Mission Statement
The Elk County Planning Department is responsible for carrying out the duties as set forth in the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) PA Act 247 of 1968, as amended and enacted. The Planning Department staff works directly with the Elk County Commissioners and the Elk County Planning Commission. The Planning Commission consists of nine members each representing an area of the County.
Duties
Tracy Gerber,
Planning Director
Becki Taylor,
CDBG Coordinator
Kathy McClelland,
Office Manager/Housing Specialist
Elk County Courthouse Annex
300 Center Street
P.O. Box 448
Ridgway, PA 15853
Phone: (814) 776-5335
Fax: (814) 776-5379
planning@countyofelkpa.gov
Planning Dept Links
Responsibilities
In order to carry out its over-all responsibilities, the Commission’s basic areas of activity include the following:
PA Wilds Design Guide
The Pennsylvania Wilds is a special place. It contains charming communities, vast forests, spectacular landforms, clean rivers, and streams, and an array of other natural resources. It is important for our communities in the Pennsylvania Wilds to enjoy economic growth while still being good stewards of the land and protecting the region’s character and charm. The information contained in this Design Guide will assist communities in reaping the benefits of change and growth while protecting their treasured characters. Use of this Design Guide is voluntary; however there are many benefits to applying its principles.
This Design Guide sets forth physical design objectives for building placement, architecture, landscaping, signs, lighting, grading, land use arrangement, natural resource conservation, and other related items. The Guide includes photographs, illustrations, and text descriptions of design elements and land use patterns that are desirable in the Pennsylvania Wilds.
By following the principles in this Guide, Pennsylvania Wilds region will retain and strengthen its core identity, maintain a distinct visual character, influence development to be considerate of the land it occupies, and ensure that its various features positively relate to the region as a whole.
Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan
On September 16, 2010 Elk County received notification from the Department of Environmental Protection that the county’s Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) has been approved.
A model stormwater management ordinance was prepared by Elk County as part of the SMP and was transmitted by Elk County to the municipalities prior to the county’s adoption of the SMP. Municipalities were required to adopt the plan and pass a SW Management Ordinance.
All twelve (12) of Elk County’s municipalities have adopted an ordinance and are responsible for enforcement of their ordinance. Please contact your local municipal office for further information.
A copy of Elk County’s SMP Plan is located below. Any resident or business planning construction in the future must follow the SMP ordinance according to the municipality where the construction will occur.
The purpose of the Act 167 Plan is to provide comprehensive stormwater management designed to preserve and restore the flood carrying capacity of Commonwealth streams; to preserve natural stormwater regimes and natural course; current and cross-section of waters of the Commonwealth; to protect and conserve groundwater and groundwater recharge areas; and to encourage planning and management of stormwater runoff in each designated watershed which is consistent with sound water and land use practices.
If you have any questions please contact Tracy Gerber Mon. through Fri., 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. by calling 814-776-5335 or by email at tgerber@countyofelkpa.gov