The Lehigh Valley is growing fast and the world is changing even faster.
FutureLV: The Regional Plan is designed to help us prepare for all that change as a thriving region works to manage its growth and prepare for the arrival of more people, more visitors, more online shopping, more autonomous vehicles and well, just plain more of almost everything.
After nearly three years that included more than 170 public meetings and events and participation by 8,500 residents, a draft of the plan is now available at LVPC.org and at public offices across the region. Serving as the plan for Lehigh and Northampton counties, FutureLV will remain open for public comment through September 23.
The plan includes an innovative approach toward managing a successful region’s continued growth, while protecting the key aspects – farmland, open space, scenic vistas, prime location – that are so important in defining its high quality of life. But the challenges ahead are many, and will require we work together.
“FutureLV is a blueprint for a vibrant, sustainable, resilient and forward-moving region,” said Becky Bradley, LVPC Executive Director. “Rising to the challenges before the community, being mindful of the diverse and important assets we have and positioning the Lehigh Valley for the future the community wants and needs, will require everyone to contribute. The most successful regions in the US and World are built on collaboration, partnerships and a collective understanding that everyone is an owner. We must start now.”
The plan strives to bring about five goals:
1. Efficient and Coordinated Development Pattern
2. Connected-Mixed Transportation Plan
3. Protected and Vibrant Environment
4. Competitive, Creative and Sustainable Environment
5. Safe, Healthy, Inclusive and Livable Communities
The plan, designed to carry the region to 2045 and beyond, is built around a Centers and Corridors concept crafted to build up economic centers, create more walkable neighborhoods and enhance our transportation network. It lays out 57 Centers -- ranging from downtown Allentown to Madison Farms in Bethlehem Township to Portland Borough’s commercial district where people live, work or shop. It recommends virtually all future development be focused around those centers, or along the road-and-trail-based corridors that connect them. Doing that will help preserve the region’s farmland and open space, while driving activity into business districts and creating more walkable neighborhoods. The resulting density will increase the activity and vibrancy of neighborhoods, while strengthening the transportation system in a way that makes it more usable for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers.
The plan will be available for comment at
https://www.lvpc.org/futurelv.html through September 23.
During the comment period, public meetings will be held at the LVPC, at the Fowler Family Southside Center in Bethlehem and other locations across the region. After the comment period, the plan will be revised, based on the comments, finalized and taken for approval before Lehigh County Commissioners, Northampton County Council and Lehigh Valley Transportation Study (LVTS), which serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization for transportation projects in the region. The plan is scheduled to be approved by LVTS before the current Long-Range Transportation Plan expires in October.
In addition to finding FutureLV at LVPC.org, it will also be at public locations across the region, including the LVPC offices, PennDOT District 5 offices in Allentown, LANTA’s Allentown offices, Allentown Public Library, Bethlehem Area Public Library and the Easton Area Public Library. Comments can be delivered on the website, by calling the LVPC at 610-264-4544 or by email at
planning@lvpc.org.
