| FRIDAY, April 9, 1999 10:00 A.M. |
1. The Future of First Generation Suburbs in the Delaware Valley
Many boroughs and townships that developed rapidly following World War II face challenges to their fiscal and socio-economic stability. These "first generation suburbs" are experiencing population and job loss, increased social needs and limited tax bases to fund services. A recent DVRPC report entitled The Future of First Generation Suburbs in the Delaware Valley focusses on these communities. The report reviews the history of suburban development and decentralization in the Delaware Valley; measures fiscal and socio-economic conditions in the region; and develops recommendations to overcome the problems facing these "first generation" communities through tax reform, regional planning efforts and local initiatives. Barry Seymour, DVRPC's Assistant Executive Director for Regional Planning, will present the report's findings.
2. Discussion Item: Location Efficient Mortgages
The Location Efficient Mortgage (LEM) is an innovative mortgage concept that recognizes that a homeowner's future transportation costs are directly related to the density, transit and pedestrian accessibility, and access to neighborhood shopping opportunities in the area in which a home is located. An LEM program offers incentives to buyers who choose to live in more densely populated neighborhoods served by public transit. Such a program can foster in-fill housing development and stimulate housing sales in urban communities. Other potential benefits include increased homeownership opportunities for low and moderate income households; increased use of public transit; reduced energy consumption; and improved air quality.
The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC), the Delaware Valley Community Reinvestment Fund (DVCRF) and numerous other partners have submitted a proposal under the Transportation and Community and System Preservation Pilot Program (TCSP) which would include the implementation of a demonstration LEM program in this region. Representatives of DVCRF will discuss the LEM concept and its potential use in the Delaware Valley.
3. Old business
4. New business
5. Adjournment