Press Release
PENNDOT AND LANCASTER COUNTY LINK LAND USE AND ROUTE 23 IMPROVEMENTS

NEW HOLLAND, PA (May 29, 2002) — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PENNDOT) and the County of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, today announced the successful completion of a two-day land use visioning conference which was held in conjunction with the environmental and engineering studies currently underway for potential improvements to PA Route 23.

The first visioning session was held on Thursday, May 23 from 7 am to 5 pm. Invitations to take part in the first session were extended to municipal officials representing Manheim, Upper Leacock, East Earl, West Earl, East Lampeter, and Earl Townships and New Holland Borough. The second session was held Tuesday, May 28 from 11 am to 5 pm, and involved the PA 23 EIS Community Advisory Committee membership and representatives from various federal and state regulatory agencies including the US Environmental Protection Agency, US Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Highway Administration, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the Pennsylvania Department of Economic and Community Development. Both land use visioning sessions were held at the Earl Township Building in New Holland.

“The purpose of the visioning conferences was to present the existing planning and land use information to outline present and current trends and predictions for future growth based on the existing road system, without any future roadway improvements. We also wanted to obtain input on the information presented from the municipal representatives, the CAC membership and agencies,” noted PENNDOT Project Manager Mark Malhenzie. “It is also demonstrative of PENNDOT’s commitment to work with the County in developing a coordinated land use plan as a part of the PA Route 23 improvement project.”

Visioning conference participants reviewed population data for Lancaster County from 1980 through 2002; recent development activities from 1994 through 2002; and projected population and employment information for the year 2000 through 2030. Additional data that was reviewed included details on agricultural soils and easements, historic resources, sewer and water service areas, urban and village growth areas, employment centers, patterns of accessibility, and the local road network and functional classifications. Information on growth projections ranged from 2002 to 2030.

“We were very pleased with the level of participation and the spirit of cooperation displayed amongst the various municipalities, regulatory agencies and other special interests represented at these sessions,” noted Malhenzie. “There was a tremendous amount of information presented and collected during these sessions. Our next step will be to assimilate all of this information so that we can make the best use of it within both the land use planning effort and the ongoing PA 23 Environmental Impact Study.”

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