Palmer Provides Comprehensive Plan Update

It's time to take a look at Palmer Township's future.

The township has begun the process of updating its comprehensive plan and township officials are seeking public input to help map out the next few decades.

The Board of Supervisors received an update at its meeting Tuesday night from Cindy Carman, director of planning, who said she is compiling material.

Carman said she was focusing on the future development of the township's north end, particularly with the Route 33 interchange coming in over the next few years.

The interchange would connect Route 33 with Main Street in Tatamy and would replace the bridge now spanning the highway.

Carman said she has drafted zoning map changes for the area, trying to incorporate smart growth principles and setting up a commercial overlay for a Main Street corridor.

The 689-acre interchange parcel is solely in Palmer Township but is surrounded by a total of several municipalities. Palmer controls what type of businesses would go on the parcel.

The interchange is estimated to cost $22 million. Construction could start by July 2012 and would take 13 months to complete.

Palmer Township is requesting residents, property owners and business owners to provide input by taking a survey that can be found on the township's website.

The Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) requires that a municipal comprehensive plan be reviewed at least every 10 years. The township's comprehensive plan was adopted March 17, 2003.