Municipalities have their own growth management circumstances, needs and goals. Growth, however, often is impacted by many factors outside of one municipality's boarders. Thus, each municipality must not only address growth management issues individually, but jointly with neighboring municipalities. This page looks closely at growth management plans for Bellefonte Borough and Walker Township; two local municipalities with very different issues.

Planning Issues

The Borough of Bellefonte was founded in 1795 and was the center of commerce for Centre County. It remains the county seat today although it is no longer the center of commerce. The downtown business district has been impacted, like so many other small downtowns, by the migration of business and, thus, people to outlying areas. Bellefonte Borough is looking for new uses of built space, attempting to bring business, people and money back into the community. Although the Borough is maintaining its number of citizens, the make-up of citizens residing in the Borough has changed.

Several miles east of Bellefonte Borough, separated by Spring Township, is Walker Township. Historically, Walker Township has been a rural farm community. However, in more recent decades, the township has been greatly impacted by the urban sprawl taking place throughout Centre County. The township is spotted with single family housing developments that neighbor working farms. Walker Township is not attempting to stop growth, but is attempting to manage it.