Montco planner relays public feedback, updates on Lower Gwynedd's Comprehensive Plan

The Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors met on Dec. 10 for its monthly meeting to discuss its 2045 Comprehensive Plan for the future.

The first agenda item was to elaborate on the public feedback that the township received for its comprehensive plan to make substantial upgrades in the area. Among those surveyed, 94% of respondents were residents, 5% were business owners, and 4.5% of people work in the township.

“The first part of public engagement was really meant to get a better understanding of what’s really important to the residents,” said Claire Warner, senior community planner with Montgomery County, during a presentation of the plan.

Priority issues identified:

• Maintain parks and recreation, open spaces (49%);
• Redevelop underutilized commercial properties (41%);
• Improve road safety and traffic issues (33%);
• Preserve historic properties (26%);
• Beautify existing commercial areas (25%).

Preserving open space, improving walkability, and creating a more welcoming experience on Bethlehem Pike were identified as key topics for further exploration.

“Bethlehem Pike kept coming up over and over again, so that’s why it is being considered,” said Warner.

The second portion of the public feedback and surveys dealt with land use. These included:

Future Land Use/Vision: the majority of responses (85%) agree/strongly agree with the important topics of the draft vision statement: walkability, environmental stewardship, opportunities for small-scale retail and commercial, and sustainable growth were very important.

Community Institutions: these are valued, especially the school district. There is a desire for more community space and businesses that could serve as “third places.”

Housing: balance between creating opportunities for growth in specific areas, and the desire to maintain the scale and character of established neighborhoods.

Transportation: the township wants to make it a priority to build sidewalks and trails to improve pedestrian connections to destinations. Creating safer streets and slow car speeds through neighborhoods is another priority.

Open Space/Environmental Sustainability: it is a priority to preserve the tree canopy, and to preserve open spaces and natural resources, reduce waste, reduce flooding and improve water quality.

According to the township DRAFT Vision Statement, Lower Gwynedd respects the natural resources and character of the residential neighborhoods, and understands that land use, the environment, and residents’ quality of life are interconnected. Lower Gwynedd strives to unlock the potential to create redevelopment opportunities for Bethlehem Pike corridor as an extension of Spring House, the commercial anchor of the Township, and strengthen the connections to its neighbor, Ambler Borough.

In 2045, Lower Gwynedd has the ambitious goals to be:

• A bucolic residential community, nestled in a green, natural landscape’
• An innovative, energetic, and engaged community that supports the lively mixed-use
• commercial corridors and the centers of learning and innovation;
  A socially and environmentally diverse community that welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds.

Conversations around this topic will continue next month at the Lower Gwynedd Steering Committee meeting.

For a view of the plan and its online updates and revisions, visit https://lowergwynedd.org/information/comprehensive-plan-revision/.