Services provided by the Long Range
Planning Division include:
Build-Out Analysis
As a service to York County municipalities and school districts, the YCPC at the request of the those entities, will undertake a build-out analysis. The analysis is usually done in support of some planning process, such as a comprehensive plan update or school expansion. The build-out analysis uses Census data, YCPC projections, and reported building permits to project future dwelling unit needs. An analysis of the existing capacity of the municipality is then conducted using the existing zoning Ordinance and York County Assessment data. This information is then used to determine the ability of the municipality to accommodate projected future residential development. Additionally, the capacity of each zoning district to accommodate future residential development is reviewed. A capacity analysis is done for the commercial/industrial areas, as well. Recommendations are then provided based on this analysis. Staff - Roy Livergood
Census Information
The York County Planning Commission is an affiliate of the PA State Data Center and maintain many publications of the U.S. Census Bureau and the PA State Data Center in our offices.
Assistance with information from the U.S. Census is available, using the American Fact Finder application at www.census.gov. Information from both the decennial census and the American Community Survey is available. Inquiries from the public can be directed to the York County Growth Trends report or specialized queries can be conducted with the assistance of YCPC staff. Staff - Anne Walko
Classroom Presentations
Upon request, the YCPC staff will provide classroom presentations on a variety of planning topics. Common topics include growth management/land use, neighborhood planning, water conservation, open space and recreational planning, natural resources protection, population statistics and trends, understanding local government (role playing), and responsibilities of the County Planning Commission. Staff work cooperatively with the teachers to develop a presentation that meets their needs and is applicable to the particular age group. Staff - Lindsay Gerner or Anne Walko, . . . learn more.
Municipal Consulting Program
Planning staff are available to work with municipalities and other entities. through participation in meetings, work groups, organizations, and planning activities to achieve consistency between local planning efforts and the York County Comprehensive Plan, provide a regional or county perspective, and be a source of information. The primary goal being the establishment of jointly agreed upon growth and rural areas. Staff - Roy Livergood
Population Projections
The York County Planning Commission periodically calculates population projections for both municipalities and the County. The current population projections were calculated in October 2011. These projections are reviewed regularly. Staff - Anne Walko or Beth Artman . . . learn more.
Reviews
Comprehensive Plan Reviews - Article III Section 306(a) of the PA MPC states, “When a municipality having a comprehensive plan is located in a county which has adopted a comprehensive plan, both the county and the municipality shall each give the plan of the other consideration in order that the objectives of each plan can be protected to the greatest extent possible.” The YCPC strives to not only review municipal comprehensive plans, but to work collaboratively with the municipality during the writing of their comprehensive plan. There is no fee associated with this service. Staff - Pam Shellenberger, Lindsay Gerner, Roy Livergood, John Seitz, or Anne Walko
Review of municipal activities regarding consistency with the County Comprehensive Plan, including the opening or vacating of streets; the construction, removal, or sale of public structures; and the construction, extension, or abandonment of public water and sewer lines and treatment facilities. Staff - Roy Livergood
Environmental Reviews - Through Act 1984-14, the PA Department of Environmental Protection requires applicants for air quality, water allocation, water obstruction, water quality, solid waste and hazardous waste permits and permit revisions to give written notice to each municipality in which the activities are located. In accordance with this law, all such applications are submitted to the YCPC for review. The staff reviews the applications for consistency with the County Comprehensive Plan. Upon the request of municipalities, staff also review and provide comment on Water Planning ordinances, floodplain management ordinances, wellhead protection ordinances, well driller ordinances, rivers conservation plans, sourcewater protection plans, and similar documents. Staff - Roy Livergood, John Seitz, Pam Shellenberger
Official Map Reviews - An Official Map is a land use ordinance that identifies existing public lands, such as streets, waterways, parks, drainage easements, and pedestrian ways; and allows a municipality to reserve private land for future public use. It may focus on a single type of improvement, such as streets or parkland, or on a wide variety of public facilities and lands. In addition, it may cover an entire municipality or a portion of a municipality. Proposed Official Maps and amendments to existing Official Maps must be submitted to the YCPC for review in accordance with the requirements of Article IV of the PA Municipalities Planning Code (MPC).
Article IV Section 408(b) of the PA MPC states that, “When a municipality proposes to adopt an official map, or any amendment thereto, a copy of the map and the proposed ordinance adopting it, or any amendment thereto, shall be forwarded for review to the county planning agency....” The YCPC strives to not only review municipal official maps and proposed ordinances, but to work collaboratively with the municipality during the writing of such. There is no fee associated with this service. Staff - Pam Shellenberger
Recreation Plan Reviews - If a recreation plan is going to be adopted by a municipality as part of its comprehensive plan, staff of the County/Long Range Division will review the plan. Recreation plans are reviewed for consistency with the York County Comprehensive Plan, specifically the Open Space and Greenways Component. Copies of adopted recreation plans are maintained in the YCPC files. Staff - Anne Walko
Sewage Facilities (Act 537) Plan Reviews - Chapter 25, Section 71.11 of the Pennsylvania Code requires municipalities to develop and implement comprehensive official plans which provide for the resolution of existing disposal problems, provide for future sewage disposal needs of new land development, and provide for the future sewage disposal needs of the municipality. Further, Chapter 25, Section 71.31 (b) requires a municipality to request, review, and consider comments by appropriate planning agencies including a planning agency with-area wide jurisdiction regarding any proposed Official Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan. The York County Planning Commission conducts such plan reviews and municipalities should be aware that the Planning Commission is granted 60 days to complete these reviews. Staff - Roy Livergood
Technical Assistance
Grant Applications - YCPC staff will provide technical assistance to municipalities to aid them in searching for and submitting grant applications. A grants resource file is in the process of being developed. With regard to submitting applications, staff can provide information to assist municipalities with the preparation of the application, as well as review and provide comment on the draft application. Staff - Pam Shellenberger
Planning Assistance - YCPC staff will provide planning assistance to municipalities who are seeking to prepare or update a comprehensive plan or land use ordinance. Assistance is also available to assist municipalities that are interested in a multi-municipal project. Staff can assist with bringing municipalities together and provide sample planning and implementation agreements. Staff - Pam Shellenberger
Stormwater Management (SWM) / MS4 Permits - As a result of PA DEP approving the Integrated Water Resources Plan component of the County’s Comprehensive Plan as the Countywide Stormwater Management (SWM) Plan, all municipalities in the County are required to adopt a SWM Ordinance that is consistent with the Plan. Staff members of the Long Range Planning Division will provide technical assistance to municipalities in the development or amendment of SWM ordinances or SWM provisions in other ordinances. Assistance will also be provided to municipalities with an MS4 Permit to help them meet their Permit requirements. Staff - Lindsay Gerner or John Seitz
Training for Local Governments, Public, Etc. - The Long Range Planning Division welcomes the opportunity to share our knowledge of planning with newly-elected and appointed officials or give a refresher presentation to existing officials. Upon request, the YCPC staff will provide presentations on a variety of planning topics. Common topics include growth management/land use, neighborhood planning, water conservation, open space and recreational planning, natural resources protection, population statistics and trends, understanding local government (role playing), and responsibilities of the County Planning Commission. Staff - Pam Shellenberger
