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ABOUT THE COALITION FOR SMART GROWTH

Current land-use patterns in Lancaster County (PA) are placing intense pressure on the agricultural, economic, environmental, and social well-being of the County. By 2030, the projected addition of more than 100,000 new residents and 50,000 new households will further challenge our ability to sustain working farms, farmland and the business of agriculture, economic growth, and a high quality of life for all residents.

The Coalition for Smart Growth was organized to meet this challenge. Following the development of a set of smart growth policies and goals that were formulated through the input of a variety of organizations and individuals (“Stakeholders”), we were established in 2003 to work for a sustainable and balanced future for Lancaster County.

We believe that most county residents support the concept of smart growth as called for in Lancaster County’s Growth Management Plan Update (entitled “Balance”), in which agricultural preservation is balanced with residential, commercial, and industrial development located within the county’s Designated Growth Areas. However, smart growth also means mixed-use development, increased density, economic vitality, affordable housing, healthy communities, and transportation choices; not all of these aspects of smart growth have been as readily accepted.

Join us in working for the future of Lancaster County, one that preserves agriculture as well as strong communities, a unique culture and heritage, and a strong economy.

WHAT WE ARE CALLED TO DO

As a unique and autonomous non-profit organization, the Coalition for Smart Growth provides Education and Advocacy, specific to matters of Smart Growth and Growth Management in Lancaster County. We do so by balancing the varied viewpoints of our Stakeholders, including agriculture, the development industry, affordable housing, urban centers, municipalities, and various cultural and resource preservation interests.

To build bridges between disparate viewpoints, the Coalition for Smart Growth seeks to use its unique and pioneering voice in order to:


	• work proactively, instead of reactively; • seek common ground with regard to the balance between mixed-use, higher-density development and the preservation of agriculture; and, • promote livable, walkable communities.

To facilitate these efforts, the Coalition for Smart Growth employs a fulltime Executive Director, who manages a 15-member Board of Directors and various committees (including Education, Fundraising, Program, and Public Relations).



EDUCATION: Primary efforts have included, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Yearly Summits, primarily geared toward municipal officials and land development professionals

	• 2006 Summit on “Density” (Keynote by Anton Nellison: “Visual Preference Survey”) • 2007 Summit on “Making Compact Development Work for Everyone” (Julie Campoli: “Visualizing Density” & Todd Litman: “Parking Management for Smart Growth”) • 2008 Summit on “Walkable Communities” (Mark Fenton: “The Epidemic that No One is Talking About”)

2. Quarterly Forums, primarily geared toward the public at-large

	• “Ethanol and Biofuels” (Fall 2007), “Street Trees” (Spring 2008) & “Safe Routes to Schools” (Summer 2008)

3. Speakers Series, primarily geared toward community and civic organizations

	• Chamber of Commerce & Industry Consortiums, Rotary Clubs, Ambucs, citizen groups, and the like • Lancaster County “Master Planners” Course


ADVOCACY: Examples of efforts include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Land Use Framework & Regulations

	• Lancaster County Growth Management Plan Update, entitled “Balance” (several Coalition board members served on the Task Force that crafted the Update) • Draft County “Subdivision & Land Development Ordinance” (multi-year participant on Work Group) • East Hempfield Township “Traditional Neighborhood Development Ordinance” (represented in planning workshops and presentation at Public Meeting in December 2007) • East Lampeter Township “Increased Density Option Ordinance” and “Agricultural Security Area” (advocacy for both issues at several public meetings and in letters and op/ed articles) • “Chesapeake Bay Tributary Strategy” (participant on State Senator Michael Brubaker’s Task Force)

2. Specific Advocacy for the Principles of Smart Growth

	• Sunnyside Peninsula Master Plan (as requested by the City of Lancaster) • Lancaster Intermunicipal Committee (LIMC) “Growth Opportunity Sites” (as requested by project sponsor) • Historic Farmstead along Fruitville Pike in Manheim Township (as requested by the Township and Historic Preservation Trust) • Friend-of-the-Court Brief in re: “Ephrata Area School District vs. County of Lancaster” (in support of Agricultural Preservation)

3. General Advocacy

	• Envision Lancaster County Task Force & Smart Growth Leadership Awards (various board members) • Affordable Housing (presenter during 2008 Housing Summit)