South Franklin Township - Green Hills Borough Joint Comprehensive Plan
Public Meeting #1 - Summary
November 18, 2008 @ 7 PM
Attendance
46 residents (see PDF for list)
Project Steering Committee
Mackin Staff
Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington (RACW) Staff
Welcome
South Franklin Township Supervisor Tom Hart opened the Public Meeting at 7:00 PM and explained that this was a meeting for the Comprehensive Plan along with the Township’s reasoning for undertaking the comprehensive planning process. He also explained that while the meeting would address topics such as housing development, sewage, and oil and gas wells, nothing was being proposed at the current time. In addition, he encouraged the attendees to come to the meeting the following evening on proposed plans for the Washington County Airport, such as expansion and development.
Presentation
Mackin provided a PowerPoint presentation on what a comprehensive plan is, why it is important, what it will accomplish, and what the benefits of multi-municipal planning are. The presentation then provided a community snapshot detailing information on the following topics:
- Demographic Characteristics
- Community Amenities
- Transportation
- Natural & Historic Resources
- Existing Land Use
- Housing
- Economic Development
Questions & Answers
After presenting this information, Mackin opened the floor for questions:
- Why was Mackin hired?
- South Franklin & Green Hills worked with the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington to issue a request for proposals for a joint plan and through that process, Mackin was hired as the consultant.
- Why are we planning?
- The comprehensive plan is a blueprint for the future regarding land use, development, preservation, etc. The public involvement process ensures that the plan is a reflection of the communities’ vision and not that of the consultant.
- How is it that there is an increase in the population in the child-rearing age group but the school district has declining enrollment?
- There are many possible reasons, including but not limited to this age group within the project area may not have as many children as in years past; their children may be out of school already; etc.
- Why is South Franklin conducting a joint plan with Green Hills? Did they ask any other surrounding communities (Morris Township) to partner?
- Communities can save money by planning together and can have a greater say in the amount, type, and location of future development in their partner municipalities. South Franklin and Green Hills recognize the impact that each has on the other, particularly in regards to development. They did not ask surrounding communities to partner.
- How can community residents stay involved, review the plan, etc.?
- A final public meeting will be held in the spring of 2009 to present the draft plan and priority recommendations. In addition, residents may contact their local officials for project updates; log onto the South Franklin Township website; or contact Mackin.
- Has information been gathered regarding the large amount of land owned by the coal companies?
- Township officials have noted this; however information is still being collected regarding the location, amount, and future plans and impact on the community.
Visioning
Mackin led an exercise designed to develop a vision for South Franklin & Green Hills; asking what residents wanted their communities to look like in ten years, what residents like about where they live, what residents want to see improved, etc.
- Maintain high quality of life – low crime, low traffic, peace and quiet
- Uphold rural character by preserving farmland and open space
- Attract new residents by offering an alternative to suburban sprawl – allow for limited residential and commercial development on a smaller scale within a country setting
- Encourage environmental sustainability by offering “greener” choices like recycling, solar panels, etc.
- Address future effects of longwall mining
Breakout Groups
Attendees were asked to count off by three in order to divide into breakout groups; who were then asked to identify specific strengths, opportunities, issues and concerns within each plan element. Each group was facilitated by Mackin staff along with RACW staff.
Community Amenities:
The community’s rural character was identified as an overwhelming strength and residents appreciate the peace and quiet and are satisfied with the level of municipal services. Other strengths identified:
- Access to major road networks and shopping amenities
- McGuffey school system, particularly the elementary school in the Township
- Low crime rates
- Fire and emergency services
- Township Park
- Accessible library services
- Public water in much of South Franklin Township
Identified concerns include:
- Lack of volunteers and adequate funding for the fire department
- Appearance of SR 18 in South Franklin near the border with North Franklin
- Need to address presence of junk, illegal dumping, littering, etc.
- Need attractive “gateway” – signing welcoming visitors to area
- Lack of public sewage
- Need to address failing systems
- One of the groups felt that sewage should be extended and offered to all existing homes before offering it to any new construction residences
- Need public sewage in Lagonda Village area and housing plans
- Need to extend public water
- Two groups identified Jolly School and Moore Roads as in need
- State Police presence
- Two of the groups stated that while state police are adequate for protection, they can be difficult to contact
- Two groups identified the Township Park as in need of surveillance
- Expanded cell phone service
- Two groups noted that the height restrictions associated with the Airport have restricted construction of additional cell towers
- Availability of Internet access
- One group identified as a primary concern, particularly for school-aged children
- Need high-speed service (only dial-up is available now)
- Need variety of recreational activities
- One group noted the need for recreational activities for different age groups
- One group identified a need for more community activities such as concerts or theater groups
- Two groups identified a need for an area to rollerblade / skateboard
- Better Township / Borough Advertisement
- One group noted that better advertising for activities and an up-to-date website for South Franklin Township are needed
- Lack of Recycling
- One group expressed the need for a recycling program
Transportation:
Residents felt that transportation within the Project Area is overall satisfactory. Strengths identified include:
- Low traffic
- Proximity to interstates and major highways
- Adequate winter road maintenance
- Recent improvements to the County Airport
Identified concerns include:
- Speeding
- All three groups noted, however no desire for local police presence
- Need pedestrian and bicycle access
- Sidewalks are not a priority for any group
- Two groups want safer biking routes, including wider shoulders on SR 18
- Two groups expressed a need for walking trails but one group felt the trails within the Township Park are sufficient
- One group stated that there is a group of walkers that regularly meets to walk on Deerfield Road
- Lack of Public Transportation
- One group identified a need for to extend public transportation service into the Project Area from Washington but another group noted that the current GG&C On-call service is adequate
- Need for a Park n’ Ride
- One group noted a need for one in the Project Area but another group felt existing ones were sufficient
- Increased Traffic
- One group noted that increased commercial development may worsen the bottleneck on SR 18 at the border between North Franklin and South Franklin
- One group also identified the connector from South Franklin to the high school in Claysville as a priority
- Road Condition
- One group is concerned about the impact of truck traffic (in relation to oil and gas well activity) on roads
- One-lane Bridges
- One group noted the need to address one-lane bridges
- Airport Noise
- Need to address the noise associated with the Airport
Natural and Historic Resources:
For the most part, natural resources are classified as assets while most residents note the lack of historic resources in the Project Area to preserve. Identified strengths include:
- Abundant green space and wooded areas
- Low pollution
Identified concerns include:
- Preserve Historic Resources
- Two groups noted the Clark House (on old SR 18) as a priority
- One group noted that there are old cemeteries that should be preserved for historic significance
- Flooding
- One group noted flood prone areas near Scotty’s, the Airport, the Walker place, and the border between North and South Franklin
- Stormwater Runoff
- Sewage Overflow
- One group noted the stream behind the VFD and other streams within the Project Area have sewage overflows and pollution issues
- Slumping
- One group identified slumping on Deerfield and Lagonda
- Water Quality / Quantity
- One group is concerned about the impact of gas wells on water wells and springs
Land Use, Economic Development, and Housing
As expressed during the visioning exercise, most of the residents wish to see very little development in order to preserve their high quality of life and rural character. However, many realize that there is a need to allow for controlled development, in areas where existing infrastructure can support it and developed in such a manner that does not detract from the existing nature of the community. Identified opportunities include:
- Residential
- More single-family homes to respond to increased demand in area
- One group noted need for senior housing
- One group noted need for a variety of housing options
- Commercial
- Allow small commercial business, such as grocery store, bank, etc. along SR 18
- Want personal services / professional offices on a small scale – designed to serve the local population, not regional
- Industrial
- Allow for small-scale industrial, similar to Lagonda Machine
Identified concerns include:
- Residential
- Two groups stated that there is overcrowding in some of the mobile home parks
- One group stated a need for senior housing while another felt there is no need to provide that type of housing
- One group wanted to see townhouses while another sees them as too expensive and that people can move outside of Project Area for that type of housing
- Commercial
- One group would like to see more attractive and prosperous-looking storefronts along SR 18
- Industrial
- One group wanted to see the Airport area used as an economic engine for the Project Area, while another did not wish to see any development near the Airport
- One group stated the need for the Township to have solid working relationships with the coal, oil and gas companies
Priority Concerns
Each group prioritized their top three issues and presented them to the larger audience.
Group 1
- Sewage
- Clean up unattractive areas
- Recreation for multi-age groups
Group 2
- Sewage
- Controlled growth
- Keep rural character
Group 3
- Sewage/water extensions
- Preserve rural open space and farmland—controlled development
- Aesthetics- clean up community- 18
Exit Survey Summary
In total, 35 surveys were returned out of the 46 distributed.
Where do you live?
- South Franklin Township residents 32
- Green Hills Borough resident 1
- Morris Township residents (Prosperity) 2
How did you hear about the meeting?
- Local newspaper: 17
- Posters/flyers: 11
- Friends/word of mouth 7
Is there a better time to hold the meeting?
- No, 7 pm is good time 8
- Yes, 6pm 1
- Not on a hockey night; not on a snowy night;
Did the presentation adequately explain planning and the project?
If no, why not?
- Who is Green Hills Borough?
- Why should South Franklin Township join with this Borough and not another Township?
- Handouts would be nice
- Better answers to questions – how much land is owned by coal company that in all likelihood cannot be developed?
Did you have an opportunity to convey your thoughts regarding development and community needs during the breakout groups??
If no, why not?
Any other comments regarding the meeting overall?
- Introduce all of the staff/speakers
- Productive meeting – hope that municipalities act on plan and move forward with improvements
- Speakers should write larger on the charts for audience to see
- Belief statements could be beneficial
- Speakers were wonderful – kept the crowd under control
- Very well run meeting
- Provide more ways for residents to be actively involved in plan development through e-mail and Internet communications
- Very informative
Priority Needs / Issues:
- Sewerage / Water
- Preserve Farmland & Rural Character
- New Growth / Development
- Airport Noise
Other identified issues include:
- Development:
- Residential single-family homes for controlled development
- Allow for limited residential
- Limit the number of new mobile home parks / overcrowding
- Low impact commercial businesses
- Limit commercial development
- Small industrial development along SR 18
- No industrial development
- No new growth
- Own property in South Franklin – need sewage for development
- Utilities:
- Do not extend water and do not provide public sewage
- Municipal Services:
- Natural Resources:
- Restrict gas drilling and coal mining
- Transportation
Overall, what is the #1 issue facing the future of your community?
- Sewerage
- Overall appearance / community character
Other responses include:
- Build value to property by adding sewage and water – enhance desire to move and build hear in future
- Undesired urban sprawl; Preservation of farmlands / rural lifestyle; Restrain growth and development
- Recreation; Rural Character; SR 18 corridor for business
- Protect private properties from subsidence due to coal removal
- Not enough money to pay for all of the “wants” discussed tonight
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