[MA-RPC] Article on Development in Cumberland Co., PA

[Michele Miller]

FYI.

Prepare for more growth in county

By The Sentinel <mailto:frontdoor at cumberlink.com> , February 28, 2006

A lot of residents - especially in the Carlisle area - suddenly put two and
two together Sunday.



 


 


 

That's too simplistic, though.

The reality is that they probably couldn't add up all the numbers very
quickly in The Sentinel's "Moving On 2006" special edition. It shows that
thousands more housing units are on the radar screen in the categories of
proposed-but-unapproved, under-consideration-but-not-officially-approved,
and approved stages.

While the indications were strong that most developers are targeting mature
citizenry as opposed to growing young families, that could change if the
sales climate varies.

Residents naturally feel leery when Cumberland County statistics show the
number of homes approved countywide on final land development plans in 2005
include 1,335 single-family homes, 1,464 townhouses and 384 multi-family
homes for a total of 3,182 residences.

The number of building permits issued for 2005 isn't available yet. However,
those issued in the previous three years averaged 1,542 annually.

And no slowdown is forecast in the county's housing boom.

All of the approved homes won't be built in the course of a year or two. But
residents should remember that other previously approved housing is under
construction all the time, too, as those earlier developments are built out.

So, the process is constant and, in places such as Cumberland Valley School
District, it is believed additional school space will be needed if all the
proposed homes are finished.

Where are all these people coming from in a state where the population is
stagnant?

Some are moving up from other homes in the area. Some are moving out of more
congested areas such as Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington. And reports
now are coming in of those who went to Florida to avoid snow returning to
Pennsylvania to avoid hurricanes.

It's a mix, apparently, and they come from all directions.

The numbers make it apparent that this well-placed county with its excellent
road network could be a real hotspot, especially since it's a lot more than
lukewarm now in terms of housing proposals.

Residents should make themselves aware of where all of this housing is
going, how it affects their lives and what needs to be done to keep up the
high quality of life. Everyone should be looking and asking questions.

Cumberland County's estimated population now is 238,000 people - up from the
fewer than 214,000 counted in the 2000 census.

Keeping it comfortable is possible if residents demands constructive answers
from municipal officials on how to develop land in a way that ensures
consistency between communities on open space. That means a commitment to
some kind of public mass transit for the short- and long-term and
cooperative efforts between towns and the county to keep costs in check.

 

 

Michele Miller

Associate Regional Representative

Appalachian Trail Conservancy

Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

4 East First Street

P.O. Box 625

Boiling Springs, PA 17007

Phone: (717) 258-5771

Fax: (717) 258-1482

 

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy
<BLOCKED::http://www.appalachiantrail.org/>  is a volunteer-based nonprofit
organization dedicated to the conservation of the 2,175-mile Appalachian
National Scenic Trail, a 250,000-acre greenway extending from Maine to
Georgia. Our mission is to ensure that future generations will enjoy the
clean air and water, scenic vistas, wildlife and opportunities for
recreation and renewal along the entire Trail corridor. To become a member,
call 304.535.6331, ext. 119, or visit our Web site at
www.appalachiantrail.org. There, you will also find volunteer opportunities
and general hiking information.

 

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