Efficient and Coordinated Development Pattern
A booming economy, beautiful topography and a wide variety of arts and cultural activities define a region that is growing in people, jobs and opportunities. Managing that growth is key as our 62 municipalities strive to build on a regional sense of place that attracts thousands of new residents every year. Directing growth toward a series of Centers and Corridors will help create the dynamic communities of the future, while preserving our natural beauty, history and agricultural land. Working together as a region, we can prepare for a future in which lifestyles, technology and climate are changing dramatically.
Preserve natural areas and farmland by managing growth and development to enhance and strengthen cities, boroughs, suburbs and rural communities.
1.1
- Guide the location and intensity of development.
- Encourage reuse and redevelopment within urban areas.
- Increase the social, economic and environmental well-being of the region.
- Match development intensity with sustainable infrastructure capacity.
- Improve the utility and mobility infrastructure of the region.
- Provide transportation options that are cost-effective and sustainable.
- Preserve agricultural and natural lands.
- Integrate efficiency measures and emerging technologies.
- Support evolution and adaptability of government.
- Organize and advocate for changes to the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code that support regional and municipal planning.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, US Department of Transportation, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority
Related Policies
1.3
2.1
3.1
3.3
4.1
4.5
5.3
1.2
1.4
2.2
3.2
3.4
4.3
4.6
5.4
Direct growth by establishing a network of mixed-use centers and mixed-transportation corridors.
1.2
- Increase density of residential and mixed-use development in centers.
- Link centers with high-capacity, mixed-transportation corridors.
- Support pedestrian-scale development.
- Encourage quality, sustainable design and construction.
- Locate educational, social and civic institutions in centers or along corridors.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, US Department of Transportation, Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority, Developers
Related Policies
1.3
2.1
2.3
4.3
5.2
1.2
1.4
2.2
2.6
4.5
Suburban Corridor Concept
Walbert Avenue, South Whitehall Township
Centers and Corridors are good places for the region to grow because they support a variety of uses, housing types, lifestyles and transportation options. Low-density commercial areas can accommodate growing demand for more pedestrian-friendly, mixed-use development, and wide public rights-of-way can be reconfigured to carry drivers, walkers, rollers and transit users in the same amount of space. Investing in quality public space, green infrastructure and community art will make them unique, attractive and desirable places for the next generation of residents and businesses, while also creating a strong social and financial foundation for the future.
Design Renderings by PennPraxis
FUTURELV PLAN MAPS
1. Natural Resources Plan
The High Conservation Priority Natural Resource areas shown on the plan take precedence over other land use recommendations presented in FutureLV, including the General Land Use Plan. This represents a conservation first perspective. The High and Medium Conservation Priority areas are used by the LVPC in review of subdivision and land development proposals, plans and ordinances created by municipalities, grant applications and work with municipalities on municipal or multi-municipal comprehensive plans, and any other aspects of LVPC work involving natural resources. The High and Medium Conservation Priority areas should also be used by conservation organizations and government agencies to prioritize conservation efforts.
2. Farmland Preservation Plan
The High and Medium Priority Farmland Preservation areas on the plan represent the most significant clusters of existing farmland based on the overall size of the cluster combined with agricultural soils quality. The LVPC uses this plan as an important component of proposal review. High Priority areas are the largest clusters and represent the best opportunity for infill with farmland-supportive businesses and services. This plan should be used by government agencies and conservation organizations to prioritize areas for preservation of farming operations, typically through the acquisition of easements to permanently preserve the land as farming. Other farmlands not shown on the plan, either due to small size, lower soils quality or lack of proximity to other farmlands, should also be considered for preservation as the opportunity arises. High Priority areas are shown on the General Land Use Plan for Farmland Preservation or certain Preservation Buffer areas. In the Preservation Buffer area, Farmland Preservation is preferred.
3. Parks, Outdoor Recreation, Open Space and Scenic Plan
This plan shows major existing and planned park, outdoor recreation, open space and scenic facilities and should be used to guide efforts by public/private organizations and government agencies to expand, improve and connect regional assets. The LVPC uses this plan in concert with the Livable Landscapes plan for each county and other regional plans to establish priorities for funding and work efforts for these facilities. Recommended improvements shown on this plan are compatible with any land use depicted on the General Land Use Plan.
4. Transportation Plan
This plan shows major transportation infrastructure and opportunities for creating denser, mixed-use, mixed-transportation development and should be used to guide efforts to improve the transportation network by private and non-profit organizations and government agencies. The LVPC uses this plan as an important component of development review and highly encourages projects that expand, improve or connect the mixed-transportation network. The LVTS also utilizes this plan for transportation planning and investment.
5. General Land Use Plan
This plan shows areas recommended for Development, Farmland Preservation, Preservation Buffer and Exurban uses and should guide development and preservation efforts by private and non-profit organizations, government agencies and individuals.
High Priority Areas from the Natural Resources Plan are recommended to be conserved regardless of the General Land Use Plan recommendation. High Priority areas from the Farmland Preservation Plan are included on the General Land Use Plan as recommended for Farmland Preservation or certain Preservation Buffer areas. In the Preservation Buffer area, Farmland Preservation is preferred.
Centers and Corridors located within Development areas are recommended for denser, mixed-use, mixed-transportation development. Centers and Corridors located in Preservation Buffer areas or Exurban areas are only recommended for denser, mixed-use, mixed-transportation development if they meet the development criteria. Centers and Corridors located within Farmland Preservation areas are not generally recommended for denser development.
Proposed improvements shown on the Parks, Outdoor Recreation, Open Space and Scenic Plan are compatible with any land use depicted on the General Land Use Plan.
GENERAL LAND USE PLAN
This plan shows areas recommended for Development, Farmland Preservation, Preservation Buffer and Exurban and is used to guide development and preservation efforts by private and non-profit organizations and government agencies and individuals. Character-Defining Areas represent a simplified version of the Natural Resources Plan plus scenic higher elevation areas and are only shown as a backdrop for the plan. Areas recommended for Development were identified using existing infrastructure, existing urbanized areas and the potential to accommodate future growth. Areas recommended as Preservation Buffer meet the same conditions as those for development, but overlap with areas identified for Farmland Preservation or Exurban. The LVPC uses this plan as an important component of development review. Note that the High Conservation Priority areas from the Natural Resources Plan are recommended to be conserved regardless of the General Land Use Plan recommendation. High Priority areas from the Farmland Preservation Plan are included on the General Land Use Plan. In the Preservation Buffer area, Farmland Preservation is preferred.
The General Land Use Plan incorporates Centers and Corridors, High Priority
Farmland Preservation areas and Character-Defining Areas.
INTERACTIVE MAP
GENERAL LAND USE PLAN DEFINITIONS
GENERAL LAND USE PLAN DEFINITIONS
Development
These areas have most or all of the factors needed to support growth, such as sewer and transportation infrastructure capacity and contiguity to existing development, and are capable of accommodating a substantial amount of additional development. These areas are appropriate for a variety of uses, including major commercial, residential and industrial development.
Exurban
These areas have few or none of the factors necessary for development and should remain in rural uses, including agriculture and related businesses, and parks and open space. Housing in or adjacent to rural crossroads villages or at low densities is also compatible.
Preservation Buffer
These are areas where factors may be present and capable of accommodating additional development. Conversely, these are areas where farming may be the existing land use, and it may be appropriate to preserve these areas for agriculture or to maintain rural uses. The most appropriate future land use for these areas should be based on a planning analysis of the development criteria. Natural resources conservation and farmland preservation are strongly preferred in these areas.
Farmland Preservation
These areas are predominantly agriculture and are recommended to remain agriculture. The types of uses recommended include agriculture and related housing and businesses, parks and open space, and housing not related to agriculture on a very limited scale.
Character-Defining Area
These areas represent the natural and scenic character of the Lehigh Valley as a simplified version of the Natural Resources Plan, with highest elevation areas representing scenic resources. The types of uses recommended are parks and open space, woodlands, agriculture, and low-intensity, limited scale development that preserves natural and scenic resources.
Centers
Centers are opportunities for mixed-use areas that are a focal point of social, cultural and economic activity. The goal for these areas is to offer a variety of housing prices and types close to shops, restaurants and jobs. They should feature streets that encourage walking and biking—expanding safe transportation options within the community. Further, they should be well-connected to nature and surrounding neighborhoods, promoting an active lifestyle that is good for the social, physical and psychological well-being of all people.
Corridors
Corridors are opportunities for linear mixed-use districts that connect centers with high-quality roads, trails and mass transit lines. Each corridor contains a variety of uses and development types that help to support a variety of transportation modes. Anchored by a Center on each end, Corridors unify residential neighborhoods to social, cultural and economic opportunities and make the Lehigh Valley a more livable, equitable and connected place.
Development Criteria
Areas shown on the General Land Use Plan as Preservation Buffer areas or Exurban areas may be considered appropriate for development if the following criteria are met:
- The proposal is consistent with the conservation of high priority natural resources
- The site is contiguous to existing development
- Adequate sewage conveyance capacity is available from the site to the sewage treatment facility
- Adequate sewage allocation for the site is available in the sewage treatment facility
- Adequate sewage treatment capacity is available for the site
- The site is identified in the municipal comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and Act 537 sewage facilities plan for development/public sewage disposal
- The site will be served by public water with adequate supply and delivery capacity
- The development will not create adverse impacts to the transportation system with respect to roads, bridges, transit facilities and bicycle/pedestrian facilities, including traffic safety or congestion, based on accepted transportation planning and engineering professional standards
LAND USES OF REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE
While every change to the land has an impact, some have a greater effect than others, requiring more detailed review and analysis by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Land Uses of Regional Significance (LURS) have substantial impacts that may cross municipal boundaries and can impact the transportation system, critical natural features and habitats, water management, school enrollment, government and non-profit services, utility capacity, parks and recreational facilities, air quality, and the economy—among all other aspects of the region’s functionality and quality of life.
County planning agencies are given broad review authority under the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code to assess these impacts on the community and to forward comments and suggestions to the municipal government(s) where LURS are proposed and to those that may be affected.
LURS receive special attention during the subdivision and land development review process. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission will:
- Review and comment on the governmental and intergovernmental impacts of land uses of regional significance based on planning goals and policies outlined in FutureLV: The Regional Plan as well as applicable Pennsylvania Act 167 stormwater management plans, climate, energy, green infrastructure, greenways, livable landscapes, parks, recreation and open space, historic and cultural assets, housing, blight reversal and remediation, farmland preservation, environmental justice, equity, freight, transportation and traffic safety, multimodal transportation data and plans, among other LVPC, Lehigh County and/or Northampton County adopted goals and policies.
- Send reviews to all potentially impacted municipalities and agencies.
- Call on entities proposing land uses of regional significance to conduct studies that clearly indicate environmental, land use, transportation and other impacts on all municipalities that may be affected by a development.
- Provide mediation services to municipalities desirous of such services consistent with the provisions of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code.
Maintain regional character by preserving priority environmental, historic, cultural, scenic and agricultural assets.
1.3
- Identify assets that are critical to the character of the region.
- Protect assets from potential threats.
- Enhance the long-term viability of assets.
- Connect assets to diverse transportation options.
- Mitigate the effects of climate change.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities,
US Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Preservation Organizations
Related Policies
1.2
3.2
4.4
5.4
1.1
3.1
3.3
5.3
Encourage an efficient development process that is responsive to regional needs.
1.4
- Coordinate land use decisions across municipal boundaries.
- Facilitate discussion among residents, stakeholders, appointed officials and elected representatives.
- Provide guidance on best practices.
- Minimize impacts of Land Uses of Regional Significance.
- Serve as the regional expert on planning, zoning and development.
Themes
Implementation Partners
Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, Lehigh and Northampton Counties, 62 Municipalities
Related Policies
1.2
2.2
3.4
4.6
1.1
2.1
2.3
4.1
5.4