Planning Perspectives

  • York County 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update - July 2018 (PDF): This edition gives a brief overview of hazard mitigation planning and highlights the information provided in the York County 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update.
  • Navigating the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (PA MPC) Requirements and the (YCPC) Agenda Project Review Process - December 2017 (PDF): This newsletter provides information and reminders for York County municipalities in regards to the YCPC agenda project review process as required by the PA MPC.
  • MS4 Permit Changes - September 2016 (PDF): This article updates York County municipalities with regard to the urban stormwater sector changes recently issued by PA DEP.
  • Fifi and Fido Say: "Pick It Up!" - September 2015 (PDF): The dangers to our public waters from dog waste. This article tells you why it is important to pick up after your pets.
  • National Flood Insurance Program Changes - October 2013 (PDF): Federal Law establishes changes to flood insurance rates to reflect actual flood risk. Most policyholders will eventually see flood insurance rate increases.
  • Deteriorating Properties - November 2012 (PDF): As the Commonwealth continues to experience a slow economic recovery, communities in York County are addressing deteriorating structures and properties to a greater extent than previously encountered. This problem of vacant, abandoned and blighted private property is a local concern, but solutions to these issues are largely enabled by State law.
  • Unconventional Gas / Oil Wells - May 2012 (PDF): On February 14, 2012, Governor Tom Corbett signed Act 13 of 2012 into law. Act 13 amends the Oil and Gas Act of 1984 to allow for the enactment of a county impact fee on unconventional gas wells. The law also provides local ordinance standards relating to oil and gas operations.
  • TreeVitalize - January 2012 (PDF): It was once said that someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. Studies have shown that trees have a positive effect on many aspects of people's lives, including their:
    • Air quality
    • Businesses
    • Communities
    • Drinking water 
    • Homes
    • Health
  • Regional Mapping Application - July 2010 (PDF): In 2008, York County became a strategic partner in the Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor (CSSC) in order to plan for the expected growth from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) efforts taking place at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The potential influx of people and businesses into the area created the need to develop a tool that would assist with growth management and land use planning in the region.
  • Flood Safety Awareness - March 2010 (PDF): In light of the recent rains affecting York County and as part the implementation of the York County Hazard Mitigation Plan, the YCPC thought this would be a good time to pass along some facts and information on flooding in York County.
  • Municipal Recreation Plan - October 2008 (PDF): Does your municipality have the right mix of parks and recreational facilities for its population? Wouldn't it be nice to have a tool that identifies park and recreational needs and sets forth a strategy to meet the needs? And how about some help establishing and maintaining those amenities? Well, you can have all of it!
  • Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy - March 2006 (PDF): With the signing of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement on June 28, 2000, Pennsylvania, along with Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, made a commitment to help remove the Chesapeake Bay from the Federal Clean Water Act's list of impaired waters by 2010. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Chesapeake Bay Commission, New York New York, Delaware, and West Virginia, along with the signing jurisdictions, are the key partners in this Bay clean-up effort.
  • Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) - February 2005 (PDF): As a committed partner in municipal, as well as County and regional planning efforts, the staff of the YCPC has prepared this issue of Planning Perspectives to inform municipalities of what we feel is a valuable resource to aid local governments in all aspects of environmental planning. The Local Government Environmental Assistance Network (LGEAN) is a non-profit partnership of national and international organizations ready to help local governments in all aspects of environmental management.
  • ABCs of Growth Management - November 2004 (PDF): The Growth Management component of the York County Comprehensive Plan is intended to serve as a tool for coordinating land use planning activities throughout York County. The premise of this Plan is that municipalities should be directly involved in the delineation of future land uses and participate in discussions of regional concern. The delineations and discussions being predicated upon the need to direct growth to areas where it can best be accommodated, which in turn, helps to relieve development pressure on valuable resource or preservation areas.
  • Environmental Advisory Council - June 2004 (PDF): The York County Planning Commission has long been aware of the importance and complexities involved in the management of York County's natural resources. The purpose of this issue of Planning Perspectives is to provide information about Environmental Advisory Councils - a tool made available by law, which, if used properly, may enhance environmental resource management at the local level.
  • YCPC Transportation Planning Divisions Role in the Review of Subdivision and Land Development Plans - November 1996 (PDF): An important function of the Transportation Planning Division of the YCPC is the review of subdivision and land development plans relating to traffic circulation, traffic control, safety concerns, access management, and alternative modes of transportation. The review process conducted by the Division involves the following three items: subdivision/land development plans, traffic impact studies, and PennDOT Highway Occupancy Permit (HOP) applications.
  • Stormwater - A Watershed Approach to Managing Runoff - October 1996 (PDF): Beyond the implications of the Act's provisions to ensure compliance, it is important for local officials to consider the benefits within their jurisdiction, as well as for neighboring municipalities, of watershed-based Water Planning.