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Planning Commission reintroduces official map update to identify open space and road alignments
Summary
Upper Providence planning staff presented a revised official map that updates open-space candidate parcels and conceptual road realignments dating to the 2008 map; commissioners asked staff to parcelize broad preservation areas, identify funding options, and return a clearer, GIS-based map for next review.
The Upper Providence Township Planning Commission reviewed a reworked version of the township's official map on Feb. 5, with staff urging the commission to convert broad open-space blobs into specific candidate parcels for acquisition or conservation easement.
Jeff (staff) told the commission the existing official map dates from 2008 and earlier and is intended to "show the intentions of the township, whether that's intentions to buy open space, to realign roads, to create trails" and to guide how developers design around those policies. He said the draft update will show township parcels acquired since 2008 and new areas the township should consider preserving.
Commissioners and staff discussed several geographic priorities: a cluster of state- or PennDOT-owned parcels near Montclair that are effectively preserved; green polygons identified as concentrations of undeveloped land where staff recommends selecting parcel-level targets; and riverfront parcels the township has historically sought to add to its holdings. Jeff said the township has used tools ranging from outright purchase to conservation easements and purchase of development rights and that he will identify specific parcels for the next draft.
Members raised the funding question: a commissioner noted the township already has "some money in the budget" set aside for open-space work but asked whether there is a rolling acquisition fund. Jeff replied there is limited money and the Board of Supervisors is interested in expanding funding sources beyond a single line item; he said creating a fund would allow the township to act more quickly when properties (including sheriff's-sale opportunities) come up.
Commissioners pressed staff on boundary details and ownership. Jeff said some linear parcels along the Phoenixville spur are owned by PennDOT and the state, and that township staff have attempted to confirm ownership through PennDOT's general counsel but have not secured a commitment to transfer any parcels.
The commission asked staff to (1) parcelize the green polygons into candidate parcels, (2) identify ownership (township/state/county/private) in the next map iteration, (3) provide an updated GIS-based map with clearer graphics and fewer overlapping arrows, and (4) return the updated materials at the next meeting for further refinement.
