GOALS, OBJECTIVES & STRATEGIES

Overview

According to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, one of the requirements of a Comprehensive Plan is a statement of objectives for the continuing development of the community. Changes between 2001 and 2020 can be positive in Charlestown, and can be nurtured by the deep respect that the community has in the land.

Charlestown is one of the most beautiful townships in Chester County and in southeast Pennsylvania. However, there are enormous development pressures on the Township. Therefore, the challenge over the next 20 years will be to maintain the beauty of the romantic countryside. The Goals, Objectives & Strategies are intended to serve as the underpinnings of a comprehensive strategy for growing smarter and greener, so that growth and change can take place without destroying the environment that originally attracted us to this great place.

These Goals, Objectives & Strategies have evolved from a Visioning Process conducted during 2000. The Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors expressed views on likes and dislikes about the Township, as well as views regarding positive changes over the next 20 years. In addition, the elected and appointed officials participated in a survey of Visual Preferences, and ranked color slide pairs to indicate preferences for Charlestown’s future (see Appendix B).

The Goals provide a concise description of the mission of Charlestown related to several themes documented during the Visioning Process. In turn, short- and long-term objectives & strategies flow from the Goals. The overall notion is that “big picture” decision making can evolve from these vision statements. In addition, policies and programs can grow from the seed ideas presented herein.

A focus toward “Growing Smarter/Growing Greener” has been discussed. If we are successful in managing the Township’s infrastructure, we will be able to grow smarter. If we are successful in implementing a Conservation Design strategy for future subdivision and land development, we will be able to grow greener. If we are successful in accommodating new development, while conserving some of the land at the same site, we can grow smarter and grow greener at the same time. In this light, the Township has selected the subtitle for this Comprehensive Plan Update as “A Plan for Conservation and Growth Management.”

If we are able to recreate a functional village in the Devault area while preserving farmland in the heart of the Township, we can also grow smarter and grow greener at the same time. This could take place through a Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) program. In any event, the next 20 years will be critical to Charlestown’s future. We will either look rural because we have

countryside remaining in 2020, or we will look like many of the surrounding suburbanized

townships, where the countryside has been converted into housing and related developments. These Goals, Objectives & Strategies are intended to energize a balanced growth perspective.

Summary

During several Visioning Process Work Sessions with the elected and appointed officials during 2000, a variety of comments were provided to indicate “likes” and “dislikes” about the Township. In addition, there were many suggestions for creating “positive changes in the next 10 to 20 years.” (Appendix B).

The overarching Themes that emerged during the Visioning Process include:

· Minimize the sprawling effect of development

· Conserve open space and natural features

· Reduce traffic congestion and divert regional traffic flow

· Improve regional compatibility

· Provide civic and community facilities

· Economize on infrastructure investment

· Enhance Township administration

The Goals related to these Themes follow.

Goals Related to the Themes

The seven Themes listed on page 4-2 have been expanded through the Visioning Process into 16 Goals. The overarching Goals for this Comprehensive Plan Update are:

1. “Downsize” the Sprawling Affect of Development

2. Identify Zones “Where To Build” and “Where Not To Build”

3. Diversify Lot Sizes in Relation to Different Landscape Types

4. Promote Continuing Diversity in the Township

5. Conserve Open Space and Heritage Landscape Resources

6. Conserve Water Resources and Riparian Buffers

7. Protect Scenic Viewsheds and Scenic Features

8. Retain Agricultural Lands and Promote Agricultural Uses

9. Reduce Traffic Congestion and Divert Regional Traffic Flow

10. Improve Regional Compatibility

11. Develop Needed Community Facilities

12. Provide Enhanced Recreational Opportunities

12. Promote Walkability

14. Provide Limited and Small Scale “Village” Shopping and Workplace Opportunities in Devault

15. Economize on Infrastructure Investment

16. Provide for Needed Facilities and Personnel to Enhance Township Operations

The Objectives & Strategies related to each Goal follow. Please note that each Objective and Strategy will be the subject of an “action item” in the Implementation chapter of this Plan.

Goal 1: “Downsize” the Sprawling Effect of Development

Objectives & Strategies

a. Promote the “Open Space Option” so that lot areas can be reduced in size, and open spaces can be created in perpetuity.

b. Provide incentives for the use of the Open Space Option.

c. Keep the Charlestown countryside green and limit the sprawl that could happen, through a transfer of development rights (TDR) program.

d. Downsize the requirements for wider streets in subdivisions, by allowing narrower lanes.

e. Promote conservation easements and conservation design subdivisions.

Goal 2: Identify Zones “Where To Build” and “Where Not To Build”

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Update and synthesize the mapping from the 1976 Comprehensive Plan and the 1993 Open Space Plan and identify key places “where not to build”.

b. Interpret the aerial slides from the Visioning Process and recommend places “where to build” in a more compact manner.

c. Prepare a map that depicts constraints to which future development must be responsive.

Goal 3: Diversify Lot Sizes in Relation to Different Landscape Types

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Establish a lot area/lot size relationship based upon development constraints.

b. Promote selected areas for small scale infill for development based on development constraints.

c. Amend the Ordinances to diversify lot area and lot width requirements within a subdivision, so that one size does not fit all.

Goal 4: Promote Continuing Diversity in the Township

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Amend Ordinances to require a diversity of lot sizes, lot widths, and residential building types within the same subdivision/land development.

b. Amend Ordinances to allow “Hamlets” to be created or expanded, modeled somewhat after places such as Charlestown Village, Aldham, Rapps Corner, Merlin, Anselma, Coventryville, Pughtown, Sugartown, and the like.

c. Incentivize cottage style dwellings modeled after the house types found in the villages and hamlets listed above.

Goal 5: Conserve Open Space and Heritage Landscape Resources

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Acquire land for permanent open space for the enjoyment of future generations.

b. Promote more conservation easements, in association with Land Trust organizations.

c. Promote the use of the Open Space Option in relationship to recreational, civic, and historic sites, and in an effort to connect the open spaces for trail corridors, wildlife corridors, and viewshed corridors.

d. Implement the 1993 Open Space, Recreation & Environmental Resources Plan, by establishing regulations for the “Pickering Creek Valley Overlay District.”

e. Establish guidelines and regulations for Open Space (passive and active), in terms of types, uses, ownership, maintenance, and management.

f. Amend the Ordinances to enable Transferable Development Rights (TDR) on a voluntary basis.

Goal 6: Conserve Water Resources and Riparian Buffers

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Strive to implement the “Stream Valley Restriction” Standards of Section 1611 of the Zoning Ordinance, especially along the Pickering Creek and its tributaries.

b. Advocate Best Management Practices (BMPs) in land developments to protect water quality.

c. Minimize stream and wetland crossings.

d. Amend Ordinances to better protect Wetlands and “Wetland Margins.”

e. Protect flood hazard areas and high groundwater areas.

f. Identify (map) “Riparian Forest Buffers”, and amend Ordinances to clearly regulate “Riparian Forest Buffers”.

Goal 7: Protect Scenic Viewsheds and Scenic Features

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Identify (map) places of outstanding beauty, and discrete features in the landscape of outstanding scenic quality.

b. Conserve existing viewsheds, and designate open spaces to maintain viewshed quality and character.

c. Amend the Ordinances to implement Section 604 of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), related to “the preservation of scenic values in the environment”.

d. Amend the Ordinances to implement Section 605 of the MPC, related to classifications for “places having a special character affecting their surroundings”.

Goal 8: Retain Agricultural Lands and Promote Agricultural Uses

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Designate Agricultural Use Areas for locations that are currently in Agricultural Use, and with Important Farmland Soils.

b. Promote the continued agricultural use of properties within the Agricultural Security District.

c. Continue to promote the use of open space lands for agricultural use in the Open Space Provisions of the Zoning Ordinance.

d. Amend the Ordinances to further implement Section 604 of the MPC “to preserve prime agriculture and farmland considering topography, soil type and classification, and present use”.

e. Encourage conservation easements.

f. Promote state and county agricultural preservation programs.

Goal 9: Reduce Traffic Congestion and Divert Regional Traffic Flow

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Evaluate the impact of the proposed Slip Ramp and other traffic connections through the Township relative to their consistency with the findings and recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan.

b. Work to ensure that upgrades to major transportation arteries do not adversely impact the scale and character of Devault.

c. Re-route traffic on Route 29 to Whitehorse Road, to partially relieve the crush of traffic at the existing intersection of Route 29, Phoenixville Pike, and Charlestown Road.

d. Enhance traffic flow, especially at the intersection of Charlestown Road, Phoenixville Pike and Morehall Roads, through acceleration and deceleration lanes.

e. Expand bus service to the Township and encourage train ridership in the region.

f. Encourage staggered work schedules by major, area employers.

g. Walk or bike to work, or work at home to minimize off-site vehicular trips.

h. Identify new trail, pathway, sidewalk and bike path locations and build them.

i. Seek to minimize traffic congestion through the design of street systems within new subdivisions.

j. Create an Act 209 Transportation Capital Improvements Plan and implement the Plan.

k. Study the feasibility of a light rail system on the Norfolk Southern spur, connecting Devault to Phoenixville and Exton.

l. Study the feasibility of a Park & Ride facility, for example, at Devault in conjunction with light rail service.

Goal 10: Improve Regional Compatibility

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Consider compatibility of land use with adjoining portions of neighboring municipalities, and identify needed buffers or transitional devices if there are incompatible conditions.

b. Maintain the “Landscapes” character prescribed in the Chester County 2020 Livable Landscapes Plan, as a primarily “Rural” and “Natural” landscape type for Charlestown.

c. Rely on existing Regional Centers outside of Charlestown for primary employment and shopping opportunities.

d. Engage in joint planning of projects related to parks and recreation, transportation, and infrastructure to minimize impacts on Charlestown and adjoining municipalities.

e. Continue cooperation with the Valley Forge Sewer Authority with the planning for sewer service areas.

Goal 11: Develop Needed Community Facilities

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Define specific locations for proposed community facilities at major crossroads and as infill/extension of existing neighborhoods.

b. Require Civic Amenities within the built-up areas, such as parks, day care centers, schools, meeting halls, and community centers.

c. Provide limited space within the Devault Area for shops and stores, such as small restaurants, coffee shops, and art and artisan galleries, to encourage a more walkable community arrangement.

d. Link Community, Civic, and Institutional Uses through a pedestrian pathway, trail and sidewalk system.

Goal 12: Provide Enhanced Recreational Opportunities

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Enhance Charlestown Park in accordance with the Park Master Plan of 2000.

b. Maintain existing trails and create needed linkages.

c. Promote walking and horseback riding within the scenic countryside of Charlestown as a viable passive recreational activity.

d. Require subdivisions and land developments to provide recreational uses on-site, or require a recreational fee-in-lieu thereof.

e. Enact a Recreational Fee-In-Lieu Ordinance, using the 1993 Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources Plan and the 1999 Charlestown Park Master Plan as the approved “Recreation Plan”.

Goal 13: Promote Walkability

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Incentivize a walkability initiative by providing pedestrian paths, trails and/or sidewalks.

b. Refine the Pedestrian Trail & Pathway Plan from the 1993 Open Space, Recreation and Environmental Resources Plan.

c. Create a Capital Improvements Plan for pedestrian paths, trails and/or sidewalks.

d. Require all new subdivisions and land developments to provide pedestrian accessways within and to the edges of properties.

Goal 14: Provide Limited And Small Scale “Village” Shopping

and Workplace Opportunities in Devault

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Create a small scale shopping enclave in the Village of Devault, modeled somewhat after the Village of Cedar Hollow.

b. Create small scale workplace opportunities in the Village of Devault, to enable working close to home, and to shorten commuter distances.

c. Amend the Ordinances to enable village scale development and to create village scale design standards for Devault.

d. Enact a TDR Ordinance to allow Devault to become a Receiving Area.

Goal 15: Economize on Infrastructure Investment

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Limit the extension of public sewer and public water lines to appropriate areas in order to control the sprawling affect of development in accordance with the Chester County Landscapes plan.

b. Provide for needed infrastructure in existing neighborhoods and proposed Development Nodes areas for moderate and higher intensity development.

c. Maintain regional systems for police protection, fire protection, emergency services, hospitals, train service, power generation, etc.

Goal 16: Provide for Needed Facilities and Personnel to

Enhance Township Operations

Objectives & Strategies:

a. Establish a Capital Improvement Plan to build a Township Building.

b. Enhance the management and operations for the delivery of park and recreational services.

c. Establish committees to promote the conservation and management of open lands, and the acquisition of conservation easements.

d. Evaluate the need for additional Township staff, particularly a Township Manager.