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Wind Gap Land Use Ordinance Amendments Testimony
September 30, 2003
To: Honorable
Officials
Borough of Wind Gap
Wind Gap, PA 18072
Thank you for the opportunity to comment tonight on the Proposed Zoning Amendments. The 1,500 members of the Sierra Club of the Lehigh Valley are actively interested in preserving the quality of life in our region by advocating for protection and expansion of natural areas and habitats, including the human habitat. We have been active in promoting a better, wiser approach to our existing municipalities, as contrasted with the mindless urban sprawl which has been so damaging to the Lehigh Valley.
Two outstanding natural features of this portion of the Lehigh Valley are the Blue Mountain and the streams rising from it. In this context we commend the municipality for those proposed amendments which are relevant to these features and those proposed to enhance the quality and attractiveness of the community.
We support the amendments which would limit development on wet (hydric) soils (Goal 2), and amendments that would preserve the scenic beauty of the Blue Mountain by preventing the construction of buildings, signs, or other structures that would adversely impact the natural beauty of the mountain (Goal 7). Not only is this good for our environment, it adds to the value of the community, often enhancing property values. Many towns in America have such zoning regulations, among them Santa Fe, New Mexico and Washington, D.C. Such zoning regulations have enabled these towns to develop an architectural character that sets them apart from the bland suburban cookie cutter developments that surround them.
We support the zoning districts with BMC and SPC designation. We hope more municipalities will follow your vision.
There appears to be a ramp proposed in the northwest sector of the town, which would be an interchange with Route 33. This would direct traffic along an abandoned rail bed and towards the east, presumably towards a proposed industrial park. This interchange is not in the municipality, but would affect it. The apparent goal is to substantially reduce the disruptive flow of truck traffic currently degrading the Route 512 portion of the town by providing an attractive alternative for trucks, particularly those heading for the landfill in Plainfield township. This would greatly enhance the development of a town center that people would find congenial. We support this idea in principle, because we strongly advocate actions which strengthen existing town centers. We reserve comment on future plans for the industrial park to the east which this interchange might serve.
The proposed changes would create a Highway Interchange District on Male Road, to the west of Route 33 but not intersecting with Route 33. At this time we have no opinion on this proposal, but suggest that consideration be given to the possible consequences of spurring unintended growth in areas currently undeveloped to the west. This concern also applies to the proposed intersection of Route 33 with the railbed.
We also urge the municipality to give a high priority to preserving and protecting the two important streams that rise and flow through the west and southwest portion of the town. These streams eventually flow into the Bushkill Creek. The entire Bushkill Creek stream complex is of exceptionally high quality. Each municipality through which these streams and tributaries flow carries a heavy responsibility to protect it to the utmost against degradation. The Sierra Club would be glad to work with you to determine opportunities for such protection and financing efforts, if that is required.
Thank you for your consideration.
Respectfully
submitted,
David K. McGuire, Ph.D.
Issues Coordinator
