Rt. 31 West Corridor Planning Study RFP
This project is a land use study of the approximately ten (10)
mile S.R. 31 highway corridor leading from Somerset Borough to the
Somerset County\Westmoreland County boundary. The study will
examine the potential for residential, commercial and other sprawl-type
development in the corridor, and develop strategies to minimize or
avoid any associated negative effects.
Route 31 is a major gateway to a number of villages and visitor's attractions in the western
part of Somerset County. Some of these attractions include Seven Springs Mountain Resort,
Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort, Laurel Hill State Park, Kooser State Park, Laurel Ridge State
Park, and others. The corridor is a mostly rural landscape characterized by farms and small
villages, with a few businesses clustered near the villages and highway intersections.
Based upon experiences in Pennsylvania and other states, uncontrolled growth and
development can occur in gateway highway corridors leading to major tourism destinations. An
unattractive sprawling development pattern has already occurred along S.R. 31 and S.R. 711 in
Donegal Township, Westmoreland County, another gateway to the ski resorts and state parks. Very
often, this uncontrolled development can detract from the visitor experience, create transportation-
related problems, and negatively affect the unique landscape in the surrounding areas.
Within Somerset County there is major concern among County officials and the two
municipalities located along the corridor - Somerset Township and Jefferson Township, about the
potential for this unattractive pattern of continuous, unbroken commercial and residential sprawl-
type development that may occur in the very near future. This rural landscape is threatened by
potential urban sprawl resulting from the planned extension of sanitary sewer service in the
corridor, as well as planned new major developments. Recently, Seven Springs Mountain Resort
announced expansion plans, and another developer has announced plans for a 275 dwelling unit
subdivision. Similar patterns of development have already begun to occur along the highway near
Somerset Borough (see photo above), and County and township officials would like to avoid
repeating a similar pattern throughout the entire corridor. Compounding the problem is that there
are no zoning regulations in place in the corridor.
Neither Somerset Township nor Jefferson Township currently have the administrative,
technical, and financial resources necessary to address planning and related issues, and have
requested the County's assistance. The townships recently met with County representatives to
discuss the corridor issue, and because of the meeting, the two municipalities requested that the
County seek funding for a comprehensive land use study of the highway corridor as a multi-
municipal effort. This study would serve as a blueprint for future action
