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

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