In the NOVEMBER 2024 Pa. Township News…

Here’s a look at what you’ll find in the current issue of the Pennsylvania Township News. Not yet a subscriber? Click here to learn how you can receive this award-winning magazine every month.

Battling Blight: Addressing Rundown Properties
Increases Safety, Boosts Neighborhood Property Values
Community safety and property values are just two potential issues associated with blight. Townships can explore various avenues to deal with challenging properties, from proactive code enforcement to partnerships and land banks.

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Versatility, Sustainability Are Fueling Renewed Interest in Industrial Hemp
From textiles to construction, industrial hemp is a sustainable option that checks numerous boxes for farmers looking to diversify their revenue streams. Hemp production is part of Pennsylvania’s rich agricultural history, and the future includes even more options for investing in this versatile crop.

Plan Now for the 2025 Organization Meeting
It is the first meeting of the year, and whether accompanied by a regular meeting of the supervisors or not, the annual organization meeting typically covers a lot of ground. Use these tips and handy checklist as a guide to developing the meeting agenda.

What Goes Where? Planning Tools Help Townships Navigate Emerging Land Uses
“What is it, and where does it go?” These are the two key questions that townships face when a developer or resident approaches with a land use request. A comprehensive plan and zoning ordinance can guide the township as it navigates new kinds of development that may or may not be welcome in the community.

Proactive Planning: Updating, Rewriting Zoning Ordinance Contributes to Positive Development
About 68% of Pennsylvania’s 2,560 municipalities have zoning regulations through municipal or county ordinances. While many of these were adopted decades ago and updated periodically, townships should look at doing a comprehensive rewrite to ensure their zoning ordinance supports desired community growth and development.

Sanko Touts Partnerships Before Senate Transportation Committee
In recent testimony before the state Senate Transportation Committee, PSATS Executive Director David Sanko reminded senators of the critical need for partnerships with local governments to ensure the viability and reliability of the commonwealth’s transportation network.

Solar Development: Community Benefits Agreement – What’s in It for Us?
Townships that want to have more control over their community’s future, especially with solar energy developers com a-knockin’, are going beyond zoning ordinances to negotiate with developers through community benefits agreements. Learn about what these agreements entail and why townships may want to consider them.

Regular Features:

From the Executive Director
Association Officers/Committees
PMGA Graduate Profile
Local Leader to Legislator
Legislative Update
Financially Speaking
PSATS Educational Workshops
LTAP Workshops
Newsworthy
County Association Conventions/Officers
Show Me the Money!
Supervisor/Secretary Hall of Fame
Professional Services
Questions & Answers
Classifieds/Ad Index
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