celebrating - lehigh valley planning commission · 10 11 the lehigh valley planning commission is...

celebrating

L V CPLehigh Valley Planning Commission

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551961 - 2016

PLANNINGFOR THE FUTURE OF LEHIGH + NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES


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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is dedicated to uniting the region’s elected and appointed officials, planning and development professionals and the public with a common vision of making a great region even greater. Shaping the way we live, work and play, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission builds consensus on improving transportation, promoting smart growth, protecting the environment and enhancing the economy. Formed in 1961 to promote the general health, safety and welfare of the Lehigh Valley, we serve the diverse two-county region including 62 municipal governments. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is the official Lehigh and Northampton County planning commission and federally-designated metropolitan planning organization.

PLANNING FOR THE RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT, GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT + REDEVELOPMENT OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY


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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission addresses current and ongoing regional planning issues while fostering cooperation between governments, private sector and nonprofit organizations and the general public. We work closely with a variety of groups, including our 62 municipal governments, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and environmental protection agencies, the federal government and regional transportation providers. We also partner with a wide variety of nonprofit organizations in community and economic development, environmental protection, infrastructure, hazard mitigation and land use.

Managing a growing municipal technical assistance program, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission regularly meets with the region’s municipalities, providing information and guidance in addition to

GUIDE THE ORDERLY GROWTH,DEVELOPMENT + REDEVELOPMENTOF THE LEHIGH VALLEY IN ACCORDANCEWITH THE LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES,PRINCIPLES + STANDARDS THAT AREIN THE BEST INTEREST + WELFARE OF ITS INHABITANTS + POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS

IMPROVE THESOCIAL + ECONOMICCLIMATE OF THE AREA

COORDINATE + INTEGRATETHE PLANS FOR ORDERLY GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT + REDEVELOPMENT

ENCOURAGE APPROPRIATE LAND USETHROUGH IMPLEMENTATIONOF THE REGIONALCOMPREHENSIVE PLAN

MAXIMIZE UTILIZATION OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE

+ PLAN NEW INFRASTRUCTUREAS NEEDED TO FULFILL THE GOALS

+ OBJECTIVES OF THE REGIONAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN

PROMOTE CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, LAND, WATER

+ AIR IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY + PRESERVATION OF UNIQUE HISTORIC

+ NATURAL FEATURES

PROMOTE + ASSISTIMPROVED TRAFFIC

+ TRANSPORTATION FLOW

COLLECT, ANALYZE+ DISTRIBUTE USEFUL

REGIONAL DATA

PROMOTE THE HEALTH,SAFETY + GENERAL WELFARE OF LEHIGH + NORTHAMPTON

COUNTIES

MISSIONresponding to daily inquiries on relevant planning topics, such as design of logistics facilities and zoning for tiny houses. Core planning activities include: subdivision, land development, stormwater and transportation plan reviews and municipal ordinance, comprehensive and specific plan reviews. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission staff also creates and monitors the Lehigh Valley Comprehensive Plan, the definative development and conservation strategy for the region.

Most recently, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission staff is working with the Nazareth Area Council of Governments to assess its consistency and accomplishments with their multimunicipal comprehensive plan. Lehigh Valley Planning Commission staff is also working with the Southwest Lehigh sub-region to update its multimunicipal comprehensive plan, as well as organizing a new comprehensive planning effort for the ten

communities that comprise the Slate Belt sub-region.

Regular coordination with the nonprofit and private sectors and the public is mission critical. The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is involved in extensive information gathering, analysis and sharing and cooperative projects from the bi-annual Housing Market Report to BuildLV: Annual Development Report and Freight Advisory Committee, which are popular private sector engagement and collaboration projects. Collaboration with Lehigh Valley Greenways, a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Conservation Landscape program, includes the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission as the regional planning partner and develops the trail gap analysis, natural heritage inventory and regional Greenways Plan and Return on Environment economic analysis to further multimodal, environmental and recreational goals.


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In addition to these partnerships, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is home to the Lehigh Valley’s most significant and extensive data repository on land use, the environment and transportation. We also serve as the primary public data analysis center for the region and release significant reports on a variety of topics from the population to real estate and natural heritage to congestion management. Our data is the foundation for public, nonprofit and private sectors’ decision-making.

As the region’s only entity collecting, analyzing and predicting land development trends, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission plays a critical role in the timing, location and type of building in the region. Recent reports highlighting the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s critical role include BuildLV: Annual Development Report, tracking land development and subdivision activity over time, Profile and Trends, a comprehensive municipal demographic and resource encyclopedia, and the Housing Market Report, analyzing every residential transaction from 2010 - 2014 by type and location.

61.2% 43.8%

570 UnitsApartments: 3,431,858 Square FeetIndustrial:

2015ResidentialActivity

2015Non-ResidentialActivity

2015DevelopmentProposalTrends

4.6%

60 UnitsTwins:

7.8%

101 UnitsTownhouses: 368,855 Square FeetCommercial:

11%

143 UnitsAssisted Living: 370,502 Square FeetPublic/Quasi Public:

13.8%

180 UnitsCondominiums: 657,801 Square FeetRetail:

18.9%

246 UnitsSingle Family: 779,116 Square FeetOffice:

6.6%6.6%

11.7%

13.9%

10% 5.1% 17.7%

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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is the primary educator for local governments, appointed officials, municipal employees, community volunteers, and for-profit land use-based businesses on planning and development issues.

Annually, the Lehigh Valley Government Academy trains local planning commissioners, zoning and planning administrators and zoning hearing boards on their role in the development process. In 2015, we welcomed our first class of Certified Citizen Planners, which honors the expertise of our Lehigh Valleyians who complete courses in Community Planning, Subdivision and Land Development, and Zoning.

Offering over 20 sessions annually, the Local Technical Assistance Program, in partnership with the Pennsylvania

Department of Transportation, trains the region’s public works and engineering community on a variety of topics from roadway maintenance to bridge inspection.

Introduced in 2014, Planning + Pizza and Data + Donuts sessions attract hundreds of participants to the Commission to learn about what is happening in the Lehigh Valley and participate in how the region protects our natural resources, allocates transportation monies and plans for our orderly growth and revitalization.

The Commission also hosts a yearly celebration honoring excellence in planning and development in the region at the Annual Gala and Lehigh Valley Awards. In the two years that this event has been held, over 223 individuals, companies and governments have been honored.

MoveLV: Long Range Transportation Plan and the associated four-year cash flow model, known as the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), outline infrastructure spending in the Lehigh Valley. Transportation funding activities are managed by the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS), and an over $2.5 billion investment is being made in the region’s roads, bridges, transit system and freight network. This funding is provided by the US Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, and in 2015, the region’s infrastructure revenue increases by over $500,000,000. This funding maintains and improves the Lehigh Valley’s transportation system, with high priorities on congestion and asset

management, maintenance, safety and multimodalism.

Additionally, the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, in partnership with the US Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, administers a two-year, $1.27 million Transportation Alternatives Program. Projects eligible for funding include bicycle, pedestrian and transit improvements with hopes of enhancing safety, access and commuting alternatives for the region’s population.

Lehigh and Northampton County planning activities are directed by a 37-member Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, which establishes regional policy, defines committee duties, and

adopts the annual work program. The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study manages the planning, coordination and investment portfolio for regional infrastructure system investment, through a ten-member Coordinating Committee and eight-member Technical Committee. The Lehigh Valley Transportation Study is managed through the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. Financial support for our activities comes primarily from the County of Lehigh, County of Northampton and federal transportation funding through the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Other financial resources are provided by funding from other state or federal agencies, local governments, operating agencies and the private sector.

These and many other speaking and community engagement and public participation activities form the core of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s role in the region. Literally, underpinning daily activities, the Commission regularly participates in community forums and events from attending municipal Boards of Supervisors’ Meetings to engaging over 10,000 attendees at the Lehigh Valley Airshow. Interaction is key to developing reports and plans that serve the needs of the Lehigh Valley.


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COMMUNITY TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVESECONOMY FUNDINGINFRASTRUCTURE STREET VACATIONSSUBDIVISION PEDESTRIANSPEOPLE + PLACES SAFETY STUDIESTRANSPORTATION FREIGHTRESOURCES AIR QUALITY

ORDERLY GROWTH

HIGHWAYS + BRIDGESORDINANCES + PLANS ASSET INVENTORYRESEARCH + ANALYSIS TRAFFIC COUNTINGWATER LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCESEWER TRAFFIC IMPACT STUDIESUTILITIES TRAVEL PLANNINGCARTOGRAPHY ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICESTREETSCAPES CORRIDOR STUDIES

ENVIRONMENT

LONG RANGE PLANNINGPROJECTIONS BLUEWAYS + GREENWAYS

FARMLAND PRESERVATION TRAVEL MODEL FORECASTINGHISTORIC PRESERVATION TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT

HOUSING IMPACT FEE ORDINANCES

OPEN SPACE CONSERVATION TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

PARKS + RECREATION DATA COLLECTIONCULTURE DEVELOPMENT REVIEWS



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CLAUDEPETERSAPPOINTEDEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

06|1961

JOINTPLANNINGCOMMISSIONFORMED

01|1961

LEHIGH +NORTHAMPTONCOUNTIESPLANNING COMMISSIONSFORMED

08|1955

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Combining the earlier efforts of Lehigh and Northampton County to ‘more economically perform planning work, prepare a comprehensive plan for development, policies for such development and coordinating the county plan with proposals for local and regional development,’ the Joint Planning Commission is formed.

Portrait of the First Commission

Celebrating 55 years leadingthe Lehigh Valley’sland planning,preservation management+ development efforts


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FIRSTREGIONALCOMPREHENSIVEPLANADOPTED

05|1964

FIRSTLONG RANGETRANSPORTATIONPLANADOPTED

1967

LEHIGHVALLEYTRANSPORTATIONSTUDYFORMED

07|1965

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The first comprehensive plan, titled A Comprehensive Plan for Lehigh and Northampton Counties, Pennsylvania: The Lehigh Valley…1980, is the inaugural document balancing the needs of the region’s economy, natural features, housing, utilities, schools, transportation and land use. Defining land use and development between 1964 and 1980, this first plan also includes a coordinated highway plan outlining the locations of a future Interstate 78 and State Routes 33, 309 and 378.

Established under the Federal Highway Act of 1961, the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS) forms in partnership with the State Highway Department. Lehigh Valley Transportation Study organizes and manages a comprehensive, coordinated transportation system. Under the administrative umbrella of the Joint Planning Commission of Lehigh and Northampton Counties, the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study operates a separate multi-part board for transportation planning and allocation of federal and state infrastructure dollars.

MICHAELKAISERAPPOINTEDEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

08|1967

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First General Land Use Plan First Transportation Plan


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JOINTPLANNINGCOMMISSIONRENAMEDLEHIGHVALLEYPLANNINGCOMMISSION

01|1997

BECKYBRADLEY, AICP,APPOINTEDEXECUTIVEDIRECTOR

08|2013

NEW LVPCOFFICERS ELECTED: MATT GLENNON - CHAIRKENT HERMAN - VICE CHAIRLIESEL DREISBACH - TREASURER

2013

To ‘reflect a growing sense of regional identity’, the Joint Planning Commission of Lehigh and Northampton Counties renames itself as the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. The January-February Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Newsletter describes the new name as ‘indicative of a growing sense by institutions and businesses that in order to prosper in a world economy, a broadening of local geographic thinking to include regional problem solving is necessary’.

SCHOENERSVILLEROAD CONGESTIONMANAGEMENTPLANNING

07|2013

NATURAL HERITAGEINVENTORYUPDATE

12|2013

LIKE,FRIEND,SHARE!LVPCSOCIALMEDIA

09|2013

Opening doors to the wealth of community information generating from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and to promote dialogue on key issues, a Facebook page, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram interfaces become key public engagement tools. Each social media tool attracts a variety of users and demographics and allows Lehigh Valleyians to participate in planning activities 24/7.

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LEHIGHVALLEYPLANNINGCOMMISSION +TRANSPORTATIONSTUDYREBRANDING

11|2013

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After nearly fifty years of utilizing the outline of Lehigh and Northampton Counties as an official logo of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, the entities receive a brand overhaul. The new block logos reflect the power and importance of the organization and management of the Lehigh Valley’s built and undeveloped spaces, while balancing the needs of each. The light blue echoes the area’s sky while the dark blue, the abundant water, and the light green indicates the spaces between the buildings in the urbanized landscape and the dark green, the rural and mountain topographies.

Original Logo Logo Rebranding Social Media Outlets



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TRAFFICTRENDSRELEASE

03|2014

HOMEBUYINGDURINGECONOMIC UNCERTAINTYREPORT

02|2014

LVPCSPONSORSSTATEOF THELEHIGHVALLEY

03|2014

MODELFLOODPLAINORDINANCEUPDATE

03|2014

NEW LVPCOFFICERS ELECTED:KENT HERMAN - CHAIRLIESEL DREISBACH - VICE CHAIRSTEPHEN REPASCH - TREASURER

2014

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s website is one of the most important and powerful communication vehicles for the organization. Public, private and nonprofit sectors utilize the data, reports and wealth of information that secure the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission as the region’s land use, development, transportation, environmental and planning data center. With around 700,000 interactions each year since its launch, this 24/7 platform is the front door to the Lehigh Valley’s information pipeline.

LVPCWEBSITEOVERHAUL

12|2013

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission values the quality and strength of its partnerships. Working with the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC), the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission contributed to research on the region’s housing and participated as lead sponsor of the annual Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges State of the Lehigh Valley event. Support of the region’s academic institutions through student and faculty collaboration with Lehigh Valley Planning Commission staff is key to growing the Lehigh Valley’s collective body of knowledge, meeting key educational and workforce development goals.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission releases an update to the model flood plain ordinance to address the changing legal climate and bring current land development thinking to the region’s communities. The update is the first use of information graphics to communicate complex ideas and promote local understanding of the Lehigh Valley’s most significant natural vulnerability: flooding.

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2013-2014

Community Trends at a Glance

LEHIGH VALLEY RESEARCH CONSORTIUM

State of the Lehigh Valley

LVPC Website Homepage Infographic from Model Ordinance Partner Report Cover


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REGIONALHOUSINGPLAN +FORUM

05|2014

2015-2018TRANSPORTATIONIMPROVEMENTPROGRAMUPDATE

06|2014

REGIONALCLIMATE +ENERGYGOALDEVELOPMENT

08|2014

PLANNING +PIZZA

2014

TRAFFICSAFETYPLAN

04|2014

The Transportation Improvement Program, commonly called the “TIP,” is the four-year cash management plan for infrastructure investment in the Lehigh Valley. With a value of $382,305,000, the transportation improvement program includes high priority regional transportation investments from the new American Parkway Bridge construction and rehabilitation of the Fahy Bridge to the widening of Route 22, improvements to the Route 412 corridor and LANta Hybrid Bus program. Utilizing a federally-mandated process, and managed by the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study, the Transportation Improvement Program is the region’s infrastructure asset management and maintenance program.

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission initiates a suite of new public engagement opportunities to explore planning policy, articulate community goals and receive feedback on the work of the organization. The Climate + Energy Elements, which supplement the Comprehensive Plan for the Lehigh Valley along with the Regional Housing Plan, kickoff this widely popular annual series of events.

As part of a regional US Department of Housing and Urban Development Sustainable Communities Grant, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission creates the first Regional Housing Plan. After a significant public engagement forum and series of community meetings, the plan is determined to cover affordability, variety, distribution and condition of the Lehigh Valley’s housing. The plan establishes goals supporting livable mixed income neighborhoods, a range of housing types, prices and rents, orderly growth, maintenance and development of units and an overarching consortium of housing interests to enhance regional coordination. The Regional Housing Plan is a seminal effort as the housing market and the Lehigh Valley population evolve in this new economic era.

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Lehigh Valley Housing Units by Type Planning + Pizza Event


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LEHIGHVALLEYINTERNATIONALAIRPORTAIRSHOWPUBLICENGAGEMENT

08|2014

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission engages with over 10,000 people to develop the MoveLV: Long Range Transportation Plan. The event, in partnership with the Lehigh & Northampton Airport Authority, features a traditional downtown historic commercial façade with write-on windows for the public to share its thoughts on the evolution and future of transportation in the Lehigh Valley.

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LVPCSPONSORSEASTERNPENNSYLVANIAGREENWAYS +TRAILSSUMMIT

09|2014

LEHIGHVALLEYGALA +AWARDS

10|201410|2015

First and second annual regional awards celebrating planning excellence in the Lehigh Valley honors public, private and nonprofit sector plans and projects that support communities and the region. Honoring those municipal governments and citizens that exemplify long-term and consistent planning, the Community of Distinction is chosen annually. The City of Bethlehem (2014) and Bushkill Township (2015) are recipients of the region’s highest planning honor.

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Networking Session Prior to the 2015 LV AwardsVisitor Studies Infographic at Airshow


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RETURNONENVIRONMENTREPORT

12|2014

1LVRELEASE

10|2014

In partnership with over a dozen regional organizations and governments, the Lehigh Valley completes a three-year planning process to explore and develop first time sustainability goals. Titled 1LV, the plan synthesizes partner plans from the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation’s Economic Development Report to Buy Fresh, Buy Local and the Nurture Nature Center’s Fresh Food Access Plan being among the 22 individual initiatives supporting sustainability regionwide. The effort, supported by a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, organizes around four key themes: transportation, the economy, livable communities and the environment. Ultimately, 1LV supports transportation choice, equitable housing, economic growth, existing communities and neighborhoods, while leveraging federal policies.

In partnership with Wildlands Conservancy, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission explores the value of the region’s environment by measuring impacts on natural system services, air quality, outdoor recreation and property values. The Return on Environment report, with grant support from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Sustainable Communities Program, notes more than a billion dollars annually in outdoor recreation expenditures and in avoided healthcare and environmental costs associated with environmental management and preservation, as well as determines average premiums afforded to homes located within a quarter mile of protected open space. Marketing the documents contents throughout 2015, the work is drawing the attention of Pennsylvania Governor Wolf, who is modeling new policies and programs around the value of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.

3029Cover of 1LV Report Information Tweets from the Return on Environment Report


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Lehigh Valley Planning Commission switches from a quarterly e-mail and paper newsletter to more frequent email marketing to distribute new information, analyses and public engagement opportunities to the region in real time. More than doubling the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission’s participation and engagement, this on-going effort allows for a higher quality and frequency of promotion and outreach activities.

REGIONALTRAVELDEMANDMODELCALIBRATION

2014

PAPERLESSMARKETINGCAMPAIGNINITIATED

12|2014

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission operates the region’s travel demand model, utilizing data collected during the annual traffic counting program, demographic and economic data, as well as air quality information. Management of this model is critical to infrastructure investment decision-making, and regular calibration factor into the development of the MoveLV: Long Range Transportation Plan, Transportation Improvement Program, and land use and transportation coordination.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Local Technical Assistance Program, in partnership with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, is designed to help Pennsylvania’s municipalities, which maintain over 68,000 miles of roadways, make the best use of their roadway maintenance dollars. Local Technical Assistance Program provides free technical information and proven technologies dealing with roadway maintenance and safety methods to meet the growing demands on municipal governments. Sixteen courses are being offered in 2016 at the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission offices on a variety of current transportation subjects.

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LOCALTECHNICALASSISTANCEPROGRAM

2015

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PLANLVMOVELVBUILDLVBRANDING

02|2015

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission introduces a suite of wordmark elements that define regional activities in relation to comprehensive and transportation planning: plan, build and move. The first in a series of actionable brands, this suite offers clear communication and reinforces organizational identity and mission. So successful is the branding effort, regular requests are made by referencing these monikers.

342016 Course Descriptions

BUILDLVANNUALDEVELOPMENTREPORT +FORUM

05|2015

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is the only entity that reviews every subdivision and land development proposal in the region. Annually, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission releases a report highlighting the timing, location and scale of development proposals. Evolving development trends are critical to understanding the ability of the region to support growth. Over the last several years, commercial, industrial, retail, office, public and quasi-public development types are outpacing residential proposals, ushering in a new era of development form and demand in the Lehigh Valley. The Urban Land Institute, partnering with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, hosts an annual forum highlighting these development trends.

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LEHIGHVALLEYPROFILE +TRENDSUPDATE

02|2015

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Annual Development Report


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LVPC SPONSORS+ PRESENTSTRANSPORTATIONSUMMIT WITHGREATER LEHIGHVALLEY CHAMBEROF COMMERCE

06|2015

PENNDESIGNGRADUATELANDSCAPEARCHITECTURESTUDIOS

05|2015

Working with the University of Pennsylvania Graduate Program in Landscape Architecture, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and the Slate Belt region of Northampton County begin to explore how to re-vision and reuse overlooked and underutilized assets. Creating over 50 individual projects, the work inspires creative solutions for abandoned quarries, landfills, brownfields, pipeline corridors, warehouse and distribution facilities, among other projects, all while enhancing the natural environment and supporting the growth of the recreational economy. City Center Lehigh Valley hosts a Pop-Up Exhibit at its newly constructed Three City Center office tower in 2015, and a 2016 showcase is in planning.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce hosts over 200 people at the Mack Trucks Lehigh Valley facility to learn from the newly-appointed Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards. Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Executive Director Becky Bradley formally releases the draft MoveLV: Long Range Transportation Plan and MoveLV: Freight Plan as well.

37 38Quarry Transformed to Outdoor Performance Space Secretary Richards Speaking at the Transportation Summit


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SOUTHWESTLEHIGHCOUNTYCOMPREHENSIVEPLANUPDATEKICKOFF

06|2015

$2.5 BILLIONLONGRANGETRANSPORTATIONPLANADOPTED

10|2015

Developing a strong vision, goals and policies for the future of the Lehigh Valley’s transportation network is no small charge. However, the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study tackles the development of a new MoveLV: Long Range Transportation Plan, setting the direction for the investment of over $2.5 billion in public infrastructure. Projects included in MoveLV are selected based on regional need, mobility, safety and congestion management, asset preservation and maintenance, performance standards and partnerships. The largest projects include improvements to Routes 22 and 33, among multiple bridge and transit projects.

LEHIGHCOUNTYAGINGPOPULATIONANALYSIS

09|2015

NEW LVPCOFFICERS ELECTED:LIESEL DREISBACH - CHAIRSTEPHEN REPASCH - VICE CHAIRJOHN DIACOGIANNIS - TREASURER

2015

FIRSTREGIONALFREIGHTPLANRELEASE

10|2015

Globalization, online commerce and the strategic location of the region between major East Coast markets are among the primary reasons for the significant growth in freight and freight-related industries in the Lehigh Valley. The rapid expansion of freight industries, through traffic and even generation of freight within the Lehigh Valley are cause for the region’s first plan to understand and plan for freight impacts on infrastructure. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and US Department of Transportation, the plan outlines goals, policies and strategies to manage freight-related infrastructure issues. A Freight Advisory Committee now serves as an ongoing public-private working group in collaboration with the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study.

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Cover of the MoveLV: Lehigh Valley Regional Freight PlanCover of the MoveLV: Long Range Transportation Plan


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NORTHAMPTONCOUNTYLIVABLELANDSCAPESPLANRELEASE

12|2015

FAIRHOUSINGFORUM

11|2015

MOVELV:ROADTORAILKICKOFF

10|2015

$1.27 MILLIONTRANSPORTATIONALTERNATIVESGRANTPROGRAMOPENS

11|2015

NAZARETH AREACOUNCIL OFGOVERNMENTSCOMPREHENSIVEPLAN ANALYSIS + ACCOMPLISHMENTS

09|2015

The Northampton County open space plan guides the conservation, restoration and enhancement of the county’s open space resources and creates linkages between vast natural resources; outdoor recreational facilities; greenways and blueways; farmland; and historic, cultural and scenic resources. County residents prioritize the plan, with 95% of respondents agreeing that farmland preservation is a priority and 71% responding that water quality and protection of water resources is the highest priority. The Northampton County Livable Landscapes Plan is guiding facility and economic development investment, as well as providing a guide for the protection and utilization of resources.

INVESTINGIN THEREGION,GRANTASSISTANCE

ON-GOING

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission increases partners and technical grant assistance to the region’s communities and institutions as federal, state, trust and foundation monies become available. Utilizing the goals and policies in the Regional Comprehensive Plan and MoveLV: Long Range Transportation Plan, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is coordinating, assisting and leading efforts to bring additional resources into the Lehigh Valley. Whether writing letters of support or building a consortium of partners to apply for $25 million in US Department of Transportation TIGER Grant funds for the implementation of the Lehigh Valley Greenways Plan, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission continues to build a collaborative environment to implement local and regional plans.

Serving as the region’s primary educational entity for local planning commissions, zoning hearing boards, elected officials and private consultants on land development issues, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission expands Lehigh Valley Government Academy offerings to include a course in Community Planning. Also, people who complete this new course, as well as the Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development courses, become the Lehigh Valley’s Certified Citizen Planners. 19 people from the public, nonprofit and private sectors earn this honor in 2015 alone, ushering in a new era of community land use leadership.

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LEHIGHVALLEYGOVERNMENTACADEMY

2015

44Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Agricultural Lands Plan for Northampton County


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CATASAUQUAFRONTSTREETSTUDY

10|2015

HOUSINGMARKETREPORTRELEASE

12|2015

MODELORDINANCEUPDATES

12|2015

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Working with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Catasauqua Borough, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission creates a series of design alternatives to calm traffic and enhance pedestrian and cyclist mobility, while maintaining parking, vehicle mobility and supporting reinvestment in the borough’s downtown. The project also plans adjacent infrastructure enhancements to a former iron works site, preparing the location to support and attract new development.

Model Ordinances are the most popular downloads from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission website. Seven ordinance updates released speak to the changing needs of the region’s municipalities and serve as educational and guidance documents for local use and development.

Updated Guides+

Model Ordinances

PLANREVIEWS+TRAFFICCOUNTS

ON-GOING

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Streetscape Rendering at the Intersection of Front and Bridge Streets Covers from the Suite of Model Ordinances


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FUTURELVFORUM:REGIONALCOMPREHENSIVEPLANKICKOFF

12|2016

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The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission is updating the Regional Comprehensive Plan and launching this effort on December 2, 2016. The update is an opportunity to envision the future of transportation and utilities, housing, parks and recreation, open space and agricultural needs, the economy and jobs, among other land use, development, preservation and community needs. Ultimately, this plan sets the development direction for the Lehigh Valley and drives both public and private sector investment decisions. Stay tuned for opportunities to create the FutureLV.


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COMMISSIONERS

John N. Diacogiannis, CPCU, TreasurerStephen Repasch, Vice Chair Liesel Dreisbach, Chair


Norman E. Blatt, Jr., Esq.Christen T. Borso

John BrownShannon Calluori (alt.)

Gordon CampbellLuis Campos (alt.)

Eugene ClaterRobert Donchez

Percy H. Dougherty, PhDKaren Duerholz

Charles W. Elliott, Esq.George F. Gemmel

Steven L. Glickman, RA, NCARB

Armand V. GrecoDarlene Heller, AICP (alt.)

Kent H. Herman, Esq.Edward D. Hozza, Jr.

Robert A. LammiKevin Lott

Richard Molchany (alt.)Christina V. Morgan

Thomas MullerThomas J. Nolan

Brad OsborneSara Pandl, AICP, RLA

Salvatore J. Panto, Jr.Edward Pawlowski

Pamela Pearson, MBAHayden Phillips

Lynn PriorKathy RaderMichael Reph

Tina Roseberry, AICP (alt.)Kevin A. SchmidtJulie Thomases

Adam R. WaldronDonna Wright

COORDINATING COMMITTEE

Michael Rebert (Chair), PennDOT District 5-0Becky A. Bradley, AICP (Secretary), LVPCJames Ritzman, PennDOT Central Office

Larry Shifflet (Alt.), PennDOT Central OfficeCraig Messinger, City of Allentown

Shannon Calluori (Alt.), City of AllentownMichael Alkhal, City of Bethlehem

Matthew Dorner (Alt.), City of BethlehemSalvatore J. Panto, Jr., City of EastonDavid Hopkins (Alt.), City of Easton

Thomas Muller, Lehigh CountyRichard Molchany (Alt.), Lehigh County

John Brown, Northampton CountyStan Rugis (Alt.), Northampton County

Owen O’Neil, LANtaBrendan Cotter (Alt.), LANtaCharles R. Everett, Jr., LNAA

TECHNICAL COMMITTEE

Raymond C. Green (Chair), PennDOT Central OfficeBecky A. Bradley, AICP, LVPC

Christopher Kufro, P.E., PennDOT District 5-0Shannon Calluori, City of Allentown

Darlene Heller, AICP, City of BethlehemMatthew Dorner (Alt.), City of Bethlehem

David Hopkins, City of EastonBrendan Cotter, LANta

Ryan Meyer (alt.), LNAAGeorge Kinney, AICP, LVPCMichael S. Donchez, LVPC


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TEAM PLANNER


Becky A. Bradley, AICP Executive Director Bruce R. Rider Director of Administration George G. Kinney, AICP Director of Transportation Planning Eric C. McAfee, AICP, LEED AP Director of Community Planning Geoffrey A. Reese, P.E. Director of Environmental Planning Tracy L. Oscavich Associate Director of Development William H. Deegan Architectural/Urban Designer David E. Manhardt, AICP Chief Geographic Information Systems Planner Benjamin Holland, GISP Senior Geographic Information Systems Planner Teresa Mackey Senior Environmental Planner Susan L. Rockwell Senior Environmental Planner Michael S. Donchez Senior Transportation Planner Gabriel F. Hurtado Community Planner Brian Hite Traffic Data Technician Alice J. Lipe Graphics & Publications Coordinator Kathleen M. Sauerzopf Executive Secretary

The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and Lehigh Valley Transportation Study do not discriminate based on race, color, age, sex, disability or national origin in any of its programs, pursuant to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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