Montco 2040:
a shared vision
71
… advocate with local municipalities, health care providers, and developers to create an
environment that meets the needs of an aging population
As the Baby Boom generation ages, the county’s older population will increase significantly, approximately 58% by 2040. The
county, through its Office of Aging and Adult Services and Planning Commission, will advocate for the unique needs of these
residents.
Livable places meeting the needs of older citizens have:
■■ Safe, easily accessible parks and public areas with
sufficient outdoor seating, trails, and restrooms
■■ Buildings that are well signed and easy to enter or
drop someone off
■■ Accessible sidewalks and crosswalks in walkable
neighborhoods
■■ Public transportation options
■■ Roads and signage with straightforward markings, drop
off areas, and signage
■■ All types of housing in areas that are close to services
and the rest of the community
■■ Assisted living and nursing homes within the community
■■ Homes designed for accessibility and aging in place
■■ Venues for events and activities in well lit,
convenient locations
■■ Higher percent of elderly
who move but choose to
remain in the county
Measuring success
■■ Conversion of obsolete
centers to new mixed use
developments, modernized
centers, and other uses
Measuring success
… work with local municipalities, developers, and property owners redeveloping older
retail properties
With so many shopping centers in the county, many older centers and properties may be ready for redevelopment.
The county will prepare a guide for redeveloping and improving retail commercial areas.
Some retail areas can convert to different uses such as:
■■ mixed use areas and town centers
■■ offices, including health care facilities
■■ recreational centers and gyms
■■ apartments
■■ twins, townhouses, qudruplexes, duplexes, and other medium density housing
Whether they remain retail or not, existing retail properties should have:
■■ combined driveways and interconnected parking
■■ buildings close to the street with front doors and windows facing the street
■■ sidewalks set back from the street that connect to the building
■■ street trees, landscaping, walls to screen parking, and other street
beautification
■■ appropriate signage