The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association Honors Shrewsbury Township
for its Dedication and Hard Work Committed to
Protecting our Natural Resources

The Pennsylvania Land Trust Association is pleased to honor Shrewsbury Township for its innovative land use planning and zoning regulations for the purpose of protecting sensitive and scenic areas and critical natural resources.

Shrewsbury Township is a largely rural community of nearly 6,000 residents located in southern York County. The Township consists of 18,606 acres and encompasses four headwater watersheds all, of which are sources of potable water supplies for York County or the Baltimore Metropolitan region. Agriculture is the Township’s major industry.

The township revised its comprehensive plan in 2000, implementing proactive measures to protect important natural resources including agricultural land, floodplains, wetlands, steep slopes, woodlands, and wildlife habitats. In addition, the plan adopted various measures to protect the region’s groundwater, and stream water quality.

Shrewsbury Township’s 12,400-acre Agricultural Zoning District is the centerpiece of its land preservation efforts, based not only on the significant number of acres protected but also due to the meaningful and effective agricultural preservation standards that are utilized. While preserving farmland, it also plays the dual role of conserving the Township’s woodlands, riparian areas, steep slopes, habitats and natural areas along with scenic vistas.

In addition, the township has worked hard to protect Critical Environmental Areas, including all watercourses, floodplains, wetlands, springs and slopes through buffer zones. Land included within these areas must be maintained in woodland or permanent vegetation and although the township allows for woodlands to be harvested, basal area must not be reduced by more than 50% of the original area.

The township instituted a unique woodland preservation strategy for development sites. In the case of lots for single family dwellings, no more than 14,000 sq ft can be cleared for a building envelope. All wooded areas outside of this envelope must be permanently maintained as a woodland that will maintain a full canopy. The woodland floor must be maintained in leaf litter and left undisturbed. The township requires that a protective barrier be placed on the perimeter of the building envelope during construction.

The township has also established growth boundaries in order to separate areas zoned for developable use from land protected through agriculturally zoned areas. In essence, the Township’s agricultural zones, critical environmental areas and open space, in general, are deemed as fully “developed” as such, ensuring productive farmland and natural landscapes for future generations.

PALTA President Jackie Kramer applauds the township's board of supervisors for their great work. As former Executive Director of the Farm & Natural Lands Trust of York County, she understands the development pressures they face in the region. "York County is faced with a number of factors that threatens its precious lands and Shrewsbury Township has taken a very proactive approach to combat these threats. For example, Shrewsbury was the first community in the county to conduct a cost of community services study to analyze how tax dollars are used to service different types of property uses. The results of this study helped township officials to better assess the land use needs of the community and develop its innovative agricultural zoning district."

"Shrewsbury Township's comprehensive approach and commitment to protecting its natural resources is a real investment in the future of the community and illustrates strong leadership and a true understanding of land use and zoning issues."

Township Chairman Paul Solomon will accept the award on behalf of the township on April 5th at the 2008 Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference in Malvern, Pennsylvania.

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association and the land conservation community, we thank the elected and appointed officials of Shrewsbury Township for their remarkable leadership and commitment to land preservation efforts in Pennsylvania.