Introduction to our Planning Open House By: Pete Paone, North Catasauqua Borough Council President Agenda • Background • Willow Brook Development • FedEx Project • D&L Trail Projects • Recent Planning • Introductions of Planning Partners • Break-out for group discussion • Wrap-up North Catasauqua
• North Catasauqua is a small borough, less than 1 square mile in size, and containing roughly 3000 residents
• The borough is comprised almost entirely of residential units, with few businesses, and little available undeveloped land
• We are a textbook “bedroom community” or “commuter town” Willow Brook Development FedEx Project
• The FedEx development in Allen Township has begun operations
• Residents in North Catasauqua are complaining that there is a higher occurrence of large truck traffic in the borough
• Several trucks have been spotted on tighter roads in the borough that are not designed for tractor trailer deliveries FedEx and Lot 5 Implications for North Catasauqua
• The development at Willow Brook will essentially be the final development possible in North Catasauqua, and locks the borough in as primarily a residential setting
• This severely limits the borough’s capacity to maintain services • Commercial and industrial developments generally pay higher taxes than they receive in services • Higher levels of heavier traffic will place a greater strain on borough resources without any return Self Sustainability
• Costs will continue to rise for the borough (road maintenance, police and fire services, etc.) but there is a limited capacity for additional revenue (no further developments)
• With a fixed tax base of residential development, and a more heavily utilized infrastructure, there are two paths towards self- sustainability in our budget • Increasing taxes (millage rates) • Increasing property values Property Values
• To maintain or increase property values in the borough, we need to focus on several items that we can control and that can set the borough apart • Access to jobs from our bedroom community • Jobs in Allentown, Whitehall, Northampton, Catasauqua • FedEx? • Access to commerce from our area • “Quality of Life” • Fire and Police Protection • Community Programs • Other? Central Connectivity
• North Catasauqua is well positioned geographically to be a hub for residents to commute to and from employment and services in the area
• Towards this end, a commuter friendly community is a requirement
• Catasauqua and North Catasauqua have communities with among the highest concentration of “0-vehicle homes” in the Lehigh Valley, so a focus must be made on multimodal transportation D&L Trail
• The D&L Trail runs along the Lehigh River through North Catasauqua
• The section of trail is “orphaned” and current projects are underway to connect the trail through Northampton and Catasauqua
• The borough is working with Northampton Borough, the D&L Trail, and the Wildlands Conservancy towards making trail improvements Recent Proposals
Connection Trail
• One exciting possibility is the connection of a multimodal path from Wayne Grube Park (Nor-Bath Trail) to the borough’s D&L Trailhead
• Discussions during the Willow Brook development presentations to the borough have opened the possibility of a trail extension through the property, ending on Breinigs Lane • A concept has been shared regarding connecting to Catasauqua’s park system
Connection Trail
• One exciting possibility is the connection of a multimodal path from Wayne Grube Park (Nor-Bath Trail) to the borough’s D&L Trailhead
• Discussions during the Willow Brook development presentations to the borough have opened the possibility of a trail extension through the property, ending on Breinigs Lane
• The question is – which path to take to the D&L?
Multimodal Lane on Grove Street?
• Parking has been restricted on Grove Street across from the park, potentially allowing for a bike/pedestrian lane Introduction of Planning Partners
• D&L Trail • Wildlands Conservancy
• Willow Brook Development (LandTrust Properties and Michael Stadulis Landscape Architects) • Northampton County • Catasauqua Borough • Northampton Borough Inspiring Connections Since 1988
February 6, 2019 Established to preserve the historic pathway that carried coal and iron from Wilkes-Barre to Bristol. America's Industrial Revolution started here! Today, the D&L connects people to: Nature & Environment Industrial Heritage
Health & Wellness Economic Development D&L Walk & Bike Shed D&L Driving Access THREE REGIONS: • ANTHRACITE REGION (CARBON & LUZERNE COUNTY) $6.6 MILLION NEEDED
• LEHIGH VALLEY REGION (LEHIGH & NORTHAMPTON COUNTY) $15.25 MILLION NEEDED
• DELAWARE CANAL REGION (BUCKS COUNTY) $3.4 MILLION NEEDED D&L TRAIL GAPS: LEHIGH VALLEY
Northampton & North Catasauqua
1.56 miles Towpath improvements needed to meet multiuse trail standards Reconstruction of bridge across Lock 35
DEP permit submission expected Feb 2019
DCED multimodal grant application planned for construction funds D&L TRAIL GAPS: LEHIGH VALLEY
Catasauqua and Hanover Improvements
1.8 Miles
Towpath improvements needed to meet multiuse trail standards
PennDOT and DCNR grants awarded
D&L supporting with WPF grant D&L TRAIL GAPS: LEHIGH VALLEY
Catasauqua Creek Crossing
Race Street expansion will replace road bridge across Catasauqua Creek Third pedestrian lane will be added by PennDOT and maintained by Lehigh County Construction anticipated in late 2020
Project at center point of Catasauqua and Hanover Improvements D&L TRAIL GAPS: LEHIGH VALLEY
Dauphin and Bradford Streets
Two part Gap: 1. Dauphin St.: “Road Diet” 2. Bradford St.: One-Lane conversion
Trail Study needed to determine feasibility of roadway alterations D&L TRAIL GAPS: LEHIGH VALLEY
West Bank Rail Trail: Phase II
4.7 miles Proposed location for rail-trail
Would connect Ironton Rail Trail to Cementon section of D&L Trail
Best estimates for acquisition are 5 year timeline D&L TRAIL GAPS: LEHIGH VALLEY
West Bank Rail Trail: Phase I
4.1 miles Southern half in development with Waterfront’s Riverside Drive project
North end connection to Race Street Bridge in West Catasauqua requires further study (possibly part of PennDOT bridge project) Introduction of Planning Partners
• D&L Trail • Wildlands Conservancy
• Willow Brook Development (LandTrust Properties and Michael Stadulis Landscape Architects) • Northampton County • Catasauqua Borough • Northampton Borough CREATING LASTING CONNECTIONS TO NATURE SINCE 1973. Lehigh River Water Trail Conservation, Recreation, Education
TODAY’S PRESENTER:
Christopher Strohler, Senior Conservation Planner MISSION & VISION
Founded in 1973, we are the Lehigh Valley’s premiere nonprofit land trust.
VISION: A Lehigh Valley and Lehigh River watershed that contain natural areas, connected green spaces, healthy waterways and an enlightened community where people embrace conservation and sustainability.
MISSION: Protect and restore critical natural areas and waterways, and educate the community to create a legacy of a healthy, sustainable environment for future generations.
35 LAND PROTECTION • Protect and preserve green space vital to the Lehigh Valley region’s environmental heath.
GREENWAY AND TRAIL DEVELOPMENT • Connect nature and communities by protecting linear corridors of open space and pathways that connect us to the natural world.
RIVER RESTORATION • Help improve water quality for wildlife habitat and drinking water.
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION • Promote stewardship of our natural resources through education and hands-on activities for children and adults. Lehigh River Watershed Wildlands Impact • Land Conservation & Stewardship • Ecological Restoration • Trail & Greenway Development • Recreational Programming • Environmental Education
37 Lehigh River Water Trail
History • Established in 2004 in partnership with PA Fish & Boat Commission – Signage, Mapping, Brochures, Web Page – 72 miles of navigable waterway – Approximately 20 public access points owned by DCNR State Parks or local municipalities – White Haven (Luzerne County) to Easton (Northampton County) to meet Delaware River • Northern Section – 26 miles through Lehigh Gorge State Park – Class II Whitewater – Pennsylvania Scenic River designation • Southern Section – Urban core of Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton – Slow moving water – Opportunities for motor boats
38 Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
Lehigh River Corridor • Co-alignment (River, canal, railroad) • Opportunity for both land and water trail through entire Corridor – 165-mile D&L Trail (Bristol to Wilkes-Barre) – 72-mile Lehigh River Water Trail • Shared facilities, parking, and landowner challenges Regional Trail System • Over 300 miles of connecting land trails • Land and Water programming • Tourism and economic development
39 Management – Completed Projects
Education/Promotion • 20+ years of annual Sojourns, Award-winning Bike & Boat Program, over 1000 students engaged in local river-based education each year
40 Management - Completed Projects
Marketing/Promotion • Redesign of Water Trail Website – Interactive web map – Printable access location maps – Streamlined user interface and information – Partner and important links • New logo and interpretive signage • New access and directional signage
41 Management – Completed Projects
Lehigh River Access Improvement Project • Scope – Design, Engineering, and Construction of two boat launch facilities – Two properties already in public ownership, one site semi-improved – Popular informal river access sites and D&L Trailheads
42 Treichler’s Bridge
43 Treichler’s Bridge
44 Treichler’s Bridge
45 Walnutport
46 Walnutport
47 Future Management
Current Projects • Lehigh River Watershed Conservation Management Plan – Update to Rivers Conservation Plan from 2003 • Lehigh River Water Trail Access & Stewardship Plan – 5-10 year infrastructure buildout of public access – Inventory, Management, Promotion, Partnerships • Access Planning & Development – Planning, Design, & Construction at priority locations
48 CONTACT US
Christopher Strohler, Senior Conservation Planner 610.965.4397, ext. 119 [email protected] www.wildlandspa.org
49 Introduction of Planning Partners
• D&L Trail • Wildlands Conservancy
• Willow Brook Development (LandTrust Properties and Michael Stadulis Landscape Architects) • Northampton County • Catasauqua Borough • Northampton Borough Livable Landscapes Program County Parks
Regional & Historic Trail Corridors Tourism & Economics
Preserved Open Space Iconic Natural Areas & Views . Started as Open Space Initiative in 2005
. Provided $8 million to over 75 municipal park projects
. Preserved nearly 3,000 acres of open space/natural areas
. Preserved over 160 farms and 15,000 acres
. Secured over $1 million for trail development . Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refugee
. Minsi Lake Conservation Area
. Kittatinny Ridge . Pennsylvania Highlands . Catasauqua, Bushkill, Oughoughton, Hokendauqua & Monocacy Watersheds
. 6 Major Trail Systems
. Local & International Exposure
. Increase in geotourism . Connects two National Parks
. 150-mile trail from PA - NYC
. Needed: Connecting the Boroughs of Portland & Delaware Water Gap
Portland Tatamy
Wind Gap . Connects two National Parks
. 150-mile trail from PA - NYC
. Needed: Connecting the Boroughs of Portland & Delaware Water Gap . 230 participants within Northampton County section . 175 participants within Northampton County section . Original Focus: Connecting the D&L Trail to the Appalachian Trail
. 30% of NorCo residents live within the corridor
. Six Gaps Identified in 2009’s Analysis Study
. What's it going to take…?
. 600K of Improvements . Resurfacing of trail . Signage / Kiosks / Mile Markers . Trailhead Improvements . Pedestrian/Bike Bridges
. Mill Street Bridge Trailhead Feasibility Study
. Eastern Connector Project OPEN SPACE ECONOMICS OPEN SPACE ECONOMICS
. Property Value . 127,850 single family homes with ¼ mile of protected open space – averages premium of $15,400 ($937.8 million) in Northampton County . Outdoor Recreation . $255.70 million in direct economic impact per year in Northampton County . Total Economic Impact / Jobs / Taxes (local & state) . $796 million / 9,600 jobs / $60 million – Lehigh Valley . $219 million / 2,232 jobs - DWGNRA
Source: Lehigh Valley Return on Environment. Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. 2014 Making Connections Economic Impact Study, DWGNRA. National Parks Conservation Association.2015
Introduction of Planning Partners
• D&L Trail • Wildlands Conservancy
• Willow Brook Development (LandTrust Properties and Michael Stadulis Landscape Architects) • Northampton County
• Catasauqua Borough • Northampton Borough Discussion Topics
• What are the best options for North Catasauqua? • How should North Catasauqua fit in with other regional plans (Catasauqua’s IronWorks, for example)? • What next steps should be taken for any projects? • Should North Catasauqua commit to a regional planning process? • What does the community think? • Where do other municipalities and organizations stand? Meeting Break
• Please break up – chat and discuss your thoughts on how the Borough should proceed
• Feel free to seek me and our project partners out for discussion
• We’ll wrap up in a bit to answer any final questions Survey
• A survey is available at the back of the room to fill out and make recommendations and provide feed back by March 4th
• The same survey is electronically available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NCattyPlanning and will be linked from the North Catasauqua Website until March 4
Also available by mobile phone: Final Questions
??? Thank You
• Thank you for attending this evening
• Please let us know your thoughts online – our survey will be available until March 4th at 4 PM