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THE VANTAGE POINT 1

American Planning AssociationPennsylvania Chapter

Making Great Communities Happen

THE VANTAGE POINT

October-November 2009 • Number 150 • www.planningpa.org

A Publication of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Planning AssociationAPAPA

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2009 Annual Conference

GOODWORK

More than 550 planners, planning officials, planning students and

government representatives gathered at the Dolce Valley Forge in

King of Prussia to hear provocative and inspiring keynote speakers,

celebrate the achievements of peers during the annual awards cere-

mony, and gain knowledge at the workshops. The conference was not

all about work either as attendees took in Valley Forge regional

attractions, relaxed with colleagues and re-affirmed the good work

of planning and planners in the state.

F R O M T H E O P E N I N G R E C E P T I O N at Valley Forge National His-toric Park Welcome Center to the compelling main sessions, conferenceparticipants had many opportunities to learn, share, sharpen skills, andbuild relationships geared to professional development.

The Chapter is grateful to the conference planning committee fortheir many contributions to the success of the event including selectingan outstanding group of primary speakers, planning exciting specialevents, and developing a comprehensive conference program featuring 52 workshops and 4 mobile sessions.

We also extend our thanks to the companies and organizations foryour support of the conference as sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers.

Your contributions help to make the conference possible for the morethan 550 attendees.

Thanks also go out to the donors who provided gift baskets for theannual raffle and the attendees who bought over $1,750 in raffle tickets

all of which goes to the Chapter scholarship fund. This money assistsstudents in both undergraduate and graduate planning programs in Pennsylvania. We appreciate the generous donors and planners who supported the scholarship fundraising events at the conference.

When searching for courses

provided by the PA Chap-ter of APA, you will findour chapter listed as aprovider under “A” as APA –Pennsylvania Chapter.Double-check your records

to be sure you account forall the CM approved ses-sions you have taken. Forhelp in identifying sessionsprovided by the PA Chap-ter, we have posted lists ofCM approved events byyear. You can view them atthe Chapter’s website,www.planningpa.org. Clickon Career Center and thenAICP Members.Deadline extension: APA

has extended the deadline

to obtain credits until

April 30, 2010. All creditsmust be logged by thatdate. Please note that anyAICP renewal fees mustbe paid by the dates notedin your APA account,which may be earlier thanApril 30.Please note the system

continues to have some

bugs. If at first you do notfind what you are seekingit is helpful to try once ortwice more.

CMTips

RE-affirmed

The first CM reporting cycle will conclude in a few months. Below are some important tips to assist you in logging yourcredits and obtaining credits inthese last few months.

2 THE VANTAGE POINT

American Planning AssociationPennsylvania Chapter

Making Great Communities Happen

587 James DriveHarrisburg, PA 17112717 671-4510 (P)717 545-9247 (F)www.planningpa.org

Susan Shermer, CMPAdministrative Directorsshermer@shermer-assoc.com

Sarah T. Galbraith, CMPChapter Administratorsgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com

APAPA

The Vantage Point is printed on RolandOpaque30 Smooth Bright White 70#and contains FSC certified 30% post-consumer fiber. The paper is EcoLogoand FSC Mixed Sources certified and ismanufactured using renewable biogasenergy. Roland papers are produced byCascades, an environmentally friendlycompany whose paper production prac-tices saves 30 million trees a year. Inclu-sion in this newsletter of ads does notimply endorsement by PA APA.

Please help us close the loop and recycle this newsletter.

CO M M I T T E E CO - C H A I R S :Graciela Cavicchia, AICP, The

Reinvestment FundBrian O’Leary, AICP, Montgomery

County Planning CommissionDavid Ward, AICP, Chester County

Planning Commission

CO M M I T T E E :David Babbitt, AICP, David C. Babbitt

& Associates LLCRonald Bednar, AICP, State of

PennsylvaniaRichard Bickel, AICP, Delaware Valley

Regional Planning CommissionBrendan Cotter, Delaware County

Planning DepartmentMartha Cross, AICP, Melvin Design

GroupDottie Ives Dewey, PhD, AICP, West

Chester UniversityAngela Dixon, AICP, Hurley Franks &

AssociatesJustin Dula, AICP, Delaware County

Planning DepartmentJennifer Duval, AICP, JacobsSusan Elks, AICP, Chester County

Planning CommissionWalter Evans, AICP, Walter C. Evans

& Associates, Inc.Ben Ginsberg, AICP

Dennis Glackin, AICP, Glackin Thomas Panzak

Alan Higgins, Delaware County Planning Department

Deborah Howe, FAICP, PhD, Temple University

John Kennedy, AICP, Kennedy & Associates, LLC

John Landis, University of PennsylvaniaRobert O’Leary, Tredyffrin Township

Planning CommissionJohn E. Pickett, PE, AICP, Delaware

County Planning DepartmentSusan Phillips, PE, PTOE, AICP, CMX

EngineeringRebecca Ross, AICP, Delaware County

Planning DepartmentJoseph Russo, Delaware County

Planning DepartmentHeather Sherk, AICP, Traffic Planning

and Design, Inc.Michael Stokes, AICP, Montgomery

County Planning CommissionTracy Tackett, CH PlanningCheryl Graff Tumola, Radnor Township

Comprehensive Plan, Implementa-tion Committee

John Weller, AICP, West Whiteland Township

Darlene Gallant Wynne, AICP,

Montgomery County Planning Commission

CO N F E R E N C E

556 Attendees52 Workshops4 Mobile Workshops21 Exhibitors

bythenumbers

Diamond SponsorsCalifornia University of PennsylvaniaGovernor’s Center for Local Government Services, PA DCEDTemple University Ambler College, Department of

Community & Regional Planning

Platinum SponsorURS Corporation

Silver SponsorsDelaware Valley Regional Planning CommissionHerbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc.IUP Department of Geography and Regional PlanningJ.P. Mascaro & SonsJohnson Mirmiran & Thompson Inc.Kaplin Stewart Meloff Reiter & Stein, P.C.Kennedy & AssociatesUniversity of Pennsylvania School of PlanningWallace Roberts & Todd, LLC

Many thanks to the Raffle Basket Donors

• Butler County PlanningCommission

• Chester County PlanningCommission

• County of Venango• Delaware County Planning

Department• Franklin County Planning

Department• Johnson, Mirmiran &

Thompson• Mifflin County Planning &

Development

T H E 2 0 0 9 A N N UA L CO N F E R E N C E was by all measures a great success. We would however like to explore the one issue commonly raised by attendees — why did wechoose King of Prussia for a planning conference? We’ll discussthis question in the December Vantage Point.

Photos and stories wantedDo you have conference photos or stories that you would like to share? We’d like to publish them! Please send images to sgalbraith@ shermer-assoc.com. Conference stories about planning knowledge gained, networking success, and mobileworkshops are also welcome.

Lost and FoundA planner textbook with CD was found atthe recent PA Chapter Annual Conferencein King of Prussia, PA. If you are missingone, please contact the Chapter office at717-671-4510 or info@planningpa.org.

With deep appreciation, we thank theConference Sponsors

2009 Annual Conference

GOODWORKRE-affirmed

2009Conference Committee

CO M I N G I N D E C E M B E R !

WhyKing of Prussia?

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Planner notes...Joy M. Ruff, AICP (Wilhelm) recently joined the firm ofWhitman, Requardt, & Associates, LLP. Best wishes to herin her new position!

Charnelle Hicks, AICP, PP, founder andpresident of CHPlanning, Ltd. andVice President of the Executive Com-mittee of the Pennsylvania Chapter ofthe American Planning Association,addressed young entrepreneurs aboutthe successes and challenges facingwomen in business. She was part of apanel of four at the PhiladelphiaEmpowerment Group’s annual cele-bration of women entrepreneurs,

“Success in the City,” August 26, 2009, at the Center forArchitecture in Philadelphia. Empowerment Group is asmall business development non-profit and Small BusinessWomen’s Center located in Philadelphia. The panel discus-sion highlighted women business owners and afforded anopportunity for budding entrepreneurs to ask a group ofsuccessful women about their business practice and tactics.Charnelle Hicks was thanked for her participation: “Yourrespect for the richness of Philadelphia’s neighborhoodsmakes our mission of small business development possible.Community revitalization lacks resiliency without forward-thinking, holistic planning firms like CHPlanning, Ltd. Ourattendees can learn much from your commitment to the cityand your unique business experiences.”

THE VANTAGE POINT 3

PA Chapter Executive Committee

PRESIDENT

Alexander J. Graziani, AICP

Smart Growth Partnership VICE PRESIDENT

Charnelle Hicks, AICP, PP

CHPlanning, Ltd.SECRETARY

John Pickett, AICP, PE

Delaware County Planning DepartmentTREASURER

Mark Stivers, AICP

East Hempfield Township LEHIGH VALLEY SECTION REPRESENTATIVE

Anthony P. Toth, AICP

alfred benesch & companyNORTHEAST SECTION REPRESENTATIVE

Peter T. Wulfhorst, AICP

Penn State Cooperative ExtensionNORTHWEST SECTION REPRESENTATIVE

Roy Brant, PhD

Crawford County PlanningCommissionPAST PRESIDENT

Carl Hess, AICP

Borough of State College

Section ChairsCentralWilliam Gomes, AICP

Mifflin County Planning CommissionLehigh ValleyAnthony Toth, AICP

alfred benesch & companyNortheastChristine Dettore

Monroe County Planning CommissionNorthwestRoy Brant, PhD

Crawford County PlanningCommissionSoutheastGraciela Cavicchia, AICP

The Reinvestment FundSouthwestJeff Grim, AICP

Southwestern PennsylvaniaCommission

Committee Chairs

Professional Development Officer/Professional Development Committee ChairSusan Elks, AICP

Planning Officials DevelopmentOfficer/Chair of the Planning Officials Development CommitteeShirley A. Yannich, AICP

Communications Committee ChairDennis Martinak, AICP

Education Committee ChairCliff Kanz, AICP

2010 Conference Co-ChairsJames Cowhey, AICP

Jeffrey Featherstone, PhD

Richard Koch, AICP

Legislative CommitteeRichard Bickel, AICP, Chair

Susan Smith, Esq., AICP, Vice Chair Trai

ning

Opp

s

Growing Green Communities: Developing an Eco-City Action

Plan and Local Sustainability Policies - 12 CM*

November 19-20, 2009Presented by the Planning Academy at Virginia Tech

61st Annual Atlantic Builders Convention

CM available for some sessionsApril 14-16, 2010Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

APA National Conference

April 10 13, 2010New Orleans, LAwww.planning.org

PA Chapter of APA Annual Conference

CM multiOctober 3-5, 2010Lancaster, PA

Visit www.planningpa.org for all event and registration details.

EVENTS &Training Opportunities

Frustrated? If you’re run-ning into difficulty loggingyour credits, please let usknow so we can assist!Contact the PA Chapteroffice to discuss.

Free and Low-Cost Opportunities to Obtain Credits

The webcast series willannounce the 2010 pro-grams shortly. Look formany new and interestingsessions, including Law andEthics. Remember, mem-bers may obtain credits forthe current CM cycle untilApril 30, 2010 and thewebcast series provides anexcellent opportunity toobtain credits at no charge.APA’s Free CM offerings:

APA currently makes anumber of CM approvedsessions available at nocharge. The list is continu-ally being updated and ses-sions are available for lim-ited time slots so check thewebsite frequently for acurrent list of courses. Toview this list visitwww.planning.org/cm/free.PA Chapter of APA Lending

Library: The PA Chaptermakes CM approved CDcourses available to ourmembers at no charge. Justpay $10.00 to cover ship-ping and handling. Werecently added 4 new pro-grams to the library,including sessions to meetthe Law and Ethicsrequirements. To view theavailable courses, visitwww.planningpa.org andclick on CD LendingLibrary under the Events/Conferences heading.

CMTipsCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

logonwww.planningpa.org

4 THE VANTAGE POINT

A M O N G T H E M O R E recenttechnological arrivals is the elec-

tronic messaging center (EMC),a technology which uses lightemitting diodes (LEDs) and ani-mated graphics to convey infor-mation. Electronic messagingcenters are a sophisticated, pow-erful and highly flexible form ofadvertising, a form of advertisingthat presents unusual problemsfor many planners. From Pitts-burg to Berlin and Jakarta,ECMs have arrived to mixed,contentious, and occasionallylitigious reviews.

On April 24, 2009 the South-west Section, in conjunctionwith IUP, sponsored a moder-ated panel presentation titled“Mindsight in Hindsight: Elec-

tronic Signs on Main Street”.

Approximately 30 plannersattended from across the Sec-tion. Panelists included: Doug

Varner, Owner/Operator, Mind-sight, Indiana; Betsy Lauber,

Main Street Manager, Down-town Indiana; Dave Kirk,

Director of Planning and CodeEnforcement, Indiana Borough;and Susan McClure, Chairperson,Indiana Borough Planning Com-mission. Whit Watts, PhD, Pro-fessor, IUP, Department ofGeography and Regional Plan-

ning and Jeff Raykes, SeniorPlanner, Indiana County Officeof Planning and Developmentmoderated the panel.

Using the Borough ofIndiana case, panelists discussedthe challenges posed by EMCsfrom their positions as adver-tising entrepreneurs, planningcommission members, merchantadvocates and code enforcementofficials. Indiana Borough is cur-rently engaged in a communitywide debate concerning the useof EMC’s in its traditional com-mercial core.

Discussion followed what hasnow become a familiar divide. InIndiana, as elsewhere, many con-tend that ECMs are highly dis-

tracting, compromise traffic

safety, erode community char-

acter and cause visual blight.

Others insist that electronicmessaging centers are visually

engaging, providing both a

means of conveying useful infor-

mation to the public and an

important means for promoting

economic vitality in the commer-

cial core.

Panelists discussed the legalimplications of several regulatoryalternatives. These ranged fromtotal bans on EMCs (Naser Jew-elers v. City of Concord), partial

prohibitions on off-premiseadvertising and the use of time,place and manner restrictions.The administrative “nitty gritty”and enforcement challenges forparticular regulatory alternativeswere discussed as well. Localexamples of particular and insome cases peculiar, proceduraland enforcement issues —issuesconcerning grandfathering,crafting appropriate ordinancelanguage and consistent inter-pretation—were highlighted.The panelists approached theissue from different perspectives,but all agreed on the need for

three things: clarity in policy;

keeping ordinance language up

to date; and uniform application

of the rules.

Issues surrounding electronicmessaging centers are far fromover. In Indiana Borough, aselsewhere, the power and popu-larity of EMCs ensures thatdebate and contention will be

ongoing. With strong opinionson both sides of the EMCdivide, the battle over electronicsigns on Main Street is not likelyto end any time soon.

The meeting concluded witha tour of on-going or recentlycompleted planning projects inIndiana Borough. SouthwestSection planners experienced afield view of the recently com-pleted “Road Diet” on Philadel-phia Street/Main Street inIndiana, the construction phaseof one of the largest current dor-mitory replacement projects inthe nation and the site clearingphase for the Kovalchick Conven-

tion and Athletic Complex on the

IUP campus, as well as trafficcalming projects on a corridorthat includes an elementaryschool, middle school, and highschool. In addition, plannerswere shown the former locationsof the electronic messaging cen-ters on Main Street.

M I N D S I G H T I N H I N D S I G H T :

TOP LEFT: Southwest Section mem-

bers were shown the future site

of the Kovalchick Convention and

Athletic Complex adjacent to the

Eberly College of Business and

Information Technology on

Indiana University of Pennsyl-

vania’s Campus. The complex will

be home to a large-capacity

arena, hotel, conference center,

and auditorium and will serve as

a conference center for the

region. BOTTOM LEFT: Dr. Watts

details bulb-outs and other

traffic calming measures near the

very walkable Horace Mann

Elementary School.

Technology can catch a community off guard. Recent “uses”such as cell towers, satellite dishes and wind turbines, can appear suddenly on the cultural—and literal—horizon. Communities scramble to respond but, oftenenough, find themselves in the reactive and unattractive position of being caught with their regulations down.

Signs on Main Street

Submitted by Southwest Section

State Budget:H E N I S AT D O W N to write this column the statehad gone 76 days without a state budget. As of presstime the budget has finally been passed but as the var-ious forms of budgets were proposed one thing

became clear. The planning profession needs to do a better jobcommunicating the importance of good long-term decision making.

We need to celebrate how plans get implemented and lead to vibranteconomic and community development. Moreover, this message needsto be communicated year-around, not just at budget time.

Chapter Elections:This past summer a ballot was mailed to all members for the

officers of the executive committee. Some members shared with metheir disappointment that the ballot featured no contested races andthat the slate of nominees was the only candidates offered by thenominating committee. The current board includes me as Presi-dent; Charnelle Hicks, AICP, PP, CHPlanning, as Vice President;John Pickett, AICP, PE, Director Delaware County Planning Depart-ment as Secretary; and Mark Stivers, AICP, Director of Planning &Development East Hempfield Township as Treasurer.

I supported the decision of the nominating committee to pro-pose a ballot without contested races. The thinking of the nomi-nating committee was to have some continuity with the currentboard given our relative inexperience (three of the four of us areonly in our first full terms). The terms are two years with approxi-mately six meetings a year, not a lot of time to get up to speed andget things done.

In addition, the current four officers represent the gamut of pro-fessional planning—county and local government, as well as thenonprofit and private sectors. The four of us reflect regional diver-

sity with the three largest sections represented two from the South-east Section, one from the Southwest Section and one from CentralSection. Plus we represent the diversity of our profession as well.

Competitive elections can be good and at times necessary; how-ever, many times we are twisting arms to get people to run andoften only to lose. Sometimes these same good people end upturned off to serving. The role of leadership is to enable and facili-tate member service according to their interests and gifts.

However, as the Board of Directors discussed the issue at ourAugust meeting we decided to start earlier and work harder to

inform our members of leadership opportunities. It is important topromote interest in leadership to hold it accountable and toencourage qualified candidates to volunteer their time.

AICP Certification Maintenance:I know this does not apply to all our APA Pennsylvania Chapter

members but the deadline for AICP Certification Maintenance is fast

approaching. AICP members have until December 31, 2009 to logtheir credits to maintain their certification.

On April 13, 2007, the AICP Commission approved a measurerequiring AICP members to engage in professional development inorder to maintain certification. The vote, though controversial, wasan affirmation of AICP’s commitment to advancing the quality andintegrity of the planning profession. It reflected the importance of

THE VANTAGE POINT 5

WEBCASTS2009 Professional Development

For registration information, visit: http://www.planningpa.org

and click on CM Training. To access the monthly webcasts par-

ticipants will need an internet connection and a telephone.

The following is a summary of the upcoming sessions. Regis-

tration for each webcast is limited to 1,000. Please register

early to reserve your spot. If a group of people will be

watching the webcast from one location, only one member

needs to register. Contact the PA Chapter of APA office at

717-671-4510 to request a sign-in sheet to record other mem-

bers’ attendance. Since the PA Chapter is a participant in this

program, there is no cost to our Chapter members for partici-

pating in these programs. A complete description of each pro-

gram is available on the PA Chapter website. CM credit

approval is pending for these programs.

The following series is sponsored by the Alabama, Arkansas, Florida,Missouri, New York Upstate, Ohio, Orange County, Pennsylvania, Texas,Utah, Virginia, Western Central and Wisconsin Chapters of APA.

December 4 – 1:00pm – 2:30pm 1.5 CM*

Creating Sustainable Communities

Sponsored by Wisconsin Chapter

December 10, 1:00pm – 2:30pm 1.5 LAW CM*

Community Strategies for Dealing with Distressed Properties

December 11, 1:00pm – 2:30pm 1.5 CM*

Social Equity

Register at: http://www.utah-apa.org/webcasts.htm

(early registration encouraged)

* CM credit may be pending for select events.

COMING SOON – 2010 Webcast Series! Stay tuned for the 2010

Webcast Series. The 2010 series is packed with quality CM content

including required ethics and law sessions. The schedule is

expected to be posted by December 2009.

earnCMcredits

President Alexander J. Graziani, AICP

PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE

W

For APA members, send to:Member Records DepartmentAmerican Planning Association122 S. Michigan Avenue, Ste 1600Chicago, IL 60603-6107Fax 312-431-9985or log on to www.planning.org/myapa

For PA chapter only members, send to:PA Chapter of APA587 James DriveHarrisburg, PA 17112-2273Fax 717-545-9247or email info@planningpa.org

CHANGES OF ADDRESS

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6 THE VANTAGE POINT

T H E F I R S T M A J O R TA S K wasto collect data. Population,demographic and employmentdata was collected, analyzed andcompiled in a Market Analysis.Data from nine other transit sys-tems was also collected for aPeer Review to compare PortAuthority’s financial and opera-tional performance with thoseother similarly-sized transit systems. The biggest effortinvolved collection of ridershipdata for all 186 weekday transitroutes. Using automated pas-senger counters, rider countswere obtained at every stop andstation for all transit routes.

Simultaneously, an extensiveprogram of public outreach wasinitiated early in the study whenthe consultant interviewed 29stakeholder organizations inAllegheny County. A 21-memberAdvisory Committee to provideongoing guidance for the TDPwas also organized.

Throughout the course of thestudy, the TDP staff met with andmade presentations to manyorganizations and their represen-tatives throughout AlleghenyCounty to gain a better under-standing of their concerns andprovide opportunities to discussspecific concerns. Meetings were

held with cultural and educationalinstitutions, City of Pittsburghneighborhood groups, environ-mental organizations, councils ofgovernment, local and stateelected officials and professionalassociations. Coordination meet-ings were held to consider otherplanning and development initia-tives occurring in the City ofPittsburgh and Allegheny County.

In Summer 2008, seven openhouses were convened at variouslocations in Allegheny County toinform the public about the TDPand provide an opportunity forthe public to share input in aninformal setting. The open houseformat of the meetings wasintended to allow for as muchinteraction between the publicand Port Authority staff and con-sultants as possible, using “Tell Us

Where to Go” as the slogan topublicize the meetings. One ofthe most popular open houseactivities was a competing priori-ties exercise at which attendeeswere given sticker dots and askedto place them on a poster to indi-cate which transit priorities aremost important to them. A“Tell

Us Where To Go” bus was also usedto inform and involve people inthe TDP process who would notnormally attend public meetings

by bringing staff and materials tocommunity festivals, shoppingcenters, transit transfer points andother high activity sites.

In Spring and Summer 2008,evaluations were conducted for all186 weekday bus and rail routes.The evaluations described the pur-pose of each route, the communi-ties served by each route and otherroutes serving these communitiesand provided an assessment ofcosts and productivity. The evalua-tion documents included graphsshowing the number of peopleboarding and exiting a bus or trainat each stop and station as well asthe load on the transit vehiclethroughout the length of theroute. Each evaluation concludedwith a set of options for each routefor improving the productivity andeffectiveness of the transit system.The evaluations even suggestedfurther improvements for thoseroutes identified as good per-formers. These evaluations wereplaced on the TDP website for thepublic to review.

Using input from the publicprocess and the results of theRoute Evaluations and otheranalyses, three alternativeSystem Design Concepts weredeveloped. Two concepts main-tained the current focus on

Downtown Pittsburgh and Oak-land, albeit with fewer routes.The third concept involved amajor restructuring of service toform a grid of north-south andeast-west transit routes acrossAllegheny County which did notserve Downtown Pittsburgh orOakland. The three SystemDesign Concepts were unveiledto the public in Spring 2009.

In June 2009, two Public OpenHouses were held to inform thepublic about the Service DesignConcepts and provide an opportu-nity for the public to discuss theirthoughts with the TDP team. Twoadditional forums were sponsoredby the Local GovernmentAcademy for local elected officialsand several neighborhood meet-ings were held to discuss commu-nity specific transit service issues.

Based on public input and tech-nical assessment of the transitroutes, TDP staff produced a draftfinal plan and presented it to thepublic at the end of August. A daylong formal public hearing on theplan was held September 15 inDowntown Pittsburgh. The PortAuthority Board will vote onadopting the plan at its Octobermeeting and implementation willbegin in 2010.

The key recommendations of

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE

Since November 2007, the Port Authority of Allegheny Countyhas been conducting its Transit Development Plan (TDP) to deter-mine how best, within available financial resources, to improveservice for existing riders, attract new customers and increaseoperational efficiency and effectiveness. A major impetus for thiseffort was the passage of Pennsylvania Act 44 which changedfunding formulas to consider transit system performance in deter-mining allocation of transit operating assistance.

by David E. Wohlwill, AICP

P o r t A u t h o r i t y ’s

TRANSITD E V E L O P M E N T P L A N

the State

THE VANTAGE POINT 7

remaining current in the practiceof planning and demonstratingprofessional credibility throughcontinuing education.

AICP members must earn atotal of 32 CM credits (1 hour =1 CM credit) within their two-year reporting period. AICPmembers may report credits foractivities that were registeredsince April 14, 2007 and willhave a four month-grace periodbeyond their reporting period tocomplete the CM requirement.Remember, the first reportingperiod began January 1, 2008,and ends December 31, 2009. Allyou have to do to log credits isto visit www.planning.org andbegin entering your courses.

Chapter Development Plan:

Don’t forget next year, 2010, willbe the 25th anniversary of thefounding of the PennsylvaniaChapter of the American Plan-ning Association. To help makegood strategic decisions theleadership of PA-APA is workingto develop a new chapter devel-opment plan. Our current devel-opment plan covers the years2006-2010. The invitation

remains to share your ideas of

what needs to be the strategic

direction of the organization.

As always feel free to sharewith me (alex@smartgrowthpa.org) your ideas about any ofthe above items. The Pennsyl-vania Chapter of the AmericanPlanning Association is a mem-bership organization. Help usbetter serve you the planning pro-fessional and planning official.

PRESIDENT’SMESSAGE

Southwestby Jeff Grim, Section Chair

T H E S O U T H W E S T S E C T I O N H E L D A M E E T I N G in mid-September at the new Upper St. ClairTownship Community and Recreation Complex. The topic of the meeting was Project Managementfor Planners and qualified for 1.5 CM credits. Section Council also met in late September to preparefor the PA Chapter Board Retreat and the next Chapter Development Plan. Section members areencouraged to contact Council members with your thoughts on the direction of the Chapter and howthe Chapter can continue to or better meet your needs. Citizen Planners/Planning Officials are neededto serve on SW Council and on the Chapter Planning Officials Development Committee. Please con-tact Section Chair Jeff Grim if interested. Finally, the deadline for the first Certification Maintenancecycle is fast approaching. If you are having trouble obtaining your remaining credits, contact AmySenopole. Contact information for the Southwest Section is available on page 2 of the newsletter andon the Chapter website, www.planningpa.org.

the TDP are:• Reduce the number of bus

routes and provide more serviceon the remaining routes.

• Provide more consistent,easier to understand routes withfewer variants.

• Streamline circulationwithin Downtown Pittsburgh.Reduce the number of stops(currently, Port Authority has16,000 stops and by comparisona much larger system, theChicago Transit Authority, has11,700).

• Operate Rapid Bus servicebetween Downtown, Oakland andother East End communities.

• Implement a new system ofdesignating routes with color cod-ing of rail and rapid bus services.

• Adjust schedules to bettermatch service with demand.Improve coordination of service.

The TDP is the first knowncomprehensive assessment ofPort Authority’s bus and railservice since its creation in 1964.Many bus routes dating back tothe creation of Port Authority in1964 as well as new routes devel-oped since then no longer per-form a cost-effective service.Other routes need to be changedto improve their productivity.

The TDP will result in a transitsystem estimated to reduce oper-ating costs/passenger by 16%while attracting 11% morepeople to transit and providingbetter service to the largemajority of existing riders.

APA-PA members are invited to learn more about theTDP from the project website,tdp.portauthority.org.

AROUND

TRANSIT CONTINUED

CONTINUED

PA Chapter Website■ Do you have questions about CM?

■ Are you looking for training opportunities in PA?

■ Want to connect with your Section Leadership?

You can find all this information and more at the PA Chapter website, www.planningpa.org. We update the website with new information daily. Can’t find what you need? Please let us know! Send an email to info@planningpa.org.

www.planningpa.org

PDO

8 THE VANTAGE POINT

Corner by Susan Elks, AICP, PA Chapter Professional Development Officer

It has been a busy time for pro-fessional development, pullingtogether some events, theupcoming fall conference,preparing for the end of the firstCertification Maintenance (CM)cycle, and starting on 2010events. Here are some detailson recent and upcoming pro-fessional development activitiesthat we’d like to share with you:

• In advance of the first CMcycle closing December 31,2009, the American PlanningAssociation (APA) has addedthe option of self-reporting up

to eight credits per reportingcycle for attendance at profes-sional development activities

that are not registeredwith APA by the provider.Activities can be reportedback to April 15, 2007. Toself-report, AICP membersneed to log into APA’s websiteat www.planning. org, bring uptheir “My CM Member Log”,

and click on the “Add Self-Reported Credits” box. Newfeatures also include creditfor being a presenter or forauthoring a double-blindpeer-reviewed article.

• The Professional DevelopmentCommittee (PDC) presentedan AICP exam prep session via

webcast in September, a firstfor the PA Chapter. Manythanks to Christine Bartleson

and Sarah Galbraith for theirassistance with the program,

which provided a three hourreview session and includedthe opportunity to submitquestions.

• The PDC recently developed atwo-page flyer for prospectiveAICPs, which is available onthe Chapter website under theAICP Exam heading. The flyercovers what it means to be anAICP, how to apply, and rec-ommended study materials.

• The PDC also recently updatedthe listing of Planning OfficialsTraining for planning commis-sion members, zoning hearingboard members, and otherpublic officials on the Chapterwebsite. If you are a volunteerplanner, look for the listing of

training opportunities and

providers under the Events sec-

tion on the Chapter website.• The PA Chapter’s conference at

Valley Forge offered manyworkshops on a variety ofplanning topics, including theopportunity for a planner to

earn 13.5 CM credits over thecourse of the conference. Mul-tiple law and ethics sessionswere also included.

• The first Friday webcast series

continues to add new sessionsto assist planners in meetingthe 32 credit requirementbefore the December 31, 2009deadline. Please check the PAChapter website for the mostup to date information. ThePA Chapter has begun workon its 2010 webcast, which willtake place in February andfocus on historic preservation.

TO S U P P O R T M E M B E R S in obtaining the required CMcredits, the PA Chapter recently added four CD programs to theLending Library. The lending library makes CM credit CD pro-grams available to members at no cost (just pay $10.00 to covershipping and handling). Credit offerings now include courses tomeet the Ethics and Law requirements! Members can earn atotal of 18.75 CM credits via the Lending Library programs.Lending Library CD’s also make great events for Sections.

Visit the PA Chapter’s website, www.planningpa.org, and click on

CD Lending Library under the Events/Programs heading. Thereyou will find details on all available programs as well as the nec-essary forms to borrow a CD. Sections and organizations whowould like to schedule group viewing events, please contact theoffice directly so we can coordinate availability for you.

PA Chapter Lending Library

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where’s the bill?

BOX SCORELEGISLATIVE

KEY TO COMMITTEE ABBREVIATIONS: AGR–Agriculture and Rural Affairs; APP–Appropriations;CED–Community and Economic Development; COM–Commerce and Economic Development;ERE–Environmental Resources and Energy; FIN–Finance; G&F–Game and Fisheries; LAB–LaborRelations; LOC–Local Government; RUL–Rules; STA–State Government; TOU–Tourism and Recre-ational Development; TRN–Transportation; URB–Urban Affairs and Housing

PREPARED BY T I V E LO B BYI N G /OC TOBER-NOVEMBER 2009

HB 42 Creates Historic Preservation Incentive Program for commercial and residential sites with grants and tax credits Freeman Passed 193-2 Senate CED

HB 93 MPC amendment on appointment, term and filling vacancies of planning commission members Staback Passed 192-0 Senate APP

HB 263 Allows DCNR to protect and maintain the Appalachian Trail, and provides for zoning ordinances Freeman Passed 192-0 Passed 47-0 Act 23

HB 951 Provides for local taxing options under state law allowing for local government to hold open space Dally Passed 193-3 Senate APP

HB 984 Amends Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act to provide for split-off, separation and transfer Kessler Passed 193-0 Senate AGR

HB 1489 Imposes a severance tax on natural gas extraction from the Marcellus Shale George On House calHB 1531 Tax Code amendments passed as part of the 2009-2010 budget package George Passed 102-96 Passed 35-14 Act 48HB 1609 Amends MPC to define “traditional neighborhood development” and to grant

powers to municipalities over such Freeman Passed 195-0 Senate LOCHB 1754 Amends MPC providing for notice to school districts of certain projects Grucela Passed 198-0 Senate APPHB1798 Amends PA H2O Act on authority of Commonwealth Financing Authority for

funding of water, sewer, storm water, flood control and unsafe dam projects Eachus Passed 193-2 Senate APPHB 1831 Amends MPC to provide for review fees Houghton House APPHB 2015 Requires rents and royalties from oil and gas extraction to go to a fund for

conservation, recreations, dams and flood control Hutchinson House EREHB 2016 Amends Surface Mining Act providing for various funds and awarding of grants Hutchinson House ERESB 235 Sets powers and duties of DEP in eminent domain, flood control works and

financing, under Flood Control Law Wozniak Senate APPSB 285 Amends MPC in interpretation of subdivision and land development ordinances Orie Senate APPSB 298 Amends Farmland & Forest Land Assessment Act for split-off, separation or transfer Yaw Senate APPSB 569 Extends approvals granted by a government agency between Dec. 31, 2008 and

July 2, 2011 Pileggi Passed 50-0 House LOCSB 617 Allows for a Historic Area Program to stimulate development through heritage,

outdoor recreation and ecotourism Orie Senate APP

THE VANTAGE POINT 9

Mark Your Calendars Now!

10/3-5/2010The 2010 Pennsylvania Chapter of the American

Planning Association Annual Conference will be

held October 3 to 5 at the Lancaster Convention

Center and Marriott in Lancaster, PA.

10 THE VANTAGE POINT

PMPEI TAKES THE CHAPTER

out to the community, intro-ducing itself to many peoplewho may not even be aware itexists. They are encouraged tolearn more about the Chapterand its programs and services,and to become active members.

The Institute began with onecourse in 1992, “The Course forPlanning Officials,” and todaythe planning and zoning cur-riculum consists of four courses.PMPEI is the largest planningeducation outreach program inPennsylvania. In 2008, 6,280hours of instruction were deliv-ered in 28 courses. So far in2009, 14 courses have beentaught producing more than3,300 total hours of instruction.By the end of 2009 the Instituteshould exceed its 2008 totals.

How it BeganWhen Mike Kaiser was Presi-dent of the then PA PlanningAssociation (PPA) in the late1980s he envisioned the associa-tion becoming more involved inthe education of local planningofficials. In 1989 he met with thePenn State Cooperative Exten-sion planning education spe-

cialist, who was conductingtraining for local planning andzoning officials, to discuss educa-tional needs for this specialgroup. Mike saw that by workingtogether the delivery of planningeducation could be improvedand the interests of both organi-zations served.

With help from the PADepartment of CommunityAffairs (DCA), a group of plan-ners and Municipal TrainingDivision staff got together in1990 to look broadly at the plan-ning education needs of localofficials in Pennsylvania. Theirintent was to serve planningcommissioners, members ofzoning hearing boards, zoningofficers, and elected officials. Amission statement, which stillguides PMPEI, and a core cur-riculum were agreed upon. In1992 the first course was readyto present to a group of planningcommissioners. But before thatPMPEI’s first train-the-trainersession was held to prepare thefirst group of PMPEI instructorsto take the new course into thefield. Train-the-trainer sessionscontinue to be a key feature ofthe PMPEI approach.

A joint agreement amongPPA, Penn State UniversityCooperative Extension, andDCA was adopted, and thePennsylvania Municipal Plan-ning Education Institute wasestablished. After DCA was dis-solved and replaced by DCED,the new department opted out ofthe agreement. However, theother two original signatoriescontinued the agreement,

reviewing it periodically andrevising it as needed. The agree-ment runs for a renewable three-year period, with the currentagreement continuing to July2011.

PMPEI’s Planning and Zoning Course ProgramWhen the Institute beganteaching classes in 1992 therewas one course, The Course forPlanning Officials, now knownas “The Course in CommunityPlanning.” Over the next fewyears three more courses wereadded: The Course in Zoning,The Course in Subdivision andLand Development Review, andThe Course in Zoning Adminis-tration. Following on the princi-ples of the original programdesigners, courses would not besuperficial in their treatment ofimportant planning topics.Instead all the courses are in-depth, 10-hour programsintended to help officials gainreal knowledge and an under-standing of the subject matter ofeach course. The goal is to helpstudents learn the responsibili-ties of their positions and theways in which they can carrythem out effectively. Knowinghow to do their job well allowsthem to contribute to the qualityof life and the future of theircommunities, and get more satis-faction from their positions.

The core of each course isthe Municipalities PlanningCode. Everything in a course isrelated to the authority grantedto municipalities by the MPC.Students learn what’s in the

Code, how it is put together,how the articles are related, andhow to use it. Even students whohave served on planning com-missions or hearing boards formany years learn things in theCode they didn’t know before.Building on this core knowledgestudents then learn, for example,the techniques of comprehensiveplanning, or the rationale forzoning, or the statutory require-ments for reviewing land devel-opments.

All the courses are continu-ously updated and modified totake into account amendmentsto the MPC, court decisions, andcurrent changes in the planninglandscape. For example, with therecent interest in exploration ofthe Marcellus Shale deposit,found in about two-thirds ofPennsylvania’s counties, theCourse in Community Planningwas adapted to include instruc-tion in how to incorporate nat-ural gas development intomunicipal comprehensive plan-ning. PMPEI is currently devel-oping a new course with a focuson transportation planning.

Instructors are the Key What sets PMPEI apart is theemphasis on having qualifiedinstructors to teach the courses.Currently about 50 instructorsare certified to teach one ormore courses. The greatestnumber of instructors are prac-ticing planners, but several areattorneys, some come from thefield of municipal management,and a few are from academic set-tings. What connects all of themis the desire to teach local offi-cials and help them do a betterjob.

Regardless of their profes-sional field all instructors musthave practical planning experi-ence, but before they can teachevery instructor must participatein a “train-the-trainer” session toprepare them to teach a partic-ular course. PMPEI knows itsinstructors come with experienceand technical planning knowl-edge. The train-the-trainer pro-gram, however, is designed tothoroughly review the content ofthe course they will teach, iden-tify the key points that should beemphasized, learn basic concepts

PMPEI@years old18

HIS FALL the Penn-

sylvania Municipal

Planning Education

Institute begins its 18th

year as the PA Chapter of

APA’s outreach program

bringing planning training

to local officials across the

Commonwealth.

T

THE VANTAGE POINT 11

of adult education, and practicehow to team teach. The goal isto insure that wherever aPMPEI course is presented inthe state it will be taught uni-formly and competently.

All PMPEI courses are taughtby two certified instructors. Inthat way students get a variety ofviewpoints and experiences, andit makes it enjoyable and livelyfor them. When instructors in ateam come from different pro-fessional backgrounds it furtheradds to the richness of theinstruction.

Back in 1990 the originatorsof PMPEI knew that teaching isimportant work and should berecognized as such. From its ear-liest days PMPEI instructorshave been compensated for theirteaching, and receive travel andmeal expenses. Because they arepart of a collaborative programof Pennsylvania’s Chapter of theAmerican Planning Associationand Penn State University,instructors are perceived posi-tively by students as having theexpertise and qualifications toteach planning subjects. In theircourse evaluations students oftencomment on the high quality ofthe instructors and what theyhave learned from them.

PMPEI recently held its nexttrain-the-trainer session forinstructors of The Course inCommunity Planning. The twoday program was Friday and Sat-urday, October 30 and 31, 2009in State College. Additionalinformation about train-the-trainer can be found on thePMPEI website. CM credit forAICP members is pending.

How PMPEI WorksPMPEI operates primarily fromregistration fees from students.The Institute receives nofunding from the state for thecourses it runs. The Pennsyl-vania Chapter of APA provides$4,500 annually to help coverthe costs of printed materials—the MPC and Course Handbookthat each student receives— andto support train-the-trainer pro-grams and updates to courses.Penn State University providesin-kind services and equipment.The Pennsylvania State Associa-tion of Boroughs has been a

partner in the operation for sev-eral years, providing managerialsupport for PMPEI in sched-uling classes, handling the com-pensation of instructors, adver-tising courses, and preparing andshipping course materials. Thisthree-way collaboration hasproven to be a highly effectiveand “lean” operation that pro-vides cost effective planninginstruction to local officials.

Courses are scheduled oneither an “open enrollment” or a“sponsored” basis. Open enroll-ment courses are advertisedwidely in a region of the state;sponsored courses are requestedmost often by one or moremunicipalities who want a coursebrought to their particular com-munity. Most PMPEI coursesare held in municipal facilities—which helps keep costs down—and currently the majority ofcourses are sponsored. Eitherway, courses are team taught byinstructors who are familiar withthe local planning issues andconditions, allowing them totailor the examples used in theirteaching to the locality hostingthe course.

In addition to its usualcourses, PMPEI has been part ofthe Chapter’s annual conferenceoffering three or four workshopseach year. This year was a littledifferent. Segments from all fourPMPEI courses were presentedfrom 1:00-5:00 PM on the

Sunday of the conference.At this time there are two

sponsor groups in the state thatoffer a “certificate program”using PMPEI courses. Thesponsors of the certificate pro-grams offer three PMPEIcourses annually. Students whotake the three courses over a twoyear period can earn a “masterplanner certificate,” which signi-fies they have had 30 hours ofintensive planning and zoningcoursework.

The Center for CommunityLeadership of Berks County andthe Berks County PlanningCommission sponsor one ofthese certificate programs. Todate they have graduated 118officials. The other certificateprogram is offered by theChester County Planning Com-mission with the ChesterCounty 2020 Foundation andWest Chester University.PMPEI is encouraging othersponsors to establish certificateprograms in their region.

The content and quality ofPMPEI’s courses is recognizedby several state organizationswho allow their members to earnrequired continuing educationcredits. The Pennsylvania Con-tinuing Legal Education Boardgrants attorneys up to 9 creditsper PMPEI course they attend.Real estate brokers and salesper-sons can earn 10 continuing edu-cation credits from the State

Real Estate Board, and certifiedreal estate appraisers can alsoearn 10 credits from their statelicensing board. Penn State Uni-versity will grant 1 ContinuingEducation Unit for each 10hours of instruction. Theseorganizations periodically eval-uate the content of courses toensure they are meeting theneeds of their members. PMPEIwill be requesting approval ofcourses for continuing educationcredit from other professionalorganizations in the state.

The Future of PMPEIThere is no question that qualityinstruction for planning andzoning officials is needed. TheChapter is proposing thattraining for these officials shouldbe mandatory, and has puttogether an outline for legisla-tion to accomplish the goal.PMPEI has the course materialand instructors that could makerequired training work. It’s readyto enter this new phase of plan-ning education in the Common-wealth.

At the same time, PMPEI willbe expanding its in-depth courseofferings. Transportation plan-ning is on the agenda, but thereare many other planning subjectsthat are being considered. TheInstitute wants to grow the cur-riculum. Existing courses alsorequire continuous monitoringand updating. New exercises andexamples need to be introducedto make the courses interactiveand fun, and to give studentshands-on opportunities to prac-tice their new skills.

Ultimately, the future ofPMPEI depends on its instruc-tors. Standards must be kepthigh, and new instructors mustbe brought it to replace thosewho leave. Once certified,PMPEI instructors tend to stay,and most become certified formore than one course. But newinstructors are always needed tosupply fresh ideas and skills, andto keep the energy of the Insti-tute high. In the final analysis itthe dedication of instructorswith their strong sense of pur-pose and commitment to thework they are doing that is thereal strength and future ofPMPEI.

FYI. The pic-

tures were

taken at the

PMPEI

Course in

Zoning held

at the Ebens-

burg Munic-

ipal Building

(Cambria

County) in

August 2009.

There were

24 in the

class. They

are working

on a course

assignment.

We are always seeking articles on current planning topics and planning news!

The Vantage Point is published bimonthly and contributionsthat are timely, newsworthy, and of statewide interest are wel-come. Dated material should be submitted well in advanceaccording to our deadlines below. Submitted articles of 500words or less in length should be sent by email to addressbelow. Articles that include artwork, illustrations or photo-graphs will receive first consideration. Images must be scannedat 300 dpi with a print size of at least 2.5 inches wide. Theauthor’s name, position, and employer’s name and city mustalso be included to ensure proper credit. Shorter articles andannouncements of 100-150 words are also welcome.

D E A D L I N E S F O R U P CO M I N G I S S U E S :

February: January 8, 2010April: March 5, 2010

Submit to: sgalbraith@shermer-assoc.com

News &articlesforThe Vantage Point

Making Great Communities Happen

587 James DriveHarrisburg, PA 17112

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logonwww.planningpa.org

Congratulations to Pennsylvania’s newest membersof the AICP. The following planners attained theirAICP at the May 2009 exam:

Peter Anderson, AICP

Peter Angelides, AICP

Megan Driscoll, AICP

Jessica Fieldhouse, AICP

Mary Gattis-Schell, AICP

Richard Heimbach, AICP

Charles Leasure, AICP

Maureen O’Neill, AICP

Joseph Price, AICP

Rebecca Ross, AICP

Brandy Rotz, AICP

Travis Schenk, AICP

Peter Spisszak, AICP

Joshua Warner, AICP

Andrew Wright, AICP

Many thanks to the members of the PA Chapter Professional Development Committee for their efforts in providing study notes, website resources, and a prep session.

Congrats!