Category Archives: Lower Macungie Township News

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 22.6 square miles (58.5 km²). Little Lehigh Creek and Swabia Creek drain and wind through the township from sources in Berks and Lehigh Counties. Swabia Creek joins Little Lehigh Creek in the township and the latter drains into the Lehigh River in Allentown. South Mountain crosses the township’s southern-most corner, just south of the boroughs of Alburtis and Macungie.

Lower Macungie BOC Agenda Preview 12/19

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FYI – This is a practice I started and will continue as a member of the BOC. In these previews  I may indicate a voting inclination, but it in no way means my mind is made up on any issue. During a critical hearing for the Jaindl issue, a Commissioner once spoke before public comment outlining he was voting to move forward the project regardless of what people said during public comment. That was wrong.

My hope is by doing this I open the door for conversations before public meetings. One of my biggest issues with the Jaindl debacle was people didn’t truly understand what was happening until it was “too late”. I plan on doing everything I can to make sure residents have background information and then my thoughts on issues before they come to a vote  in front of the board. This is one mechanism to do that. I hope people find it useful. Please contact me at ronbeitler@gmail.com if you have any questions about any issues.

12/19/13 Complete agenda with detail

NOTE: This will be the first BOC in the new meeting room. I have mixed feelings about this. Yes, it is beautiful. And most of the work was done by township public works staff. And they did a fantastic job. And yes, I think it includes much needed improvements to our Audio Visual setup. These are important since they allow better participation for residents during critical hearings and approvals. Especially ones dealing with land development plans. I firmly believe residents should be able to see what commissioners  see during hearings. The new room has a giant monitor just for this specific purpose. Additionally the recording equipment was updated.

Where my mixed feelings come into play is the giant (and I mean GIANT) new Dias. I do not think this was needed and felt moving the old Dias to the new room (previous ballroom) would have been sufficient if this would have resulted in cost savings. I do not think we needed additional seating and further I actually prefer volunteer commission meetings to take place in more informal settings. I think the formality of the room in some ways creates a barrier to participation. If I had my way, the pulpit would be removed and residents could speak (when called upon to maintain order) from their seats. I do understand this is tough because of the recording requirements of meetings. Basically, I think the AV enhancements were needed. But overall, the room is pretty exorbitant and I’m not sure if I would have voted for this version had I been seated in 2013. I would have liked to explore less costly and smaller Dias variations/options.

Announcements & Presentations
There are 2 Eagle Scout projects on the Agenda. This is always a pleasure to see.
Dr. Gary Cordner – Police Protection Study.
Executive summary outline here of police protection study.

Hearings and Approvals – None

Communication

  • 5 statements of interest for various positions. Remember,  these vacancies will be filled in January but the township always accepts applications! (they will keep on file for 1 year)
  • There is one letter opposing Hamilton Crossings TIF.
  • 6 letters opposing Real Estate Tax
  • 2 letters supporting increase EIT instead of Real Estate Tax
  • 2 letters in support of Real Estate Tax
  • 1 Letter encouraging investigation of Home Rule Charter
  • One letter encouraging creation of a police force and supportive of tax to support. (Note, seems to be the minority opinion based on conversations with residents)

Engineer – Approval of Hydrant Installation for Spring Creek Properties (Jaindl). Note, I believe we will be seeing Jaindl spring creek land development plans coming to the township next month. I will be sure to keep residents informed. The entire subdivision will be one of the largest development projects in township history. Over the last 3 years I opposed the rezoning of 700 acres of farmland where this industrial (warehouse) project will be built and I supported the resident funded litigation attempting to overturn the zoning. Moving forward, I think it’s critical residents stay involved in the process.

Township Manager: Presenting 2013 year in review.

Page 2 od LMT Manager Report 2013 in review

Page 2 od LMT Manager Report 2013 in review

Old Business:

Couple items here, one of note. The policy regarding appointments of incumbents to volunteer boards. I feel as though all applicants including incumbents should be interviewed. This will be addressed at a January meeting.

3 important township meetings this week – Get involved!

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1. Tonight Nov. 11th 6pm Parks & Recreation Comprehensive plan presentation. Municipal Building – 3400 Brookside Rd.

The Township currently owns approximately 1,000 acres of park and open space land that contain 26 municipal parks of various sizes and types. Township staff, a volunteer task force, members of the Parks and Recreation Board and EAC, and a consultant team has been working together for a year to prepare a Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Plan.

The draft plan is now available for review here on the Township website. Please take the time to read through the document to see what is being planned for our parks! Tonight at the workshop the public will be given an opportunity to offer suggestions for improving our parks and recreation offerings. The meeting will be held at the Municipal Building, 3400 Brookside Road in the Commissioners’ Meeting Room.

2. Nov. 12th 7pm Planning Commission – Hamilton Crossings Land Development. This meeting will be held at the Wescosville Recreation Center.

The land development process is the publics final chance to weigh in on the proposed mega shopping center. I have been supportive of the plan but still have huge concerns we are “getting what we were promised“. The quality of our local shopping centers directly reflects the desirability of our community. This shopping center can either knock us down or raise us up a peg. It will be the “gateway” to the township. If funding problems are worked out we must ensure we are getting what were promised and not a watered down strip mall version.

3. Nov. 12th 7pm Community Center (Library) – Police Protection Study results. 
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the completed Analysis of Option for Police Services. The public is encouraged to attend.A preliminary memo was posted with some baseline data projections. Whether or not to move forward with another policing option is one of the biggest issues we face moving forward.

In today’s Morning Call I participated in a point counterpoint regarding police protection.

Thoughts on any of these issues? contact me at ronbeitler@gmail.com 

Lower Macungie Leaf Collection

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From LMT Website:

Public Works – Roads – Leaf Collection

Please do not place your leaves out any earlier than the starting date. Leaves will clog the sewer system and could cause damage.

Barring complications with weather, equipment or emergencies, leaf collection will begin October 21st and go through until November 29th. Check the East Penn Press and our website, http://www.lowermac.com in late September and October for updates. We will concentrate our efforts in neighborhoods with mature trees. Areas not collected are newer developments until such time as these trees mature. We will however, check these streets regularly and collect as needed. Our contractor and the Public Works crews start at the Eastern edge of the Township and work across toward the Western boundaries. We cannot give you specific information as to when your leaves will be collected. We recommend that you have them raked out at the beginning of each week. Once we have made our pass through your street, we will not return until the next week. We usually collect once a week for 6 weeks during the fall season. Be advised that if we encounter winter weather and have to plow, any leaves in the road will be plowed. We will make every effort to get the roads cleaned up before winter. For FINAL COLLECTION the week of November 25th through November 29th, you are advised to have your leaves out on Monday morning of the final week. Once we have made our last pass on your street, we will not return.

  • Leaves must be raked to the edge of the road into long narrow rows (windrows) not more than 18 inches into the road.
NOTE: For your safety and that of the public, leaf piles placed in the road beyond 18 inches from the edge of the road are a hazard to the motoring public,school buses and emergency vehicles.

Leaves not placed as described or leaves left around parked cars will not be removed. Do not mix dog waste, branches, twigs, rocks, shrubbery, grass clippings or plastic bags in with leaves. Do not place tarps over your leaves. We will bypass them and they will not be collected. Curbside leaf collection does not apply to commercial/industrial properties, condominium developments, manufactured home communities, apartment developments or any other properties that are not part of the townships municipal trash collection.

If you wish to remove your leaves earlier or later than our scheduled pick up, you may deposit them at The Yard Waste Recycling Center located at 5536 Indian Creek Road. Hours are:

Hours are: May 1st – May 31st – M-W-F  9AM-7PM, S-S Noon to 7PM
June 1st – October 31st – M-W-F-S 9AM-7PM, S – Noon to 7PM
November 1st – April 30th – M-W-F-S-S Noon to 5PM

If you have questions about leaf removal, contact us at 610.966.4343 (x117) or Dfowler@lowermac.com

Lower Macungie Trick or Treat 2013

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Lower Macungie Trick or Treat is Oct. 31st 6-9pm

FYI – Trick-or-Treat Night in Lower Macungie Township is October 31st from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.  If you live in a neighborhood with a homeowner’s association check with your individual HOA for additional or alternate dates inside your neighborhood.

Remember, It’s a cold hard fact… On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year. But it is COMPLETELY avoidable! –

Halloween Safety Tips from safekids.org Top Tips

  • When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
  • Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.
  • Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
  • Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  • Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.

OTHERS:
Upper Macungie will hold Trick or Treat Night on Friday, Oct. 25, keeping with the tradition of holding the event on the Friday prior to Halloween.

Emmaus Trick-or-Treat Night is Thursday, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There is no rain date.

Board votes to subdivide Kratzer

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Last night the BOC voted 3-1 (Brown against, Conrad absent) to subdivide the Kratzer Farm. If you are new to this issue here is an overview.

Thoughts:

1. There is no reason to rush to sell any portion of the farm.  Working one time potential revenue into a budget calculation then seemingly counting on it…. is just wildly irresponsible. There is no guarantee it sells at all yet alone a reasonable price close to the estimate.  I think a high school personal financial management student would recognize that. This practice is amplified during a time when a property tax is on the table. How on Earth could anyone think relying on the one selling of assets is good long term financial planning? It’s akin to burying your head in the sand. Does nothing to address long term issues.

*Note right now, the property is generating revenue. The Parks board investigated this at their last meeting. The property is not costing us a dime. In fact you can say renting the house pays for a portion of maintenance on the rest of the property.

2. Solicitor Somach brought up an alternative option to advertise the house for sale before spending even more money on engineering. This way we can see if there even is a market for the house before we spend more money. We’ve already spent over 13,000 on engineering costs, appraisals ect. I thought this made sense. Why spend more money until we see if there is even a market?

3. Brian Higgins and I are both on record supporting waiting until the results of the parks plan before moving forward. This was the near unanimous recommendation from membership of not only the parks board but also the EAC and planning commission. Doug Brown is supportive of that. Ryan Conrad has been warm to the idea. So basically we have two lame ducks who are driving an unpopular decision. That is not right and is a blatant waste of money for no reason. They should understand that in a transition period you need to acknowledge a new board might go in a new direction.

Lastly, there was an agreement to wait which now seems to have just been tossed aside. This was the understanding of the Parks Board, planning commission and EAC. In fact the Parks board devoted a significant amount just one week ago working on studying the house. If they had known the board was going to plow ahead they wouldn’t have wasted their time or staff’s time.

Here is the letter the PR board sent. It contains an overview of some of the information they gathered about the house. They have done more public investigation of the pro’s and con’s of selling then I’ve seen in over a year from the BOC. That’s a problem. I attended budget workshops last year when this was discussed. I can sum it up in one sentence: “Shall we sell Kratzer? Yes, it’s a continuation of our policy.”  . . . . . 

 

BOC Sept 5 – Agenda and thoughts

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FYI – This is a practice I started 2 weeks ago and will continue as a member of the BOC. Please remember, in these previews while I may indicate my voting inclination, it in no way means my mind is made up on an issue. Back during a critical hearing for the Jaindl issue, a commissioner once spoke before public comment outlining he was voting to move forward the project regardless of what people said during public comment. That was wrong.

My hope is this opens the door for conversations before public meetings. One of my biggest issues with the Jaindl debacle was people didn’t truly understand what was happening until it was too late. I plan on doing everything I can to make sure residents have background information and my thoughts on issues before they come to a vote  in front of the board. This is one mechanism to do that.

Lower Macungie Township – Board of Commissioners Sept. 5th 2013
Here is the agenda with supporting documents 

*There aren’t many voting items out of the ordinary this meeting. But there are a few more communication items I will comment on.

Hearings and Approvals – None

Communication
Jim Palmquist – Budget request
What: Jim Palmquist is the Chairperson of the LMT walkways subcommittee. This is a formalized subcommittee of public works. The walkways group are volunteers in LMT who organized in April. They initiated a 2 year project to increase walkability in our community. They make the case for walkways here.

I have been active within and supportive of the group since it’s inception. Jim and others have made presentations in front of the Parks board, public works committee and planning commission over the last couple months.

Many of the requests they are making in the upcoming budget process ensure we get a return on investment with amenities developers installed when subdivisions were built. This is great for the township, but what has happened over time is we’ve built alot “walkways to nowhere” in the township.

I am supportive of these budget requests and the township exploring “connecting the dots” to make sure we get maximum return on investment on our existing disconnected walkway infrastructure.

David Jaindl – Comment on proposed limit on plan application extensions
I disagree with Mr. Jaindl here and as of now I am in favor of the Planning Commission proposal to limit the amount of time a plan can sit dormant. I have been present for discussion at length about this topic at the planning commission level. At some point in the near future I will write more on this specific topic. My vote would be in favor of a 5 year limit on permit timelines.

John and Margaret Desanto – Comment on Hamilton Crossings Grant Application
I  agree with everything the Desanto’s say in their letter. But as I outlined in my last agenda preview I will not turn away money for the township with what I call an “activist” vote.

The Hamilton Crossings project is coming. I do not see it as the best fit for our community and I would have preferred a moratorium on all major development projects until completion of the smart growth planning exercise but unfortunately I would not have had the votes to stop it and certain approvals have already been granted. Therefore I am motivated to see it be the best project possible and this grant money will help. I do have major issues with state taxpayer money going to a suburban strip shopping center project but that is an issue that can fundamentally only be fixed in the state house.

Letter of thanks from Francee Fuller EPSD Board Member.
Director Fuller expresses gratitude to Lower Macungie for the team effort to get the WLES school corridor ready for the school year. I observed the first day drop off and echo that sentiment.

Appointments to Boards:

Public Safety Commission 1 vacancy
The PSC will recommend Liza Ackerman to the commission. My philosophy for appointments will be deferring to the commission recommendation. I will then take into account the recommendation of the umbrella Commissioner committee but I place more emphasis on the specific commissions recommendation moreso then the committee. Unfortunately I know from experience commissioners get political with appointments and I honestly feel as though the individual commission knows best who will be the best fit for their board.

I will support the PSC’s recommendation of Elizabeth Foley. On a sidenote I know Liza. A few months ago we attended tree tenders training together. She is energetic, cares about our community and is in this for all the right reasons. I’d love to see her on the EAC but I think Liza will do a fantastic job on the PSC. She will be the youngest and only woman on the PSC.

I do not think there will be any votes on any items in the committee reports as I believe it’s been awhile since any committee has met. I am however interested in hearing discussion on EAC request for tree-tender committee. This is something I am supportive of in lieu of a shade tree commission.

 
 

First day for walkers at WLES

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I rode my bike to WLES this AM to check out the 1st day of school. Could not have asked for a more perfect morning weather wise.

Couple observations:

  • The crossings guards I spoke with are all really great people. Talked to some working Willow/Sauerkraut and Millcreek/Sauerkraut.  They are all excited for and proud of the job they are doing. I think we really hit a homerun with the hires based on the gentleman and ladies I met today. Great job.

 

  •  I watched cars pull into the “drop zone” for about ten minutes during what I felt would be the busiest time. I timed 3 cars from the time they entered the drop off line til they exited. Once the cars made it down the driveway and entered the line the average wait was less then 2 minutes. Let’s say it doubles on a rainy day I’m guessing cars will be in and out in under 5. And this was day 1, the system should improve as they work out any kinks. Again, unscientific casual observations.

 

  •  I did see someone get pulled over. There will be a learning curb with 15mph zone. Before I rode my bike down I drove past the school. 15 MPH is VERY slow drivers do not realize just how slow until they do it once or twice. I do not think PSP were issuing tickets since the temporary signs are not technically enforceable. This I’m not positive about. I don’t think PSP should issue tickets right away unless someone is egregiously breaking the speed limit. I’m sure the minivan I saw pulled over today was, but she certainly didn’t stand out as if she was flying. I’d guess 20 in the 15? Again, just a casual guess.

 

  •  There were 2 PSP cars in the area. We were told there would be a police presence and there definitely was. The township manager and safety officer were also on hand. Fire Chief Nosal was also observing at the Sauerkraut entrance.

 

  • I’ve documented my thoughts on this issue over the last 6 months. I come from a unique perspective since walking and walkability were always big issues to me. In this particular area of the twp., WLES walking policy just amplified some items I think we should be doing in all areas of the township. (Better crosswalks, better pedestrian signage, walking paths and facilities ect.) I still do disagree with some decisions and still think arguing for certain enhanced measures was the right move however, I think what we did is working. One item I’m going to followup on is when I asked about the possibility of “stamped brick” crosswalks and outlined the reasoning why I thought it made sense I was told price was a concern. Now that the crosswalks are installed I’m going to be seeking line items of the cost. What bugs me is a big cost of the stamped walks are that you have to re-pave. Since we went with a certain type of paint you’ll notice there were crosses where we had to repave anyway. (the paint had to go on new macadam so the warranty wasn’t voided…) So I’m wondering what the final true difference in cost would have been. As I always point out the stamped walk at the entrance to Brandywine at Willow and Millcreek is almost a decade old and still in excellent shape and have so far needed 0 dollars to maintain over that time period.

 

  • Also seeing it in action today I still think enhanced signal is warranted at the Wheatland mid-block. During school drop and pickup we have the guards but a sign like below would warn motorists coming up the hill of a pedestrian in the crosswalk. Visibility is an issue here because of the grade. “beacons should be considered for use at crossing locations with significant pedestrian volumes where visibility is compromised by grades, curves or other conditions.” Wheatland crossing meets that criteria. Again, not a huge deal but these are things nice communities have. And a desire to maintain a nice community is why I do what I do.

Stamped Brick Crosswalk – I spoke in favor of these at Mid-block crossings and also on Millcreek where one is already installed.

Luckily today was one of those days where really I don’t understand why you would not want to walk. It was beautiful.

I do understand that there will be days where the weather isn’t so nice. We will definitely have to keep an eye on the issues on these days. But today everything went very well from my vantage point. Time permitting I’ll be checking out pick up. The only difference is there will be more cars on the road since I think thos corresponds with Mack Trucks shift change.

Letter to Planning Commission 8/13 – Jaindl

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Below is the letter I wrote to Sara Pandl our township planner and the Chair of the Planning Commission yesterday. The Spring Creek Subdivision is on tonight’s agenda. The meeting is 7pm in the township building. There are unresolved issues with the project and plenty of opportunities for the public to weigh in. Tonight is one of those opportunities. My letter focuses on defining the form/function of the landscaped berms which were a part of “Plan B”

It’s critical “watchdogs” continue to monitor this project as it progresses through the planning process. I strongly encourage anyone interested to attend tonight’s meeting. I’m guessing Jaindl will be discussed no earlier then 730pm.

Here is my letter:

Planning Commission,
Some thoughts on Jaindl prelim/final subdivision on tomorrows agenda. I really wanted to be at this meeting but I’ll be away at a conference.
Sara indicated a note about the bermed buffer areas in her letter. I believe it’s critical to define the size/scale/context/look of these berms very early in the process. We should really be pushing every step of the way for above and beyond buffering.

Below is a side by side comparison I made of two examples of landscape banking on warehouse projects. The “beefy” example is located in Quakertown. The other LMT. Our goal should be to exceed both.

Side by side warehouse landscaping

Defining the tone of this early in the process is important. Mr. Jaindl promised the community the cadillac of warehouse projects and planners have an obligation to push him to deliver. He remains and has been open to constructive criticism.
In addition to physical form, I think it’s also important to define what these berms are supposed to accomplish. In my opinion that goes above and beyond the obvious visual screening but also containing noise pollution. I’ve read multiple studies that conclude berms reduce noise by approximately 3 dB more than vertical walls of the same height. Most quarries have extensive earthen buffering. It’s my opinion distribution warehouses should be treated the same way since their impact on a community is comparable.

Those who live near warehouses in the Alburtis area cite the noise of tractor trailers backing up (beeping) as the one of the negative by-products of warehousing. 
Thank you
Ron Beitler

 

Mr. Jaindl explains plan ‘B’ at a public meeting.

More on why municipal stormwater authorities make sense

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Scott Alderfer nails it on his blog “streamhugger“. Scott is the chair of LMT’s EAC. There should be no taxpayer funded free rides for largescale developers when it comes to stormwater management. I don’t want to pay for poor design and I don’t want to make you pay for it. The entities who cause flooding and pollution are the ones who should pay. I am always for bottom up gov’t. This gives municipalities the tools we need to control flooding issues. The alternative is broad clumsy state or federal regulations which lead to unfunded mandates and strain on taxpayers.

I know there will be some people griping that this legislation somehow amounts to a new tax – a stormwater tax.  Hogwash.  One of the first things that any student of economics learns is TANSTAFL – the acronym standing for, “There Are No Such Things As Free Lunches.”  Whether we’re talking lunch or stormwater discharge, if you are not paying for it yourself, someone else is paying for it.

In the case of a shopping center discharging huge volumes of stormwater runoff from their expansive parking lots during and following intense rain events, that property is sending way more stormwater runoff to the nearest body of surface water than the undeveloped land would have discharged.  Therefore, that shopping center should improve their capacity to retain and infiltrate stormwater on their own property.  If they chose to ignore that responsibility, the local taxpayers should not pay for infrastructure to mitigate that runoff, and they should not be inconvenienced by flash flooding from inadequate, private stormwater management facilities.  Thus, a usage fee assessed by an MSA is exactly that – a fee for services rendered.  Cutting off a property owner from a free lunch – in this case taxpayer subsidized stormwater management – is clearly NOT a tax.

Photo Credit: Scott Alderfer – The Lower Macungie Wal-Mart discharges so much stormwaterwater into the little lehigh that it often causes Spring Creek Rd. flooding to the point of having to close the road for extended periods of time.

The Willows Restaurant floods last year after a rainfall.

Another one bites the dust..

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From the “Friends for protection of Lower Macungie Twp.” Facebook page posted by Friends board member Scott Bieber yesterday. Friends LMT started as a group that fundraised to fight the Jaindl rezoning. Since then they have expanded their scope to cover local issues in the entire East Penn area with a goal of advocating for smart growth and keeping residents informed. I used to be the chair of the group but stepped down to run for Twp. Commissioner.

In the following post by Scott laments the loss of another historic structure in LMT:

Another barn bites the dust as Lower Macungie leaves behind its agricultural past and moves into the 21st century.

The Morris Stine barn on Spring Creek Road at Route 100 is being dismantled to make room for a commercial development. The Pennsylvania standard barn, made of limestone and oak timbers, was probably built about 1840-1850, according to Greg Huber, a local barn historian.

Most of the timbers and all of the nice stones, especially the square corner stones, are being salvaged and will be recycled into new buildings, according to Ken Muth, who was hired by the owner to take down the barn. Muth is the region’s most prominent barn dismantler and has salvaged hundreds of barns and old buildings throughoust eastern Pennsylvania.

Muth said the Stine barn is structurally sound and in good condition.

I remember the barn being used when the Stine farm was still active in the 1960s. That was when the township was still dominated by agriculture and you could shoot a rifle in almost any direction and not worry about hitting a house.

SCB

The township loses another historic barn. This one off of Spring Creek Rd near Rt. 100.

(Photo Credit Scott Bieber)

These historic structures warrant protection. How do we do it? Do I believe we should mandate their protection? My answer is yes but no. No because in the end regulating isn’t the most effective way to protect. The solution that is best for the community but fair to the property owner is making these barns reflect their true community value through a form of de-regulation. How do we do this? The zoning code. By opening up more by-right uses of these historic structures we can make it a financially smart decision to keep these structures and rehabilitate them. Think about it, If a developer or property owner can rehabilitate these structures (like the new owner of the Lichtenwalner barn on Brookside Rd) and rehabilitation becomes the path of least resistance, then property owners are motivated to value them.

Unfortunately now, in a commercial context the path of least resistance is tearing them down and starting over with a cookie cutter strip. The problem is euclidean zoning limits what you can do with these structures. I would advocate for more permitted uses for historic barns.

So the solution isn’t regulating, but rather de-regulating. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if this structure was saved because the developer/land owner could make just as much or more money turning it into luxury lofts or say a high end restaurant? Sadly, what we will get is the townships 3rd Dunkin Donuts, 5th convenience store or perhaps 4th box pharmacy in yet another characterless box.

The answer to keeping our local charm and protecting ALL our property values in this case isn’t regulating, but rather deregulating. This is what the concept of form based codes is all about. Conventional zoning tells you what you can put where. By it’s nature it’s restrictive. Form based zoning addresses the relationship between building and the public realm. It’s more flexible in use as long as the structure fits. It’s not so much the specific use, but moreso the form fits the neighborhood. This approach contrasts with conventional zoning’s focus on the micromanagement and segregation of land uses. It’s unlikely we would ever totally re-do our zoning into a form based code given we just spent money on updating our old euclidean code but we can incorporate some aspects. This is one opportunity.

The end result is something like this: (Which would you prefer living near?)

300 Year Old Barn Renovated Into a Modern Yet Rustic Residence

Instead of this:

Cookie cutter strip