montgomery county today
77
institutions, camps, recreation associations,
cemeteries and private foundations own open land
in the county. These properties may be available
for public use, depending upon the objectives and
regulations of the organization. Some institutional
lands, such as school properties, are used for active
recreation and sports leagues, while other
institutional land, such as cemeteries, provides
informal access to the public.
Golf Courses: Montgomery County residents
enjoy a wide variety of golf opportunities on the 56
golf courses that comprise 8,118 acres in the
county. Golf courses provide several benefits to
the county. As largely open land, they provide
vistas and natural landscapes which can reduce
stormwater impacts, enhance water recharge, and
provide habitat. Golf courses also provide local
economic opportunities and can be an important
amenity available to attract tourists.
Corporate Properties:
A few corporate research
and office properties in the county may contain
open land with woodlands, meadows, and stream
corridors. Although not public land, corporate
lands may serve as natural habitat areas, and
local trail networks may pass alongside or even
link into employee walking trails maintained on
these properties.
Preferential Tax Assessment
The county is able to offer two forms of reduced property tax as incentive for property owners to conserve
their land. The Clean and Green Act (Act 319) provides assessment of agriculture land based on its
production value. Act 515 allows for the establishment of covenants that reduce the assessed value of
property for a specified time frame to maintain an open space use of the property.
The Clean and Green Law, Act 319, was enacted in 1974 to allow for the preferential assessment of
farmland. As of January 3, 2013, 1,674 parcels of land in the county totaling 49,810 acres are assessed
under Act 319. Under this voluntary program, qualified land is assessed based upon agriculture production.
If the property is no longer used for agriculture purposes and developed, the property owner is subject to the
payment of roll back taxes and interest penalties covering a seven year period.
Covenants established under Act 515 can be used on select properties which contain various open space
qualities. Through the establishment of a 10-year covenant, the property owner agrees to maintain the land
as open space while the tax assessment is lowered to reflect that use. Violation of covenants can trigger roll
back tax and interest penalties. On January 1, 2013, 78 parcels with 7,804 acres were under Act 515.
Playing golf at the Rivercrest Golf Course near Mont Clare.
FIGURE 51:
Institutional Open Space
¯
Pottstown
Norristown
Lansdale
Collegeville
Jenkintown
Conshohocken
476
276
76
476
t
u
422
t
u
202
611
100
309
Hatboro
Ambler
Pennsburg
73
663
29
29
73
Cemetery
Governmental Facility
Golf Course
College Campus
Source: Montgomery County Planning Commission
