Return to Criteria Map
 
The LESA program has two main components: Land Evaluation and Site Assessment. The land evaluation of a parcel is based
on only one factor: the soils of that parcel. The site assessment depends on three factors: development, farmland, and clustering.
Each factor has a weight which is determined by the individual county. The site assessment factors are further broken down into
criteria determined by the individual county. These criteria are listed below.
 
         Franklin County
Land Evaluation
  Soils 50%  
The soils score is calculated from the amount of each soil type in a parcel multiplied by the value of that soil. The soil values are the same for
every state of Pennsylvania.  
Site Assessment    
Development 10% Farmland 30% Clustering 10%
Road Frontage Points Acreage Points Consistent w/ Comprehensive Plans Points
More than 1 mile 20 Over 80 acres 20 Designated for ag uses 20
1/2 mile to 1 mile 10 51 - 80 acres 10 Designated for ag and non-ag uses 10
Less than 1/2 mile 5 < 50, but 10 adjoins easement 5 Designated for non-ag uses 0
Availability of Public Water Points Crops, Pasture or Grazing Points Proximity to Other Easements Points
Adjacent 20 100% 20 Adjacent 40
Within 1/4 mile 15 75% - 99% 10 Within 1/4 mile 20
Within 1/2  mile 10 50% -  74% 5 Within 1/2 mile 10
Within 1 mile 5 Less than 50% 0 Within 1 mile 5
2 miles or more 0
Stewardship Points ASA Adjacent to Tract Points
Availability of Public Sewer Points On 86% - 100% of tract 20 100% 20
Adjacent 40 71% - 85% 15 75% - 99% 15
Within 1/4 mile 20 61% - 70% 10 50% - 74% 10
Within 1/2  mile 10 50% - 60% 5 25% - 49% 5
Within 1 mile 5 Less than 50% 0 10% - 24% 0
2 miles or more 0
Historic, Scenic and Envir. Points Consistent with Planning Map Points
On-Site Sewage Disposal* Points Exceptional features 15 Prime farmland 20
61% - 100%  Class I & II soils 40 Significant features 10 Unique farmland, other than prime 15
41% - 60%   20 Favorable features 5 Farmland of state-wide importance 10
21% - 40%  10 Class IV ag capability farmland 5
6% - 20%   5 Farm Product Gross Sales Points
0% - 5%  0 $50,000 or more 10
* For municipalities w/o public sewer $25,000 to $49,999 5
Less than $25,000 0
Extent of Non-Ag Use w/i 1 mile Points
Development in immediate vicinity* 20  Family Income from Farming Points
Development w/i 1/2 mile** 10 100% 15
Scattered non-ag development 5 75% - 99% 10
Non-significant development 0 50% - 74% 5
* 10+ lots - commercial, industrial, resid. Less than 50% 0
** 20+ lots - commercial, industrial, resid.