By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

South Whitehall Township is moving into a different phase in preparation of its new comprehensive plan.

Gregg Adams, planner from the department of community development, reports a survey has been devised to gather ideas from residents on how they want the township to look as it grows into the future.

Nonresidents who have an interest in the township, such as business owners or people who work in South Whitehall, will also be able to offer their opinions.

Adams enumerated four steps in the planning process.

First, establish the guiding principal; second, discuss where growth should occur; third, look at how growth should take place; and fourth, bring in more consultants for guidance on how to follow through on the material gathered.

This online survey addresses step three, “How should we grow?”

Adams said there will be 67 photos illustrating different development possibilities.

Participants will be able to encourage, discourage or express indifference to each representation.

“We tried to make it visual,” said Adams.

He noted respondents can say whether they do or do not like the style of development shown in the photos.

Adams said green field, infill and redevelopment are three types of development portrayed in the photos.

Green field is open land. Infill refers to a vacant lot or an underperforming building in a developed neighborhood.

Redevelopment means to change something existing.

The former Kmart property along Tilghman Street is a site for possible redevelopment.

This could include additional businesses on the parking lot or even some green park section.

Adams said township staff member Dave Manhardt was “the brains behind the survey.”

He put the survey together and posted it on the website.

Director of Community Development George Kinney, Tom Comitta, an economic consultant, and a traffic consultant are involved in preparation of the comprehensive plan, along with Adams, Manhardt and other township staff.

The survey is available on the South Whitehall website or at swtcompplan.org/post/survey.

Adams said the planning team would like to have the survey results by Thanksgiving.