Chapter 11
Summary of Goals & Objectives
Introduction
The principal function of this chapter is to provide a summary of the preceding chapters and a convenient reference of all municipal goals and the supporting objectives established by Chapters 7 through 10 of this plan. Note that in this chapter we have numbered the goal and objective statements to facilitate reference within the text. The reader will note that the goal statements are classified into four general areas of interest, which correspond to the topics of the preceding four chapters.
In the course of developing this plan we have identified twenty goals. Each goal is supported by at least one objective, but multiple objectives for each goal is more common. The tally of goals by topic is as follows:
Note that implementation of many of the objectives will not only promote the stated goal, but will affect on other goals as well. This interrelationship of the various objectives is considered in greater detail in Chapter 12; Chapter 13 addresses implementation.
Land Use
GOAL #1: Provide for the development and re-development of land within the Township in a manner that respects, preserves, and enhances the residential character of the various neighborhoods.
Objective 1A: Review and amend the Township’s development regulations (Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance most importantly) to implement the land use allocation described in this chapter and the policies stated in Chapter 4.
Objective 1B: Continue to accommodate a comprehensive range of housing forms that will encourage the availability of housing to households over a wide range of incomes.
Objective 1C: Accommodate higher density development and higher intensity of uses where mass transit is readily accessible.
Objective 1D: Promote “village” type development, including a mix of residential and non-residential uses, within the Township’s existing retail areas.
Objective 1E: Assure that land use regulations continue to accommodate a comprehensive variety of uses that will promote the fiscal health of the Township, particularly as land is developed or re-zoned.
Transportation
GOAL #2: Develop a regional, multi-municipal management plan to address problems of traffic volume and congestion.
Objective 2A: Establish contact with surrounding municipalities, Delaware County, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), the Delaware County Transportation Management Association (DCTMA), and PennDOT to generate interest and to secure commitment to complete such a plan by 2009.
Objective 2B: Contact local legislators (i.e., State Senators, State Representatives) for assistance.
Objective 2C: Identify potential funding sources.
Objective 2D: Develop a strategy to keep work on this goal in the minds of the public, including frequent contact with local legislators.
GOAL #3: Develop and implement structural solutions for the design deficiencies identified in the “Transportation Network” chapter, as specifically noted below.
Objective 3A: Contact Delaware County and PennDOT to secure design assistance and funding.
Objective 3B: Initiate re-design of Route 1 interchange and Providence Road corridor between Kirk Lane and Rose Tree Road.
Objective 3C: Initiate re-design for intersection of Providence Road and Route 252.
Objective 3D: Develop options for improving the design of “2650 Curve” on Providence Road.
Objective 3E: Conduct an analysis of Ridley Creek and Crum Creek Road corridors to identify specific design deficiencies and to resolve them.
Objective 3F: Identify appropriate locations for traffic calming measures, giving particular attention to areas frequented by pedestrians and evaluating specific traffic calming structural improvements. Collector and minor arterial roads are a particular concern as they are more frequently used by pedestrians than the higher capacity roads, but these roads are popular shortcuts and are accommodating more traffic.
Objective 3G: Compile a library of traffic impact studies in cooperation with surrounding municipalities.
GOAL #4: Redesign the Providence Road corridor between Rose Tree Park and the Media Borough line to enhance safety, to accommodate pedestrians, to provide sufficient parking facilities, and to improve appearance.
Objective 4A: Secure professional assistance to execute a high quality design and to identify funding sources for construction.
GOAL #5: Redesign the State Road corridor between Bobbin Mill Road and the Media Borough line to enhance safety, to accommodate pedestrians, to expand parking availability, and to improve appearance.
Objective 5A: Secure professional assistance to execute a high quality design and to identify funding sources for construction.
GOAL #6: Establish and maintain a cooperative relationship with SEPTA in order to assure that the Township’s mass transit needs are addressed appropriately.
Objective 6A: Commission an analysis of the Media Station to identify ways to increase ridership given the extremely limited opportunities to expand the existing parking lot.
Objective 6B: Evaluate the feasibility of providing shuttle service from off-site/remote parking areas or in the form of “feeder” routes.
Objective 6B: Identify opportunities to expand bus and trolley service, including improved parking availability for users of these services.
GOAL #7: Identify potential routes for trails, paths, and sidewalks to connect residential areas with public and quasi-public facilities such as parks, schools, and churches.
Objective 7A: Implement the trail recommendations of the open space network proposed for the Township by the Natural Lands Trust in 2003.
Objective 7B: Identify suitable extensions of the Media sidewalk network in cooperation with the Borough.
Objective 7C: Explore the applicability of funding sources for implementation, including the federal TEA-21 program (and its successors) and the “Safe Routes to School” program administered by PennDOT.
Objective 7D: Work with the Bicycle Coalition and organizations with similar interests to identify potential/preferred bicycle routes through the Township.
Objective 7E: Utilize designs and construction materials for sidewalks and pathways that will minimize the environmental impact of these features.
Facilities and Services
GOAL #8: Provide a high-quality environment for users of the Township Building, promoting the efficiency of Township employees and usefulness to Township residents.
Objective 8A: Commission a study of the current Township Building to quantify resources and space needs associated with the various functions of the building.
Objective 8B: Evaluate the feasibility of moving some Township functions off-site, thereby freeing up space within the current Township Building.
Objective 8C: Identify staffing requirements.
Objective 8D: Identify potential funding sources to pay for prior objectives.
Objective 8E: Identify and benchmark parameters to measure the efficiency of Township government and the provision of Township services.
GOAL #9: Establish agreements with one or more nearby municipalities for the cost-effective provision of public services.
Objective 9A: Identify those services where intermunicipal cooperation is most appropriate for Upper Providence Township; consider police and road maintenance services in particular.
Objective 9B: Identify and initiate action with those municipalities most likely to be amenable to entering into an intermunicipal agreement with Upper Providence.
GOAL #10: Maintain the current high level of satisfaction with the Upper Providence Township Police Department.
Objective 10A: Work with police personnel to establish appropriate service measures, benchmark values of those measures, and the cost of providing such services.
Objective 10B: Work with police staff to assure continued access to the resources necessary to meet community needs.
Objective 10C: Identify possible sources of funding that would allow for improvements without adding to the fiscal burden of the Township.
Objective 10D: Explore the possibility of providing police protection service under contract to nearby municipalities.
GOAL #11: Improve emergency preparedness at the Township level.
Objective 11A: Raise public awareness of emergency planning in the Township; provide appropriate, basic emergency information on the Township website.
GOAL #12: Provide for a full range of recreational activities through the acquisition and development of property as well as through co-operative arrangements with other public and quasi-public agencies.
Objective 12A: Implement the recommendations of the open space network plan prepared for the Township by the Natural Lands Trust in 2003.
Objective 12B: Develop capital improvement and long-term maintenance plans for recreational facilities used by Township residents.
Objective 12C: Meet regularly with representatives of Rose Tree Media School District to promote optimum utilization of District-owned facilities by the public.
Objective 12D: Contact Delaware County Parks Department to discuss Township use of Rose Tree Park.
Objective 12E: Coordinate with and assist existing athletic and sport associations to improve and to maintain existing facilities and programs for active recreation and to develop new ones.
GOAL #13: Acquire control of environmentally sensitive lands for the dual purposes of providing recreation opportunities and preventing inappropriate development.
Objective 13A: Identify specific physical limits of environmentally sensitive features requiring protection, noting particularly where it is necessary to provide a level of protection beyond what may be accomplished through Ordinances.
Objective 13B: Evaluate properties identified in Objective 13A to determine if their acquisition is necessary to implement other Township goals (such as the provision of recreational trails) or if some other level of control is sufficient, such as purchase or donation by the owner of easements or development rights.
Objective 13C: Contact owners of properties identified in Objectives 13A and 13B to inform them of the Township’s interest in their property and to determine if they are amenable to granting or selling to the Township sufficient control of their property to meet Township goals.
Objective 13D: Acquire sufficient interest in properties identified in Objectives 13A and 13B to prevent development that would negatively affect the natural environment or would hinder the achievement of other Township goals.
Objective 13E: Identify funding sources that are available for the purpose of promoting this goal.
GOAL #14: Establish and maintain regular contact with the School District and other educational institutions in the Township in order to identify and promote mutually beneficial objectives.
Objective 14A: Review Township land use regulations and other ordinances to identify areas where the interests of the owners of property surrounding schools are not adequately protected as well as areas where regulations are unnecessarily restrictive upon school operations; amend as necessary.
Objective 14B: Enlist the assistance of schools in addressing traffic concerns, such as excessive speeds, lack of safe pedestrian access, inadequate traffic controls, and safe access to public transportation.
Objective 14C: Establish a co-operative relationship with the School District regarding the availability of District-owned recreational facilities to the public.
Objective 14D: Continue to support the Media Upper Providence Library, including direct funding and in-kind assistance with library programs.
GOAL #15: Implement sanitary sewerage policy that is consistent with the future land use element of this Comprehensive Plan as well as with municipal environmental protection policies.
Objective 15A: Review and amend Sewage Facilities (Act 537) Plan as necessary in order to be consistent with this Comprehensive Plan.
Objective 15B: Catalogue the locations of recent on-lot system malfunctions in order to identify any patterns or clusters. Develop a strategy to address any such concentrations and incorporate such strategy in a new Act 537 Plan or an amendment to the existing plan.
Objective 15C: Limit extension of sewerage infrastructure into low density and environmentally sensitive areas to include only existing development.
Objective 15D: Assure that areas intended to accommodate high-density residential development and all non-residential development will have access to off-site sewage disposal.
Objective 15E: Develop and implement a program of regular inspection of on-site sewage disposal systems on properties that border Springton Lake, Crum Creek, or Ridley Creek.
Objective 15F: Secure membership in the Central Delaware County Authority (CDCA) with the intent to assure availability of sewerage capacity as may be necessary to meet Township needs.
Resource Preservation
GOAL #16: Preserve and enhance the remaining historic resources in the Township to be a legacy for our children and a record for new residents and visitors.
Objective 16A: Identify Township residents with interest in local history who would be willing to act as official or quasi-official Township Historian or to serve on Historic Preservation Committee.
Objective 16B: Develop roster of historic sites and structures, starting with an update of the information contained in “A Land of Providence and Its People.”
Objective 16C: Identify appropriate options for protection of historic assets that are at risk.
Objective 16D: Amend Township ordinances to encourage preservation and restoration of historic resources.
Objective 16E: Develop and implement a program to recognize (using plaques or other markers) historic and other significant buildings as “Upper Providence Treasures.”
GOAL #17: Retain current provisions for natural resource protection, enhancing them where necessary.
Objective 17A: Conduct a comprehensive review of Township regulations to identify their effect upon natural resources; enhance protective measures where warranted.
GOAL #18: Protect and preserve wooded areas.
Objective 18A: Make information available to residents regarding benefits of wooded areas and how to care properly for their wooded lots.
Objective 18B: Identify critical woodland areas, such as woods within floodplains or on steep slope areas.
Objective 18C: Develop and implement regulations and ordinances that protect and preserve the function of the critical woodlands identified under Objective 18B.
GOAL #19: Protect groundwater resources.
Objective 19A: Review and amend as necessary the Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance to require current best management practices for stormwater management.
Objective 19B: Maintain communication through the Township Authority with water providers and neighboring municipalities in order to co-ordinate groundwater protection measures and to assure adequate supply for residents and businesses.
Objective 19C: Develop and implement a program to inspect stormwater management structures on an annual basis to assure that they function as intended and are properly maintained.
General
GOAL #20: Establish regular, consistent communication with surrounding municipalities and Delaware County for the purpose of cooperation on issues of shared interest.
We have established inter-municipal cooperation as an independent goal in recognition of the critical role that such cooperation plays in the pursuit of many of the other goals cited in this document.