8
Montgomery County Planning Commission
Successfully translating the visions
developed in plans into action requires
various tasks. Plan implementation
often involves several local, regional,
and statewide stakeholders, and the
county planning commission plays an
important role in working collaboratively
with various organizations. Our plan
implementation efforts include the
development of guidance publications
and
, special plans
and studies, coordination with various
groups in setting funding priorities and
action objectives, and direct assistance in
project development.
Transportation
In 2013, our success in shaping the
county and regional transportation
policies and funding decisions to meet
county plan recommendations involved
many activities, including:
• Initiated the
with the PA
Turnpike Commission, PennDOT,
the Delaware Valley Regional
Planning Commission (DVRPC),
local and state officials, and major
landowners/companies. This project
involves developing new land use and
development policies and ordinances
along the turnpike corridor to
reinvigorate existing business parks
and reposition them to be one of the
first choices considered by companies
looking to locate new businesses or
expand existing businesses. The draft
report will recommend strategies for
implementation and possible funding
methods and scenarios for the design
and construction of the selected new
turnpike access alternatives including
private-public partnerships.
Translating Plans
into Action . . .
Environmental Protection, Open
Space Preservation, and Trails
Protecting natural areas requires a
better understanding of our county’s
environmental characteristics. It
involves successful grant writing and the
formation of project teams to preserve
land and develop park and trail facilities.
Below are some highlights of what we
accomplished in 2013:
• Managed nine municipal open space
and trail development grant projects
remaining from the Green Fields/
Green Towns Program, and completed
four of those projects.
• Preserved
an additional 71 acres
of farmland and inspected 80 farm
easements
currently in place with the
Montgomery County Agricultural
Lands Preservation Board.
• Secured a lease with SEPTA to
extend
the Pennypack Trail.
Preserved an
additional
71
acres of
farmland
4
open space and
trail development
grant projects
completed
An attractive rain garden on the West Campus
of the Montgomery County Community College.
