North Wales Borough: 2040 Comprehensive plan

Maggie Dobbs, Community Planner Marley Bice, AICP, Senior Planner

June 1, 2016

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Purpose of a Comprehensive Plan

• Serve as a long-range community vision • Establish policies, priorities, and guidelines to

achieve the community’s desired vision • Three components: ▫ Geographically comprehensive ▫ Comprehensive in subject matter ▫ Long-range time frame

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Requirements of a Comprehensive Plan • Comprehensive Plan Elements Required by the MPC: ▫ Statement of Objectives ▫ Plan for Land Use ▫ Plan to Meet Housing Needs ▫ Plan for Movement of People and Goods ▫ Plan for Community Facilities and Utilities ▫ Plan for the Protection of Natural and Historic

Resources ▫ Plan for the Reliable Supply of Water ▫ Discussion of Short- and Long-Range Implementation

Strategies ▫ Statement of the Interrelationships between Plan

Components ▫ Statement of Consistency with Adjacent Municipalities’

and the County’s Comprehensive Plan

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What Does A Comprehensive Plan Do?

North Wales Comprehensive

Plan

Policy Recommendations

Zoning Ordinance

Subdivision & Land Development

Ordinance

Capital Improvements

Program

Grants

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Benefits of a Comprehensive Plan

• Community-based visioning process ▫ Support community ideals ▫ Provide direction for next steps

• Provides guidance for policy-making and decisions regarding infrastructure, zoning amendments, public investments, etc.

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Previous Planning Efforts

• Comprehensive Plans ▫ 1969 ▫ 1972 ▫ 1998 ▫ 2007

• 2012 – Revitalization Plan • 2008 – TOD/Redevelopment Plan for “Wawa

Triangle” (TCDI grant funded study)

• 2006 – Developing Around Transit (DVRPC)

• 2005 – Open Space Plan • 1983 – Neighborhood Improvement Program

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Location

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Zoning & Land Use

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North Wales Comprehensive Plan

• Because the borough is already built-out, this comprehensive plan will focus on both planning for physical infrastructure and also on the “intangibles” ▫ Build a strong sense of place Celebrating what makes North Wales unique and desirable

▫ Develop a sustainable community Healthy living for plants, people, and animals

▫ Economic development Enhance residential and commercial experience

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Project Timeline and Phases

Phase 1: Kickoff

Phase 2: Data Collection and Analysis

Phase 3: Public Engagement Part 1

Phase 4: Synthesis & Planning

Phase 5: Public Engagement Part 2

Phase 6: Draft Final Plan

Phase 7: Adoption

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Scope of Work

• The North Wales Comprehensive Plan should project the vision for the community through 2040 ▫ A 20-year comprehensive plan would allow for the

borough to engage in this process half-way through to re-assess where it stands and make recommendations moving forward

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Organization of Steering Committee Identify participants Borough staff Planning Commission members Council members HARB members North Wales Historic Commission members Business Alliance members Parks and Recreation Board members Representatives from houses of worship School District – Home & School Parent North Wales Library Police/Fire Residents – Ward Leaders TMA – transportation element (State reps) North Wales Water Authority

Establish meeting schedule Appoint Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson

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Planning Partners

• North Wales Historic Commission • North Wales Business Alliance • North Penn School District • Shade Tree Commission • Parks and Recreation • North Wales Water Authority • Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission • Wissahickon Watershed Alliance • TMA • PennDOT • Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) • SEPTA • Montgomery County • Adjacent Municipalities

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Roles

• MCPC Planners ▫ Data gathering and analysis ▫ Organization of public engagement series

• Steering Committee ▫ Feedback ▫ Community support

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Marley Bice, AICP, Senior Planner mbice@montcopa.org – 610-278-3740 Maggie Dobbs, Community Planner mdobbs@montcopa.org – 610-292-4917

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