SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — South Whitehall Township residents who want to see open space, historic buildings and farmland preserved will soon have a chance to have their voices heard.
Tuesday will be the first meeting toward the creation of a plan ‘South Whitehall Landscapes,’ which will be the township’s guide to landscape preservation, including preserving open space, historic, agricultural and natural resources.
- South Whitehall Township is creating a plan to preserve open space and historic, agricultural and natural resources, called 'South Whitehall Landscapes'
- The plan's creation will kick off with a public meeting at the township building and online Tuesday at 6 p.m.
- The township's consultant, Jeffrey Marshall, will be at the meeting to talk about his past work and why landscape planning matters
“This plan aims to identify the specific resources that are special in the Township and develop integrated preservation strategies to protect them,” the event webpage states.
The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the township building. There is an option for residents to attend virtually, but at the latest Board of Commissioners meeting, Township Manager Tom Petrucci encouraged residents to attend in person.
“We'll be having more of an engagement workshop session,” Petrucci said.
The township also recently launched a Landscapes Photo Survey as another way to get public feedback for the plan. The survey asks questions about what residents want to preserve in the township and prompts participants to share pictures of their favorite places in South Whitehall.
Submitted photos may be included in the final plan, according to the township website.
Crafting a road map
Open Space and Historic Preservation Consultant Jeffrey Marshall will help guide the township’s process for gathering public feedback and creating the South Whitehall Landscapes plan.
Marshall was previously president of Heritage Conservancy as well as the National Barn Alliance. He is the founder of the Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania.
“My recommendation is asking the community what they think is important,” Marshall said. “What buildings are important? Why are they important? And if you think they're important, what would you be willing to see the township do to preserve them?”
Some potential actions the township could take are making an inventory of historic buildings, drafting regulations to protect against alterations or demolitions and creating incentives for property owners to preserve historic buildings, Marshall said.
"Do you think having a tapestry of historical buildings, many of which individually aren't important, is important for your community to protect so it enhances and protects that past character?”Open Space and Historic Preservation Consultant Jeffrey Marshall
Marshall emphasized a difference between historic and historical structures. Historic structures are connected to an important event or person in history, while historical structures are related to history in general rather than anything specific.
“That's the first dividing line — are you trying to protect historic or historical [structures]?” Marshall said. “And do you think having a tapestry of historical buildings, many of which individually aren't important, is important for your community to protect so it enhances and protects that past character?”
Marshall will be at Tuesday’s meeting to give a presentation about his past work and why landscape planning matters.
