Executive Summary

C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n2

Study Area:North Towanda TownshipTowanda BoroughTowanda Township

RO

UTE 220 SR

0220

ROUTE 6 SR 0006

OLD PLANK RD SR 3020

SUGAR CREEK R

D T 8

91

ME

RR

ILL

PK

WY

BURLINGTON TPKE SR 3009

PATTON

HILL R

D T 398

S M

AIN

ST

SR

202

7

HETTICH RD T 396

WOODSIDE R

D T 40

4

BENNETT RD T 360

SE

CO

ND

ST

FOU

RTH

ST

PINE GROVE RD T 579

PINE VALLEY RD T 544

JOHNST

ON RD

T 36

6

LAU

RE

L HILL R

D T 568

STATE ST

WILLIA

M S

T SR

1039

YOR

K AVE

SR

0006

MAHONEY RD T 361

OAK ST

TIP TOP R

D T 45

7

GRANGER RD T 545

FRANKLIN RD T 397

BRID

GE

ST S

R 3018

RA

ILRO

AD

ST T 566

JAMES ST SR 1041

ISBE

LL L

N

KINGSLEY HILL RD SR 2028

SUMM

IT RD T 570

SACO RD SR 4001 THURSTON LN

AIRPORT RD T 547

FIF

TH S

T

TRAVIS RD T 892

ASPENWOOD RD T 577

GR

EE

N R

D

T 56

5

OLIVE ST

TURKEY LN

DE

CK

ER

LN

ROUTE 220 SR 0220

RO

UTE 220 SR 0220

ME

RR

ILL

PK

WY

SE

CO

ND

ST

FOU

RTH

ST

STATE ST

WILLIA

M S

T SR

1039

YO

RK

AVE S

R 0006

OAK ST

PINE ST

MA

IN S

T S

R 0

006

BRIDGE ST SR 3018

ANN ST

WATTS S

T

OLD PLANK RD SR 3020

MA

IN S

T SR

1 039

THIR

D S

T

LOMBARD ST

PRATT AVE

FIFTH

ST

PATTERSON BLVD SR 2036

PLANK RD

MA

IN S

T S

R 2

027

WARD AVE

CH

ERR

Y ST

KINGSBURY ST

FOSTER

RD

ROUTE 6 SR 0006

SP

RU

CE

ST

RA

ILRO

AD

ST

POPLAR ST

COLONIAL DR T 596

FOU

RTH

ST

R o a d N e t w o r kR o a d N e t w o r k

To w a n d a To w n s h i p , To w a n d a B o r o u g hTo w a n d a To w n s h i p , To w a n d a B o r o u g ha n d N o r t h To w a n d a To w n s h i pa n d N o r t h To w a n d a To w n s h i p

US TRAFFIC ROUTE PRIVATE DRIVE

BOROUGH STREET TOWNSHIP ROAD

LAND PARCELSPA STATE ROUTE

Legend

1 inch equals 1 mile

Miles0 0.75 1.5 2.25 30.37

Maps Created Using Bradford County GIS DataAuthor: Josh L. Brown Bradford County Comprehesive Planner

Date: May 2006

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 3

is a Comprehensive Plan?What

was this plan developed?How

Municipalities develop comprehensive plans to assess their current situation, consider what they would like to see for their area in the future, and formulate strategies to achieve that vision.

Comprehensive plans consider many aspects of life: jobs and the economy, housing, new development, transportation, utilities, and the area’s natural and historic resources. The Comprehensive Plan itself is a thick document filled with data, maps, goals, and objectives. It includes plans to address each of the above issues, and recommendations on how to move forward.

A Comprehensive Plan is a tool, not a regulation. It helps guide decisions regarding the development of a region over a 10- to 20-year time period. It is used by municipal officials, county planners, other government agencies and authorities, private citizens, and the business community.

This Executive Summary provides an overview of the Central Bradford Region Comprehensive Plan.

A framework for future decision-making

The Central Bradford Region Comprehensive Plan was developed jointly by North Towanda Township, Towanda Borough, and Towanda Township, recognizing that cooperation among neighboring municipalities produces broad benefits.

The planning process was guided by a nine-person Advisory Committee comprised of three representatives of each study area municipality. Private citizens participated along with municipal officials and other local leaders. Public outreach meetings were held to listen to the ideas and concerns of area residents and business owners.

Cummings & Smith, Inc., was the comprehensive planning consulting firm engaged on the project. Funding was provided in part by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration through the Northern Tier Regional Planning & Development Commission. The Bradford County Office of Community Planning and Grants provided extensive support, including use of their Geographic Information System to generate the digital maps used to display project information.

Collaboratively, with a regional approach

C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n4

trends are shaping our area?What

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000Towanda Township

North Towanda Township

Towanda Borough

20502000195019001850

Year

Pop

ula

tio

n

Population is declining in Towanda Borough, with only modest growth in the townships.

This suggests that efforts should be made to build on the area’s assets and make this an even more appealing place to live.

Population History and Projection

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 5

For more data on the study area, trends, charts, and maps, see the full report.

0

3

6

9

12

15

75+65-7455-6445-5435-4425-3415-245-140-4

Age GroupSo

urc

e: U

.S. C

ensu

s B

ure

au

Perc

ent

of P

op

ula

tio

n

0

3

6

9

12

15

75+65-7455-6445-5435-4425-3415-245-140-4

Age Group

Sou

rce:

U.S

. Cen

sus

Bu

reau

Perc

ent

of P

op

ula

tio

n

Age Group Distribution Central Bradford Region

1990

2000

In 1990, the percent of the population in each age group followed a typical “bell curve.” Just a decade later, in 2000, the percentage of young people and early retirees dropped noticeably. Many young adults leave the area for college and careers. Similarly, local people often retire elsewhere and the area does not attract significant numbers of retirees from other areas.

This trend emphasizes the importance of considering the employment, housing, transportation, and community life needs of the full spectrum of age groups.

C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n6

Many homes and buildings are historic—68% of the houses in the study area were build before 1940.

This presents an opportunity to build on the area’s historic character—but also suggests that a wider variety of homes would appeal to a wider range of residents.

Improvements are underway on water

and sewer systems on a regional basis

through the Towanda Municipal Authority.

This accommodates new development while

helping consolidate growth around the

Towanda community.

trends are shaping our area?What (continued)R

OU

TE 220 SR 0220

ROUTE 6 SR 0006

OLD PLANK RD SR 3020

SUGAR CREEK R

D

ME

RR

ILL

PK

WY

PATTON

HILL R

D

HETTICH RD

BURLINGTON TPKE SR 3009

BENNETT RD

WOODSIDE R

D

S M

AIN

ST

SR

202

7

JOHNST

ON RD

PINE VALLEY RD

LAU

RE

L HILL R

D

SE

CO

ND

ST

FOU

RTH

ST

RA

ILRO

AD

ST MAHONEY RD

TIP TOP RD

GRANGER RD

FRANKLIN RD

WILLIAM

ST SR 1039

SUMM

IT RD JAMES ST SR 1041

ISB

ELL

LN

AIRPORT RD

TRAVIS RD

GR

EE

N R

D

EVER

LY L

N

FIFT

H S

T

VIEW

LN

ROU

TE 220 SR 0220

ME

RR

ILL

PK

WY

SE

CO

ND

ST

FOU

RTH

ST

STATE ST

WILLIA

M S

T SR

1039

YOR

K AVE SR

0006

OAK ST

PINE ST

MA

IN S

T S

R 0

006

BRIDGE ST SR 3018

ANN ST

WATTS S

T

OLD PLANK RD SR 3020

THIR

D S

T

MA

IN S

T SR

1 039

PRATT AVE

LOMBARD ST

FIFTH

ST

PATTERSON BLVD SR 2036

PLANK RD

RA

ILRO

AD

ST

MA

IN S

T S

R 2

027

WARD AVE

CH

ERR

Y ST

KINGSBURY ST

FOSTE

R R

D

ROUTE 6 SR 0006

OLIVE ST

COLONIAL DR

SPR

UC

E S

T

POPLAR ST

THIR

D S

T

FOU

RTH

ST

M u n i c i p a l S e w e rM u n i c i p a l S e w e r

To w a n d a To w n s h i p , T o w a n d a B o r o u g hTo w a n d a To w n s h i p , T o w a n d a B o r o u g ha n d N o r t h T o w a n d a To w n s h i pa n d N o r t h T o w a n d a To w n s h i p

US TRAFFIC ROUTE

Private Drive

Borough Street

Township Road

Land Parcels

PA State Route

Legend

Public Sewer

Miles0 0.75 1.5 2.25 30.37

1 inch equals 1 mile

Maps Created Using Bradford County GIS DataAuthor: Josh L. Brown Bradford County Comprehesive Planner

Date: September 2007

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 7

The area is home to large manufacturing companies—in fact, within the study area there are more jobs than workers.

This gives the area a strong economic advantage compared to other small towns and rural areas of Pennsylvania , and underscores the importance of the area’s transportation system.

The area has a strong, modern highway network.

This suggests that maintaining and maximizing the use of the existing highway infrastructure should be a higher priority than new construction, and that transportation projects should consider all modes.

Collectively, these trends and opportunities indicate that the focus of the Comprehensive Plan’s goals, objectives, and recommendations should be

revitalization, rather than reining in growth.

C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n8

are our area’s goals?What

Goal 1:Enhance and maintain the Towanda region’s role as an economic and community center in the Pennsylvania Northern Tier.

Goal 2:Develop and sustain an appropriate level of community facilities and services for the Greater Towanda commu-nity, including roads; sanitary and storm sewer systems; water systems; medical and health services; educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities; and public safety provisions.

Goal 3:Develop programs or solutions to land use issues that the community is facing, including expanded housing types for all income levels, upgrading of older residential structures, rehabilitiation and reuse of commercial districts, and flood-plain mitigation.

There are many good things about the Central Bradford region. Working toward the following goals—developed with extensive public input—is the next step in making the community great.

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 9

Goal 4:Investigate and pursue opportunities af-forded by Sugar and Towanda Creeks and the Susquehanna River through a re-orien-tation of the community to these outstand-ing natural features.

Goal 5:Develop attractive community gateways in suitable locations; develop appropriate community heritage themes, including opportunities to showcase them.

Goal 6:Maintain and improve all facets of the region’s transporta-tion network, including roads, rail, air, water, pedestrian, and bicycling to ensure the mobility of people and goods within the municipality and to bring residents of outlying areas to the region for employment, commerce, and services.

For more detail on each goal, see the full report.

C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n10

will we achieve those goals?How

Each of the six goals is further defined by approximately 10 objectives, which describe how to make progress toward the goal. For example, Goal 3, which addresses land use, housing, and rehabilitation of residences and commercial districts, includes the following objectives:

Goal 3 Objectives:

An education campaign will be needed to overcome community 1. resistance to townhouses or other housing options needed to diversify the local housing market.

Encourage the private sector to perform a market analysis for non- 2. subsidized townhouses.

Recognize the importance of a positive community image in motivating 3. the private sector to invest in the rehabilitation of older residential structures.

Identify suitable locations for housing options; make sure that utilities 4. are available at these sites.

Building conversions should be made in strict conformance with 5. building codes and based on sensitivity to the building design.

Develop housing rehabilitation programs, make improvement grants 6. available, and encourage private rehabilitation.

Develop incentive programs, e.g., grants and loans for first time home 7. buyers.

Maintain strong code enforcement efforts to ensure property 8. maintenance.

There is a great need for commercial building rehabilitation, however 9. viable building uses will be required to achieve this.

The Borough should consider 10. re-establishing the Main Street Manager program to address downtown issues.

Objectives Recommendations Collaboration

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y 11

The goals and objectives are the basis for each component of the Comprehensive Plan:

Future Land Use Plan•

Future Transportation Plan•

Community Facilities and Services Plan•

Housing Plan•

Natural and Historic Resources Plan•

Economic Development Plan•

Each of those “sub-plans” includes specific recommendations to achieve the goals and objectives. Because all the above issues are interrelated, and because the three munici-palities function as an integrated region, a coordinated, comprehensive approach to im-plementation will be most effective in shap-ing the area’s future in desirable ways.

In fact, it is recommended that North Towanda Township, Towanda Borough, and Towanda Township formalize that coordination by establishing an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement. By committing to a regional approach to planning and project development, municipalities can reduce expenses, qualify for new funding sources, use land more logically and effectively, and produce more substantial improvements, while retaining adequate local management.

For a complete list of objectives and recommendations, see the full report.

12C e n t r a l B r a d f o r d R e g i o n C o m p r e h e n s i v e P l a n

happens next?What

can I get more information?Where

North Towanda TownshipRR#1 Box 63-1Towanda, PA 18848570-265-3749

Towanda BoroughP.O. Box 229Towanda, PA 18848570-265-2696

Bradford County Office of Community Planning & GrantsNorth Towanda Annex No. 1R.D.1 Box 179ATowanda, PA 18848570-268-4103

Towanda Township Church Street, PO Box 188Towanda, PA 18848570-265-4344

After public review and comment, the Advisory Committee will revise the Draft Comprehensive Plan as necessary. Next, the governing bodies of North Towanda Township, Towanda Borough, and Towanda Township will vote to adopt the Comprehensive Plan. The adopted plan will then serve as a guide for decisions and policies made by the three municipalities.

For example, the municipalities may each choose to prepare and adopt or update their Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, establishing standards for new development consistent with the priorities identified in the Comprehensive Plan. Zoning regulations are another tool used by municipalities to help align development with community plans. The municipalities may also consider establishing Historic Architectural Review Board Districts to ensure that work done on historic buildings is in keeping with the structure’s character.

Other initiatives may not require formal regulations, but rather cooperation with the private sector, promotion of the area’s natural assets, or investments in facilities or services that advance the community’s goals as identified in the Comprehensive Plan.

Plan Adoption and Implementation

www.NorthernTier.org

The full plan is available in area libraries and online at www.northerntier.org. You may also contact any of the study participants below with questions, ideas, or to become involved in plan implementation.