the provisions of the district apply. The presence of the site within a mapped steep slope district is a signal that on site topo-

In the case of the

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graphy work i s needed i n o rde r t o determine t h e degree of s l o p e p r e s e n t . Conversely, because t h e s i t e is not l o c a t e d wi th in a mapped over lay d i s t r i c t does not gua ran tee t h e s i te t o be f r e e of f looding and s l o p e s of g r e a t e r than 1 5 pe rcen t .

Flocd P l a i n Overlay

The Flood P l a i n Overlay d i s t r i c t r e p r e s e n t s t h e area s u b j e c t to f looding along t h e Monocacy Creek i n a 1 0 0 year storm, a storm which is equa l l ed or exceeded, on average , once every one hundred yea r s . The s p e c i a l p r o v i s i o n s i n t h e Flood P l a i n d i s t r ic t are needed t o reduce f lood damage t o proper ty both i n Bath and downstream, and t o e l i m i n a t e loss of l i f e . New s t r u c t u r e s should no t be allowed i n a r e a s s u b j e c t to f looding . Open space, r e c r e a t i o n , a g r i c u l t u r a l u s e s , and parking f a c i l i t i e s c o n s t i t u t e pe rmi t t ed uses .

S teep Slope Overlay

The Steep Slope Overlay d i s t r ic t d e l i n e a t e s those a r e a s wi th s lopes g r e a t e r t han 1 5 percent . Whereas, t h e underlying d i s t r i c t i n a l l examples of s t e e p s lope d i s t r i c t s are L e s s I n t e n s i v e Res iden t i a l d i s t r i c t s , t h e mod i f i ca t ions involve only s i n g l e family detached dwe l l ings and twins . i f on s i t e i n v e s t i g a t i o n r e v e a l s t h a t s i t e development w i l l occur i n a r e a s o f g r e a t e r than 15 p e r c e n t s l o p e , t h e s i n g l e and twins minimum 1 o t . s i z e should be one acre if pub l i c u t i l i t i e s a r e used and 2+ a c r e s i f on l o t u t i l i t y systems are used. I f t h e on s i t e i n v e s t i g a t i o n r e v e a l s t h a t s i t e development would occur i n areas of g r e a t e r t han 25 pe rcen t s lope , . t h e minimum l o t s i z e f o r s i n g l e s and tw ins should be 2% a c r e s pe r dwell ing u n i t i f p u b l i c u t i l i t i e s are used, and fou r acres i f on l o t u t i l i t y systems a r e used. These g r e a t e r l o t s i z e s a r e necessary t o a s s u r e t h a t t h e sites are s u i t a b l e f o r on l o t sewage d i s p o s a 1 , t h a t a c c e l e r a t e d s o i l e r o s i o n w i l l be minimized, t h a t s t o r m w a t e r runoff can be c o n t r o l l e d , and t h a t undue stress w i l l n o t be placed on t h e s o i l , t h u s avoiding e a r t h s l i ppage . Open space u s e s are encouraged i n s t e e p s l o p e a r e a s .

I n S teep Slope d i s t r i c t s ,

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The residential land use types and density recommendations are summarized in the following table:

TABLE 12

SUGGESTED MINIMUM DENSITIES AND LOT SIZES

Land Use Types

single family detached

twins (dup 1 ex 1

townhouses (row homes)

low rise apartments

conversion of homes to apartments

commercial

Land Use Classification

Mixed Uses

7 units per acre 6,000 sq. ft.



15 units per acre

2,000 sq. ft. per unit

uses allowed

Residential- More Intense



12 units per,acre 2,500 sq. ft.

12 units per.acre

use not allowed

uses not allowed

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Residential- Less Intense



use not allowed

use not allowed . ,

use not allowed

uses not allowed

Chapter 11: TRANSPORTATION, U T I L I T I E S , AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES PLAN

TransDortat ion

Highways

Bath i s w e l l served by t h e p r e s e n t network of roads. A c c e s s is e a s i l y a v a i l a b l e t o and between a l l areas of t h e Borough. A s such, t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of new roads to provide b e t t e r access t o and wi th in Bath i s n o t p r e s e n t l y necessary. Also, t h e t r a f f i c volumes, i l l u s t r a t e d on Map 6 , i n d i c a t e t h a t road c a p a c i t y i s p r e s e n t l y no t exceeded a t any l o c a t i o n . Consequently, major programs f o r reducing congest ion are no t warranted. Road usage w i l l increase i n t h e f u t u r e though and p o s s i b l e conges t ion should be monitored.

Map 7 , Road Hazards, i d e n t i f i e s problems r e l a t i n g t o t h e p r e s e n t road network. M o s t of t h e hazards a r e a s s o c i a t e d wi th Ba th ' s system of a l l e y s . To r e l i e v e t h e s e problems, t h e fol lowing recommendations f o r improvements are made:

o The use o f t h e a l l e y system should be minimized by d iscouraging t h e placement of a d d i t i o n a l t r a f f i c sources such a s homes and bus inesses on them.

o Inadequate s i g h t d i s t a n c e problems should be e l imina ted by making a l l e y s one way where p o s s i b l e , p l ac ing mirrors, trimming hedges where they block needed v i s i o n , and pro- h i b i t i n g park ing where t h e cars block needed v i s i o n .

o Businesses which p r e s e n t l y use angled o n - s t r e e t parking should be encouraged t o acqu i r e o f f - s t r e e t parking a r e a s .

o Turnarounds should be cons t ruc t ed on p r e s e n t dead end roads where f e a s i b l e .

o A t t hose midtown i n t e r s e c t i o n s c o n t r o l l e d by t r a f f i c l i g h t s , e a s i e r t r u c k tu rn ing movements w i l l be pro- moted by marking l i n e s where t r a f f i c s h a l l s t o p a t p o i n t s f u r t h e r from t h e corner .

o Acute ang le i n t e r s e c t i o n s should be r e a l i g n e d so as t o form r i g h t a n g l e i n t e r s e c t i o n s .

o Roads of g r e a t e s t u se and poores t c o n d i t i o n w i l l re- c e i v e p r i o r i t y f o r r e p a i r . The r e s i d e n t survey i n - d i c a t e d t h a t M i l l Street and t h e Holiday H i l l development roads w e r e m o s t widely perce ived a s being i n need of r e p a i r .

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o Al l eys n o t needed for p u b l i c thoroughfare should be e l imina ted .

o Al leys should be better i d e n t i f i e d through t h e use of street s igns .

Many of t h e s e recommendations w e r e a l s o inc luded i n t h e po l i cy chapter .

Mass T r a n s i t

Although t h e r e s i d e n t survey i n d i c a t e d an i n t e r e s t by Bath r e s i d e n t s i n bus s e r v i c e , Bath is n o t c u r r e n t l y served by any form of mass t r a n s i t . As t h e f irst s t e p t o ob ta in ing such s e r v i c e f o r Bath, c o n t a c t should be made w i t h t h e Lehigh and Northampton Transpor t a t ion Author i ty (LANTA), t h e areawide mass t r a n s i t agency. LANTA should be made aware of Bath ' s t r a n s i t needs.

R a i l Service

F r e i g h t r a i l s e r v i c e is c u r r e n t l y a v a i l a b l e i n Bath. As Bath is loca ted a long a branch l i n e , a p o t e n t i a l e x i s t s f o r t h e attempted d iscont inuance of t h e service by t h e railroad. To b o l s t e r t h e community's i n d u s t r i a l a t t r a c t i v e n e s s , t h e Borough should a c t i v e l y p a r t i c i p a t e i n hea r ings and o t h e r matters i n o rde r t o a s s u r e t h e cont inuance of t h e r a i l service.

P e d e s t r i a n and Bicyc le Travel

Pedes t r i an t rave l should cont inue t o be encouraged through t h e better maintenance of and a d d i t i o n a l c o n s t r u c t i o n of s idewalks. Map 1 6 d e p i c t s t h e p r o p e r t i e s i n t h e midtown area where improvements t o sidewalks are needed.

I

A t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e , r e l a . t i ve ly safe and d i rec t b i c y c l e r o u t e s are provided by t h e highway network. The highway network should cont inue t o be used f o r b i c y c l e t r a v e l .

U t i l i t i e s

Sewage Disposal

A s is noted i n t h e background mater ia l , Ba th ' s development i s i n l a r g e connected t o t h e municipal sewer system. The Comprehen- s i v e P lan p o l i c i e s i nc lude s e w e r related p o l i c i e s dea l ing w i t h t h e coord ina t ion o f f u t u r e development w i t h sewer connec t ions , t h e bases of t h e ex tens ions of sewer l i n e s bo th w i t h i n and beyond Borough boundaries , t h e bases of t r ea tmen t p l a n t upgrading, and t h e discouragement of t h e use of on - lo t systems. These p o l i c i e s give t h e basic d i r e c t i o n t o Ba th ' s sewerage endeavors. More d e t a i l e d sewer planning r e l a t i n g t o l i n e p lace- ment and t rea tment p l a n t s p e c i f i c s is o f a n engineer ing n a t u r e and thus beyond t h e scope of t h i s Comprehensive Plan.

L 111 b P P r I

L b L L D P

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0 Water Supply

The s e r v i c e o f w a t e r supply by a s i n g l e w a t e r system i s a po l i cy of t h i s Comprehensive Plan. To t h i s end, t h e merger of t h e Holiday H i l l Water Company wi th t h e Bath system is recommended. Other Comprehensive P lan water p o l i c i e s deal w i t h the coord ina t ion of f u t u r e development w i t h water supply, t h e bases of t h e ex tens ion of t h e water service area both wi th in and beyond Borough boundaries , and t h e discouragement of t h e use of on- lo t w e l l s . The A.L. Wiesenberger r e p o r t , "Engineering Study and Report , Water Supply and D i s t r i b u t i o n System, Borough of Bath" provides more exact engineer ing p l ans for t h e improvement of t h e Borough w a t e r system. The implementation of t h e Wiesenberger r e p o r t recommendations is compatible wi th t h e p o l i c i e s and a i m s of t h e Comprehensive Plan.

Storm Drainage

Most developed areas of Bath are p r e s e n t l y se rv i ced by a storm sewer system which handles t h e s t o r m runoff . The r e s i d e n t s sur - vey reveals a f e w areas of e x i s t i n g d ra inage problems. A f u r t h e r engineer ing s tudy should be used t o determine t h e d e t a i l s of t h e improvements necessary t o c o r r e c t t h e problems. of f lood p l a i n and s w a l e development w i l l he lp t o avoid f u t u r e storm dra inage problems.

The r e g u l a t i o n

Community F a c i l i t i e s

Recreat ion

A s Bath cont inues to develop, a d d i t i o n a l r e c r e a t i o n si tes t o supplement t h e c u r r e n t parks w i l l be needed. The s p e c i f i c s i t e l o c a t i o n s w i l l be determined by t h e p a t t e r n of development. Donations of land and money f o r r e c r e a t i o n sites and f a c i l i t i e s w i l l he lp to m e e t t h e r e c r e a t i o n a l needs of t h e newly developed areas. The i n d i v i d u a l donat ion proposa ls can be reviewed for use fu lness and appropr i a t eness i n meeting Borough needs. These areas should be o r i e n t e d toward i n t e n s e and active r e c r e a t i o n uses . Add i t iona l ly , s t e e p s l o p e and f lood p l a i n areas should be considered f o r open space uses .

The r e s i d e n t s q u e s t i o n n a i r e i n d i c a t e s t h o s e s p e c i f i c r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s which they wish i n B a t h . Leading t h e l i s t are a swimming pool and bowling l anes . These d e s i r e s should be considered i n f a c i l i t y planning.

Municipal Bui lding

The p r e s e n t municipal b u i l d i n g appears t o be s a t i s f a c t o r y f o r c u r r e n t Borough needs for meeting space and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e q u a r t e r s . Addi t iona l fac i l i t i es should be planned as p r e s e n t ones are used closer t o capac i ty .

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F i r e P r o t e c t i o n

F i r e p r o t e c t i o n i n Bath is opera ted by t h e volunteer Bath F i r e Company which is independent of t h e Borouth. The F i r e Company possesses an adequate c e n t r a l i z e d f i r e s t a t i o n and adequate equipment. Borough a s s i s t a n c e t o t h e f i r e f i g h t e r s should occur p r imar i ly through cont inued f i n a n c i a l suppor t and by supplying a more adequate water supply i n c e r t a i n areas.

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Chapter 1 2 : IMPLEMENTATION

The r e s u l t s and s u c c e s s of a p lanning program are n o t measured by t h e e l a b o r a t e n e s s o r a t t r a c t i v e n e s s of a product such as t h e comprehensive p l a n document. Rather , t h e r e s u l t s are measured by t h e degree t o which t h e recommendations o f t h e p l a n have been t r a n s l a t e d i n t o a c t i o n . This s e c t i o n makes sugges t ions as t o t h e a c t i o n which is necessary i n o r d e r t o implement t h e p l an .

Ordinance Adoption and Enforcement

The adopt ion and enforcement of o rd inances should assist Ba th ' s p u r s u i t o f t h e Comprehensive P lan goals and p o l i c i e s . A zoning ord inance w i l l p r i m a r i l y shape Borough development i n conformity wi th t h e p l ans f o r t h e types and i n t e n s i t y of l a n d uses desired. The p r e s e n t s u b d i v i s i o n ord inance i s da ted . A r e v i s e d s u b d i v i s i o n ord inance which reflects c u r r e n t development s t a n d a r d s should be enacted. The p rope r a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of t h i s ord inance w i l l a s s u r e Bath of competently l a i d o u t subd iv i s ions as w e l l as t h e con- s t r u c t i o n o f needed improvements t o Borough s t anda rds . The adopt ion of b u i l d i n g codes should be used to i n s u r e t h a t con- s t r u c t i o n i n t h e Borough w i l l meet minimum s t a n d a r d s of b u i l d i n g s a f e t y . pared by t h e Bui ld ing O f f i c i a l s Conference of America, Inc . , (BOCA), known as t h e b u i l d i n g code, t h e f i r e p reven t ion code, t h e plumbing code, t h e housing code, and t h e e lectr ical code would be t h e m o s t p r a c t i c a l approach t o a d d r e s s i n g t h i s matter. Aside from t h e b u i l d i n g code, s p e c i a l a t t e n t i o n is m e r i t t e d by t h e housing code which i s in tended t o i n s u r e t h a t a l l b u i l d i n g s f o r human occupancy are maintained a t c e r t a i n minimum l e v e l s of h a b i t a b i l i t y . The adopt ion of t h e above mentioned o rd inances w i l l n o t be pro- d u c t i v e u n l e s s coupled w i t h enforcement. Borough exper ience w i l l d ic ta te t h e pe r sonne l needs a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e enforcement of t h e ord inances .

The adop t ion by reference of n a t i o n a l model codes pre-

C a D i t a l ImDrovements

The c o n s t r u c t i o n of c e r t a i n c a p i t a l improvements is necessary i n o r d e r t o m e e t t h e s e r v i c e needs of Bath r e s i d e n t s . The p lanning and execu t ion of t h e s e p r o j e c t s should be i n conformance w i t h t h e g o a l s and p o l i c i e s expressed i n t h i s Comprehensive P lan . P r o j e c t s which t h e Borough should c o n s i d e r i n c l u d e t h e improvements t o t h e w a t e r system o u t l i n e d i n t h e r e p o r t "Engineering Study and Report , Water Supply ti D i s t r i b u t i o n System, Borough of Bath (A.L. Wiesenberger Assoc ia t e s - December 1972)", t h e

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a c q u i s i t i o n of t h e Holiday H i l l Water Company, t h e f u t u r e upgrading o f t h e sewage t r e a t m e n t p l a n t as needed t o m e e t Department of Environmental Resources ' w a t e r q u a l i t y s t a n d a r d s o r expanded c a p a c i t y needs, t h e road system improvements noted i n t h e p o l i c y s e c t i o n , and t h e a c q u i s i t i o n and improvement of r e c r e a t i o n f a c i l i t i e s and p u b l i c b u i l d i n g s as needed.

P a r t i c i p a t i o n i n Grant and Loan Programs

Because o f f i n a n c i a l l i m i t a t i o n s , Bath canno t bea r t h e costs of t h e c a p i t a l improvements j u s t mentioned a lone . F o r t u n a t e l y , Fede ra l and S t a t e g r a n t and loan programs e x i s t t o h e l p munici- p a l i t i e s meet such needs. programs of t h e Environmental P r o t e c t i o n Agency, t h e Farmers Home Admin i s t r a t ion , and t h e Department of Commerce (Penna.) as t o t h e i r p o t e n t i a l a p p l i c a t i o n t o Borough needs w i t h r ega rd to s e w e r and w a t e r p r o j e c t s . Rec rea t ion f ac i l i t i e s can be f inanced through t h e programs of t h e Fede ra l Bureau of Outdoor Recrea t ion which are admin i s t e red by t h e Pa. Department of Community A f f a i r s .

The Borough should i n v e s t i g a t e t h e

G r a n t and l o a n programs which t h e Borough should e x p l o r e r e l a t i v e t o c a p i t a l improvements a s s o c i a t e d w i t h improving t h e Borough's employment b a s e s t e m f r o m t h e Community Development Program and t h e P u b l i c Works Program.

The r e h a b i l i t a t i o n g o a l s of housing p o l i c y are in tended p r i - mar i ly t o be addressed w i t h p r i v a t e f i n a n c i a l resources. How- ever, i f needed money is n o t a v a i l a b l e from t h e p r i v a t e sector ( t h e homeowners themselves o r area banks making low i n t e r e s t l o a n s ) , s e v e r a l g r a n t and l o a n programs are avai lable f o r p o s s i b l e Borough use. These programs i n c l u d e t h e "Small C i t i e s " s e c t i o n of t h e Housing and Community Development A c t o f 1977, Farmers Home Adminis t ra t ion r u r a l housing programs such as t h e S e c t i o n 504 low income r e h a b i l i t a t i o n loan and g r a n t program based on T i t l e V of t h e Housing A c t o f 1 9 4 9 , S e c t i o n 8 Lower Income Housing Ass i s t ance Programs based on T i t l e I1 of t h e Housing and Community Development A c t o f 1974, and P u b l i c Housing Programs a c q u i s i t i o n w i t h s u b s t a n t i a l r e h a b i l i t a t i o n , based on t h e United S t a t e s Housing.Act o f 1937 as amended.

Whereas t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y of money under a g iven program a t a g iven t i m e is u n c e r t a i n , Bath should e x p l o r e and c o n s i d e r t h e use of many funding sources .

Coordina t ion

I n o r d e r t o a c h i e v e t h e goals of the p l a n , t h e Borough w i l l need t o work w i t h many o u t s i d e groups. The c o o r d i n a t i o n of a c t i v i t i e s w i t h each w i l l be u s e f u l . Organ iza t ions w i t h i n t h e Borough such as t h e F i r e Company, t h e Rec rea t ion Commission, and t h e Borough Author i ty should be made aware of how t h e p l a n recommendations re la te to t h e i r endeavors. These groups should be encouraged t o ac t c o n s i s t e n t l y w i t h Borough p l a n s and c o n t i n u e t o receive Borough suppor t .

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Federal, S ta te , and County agenc ie s from whom Bath must r e q u e s t funding, s e r v i c e s , o r pe rmi t s should be made aware of Borough needs i n con junc t ion w i t h t h e Comprehensive Plan. Such a g e n c i e s i n c l u d e t h e Pennsylvania Departments of Transpor t a t ion and Environ- mental Resources, t h e Lehigh and Northampton T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Au thor i ty , t h e Northampton County I n d u s t r i a l Development Com- miss ion , and t h e Northampton County O v e r a l l Economic Develop- ment Program Committee.

Continued Planning

This comprehensive p l a n is n o t an end p roduc t b u t a d i r e c t i o n f o r f u t u r e Borough e f f o r t s . A s goals, c o n d i t i o n s , and c i t i z e n ' s a t t i t u d e s change r ega rd ing p lanning i s s u e s , t h e p l a n s need t o be updated to ref lect t h o s e changes. P lanning i n more s p e c i f i c areas such as for s e w e r , water, s t o r m d ra inage , and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n systems a l s o should move ahead so as to r e f l e c t c u r r e n t Borough needs y e t w i t h i n t h e o v e r a l l g u i d e l i n e s of t h e Comprehensive P lan .

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Chapter 13: RELATIONSHIP OF THE BATH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO PLANS FOR ADJACENT COMMUNITIES

The c o o r d i n a t i o n of t h e comprehensive p l a n s of a d j a c e n t munici- p a l i t i e s i s a d e s i r a b l e goa l . Such c o o r d i n a t i o n w i l l l i m i t :he e s t ab l i shmen t of c o n f l i c t i n g l and u s e s l o c a t e d a c r o s s common boundaries . Coordina t ion also encourages t h e more e f f i c i e n t i n t e r -mun ic ipa l u s e of n a t u r a l r e sources such as land and of man-made r e s o u r c e s such as u t i l i t y and t r a n s p o r t a t i o n systems.

EAST ALLEN TOWNSHIP sur rounds Bath on t h e s o u t h , w e s t and nor th . A comprehensive p l a n prepared by Richard S. Cowan and Associates Inc . w a s adopted i n 1970. To t h e s o u t h and w e s t of Bath, sou th of Main S t r e e t , i n d u s t r i a l uses are planned. O f t h a t area, t h e p o r t i o n t o t h e w e s t of Walnut S t r e e t i s des igna ted f o r i n d u s t r i a l u ses i n acknowledgement of t h e p a s t and ongoing q u a r r y i n g and p rocess ing o p e r a t i o n s of t h e Keystone Cement Company. Except f o r l i m i t e d Conserva t ion areas which a r e used t o deno te s t e e p s l o p e s where low d e n s i t y u s e s are encouraged, t h e remainder of E a s t A l l en Township sur rounding Bath i s planned f o r R e s i d e n t i a l A g r i c u l t u r a l u ses . This d i s t r i c t i s E a s t A l l e n ' s most r u r a l , lowes t d e n s i t y area, except ing areas w i t h n a t u r a l l i m i t a t i o n s . Minimum l o t s i z e s of 40 ,000 s q u a r e feet w i t h t h e u s e o f on l o t u t i l i t i e s and 20,000 squa re fee t w i t h t h e use of c e n t r a l i z e d u t i l i t i e s are recommended.

UPPER NAZARETH TOWNSHIP is B a t h ' s neighbor t o t h e east. A J o i n t P lanning Commission prepared Comprehensive P lan w a s com- - - p l e t e d i n 1970. The a r e a of Upper Nazareth Township bo rde r ing Bath s o u t h of Northampton Street i s planned f o r i n d u s t r i a l u ses . This des- i g n a t i o n r e f l e c t s t h e qua r ry ing o p e r a t i o n s and t h e l and hold ings of t h e Penn Dix ie Cement Company, r a t h e r t han a g e n e r a l s u i t a b i l i t y f o r i n d u s t r i a l u ses . The boundary area t o t h e n o r t h of Northampton Street i s planned for Low Dens i ty Rural R e s i d e n t i a l U s e s . This l eas t i n t e n s e Township r e s i d e n t i a l area is recommended f o r s i n g l e fami ly dwe l l ings w i t h minimum l o t s i z e s of 35 ,000 square feet when b u i l t w i th on l o t u t i l i t i e s . Con tac t w i t h t h e Township's p lanning c o n s u l t a n t i n d i c a t e s t h a t p l a n s f o r t h e area w i l l be s u b s t a n t i v e l y s i m i l a r i n t h e updated comprehensive p l an .

C u r r e n t l y , a p l a n upda te i s i n process .

MOORE TOWNSHIP i s n o t cont iguous t o Bath. However, t h e Town- s h i p ' s p l a n s need t o be cons ide red i n Borough planning. Located t o t h e n o r t h of Bath , Moore Township is s e p a r a t e d from t h e Borough by E a s t A l l e n Township by d i s t a n c e s i n p a r t s of on ly 600 f e e t . I n 1973, Moore Township adopted a p l a n prepared by Michael Cabot Assoc ia t e s . To t h e area east of Route 512 (Walnut S t r e e t ) , Moore Township is p lanning for R u r a l R e s i d e n t i a l u ses . T h i s s i n g l e fami ly o r i e n t e d d i s t r i c t is t h e Township's lowest d e n s i t y non-environmental p r o t e c t i o n d i s t r i c t . A maximum of 1 . 5 dwel l ing u n i t s p e r acre is recommended. Between Route 512

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(Walnut Street) and Route 987 (Chestnut Street), "Potential Campus Industrial-Commercial" uses are planned. The plan suggests limited heavy commercial and limited industrial uses in campus settings (maximum 50% coverage) as appropriate. To the west of Route 987 (Chestnut Street), Moore Township's Comprehensive Plan has designated the land for "Village Common" and recreation uses. This area is intended to contain a village park, a public common area, and a community building to serve the Township residents of the area.

In summary most of the area surrounding Bath is planned for low density residential/rural uses and for industrial uses in con- junction with the existing cement industry.

In November 1977, the JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION approved an updated regional comprehensive plan. The plan divides the region into the following categories: urban development recommended- few or no limitations, urban development recommended-possible limitations, urban development conditionally recommended, urban development not presently recommended, and urban development not recommended. Specific uses and densities are not delineated for areas suggested for urban development. The categories are based on the available sewer capacity for an area, the available major road capacity for an area, and the proximity of the area to existing urban development. Based on these factors, the entire Borough of Bath was designated for "urban development recommended-possible limitations". The limitations associated with the designation are the moderate amounts of remaining capacity in the sewer system and the area's major roads.

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APPENDIX i

BUILDING CONDITIONS SURVEY

' 0 Tax Map Block Lot I I Street Address Size of Lot

I Type of Structure 1-1 Totally Residential

I [ I Part Residential, Part

1-1 Totally Non-Residential (use)

Building Configuration

1-1 Detached

1-J Attached (Row)

1-1 Mobile Home

Hotel

1 x 1 Semi-betached (Twin, L-lOther Duplex) 1-1 Multi-Family

umber of Units in Building

Number of Stories (Excluding Basement)

0 1

1 2

Type of Construction and Exterior

[ ] Brick r g Brick/Frame

1-1 Frame [-I Stone/Frame

1-1 Stone

Off-street 7

On-s tree t - Parking

03

1-14 or more

1-1 Alum. Siding/Frame

1-1 Concrete

TJ Stucco

1-1 Other (specify)

spaces) - Garage (- cars) (-

a 3

Doors Gutters Fire Escape Other (specify)

(1) (2 )

( 3 )

?

: Comments

Overall Rating 1 2

8 4

3 4 5

I I I I

1 P

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