Resources
Explore the resources available to you through ReVisionPA.
Our resource library provides valuable information and insights alongside details about the practices and projects currently being undertaken by ReVisionPA.
Current News
Check here for current developments and recent updates from ReVisionPA.
11/4/2009 - Monroe Township Presentation
The Central Pennsylvania COnservancy was invited by the Monroe Township Supervisors to "vision" their conservation zone. This report includes 1 acres, 2 acre and 10 acre visioning. Monroe Tonship changed their zoning from 1 acres to 2 acres in their conservation zone. It is currently in the appeal process by a landowner. We presented this report to the Supervisors in August 2009.
We measured the impact on water, sewer and air quality on a build-out using 1, 2 and 10 acres zoning. It would take less than 40 years for this build-out according to their comprehensive plan. Please review the report and give us a call with any questions.
For a copy of the report: (See Resources: Monroe Township Cumberland County Executive Summary
10/7/2009 - Greg's Woods Clean-Up Planned
Please join us again as CPC partners with PA CleanWays for a second clean-up of Greg's Woods. We will be meeting at the ball field (outfield) in Mexico to get materials. Luch will be provided by PA CLeanways. Please be sure to wear sturdy boots. There is glass and sharp metal. We appreciate everyone's help in getting this beautiful area cleaned up from a legacy dump which occurred 20 years ago at least. Read about Greg's Woods under "Projects". Please RSVP to Susan Carmichael at scarmichael@pacleanways.org if you are able to volunteer!
9/5/2009 - Conservancy Enhances Cumberland County Outreach
The Central Pennsylvania Conservancy has recently initiated a new, expanded outreach effort in Cumberland County in an effort to obtain more riparian and conservation easements. For more information, click here.
7/23/2009 - CommunityViz Update Focuses on Visual Environment
Middlebury, VT — Have you ever wondered how different zoning regulations could shape the look, feel and livability of your town? Are you searching for compelling ways to present different growth scenarios to your neighbors and elected officials? The latest generation of CommunityViz®—Version 4.0—will do all of that, and more.
CommunityViz is used by thousands of planners, resource managers and communities all over the world to visualize, analyze and communicate about their decisions for the future. Developed and supported by the Orton Family Foundation and Placeways, LLC, the software combines computerized maps, video-game-like 3-D scenes, and interactive analysis tools to provide sophisticated planning information in a way that everyone can understand.
Scenario 3D™
“We expect CommunityViz 4.0 to help citizens, planners and officials make informed decisions that weigh heart and soul considerations alongside traditional numbers and statistics,” says Foundation President and CEO William Roper. “When the Orton Family Foundation released CommunityViz® in 2001, we pioneered the use of visualization in the land use planning field; with the release of 4.0, we’ve taken the next big step in keeping the technology exciting and effective in helping communities truly define their futures.”
CommunityViz Version 4.0 is an ArcGIS® Desktop extension, which means it’s based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and it is compatible with Google Earth. This version includes a major redesign of the Build-Out tool as well as a new wizard for creating sophisticated, custom impact analysis models that calculate potential social, environmental and economic impacts associated with different planning choices. In just a few minutes, these tools help people understand the implications and trade-offs of the choices they are making. The software is easy and inexpensive enough to be used early in the process, at the “ideas stage,” yet realistic enough to be convincing.
Anyone can download a free 30-day trial of CommunityViz 4.0. Existing users with support contracts will get the upgrade for free. Upgrade notices will be sent over the next several weeks, but free trial downloads, additional information and video demos are available now at www.placeways.com/communityviz. The base price is $850, which includes one year of upgrades, live technical support and premium features. There’s also a $350 version that only includes the software. Visit www.placeways.com to learn more or purchase the latest in community planning technology.
The Orton Family Foundation, based in Middlebury, Vermont, and Denver, Colorado, seeks to help small cities and towns discover and describe their heart and soul—the collective attributes that make communities unique—and build on those attributes in planning toward a vibrant, enduring future.
Placeways, LLC provides GIS-based analysis and visualization tools and services for making better, faster decisions about the shape of our world. The Boulder, Colorado-based company supports customers all over the world with planning services, custom software development and commercial software products, including the popular ArcGIS land use planning extension called CommunityViz®.
For More Information Contact:
John Barstow, Director of Communications
Orton Family Foundation
PO Box 111 (152 Maple St., Suite 101)
Middlebury, VT 05753
802.388.6336
communications@orton.org
www.orton.org