By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

North Whitehall Township is inviting residents to offer input for the new comprehensive plan through a public opinion survey.

A paper copy may be picked up at the township building, 3256 Levans Road, or it may be completed electronically.

The comprehensive plan is a general framework to guide the future of development of the township.

Topics in a comprehensive plan generally include natural resources, land uses, water, sewer, transportation, community facilities and public services.

The comprehensive plan in effect now was adopted in 2009. Plans typically remain in use for 10 years.

The township has brought in Gilmore and Associates Inc. to provide professional services for the plan update.

Township Manager Chris Garges reports Judith Stern Goldstein and Stacy Oger are the planning consultants from Gilmore and Associates who are working on the North Whitehall project.

In the survey, residents will be able to delineate the top three qualities which make a place a satisfying community.

Choices include acceptable traffic volume, arts and culture, clean air and water, convenient shopping, open space, pedestrian access, quality schools, recreational facilities, privacy and centrally located services.

Another category offers a list of topics for respondents to rank in importance for future planning.

These consist of affordable housing, arts and culture, recreation facilities, growth management, activities for youths and seniors, employment opportunities, natural resource protection, traffic and road conditions, safe pedestrian connections, and farmland preservation.

The survey also asks the type of development of which the township needs more or less.

The survey concludes with questions on how to achieve desired outcomes which might involve higher taxes, debt financing for infrastructure, development incentives or restrictions, and agricultural zoning.

Completed paper copies of the survey must be returned to the township by Aug. 11.

Garges noted the planning commission will discuss the surveys at the 7:30 p.m. Aug. 24 meeting.