RenewLV is dedicated to promoting smart growth and smart governance in order to revitalize communities, preserve open space and establish an economically and environmentally sustainable foundation for the growth of the Lehigh Valley.

RenewLV hosted its second annual "Summit for Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities" Dec. 5 at Hotel Bethlehem, bringing together almost 200 of the region's leaders to discuss the topic, "Moving From Ideas to Actions."

Joyce Marin, Executive Director of RenewLV, kicked off the day.

"The Lehigh Valley Planning Commission projects that 145,000 more people will move here in the next 20 years. What will the landscape of the Lehigh Valley look like in order to accommodate this influx in a sustainable way?" she asked.

Two panels led almost two-hour discussions about RenewLV's primary topics.

The first panel, facilitated by Lower Macungie Township Commissioner Ron Beitler, focused on land use, open space, farmland and water.

A recurring acronym used throughout the panel discussion was NIMBY, translating as "Not In My Back Yard."

NIMBY refers residents opposing new commercial or residential development because it is close to them, often with the connotation that the residents believe development is needed, but not nearby.

"We need the neighbors to advocate for smart planning if we have NIMBYs coming to meetings. Neighbors can make change," said panel member Deana Zosky, Founder and President of FourScore LLC, which provides consulting in performance measurement for local government and private firms.

Panel member Ron Beitler, a Lower Macungie Township Commissioner, believes there needs to be an increase in education of all local municipalities about smart growth models in order for change to occur.

Many panel members talked about the adversity between state and local governments which is counter-productive to change occurring.

The second panel, facilitated by RenewLV Board Chair Michael Drabenstott, focused on economic development, urban revitalization, housing and government modernization.

Panel member Fred Redding, Special Assistant for Act 47 at the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development, financially distressed municipalities and efficient local governance.

Redding agreed with the first panel regarding the problem with local municipalities' governing practices.

Said Redding, "It is hard to implement plans when no one wants to give up local control. We need effective leadership that embraces ideas of the past yet look towards the future."

One panel member who provided crowd-captivating insight was Rev. Gregory J. Edwards, Senior Pastor of the Resurrected Life Community Church and CEO of the Resurrected Community Development Corp.

Edwards spoke of the need to educate, empower and employ the help of children and youths throughout the Valley to make necessary change.

After each panel, attendees in the audience had the opportunity ask questions of the panel.

After lunch, keynote speaker Tom Daniels, a professor of City and Regional Planning at the University of Pennsylvania, whose expertise is in growth management, farmland preservation, land use and water quality, emphasized the need for balance, cooperation and commitment throughout the region.

The day concluded with "table talks," giving attendees a chance to discuss the topics of the day.

RenewLV hopes that the summit is a catalyst to turn the ideas of the day into powerful, productive and intelligent action.

Information: renewlv.org