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