The following are various guides that have been published by the LVPC staff. To get the maximum size the files will open in the full window of your browser. To return to this page, you will have to either close the new window that appears or hit the back button, depending on the browser being used. |
|
Guide | Model Regulations
|
|
|
One way to address the region's environmental sustainability and housing affordability issues is to build smaller houses. Cottage housing is an innovative style of development based on the idea of "better, not bigger." Although it faces the same obstacles as other higher density development types, cottage housing's advantages could make it more acceptable to neighbors. This development type would be a useful option for developers, fitting between the detached single family house and the condo or townhouse. It makes more efficient use of the land, is more affordable and offers better energy efficiency than traditional single family detached housing, while providing more privacy than attached housing. |
|
|
| |
This report looks at two Smart Growth zoning options available to municipalities. A density bonus system lets developers voluntarily contribute valuable amenities in exchange for increased residential density. Density bonuses can be offered for a number of amenities of value to a municipality, such as affordable housing, infrastructure improvements or increased open space preservation. The report also examines minimum density regulations, which allow a municipality to ensure that development is fully consistent with the comprehensive plan. Minimum density regulations can be especially useful when planning for a transit corridor, where a higher concentration of transit riders can help make transit viable. |
|
|
|
| The purpose of these provisions is to prevent the loss of property and life, the creation of health and safety hazards, the disruption of commerce and governmental services, the extraordinary and unnecessary expenditure of public funds for flood protection and relief, and the impairment of the tax base. This model was designed to be used by municipalities to write and adopt their own ordinance for flood protection. |
|
|
|
Inclusionary zoning describes a variety of techniques that either encourage or require developers to incorporate a certain percentage of affordable units in their developments. A development subject to or participating in inclusionary zoning must scatter units within that development that are priced to be affordable to and are reserved for income eligible households. The construction is undertaken by the developer/builder, not by a government agency or government hired contractor.
Inclusionary zoning is a means of both helping fulfill the Lehigh Valley’s need for affordable housing and meeting community development objectives. This guide provides the reader with an explanation of inclusionary zoning, its components and associated issues. This material will help the reader to decide whether to pursue the drafting and adoption of inclusionary zoning provisions. Model zoning provisions including commentary are provided to assist those that are interested. |
|
|
|
Mixed Uses is one of a series of guides and model regulations prepared by the LVPC. These guides and model regulations explore a multitude of smart growth techniques that can be used to help create the type of community fostered by the Comprehensive Plan The Lehigh Valley … 2030. The guides and model regulations explain the techniques and make recommendations for their use. Draft zoning provisions are provided to help municipalities that might be interested in using the technique.
The corner store or bar with apartments above standing at the end of a largely residential block. A factory, a church and homes found on the same block. This type of development that features different land uses side by side, as well as buildings that serve multiple uses, was at one time typical in our communities and towns. Development trends change. With the help of zoning ordinances, land uses became largely separated. New thinking holds that this separation is no longer necessary or desirable. Mixed uses have become a central component of smart growth.
Mixed uses refers to situations where two or more basic land use types are located near each other so that they interact. The basic land use types are residential, offices, commercial/retail, public/quasi public and business uses. Mixed uses take place in three different contexts, mixed use buildings, mixed use communities and planned mixed use developments. Social, economic, transportation and transportation related benefits can accrue from mixed use development. |
|
|
|
| The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than half of all stream pollution comes from land runoff, which can contain pollutants such as sediment, oil, fertilizers and pesticides. Increasing the amount of pavement in a watershed, or even changing land use from forests to fields, can increase discharge to streams since both of these greatly reduce land permeability and soil storage. Streams in the Lehigh Valley are constantly under pressure from the combined effects of farming uses and the continued urbanization of the Lehigh Valley. |
|
|
|
The steepest slopes in the Lehigh Valley are found along the Blue Mountain and South Mountain. There are sizable areas of steep slope along the hillsides of Weisenberg and Lowhill townships in Lehigh County and in townships beside the Lehigh and Delaware rivers (Map 1). A notable characteristic of steep slope areas is that they are nearly all wooded; very few steep slopes are used for cropland or pastures due to their lack of suitability for agriculture. However, over the last decade, Lehigh Valley municipalities have seen an increased desire to building on steep slopes. The majority of the development proposed on steep slopes is residential in nature. |
|
|
|
The Woodlands Guide is designed to give a brief overview of how a tree functions, the parts of the tree, how various activities may cause significant damage to trees and some of the issues related to the harvesting of trees. This model was designed to be used by municipalities to write and adopt their own ordinance for woodland protection. |
|