South Whitehall Township can now share its Community of Distinction honor with motorists entering the municipality with road signs presented by Lehigh Valley Planning Commission Sept 19 at the township building.

LVPC Executive Director Becky Bradley said during the unveiling of the road signs South Whitehall has consistently distinguished itself through comprehensive planning, land use regulations and plans that enhance community facilities and transportation corridors.

“A South Whitehall comprehensive plan, ‘A Balanced Path Forward’ was adopted in 2009 and articulates the township’s vision for future growth and identifies implementation strategies for achieving that vision,” Bradley said. “They have continually updated their zoning ordinances to meet the spirit and goals of those plans and have continued to evolve.”

Bradley noted South Whitehall has adopted regulations to deal with tractor-trailers and oversize vehicles.

“One of the things I know I am most appreciative for, since we have one of the highest rates of new freight facility growth in the country is the fact South Whitehall was one of the first to adopt tractor-trailer and oversize vehicle regulations to help maintain its road system as best they could as the community evolved,” Bradley said.

According to LVPC, South Whitehall has shown leadership in design, process and impact.

In addition to Bradley, speakers included Lehigh County Commissioner Dr. Percy Dougherty, LVPC member Bob Elbich, County Executive Phillips Armstrong, South Whitehall Township Manager Renee Bickel and South Whitehall Commissioner Christina “Tori” Morgan.

Dougherty said it was an honor to be at the sign unveiling presentation as South Whitehall is part of the district he represents.

“This is one of the first townships to have a township manager and they faced the expansion from Allentown very early in time even though I wasn’t around long ago,” Dougherty stated. “But this award honors a community that exemplifies consistent planning and policies that support efficient and sustainable development and that is very true in this case.”

Elbich said having been a zoning board chair for the last 15 years for Weisenberg Township he can readily say South Whitehall Township’s leadership, with regard to their process in zoning, has continually updated and supplemented its zoning ordinances to clarify inconsistencies, make it more user friendly and to address emerging issues like tractor trailer and oversized vehicle traffic.

“Its Overlay Zoning District has paved the way for quality retail and residential redevelopment of the township’s urban core,” he added.

Armstrong also commented on South Whitehall’s award and the new signs.

“I will have to say for a community to get to this point, listening to the competition, it is unbelievable and it makes me very, very proud as a leader in the Lehigh Valley.

“To know we have communities such as South Whitehall that are looking toward the future and making plans and not reacting to problems but making things better before we have the problem.

“I would like to congratulate South Whitehall for their effort.”

Bickel said South Whitehall was pleased and honored to be the recipient of the 2016 Community of Distinction award.

She thanked her staff and said they are the township’s greatest asset.

“This award recognized our comprehensive plan which lays out our blue print for the future,” she said. “We are pleased to place these signs on our campus and throughout our parks which were key accomplishments of the Community of Distinction work.”

Morgan thanked the LVPC and staff for choosing South Whitehall for the award.

“And, most importantly, I would like to recognize the entire staff and support staff of South Whitehall for their ongoing dedication and commitment to community planning and overall service to the township as well as the residents and businesses for whom we are blessed to serve, which is truly what has put us on the map as a “Community of Distinction” and honor not just for today but expectation for everyday,” Morgan stated.

LVPC member Kathy Rader of Upper Macungie offered her comments on South Whitehall.

“As a neighboring township of South Whitehall we congratulate you and we do a lot of partnering and working together and that has worked out well and they are good neighbors,” Rader said.

Ellen Kern with the office of state Sen. Pat Browne, R-16th, and Steve Strella with the office of state Rep. Zachary Mako, R-183rd, also commented.

“We meet with the different townships the beginning of every year and what has impressed me about South Whitehall is their pro-activeness,” Kern said. “They always have their eye on the future to plan for growth, to plan for potential negative impacts, etc but they are always planning.”

Strella echoed Kern’s comments and also said it is very good that South Whitehall Township is proactive because they see what happens if they are not.

He then presented the township a proclamation on behalf of state Reps. Zachary Mako, R-183rd, Ryan Mackenzie, R-134th, and Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd.