Since the end of 2019, Abington has been engaged in an update of its Comprehensive Plan, which we’ve dubbed Vision 2035. This plan sets a vision that seeks to manage change as it occurs within the township over the next 10 to 15 years.
Here’s an overview of where we are in the process.
What is a Comprehensive Plan?
It is a high level, 50,000’ view of the Township, one that seeks to manage inevitable change as it occurs over the next decade. According to the PA Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968), Article III, a Comprehensive Plan “shall be reviewed at least every ten years” (note, the last time Abington’s was reviewed was in 2007), and shall include the following:
1) A statement of objectives of the municipality concerning its future development, including, but not limited to, the location, character and timing of future development, that may also serve as a statement of community development objectives as provided in section 606.
Abington’s objectives (chapter 2) have been drafted, and can be found here. draft demographics information (chapter 5) for background purposes can be found here. draft historical information (chapter 3) can be found here, with additional graphics here.
2) A plan for land use, which may include provisions for the amount, intensity, character and timing of land use proposed for residence, industry, business, agriculture, major traffic and transit facilities, utilities, community facilities, public grounds, parks and recreation, preservation of prime agricultural lands, flood plains and other areas of special hazards and other similar uses.
Abington’s Plan for Future Land Use (chapter 13) is currently being drafted by the comprehensive plan development team. Abington’s existing land use (chapter 4) is described here, with additional graphics here.
2.1) A plan to meet the housing needs of present residents and of those individuals and families anticipated to reside in the municipality, which may include conservation of presently sound housing, rehabilitation of housing in declining neighborhoods and the accommodation of expected new housing in different dwelling types and at appropriate densities for households of all income levels.
Abington’s Housing Plan (Chapter 7) has been drafted and is extensive. part 1 can be found here, part 2 can be found here.
3) A plan for movement of people and goods, which may include expressways, highways, local street systems, parking facilities, pedestrian and bikeway systems, public transit routes, terminals, airfields, port facilities, railroad facilities and other similar facilities or uses.
Abington’s Transportation Chapter (Chapter 11) has been drafted and is currently under review by MCPC.
4) A plan for community facilities and utilities, which may include public and private education, recreation, municipal buildings, fire and police stations, libraries, hospitals, water supply and distribution, sewerage and waste treatment, solid waste management, storm drainage, and flood plain management, utility corridors and associated facilities, and other similar facilities or uses.
Abington’s Infrastructure and Community Services chapter (Chapter 8) has been drafted and is currently under review by MCPC.
4.1) A statement of the interrelationships among the various plan components, which may include an estimate of the environmental, energy conservation, fiscal, economic development and social consequences on the municipality.
This section (Chapter 14) has not yet been drafted.
4.2) A discussion of short- and long-range plan implementation strategies, which may include implications for capital improvements programming, new or updated development regulations, and identification of public funds potentially available.
This section (Chapter 15) has not yet been drafted.
5) A statement indicating that the existing and proposed development of the municipality is compatible with the existing and proposed development and plans in contiguous portions of neighboring municipalities, or a statement indicating measures which have been taken to provide buffers or other transitional devices between disparate uses, and a statement indicating that the existing and proposed development of the municipality is generally consistent with the objectives and plans of the county comprehensive plan.
Abington’s Compatibility with Development and Plans of Surrounding Areas plan (Chapter 14) has not yet been drafted.
6) A plan for the protection of natural and historic resources to the extent not preempted by federal or state law. This clause includes, but is not limited to, wetlands and aquifer recharge zones, woodlands, steep slopes, prime agricultural land, flood plains, unique natural areas and historic sites. The plan shall be consistent with and may not exceed those requirements imposed under the following: [note, its a long list, see the actual MPC]
Abington’s historic preservation chapter (chapter 6) can be found here, with additional graphics here.
(7) In addition to any other requirements of this act, a county comprehensive plan shall:
(i) Identify land uses as they relate to important natural resources and appropriate utilization of existing minerals.
(ii) Identify current and proposed land uses which have a regional impact and significance, such as large shopping centers, major industrial parks, mines and related activities, office parks, storage facilities, large residential developments, regional entertainment and recreational complexes, hospitals, airports and port facilities.
Abington’s Compatibility with Development and Plans of Surrounding Areas plan (Chapter 14) has not yet been drafted.
(iii) Identify a plan for the preservation and enhancement of prime agricultural land and encourage the compatibility of land use regulation with existing agricultural operations.
(iv) Identify a plan for historic preservation.
Abington’s draft Historic Preservation chapter (chapter 6) can be found here.
What is a Comprehensive Plan… not?
Vision 2035 is just that… a vision. The Vision will be used to influence policy set by the Board of Commissioners, but is not a guarantee of anything. The Comprehensive Plan Development Team will look at potential options that we can currently identify, and discuss. The Board of Commissioners will learn about those visions via the plan, and legislate around them- either for or against. The Team has an obligation to review and understand whatever possibilities currently exist.
Likewise, the Plan is not a Zoning Ordinance rewrite, nor a Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) rewrite. Both of those will follow the plan and will be influenced by it, either for or against.
Additionally, it is not a proposal to develop or build… anything. The Township is not in the development game. Development of property is left to the property owner, and it is up to the Township to responsibly set policy that will determine what property owners can and cannot do, while also considering legal precedent and what will, or will not, stand up in court in the future.
In my next newsletter, I will focus on Chapter 1 of the plan- Vision. Until then, feel free to click the link below to access Abington’s Vision2035 web page. Upcoming Comprehensive Plan Development Team meeting dates are as follows (note, these are open to the public):
March 15, 2022, 6 PM
April 19, 2022, 6 PM
After the April meeting, we hope to have a draft of the plan compiled. Keep an eye out for community round table discussions and legislative next steps to adopt the plan over the summer. Our goal is to have this in front of the full Board of Commissioners for adoption sometime later in 2022, but ultimately, we have to get the plan right, however long that takes.
