Elk County Planning Department

300 Center Street, P.O. Box 448, Ridgway, PA 15853 • Phone: (814) 776-5335 • email: planning@countyofelkpa.com

Contact Information

Elk County Courthouse Annex
300 Center Street
PO Box 448
Ridgway, PA 15853

Phone: (814) 776-5335
Fax : (814) 776-5379
Email: planning@countyofelkpa.com

Matthew G. Quesenberry, Director
Jodi Foster, Community & Economic Development Coordinator
Tracy D. Gerber, Community Development Block Grant Coordinator (CDBG)
Richard G. Gavazzi, Housing and Program Specialist
Sharon Burns, Office Manager

Mission Statement

The Elk County Planning Commission's primary function is to realize the sound and efficient development within the county. The Commission serves as an advisory board to the County Commissioners with a scope of interest that includes all matters pertaining to County development which are clearly under the jurisdiction of responsibility of county government

A second and equally important responsibility is in the review and/or input on proposals and programs for development within the municipalities of the County. The local decisions concerning development, more often than not, have an impact throughout, and even beyond, the County; thus such programs must be reviewed and evaluated to determine their impact on, and compatibility with, County plans and programs.

Elk County Comprehensive Plan Amendment

The Elk County Planning Department has been an active participant on the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team; a 12 county consortium established in 2005 through an Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement. At the end of 2007 the Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Team completed a study to assess local, county, and regional capacity to better prepare for the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative. The Pennsylvania Wilds Planning Study provides Elk County with an opportunity to work cooperatively with state and regional stakeholders to implement recommendations in such areas as land use, transportation, wastewater, and telecommunications. The plan also created the Pennsylvania Wilds Design Guide to be used as a resource tool to encourage development or redevelopment without undermining the region’s unique sense of place.

Together, these two companion pieces will be amended into the Elk County Comprehensive Plan and shall be referred to as Elk County acts to better manage, enhance, and preserve the natural and manmade environment within the county.

As a requirement under the PA Municipalities Planning Code, the Plan must undergo a 45-day review and comment period. With the anticipated date for the Elk County Board of Commissioners to adopt the Plan being November 2, 2009, I would ask that you provide any comments to me by no later than 4:00 pm on October 30, 2009.

Thank you.

Executive Summary

Planning Study

PENNSYLVANIA WILDS DESIGN GUIDE

The Pennsylvania Wilds is a special place. It contains charming communities, vast forests, spectacular landforms, clean rivers, and streams, and an array of other natural resources. It is important for our communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds to enjoy economic growth while still being good stewards of the land and protecting the region's character and charm. The information contained in this Design Guide will assist communities in reaping the benefits of change and growth while protecting their treasured characters. Use of this Design Guide is voluntary; however there are many benefits to applying its principles.

This Design Guide sets forth physical design objectives for building placement, architecture, landscaping, signs, lighting, grading, land use arrangement, natural resource conservation, and other related items. The Guide includes photographs, illustrations, and text descriptions of design elements and land use patterns that are desirable in the Pennsylvania Wilds.

By following the principles in this Guide, Pennsylvania Wilds region will retain and strengthen its core identity, maintain a distinct visual character, influence development to be considerate of the land it occupies, and ensure that its various features positively relate to the region as a whole.

For a complete copy of the Design Guide click logo below.

Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan

The Elk County Planning Department in conjunction with the PA Department of Environmental Protection anDFox1116d the engineering firm L. Robert Kimball are currently constructing an Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan.

The purpose of the Act 167 Plan is to provide comprehensive stormwater management designed to preserve and restore the flood carrying capacity of Commonwealth streams; to preserve natural stormwater regimes and natural course; current and cross-section of waters of the Commonwealth; to protect and conserve groundwaters and groundwater recharge areas; and to encourage planning and management of stormwater runoff in each designated watershed which is consistent with sound water and land use practices.

Please click on the link below to review the progress of the plan. Anyone wishing to comment can contact Jodi Foster Mon. through Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by calling 814-776-5304 or by email at jfoster@countyofelkpa.com.

http://www.kimballcorp.com/elkcounty/default.asp

Responsibilities:

In order to carry out its over-all responsibilities, the Commission's basic areas of activity include the following:

	Grantsmanship - RUS, HUD, DCED, DEP, DCNR, PHMC, U.S. DA, PA DOT
	Comprehensive County Plan - Preparation and implementation of a comprehensive plan for the County with recommendations on land use, community facilities, transportation, capital budgeting, housing, economic development, land use, quality of life.
	Continuing Planning Program - Continuing review of all planning proposals and development controls in relation to changing factors and making appropriate revisions.
	Zoning and Subdivision - Preparation and administration of land subdivision regulations and participation in zoning plans to assist local communities in developing their individual land use decisions.
	Local Planning Assistance - Provide County communities with advisory and coordinating services in respect to development and local planning. Provide information and advice on planning in general to all local governments, agencies, groups and individuals and inform the public on the activities of the Commission.
	Data Center - Development and maintenance of a data center where basic facts will be made available to interested persons, agencies, and municipalities concerning the physical, economic, social, and governmental characteristics of the County including a library of local plans and development controls, and Federal and State community aid programs.
	Stormwater Management
	Transportation/Highway/Bridge Administration & Prioritization
	Economic Development
	Community Development/Downtown Revitalization Programs
	Housing Development

ELK COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT - Final Draft

The update of the Elk County Comprehensive Plan -Transportation Element has been finalized. Please find the attached draft copy of the plan for your review and comment. In addition, the Elk County Commissioners, along with the Planning Department and the project consultant Gannett Fleming, invite you to attend a public meeting scheduled for Monday, June 30 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Area Transportation Authority’s (ATA) headquarters in Johnsonburg. Following a 45 day comment period the Elk County Commissioners will be asked to adopt the plan at the August 19, 2008 Board of Commissioners Meeting. If you are unable to attend the public meeting, please forward your comments by e-mail or in writing. All comments must be recieved to the Elk County Planning Department no later than August 18th, 2008. If there are any further questions please call Matt Quesenberry at 776-5335. Thank you.

A pdf copy of the draft plan can be downloaded here for your review.

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Elk County Board of Commissioners is in the process of preparing a countywide Stormwater Management Plan, as required by the Stormwater Management Act 167. Based on surveys from municipalities and watershed groups, as well as previous plans and other information, a draft Act 167 Scope of Study for Elk County Stormwater Management Plan has been prepared, and is now ready for review. The draft will be presented at the next Watershed Plan Advisory Committee (WPAC) meeting, which will be held on 19 February 2008 at 6:00 pm at the Elk County Courthouse Annex, 300 Center Street, Ridgway.

A pdf copy of the plan can be downloaded here for your review. Comments can be submitted to Jodi Foster at jfoster@countyofelkpa.com, or at the WPAC meeting on 19 February 2008. Comments must be received no later than 19 February 2008.

Draft Act 167 Scope of Study for Elk County Stormwater Management Plan

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