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As the region continues to grow, the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission has been trying to keep up.In its recently released annual report for 2024, the organization, which was formed 64 years ago to provide regional planning services to Lehigh and Northampton counties and their 62 municipalities, reviewed what it did to mitigate expansion pains.“Those include development pressures, strained public and private infrastructure systems, an expanding role in the global e-commerce economy, rapid technological advancements and a 9,000-unit housing shortage that is making it more expensive to live here,” the LVPC said in introducing the 80-page document.
Of course, the LVPC took a look at more than a few warehouse projects, including controversial ones in North Whitehall Township and the Easton area. Housing continues to be a priority, too. It also adopted plans to fight climate change, team up with other regional planning agencies to create a freight infrastructure plan and coordinate a human services and mass transit plan that allows easier access to senior and special needs citizens.
It also pushed forward with a plan to bring passenger rail back to the Valley.Here are some key numbers for the LVPC in 2024:973The number of plans the LVPC reviewed, including land development, ordinance updates, stormwater management, transportation impacts, parks and recreation, agricultural security area and sewer and water.100,000Residents expected to move to the Lehigh Valley by 2050.
54,000Additional housing units the Lehigh Valley will need by 2050 to keep up with the population growth.30%Increase in the number of residential units reviewed from 2023.6,386Residential units reviewed.
3,601Apartments reviewed, 56% of all proposals.1,288Single-family detached development proposals reviewed, up 20% from 2023.1,168Town home and twin homes proposals reviewed, down 18% from 2023.
329Condominiums, assisted living and manufactured homes reviewed, up 5% from 2023.479Subdivision and land development plans reviewed.173Associated regulatory stormwater management reviews.
27Traffic impact or assessment reviews. “Developers are responding to the commission’s recommendations, including internal and external sidewalk connections, truck parking options and truck driver amenities on the initial plan submissions more often,” the LVPC said.55Municipal ordinances, maps and plans reviewed.
“Increasingly complex development proposals have spurred municipalities to update their zoning ordinances and coordinate with their neighbors through the implementation of multi-municipal comprehensive plans,” the LVPC said.12.7 millionThe square footage of nonresidential development the LVPC reviewed.
8.9 million square feetThe amount of warehouse space reviewed.50,000 to 450,000 square feetThe size of many proposed industrial buildings.
Investors have been proposing smaller industrial buildings after a decade of such structures being more than 1 million square feet.860,859Amount of commercial space reviewed, including restaurants, stores, entertainment venues and four hotels.$633 millionThe Lehigh Valley’s four-year Transportation Improvement Plan adopted in June.
It includes 120 road, bridge, trail, transit and safety projects.3Number of what the Lehigh Valley Transportation Study terms “megaprojects” in the 2025-28 TIP plan – Route 309 Center Valley interchange; Route 309 Tilghman Street interchange; and Hill-to-Hill Bridge expansion.$188.
3 millionAmount going to LANTA in the TIP.80%The percentage of money spent on transportation in the Lehigh Valley that comes from federal sources.$106.
6 millionFederal funding for dozens of projects in the Valley in 2024.$97.3 millionWorth of projects completed in 2024.
$128.6 millionAmount invested in ongoing projects.$14.
4 millionThe Federal Transportation Administration’s commitment to LANTA..
