| Friday, April 8, 2005 10:00 A.M. (Lunch will be available at 12:00 noon) |
1. Welcome and Introductions - Barry Seymour, DVRPC Assistant Executive Director
2. The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania - Elizabeth Hersh, Executive Director
The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania advocates for affordable housing through monitoring of policy and legislation, research and policy development, information and education, technical assistance and coalition building. They have recently completed a report on reclaiming vacant and abandoned property.
3. Realizing Density: Strategies for Compact Suburban Development - Karin Morris, Senior Regional Planner, DVRPC
DVRPC has just completed a study on how to support and promote higher density development in suburban communities, by examining existing densities; perceptions, benefits and impacts of higher densities; the potential market for higher density development; and design guidelines to create quality developments.
4. Chasing Ratables: Property Taxes and Local Planning - Mary Bell, Senior Regional Planner, DVRPC
Municipal reliance on property tax revenue to fund local services, particularly education, has led to a competitive “ratables chase”, where many municipalities forgo sound planning principles in favor of fiscal considerations for new development. A new DVRPC analysis examines this issue and offers alternatives for slowing the ratables chase.
5. Philadelphia Neighborhood Plans - Barry Seymour, DVRPC
As part of Mayor Street's NTI program, DVRPC has completed neighborhood plans in Mt. Airy, Chinatown, and West Powelton. The planning process and results of these plans will be presented.
6. Committee Member Reports
7. Old and New Business