A presentation about Envision Lehigh Valley, a collaborative effort to develop a sustainable community plan for the Lehigh Valley, was greeted with skepticism at Upper Milford's supervisors' meeting May 2.

Holly Edinger, director of sustainable development, explained the Lehigh Valley received a regional planning grant last year from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is using part of it for public outreach into all parts of the valley.

She said the effort is focusing on five areas and has been holding public meetings to seek input from residents about those areas. The next one will be an online town hall meeting May 13.

Public input will be used to develop policy recommendations in five areas: A regional affordable housing plan; a regional sustainable economic development plan; a jobs/housing balance study; a climate and energy conservation plan; and a fresh food access plan.

Regarding the last issue, she said there are five 'food deserts' in the Lehigh Valley – low to moderate income neighborhoods with no grocery store within a mile.

Supervisors indicated they support the concept of the plan, but questioned whether anything will actually be done with it.

"To me it's just another plan," Supervisor Robert Sentner said. "I think a plan is a good thing if you actually do what's in the plan." Someone in the audience commented, "If municipalities aren't held accountable, plans aren't any good."

Sentner also asked why there was nothing in the goals that address traffic, which he thinks should be the number one concern when talking about the future of the Valley.

Edinger responded the plan is being developed in collaboration with the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, which works on transportation issues.

She also said, "We're hoping to have some carrots, no sticks, to get the plan implemented."

Supervisors Chairman Daniel Mohr thanked Edinger for her presentation and for putting up with their questions.

Information about the project can be found at www.envisionlehighvalley.com.