Category Archives: Uncategorized

Want to Help Replant Sauerkraut and Willow Lane Trees? Here’s How

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After - Sauerkraut Lane in Lower Macungie Township

After – Sauerkraut Lane in Lower Macungie Township. After PPL tree cutting.

When trees were clear cut on Willow and Sauerkraut I was hoping residents affected would band together to spearhead an effort to re-plant in light of the township failing to take the reigns. The entire community is affected by the unfortunate decision to remove the streetscape buffer.

It comes down to property value. For me, a house is the biggest investment I’ll make in my life. That rings true for most people. Residents not only adjacent to affected streets but also nearby lost property value. Street-Scapes add value to our community.

There is alot of interest in residents taking matters into our own hands and addressing the issue. Residents I’ve spoken with are interested fundraising and coordinating an effort to replant the buffer with approved small trees and shrubs in appropriate locations.

Neighbors working together is critical. Streetscaping is only effective when it is coordinated. It’s a design issue but the most cost effective strategy. Compatible trees and shrubs can be purchased in bulk. A unified design will make the replanting more attractive and effective. Plus it’s a great way for residents to work together to take a disheartening situation and make the best of it.

We can take this situation and make the best out of it. Who knows, a new street-scape with flowering dogwoods, redbuds, ornamental grass, low lying evergreen shrubs and witch hazel would be beautiful all 4 seasons. (all these species are approved by PPL and endorsed by the EAC) We could make the street-scape even better then it was before.

I’ve talked already to one landscape service willing to discount or donate resources.

I live near but not directly adjacent to the cutting, but I feel strongly about the community wide benefit of replanting. I’ve spoken out at many meetings over the last 2 years regarding the benefits of a coordinated, attractive streetscape.

  • Traffic Calming. Studies show cars drive slower on tree lined streets. (Trees in travel perception)
  • Stormwater Management. Trees absorb 30% of precipitation through leaf and root system.
  • Safer walking environment
  • Softens the harsh features of utility poles.
  • Added value to all our homes. Up to 10% increase in nearby home values.

Do you live adjacent to the cut zone? Are you willing to volunteer time or resources to help restore the neighborhood to it’s prior charm? Winding Brook resident Randy Fritz is coordinating an effort to look into alternatives and options. Please contact him at GIJoe196910@yahoo.com.

Here is the before image. An evergreen stand went the length of Sauerkraut Lane adjacent to Winding Brook Manor in Lower Macungie

Growth issues: The key is Free market solutions for land preservation

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At the ‘smart growth workshop‘ meeting this past Tuesday one of our volunteer planners said point blank that he ‘has concerns with the current board of commissioners being too accessible to developers.’ That the process has become “backwards”.

I tend to agree with this assessment and feel as though the Allen Organ project is the prime example. After having attended or watched every BOC meeting either in person or via webcast over the last 2 years I have witnessed this first hand.

Our current board is consistenly deferential to developers. Why? There is a difference between handing out gifts and landowner’s rights. Ron Eichenberg and Roger Reis the prior two presidents of the board who in turn speak for the board have and will continue to attempt to blur that important distinction in the upcoming election. The residents having a voice in the way we grow is consistently circumvented.

Yes, landowners have rights. That is a fundamental American value. I have personally advocated for protecting them. The solutions I have proposed are market based. Solutions such as transferable development rights programs. I can’t think of a solution more soundly grounded in conservative principle then one that solves our open space preservation issues with a market based solution.

As a commissioner I will not vote to hand out intensity/density without proper rationalization and due diligence. I will not allow a sketch plan to dictate a critical new zoning ordinance.

Free market solutions such as a TDR program will eliminate even the appearance of cronyism. If the township creates a mechanism for landowners to be compensated for development rights in addition for developers to be able to purchase intensity, then the appearance of cronyism when we simply hand it out for nothing is eliminated.

The landowner get fairly compensated, the township has a mechanism to guide growth to appropriate places and finally residents have a fair way to encourage open space preservation and protect our school district and our community.

 

Drinking water in LMT now Fluoridated

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Did you know public drinking water in Lower Macungie is now Fluoridated? Township residents with public connections get their water from Lehigh County Authority. (LCA) As part of a ongoing regionalization of the water supply, LCA signed a deal with Allentown a few years ago to connect to the city’s water system. The connection was recently completed and city water has begun flowing into the LCA water system last month. The deal obligates LCA to purchase a certain amount of water from the city starting in 2013 and increasing that amount in subsequent years.

Since the city fluoridates it’s water, our drinking water supply here in LMT is now flouridated. For now, the concentration is less than in the city but this amount will increase as LCA continues to increase it’s water purchases from Allentown.

There has long been public debate over whether fluoridating the water supply is a good thing. It’s long been a contentious issue in the city since it began fluoridating in 2000.

Water Flouridation Controversy – Wikipedia article
The next Allentown water issue could be flouridation – Mcall

Another by product of the purchasing agreement is that LMT previously had mainly well water. Generally well water is considered a higher quality water source than surface water from a creek or reservoir. For years some including the ‘Friends LMT‘ organization have linked development pressure on the Little Lehigh creek watershed to the water supply quality in Allentown, since the city gets most of it’s water from the creek.

Now with the new agreement in place, LMT also gets it’s drinking water in part from the Little Lehigh Creek. Perhaps now this will open some eyes to issues surrounding the water quality of our watershed in relation to development pressure and policies by our current and previous boards that continue to put flooding, sediment and water quality pressure on the creek.

Guest Blogged on Renew LV “Crossroads” blog!

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Guest blogged on RenewLV crossroads blog. Check it out here! Wrote about tomorrow mornings ‘Curbside Chat’ with the Strongtowns.org organization. Renew Lehigh Valley (RenewLV) is a smart growth organization working to strengthen the region’s core communities, preserve open space, and create a sustainable and equitable foundation for future growth.

The Strongtowns message has been the foundation of my interest in smart growth. At it’s core smart growth is a fiscally conservative policy that addresses the fundamental issue of fiscal sustainability. Simply put, new development should produce a return on taxpayer investment in infrastructure and services. I look forward to hearing the message in the context of Lower Macungie Township.

What: Curbside Chat
When: Jan 9th 8am
Where: Lower Macungie Township Municipal building. 

Jaindl timeline… open and transparent process?

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We have to remember what transpired in 2010 at the polls.

The train was very clearly on the tracks and no amount of public comment was going to change the Commissioners pre-determined outcome. Nothing demonstrates this better then the memo below which became public record during the court proceedings.

The outcome was pre-determined the minute the board stepped into confidential executive sessions and negotiated a terrible alternative plan to a threatened quarry. Never were residents given a chance to weigh in on Quarry vs. Fight a Quarry vs. Warehouses/strip malls and residential in a meaningful way. This outcome was always predetermined, complete with timeline.

This is Ron Eichenberg, Ryan Conrad and Roger Reis’s version of engaging residents in a transparent process.

Jaindl lawyer comments don’t reflect reality

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The Subdivision portion of the ongoing 700 acre Jaindl Warehouse, Strip Mall and tract housing development had it’s day in court Tuesday.

Morning Call Article

Developing this land is a long and complicated process. The subdivision is just another step in the overall process. Remember, the appellants were already successful in challenging the zoning change that would have laid the groundwork to allow hundreds of acres of previously protected farmland to be developed with millions of square ft. of warehouses, strip malls and tract housing. The subdivision is another step that divides the larger tracts into smaller tracts for sale.

I take issue with some characterizations made by Jaindl attorney Joe Zator. Specifically and I quote from the hearing: 

“My client isn’t going away,” Zator said. “This property is going to be developed. It’s just a matter of time. A half-dozen residents can persist as long as they want, but development will occur.”

Yes, there are a half dozen residents who are physically challenging the subdivision and the zoning but they are supported by:

  • Over 1000 residents signed a petition encouraging the Board of Commissioners to reconsider the zoning change. (They ignored this…)
  • 125 residents attended the meeting the board voted on the subdivision plans. There may have been more but the meeting overflowed into the hallway and adjacent room.
  • Over 75+ people have made individual donations to the legal fund ranging from 5 dollars to 1000 dollars.

I find it insulting to hear the continuing public be damned attitude as Mcall’s Paul Carpenter put it 1 year ago. Basically Jaindl and our elected officials are saying, this development will happen and we don’t give a damn what the public thinks.

The “this will take decades to build out” line that our elected officials use is ridiculous also. They basically admit hey this sucks, but it won’t happen all at once so thats ok. It’ll happen over 2 decades. As if people could care less or are so naive about their children or the future.

We disagree and we’ll carry this out til the conclusion and without overwhelming public support we wouldn’t have been able to take it this far.

Donate here
Join our mailing list here
Stay updated here

Only with continued support will we be able to continue to stop this gamechanging development that will forever change the tone of our community.  Please click the links above.

Important resident survey! Parks, Recreation & Open Space!

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Important resident survey! Parks, Recreation & Open Space!

As part of the Lower Macungie Comprehensive Recreation, Parks and Open Space Planning, the township (twp.) is gathering public opinions on preferences and current usage of our park and recreation system. Please take a minute to fill out! Your input will help to guide the recommendations of the planning process being facilitated by KMS design group and funded by the same grant used for Greenway planning.

Why this is Important? – Officials will use this information to evaluate both current and future service and amenities. Additionally there are some critical questions that relate to open space, farmland preservation and our quality of life!

Click here to take the survey

 

For example: Do you think the twp. would benefit from a dog-park as Upper Macungie has recently built? Do you think we need to do a better job of protecting farmland and open space? Do we have too many fields for one activity and not enough for another? How about lighted fields? Would you use them? Would you be willing to pay a user fee for a dog park or lighted fields? Just a sample of important issues covered.

‘Friends LMT’ is a community smart growth advocacy group. Our goal is the keep the public informed on local gov’t, land use and development issues. We’ll be attending most public meetings in this process. Want to stay informed on the progress of this initiative? Visit at our facebook page! Not a member? Just bookmark as you would a normal webpage and visit often.

Local Trick or Treat updates: Macungie, Lower Macungie, Alburtis

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Here’s the scoop on local Trick or Treats – PLEASE BE SAFE EVERYONE! I think the township made the right call postponing til Saturday and holding during the day because we have no idea if power will be back on yet in many areas on saturday. On the more suburban township roads (many without sidewalks) it’s too dangerous to hold the event without streetlights.

For those still having it in Alburtis and Macungie tonight PLEASE BE VERY CAREFUL!

Macungie and Alburtis Borough: Via Mcall – Trick or Treat still on for Wednesday Night


Emmaus Borough: Via Emmaus Facebook Page

Attention Borough Residents: TRICK OR TREAT NIGHT HAS BEEN CHANGEDDue to the potential damage and circumstances as a result of Hurricane Sandy, the Borough of Emmaus has cancelled Trick or Treat Night for Wednesday evening. Because of the potential for lasting effects of the hurricane, Trick or Treat Night for the Borough of Emmaus has been RESCHEDULED for SATURDAY, November 3rd from 6pm to 8pm.Please share this with your friends that live in the Borough. We will also be providing a telephone announcement this afternoon. Please stay safe!

 

Lower Macungie Township: Via LMT Facebook Page

Lower Macungie Township

Trick-or-Treat is cancelled for tonight and is rescheduled for Saturday, November 3rd, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Due to reports that power could be out until Sunday, the Trick-or-Treat hours were scheduled during the day for safety reasons. If your children are Trick-or-Treating without an adult, please remind them to be careful when it starts to get dark. Have fun and be safe!
Interested in East Penn Smart Growth issues? Do you think our township is growing too fast  and the traffic, school enrollment issues and taxes are starting to effect our quality of life?

Local social media valuable during storm

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I started advocating for LMT to initiate social media about 2 years ago. A month ago they launched their Facebook and Twitter. Props to Commissioner Conrad for spearheading it despite sometimes snarky support from some of the other commissioners.

Sandy showed us exactly why it’s critical local gov’t uses every tool available to get information out to the public.

During the height of the storm LMT, Alburtis and Allentown Social media were humming with updates and information. And it was a two way street. Residents posted questions, concerns and updates throughout the storm. Lower Macungie Patch’s facebook gained nearly 150 “likes” during the height of the storm. It was clear, residents were turning to the internet for information.

And it was very effective. Residents in the Borough of Macungie however were left in the dark. Despite staff drawing up a social media policy some on council are skeptical. I hope this shows beyond doubt how critical it is to use this powerful tool.

Here are many of the local links that residents turned to for information during the storm.

Local Gov’t Social Media
Alburtis PD
Alburtis Borough
Lower Macungie Township
Commissioner Ryan Conrad (LMT)
Allentown Mayor
City of Allentown

Local organizations
Lower Macungie Library
Friends for Protection of Lower Macungie Township (East Penn Smart Growth resident organization)

Local Media
Morning Call
Lower Macungie Patch 
Emmaus Patch Facebook

Jaindl again mis-uses the concept “smart growth”

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I’m tired of this. This is the 3rd time I’ve heard this. The 1st was by his attorney Joe Zator during the LMT zoning board hearings.

This being, Mr. Jaindl calling his “warehousevilles” smart growth. It’s mind numbing and insulting to hear this bastardization of smart growth principle.

Jaindl quoted as calling a warehouse project “smart growth” over at Bernie’s blog.

Here ARE the universally accepted 10 principles of Smart Growth.
1. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
2. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
3. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions
4. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective
5. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
6. Mix land uses
7. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
8. Take advantage of compact building design
9. Create walkable neighborhoods
10. Provide a variety of transportation choices

You can CLEARLY see, what Jaindl does. He cherry picks item number 6 taking it out of context while ignoring 1, 2, 3 & 4 (in the case of LMT), 8, 9 and 10. He categorizes projects as mixed use because he frequently does put warehouses next to residential developments. Aside from ignoring most if not all of the other tenets, simply physically putting a warehouse next to a housing project is not the intent of the “mixed use” tenet.

Yes, SG encourages mixed use neighborhoods. Meaning that in today’s world you can live next to many commercial uses without affecting your quality of life. For ex. cafe’s, high end retail, services like hair salons, medical, ect. ect. ect.

SG encourages this because you can pack more into a compact area (tenets 1 & 8) therefore the taxpayer gets more return on our infrastructure investments and we grow in a more sustainable way.

Remember, we have Euclidean zoning (based on the town Euclid where it was first used) because it seperates INCOMPATIBLE uses. Back in the day we needed a mechanism to separate noisy industrial uses from our residential areas. Nowadays we just don’t have many noisy factories/industrial uses anymore and SG principle states you can now put COMPATIBLE uses together.

But what we have here with Jaindl’s warehouses is the EXACT reason we NEEDED Euclidean zoning for the last 5 decades and still do need it in some cases. These are noisy, unsightly ugly distribution centers. They are QOL killers. They are EXACTLY the reason for Euclidean zoning. They are completely incompatible with residential uses. (Trucks, Noise, aesthetics)