CHAPTER 2 GOALS, OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES The goals, objectives and policies of this Comprehensive Plan Update serve as guidelines for directing future growth, revitalization, development, adaptive reuse and other planning activities within the community. These guidelines are broad enough to encompass all major planning considerations, but are also specific enough to guide and evaluate the progress of the functional elements contained within this Comprehensive Plan. In general, goals, objectives and policies are defined as follows: Goals: The goals are general statements of intention, purpose and commitment aimed at longterm desired conditions on the part of the community. The objectives and policies are more specific and provide direct approaches, standards and guidelines in an effort to implement the goals within the community Together, the goals, objectives and policies form the community s vision upon which future planning decisions can be based by the appropriate authorities within Muhlenberg Township through the year 2020. The goals and objectives contained within this chapter have been organized under the following ten (10) planning categories: Land Use Natural Features and Resources Scenic, Historical and Cultural Resources Housing and Residential Development Economic Development Community Facilities and Services Parks, Recreation and Open Space Utilities Transportation Planning and Coordination The goals, objectives and policies were derived through a detailed survey of the members of the Muhlenberg Township Planning Commission and through interviews with special interest groups, organizations and professionals, including the Berks County Planning Commission, Berks County Conservancy, Schuylkill River Greenway Association, Muhlenberg Township Parks and Recreation Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 6 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
Department, Muhlenberg School District, Muhlenberg Township Municipal Authority, Laureldale Borough, and members of the local business community. In addition, each of the municipal departments within Muhlenberg Township provided their contribution in establishing the goals, objectives and policies of this Comprehensive Plan. The following list of goals, objectives and policies have been developed by Muhlenberg Township in an effort to reflect the visions and concerns within the community and the region. A. LAND USE Goal: Direct residential growth, development and revitalization efforts by considering environmentally sensitive land areas, existing land uses, infrastructure, and the suburban characteristics of Muhlenberg Township. 1. Direct development and revitalization efforts to areas with sufficient carrying capacities. 2. Promote growth management and conservation development techniques, which endorses a balance of development and preservation strategies while considering the limitations of the basic infrastructure. 3. Encourage infill development among existing residential neighborhoods. 4. Encourage aesthetic and innovative residential growth considering the existing housing stock and the future needs of the residents within the community. 5. Maintain a diversification in residential uses considering densities and housing supply. 6. Promote mixed-use residential developments containing retail, office and recreational uses in order to provide more integration within the community. 7. Consider residential density as an important factor in determining the development potential and carrying capacity of urban growth boundaries. 8. Encourage revitalization efforts within existing older residential neighborhoods. Goal: Provide opportunities for commercial and industrial growth and development by considering environmental limitations, existing land uses, infrastructure, and the suburban characteristics of Muhlenberg Township. 1. Direct commercial and industrial growth and development to areas within urban growth boundaries, which have sufficient carrying capacities. 2. Encourage high-quality commercial uses to be developed along or adjacent to collector and arterial routes. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 7 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
3. Encourage high-quality industrial uses to be developed along or adjacent to arterial routes and expressway interchanges. 4. Promote adaptive reuse and revitalization efforts in an effort to improve and occupy abandoned commercial and industrial sites. 5. Establish enterprise zones to attract and/or retain commercial and industrial uses in an effort to maintain a healthy tax base. 6. Consider increasing the building height requirements to accommodate commercial and industrial uses. 7. Develop a Transportation Enhancement Plan for Business Route 222, Route 61 and Kutztown Road, in an effort to consider landscaping, pedestrian circulation, public transportation, lighting, visual effects at the gateways and other beautification efforts. 8. Evaluate opportunities to zone properties along the Kutztown Road corridor for commercial and industrial development and/or possible revitalization efforts. 9. Monitor existing industrial and agricultural business operations and expansion activities to determine that all uses and activities are environmentally compliant. 10. Coordinate marketing efforts with the Berks County Chamber of Commerce, Berks County Industrial Development Authority, Pennsylvania Development Authority, local real estate agencies and elected officials in an effort to promote and retain commercial and industrial activity. 11. Host periodic meetings with representatives of the local business community in an effort to build relationships and to monitor needs. As part of this effort, continue to develop a positive relationship with the local business community in an effort to retain existing commercial and industrial uses. 12. Evaluate the feasibility of creating a local or regional chamber of commerce in an effort to focus upon the issues and needs within Muhlenberg Township and the regional area. B. NATURAL FEATURES AND RESOURCES Goal: Achieve and sustain a high quality natural resource system (water, biotic, land and air) to protect public health and safety, and support and protect a diversity of ecosystems. 1. Protect and enhance the natural features within Muhlenberg Township for the benefit of future generations. 2. Protect a safe, long-term supply of water, which is adequate for all land uses. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 8 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
3. Support water conservation and encourage measures to reduce water supply demands. 4. Preserve and enhance the existing network of stream valleys and their aquatic habitats. 5. Prevent development in floodplains to protect public safety and water quality, and reduce public costs from flood damage. 6. Endorse conservation and ecological management practices by protecting floodplains and wetlands and recognizing the significance of their hydrological functions. 7. Establish mandatory setback requirements for wetland areas and floodplains. 8. Preserve and enhance buffer areas around water bodies to mitigate environmental and visual impacts from adjacent uses and activities. 9. Protect and enhance the quality of groundwater and surface water. 10. Support upgrades of stream quality designations by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. 11. Consider Best Management Practices (BMP s) for controlling and regulating subdivision and land development activities. 12. Improve the quality and continuous surface water flow of the Laurel Run Creek. 13. Encourage a sustainable water cycle balance within watersheds as development occurs. 14. Preserve and manage large woodland areas for their wildlife habitat and scenic values and their contributions to groundwater recharge, improved air quality, and erosion control. 15. Preserve and manage habitats necessary for survival of existing rare, threatened, and endangered species identified in the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory and the Berks County Natural Areas Inventory. 16. Promote stormwater management and soil conservation practices to reduce erosion and sedimentation. 17. Protect and preserve land areas classified as steep slopes from significant earth disturbance activities relating to subdivision and land development projects. 18. Encourage development or redevelopment projects, which are compatible with the underlying geologic characteristics of Muhlenberg Township. 19. Improve air quality by monitoring industrial and agricultural business operations in order to ensure compliance with state and federal air quality emission standards. 20. Develop effective woodland extraction and tree replacement provisions as part of the subdivision and land development process. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 9 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
21. Develop effective geotechnical site assessment requirements in areas that have carbonate geological characteristics. 22. Monitor the clean-up and reclamation of contaminated areas, such as Superfund sites or Brownfield sites. C. SCENIC, HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES Goal: Conserve and enhance scenic resources that reflect the natural and cultural heritage within Muhlenberg Township. 1. Support the protection and designated use of the Schuylkill River as a Pennsylvania Scenic River. 2. Promote the Schuylkill River Sojourn and recognize this event as a community function with special educational, recreational, historical and cultural values. 3. Coordinate planning and land use efforts with the Schuylkill River Greenway Association and the Berks County Conservancy. 4. Preserve visible ridgelines, which contribute to the scenic character of the community, particularly along the Schuylkill River. 5. Preserve and enhance scenic qualities along major roadways, especially the gateways to Muhlenberg Township. 6. Encourage the design of development to complement the scenic and historic character of Muhlenberg Township. 7. Identify, conserve and develop the historical, cultural, natural and recreational resources that are related to the industrial and cultural heritage of the Schuylkill River. Goal: Develop an appreciation of the historical and cultural resources within the community. 1. Consider formulating an official policy statement for the protection and preservation of historical resources within Muhlenberg Township. 2. Appoint a local committee to initially document the historical and cultural resources within Muhlenberg Township. 3. Coordinate planning efforts with the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Berks County Historical Society, Berks County Conservancy, Berks County Planning Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 10 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
Commission, Schuylkill River Greenway Association, Sierra Club and other state, county or local group who share similar visions for the protection and preservation of historical and cultural resources. 4. Conduct a municipal survey of all known or potential sites, buildings, structures, objects, districts and land areas, which have historical and cultural significance. 5. Support the identification and designation of eligible national, state, and local historic properties. 6. Consider establishing historic overlay districts for selected areas within Muhlenberg Township. 7. Consider the adoption of effective zoning, subdivision and land development amendments, which consider provisions for buffer yards, scenic vistas, adaptive reuse, landscaping, signs and other visual enhancements of historical properties or overlay districts. 8. Enhance the overall appearance of Kelly s Lock as a scenic, historical and cultural resource. 9. Encourage compatible development adjacent to properties that are considered historically significant. D. HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL USES Goal: Provide a diversified supply of housing that meets the existing and projected demands of the community. 1. Conduct a thorough land use survey considering land use types and lot sizes for all existing residential units within Muhlenberg Township. 2. Provide an adequate supply and distribution of housing to meet housing needs of the projected population and contribute to a sense of community. 3. Provide a variety of owner and rental housing units that could facilitate all income levels for the residents within Muhlenberg Township. 4. Maintain, rehabilitate and improve the quality of the housing stock. 5. Establish a code enforcement program that will comply with the minimum requirements and certifications of the state-wide building code. 6. Consider mandatory inspections of all residential units prior to the transfer of title to ensure that the housing stock is compliant with all local codes. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 11 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
7. Create incentives for residential developments with a focus on better design, quality, aesthetics, architecture and community awareness. 8. Establish residential zoning districts with an emphasis on identity, permitted uses and density. 9. Evaluate mandatory requirements for recreation impact fees and/or transportation impact fees as a method to finance improvements to facilitate residential developments. E. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Goal: Achieve and maintain a dynamic business climate to ensure a continuation of sound economic growth within Muhlenberg Township and Berks County. 1. Retain and expand existing businesses to preserve the tax base and provide employment opportunities. 2. Enhance communications among business, government, and the public to address issues that have an impact on the retention and expansion of business and industry. 3. Identify the needs of the business community and what it believes necessary to improve the business climate. 4. Consider financial and tax incentives as well as infrastructure improvements needed to retain and attract commercial and industrial uses. 5. Promote adaptive reuse and revitalization efforts for abandoned commercial and industrial site. 6. Establish enterprise zones to attract and/or retain commercial and industrial uses in an effort to maintain a healthy tax base. 7. Continue to improve and enhance the transportation system in coordination with local, county, state and federal agencies in an effort to attract and retain business. 8. Maximize opportunities at nearby airports and heliports to play a vital role in economic development. 9. Locate economic development activities that are consistent with the land use goals and objectives. 10. Focus economic development where there is adequate infrastructure to support such development. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 12 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
11. Continuously monitor the business community s workforce needs, identify workforce deficiencies, and support the education/workforce development system in providing for a skilled, adaptable, and competitive workforce. 12. Develop and maintain an up-to-date inventory of commercial and industrial sites. 13. Identify, assess, and support the safe cleanup and productive reuse of Brownfield sites in a timely manner. 14. Monitor existing industrial and agricultural business operations and expansion activities to determine that all uses and activities are environmentally compliant. 15. Continue to coordinate efforts with the Berks County Chamber of Commerce in an effort to focus upon the community needs within Muhlenberg Township and surrounding municipalities. Goal: Promote employment and economic development opportunities within Muhlenberg Township. 1. Develop a coordinated public/private marketing effort to target desirable industries that will have a minimal impact on the environment, match employment opportunities to job skills, and contribute to a diversified economy. 2. Pursue economic development targets that will build upon the existing commercial and industrial base, as well as position Berks County to become a player in the growing and emerging technology-based and services sectors of the regional and national economies. 3. Undertake a direct marketing program aimed at attracting firms in target industry clusters identified in the Leak-Goforth/URBANOMICS report. 4. Identify potential commercial and industrial areas for development that are consistent with the Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan. 5. Develop and maintain an economic database, community profile, and website in an effort to promote a business friendly environment. 6. Create an atmosphere that promotes and supports local entrepreneurial ventures and small business success in urban neighborhoods. 7. Coordinate various public and private economic development-related organizations to promote consistency with planned growth. 8. Continue to coordinate marketing efforts with the Berks County Chamber of Commerce, Berks County Industrial Development Authority, Pennsylvania Development Authority, local real estate agencies and elected officials in an effort to promote and retain commercial and industrial activity. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 13 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
9. Host periodic meetings with representatives of the local business community in an effort to build relationships and to monitor needs. F. COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND SERVICES Goal: Provide community facilities and services, which meet the needs of the community while staying within the fiscal budget limitations of Muhlenberg Township. 1. Monitor population, age and household trends to plan for future facilities and services. 2. Improve communications between municipal officials and residents within the community. 3. Develop a municipal website to provide residents with information concerning meetings, announcements, codes, maps, police, refuse collection, services and other vital news. 4. Implement a capital improvements program to anticipate and plan for future financial needs. 5. Monitor local and regional police coverage needs. 6. Continue to support the Muhlenberg Township Police Department by equipping and training the officers in accordance with municipal needs and adding personnel as may be required in order to provide an optimal level of service. 7. Continue to support the local fire departments and emergency response agencies providing services to Muhlenberg Township, particularly the Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company and the Temple Fire Company. 8. Continue to support the Muhlenberg Area Ambulance Association. 9. Continue to update and amend the Muhlenberg Township Emergency Operations Plan. 10. Maintain contact with the Berks County Emergency Management Agency in an effort to notify emergency response services of new roads, road names and street addresses. 11. Explore the use of cooperative agreements with other municipalities for the purchase of materials and the provision of services in an effort to be more efficient and cost effective. 12. Maintain a cooperative relationship with the Muhlenberg School District, Berks County Intermediate Unit, Reading-Muhlenberg Vocational-Technical School, Holy Guardian Angels School, and other educational facilities. 13. Encourage the development of advanced communication technology to enhance educational opportunities and accessibility among businesses, government, schools, libraries and the residents within the community. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 14 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
14. Continue to support the Muhlenberg Community Library. 15. Continue to evaluate all administrative staff levels (department heads, professional staff members, skilled and non-skilled labor) as well as needs in an effort to provide a high level of service to the residents within the community. 16. Continue to provide and improve the solid waste disposal and recycling programs. G. PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE Goal: Provide parks, recreation facilities and open space areas, which meet the needs of the residents within the community and the region. 1. Conduct a comprehensive update to the Muhlenberg Township Recreation and Open Space Plan, which is considered innovative, realistic and state-of-the-art in an effort to provide guidance for acquiring, maintaining, developing and enhancing parks, recreation facilities and open space areas for the next generation. 2. Use community input to establish future direction for park acquisition, park development and recreation programming. 3. Prepare a greenway and trail plan including mapping and implementation strategies to link parks and recreation facilities, expand existing trails, and connect the systems planned by neighboring municipalities especially along the Reading Riverfront. 4. Conduct a feasibility study to determine the community s support for a full-service community center. 5. Develop a 5-year plan of work for future initiatives. 6. Define opportunities for intergovernmental cooperation and other partnerships. 7. Identify resources and alternative financial strategies that are needed implement future planning efforts. 8. Improve Muhlenberg Township Parks and Recreation Department s image and the ability to attract, satisfy and maintain customers. 9. Utilize current planning resources and documents to provide guidance in the preparation of the comprehensive update to the Muhlenberg Township Recreation and Open Space Plan including: the Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan; the Muhlenberg Rail Trail Master Plan; the Laurel Run Watershed Study; the Berks County Greenway, Park and Recreation Plan; the Schuylkill River Heritage Corridor Management Action Plan; the Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 15 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
Schuylkill River Water Trail Plan; and the City of Reading 10-Year Park, Recreation and Open Space Plan. 10. Prepare a Master Site Plan for all undeveloped land areas that will be devoted to active and passive recreational uses. 11. Coordinate future planning endeavors with the Berks County Planning Commission, Berks County Conservancy, Berks County Parks and Recreation Department, Schuylkill River Greenway Association, adjacent municipalities, and other public or private agencies. 12. Continue to improve and update the website to provide residents with information concerning meetings, announcements, maps, programs, services and other vital news. H. UTILITIES Goal: Improve, maintain and plan sanitary sewage disposal facilities in an effort to meet the needs of the community, protect the environment and support development consistent with land use plans. 1. Conduct periodic updates to the Muhlenberg Township Act 537 Plan. 2. Establish sewer districts, which are consistent with this Comprehensive Plan. 3. Continue to monitor wastewater flows at meters at strategic locations. 4. Continue to monitor and correct inflow and infiltration problems. 5. As part of future updates to the Act 537 Plan, evaluate the economic feasibility of constructing a regional wastewater treatment facility to serve Muhlenberg Township, Laureldale Borough and Ontelaunee Township on a periodic basis. 6. Coordinate planning and facility improvements with the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Authority and City of Reading. 7. Continue to develop an effective On-Lot Sewage Management Program for the purposes of monitoring the utilization of existing and future on-lot sewage disposal systems. Goal: Improve, maintain and plan water supply facilities in an effort to meet the needs of the community, protect the environment and support development consistent with land use plans. 1. Coordinate planning and facility improvements with the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Authority. 2. Initiate a Wellhead Protection Program and Plan that will comprehensively protect and preserve the quality of the water supply within Muhlenberg Township. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 16 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
3. Adopt a Well Drillers Ordinance to effectively monitor groundwater supplies and to promote acceptable potable water supply standards. 4. Conduct a periodic hydrogeological analysis of the groundwater for all areas that are dependant upon on-site sewage disposal and on-lot water supply in an effort to monitor groundwater in terms of supply, nitrates and coliform. 5. Distribute literature to the residents within the community on the importance of water conservation and on-site sewage management techniques. 6. Continue to monitor the abandoned quarry site at Berks Products Corporation in conjunction with the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Authority in an effort to determine if a correlation exists between water levels within the quarry and the groundwater supply. 7. Coordinate future planning and land use activities involving the abandoned quarry site with Berks Products Corporation and the Muhlenberg Township Municipal Authority. Goal: Ensure that basic utility services and facilities to service all existing and prospective uses within Muhlenberg Township. 1. Coordinate planning and facility improvements with all local utility providers. 2. Require all applications involving subdivision, land development or other major improvements to notify the appropriate electrical, telephone, cable and natural gas provider to inquire upon service, availability, land use restrictions and/or setback requirements. 3. Develop a plan to comply with the National Pollution Elimination Discharge System (NPDES) Phase II Stormwater Permitting Regulations. 4. Continue to evaluate and develop effective stormwater management regulations, which promote groundwater recharge, establishing riparian buffer yards and best management practices. 5. Continue to develop effective floodplain management regulations, which promote the enhancement of groundwater quality and quantity. 6. Support the use of renewable energy resources. 7. Encourage energy efficiency in the design and operation of buildings. 8. Limit telecommunication providers to utilize existing facilities or buildings in order to limit the number of support towers within the regional service areas. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 17 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
I. TRANSPORTATION Goal: Provide and maintain a safe, efficient and diversified transportations system, which optimizes mobility, strengthens the economy and protects the environment. 1. Maintain the functional integrity of existing and future transportation routes through appropriate land use controls and design standards to alleviate congestion, promote safety, and reduce the needs for new highways. 2. Continue to prioritize needed transportation improvements in an effort to effectively address safety and maintenance issues. 3. Coordinate and integrate land use development with transportation infrastructure so that higher intensity land uses are located in the vicinity of transportations routes with sufficient carrying capacities. 4. Ensure that new roads and existing roads within Muhlenberg Township are designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with their appropriate functional classification. 5. Consider access management strategies along Route 222, Business Route 222, Route 61 and Route 12 to increase mobility and limit accessibility. 6. Develop a Transportation Enhancement Plan for Business Route 222, Route 61 and Kutztown Road, in an effort to consider landscaping, pedestrian circulation, public transportation, lighting, visual effects at the gateways and other beautification efforts. 7. Create, enhance and protect the aesthetic and scenic qualities of the roads within Muhlenberg Township. 8. Endorse plans that will improve and facilitate traffic patterns in an east-west direction. 9. Endorse all regional planning studies and all subsequent engineering studies that will improve the capacity, mobility, safety and functional integrity along Route 222, Business Route 222, Route 61 and Route 12. 10. Recognize the limitations of Tuckerton Road to accommodate large volumes of traffic and develop plans to mitigate vehicular congestions at controlled intersections. 11. Consider providing or enhancing interchanges along Route 222 and Business Route 222 in an effort to alleviate congestion problems. 12. Support the implementation of all transportation projects that are currently identified on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation s 12-Year Program in an effort to improve vehicular circulations patterns within Muhlenberg Township. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 18 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
13. Improve all public transportation facilities and services to comply with the minimum design standards and requirements of the Americans Disabilities Act. 14. Provide and encourage alternative means of transportation, which may increase mobility, relieve traffic congestion and reduce the need for additional roads to accommodate the demand. 15. Provide and encourage alternative means of transportation that supports the future land use plan, serves the needs of all users and reduces the number of vehicular trips. 16. Support an affordable and accessible public transportation system that links urban centers, suburban neighborhoods, employment centers and special uses. 17. Provide separate bicycle and pedestrian facilities to reduce the number of vehicular trip, avoid user conflicts and establish linkages to other public facilities and uses. 18. Maximize opportunities at nearby airports and heliports to play a vital role in economic development. 19. Encourage the Reading Regional Airport Authority to consider potential nuisances and land use conflicts when planning landing and take-off routes. 20. Encourage existing rail freight system to reduce the number of trucks utilizing the arterial highways and expressways. 21. Continue to coordinate transportation planning efforts with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the Reading Area Transportation Study Coordinating Committee, the Berks County Planning Commission, as well as other local, state and federal agencies. J. FUTURE PLANNING AND COORDINATION Goal: Achieve a high level of intergovernmental planning by coordinating efforts with local and regional groups within the public and private sectors. 1. Encourage legislation to improve municipal planning and growth management capabilities within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 2. Continue to discuss the feasibility of regionalizing municipal facilities and services with adjacent municipalities. 3. Foster a positive relationship with the surrounding municipalities. 4. Conduct a comprehensive update of the Muhlenberg Township Zoning Ordinance in an effort to implement this Comprehensive Plan. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 19 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies
5. Conduct a comprehensive update of the Muhlenberg Township Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance in an effort to implement this Comprehensive Plan. 6. Provide incentives to the private sector to achieve the planning goals and objectives established within this Comprehensive Plan. 7. Increase public participation in the planning process. 8. Develop and maintain an economic database, community profile, and website in an effort to promote a friendly environment within the community. 9. Develop a community resolution pertaining to the rehabilitation or removal of Felix Dam. 10. Continue to work with the Berks County Planning Commission in an effort to implement Berks Vision 2020, A Comprehensive Plan for the County of Berks. Muhlenberg Township Comprehensive Plan 20 Chapter 2: Goals, Objectives and Policies