Ken McCrea
for
East Cocalico Township Supervisor
Controlling Growth and Planning for the Future
General Issues:
- Protect the rural nature of our community
- Plan for the future, rather than just planning for unlimited growth
- Manage growth responsibly through changes in zoning and development ordinances
- Involve the public in decision making, both on current issues and for our future
Specific Proposals:
Land Planning:
Consider the interests of Township residents (as expressed in existing and new surveys) when making decisions on land development
Do mini-surveys in the newsletter periodically to keep track of public sentiment on current issues.
Direct Planning Commission to do a more detailed review of land development plans taking into consideration of the impacts of the project on the present and future residents (not just the profit motives of the developers), in other words, have the Planning Commission do actual planning, and not just “plan review” as they do now.
Take the next step to go from an “agricultural security area” to full preservation of farms.
Incorporate “open space” into the subdivision and land development ordinances to prevent complete urbanization of large areas within the urban growth boundary.
Modify the “Village Overlay” zoning to limit the amount of area that can be "urbanized," when it can be used, and include mandatory open space and recreational facilities.
Have periodic public discussions on long range land planning.
Convince the Water and Sewer Authority to scale back their plans to increase the capacity of the water system so it doesn’t produce a burden on the rate payers, and thereby force the Authority and the Township into the position of needing to promote rapid population growth to make the bond payments (the Supervisors must guarantee the bond, and therefore have some control over the project).
Create actual new recreations areas with the recreation fund (over $500,000. has gone through the recreation fund since 1995, with almost nothing to show for it).
Public Involvement:
Keep public informed about proposed development by posting draft meeting agendas onto web site 48 hours before meetings.
Seek public input on issues and potential impacts prior to approval of land development projects
Use quarterly newsletter to keep public informed on current development projects in review.
Post signs on property where development is proposed to keep public informed.
Keep public informed about projects that will cost the taxpayers large sums of money – such as the new police station and renovations to the township building, and the proposed regional recreation center.
Keep public informed about the long term impacts of rapid development.