BEDFORD COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 2017 ANNUAL REPORT

March 2018

In this issue: Regional Planning County Planning Technical Assistance Community Outreach Trails and Recreation Staff and Commission Reviews Board and Committee Participation Conferences and Training Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program GIS and Mapping Community Development Block Grant Program

_______________________

Planning Commission:

Wayne Koontz, Chairman

Susan Ramirez, Vice-Chair

Pandora Wertz, Secretary

J.R. Barefoot, Treasurer

Robert Detwiler

Ernest Fuller

Kimberly Leydig

Mary Stanley

Charles Swartzwelder

200 South Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522

Telephone: (814) 623-4827 Fax: (814) 623-5964

TTY-TDD: 1-800-654-5984

https://www.bedfordcountypa.org/

LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR The numbers tell a story. They tell a story of slow, inexorable change. They define both challenges and opportunities for Bedford County and the southcentral region. The next decade, as analyzed in the pending six-county regional Comprehensive Plan, will be crucial to the future of the County and its residents. The regional Comprehensive Plan (“Alleghenies Ahead”) began as a bold and innovative idea several years ago among the county planners for Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset Counties. A Comprehensive Plan of this size has never been attempted before in the Commonwealth. Work on the Plan continued through 2017 with completion anticipated early in 2018. The numbers…….the total population of the six-county region peaked in 1940 at more than 530,000. By 2010, the total had declined to less than 460,000, with a 2016 estimate of little more than 440,000. In Bedford County, the peak population of 49,984 occurred in 2000, with an estimate of 48,325 in 2016. While the population is decreasing, the regional and County populations are also aging. In 1980, the median age for the six counties averaged about 32 years. By 2010 that figure had risen to about 44 years, well above the national average. However, estimates for 2010 to 2016 show that the population of many counties to the east of Bedford is increasing. Coupled with a constant influx of retirees from the Washington, D.C. and Maryland metropolitan areas, this population “wave” could easily be transported into Bedford County as long as the amenities exist to support a growing and vibrant community, such as electronic communications networks, outdoor recreational opportunities, and public health services. And these areas are a focus of the Comprehensive Plan. The numbers similarly tell the story of The Old Pennsylvania Pike (TOPP) trail, formerly known as the Pike 2 Bike. This 8.5-mile stretch of abandoned, four-lane Pennsylvania Turnpike (including two tunnels with a total length of two miles) is an iconic regional landmark. Completion of an update to a 10-year-old Master Plan to convert the 205-acre corridor into a world-class recreational facility will occur early in 2018. In October, a marathon and half-marathon were held on the trail. Nearly 400 runners signed up for the event, with 320 attending in very cold and rainy conditions. And they traveled a median, one-way distance of almost 170 miles to attend. Up to 1000 athletes are expected for the next event in 2018. The numbers point to a bright future for the “TOPP” trail in the nation. Challenges and opportunities. The numbers tell a story - stay tuned. Donald Schwartz

2017 Annual Report – Page 2 of 16

Regional Planning

Regional Multi-County Comprehensive Plan The Municipalities Planning Code of 1968 (MPC) defines a county Comprehensive Plan as “a land use and growth management plan prepared by the county planning commission and adopted by the county commissioners which establishes broad goals and criteria for municipalities to use in preparation of their comprehensive plan and land use regulation.” Additionally, Section 302(d) of the MPC requires that “County comprehensive plans shall be updated at least every ten years.” The Bedford County Comprehensive Plan was last adopted on December 19, 2006, and it has now exceeded its ten-year update deadline. The six south-central counties represented by the Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) - Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon and Somerset – began several years ago to investigate the possibility of preparing a regional, multi-county Comprehensive

Plan. While preserving the integrity of information and control specific to each county, this approach would allow the integration of planning across county lines, and also result in a cost savings versus the preparation of six individual plans. A final decision was made in 2016 to move forward with the regional approach to county planning. SAP&DC applied for, and received, a grant of $164,000 from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) to assist with retaining a consultant to prepare the Plan. Each county committed $30,000 to the project, as well as pledging to donate in-kind (staff) resources.

The six-county Comprehensive Plan will be the largest every prepared in the Commonwealth and will follow DCED guidelines for an “implementable” Plan, i.e., one that contains discrete actions and objectives that include timelines, responsible entities, funding scenarios, etc. It will be a Plan that should show immediate, positive results for Bedford County and the region. Eight consultants responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the project and czb LLC, of Alexandria, Virginia was selected late in 2016 to complete the Plan. “Alleghenies Ahead” was chosen as the project name and a website was created to provide information on the project, updates on community meetings, and to create surveys. The web address is http://allegheniesahead.com. Each county formed its own advisory committee and multiple meetings were held throughout 2017. The Bedford County committee includes over 20 representatives from the public and private sectors, and across geographic and demographic categories. A media rollout for the project occurred on April 10 in Martinsburg, Blair County. Three public meetings were held in Bedford County on June 27 (Bedford Borough, Hyndman Borough and Saxton Borough) to solicit input from county residents. By the end of the year, the following priority areas had been established for Bedford County:

Broadband and Cell

Service

Collaboration and

Coordination

Natural and

Recreational Assets

Coordinated

Approach to Public Health

Business and

Economic Development

2017 Annual Report – Page 3 of 16 Perhaps the greatest surprise was the identification of the need to improve broadband and cell service as the top planning priority in Bedford County. This priority area was also highly ranked in the other five counties. The need for modern communications affects all aspects of life in the County, particularly business and economic development, retention of younger residents, and public safety. The Plan will focus on the challenges facing the six-county region, including an aging and declining population (see chart below). But it will also center on the opportunities created by the region’s central location between several large population centers, combined with outstanding natural and recreational assets.

A retreat was held on January 17, 2018, to allow an in-depth discussion of the Plan between county commissioners and planners, as well as representatives from each of the county planning committees. The Plan should be available in draft form within a few months of the meeting, followed by public comment and final adoption. Implementation will begin immediately upon adoption.

Regional (SAP&DC) Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan According to Southern Alleghenies, a Coordinated Transportation Plan (CTP) “sets the direction for a region to improve public transportation options and promote mobility of those dependent on transit.”

Further, the Federal Transit Administration requires that all projects funded under Section 5310 be “included in a locally developed, coordinated public transit-human services transportation plan.” The Director represented the County on a steering committee for the regional project (Bedford, Fulton

2017 Annual Report – Page 4 of 16

County Planning

Huntingdon and Somerset Counties) that was completed in 2016. Implementation of the Plan began in 2017 with an initial finding that addressing transportation needs for patients at major medical care sites should be a priority. Further effort on this topic will continue in 2018.

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) was authorized by an Act of Congress in 1940 as an advisory, non-regulatory interstate compact agency of the Potomac River basin states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Its mission is “To protect and enhance the waters and related resources of the Potomac River basin through science, regional cooperation, and education.”

The Director continued to serve in 2017 as a member of an advisory committee for the ICPRB’s initiative to prepare the first Comprehensive Water Resources Plan for this nationally-important river basin, which is home to over 6 million residents. Approximately 29% of Bedford County (in the southern portion and along the border with Maryland) is in the Potomac River basin, with the remainder in the Susquehanna River Basin. The Director serves as one of the few members on the committee from Pennsylvania, and equally one of the few from the rural, headwaters region of the Basin. It is anticipated that this vitally necessary document will be completed in 2018, and will serve as a fundamental guidepost for protecting the water resources of the Potomac River Basin. Information on the Plan may be viewed at https://www.potomacriver.org/focus-areas/water-resources-and-drinking-water/water-resources/planning/basin-wide-comprehensive-

plan/. The final Plan should be available in the spring of 2018.

Hazard Mitigation Plan In accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) and implementing regulations, the County completed an update of its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) in 2012. Hazard Mitigation describes actions taken to prevent or reduce the long-term risks to life and property from hazards. Pre-disaster mitigation actions are taken in advance of a hazard event (such as flooding) and are essential to breaking the typical disaster cycle of damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. Hazards may be natural, technological or manmade. Local jurisdictions must comply with the DMA in order to remain eligible for funding and technical assistance from state and federal mitigation programs. Local mitigation plans must include, at a minimum, (1) an action plan to mitigate hazards, risks and vulnerabilities; and (2) a strategy to implement those actions. The 2012 Plan identified flooding as the most important hazard affecting the County, and noted that ”Because flooding has been the most damaging and life threatening of the hazards affecting development within the County, this Plan emphasizes flood risk assessment and mitigation.” FEMA also requires that the County conduct a formal update of the Plan every five years. Because of the lengthy process involved with completing a Plan update, an application for grant funding from FEMA’s Pre-

2017 Annual Report – Page 5 of 16 Disaster Mitigation (PDM) program was submitted in 2015 with an award of $39,000 announced early 2016. The County matched the grant with $13,000 in local funds and/or in-kind services. A consultant (Tetra Tech, Inc.) was selected in August 2016 and the first stakeholders’ meeting was held in October. Survey forms were distributed to all 38 municipalities in the County seeking information on the nature of hazards and the local capability to respond to, or mitigate, the identified hazards. A website was established and the public was given opportunities to comment on the planning process throughout 2017. The new Plan, in agreement with the 2012 Plan, identified flooding as the most important hazard affecting the County. The County Commissioners adopted the new Plan on November 14, and the first local municipal adoption (Mann Township) occurred on November 28. By the end of the year, 15 of the 38 boroughs and townships had adopted the Plan. The Plan may be found at https://www.bedfordcountypa.org/departments/planning/ regional_county_local_plans.php#revize_document_center_rz783. Another exciting opportunity for hazard mitigation planning became available in the form of selection by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) for a free countywide inventory of historic properties in the 100-year floodplain (Phase I - 2016), followed by an analysis of mitigation activities and costs for a representative sample of the affected properties (Phase II – 2017 to 2018). Bedford County joined Monroe and Cameron Counties as the only rural counties in the Commonwealth to participate in this program, worth approximately $200,000 to the County. The final study will be completed in 2018.

Transportation Planning

PennDOT Connects Early 2017, PennDOT implemented a policy called PennDOT Connects. This initiative links municipal governments and the Planning Commission with PennDOT to discuss transportation projects early in the planning process prior to developing project scopes and cost estimates. The purpose is to learn from local leaders what elements are important to include in projects that support community goals. Primary areas discussed during face-to-face meetings and telephone conferences included bicycle/pedestrian accommodations, congestion, safety, stormwater, economic activity, and planned infrastructure or development. PennDOT provided the results of those local meetings for County Planning comment. PennDOT is to consider those comments and project concerns during project development. County Planning also participated in PennDOT Connects meetings and PennDOT project field views.

Development of the 2019-2022 Draft TIP On January 3, 2017, the Planning Commission sent a mailing to 128 agencies and individuals interested in transportation including municipalities, other elected officials, school districts, fire companies, and ambulance associations. This mailing, along with the Guide depicted below, asked that transportation problems or needs

be submitted for the development of the draft 2019 TIP (Transportation Improvement Program). Bedford County is a member of the Southern Alleghenies Rural Planning Organization (RPO) responsible for transportation planning and project programming. The Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission (SAP&DC) entered into an agreement with PennDOT to act as the RPO for Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon, and Somerset Counties. Together with PennDOT, the RPO receives a TIP budget of federal and state dollars to program projects in the first four-year segment of the

Visit paconnects.org to register your municipality and get information about PennDOT Connects training and resources

2017 Annual Report – Page 6 of 16 Twelve Year Program (TYP). The RPO also programs projects in the second-four years and in the third-four years of the TYP as well as develops and implements a regional Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP) and other transportation initiatives. More information on Transportation Project Planning is in a Guide (a portion of which is displayed in the graphic) on the Planning Commission’s webpage. In June 2017, the Planning Commission recommended, and the County Commissioners approved, the submission of candidate projects to the RPO for the 2019 Draft TIP. As of this Report, the RPO on December 29, 2017 forwarded an approved Four-County Draft TIP to the PennDOT Program Center at PennDOT Central Office in Harrisburg for review and negotiations with the following new Bedford County projects:

PROJECT NAME MUNICIPALITY PROJECT TYPE

U.S. 30 Scenic Road to S.R. 4010

Bedford Township Route 30 Bypass Restoration around Bedford Borough

PA 31 Buffalo Run Manns Choice Borough State Bridge Replacement

T-609 Snyder Creek Road Bridge

Bloomfield Township County Bridge No. 1 Rehabilitation, Concrete Deck

T-575 Cold Spring Road Bridge

Broad Top Township Township Bridge No. 5 Rehabilitation, Concrete Deck

T-357 Harrietta Lane Bridge Colerain Township County Bridge No. 21 Rehabilitation, Concrete Deck

T-613 Colebaugh Road Bridge

King Township Township Bridge No. 1 Rehabilitation, Concrete Deck

T-317 Mountain Road Bridge Mann Township Township Bridge No. 2 Replacement or Rehabilitation

T-353 Rice Road Bridge Monroe Township Township Bridge No. 2 Rehabilitation, Concrete Deck

T-386 Akers Road Bridge Monroe Township County Bridge No. 20 Rehabilitation, Concrete Deck

In addition to the above-proposed new County projects, the RPO reviewed a list of possible Highway Safety Improvement Projects (HSIP) for inclusion on the 2019 Draft TIP. HSIP projects are data driven safety improvements where crash rates support investment. Projects must have a constructible solution and require PennDOT Central Office (PCO) and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approval. In December 2017, the RPO selected two safety projects listed in the table to the right from the Final Route 56 Safety Study, Bedford and Somerset Counties, Pennsylvania, August 2017 for submission to PCO and to FHWA.

The Southern Alleghenies 2019 TIP Program Development Schedule that started in April 2017 extends to September 2018. County Planning will work with the RPO on the remaining notable milestones for the completion of an approved four-county 2019 TIP:

Date Milestone By Feb 12, 2018 Program Center submits comments & revisions

By May 9, 2018 Draft TIP approved for 30-day public comment period

By June 15, 2018 RPO conducts Public Outreach Meeting in the County

By June 15, 2018 Public comment period concludes

By June 20, 2018 RPO approves TIP submission to PennDOT Program Center

By August 9, 2018 PA State Transportation Commission approves TYP

By August 16, 2018 Statewide TIP is submitted to FHWA/Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for approval

By September 30, 2018 PennDOT obtains joint FHWA/FTA approval of the 2019-2022 TIP

PA Route 56 Project Descriptions and Locations *

Two Truck Brake Check Pull-Off Areas - Top of Pleasantville Mountain in Somerset County; and Truck Speed Warning/Intelligent Transportation System Signage - Peggy Westover Curve in Bedford County.

Pleasantville Mountain Shoulder Widening – Increase sight distance and shoulder width at the top of Pleasantville Mountain near the County line in Bedford County.

* Both projects require PennDOT Central Office and Federal Highway Administration approval

2017 Annual Report – Page 7 of 16

BRIDGE BUNDLE (designed & constructed as one project) T-473 Rose Road, County Br. #14 in Napier Township T-584 Reed Road, County Br. #36 – W. St .Clair Township T- 413 Grasser Road, County Br. #19 – Juniata Township T- 314 Barnes Road, County Br. # 28 – Mann Township T-328 Moss Road, County Br. #25 – Mann Township

T-307 Street Road, Township Br. #2 – Southampton Township

Technical Assistance

Amended 2017-2020 TIP – Federal Earmark Repurposing (9th Congressional District) Approximately $5.8 Million remains in unused Federal earmarks assigned to area projects in the 9th Congressional. PennDOT worked with Congressman Shuster’s office to identify a series of projects ready for

construction in 2018 that could utilize the funding within the boundaries of his district. In August 2017, the RPO approved a $1.3 Million local bridge bundle consisting six structurally deficient Non-Composite Pre-Cased Concrete Adjacent Beam (NCPCAB) structures requiring new concrete decks. One contractor will complete construction of these six County bridges along with two structures in Huntingdon County. Work will begin in the summer of 2018 and end by mid-to-late 2019.

2017-2041 Southern Alleghenies Long Range Transportation Plan The Southern Alleghenies RPO is also responsible for developing a 25-year Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). This financially constrained plan outlines the vision of the region’s transportation system through goals and objectives, identifies possible long-range projects, and outlines projected transportation revenue for the next 25 years. Staff participated in plan development meetings including a public meeting held May 18, 2017 to gather input on the plan and its future direction. The Coordinating Committee adopted the plan on November 2, 2017 and is updated every 5 years. The plan is available at http://www.sapdc.org/gov-non-profit/long-range-transportation-plan.

Bedford County Housing Partnerships Bedford County Housing Partnerships (BCHP) was created with the support of local agencies having a common interest in increasing housing options for low income, disabled, and homeless persons in the County. The Planning Commission continues to assist BCHP in its efforts to provide housing for underserved populations in Bedford County. A highlight in 2017 was training provided by BCHP on Housing Trust Funds,

HUD’s funding programs for homeless individuals, and changes in funding for the HOME program.

SAP&DC Regional Greenways & ATV Mini-Grants Program

The Southern Alleghenies Greenways and Open Space Network Plan was completed in 2007. SAP&DC developed a “mini-grants” program in 2015 to advance the priorities identified in the Plan. A new round of funding occurred in 2017. A significant change in the program was increasing the

maximum grant level to $50,000. The Director served on the application review committee and four projects were recommended for funding in April and approved by the SAP&DC Board:

North Shore Trail Development (Phase 1) (Somerset County

Bellwood-Antis Park Improvements (Blair County)

Mainline Canal Greenway Trail (Huntingdon County)

Greenwood Park Improvements (Blair County)

2017 Annual Report – Page 8 of 16

Community Outreach Community Outreach

Bucknell University Research on Biggert-Waters Act (Flood Insurance Reform of 2012) The Director and Senior Planner were interviewed by Dr. David Duke of Bucknell University in 2016 concerning the impact of the federal Biggert – Waters Act on local residents and business owners. The Act has resulted in large, and growing, increases in flood insurance rates for property owners in the 100-year floodplain. The research was conducted under contract with the Center for Rural

Pennsylvania. A final report, “Flood Mitigation for Pennsylvania’s Rural Communities: Community-Scale Impact of Federal Policies” was issued in 2017. The Bedford interview was highlighted as part of a case study analysis of rural communities.

RCAP Solutions, Inc. Water Operator Training The Planning Commission, along with the non-profit RCAP Solutions, Inc., co-sponsored an important training session for community drinking water system operators on January 31 – February 1. More than 20 attendees received 8.0 Water Contact Hours on “Distribution System Water Quality Management.” This free class allowed local operators the opportunity to receive training necessary to maintain their state licenses, without the need to travel and pay for training out

of the region. The Planning Commission has worked with RCAP Solutions since the 1980s on providing free technical assistance to numerous local drinking water and wastewater systems.

Regional Surveyors Meeting The Senior Planning and GIS & Planning Specialist attended a meeting of regional surveyors on April 19 and discussed topics ranging from subdivision and land development planning to GIS parcel information. A list of the top ten items either missing or incomplete on submitted Plans was also distributed and discussed.

Shaffer Mountain Pumped Storage Hydro Project Merchant Hydro Developers, LLC, of Doylestown is proposing to develop 20 pumped storage hydro projects across the Commonwealth. These projects would include upper and lower reservoirs, with water pumped from the lower to the upper during low-peak electric consumption hours, and then then drained downhill by gravity during peak hours through a generating plant. The developer is proposing a project on Shaffer Mountain in Juniata Township that would include a 100-acre upper reservoir, a 33-acre lower reservoir, and a 143 MW power generating station. The closed loop would contain 488 million gallons of water pumped from the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. The Director gathered data on the project for the Board. A public information

session on the 20 projects proposed by Merchant Hydro Developers was held in Harrisburg on January 22, 2018.

Municipalities The Planning Commission continued an active outreach effort to municipalities and residents. The Director provided the following assistance:

Met with officials from Everett Borough, FEMA, DEP and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding the freeboard deficiency of the Everett Levee;

Investigated historical flooding issues at a residential property along Beaverdam Creek in the Village of Queen, Kimmel Township; and

Attended several meetings to seek a solution for the lack of cell phone service in Hyndman Borough.

2017 Annual Report – Page 9 of 16

Trails and Recreation

The Old Pennsylvania Pike: Abandoned Pennsylvania Turnpike The Pennsylvania Turnpike was opened to vehicles on October 1, 1940. It was the first limited-access “superhighway” in the United States, and was patterned after the Autobahn in Germany. In 1968, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission bypassed an 11-mile segment of roadway in Bedford and Fulton Counties, containing the 1.3-mile Sideling Hill Tunnel and the 0.7-mile Rays Hill Tunnel. In 2000, the Commission began

to contemplate future use of this property. The following year the Commission sold an 8.5-mile section of the roadway, including the two tunnels, to the non-profit Southern Alleghenies Conservancy (SAC) for $1. SAC then commissioned the creation of the Pike 2 Bike Trail Network Master Plan and Adaptive Re-Use Study (“Master Plan”) to study the cost and management oversight necessary to renovate the roadway and tunnels for use as a recreational trail, as well as guaranteeing long-term maintenance and operation. The Master Plan, adopted in 2006, included an estimated project cost of $3.06 million. The Master Plan also proposed that SAC ultimately transfer the property to another form of ownership – most likely county or municipal authority – for final development. In 2013, Bedford and Fulton Counties agreed to work cooperatively to develop an Economic Impact Study of the Pike 2 Bike corridor to form the basis of a public education and funding strategy (a majority of the 200+ acre property is in Fulton County). Three Scenarios were analyzed,

ranging from basic trail and tunnel improvements, to the addition of a museum and nature preserve in Fulton County. The study projected that

upon full development (Scenario 3), up to 200,000 visitors, spending $12 million, would visit the corridor each year. The Planning Commissions for both counties and the Boards of Commissioners approved the Economic Impact Analysis in the spring of 2014. The study may be found on the County’s website. In 2016 it became apparent that the Master Plan, now ten years old, required an update in order to advance the project. An 11-member advisory committee of Bedford County residents was formed early in the year and in October a Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued for consulting services to update the Master Plan. The firm of Navarro & Wright Consulting Engineers, Inc. was retained in 2017 to complete the update. During the course of the study in 2017 it was decided that the property and project (previously “Pike 2 Bike”) should have a new name to better reflect its heritage and statewide importance. It is hoped that the “The Old Pennsylvania Pike” will become the “TOPP” recreational trail in the United States. The use of the TOPP trail continued to expand in 2017. Rootstock Racing of Philadelphia sponsored a “Crooked Compass Adventure Trek” in March which attracted 70 participants from 10 states and Washington, D.C. In late October, Trivium Racing of North Carolina also sponsored a marathon and half marathon on the property. Approximately 400 runners signed up for the event, and 320 attended in very cold and rainy conditions. An analysis of zip codes showed that the median one-way distance runners traveled to attend the event was almost 170 miles. The owner of Trivium Racing has already scheduled a second set of races for October 2018, and anticipates that 1000 people will attend. These two events provide evidence of the property’s potential to attract visitors both regionally and nationally.

Visitor in Sideling Hill Tunnel

http://www.theoldpapike.com/

2017 Annual Report – Page 10 of 16

Staff & Commission Reviews

The public was invited to participate in the project throughout 2017. The Bedford County Commissioners held an open house in Breezewood at the local fire hall on July 20 with the consultant and county staff in

attendance to answer questions. REI, Inc., for the second year, held a cleanup day in September to provide its employees a public service opportunity. Another open house event was held on September 23 to allow the public a chance to see the trail and the Sideling Hill tunnel. An estimated 300 persons attended, and were given the opportunity to enjoy exhibits, music, food and bus tours to the trail and the entrance of the tunnel. Examples of potential lighting options were situated in the tunnel. The event was a great success with many positive comments from the attendees.

The Master Plan update is scheduled for completion early in 2018. It is obvious that the future success of the project rests on the cooperation of Bedford and Fulton Counties. Discussions continued at the end of 2017 on the formation of a joint municipal authority to secure the transfer of the property from SAC, and to ensure a viable, long-term plan for the operation and maintenance of this unique property.

Consistency Reviews

The Planning Commission has the responsibility to review and comment on public facility projects, zoning, subdivision and land development ordinances, as well as for consistency with the County Comprehensive Plan (Section 303 of the Municipalities Planning Code; Acts 67 and 68 of 2000). Federal Executive Order #12372 also provides the authority to comment on the consistency of federally-funded projects with the County Plan. The Planning Commission conducted seven consistency reviews in 2017. Highlights included:

Extension of the Bedford Heritage Trail north from Bedford Borough to Old Bedford Village and Friendship Village ($2.47 million estimated cost);

Breezewood Dollar General Store (9000 s.f.) in East Providence Township;

O’Reilly Automotive Stores (7225 s.f.) on Lincoln Highway in Snake Spring Township; and

Creative Pultrusions, Inc. Manufacturing Building (36,000 s.f.) in West St. Clair Township

September 23 Open House - Photo Courtesy: The Old PA Pike

Tunnel Lighting Demonstration - Photo Courtesy: The Old PA Pike

2017 Annual Report – Page 11 of 16

Development Reviews Section 502(b) of the PA Municipalities Planning Code requires that the Planning Commission review and comment on all subdivision and land development plans submitted to municipalities that have a subdivision and land development ordinance prior to final municipal action. Additionally, the PA Sewage Facilities Act 537 requires that the Planning Commission review and comment on all municipal Act 537 Plans as well as Component 2 and Component 3 modules. County Planning Commission reviews are not required for Component 1 modules.

In 2013, the Planning Commission developed an application format and fee schedule for the review of subdivision and land development plans, as well as sewage planning modules. The new format went into effect on January 1, 2014.

The Planning Commission in 2017 reviewed 100 subdivision plans; 25 land development plans; and 9 sewage modules. The 134 plans were received from 26 municipalities. The subdivision reviews represented 53 single-family homes utilizing either on-lot sewage disposal or connection to public sewerage as well as numerous property line changes and side-lot additions. Notable land development reviews completed in 2017 included: Long’s Outpost Building Addition, West St .Clair Twp

Bedford Township Municipal Authority Bldg, Bedford Twp

Old Dominion Freight Line Drop Lot, East St. Clair Twp

Bedford Candies Building, East St .Clair Twp

PA Turnpike Kegg Maintenance Building, Juniata Twp

Tanner Bence Poultry Operation, Napier Township

BSD Partnership Vendomatic Bldg, Everett Borough

Bedford Taco Bell Restaurant, Bedford Township

Arrowhead Acres Community Bldg, Bedford Township

Breezewood Dollar General Store, East Providence Twp

God’s Missionary Church, West St .Clair Township

Creative Pultrusions Building, West St. Clair Township

Bedford Springs Golf Clubhouse, Bedford Township

The Commons at Everett Hardwood Bldg, Everett Boro

The Planning Commission conducted a total of 465 subdivision, land development and sewage planning reviews from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2017. The following charts show the total number and types of reviews for each of the past 4 years, as well as the municipalities with the highest number of reviews:

102

120

109

134

100

105

110

115

120

125

130

135

2014 2015 2016 2017N

um

be

r o

f R

evi

ew

s

Total Reviews 2014-2017

Number ofReviews

22

66

377

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

Major SewageModules

LandDevelopment

Subdivison

Nu

mb

er

of

Re

vie

ws

Reviews by Type 2014-2017

29 30 31 3237

76

01020304050607080

SouthWoodburyTownship

MonroeTownship

EastProvidenceTownship

WestProvidenceTownship

West St.Clair

Township

BedfordTownship

Nu

mb

er

of

Re

vie

ws

Municipalities with the Highest Number of Reviews 2014-2017

2017 Annual Report – Page 12 of 16

Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program

Conferences and Training

The Director of the Planning Commission represents the County on numerous boards and committees including the following:

Bedford County Agricultural Land Preservation Board

County Planning Directors Association of Pennsylvania

South Central Counties Solid Waste Agency Southern Alleghenies Planning &

Development Commission, Planning Advisory Committee

Regional Planning Organization (RPO) Regional Transportation Technical Committee

Evitts Creek Steering Committee Western Pennsylvania Conservancy

Regional Advisory Committee Ridge and Valley Streamkeepers Southern Alleghenies Conservancy

Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Comprehensive Water Resources Plan Advisory Committee

One Water Task Force The Greater Cumberland Committee

Planning Commission staff attended the following conferences and trainings in 2017:

Annual Convention of Bedford County Township Officials

American Planning Association (Pennsylvania Chapter) Annual Conference

CDBG FFY 2017 Applications CDBG HUD Transition to Grants-Based

Accounting CDBG Annual Conference for Community

Development and Housing Practitioners CDBG Training for New Program

Administrators CDBG Federal Program Required Plans PA Dept. of General Services COSTARS

Program FEMA Webinar “Introduction to the

Community Rating System (CRS)”

Preparing for the CAF-II (Broadband) 2018 Federal Auction

USDA Broadband Forum Bedford County Housing Symposium

The Bedford County Agricultural Land Preservation Board and the Bedford County Agricultural Conservation Easement Purchase Program were created by the County Commissioners in December 1995, in accordance with the Pennsylvania Agricultural Area Security Law of 1981 (Act 43), as amended by Act 149 of 1988. The formation of the Board signified the first step in the implementation of the Bedford County Agricultural Conservation Plan. The primary goals of the seven-member Board are to: Administer a program for purchasing and

accepting donations on agricultural conservation easements in accordance with Act 149 and succeeding amendments and guidelines.

Promote efforts to support the growth of existing agricultural and non-agricultural communities in the County.

Promote efforts to support the growth of existing agricultural and non-agricultural communities in the County.

Encourage the use of farmland preservation techniques through public and private programs in the County.

Encourage the preservation of the most productive soils in the County.

Inform the public about the importance of Agricultural Land Preservation.

Easements purchased through this state- and county-funded program are perpetual. With minor exceptions, the land preserved must be used for agricultural purposes by current and future property owners. Farms in the Program are also inspected by the Bedford County Conservation District. Due to limited funds, the County Agricultural Board normally can only purchase one easement every several years. However, donations of easements (“bargain sales”) have extended Program funds in the past.

Board & Committee Participation

2017 Annual Report – Page 13 of 16

GIS and Mapping

There are currently 17 enrolled farms encompassing 3786 acres (almost 6 square miles). The 17 farms are distributed as follows: South Woodbury Township – 5 Colerain Township – 4 East Providence Township – 2 King/East St. Clair Townships (border) – 1 Londonderry Township - 1 Snake Spring Township – 1 West Providence Township – 1

West St. Clair Township – 1 Woodbury Township - 1

Discussions began in 2017 to transfer some administration of the program to the Bedford County Conservation District. These discussions will continue into 2018.

The GIS & Planning Specialist position was filled by Rachel Papuga in April after being vacated in January. The GIS & Planning Specialist completed a number of projects and requests throughout the year, including fulfilling requests for maps from the public; mostly in the form of maps depicting the 100-year floodplain in relation to specific parcels. The GIS & Planning Specialist has also been fulfilling various GIS data requests from a variety of users.

A number of custom mapping projects for the Commissioners and members of the public have also been completed. These custom mapping projects included the following:

A GIS Project Request on behalf of the Fort Bedford Park to review ownership (public, private, easements) and

parcel lines for what may be Phase 1 for their project

The creation and verification of a Polling Places Map for Bedford County Chief Clerk/Director of Elections

A GIS Project Request concerning the Heritage Trail Extension project

Maps pertaining to TOPP trail zip codes to visually represent the distance that interested parties are willing to

travel to experience the trail

A map of the 2017 PennDOT Bridge Construction Projects and a separate map of the detours as a result of the

construction projects

A map for West Providence Township to aid in their research and decision concerning creating two voting wards

within their voting district

A Trails Map for the Commissioners and also created an H&BT Trail map for Broad Top Township showing the

proposed extension of the trail

A Business Opportunity Map of Bedford County and a Land Use Map of Bedford County for the Commissioners

A map for the Commissioners detailing the Veterans Day Parade route

Maps for the CDBG application packet

A map and chart using the final tally of registrants for the End of the Road Marathon on the TOPP trail

Maps concerning cell towers throughout the County for the Commissioners

A Liquor License Map at the request of Personal Solutions, Inc.

2017 Annual Report – Page 14 of 16

Community Development Block Grant Program

The GIS & Planning Specialist also conducted various research projects upon the request of the Director and the Commissioners. These research projects included the following:

Data availability and procedures for the 2020 Census Local Update of Census Addresses Operation (LUCA)

PennDOT Average Daily Traffic Counts (ADT) within the region for the Regional Comprehensive Plan

TOPP trail zip code research, zip codes provided by Grouseland Tours and upcoming Marathon registrants

Data layers concerning the Agricultural Security Areas and the Agriculture Easement Farms in GIS

Public sewer line data

Bridge right-of-ways

Work in 2017 also included responding to a number of requests for reviews and surveys, including:

A survey from the PA DCNR concerning ATV suitability sites and potential vendors in the county

A survey from the U.S. Census Bureau to inform the Bureau that Bedford County will be participating in

the LUCA program

A review of the Chesapeake Bay Projected Land Use Data.

In addition to the above, the GIS & Planning Specialist has been working with the Tax Assessment office to ensure that parcel edits are made in a central location and that parcels are updated regularly with tax information. Finally, several GIS Web Applications have been tested that will be featured on the new website.

The Pennsylvania Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program allocations are Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds administered by PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) under Pennsylvania Act 179. At the County level, the CDBG Program is administered

by the Bedford County Planning Commission (BCPC) on behalf of the Board of Commissioners. Under PA CDBG rules, Bedford County is eligible to apply for entitlement CDBG Program funds. Likewise, Bedford Township, with a population of 4,000 or more (per U.S. Census) is similarly entitled (as the County’s only criterion-meeting municipality). Also under PA policy, the County administers the Township’s CDBG funds. Since 1983, $16,112,065 has been allocated to Bedford County and Bedford Township. Bedford County CDBG entitlement funds must be used to fund projects that benefit non-entitlement municipalities/ communities or not-for-profit organizations. Projects are selected through a competitive process. Proposed projects must meet three eligibility requirements: (1) National Objectives criteria (benefit at least 51% low-to-moderate income (LMI) persons); (2) be an activity listed under HUD 24 CFR Part 570, authorized category of basic project eligibility; and (3) be a necessity and a good expenditure of funds.

Project activities must reflect necessary and reasonable costs, and must conform to State and Federal regulations. Project(s) must (1) meet environmental review requirements/ procedures; (2) solve the problem;

2013 CDBG Defiance Water Association – Installing a Remote

Touchpad on a Home

2017 Annual Report – Page 15 of 16 (3) be completable within three years; and (4) prove other funding is not available for their completion. Applicants are urged to self-fund project engineering costs, due to limitations on both CDBG funds and project time spans. Project proposals are reviewed by BCPC staff for compliance and completeness. Projects meeting the CDBG eligibility criteria are presented to the County CDBG Priority Board at a public meeting. The Priority Board, comprised of the BCPC Board members, ranks the projects by greatest need/ urgency and forwards funding recommendations to the Board of Commissioners. The Commissioners have the final decision as to the project(s) to receive funding. A grant application for CDBG entitlement funds is submitted to DCED annually. Upon approval, BCPC staff completes project environmental reviews that enable release of funds by DCED, allowing projects to proceed. Staff then meets with the project proposer(s) to determine steps required to complete projects within both the allotted funds and contract timeframe (3 years). If an engineer or an architect is required, a Request for Proposals (RFP) is advertised, with selection through an open and competitive process. The engineer/ architect designs the project, and obtains permits and easements. If construction is required, bid documents are prepared and a contract is awarded through an open and competitive process. BCPC staff monitors construction, handles billing, and completes project close-out. Projects are monitored by DCED staff and audited by an accounting firm selected by the County. All files are maintained for four years after the CDBG Program year has been closed-out by HUD. The total timeframe is approximately ten years.

In late 2017, Defiance Water Association Spring #3 and Spring #4 were reconstructed by Broad Top Township under the supervision of Hydrogeologist Casselberry & Associates (Photo Credits: Casselberry & Associates).

Spring #3 – Excavation Extending South from the Spring Box

Spring #4 – Placement of Bentonite Impregnated Geotextile

Bedford County, as a CDBG Grantee, whether or not doing housing projects, is required to be in

compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968.

Spring #4 – Placement of Clayey Soil to meet Contour of Hillside

2017 Annual Report – Page 16 of 16

Bedford County CDBG Projects active during 2017 are listed below:

Bedford Township CDBG Projects active during 2017 are listed below:

2017 Annual Report Bedford County Planning Commission 200 South Juliana Street Bedford, PA 15522

PROJECT NAME

FUNDING YEAR(S)

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

STATUS

Defiance Water Association 2013 Replace 89 water meters throughout system. (Funds reallocated from completed Woodbury waterline project.)

$24,280 Project completed July 2017.

Broad Top Township On-Lot Septic Systems

2014 and 2015

Reconstruct or Replace malfunctioning on-lot septic systems

$137,809 36,414

Construction to begin Spring 2018.

Defiance Water Association 2014

Improvements to 4 springs containments for greater water capture

$60,000 Project completed December 2017.

Wood-Broad Top-Wells Joint Municipal Authority

2015 Water & Sewer Plant improvements; jointly with Huntingdon Co. CDBG grants

$159,129 Construction to begin Spring 2018.

Borough of Everett Area Municipal Authority

2016 Replace sewer laterals $112,725 Construction to begin Summer 2018.

Hyndman Borough 2016 & 2017 application

Waterline replacement $81,825 160,700

Awaiting 2017 DCED contract. Multi-year project.

Housing Rehab – County-wide

2017 application

Rehabilitation of 1-2 single-family, LMI homes $31,695 Awaiting 2017 DCED contract.

PROJECT NAME

FUNDING YEAR(S)

DESCRIPTION

AMOUNT

STATUS

Housing Rehab

2013 2014 and 2015

Rehab single-family LMI homes in Bedford Township $74,792 76,183 76,017

Subrecipient contract with CCA; under construction in 2017.

Cessna Area Water & Sewer 2016 & 2017 application

Install water & sewer lines to neighborhood of 8 homes $77,395 76,511

Awaiting 2017 DCED contract. Multi-year project.