On tonight’s BOC agenda there is a letter from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) regarding a rezoning request on a parcel at Rt. 100 and Quarry Rd. This is across from Ancient Oaks West. It’s currently open space, actively farmed and has been zoned agriculture protected for over two decades.
In the letter the LVPC states a request to rezone the tract from Agriculture Protected to “Highway/Neighborhood Commercial” is inconsistent with regional planning. I agree. The LVPC plan is not binding but as a Commissioner I value it’s recommendations. The BOC should only deviate from the plan when there is good reason.
Right now there are none and we have no obligation to change this zoning. Today, the Rt. 100 corridor still has a rural vibe. There is no reason why we can’t protect that character. It’s why we’re such a nice place to live. The only reason I can think of where it might make sense to take a look at this area is if and when the school district ever decides to build on it’s 98 acre parcel. Even then we have to be very careful what we zone here. Commercial tracts have major traffic implications. No one wants to see Rt. 100 become gridlocked as has happend in Upper Macungie. Even then, the right decision may be status quo.
Survey from the parks & open space comp plan – “By a large percentage, [Lower Macungie] residents support open space preservation with over 71% of respondents indicating that preservation of open space is important or extremely important, and over 59% saying it is extremely important. From the extent of comments, it is evident that, to many residents, open space preservation is one of the most important issues in the township.”
Clearly, an arbitrary rezoning of this parcel would represent a slap in the face to residents who just removed two seated Commissioners largely on the basis of poor rezoning and land development choices over the last 3 years.
Personally, I would like to see this parcel and those adjacent to it permanently preserved via a mechanism that fairly compensates the land-owners such as an open space referendum or a transferable development rights program. AP zoning is not a good mechanism for protection as it is political in nature. If a board comes into office that doesn’t value open space protection it can be repealed. I believe in permanent and fair solutions where landowners are voluntarily compensated at market value.
Here is the LVPC letter.
