Welcome back to Munimatters, everyone. I'm Elliot Rhodes. And I'm Samantha Carter. And we're your guides to all things local government. This is Season one, Episode three. Can you believe it's December already? I know. The holidays are here. I know. It's so exciting. I'm already dreaming about gingerbread. Oh, yeah, me too. And all the holiday decorations. But even with all the holiday excitement, we can't forget about the important developments happening right here. Right here in our community. Exactly. And today. Today, we're diving into something that could shape the future of Swarthmore. Yeah. The Borough's new comprehensive plan process. It's called Imagine Swarthmore. Imagine Swarthmore. That's right. And we know you are listeners. You like to stay informed. You like to know what's happening. We're here to break it all down for you. That's right. The Borough is working with Planning Next Consultants from Columbus, Ohio, to craft this long term vision. Now, you've been with us from the beginning, so you already know about some. Of the background, like the 2006 Multi. Municipal Comprehensive Plan, the 2019 Town Center Analysis, and the 2020 Public Realm Concepts. So this deep dive is all about connecting the dots between what you already know and what Imagine Swarthmore aims to achieve. Exactly. So what's the big idea behind Imagine Swarthmore? What are they hoping to accomplish? Well, essentially, they're creating a roadmap for development and investment. Okay. But with a key focus on preserv. What makes Swarthmore. Well, Swarthmore. So, embracing progress, but without losing that unique Swarthmore charm. Exactly. And I'd imagine that the 2006 Multi Municipal Comprehensive Plan, the MNCP, plays a role here. Absolutely. Imagine Swarthmore builds upon that foundation. Okay. And remember, the MMCP wasn't just about Swarthmore. Right. It involved Nether, Providence Township, Rose Valley Borough, and Rutland Borough, too. So it was a real team effort. Yes. They were tackling similar challenges together. So, a regional approach. A regional approach. And while Imagine Swarthmore is specific to Swarthmore, those shared concerns from the MMCP are still relevant, wouldn't you say? Oh, definitely. It's all connected. And, you know, I think it's helpful to look back at some of those key insights from the MMCP that are informing Imagine Swarthmore today. Okay, so what are some of the things that we should be thinking about? Well, for example, the MMCP highlighted how the region's unique geology. Okay. Has a huge impact on everything from building suitability to the types of Plants that thrive here. That's interesting. It's not something you typically think about when discussing planning. I know, right? Can you give us an example? Well, the MNCP mentions something called made land. Made land? Made land. Which isn't your typical soil. Okay. It's found in areas where human activity has significantly altered the landscape. Okay. Think. Construction sites are places with industrial history. I see. And this made land can be tricky. Okay. Its properties are unpredictable, so it requires careful investigation before you can even think about building on it. So it's like a hidden layer of complexity that planners need to be aware of. Exactly. And then there's the issue of floodplains. The MMCP emphasized how crucial it is to manage development in those areas. Right along our streams and creeks. Because we can't ignore the risk of flooding. Exactly. Especially with climate change making storms more intense these days. That makes a lot of sense. Yeah. Speaking of climate change, what did the MMCP say about environmental sustainability in general? Well, one of the most surprising things was about white tailed deer. Deer? Deer. Now, they might seem harmless. Yeah. But the MMCP pointed out that their overpopulation is actually a threat to our natural areas. Wait, really? How can too many deer be a bad thing? Well, our development patterns have inadvertently created ideal deer habitats while eliminating their natural predators. Oh, so there's nothing to kind of keep them in check. Exactly. Without anything to keep their numbers in check, they over graze, which can be detrimental to plant diversity and forest regeneration. Wow. I never would have thought of deer as a planning consideration. I know, right? But it makes sense. Everything's interconnected. It is. And that's why comprehensive planning is so important. It's about looking at all these factors together. Right. The MMCP also emphasized the rich history of the area and the need to preserve those historic resources. Did you know Swarthmore's Town center is actually eligible to be designated as a National Historic District? That's fascinating. It is. So if Swarthmore's Town center could become a National Historic District. Yeah. How might that impact the Imagine Swarthmore plant? Well, it would likely mean even more emphasis on maintaining the historical character of the town center. As new developments are considered, it could influence architectural styles, building heights, and even the types of businesses that are encouraged. Okay, so the historical context is definitely a factor. Yes. What about the current land use? How does that play into Imagine Swarthmore? Well, the MMCP showed us that the area is overwhelmingly residential. Correctly. A whopping 73.2% is dedicated to housing. Wow. And that has a big impact on things like the tax base and funding for public services. It makes you wonder how. Imagine Swarthmore will address that imbalance. Right. And that heavy reliance on residential properties might also lead them to explore opportunities for strategic commercial development. Okay. Especially in the town center. So it's about attracting businesses and generating revenue. Yes. Without compromising the residential character of the community. Exactly. Finding that sweet spot, Finding that balance seems to be a recurring theme in comprehensive planning. It is. What about transportation? I know that's always a hot topic in Swarthmore. You're absolutely right. The MMCP highlighted how the infrastructure built around early 20th century transportation systems still shapes our roads and traffic patterns today. Right. And that presents challenges, especially when it comes to things like congestion, parking and walkability. So imagine Swarthmore looking at ways to modernize our transportation systems. Definitely. They're exploring everything from making walking and biking safer and more enjoyable to improving public transit options. So they're considering the needs of everyone. Everyone. Commuters, families, seniors, visitors. That's a tall order. It is. But it's crucial to create a transportation system that works for everyone. Right. The MMCP also took a close look at community facilities and services. Okay. Emphasizing their importance for quality of life. Things like parks and libraries. Parks, libraries, schools, and even cultural amenities. Did the MMCP delve into the types of housing in the area? It did. And single family homes are definitely the dominant housing type. Okay. But the MMCP also noted the importance of housing diversity, recognizing the need for multifamily units and mixed use properties to accommodate different needs and income levels. So imagine Swarthmore needs to consider how to maintain that diversity while also addressing affordability challenges. Exactly. And they're also looking at the economic side of things. Okay. Remember how the MMCP pointed out that limited commercial development puts a strain on residential property owners? Right. Well, imagine Swarthmore needs to figure out how to increase the commercial tax base without negatively impacting the qualities that make Swarthmore such a desirable place to live. Right. It's all about finding that balance. Again, exactly. What else did the MMCP cover that might be relevant to imagine Swarthmore? Well, they also looked at employment trends. Okay. And found something interesting. The percentage of residents who work within the MMCP area has actually been increasing. Oh, wow. Which goes against broader trends. So more people are both living and working within the community. Exactly. Why do you think that is? The MMCP attributed this to factors like Swarthmore College being a significant local employer. Okay. And the high concentration of residents in skilled industries like education, health care and professional services. So it's like a self contained economic ecosystem in some way. In some ways, yes. That strong sense of community is something Imagine Swarthmore will likely want to consider as they move forward. Definitely. We've covered a lot of ground with the mmcp. We have geology, deer, housing, transportation, even employment trends. It's a lot. It really sets the stage for Imagine Swarthmore, doesn't it? It does. It gives us valuable context and insights into the challenges and opportunities that Imagine Swarthmore is facing. Okay, so we've got this great foundation from the mmcp. We do. But how is Imagine Swarthmore taking those ideas and translating them into a vision for the future? That's a great question. I guess that's for part two. Stay tuned. Welcome back to Mini Matters. We're deep into this exploration of Swasmore's comprehensive planning process. We are. And now it's time to focus on Imagine Swarthmore itself. Imagine Swarthmore. So Imagine Swarthmore is all about creating this vision for the borough's future. Yeah. But as we've been discussing, it's heavily influenced by the groundwork laid by the mmcp. It is. Right. But it's not just a carbon copy. No. They're taking those broad themes. Right. And making them specific to what Swarthmore needs today. Exactly. What stands out to you is Imagine Swarthmore really starts taking shape. Well, one of the most interesting aspects, I think, is the emphasis on community engagement. They've been gathering input from residents through surveys, workshops, online forums, you name it. So it's like they're saying, yeah, this is your town. Let's work together to create a future you want. Exactly. But as you can imagine, gathering input from a diverse community means getting a wide range of perspectives. Oh, absolutely. Some folks might want to preserve everything as is. Yeah. While others might be pushing for new development or different types of housing. Right. Different priorities. It must be like trying to solve a giant jigsaw puzzle where everyone has a different idea of what the final picture should look like. It is. And that's where the expertise of planning next comes in. Oh, okay. They're bringing their experience from other communities to help Swarthmore navigate this complex process. So they're like the puzzle masters. The puzzle masters guiding Swarthmore as they piece everything together. Exactly. What are some of the key puzzle pieces they're working with? Well, demographic data is a big one. Okay. You need to understand who lives in Swarthmore now and who might live here in the future to plan effectively. Makes sense. What are they learning from that? Data. What insights are they uncovering? One interesting finding is that Swarthmore has a higher percentage of residents with postgraduate degrees than the national average. Really? Yeah. It sounds like Swarthmore is attracting a pretty highly educated population. It does. And that influences everything. Right. From the types of jobs residents hold to the amenities they value. And even their views on development. What other demographic nuggets have they unearthed? They've also found that Swarthmore has a relatively older population compared to some other suburban communities. Does that mean there are fewer families with young children? It does. And that has to factor into their decisions. Right. Imagine Swarthmore needs to think about things like school enrollment. Yeah. What kind of housing is needed. Even the design of public spaces. So it's like they're planning for multiple generations. Multiple generations. Each with their own set of needs and priorities. And another piece of the puzzle is the economic landscape. Yes. Remember we talked about the mmcp, highlighting the limited commercial development in the area? We did. The potential strain on residential property owners. Right. Well, imagine Swarthmore is looking at that not just as a problem, but as an opportunity. An opportunity. They're asking questions like what types of businesses would thrive here? Right. How can we attract entrepreneurs and create a more vibrant local economy without sacrificing that small town charm? Exactly. It's about finding that balance again. It is creating a thriving economy while preserving the things that make Swarthmore unique. Precisely. And speaking of preserving Swarthmore's character, sustainability is a big part of that. Okay. They're carrying the torch forward from the mmcp. Yeah. Digging even deeper into issues like environmental protection, climate change and energy efficiency. What are some of the specific ways they're approaching those issues? What's on their radar? Stormwater management is a big one. Remember those floodplains the MMCP highlighted? I do. Well, imagine Swarthmore is exploring ways to mitigate flooding risks. Okay. Through green infrastructure and smarter development practices. Especially important with climate change. Making those intense storms more likely. Exactly. They're also looking at ways to reduce Swarthmore's carbon footprint. Okay. By promoting energy efficiency and exploring renewable energy sources like solar power. It's encouraging to see them thinking about the long term environmental impact. Absolutely. What about transportation? Yes. The MMCP called for a more balanced transportation system. Imagine Swarthmore picking up where they left off. Absolutely. They're looking at ways to make walking, biking, and public transit more appealing and accessible. Okay. Recognizing that relying solely on cars isn't sustainable. That sounds great in theory, but those kinds of changes often require significant investments in infrastructure. Right. How are they planning to fund these ambitious projects? That's a key question. And they're exploring all options. Grants, public private partnerships, even some innovative financing mechanisms. So it's about getting creative. Getting creative to turn the vision into a reality. Exactly. It's impressive to see how much effort and research they're putting into this. It is. It's clear they're committed to creating a plan that's tailored to Swarthmore's unique needs. They are. And there's one more element that I think is particularly relevant here. Remember those demographic trends we discussed earlier? Yes. Well, Swarthmore's profile seems to align with a national trend identified by a market research tool called Tapestry Segmentation. Tapestry Segmentation. I'm intrigued. Tell me more. Well, Tapestry classifies US residential areas into 67 different segments. Okay. Based on socioeconomic factors, it seems like Swarthmore aligns most closely with two segments. Okay. Affluent estates. Yeah. Top tier. Affluent estates. Affluent estates. Savvy suburbanites. Sounds like some pretty well off demographics. Yeah, they are. These segments are known for their high levels of education, income and home values. Which means Imagine Swarthmore needs to be mindful of these characteristics as they develop the plan. Exactly. I see what you mean. Yeah. These folks probably have high expectations. High expectations for development projects and community amenities. You're right. They're likely to be very discerning. They'll want development that enhances their quality of life and are often willing to invest in projects that align with their values. Absolutely. Things like preserving open space. Yeah. Supporting local businesses and creating world class amenities. Exactly. Imagine Swarthmore needs to speak their language. Speak their language. And that language includes sustainability, quality, design and a strong sense of community engagement. It does. So it's not just about building more. It's about building better, smarter, smarter. And with the community's input. And with the community. It's remarkable how much thought is going into making sure this plan truly reflects Swarthmore's character. It really is. Both now and in the future. Both now and in the future. Imagine Swarthmore is shaping up to be a model for how communities can plan for a success, sustainable and vibrant future. It is. This is all fascinating, but let's bring it back to our listeners. What does Imagine Swarthmore mean for them? Right. For the people who call Swarthmore home. For the people who live here. That's what we'll explore after a quick break. Welcome back to MuniMatters. We've been exploring Swarthmore's comprehensive plan. Imagine Swarthmore. Imagine Swarthmore and how it builds on the foundation of the mmcp. That's right. We've covered a lot of ground. We have. From demographic trends to economic considerations, sustainability efforts and transportation goals. It's a lot to think about. It's a lot to take in. But now let's bring it all home. Okay. What does Imagine Swarthmore actually mean for the people who live here? Right here in Swarthmore? How will this plan impact their daily lives? Well, I think one of the most visible ways will be through changes to the built environment. Imagine Swarthmore is looking at ways to improve our public spaces. So, like what? What kinds of things? Well, think about more accessible and inviting parks. Okay. Revitalized sidewalks, Maybe even new types of housing. I can picture it now. Yeah. A vibrant downtown with wider sidewalks. Yes. Tree lined streets. Maybe even some outdoor dining spots. Exactly. And imagine being able to safely walk or bike to your favorite places without worrying about traffic. That'd be great. And those improvements wouldn't just benefit residents. They'd also make Swarthmore a more attractive destination for visitors. Which could boost the local economy. Exactly. That makes sense. We talked earlier about how Imagine Swarthmore is exploring ways to support local businesses. We did. How might that play out in practical terms? Well, they could create incentives for entrepreneurs. Okay. Streamline the permitting process or even establish a business incubator. It's about fostering a thriving small business community. Yes. That reflects Swarthmore's unique character and caters to the needs of residents. Right. It would be fantastic to see more one of a kind shops and restaurants that add to the charm of Swarthmore. I agree. But beyond the physical changes. Yes. Imagine Swarthmore is also tackling quality of life issues, Right? Absolutely. They're looking at things like affordable housing, access to health care and educational opportunities. It's about making sure Swarthmore is a welcoming and inclusive community for everyone. For everyone. Yeah. So it's about more than just bricks and mortar. It is. It's about creating a community where everyone can thrive and feel a sense of belonging. That's the goal. And that's why community engagement is so crucial to this process. I agree. Imagine Swarthmore recognizes that the best ideas often come from the people who live and work here. Absolutely. They've been actively seeking input throughout the process. They have and will continue to do so. They will. This all sounds fantastic. It does. But I'm sure our listeners are wondering, how can they get involved? How can they make their voices heard? Well, the first step is to visit the Imagine Swarthmore website. The website. You'll find tons of information about the plan, upcoming events and ways to share your feedback. And you can also sign up for their email list. Yes. To stay updated, to stay in the loop. And if you're passionate about a particular topic, you can attend a public meeting or workshop. You can. There's also a citizen advisory committee. That's right. That provides input to the planning team. They do so many ways to get involved. There are. Whether you have a little or a lot of time to contribute. A little or a lot. It's truly inspiring to see a community coming together to shape its own future. It really is. It's a great process to be a part of. And that brings us to the end of our deep dive into Imagine Swarthmore. It does. We hope you found this exploration informative and engaging. We hope you learned a lot. We encourage you to stay tuned for Future episodes of MuniMatters. Yes. As we continue to delve into the issues that matter most to our community. We'll be back. Thanks for listening.