LUPTAP Grant

LUPTAP Grant — The Land Use Planning and Technical Assistance Program provides financial assistance to municipalities and counties of the Commonwealth for the purpose of developing and strengthening community planning and implementation efforts. Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships have submitted a grant proposal to fund a study of existing zoning conditions along Bethlehem Pike, and to develop new ordinances for those areas located outside of the proposed Village Center Districts in Flourtown and Erdenheim.

Summary

If the Commonwealth Department of Community and Economic Development approves our funding request, Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships will hire a planning consultant to perform a study of existing conditions and zoning regulations along Bethlehem Pike, and to prepare zoning changes to achieve the stated goals of the Flourtown-Erdenheim Vision Plan. The zoning changes will be in the form of a new zoning ordinance suitable for adoption by each municipality.

The consultant work will include the following items divided as follows:

• Existing Conditions Study: Under this portion of the work scope, the consultant will be asked to evaluate existing land uses using aerial photography, as well as the underlying zoning regulations within the community. The existing conditions study will form a baseline for future zoning proposals.
• Meetings: Both municipalities recognize the LUPTAP requirement for public participation and education, and propose a minimum of five stakeholder meetings and three public meetings to share ideas about proposed zoning changes outside of the Village Center District, and to accept public input on the goals and objectives of/for the community.
• Ordinance Preparation: A new zoning ordinance will be written for the transition areas located outside of the proposed Village Center District. The ordinance will be self-contained and suitable for adoption.