Lower Allen Web Log

For me to provide a blow-by-blow recap of Thursday evening's public hearing to gather comment on the pending LAT zoning ordinance update would be a bit premature.

One of the key takeaways of the hearing for me is that, although this process has been in the works for more than 15 months, it is still some way from completion. Given that fact, for me to have suggested in my original run for Township office four years ago that I would advocate for an annual review of LAT's comprehensive plan seems in hindsight to have been a tad naive.

That said, I believe I have learned a lot in the last three years. One of the key lessons has been that I have a lot more to learn. Just when I think I have an issue down cold, a resident or staff member will pose a question which triggers a handful of new questions and may involve rethinking my previous position.

It is with that approach to remaining open to hearing new insights and considering new points of view which I approached last Thursday's meeting. And that is exactly how I'll approach Tuesday evening's Lisburn community planning meeting.

Some key points from Thursday meeting:

• Staff and the LAT Planning Commission have done a lot of work on the ordinance update, and there's a lot of work left to complete;
• The Rana Villa neighborhood needs to have its questions answered in terms of exactly why we want to rezone it from C2 to C4, and I need to be ready to provide some of those answers when asked a direct question;
• The Lisburn Road corridor will remain problematic until present and future concerns are addressed through a comprehensive strategy to better handle the volumes and better limit vehicle speeds;
• Any changes with regard to permitting density bonuses to encourage cluster development should likely be made with the goal of preserving the character of the area in which the use will be permitted.

Thank you for the phenomenal community attendance at the meeting last Thursday. While we don't need to pack Gorgas Hall every two weeks, having a few new faces in the seats each week would be great.