During the July 17 Catasauqua Borough Council meeting, council members heard from representatives of Lehigh Valley Planning Commission regarding the River Central Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan.

The municipalities involved include Catasauqua, North Catasauqua and Northampton boroughs and East Allen and Hanover (Lehigh County) townships.

Jill Seitz, LVPC senior community planner, presented the draft plan and shared an overview of the plan’s focus during the hearing. She was accompanied by Matt Assad, LVPC managing editor.

Seitz noted this is not a regulated document but serves as a tool to help guide and support discussions.

“The plan will be used as a road map for the future, but it is also a living document that can be changed and updated as trends and conditions evolve,” the River Central plan website states.

Seitz emphasized the collaborative aspect of the plan, noting the steering committee that developed the plan included three representatives from each municipality. According to the River Central plan website, the Catasauqua steering committee members are council President Brian Bartholomew, council Vice President Howard Cunningham and Ryan Carson, planning commission member.

According to Seitz, this draft plan has been in the works for years. She noted official planning and information collection began in February 2021. The first plan was released in the fall of 2022, leading to reviews and public comments. Seitz reported the public input component was crucial in developing the draft plan.

The reviews and public input were compiled and analyzed to help identify strengths and issues in the communities from the points of view of the residents living there. According to the early public comments, trails were identified as a strength for the area, and warehouses and traffic were noted as areas of concern.

Seitz reported six goals emerged from the community engagement aspect of the process, which helped serve as a base for the draft plan. These goals are to:

• Balance preservation and development aligned with appropriate infrastructure

• Promote and coordinate a mixed transportation region that works for everyone

• Protect and enhance farmland and farming economy

• Preserve and expand natural, recreational, cultural and historic resources as essential to quality of life

• Enhance housing opportunities for all

• Strengthen safe, healthy, inclusive and livable communities

She also noted there is a special section in the plan regarding the potential coordination of emergency management services.

According to Seitz, the next step after adopting the draft plan is to approve an intergovernmental cooperative implementation plan agreement. She noted the steering committee is working on putting it together, and it should be ready later in the fall.

One Catasauqua resident raised concerns about the borough giving away its power.

“You’ll lose control of your zoning ordinances and more,” he warned.

Assad said that is not the case and asserted that each municipality retains its autonomy.

There was also a question about whether there was research done on local wildlife. Seitz reported habitats and wildlife factored into the section on natural resources.

Councilwoman Jill Smerdon asked if this will change or affect the grant writing process. It was noted some grants are identified in the plan, but some municipalities have found additional options after working together. Seitz also said this plan is meant to support and can be used to help apply for grants.

The draft plan for the River Central Multimunicipal Comprehensive Plan can be found at planrivercentral.org. Council members are expected to vote on adopting the plan in August.