Centre Regional Planning Agency6AD7E2DC-ECE4-41CD...Steve Lyncha Kevin Ryan College Township Todd...

Serving the Townships of College, Ferguson, Halfmoon, Harris, Patton and the Borough of State College The Centre Region is a Bicycle Friendly Community

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Centre Regional Planning Agency

2643 Gateway Drive, Suite #4 State College, PA 16801 Phone (814) 231-3050 www.crcog.net

JOINT MEETING

CENTRE REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION &

COG TRANSPORTATION AND LAND USE COMMITTEE

AGENDA

Centre Region Council of Governments Office Building

2643 Gateway Drive

Thursday

October 5, 2017

6:30 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER – Ms. Strickland will convene the meeting.

2. INTRODUCTIONS

Ms. Strickland will call for introductions.

TLU Committee and CRPC Members

TLU Committee CRPC Representing

Steve Lyncha Kevin Ryan College Township

Todd Kirsten Mike Brown Halfmoon Township

Frank Harden Roy Hammerstedt Harris Township

Janet Whitaker Lisa Strickland, Chair Ferguson Township

Jeff Luck, Chair Bill Steudler Patton Township

Theresa Lafer, Vice Chair Jon Eich, Vice Chair State College Borough

Rob Cooper Steve Watson Penn State University

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – The minutes of the September 7, 2017 Centre Regional

Planning Commission (CRPC) meeting are enclosed for action by members of the CRPC.

The minutes of the September 11, 2017 COG Transportation & Land Use (TLU)

Committee meeting are enclosed for action by members of the TLU Committee.

4. CITIZENS’ COMMENTS – For items not on the agenda

5. REGIONAL INTEREST ITEMS – Commission members and TLU Committee members

should report on activities in their municipalities that may be of interest to fellow

Commissioners, TLU Committee members, and the public.

http://www.crcog.net/

Joint Meeting – Centre Regional Planning Commission &

COG Transportation and Land Use Committee October 5, 2017

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Please note that CRPC members will act upon two items requiring CRPC comment

to accommodate municipal meeting schedules prior to discussion of items on the

joint meeting agenda.

6. CRPC CONSENT AGENDA

a. Proposed Zoning Text Amendment for Pet Care Service Facilities within the IRD

District – Ferguson Township

7. CRPC ACTION AGENDA

a. Recommendation on the Act 537 Plan Special Study - Beneficial Reuse Waterline

Extension into Harris Township – Centre Region

8. CRPC/TLU COMMITTEE JOINT MEETING AGENDA

a. Demonstration of ArcGIS On Line (AGOL) Capabilities

b. Student Housing and the Distribution of Transit Trips in the Centre Region

c. Progress Report on the Regional Development Capacity (REDCAP) Report

d. Status of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Program (CHIP)

9. OTHER BUSINESS

a. Matter of Record – The CRPC will next meet on Thursday November 2, 2017 at

6:30 p.m. in the COG Building Forum Room.

b. Matter of Record – The COG TLU Committee will meet on Monday November 6,

2017 at 12:15 in the COG Building Forum Room.

c. Matter of Record – Comment letters from the CRPC’s September 7, 2017 meeting

are enclosed:

Ferguson Township Official Map

Proposed Text Amendment for Water Production Facilities – Ferguson

Township

Proposed Zoning Map Amendment for the Harner Farm Property –

Ferguson Township

d. Matter of Record – The CRPA’s September 2017 Activity Report is enclosed.

e. Matter of Record – The American Planning Association Pennsylvania Chapter’s

2017 Annual Conference is being held at the Penn Stater from October 22 to 24.

Program and registration information can be found at www.planningpa.org.

10. ADJOURNMENT

http://www.crcog.net/vertical/sites/%7B6AD7E2DC-ECE4-41CD-B8E1-BAC6A6336348%7D/uploads/CRPC_Comments_-_Ferguson_Township_Official_Map_09-08-17.pdf

http://www.crcog.net/vertical/sites/%7B6AD7E2DC-ECE4-41CD-B8E1-BAC6A6336348%7D/uploads/CRPC_Comments_-_Ferguson_Township_Proposed_Text_Amendment_for_Water_Production_Facilities_09-08-17.pdf

http://www.crcog.net/vertical/sites/%7B6AD7E2DC-ECE4-41CD-B8E1-BAC6A6336348%7D/uploads/CRPC_Comments_-_Ferguson_Township_Proposed_Text_Amendment_for_Water_Production_Facilities_09-08-17.pdf

http://www.crcog.net/vertical/sites/%7B6AD7E2DC-ECE4-41CD-B8E1-BAC6A6336348%7D/uploads/CRPC_Comments_-_Ferguson_Township_Proposed_Zoning_Map_Amendment_for_the_Harner_Farm_Property_09-08-17.pdf

http://www.crcog.net/vertical/sites/%7B6AD7E2DC-ECE4-41CD-B8E1-BAC6A6336348%7D/uploads/CRPC_Comments_-_Ferguson_Township_Proposed_Zoning_Map_Amendment_for_the_Harner_Farm_Property_09-08-17.pdf

http://www.crcog.net/vertical/sites/%7B6AD7E2DC-ECE4-41CD-B8E1-BAC6A6336348%7D/uploads/CRPA_Activity_Report_September_2017.pdf

http://www.planningpa.org/



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ITEM 6a.

PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR PET CARE SERVICE

FACILITIES IN FERGUSON TOWNSHIP

– presented by Ray Stolinas and Lindsay Schoch

This item provides information on the Proposed Text Amendment for Pet Care Service

Facilities.

THE ISSUE

Ferguson Township Planning & Zoning Department received an application to permit Pet

Daycare Facilities as a permitted use within the Light Industry, Research and Development

(IRD) District.

The current Zoning Ordinance defines two terms, specifically, “Pet Care Facility” and “Pet

Day Care Facility;” allows the “Pet Care Facility” within the Rural Agricultural (RA), Rural

Residential (RR), and IRD districts and the “Pet Day Care Facility” within the General

Commercial (C) district; and provides parking standards and performance standards under

§27-204 EE. and FF.

The Board of Supervisors directed staff at the May 2, 2017 meeting to develop a draft text

amendment that permits Pet Daycare Facilities within the Light Industry, Research and

Development (IRD) District as a Conditional Use. Further, the Board of Supervisors reviewed

the draft amendment on June 5, 2017 and referred the amendment to the Township Planning

Commission for recommendation, with a consideration that the minimum lot size change from

0.5 acres to 0.75 acres within the IRD.

The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed request at its June 12 meeting and

requested staff to work with its consultant, Environmental Planning & Design, to draft new

language as part of the zoning update. Staff did develop and review the proposed language

with the applicant. The attached amendment includes a consolidation of terms, a new

definition, parking standards, and provisions for “Pet Care Service Facilities”. The Planning

Commission reviewed the draft amendment again at its August 14 and 28 meetings, and

unanimously recommended approval.

OTHER INFORMATION

Ferguson Township Planning and Zoning received comment from CRPA staff on September

19, 2017 and addressed several comments and recommendations.

At the September 18, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting, members discussed adding the

requirement that overnight boarding of dogs requires a staff person to be on site.

PREVIOUS ACTIONS

The CRPC has not taken any previous action on this proposed rezoning.



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CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

Ferguson Township Planning & Zoning staff feels the proposed text amendment is generally

consistent with the following Goals, Objectives and Policies of the 2013 Centre Region

Comprehensive Plan:

Sustainable and Smart Development Practices:

Objective 3.2: Locate the majority of industrial development within the Regional Growth

Boundary in accordance with sound land planning principles and the needs of industry.

Policy 3.2.5: Secondary uses in industrial zoning districts should be consistent with

the purpose of the industrial district and be limited to those uses necessary to support

the primary industrial use, such as administrative offices and retail sales of products.

The applicant that submitted the zoning ordinance text amendment requested that pet

care service be allowed within areas such as the Industrial Research and

Development district to accommodate professionals working in adjacent facilities.

Additionally, pet care services are not widely available as an ancillary use that may

compliment an area such as the IRD.

Objective 3.3: Balance the amount of vacant commercially zoned property with the needs

of the Centre Region.

Policy 3.3.4: Given the adequacy of the existing amount of commercially zoned land,

the Centre Region municipalities should encourage the redevelopment of existing

commercial property and the development of vacant commercial lands that have

appropriate infrastructure.

Pet care service facilities are an example of a land use that can succeed within an

existing commercial property already containing necessary infrastructure.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the CRPC support this item and direct staff to send a letter indicating

such to the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors.

ATTACHMENT

1. Proposed Pet Care Service Facilities Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

ORDINANCE NO. _________

AN ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FERGUSON, CENTRE COUNTY,

PENNSYLVANIA, AMENDING, MODIFYING AND CHANGING THE CODE OF

ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 27, ZONING, IN PARTICULAR, SECTION 204.1., USE

REGULATIONS, TO DELETE EE. PET CARE FACILITY AND FF. PET DAY CARE

FACILITY AND ADD EE. PET CARE SERVICE FACILITIES, SECTION 301, RURAL

AGRICULTURAL (RA) DISTRICT, TABLE 301 DELETE 10B. PET CARE FACILITIES AND

ADD UNDER CONDITIONAL USES 20. PET CARE SERVICE FACILTIES, SECTION 302,

RURAL RESIDENTIAL (RR) DISTRICT, TABLE 302, DELETE 12B. PET CARE FACILITY

AND ADD UNDER CONDITIONAL USES 2. PET CARE SERVICE FACILTIES, SECTION 502,

GENERAL COMMERCIAL (C) DISTRICT, TABLE 502, DELETE 18A. PET DAY CARE

FACILITIES AND ADD UNDER CONDITIONAL USES 5. PET CARE SERVICE FACILITIES,

SECTION 602, LIGHT INDUSTRY, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (IRD) DISTRICT,

TABLE 602, DELETE 14A. PET CARE FACILITIES AND ADD CONDITIONAL USES 1. PET

CARE SERVICE FACILITIES, SECTION 809.1.B.(2)2.DD., OFF STREET PARKING AND

LOADING REGULATIONS, COMMERCIAL USE, DELETES PET CARE AND PET DAY

CARE, ONE SPACE FOREACH STAFF PERSON AND ONE SPACE FOR EVERY TEN PETS,

AS WELL AS PARKING REQUIRED FOR ANY RETAIL ELEMENT OF THE FACILITY AND

ADDS PET CARE SERVICE FACILITY, 3.5 SPACES PER 1,000 OF GROSS FLOOR AREA,

AND SECTION 1202, DEFINITIONS, DELETES PET CARE FACILITY AND PET DAY CARE

FACILITIES AND ADDS PET CARE SERVICE FACILITIES.

The Board of Supervisors of the Township of Ferguson hereby ordains:

Section 1: Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 2, Use Regulations, Section 27-204.1.EE. and FF. is hereby amended

to delete the following:

EE. Pet Care Facility. Pet Care Facilities shall be permitted in the RA, RR, and IRD Districts subject to

conformance with the following:

(1) Maximum number of dogs at any one time is 20.

(2) Applicants must provide written operating procedures such as those recommended by the

American Boarding and Kennel Association (ABKA) or the American Kennel Club (AKC).

These must address the identification and correction of animal behavior that has the potential to

impact surrounding use, including excessive barking.

(3) Must provide an area for outside exercise which must include access to shade and must be

enclosed/gated.

(4) Indoor play areas, if provided, must include a minimum of 75 square feet per dog.

(5) Any facility within 1000 feet of a residentially occupied site must identify how noise from the site

will be controlled to prevent a nuisance situation.

(6) Facilities may operate on a 24-hour basis.

lcromell

Typewritten Text

Ferguson Township Proposed Pet Care Service Facilities Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment

FF. Pet Day Care Facility. Pet Day Care Facilities may be permitted in the General Commercial District

subject to conformance with the following:

(1) Maximum of 20 dogs permitted at any one time.





(3) Must provide an area for outside exercise which must include access to shade and must be

enclosed/gated.

(4) Any indoor play area provided must include a minimum of 75 square feet per dog.

(5) No portion of the facility may be located within 1000 feet of a residential zoning district or within

500 feet of any food service establishment.

(6) Any portion of the site that abuts residentially occupied property must provide a 6-foot landscape

screen and/or fencing.

(7) Hours of operation are limited to those between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.

(8) No in-home pet day care is permitted.

Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 2, Use Regulations, Section 27-204.1.EE. is hereby amended to add the

following:

EE: Pet Care Service Facilities: Pet Care Service Facilities shall be permitted in the RA, RR, General

Commercial Districts and IRD districts as a Conditional Use. Pet Care Service Facilities shall be subject

to conformance with the following:

(1) The Pet Care Service Facility must be operated in compliance with all applicable ordinances,

laws and regulations including but not limited to the Pennsylvania Dog Law, §206 - §211, in

compliance with a Kennel Class C I License.





(3) Pet Care Service Facilities shall provide a minimum of seventy-five (75) square feet of floor area

for each animal, exclusive of office and support areas.

(4) A minimum staff to dog ratio of 1:12 shall be maintained (no more than 12 dogs per one staff

member).

(5) An acoustical analysis of the proposed use shall be performed and prepared under the supervision

of a person experienced in the field of acoustical engineering. Ferguson Township shall contract

a person in the field of acoustical engineering to review the acoustical analysis for compliance

with this section of the ordinance and participate in inspections of the site prior to opening. All

township expenses borne by the acoustical engineering review shall be paid by the applicant. The

acoustical analysis shall evaluate existing and projected noise levels, noise attenuation measures

to be applied, and the noise insulation effectiveness to eliminate animal noise from reaching

adjacent properties and neighborhoods. This is to ensure that any noise impacts to sensitive uses

are adequately mitigated. The specific noise attenuation provisions identified in the analysis

(padded walls, acoustical panels, etc.) shall be indicated on the construction drawings prior to the

issuance of any permits. The person preparing the report shall, under the direction of a person

experienced in the field of acoustical engineering, perform an inspection of the site prior to the

opening of the business to the public to ensure that noise attenuation measures are implemented

as recommended by the acoustical expert. A final certificate of occupancy or building inspection

for the proposed use shall not be issued until this condition of approval is satisfied.

(6) Signs shall be posted, instructing dog owners to keep dogs on leashes and other domestic pets

with carriers until they are inside the facility to assist with animal control measures in the pick-up

and drop-off area.

(7) Outdoor areas shall provide a minimum of 500 ft.2 of fenced space. Outside areas must include

access to shade and must be enclosed and gated. Animals will always be supervised outdoors and

shall be allowed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. A maximum of five (5) dogs shall

occupy the outdoor exercise and run at any time between these hours.

(8) Fencing surrounding exercise areas and/or runs shall be of a sufficient height to prevent escape

and shall be buried as part of installation to prevent escape by digging beneath the fences.

(9) All animal quarters and runs are to be kept in a clean, dry and sanitary condition.

(10) Hours of operation and dog pick-up and drop-off are limited to those between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00

p.m. Overnight boarding shall be allowed in designated areas on the premise with the requirement

that a staff member be on-site during overnight hours. The overnight boarding area within the

establishment shall not exceed 50% of the total gross floor area of the business.

(11) No unlicensed animals shall be accepted into the facility. Pet owners shall provide the owners of

the Pet Care Service Facilities an individual pet record of all vaccinations.

(12) Animal waste shall be picked up from the outdoor portion of the property daily. Storage of

animal waste shall utilize air-tight containers or in-ground, septic style digesters. Applicants for

Pet Care Service Facilities shall acquire all necessary DEP permitting for in-ground, style waste

disposal facilities.

(13) Any portion of the site that abuts residentially occupied property or the side or rear yard area that

contains outdoor areas must provide a 6-foot sound buffering landscape screen and/or fencing.

(14) The retail sale of pet products and food shall not exceed 25% of the total gross floor area of the

business.

(15) The minimum lot size shall be five (0.5) acres within the General Commercial district, (0.75)

acres within the IRD district and (1.0) acre within the RA and RR districts.

Section 2: This amendment reorganizes Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 2, Use Regulations, Section 27-

204.1.FF. Veterinary Office/Clinic through RR. Domestic Chickens.

Section 3: Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 3, Rural Agricultural (RA) district, Table 301 delete 10B. Pet Care

Facilities and add under conditional uses 20. Pet Care Service Facilities.

Section 4: Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 3, Rural Residential (RR) district, Table 302, delete 12B. Pet Care

Facility and add under Conditional Uses 2. Pet Care Service Facilities.

Section 5: Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 5, General Commercial (C) district, Table 502, delete 18a. Pet Day

Care Facilities and add under Conditional Uses 5. Pet Care Service Facilities.

Section 6: Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 6, Light Industry, Research and Development (IRD) district, Table

602, delete 14a. Pet Care Facilities and add Conditional Uses 1. Pet Care Service Facilities.

Section 7: Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 8, Off Street Parking and Loading Regulations, Commercial Use,

Section 809.1.B.(2)2.DD., is hereby amended to delete the following:

DD. Pet Care and Pet Day Care 1 space for each staff person and 1 space for every 10 pets, as

well as parking required for any retail element of the facility

Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 8, Off Street Parking and Loading Regulations, Commercial Use, Section

809.1.B.(2)2.DD., is hereby amended to add the following:

DD. Pet Care Service Facility 3.5 spaces per 1,000 of gross floor area

Section 8: Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 12, Definitions, Section 1202, is hereby amended to delete the

following:

Pet Care Facility - a site utilized for short-term care of domestic animals or household pets. May

include spas, resorts, and/or grooming facilities which provide overnight boarding. No outdoor,

overnight boarding of animals is permitted. [Ord. 888]

Pet Day Care Facilities - the daytime care of domestic dogs or other household pets, belonging to

persons not residing on the premises. Grooming and training services may also be provided at such a

facility, as well as the retail sale of pet food and pet accessories. No outdoor or overnight boarding of

animals is permitted. [Ord. 888]

Chapter 27, Zoning, Part 12, Definitions, Section 1202, is hereby amended to adds the following:

Pet Care Service Facility - A building, structure or portion thereof designed or used for grooming,

boarding, training, daycare or overnight boarding of domestic animals or other household pets. A

portion of the facility used for the retail sale of pet products and food may be accessory to the primary

Pet Care Service Facilities use.

ORDAINED AND AMENDED this 16th day of October, 2017

Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors

___________________________________

Steve Miller, Chairman

[S E A L]

ATTEST:

__________________________

David Pribulka, Secretary



Page 5 of 17

ITEM 7a.

2017 ACT 537 SEWAGE FACILITIES PLAN UPDATE - BENEFICIAL REUSE

WATERLINE EXTENSION INTO HARRIS TOWNSHIP

– presented by Mark Boeckel

This item provides the CRPC with an opportunity to provide a formal recommendation

regarding the approval of the 2017 Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Update (Special Study)

prepared by Herbert, Rowland, and Grubic (HRG) on behalf of the University Area Joint

Authority (UAJA). The goal of the Special Study is to evaluate the needs and alternatives to

extend the UAJA’s existing reuse water system into Harris Township in order to serve

potential customers such as the Mountain View Country Club and Tussey Mountain Ski Area.

THE ISSUE

HRG, on behalf of the UAJA, prepared a draft Act 537 Plan Special Study to evaluate

extending the Beneficial Reuse water system from its existing terminus in College Township

into Harris Township. An extension of the reuse water system into Harris Township would

allow the UAJA to provide reuse water to potential customers, such as the Mountain View

Country Club and the Tussey Mountain Ski Area.

The Beneficial Reuse Water Project was initially identified in the 2000 Centre Region Act

537 Plan as a disposal alternative for the UAJA. The 2006 Act 537 Plan defines a three phase

Beneficial Reuse water distribution system and states that water produced from the Beneficial

Reuse Project will be reused in the community for industrial, agricultural, and irrigation

purposes. The plan also states that the ultimate goal of the Beneficial Reuse Project is to move

reuse water back to the headwaters of the community, where it can be used to replenish

headwater streams, springs, and groundwater resources.

The current reuse water system extends from the Spring Creek Pollution Control Facility in

Benner Township into portions of College Township, where it is utilized by commercial

customers and for environmental uses. The draft Act 537 Plan Special Study recommends

extending approximately 27,600 linear feet of 12 inch waterline and appurtenances from the

booster station near the Centre Hills Country Club into Harris Township in order to provide

reuse water to the Mountain View Country Club, the Tussey Mountain Ski Area, and potential

customers in the Boalsburg Technology Park along Discovery Drive.

Because the Beneficial Reuse system is utilized to dispose of treated wastewater, the location

of all reuse water infrastructure and distribution lines must be identified in the Centre Region

Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan. In February 2016, the COG General Forum recommended

that the UAJA prepare an Act 537 Plan Special Study to potentially extend a Beneficial Reuse

waterline into College and Harris Townships. In accordance with guidance from the PA

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), HRG prepared an Act 537 Plan Special

Study on behalf of the UAJA to evaluate this extension and is pursuing the required review

and approval from the Centre Region.



Page 6 of 17

OTHER INFORMATION

At its June 26, 2017 meeting, the COG General Forum initiated a 60-day public comment

period for the 2017 Act 537 Plan Update, which began on June 28, 2017 and ended on August

28, 2017. In addition to initiating the public comment period, the General Forum also referred

the study to the individual municipalities for review and potential comment. CRPA staff

received comments related to the Special Study from the State College Borough Water

Authority (SCBWA), as well as from two Centre Region residents. Each Centre Region

municipality also provided comments to the COG Executive Director in relation to the Special

Study.

Cory Miller, UAJA Executive Director, provided a written response to comments received

during the comment period. At the September 7, 2017 COG Public Services and

Environmental (PSE) Committee meeting, the representative from College Township

requested additional cost-benefit analysis information from the UAJA with regard to the

proposed reuse water line extension. UAJA has since provided College Township with

additional details, as requested. There have been no other requests for information from the

Centre Region municipalities in relation to the municipal and public comments submitted

during the comment period.

Over the past several months, the CRPA has been working with the College Township Water

Authority (CTWA), SCBWA, and UAJA to amend the Source Water Protection Agreement

that was initially signed in 2003. The agreement was intended to allow for the limited

distribution of Beneficial Reuse water in the Region, while protecting the source waters used

by SCBWA and CTWA to produce potable water. Final action on the Act 537 Plan Special

Study was deferred until the Source Water Protection Agreement was amended to the

satisfaction of all parties.

Representatives from the CRPA, CTWA, SCBWA, and UAJA met on September 29, 2017

to discuss the proposed amendments to the Source Water Protection Agreement, and there

appears to be general consensus that the amended agreement is acceptable to all parties. It is

anticipated that each authority will take action on the amended agreement at their October

meetings, which would allow the COG General Forum to consider final action on the Act 537

Plan Special Study at its meeting on October 23, 2017.

PREVIOUS ACTIONS

The CRPC reviewed and discussed municipal and public comments related to the 2017 Act

537 Plan Special Study at its September 7, 2017 meeting.

CONSISTENCY WITH COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

This request is consistent with the Centre Region Comprehensive Plan. Specifically:

Community Facilities Element:

Goal 1: There is a reliable, safe, and cost effective water supply to meet the existing and

future needs of the Centre Region community



Page 7 of 17

Objective 1.2: Assure the efficient use of water supplies by encouraging water

conservation, water re-use, and public education about local water resources.

Goal 2: Sewer service in the Centre Region is efficient, cost effective, and adequate to

support future growth.

Objective 2.3: Continue to support the University Area Joint Authority’s efforts to

expand the use of high-purity (beneficial reuse) water through recharge or by

consumption in order to accommodate capacity limitations associated with future

growth.

Sustainability Element:

Goal 2: Adequate infrastructure for sewer service is available within the Regional

Growth Boundary and Sewer Service Area to support growth and development for the

foreseeable future.

Objective 2.2: The Centre Region municipalities should continue to support the

University Area Joint Authority’s efforts to identify customers for the Beneficial

Reuse water.

RECOMMENDATION

CRPA staff supports the UAJA’s efforts to extend its Beneficial Reuse Water System into

Harris Township and recommends that the CRPC consider a motion recommending that the

COG General Forum approve the 2017 Act 537 Plan Special Study.

NEXT STEPS

CRPA staff will prepare a letter with the CRPC recommendation and comments and forward

it to the COG Executive Committee for consideration on a future COG General Forum

agenda. CRPA staff anticipates that the General Forum may consider action on the Special

Study at its October 23, 2017 meeting.

ATTACHMENTS

None



Page 8 of 17

ITEM 8a.

DEMONSTRATION OF ARCGIS ONLINE (AGOL) CAPABILITIES

– presented by Jim May and Steve Arnold

This item provides information to the TLU Committee and the CRPC regarding ArcGIS

Online (AGOL). AGOL is a web-based platform that will allow the CRPA to use, create, and

share online maps, GIS layers, and data with the public. The CRPA will use the AGOL

platform to steadily broaden the availability of information regarding planning and zoning

issues and ordinances, specific projects, and other information. The public will be able to

access and query information in ways that were not available from the CRPA until recently.

THE ISSUE

There is a growing trend to deliver data and geographic information via the internet.

Interactive “web maps” and “web apps” have grown tremendously in popularity, usefulness

and importance.

In the internet age, the public expects to find information quickly, easily, and in a concise

manner, whether by home computer, tablet, or smart phone. Technological advances in GIS

software and applications make it easier and more cost effective for agencies such as the

CRPA to engage the public through interactive maps to provide:

Education and awareness of local planning efforts

Transparency in government/planning processes

An avenue for community input through apps and social media

Data delivery via interactive maps and web apps for consumption

In addition to providing information to the public, AGOL can leverage the CRPA’s GIS

capabilities to benefit staff in a way not possible in the past. Some of these benefits include:

Eliminating the need to train staff and managers in GIS and provide GIS software for

each of those individuals which is time consuming, inefficient, and COSTLY

Development of web maps/apps to be shared and used internally, serving a wide

variety of data without the need for training or expensive GIS hardware/software to

use

Sharing or consuming data among other municipal partners now or in the future

All that is needed is an internet connection and the proper organizational credentials to access

AGOL anywhere…at the office, home, or next meeting. The use of the AGOL platform is

consistent with the core services identified in the CRPA Regional Planning Program

Evaluation (accepted by the COG General Forum in August 2015) to strengthen planning-

related educational and learning opportunities in the Region.

PREVIOUS ACTION

There have been no previous actions on this item.



Page 9 of 17

RECOMMENDATION

This item is for informational purposes only. No formal action is required by the CRPC or the

COG TLU Committee.

NEXT STEPS

None

ATTACHMENTS

1. Interactive Maps PowerPoint

2. Use this link https://centrecog.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html to access the CRPA

AGOL organization page if you are interested in seeing a preview of the projects prior

to the meeting.

https://centrecog.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html

Interactive Maps Website ArcGIS Online (AGOL)

Interactive Maps Website - ArcGIS Online (AGOL)

There is a growing trend to deliver data and geographic information via the internet. Interactive

“web maps” and “web apps” have grown tremendously in popularity, usefulness and

importance.

Flight Tracker Google Maps (directions) West Penn Power Outages

Interactive Maps

In the internet age, the public expects to find information quickly, easily and in a concise easy to

use manner…. whether by home computer, tablet or smart phone.

Technological advances in GIS software and applications make it easier and more cost effective for government agencies to engage the public through interactive maps to provide:

• Education and awareness of local planning efforts • Transparency in government / planning process • An avenue for community input through apps and social media • Data delivery via interactive maps and web apps for consumption

ArcGIS Online (AGOL) – Public Use


In addition to providing information to the public, AGOL can leverage the CRPA GIS to benefit staff in a way not possible in the past. Some of these benefits include:

• Eliminating the need to train staff and managers in GIS and provide GIS software for each of those individuals which is time consuming, inefficient and COSTLY

• The CRPA GIS can develop web maps/apps to be shared and used internally serving a wide variety of data without the need for training or expensive GIS hardware/software to use

• Sharing or consuming data among other municipal partners now or in the future All that is needed is an internet connection and the proper organizational credentials to access AGOL anywhere…the office, home or next meeting

The CRPA Interactive Maps Website is here: https://centrecog.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html

ArcGIS Online (AGOL) – Internal Use


https://centrecog.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html



Page 10 of 17

ITEM 8b.

STUDENT HOUSING AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF TRANSIT TRIPS IN THE

CENTRE REGION – presented by Greg Kausch

This item provides information to the TLU Committee and the CRPC regarding student

housing complexes in the Centre Region that currently participate or may participate in the

Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA) apartment pass program. This program was

pioneered a number of years ago to increase student mobility and transit ridership, mitigate

traffic congestion, and allow property managers to provide added value to their tenants. As

the Centre Region grows and changes—and as new student housing areas are proposed both

within and outside the urban core—CATA can continue to play a demonstrated, vital role in

meeting the transportation challenges associated with these developments. The effectiveness

of transit in meeting these challenges, however, will depend largely on continued investment

in both operations and capital equipment.

THE ISSUE

For a number of years, CATA has participated with area student housing complexes in a

wide-ranging, unique, and innovative program that allows tenants of contracted complexes

to receive a special fixed route transit pass valid for unlimited access to the CATA fixed

community route(s) serving their complex. This apartment pass program:

Currently provides about 2.1 million trips annually, or slightly less than one third of

CATA’s total fixed route ridership.

Serves as a foundational public-private partnership, and a model for potential

universal transit access, studied under the auspices of the Centre County Metropolitan

Planning Organization (CCMPO) in 2013.

Removes a number of single-occupant vehicle trips from the road—particularly in

the Vairo Boulevard, Martin Street, North Atherton Street, and Waupelani Drive

corridors, as well as on the campus of Penn State University. Removing these single-

occupant vehicle trips helps reduce traffic congestion and highway infrastructure

investment.

Provides apartment complex owners and management firms with a valuable amenity

that can be passed on to their individual tenants, and reduces parking requirements and

traffic impact mitigation measures, helping these complexes to compete more

effectively in the marketplace.

Over the past several years, a handful of new student housing complexes have come on-line,

and have been brought into CATA’s apartment pass program. These include: Blue Course

Commons (retrofit to student focus), The View, The Heights, The Retreat, and Villas at

Happy Valley. These new partnerships have increased CATA’s fixed route ridership on core

routes, assisted in reducing traffic congestion, allowed CATA to provide a higher level of

service to the benefit of other non-student populations within the community, and helped to

contribute to the success of these newer complexes, while enhancing quality of life for student

residents.



Page 11 of 17

As the Centre Region continues to grow and change, a number of additional new student

housing areas are either proposed, planned, approved, or under construction. CATA’s

apartment pass program provides a proven, workable model that can be applied to meeting

some of the transportation challenges associated with these potential new developments. In

order for the agency to play its most effective role, however, continued investment and

involvement in the planning process is critical. Transit considerations will need to be designed

and built into new developments to allow CATA to maximize operational efficiency,

convenience, and safety. Moreover, CATA will need to maintain and increase its pool of

rolling stock to meet the demand of a changing, increasing, and more geographically

dispersed customer base.

PREVIOUS ACTION

There have been no previous actions on this item.

RECOMMENDATION

This item is for informational purposes only. No formal action is required by the CRPC or the

COG TLU Committee.

NEXT STEPS

None

ATTACHMENTS

None



Page 12 of 17

ITEM 8c.

2017 UPDATE OF THE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY REPORT

– presented by Greg Garthe

This item provides the CRPC and COG TLU Committee information on the Regional

Development Capacity (REDCAP) Report. The REDCAP Report estimates the development

potential within the Regional Growth Boundary (RGB) and Sewer Service Area (SSA) of the

Centre Region, assesses the ability of that potential to accommodate forecasted growth, and

examines the ability of the Region’s sewer system to support forecasted growth or a full

buildout of the growth boundary under existing municipal regulations. The first REDCAP

Report was completed in 2012, and a minor update was completed in 2014. A full update is

completed every five years.

THE ISSUE

The majority of development in the Centre Region is directed inside the RGB and SSA, where

public infrastructure such as water, sewer, transportation, broadband internet, natural gas, and

emergency services are most efficiently provided, and where permitted development densities

require public sewer infrastructure. The REDCAP Report is a tool used to analyze the

remaining development capacity inside this boundary. Areas outside the boundary are not

considered because they are not intended to support the majority of the Region’s growth and

are not served by the public sewer system.

The REDCAP estimates are based on an inventory of vacant or partially developed land with

plans for additional development inside the growth boundary. CRPA staff developed a

methodology to identify, classify, and calculate the development potential of these properties,

and is working with municipal planners to complete the land inventory. The number of

approved dwelling units and the amount of non-residential square footage are generated by

reviewing approved land development plans. For the purposes of this analysis, properties with

proposed plans—including subdivision plans, land developments that are still in the

preliminary stages but have had some level of review by a municipality, and approved master

plans where specific land development plans have not yet been approved for each phase—are

considered approved developments to account for what is likely to be constructed upon final

plan approval.

The potential maximum development capacity of vacant properties is estimated by

referencing the existing zoning district standards of each municipality. Beginning in 2017,

the REDCAP will forecast the additional impacts expected to result from major proposed

rezonings or redevelopments. Staff has relied heavily on the local knowledge and professional

judgment of the municipal planning staffs for this part of the analysis, and only properties

likely to rezone or redevelop within the next five years have been considered.

The major findings of the report will include summaries of:

The developable land inside the growth boundary

The remaining number of residential dwelling units inside the growth boundary

The remaining square feet of non-residential development inside the boundary



Page 13 of 17

The adequacy of the land inside the growth boundary to accommodate forecasted

growth through 2040

The UAJA’s ability to accommodate forecasted growth through 2040

The UAJA’s ability to accommodate a full buildout of the growth boundary under

existing municipal regulations

OTHER INFORMATION

Most of the developed areas inside of the RGB and SSA are served by the public sewer

system owned and operated by the University Area Joint Authority (UAJA). The wastewater

treatment capacity at the UAJA plant is shared by the Region’s municipalities, and the

authority does not have an unlimited ability to discharge the treated wastewater to Spring

Creek. The average daily discharge to Spring Creek is limited to 6.0 million gallons per day

(MGD) by the UAJA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit—a

requirement of the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

The REDCAP Report is not a market feasibility study, nor does it attempt to speculate on the

availability of a particular parcel of land, the affordability of land, the availability or capacity

of existing or future infrastructure, or the rate of development in the future. The major

findings in the report are intended to inform discussions by the COG municipalities in order to

plan for, determine the effectiveness of, or amend plans, policies, or recommendations related

to the RGB and SSA and its impacts on treatment or discharge limits of the UAJA, as well as

other issues that may benefit from this information.

CRPA staff coordinated a meeting with the Region’s municipal planners on September 15,

2017 to review the REDCAP methodology and process and to receive municipal input. CRPA

staff and the municipal planners will continue to collaborate on municipal data collection and

verification in order to complete the REDCAP estimates of remaining residential and non-

residential development potential inside the RGB and SSA.

PREVIOUS ACTIONS

There have been no previous actions by the CRPC on this item.

CONSISTENCY WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

This project supports many Goals, Objectives, and Policies of the 2013 Centre Region

Comprehensive Plan. In particular, this work relates to the areas of Land Use, Housing,

Community Services & Facilities, and Sustainability.

RECOMMENDATION

The CRPC should review the attached draft Executive Summary and presentation and provide

comments to the CRPA and municipal staff.



Page 14 of 17

ATTACHMENTS

1. Draft Executive Summary: 2017 Centre Region Regional Development Capacity

Report

NEXT STEPS

A first draft of the full report, with complete municipal data, will be brought back to the

CRPC for review at a future meeting.

Regional Development Capacity Report - Centre Region

October 2017 Page 1 of 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The 2017 Regional Development Capacity (REDCAP) Report estimates the total amount of

development potential within the Regional Growth Boundary/Sewer Service Area (RGB/SSA) of the

Centre Region, assesses the ability of that potential to accommodate forecasted growth, and

examines the capacity of the Region’s sewer system to support anticipated growth.

Since the mid-1970s, the Centre Region has planned for and implemented a series of policies that

direct growth to areas where infrastructure exists in order to preserve prime agricultural lands,

natural areas, and other sensitive environmental resources in the Centre Region. The Centre

Region used these growth management policies to establish the Regional Growth Boundary that

was initially included in the 2000 Centre Region Comprehensive Plan update.

In the early 1990s, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approved the

Centre Region Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan, which established the Sewer Service Area (SSA). The

Plan also limited the average annual discharge from the University Area Joint Authority’s (UAJA)

Spring Creek Pollution Control Facility to Spring Creek to 6.0 Million Gallons per Day (MGD) based

on thermal loading restrictions. Spring Creek is designated as a High-Quality Coldwater Fishery by

the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which requires that the

temperature of the water not exceed certain parameters. Additionally, the UAJA is only permitted

to discharge a specific amount of nitrogen into the waterway in accordance with the Chesapeake

Bay Tributary Strategy.

In late 1990s, the municipal elected officials of the Centre Region evaluated fourteen alternatives to

the traditional discharge of treated wastewater into Spring Creek. The Region was seeking a way to

meet the projected wastewater treatment needs of the community and allow for economic growth,

while also protecting Spring Creek and its tributaries and encouraging effective water management

practices consistent with High-Quality Coldwater Fishery designation. Each of the alternatives was

analyzed on its cost, feasibility, environmental impacts, and community perception. The beneficial

reuse of reclaimed water was determined to be the best long-term and sustainable option, and the

elected officials voted to support it as the preferred alternative for the Region.

The Beneficial Reuse Project is an advanced wastewater treatment method that produces high

quality water through microstraining, microfiltration, and reverse osmosis. The Centre Region uses

this high quality water for groundwater recharge, economic development, or similar projects.

Additionally, the Beneficial Reuse Project expands the wastewater discharge capacity for the Centre

Region by removing the amount of nitrogen that is introduced to Spring Creek each day.

The boundaries of the RGB and SSA were brought together with the 2006 Act 537 Plan update. The

boundary has had a significant influence on the location of growth and development in the Centre

Region and has affected the quality of life experienced by residents by directing urban growth to



where it is most appropriate, while preserving the rural character of the Region outside of the

boundary. As indicated in a community survey completed in the summer of 2011, residents of the

Region continue to overwhelming support the Comprehensive Plan policies that implement the

intent of the Regional Growth Boundary, including preservation of farming, preservation of open

space, and directing the majority of growth to areas inside the RGB/SSA.

The REDCAP Report estimates the total development potential of vacant properties and the

remaining development potential of partially developed properties within the RGB/SSA. This

REDCAP update also estimates the redevelopment potential of significant properties inside the

RGB/SSA that have been previously considered for redevelopment and that have at least a

conceptual plan associated with them. Potential properties that may be redeveloped in the next

five years are determined using the professional judgment of local planning staff in each

municipality.

One fundamental question the REDCAP Report attempts to answer is whether there is sufficient

land to accommodate forecasted residential and non-residential growth within the RGB/SSA until

2040. The major findings of this report include information on total and remaining development

capacity of vacant land with and without approved development plans. The findings are based on

the number of approved or potential dwelling units, non-residential square footage, and the

amount of vacant land within the RGB/SSA. The findings are compared to growth forecasts for the

Region in order to provide an answer to whether sufficient capacity exists, or whether it may be

appropriate for the Region to consider an expansion of the RGB/SSA.

Another fundamental question, in addition to the amount of buildable land, is whether the UAJA

can accommodate the forecasted development within the RGB/SSA. The estimates of potential

dwelling units and non-residential square footage presented in this report are used to forecast

potential sewage flows in order to determine when the UAJA is likely to reach its maximum

permitted discharge capacity. That is perhaps the most important outcome of this report.

Overall, the major findings conclude that there is/is not sufficient land inside the RGB/SSA to

provide capacity to accommodate forecasted growth for a planning horizon of at least 2040 without

the need to expand the RGB/SSA. The horizon of 2040 provides consistency with future

Comprehensive Plan Update cycles and with the growth forecasting project completed for the

Centre County Long Range Transportation Plan. In addition, the findings conclude that the UAJA

will/will not be able to support, at full buildout, the total amount of development that the land

within the RGB/SSA could accommodate.

The findings of the REDCAP Report can act as a tool for municipal officials to identify, plan for,

strengthen, and amend existing policies and practices as appropriate, such as Subdivision and Land

Development Ordinances (SALDO) or Zoning Ordinances, which are two of the most significant tools

that are used in conjunction with the RGB/SSA to manage growth.



Upon discussing the findings of the 2017 REDCAP Report, Centre Region municipal officials many

want to consider a more detailed assessment of the following issues to prepare for the longer-term

implementation of the RGB/SSA to manage growth in the area:

1. The Development of Regional Impact (DRI) process, which is the method for expanding the

RGB/SSA is scheduled for a five-year review in 2018. Given that there is/is not sufficient

development capacity inside the RGB/SSA, what other DRI criteria could the Centre Region

review to assess impacts, and how soon should that occur?

2. All municipalities, with the exception of Halfmoon Township, have land inside the RGB/SSA.

How should the Centre Region address potential sewage disposal needs of Halfmoon

Township if there is a desire to develop at a density that requires sewage disposal beyond

individual or community on-lot disposal systems (COLDS)? The Township is considering a

DRI for a portion of the eastern end of the Township that may bring public sewer to this

area of the Region.

3. Should the Centre Region consider funding a project to document and quantify the long-

term costs of installing new infrastructure to serve new development versus the costs of

using existing infrastructure (i.e. water, sewer, police, fire, transportation, and other public

services)?

4. Are existing municipal zoning districts within and outside the RGB/SSA effectively

implementing the current policy? If not, what changes to existing zoning districts should

municipalities consider to make them more compatible with the RGB/SSA (currently

underway)?

5. How adequate is the inventory of existing and approved commercial land in the Region?

Should the Region consider changes, such as conversion to residential or industrial, if there

is an excess amount of commercial land?

6. Is the current distribution of beneficial reuse water flexible enough to satisfy the need for

additional customers (50% environmental users and 50% business users), or does it leave

the region vulnerable in the long-term? Should the Region consider changes to the

beneficial reuse distribution system to maximize potential uses and delivery of beneficial

water to new users in the future?

The REDCAP is fully updated every five years. The first REDCAP was completed in 2012 and a

minor update was completed in 2014. The 2014 REDCAP minor update introduced some

changes requested by municipal officials, and this update includes additional changes to provide

a better picture of the Region’s development capacity.



Page 15 of 17

ITEM 8d.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (CHIP)

– presented by Jim May

This item provides information to the TLU Committee and the CRPC regarding the CHIP

process, including an overview of the process, progress made on on-going projects, and

anticipated projects for the 2018 calendar year. Recommendations for potential 2019 projects

should be deferred until the joint CRPC/TLU Committee meeting in April 2019.

Specific information can be found in the “Comprehensive Plan Implementation Program –

Project Status Report for Ongoing and Programmed Projects and Consideration of New

Priority Projects for 2019,” which is included as an attachment to this agenda.

Since the last report in April 2017, a number of events have caused some adjustment in the

existing workload. These include:

The CRPA has been given authority to hire a Sustainability Planner to develop

potential regional-level sustainability initiatives and programs.

The resignation of a Senior Planner in August 2017 has deferred some projects.

The General Forum has discussed the potential of preparing an integrated water

resources plan in 2018 or 2019. This is in preliminary discussion, and should be

discussed within the context of a potential Act 537 Plan update in 2018.

Table 1 in the Report provides a summary of projects and organizes projects in six categories.

The categories include:

i. 2016 Completed and Active Projects – This category includes one-time projects

approved in 2015 that were started in 2016 and which the CRPA expects to

complete in 2017. These projects have been completed with the exception of the

Nutrient Management Plan. The CRPA is waiting for information from the UAJA

to document specific impacts of the nitrogen issues at the treatment plant.

ii. 2017 Active and Completed Projects – This category includes one-time projects

approved in 2016 that the CRPA expects to complete in 2017. These six projects

were approved by the COG General Forum for inclusion in the CRPA Annual

Program Plan. This is for information only. No formal action is required on these

projects. Project to “Promote Alternative Energy Options in the Centre Region:

and “Improve the Sustainability of Agriculture” will not be completed this year

due to a vacancy in the Senior Planner position.

iii. 2017 Ongoing/Reoccurring Projects – This category includes projects that are

updated on an annual process and should be included in the overall workload.

This is for information only. No formal action is required on these projects. The

only project in this category is the update of the “Annual State of Housing

Report,” which should be deferred due to the vacancy in the Senior Planner

position.



Page 16 of 17

iv. 2017 Inactive Projects in the Queue – These projects were included in the 2016

CHIP process, as recommended by the TLU Committee and the CRPC. They

were not, however, forwarded to the COG General Forum for inclusion in the

CRPA Program Plan. The CRPA Director recommends the following actions for

projects in this category:

That “Cost of Development”, “Pocket Neighborhoods Ordinance”,

“Creation of an Affordable Housing Clearinghouse”, and “Develop an

Inventory of Vacant Non-residential Buildings and Vacant Properties for

the Centre Region” be deleted from consideration.

That “Regional Student Housing Analysis” be considered for 2018. The

CRPA Director has discussed this project with the Planning Directors in

State College Borough and Ferguson Township. All feel there is a need

to have a better understanding of how changes in student housing are

impacting the region.

That “Redevelopment of Older Neighborhoods in Transition/

Redevelopment of Commercial Properties” be integrated into work to be

completed in 2018 related to the potential 2018 Act 537 Plan update.

v. 2017 Active UAJA Projects – These projects were requested by the UAJA and

approved by the COG General Forum. This is for information only. No formal

action is required on these projects.

vi. 2018 Required and Potential Projects – These projects were identified by

CRPA staff based upon expected work that MAY be programmed in 2018.

Although this is an “off year” for preparation of the formal CHIP program, staff

anticipates several of these projects will need to be developed and completed in

2018. The TLU Committee and CRPC unanimously approved a motion to

forward these projects to the COG General Forum for incorporation into the 2018

Program Plan.

RECOMMENDATION

The COG TLU Committee and CRPC should consider the following motions:

1. That the TLU Committee and CRPC move to delete the following projects from

consideration: “Cost of Development”, “Pocket Neighborhoods Ordinance”,

“Creation of an Affordable Housing Clearinghouse”, and “Develop an Inventory

of Vacant Non-residential Buildings and Vacant Properties for the Centre Region”.

2. That the TLU Committee and CRPC move to consider keeping the “Regional

Student Housing Analysis” and direct the CRPA to work with other Planning

Directors to develop a specific program for consideration at the Spring 2018 joint

meeting.



Page 17 of 17

3. That “Redevelopment of Older Neighborhoods in Transition/Redevelopment of

Commercial Properties” be integrated into work related to the potential Act 537

Plan update.

ATTACHMENTS

1. Comprehensive Plan Implementation Program – Project Status Report for Ongoing

and Programmed Projects and Consideration of New Priority Projects for 2019

NEXT STEPS

The CRPA Director and staff will continue to work on the existing projects and develop

additional information for the Spring 2018 joint CRPC/TLU Committee meeting.

CENTRE REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCY

Comprehensive Plan Implementation Program

Project Status Report for Ongoing and Programmed Projects and Consideration of

New Priority Projects for 2019

Joint Meeting of the COG Transportation and Land Use Committee and the Centre Regional Planning Commission

October 5, 2017

Centre Regional Planning Agency Page 1 of 4 October 5, 2017

Purpose of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Program (CHIP)

The Comprehensive Plan Implementation Program, or CHIP for short, provides a list of short-term

projects that the Region should complete to implement the goals, objectives, and policies of the Centre

Region Comprehensive Plan. The CHIP translates the goals, objectives, and policies into actionable

projects and identifies priorities, timeframes, and primary responsibilities to complete the projects.

The CHIP is not a static document, but a dynamic, evolving process that annually involves staff from the

CRPA, municipal planning departments, COG Transportation and Land Use Committee, Centre Regional

Planning Commission, and COG General Forum. The process involves many people to encourage an

organizational environment that supports collaborative regional planning. The process also encourages

a consensus-based approach to identify and implement projects that best meet the needs of all Centre

Region municipalities. The annual CHIP update process will ensure visibility, relevancy of projects, and

regular progress towards achieving Comprehensive Plan goals, objectives, and policies.

Municipal managers, municipal planning staff, and CRPA staff developed the initial list of projects in this

document at a workshop on September 16, 2015. CRPA staff conducted this workshop based upon a

recommendation from the CRPA Regional Planning Program Evaluation requested by the Borough of

State College and accepted by the COG General Forum on August 25, 2015. The recommendation

requested that municipal managers and staff be involved in setting priorities earlier in the CHIP process.

The CHIP uses a public process for recommending priorities to the COG General Forum to implement in the next budget year. The process also includes annual reporting to the General Forum on Comprehensive Plan implementation. In summary, the outcomes of this process:

Proactively engage regional and municipal staffs, and municipal representatives on the CRPC, COG TLU Committee, and COG General Forum in an annual public process to implement the Comprehensive Plan.

Ensure all municipalities have an active role to identify and establish priorities, and reach consensus on the most relevant and beneficial projects and programs the CRPA should undertake to implement the Comprehensive Plan in the short-term.

Provide a systematic process to address and adjust, on an annual basis, regional priorities, needs, and projects to implement long-term goals in the Comprehensive Plan.

Ensure that the Comprehensive Plan remains a dynamic, up-to-date, relevant, and responsive guide for the physical development of the Centre Region.

Project Status Report and Consideration of New Projects

The Status Report provides a summary of ongoing land use planning projects and policy initiatives of the

CRPA. These projects and initiatives were approved for the CRPA to work on in the 2016 and 2017

calendar years. The Status Report does not provide a list of the various land use planning projects and

policy initiatives the COG TLU Committee and the CRPC may consider for the 2019 CHIP. These will be


presented for consideration at the joint TLU/CRPC meeting in April 2018. The purpose of this Report is

to provide the COG TLU Committee and the CRPC with an opportunity to understand progress and

estimated completion date for each major project or initiative and make adjustments if necessary. The

Report also is an opportunity to consider new priority projects, and to initially discuss potential work to

incorporate into the 2019 Annual Program Plan for the CRPA.

A full CHIP process will not be completed this year however, the CRPA is requesting that the COG TLU

Committee and the CRPC consider a motion to delete some 2017 inactive projects and review 2018 all

projects in the queue for work in 2018 (see “2018 Required and Potential Projects” in Table 1 below).

The CRPA is requesting the TLU Committee and CRPC to consider this action because there are several

projects and initiatives that are under consideration and development. For example, the RGB and SSA

Implementation Agreement is required to be reviewed in 2018, but the extent of potential amendments

and the staff time required to complete amendments won’t be known until early 2018. Likewise, the

COG General Forum approved the hiring of a Sustainability Planner to being reviewing potential for

regional sustainability efforts and programs. This a new position, but will require additional resources

from the CRPA Director and Principal Planner to manage the effort. A Senior Planner position was

vacated in August of 2017 requiring some regional projects to be deferred until a later date.

At the spring 2017 joint meeting, there was a motion made to put several studies into a single project.

These included:

Redevelopment of Older Neighborhoods in Transition/Redevelopment of Commercial Properties

Pocket Neighborhoods Ordinance

Regional Study Housing Analysis

Create an Affordable Housing Clearinghouse

Table 1

CHIP REGIONAL PLANNING PROJECTS Joint Meeting of the CRPC and COG TLU Committee

October 5, 2017

Year Project Name Percent

Complete Estimated

Completion

2016 COMPLETED PROJECTS

2016

1.Annual State of Housing Report (Erica) 100% Complete

2.Potential Expansion of Beneficial Reuse System in the Centre Region 100% Complete May be integrated into an Act 537 Plan Update

3.Develop a Centre Region Nutrient Management Plan with UAJA 65%

August 2017 TBD May be integrated into an Act 537 Plan Update

4.Joint Sewage Treatment Policy with the UAJA and Penn State University 100% Complete May be integrated into an Act 537 Plan Update


2017 ACTIVE AND COMPLETED PROJECTS

2017

1.Utilizing Multi-Municipal Agreements to Share Land Uses (Mark B.) 75% June 2018

Pending opinion from the COG solicitor

2.Planning Commission Training – Planning 101 (Mark B.) 100% Complete

3.Promote Alternative Energy Options within the Centre Region (Erica) 75% Nov. 2017 Recommend deferring completion until 2018

4.Comprehensive Update to the REDCAP Report (Greg) 75% Dec. 2017

On schedule

5.Review and Potential Changes to Administration of the RGB and SSA (Greg) 100% Dec. 2017 Complete

6.Improve the Sustainability of Agriculture (Erica) 25% Nov. 2017

Recommend deferring completion until 2018

2017 ONGOING/REOCCURRING PROJECTS

2017 1.Update to the Annual State of Housing Report (Erica)

10% Jan. 2018 Recommend deferring completion until 2018

2017 INACTIVE PROJECTS IN THE QUEUE

2017

1.Cost of Development (TBD) - -

Delete from consideration

2.Redevelopment of Older Neighborhoods in Transition/Redevelopment of Commercial Properties (TBD) 2018 2018 Integrate with potential Act 537 Plan Update in 2018

3.Pocket Neighborhoods Ordinance (TBD) - -


4.Regional Student Housing Analysis (TBD) 2018 2018

Compete in 2018

5.Create an Affordable Housing Clearinghouse (TBD) - -


6.Develop an Inventory of Vacant Non-residential Buildings and Vacant Properties for the Region - - Delete from consideration

2017 ACTIVE UAJA PROJECTS

2017

1. Act 537 Plan Special Study – Extension of Beneficial Reuse Water Line into Harris Townships (Mark B.)

100% Sept. 2017 This project is tentatively scheduled for action by the COG General Forum on October 23, 2017.

2.Act 537 Plan Special Study – Meeks Lane Force Main and Pump Station Replacement (Greg)

- 2018/2019 This project is active, and will be initiated when requested by the UAJA. CRPA would request that the UAJA defer until 2018 or 2019


2018 REQUIRED AND POTENTIAL PROJECTS

2018

1. Complete training for newly elected officials at the Spring COG TLU Committee and CRPC joint meeting. (TBD)

- April 2018

2. Required Review and Possible Amendments to the RGB and SSA Implementation Agreement (TBD)

- June 2018

3. Annual State of Housing Report (TBD) - -

4. Potential Comprehensive Act 537 Plan Amendment (TBD) - Sept 2018

5. Potential Development of Regional Impact Request – Halfmoon Township (TBD)

- TBD

6. Development assessment of potential regional sustainability initiatives or programs

- June 2019

2019 POTENTIAL PROJECTS

2019

Initial discussion at the joint meeting in April 2018

FUTURE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAM (CHIP) CYCLES

CHIP cycles generally start in the summer when CRPA develops and solicits projects from municipalities. The fall TLU/CRPC meeting starts formal process to review projects and establish priorities. At the spring TLU/CRPC joint meeting, the TLU Committee and the CRPC finalize the priorities and make a recommendation to the COG General Forum for projects to work on in the following year. The CHIP process aligns with the COG-wide Program Plan process and annual detailed budgeting process. Aligning with the Program Plan and detailed budgeting process allows the CRPA to adequately plan for and understand staffing and budgeting issues

CHIP CYCLE YEAR

Fall 2016 Spring 2017

2018 Project Priorities

Fall2017 Spring 2018

2019 Project Priorities(1)




2021 Project Priorities(1)



Notes: (1) There is not a formal CHIP process when the fall joint meeting occurs in an odd year. The CRPA will still conduct required joint meetings with the TLU Committee and CRPC to provide an update on ongoing projects. There are generally more than enough projects programmed to provide work for staff for two years. This cycle allows staff more time to work on projects and permits persons elected in the fall to take office and undertake COG committee assignments with some time to transition into their committee roles.




September 8, 2017

Mr. David Pribulka

Township Manager

Ferguson Township

3147 Research Drive

State College, PA 16801

RE: FERGUSON TOWNSHIP – OFFICIAL MAP UPDATE

Dear Dave:

The Joint Articles of Agreement of the Centre Regional Planning Commission (CRPC) require that

the CRPC review any proposed action of a governing body of a participating municipality relating to:

1. The location, opening, vacation, extension, narrowing or enlargement of any street, public

ground, or watercourse;

2. The location, erection, demolition or sale of any public structures located within a

municipality;

3. The adoption, amendment or repeal of any official map, subdivision and land development

ordinance, zoning ordinance or planned residential ordinance.

This process facilitates regional cooperation and coordination by allowing members of the CRPC to

provide advisory comments to the governing body for its consideration.

At its regularly scheduled meeting on September 7, 2017, the CRPC considered the update to the

Township Official Map. The CRPC supports the update and did not offer any additional comments for

the Township Board of Supervisors to consider.

Please call or e-mail if you have questions, or if you require additional information.

Sincerely,

Jim May, AICP

Director

cc: Centre Regional Planning Commission

Greg Garthe, Senior Planner

Ray Stolinas, Ferguson Township Director of Planning and Zoning





September 8, 2017

Mr. David Pribulka

Township Manager

Ferguson Township

3147 Research Drive


RE: FERGUSON TOWNSHIP – PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR

WATER PRODUCTION FACILITIES

Dear Dave:

The Joint Articles of Agreement of the Centre Regional Planning Commission (CRPC) require that

the CRPC review any proposed action of a governing body of a participating municipality relating to:

1. The location, opening, vacation, extension, narrowing or enlargement of any street, public

ground, or watercourse;


municipality;



This process facilitates regional cooperation and coordination by allowing members of the CRPC to

provide advisory comments to the governing body for its consideration.

At its regularly scheduled meeting on September 7, 2017, the CRPC reviewed the proposed zoning

text amendment for Water Production Facilities. The CRPC supports the amendment and did not offer

any comments for the Township Board of Supervisors to consider.


Sincerely,

Jim May, AICP

Director








September 8, 2017

Mr. David Pribulka

Township Manager

Ferguson Township

3147 Research Drive


RE: FERGUSON TOWNSHIP – PROPOSED ZONING MAP AMENDMENT FOR

THE HARNER FARM PROPERTY

Dear Dave:

The Joint Articles of Agreement of the Centre Regional Planning Commission (CRPC) require

that the CRPC review any proposed action of a governing body of a participating municipality

relating to:

1. The location, opening, vacation, extension, narrowing or enlargement of any street,

public ground, or watercourse;


municipality;



This process facilitates regional cooperation and coordination by allowing members of the CRPC

to provide advisory comments to the governing body for its consideration.

At its regularly scheduled meeting on September 7, 2017, the CRPC reviewed the proposed

zoning map amendment for the Harner Farm property. The CRPC offers the following comments

for the Township Board of Supervisors to consider:

1. The CRPC asked that the Board consider if this rezoning would cause a “domino” effect

for other rezoning requests in the West College Avenue corridor between the Harner

property and Pine Grove Mills.

2. The Township should provide a map in the Zoning Analysis clearly showing the property

that is proposed for rezoning.

3. The CRPC asked that the Board encourage mixed use and affordable housing in the

proposed rezoning.

4. The CRPC asked that that Board encourage universal access in some units to make those

homes accessible to everyone to the greatest extent possible regardless of age or ability.


Mr. David Pribulka

Harner Farm Property September 8, 2017

Page 2 of 2


Sincerely,

Jim May, AICP

Director




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