North Whitehall Township Supervisors voted unanimously at its Nov. 3 meeting to adopt a new open space action plan, a document outlining strategies for farmland and open space preservation, public education and sustainable funding for the years ahead.

The plan was presented by Judy Stern Goldstein of Gilmore & Associates, the consulting firm that guided the project under a $38,000 Local Share Account grant. Work began in the summer of 2024 as a follow-up to the township’s 2022 Comprehensive Parks, Recreation and Open Space Plan, with the goal of turning earlier recommendations into practical action steps.

“This plan is a blueprint, not a financial commitment,” Goldstein told the board. “It shows how the township can prioritize preservation while seeking public input and exploring new funding sources.”

The consultants relied heavily on community engagement. Gilmore & Associates conducted six key-person interviews, hosted a booth at the township’s Christmas tree lighting last December and offered a public survey April 1 through May 3. The outreach produced more than 1,000 responses from residents, township staff and land preservation advocates.

According to Goldstein, survey results showed strong public support for continuing farmland and open space preservation. North Whitehall has already preserved approximately 653 acres – about 3.6% of its total land area – but funding remains limited. The current property tax revenue can support the preservation of only one property a year, even though many landowners have expressed interest in participating. She also noted all parcels are presently evaluated under the same criteria, regardless of whether they are farmland, natural resource areas or recreation sites. The plan recommends the township refine its evaluation methods to consider the unique value of each type of property.

Other recommendations call for a township-wide public information campaign to gauge residents’ willingness to support additional funding, regular updates to ordinances and planning documents and encouragement of volunteerism and stewardship in maintaining preserved lands.

The plan also suggests investigating new funding tools, such as public-private partnerships, grants or dedicated taxes, to increase preservation capacity.

Township Manager Randy Cope said North Whitehall currently generates about $160,000 annually for farmland preservation. At present, there are about 11 farms, totaling roughly 450 acres, waiting to be preserved, with an estimated cost exceeding $2 million. “The longer we wait, the more likely those landowners are to sell to developers,” Cope said. “Some of these farms aren’t eligible for county preservation funding, so we’re exploring other creative approaches.”

Cope noted other municipalities have used earned income tax revenue or bond programs to purchase farmland and remove development rights. “It’s about giving ourselves a seat at the table,” he said. Goldstein added that adopting the plan strengthens the township’s ability to apply for state and federal grants through agencies such as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Department of Community and Economic Development.

The board voted unanimously in favor. “This plan gives us a framework to move forward,” Mike Kukitz, director of grants, preservation and trails said. “It doesn’t obligate us financially, but it sets the direction for how we can continue preserving the rural character of North Whitehall for generations to come.”