Southwest Lehigh County is beginning a process to determine the answers to these questions and more with the development of a new Comprehensive Plan.
COMMUNITY
VISION
STATEMENTS
Below are vision statements collected from the PLANSWL community and represent the views of those living in or around the Southwest Lehigh communities.
Regional balanced development, taking advantage of natural and developed resources (open space and downtown) that invigorate relations between communities.
Embodies forward looking growth strategies, particularly with Transportation and Land Use
Encourage Pedestrian, Bicycle Connections
Livable Communities that promote activities
Encouragement of sustainable business development that takes long term investment in the Valley.
Keep historic buildings and other historic structures preserved!
Preserve farms, forests, open spaces.
Restrict over development.
Don't force things upon towns and townships that they don't need or want.
Share ideas ... don't force them on others.
Focus on smart growth that creates a balanced and safe community.
Develop a plan that sets examples for other communities to follow.
Create a fit.
Resilient & Anti fragile
Balance
Return on Investments
Quality & Value / Unique
Safety
Financial Sustainability
A coordinated effort to link a balanced and unique land use vision to financial sustainability, quality of life and higher ROI economic development.
A peaceful community that is self sufficient and sustainable and free of intrusive noise and pollution.
A community linked internally and externally with sufficient roadways.
Small town ambiance with a commitment to
rustic farming (agriculture) or "farmette"
Easy commute
Open communication and mutual respect among all respective communities regarding planning, zoning, land use and economic development.
Shared goal of a synergistic blending of energies toward developed land conservation.
Restore the historic and cultural influence that shaped the South West area of Lehigh County.
Small hometown rural character.
Agricultural Preservation
Protect our rural character and heritage.
I don't care if there is another new structure in the area.
Limit new development to infill @ existing utilities only.
Balance of preserved open space vs. development.
Less traffic congestion by updating problematic intersections.
Re-use of existing vacant buildings and strip malls to cut back on constant commercial development.
Increase in single family housing development as compared to town home / twins developments.
Increase in recreational areas.
Save the golf courses!!
I would like to see preserved open space and natural resources, a thriving agricultural industry supported by the community, a revitalized downtown area in Macungie, Emmaus and Alburtis -- preserving the unique character and historical identity of each, and a redistribution of truck and volume of traffic to bypass going through small residential/commercial areas (like Alburtis, Limeport).
Areas outside of SWL should be included in regional planning and preservation efforts.
1. Greenway trail along the Little Lehigh Creek that connects to the Perkiomen Trail
2. Naturalized basins throughout the region / Rt 100 (closed depression area)
3. No more warehouses, mobile homes, apartments -- fairshare
4. Slip ramps on Turnpike for our region.
5. I-78 Adams Avenue Ramp
6. Shimmersville Rd. to Chestnut St. road improvements / stormwater improvements
7. More Bike Routes
8. Regional police / Regional zoning ordinance
9. Special protection areas designated
10. Water / wellhead protection areas * No 1 issue
Downtowns in Alburtis, Macungie and Emmaus having structured facade that is aesthetically pleasing.
All utilities underground creating a clean look and feel.
Utilizing existing buildings for either storage, housing or business.
Infrastructure to be able to accommodate trucks, volume of traffic.
Wider roads and stronger roads.
Trails and walking pathways and Greenways.
A regional police department / fire department and facilities
Traffic calming in the downtown areas with more shopping and family oriented businesses.
Less trucks and warehouses -- they promote traffic and loss of that old town feel.
More shared facilities so tax burdens are lessoned on residents.
Surrounding farmlands preserved and walk ways for citizens.
Bike Trails
"Develop"
an equitable plan for all forms of development in the Lehigh Valley, particularly in the high growth areas like SWLV.
It is my hope that the SWL region will strike a balance between appropriate levels of development and farmland/natural preservation.
All the while supporting our local downtowns and maintaining identities and quality of life.
Continued preservation of Agricultural / Open space to promote a good quality of life in the region, while directing business, growth and transportation of freight (i.e. truck traffic) into appropriate locations.
Making livable wage jobs available within the region.
My ideal community would be to look out for our neighbors.
To care for our businesses.
To have good schools at all levels.
For people to care about where they live.
This Project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development.