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Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan
2030 Growth Management Element Update
Background Information:
Key Message:
This Update to the Growth Management Element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan is designed to help achieve and sustain Lancastrians’ Vision of a balanced community where urban centers prosper, natural landscapes flourish, and farming is strengthened as an integral component of our diverse economy and cultural heritage. |
Preparation of the Growth Management Element Update was led by a Task Force of 60 people appointed by the Lancaster County Planning Commission (LCPC) in December 2003 to represent a broad range of interests, organizations, and regions throughout Lancaster County. The Task Force was charged with development of an Update to the Growth Management Element to guide growth through 2030.
The Task Force was led by Vice President of RETTEW Associates, Inc. Ronald K. Beam and Former LCPC Chair Lois K. Herr as Co-chairs. The chief responsibility of the Task Force was to develop an Update to the Growth Management element by reviewing data, trends, and issues; evaluating current and projected growth patterns; reviewing existing Growth Areas; analyzing urban and rural issues; and generating recommendations which balance growth consistent with smart growth principles and the preservation of farmland and open space. The Task Force established six subcommittees to address various aspects of the planning process:
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1. Buildable Lands Subcommittee
2. Consultant Subcommittee
3. Plan Review Subcommittee |
4. Public Involvement Subcommittee
5. Rural Strategies Subcommittee
6. Smart Growth Tool Box Subcommittee |
The Subcommittees completed their work in June, 2005.
A consulting team headed by Wallace Roberts & Todd, LLC of Philadelphia was hired to assist the Task Force and its subcommittees in the development of the update of the Growth Management Element of the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan. Other team members were McCormick Taylor, the American Farmland Trust, and David Elesh, Ph.D., Temple University.
To ensure that the completed Growth Management Element Update truly reflects the values and aspirations of Lancastrians, the planning process included numerous opportunities for community participation. The Task Force solicited Pubic Input through:
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A Public Meeting Series held in Winter/Spring 2005
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Media Coverage
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Surveys
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LCPC Website and LCPC Newsletter (FYI)
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Special forums with municipalities and municipal associations
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Other special events/meetings
Major areas of public consensus include:
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Preserve farmland and the rural character of the County
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Guide new development to where services are located
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Enhance the livability and sustainability of the City, Boroughs and Urbanized areas of Townships
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Increase housing choice and affordability, i.e., mixture of single family homes, condos and town homes (rental and ownership) at various price ranges
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Maintain Balance
The Update consists of three main strategies:
The Urban Growth Area Strategy and Rural Strategy are designed to work together to focus and improve the quality of development in Urban Growth Areas while maintaining the integrity of the rural economy, lands, and resources. The Implementation Strategy includes a County Action Program, Smart Growth Funding Program, and a Smart Growth Toolbox for use by municipalities and the County. It also includes a Monitoring Program that establishes an ongoing process to be used by the County to measure progress in implementing the Update.
Balance - Growth Management Element Update ( PDF 6.52MB)
