Small jurisdictions in Pennsylvania are losing population and revenue, and some of them are ready to call it a day.
Much of Pennsylvania's Allegheny County has been losing population for years; even Pittsburgh is affected. But many of the county's smaller towns had just a few thousand residents to begin with—and now, some may be approaching the point when they can no longer support their own municipal government. Governing reports on a proposal from the county executive that aims to make it easier for those towns to disincorporate.
"Thirty-eight states allow for towns to disincorporate, but the only option for Pennsylvania cities to do so is to enter the state’s Act 47 program for financially distressed municipalities," Daniel Vock explains. "Disincorporation is seen as a last resort in that process, and it’s one that can take years of bureaucratic maneuvering." The proposal would streamline the process for struggling municipalities to dissolve and instead take advantage of Allegheny County's existing overhead and "strong economic climate" to obtain public services.
The legislation is opposed by municipal associations; Pennsylvania has more local governments than almost any U.S. state, Vock reports.
FULL STORY: To Be, or to Disband? A Question Facing Shrinking Towns
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
How Freeway Projects Impact Climate Resilience
In addition to displacement and public health impacts, highway expansions can also make communities less resilient to flooding and other climate-related disasters.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.