<\/u>\u00a0<\/b>How will the Lehigh Valley accommodate 146,000 more people in the next 20 years without losing the outstanding quality of living that has attracted so many here? Local and national experts will discuss solutions involving farmland preservation, urban revitalization, land use planning, transportation and more as RenewLV (renewlv.org<\/span><\/a>) hosts its third annual Summit for Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities on Fri., Dec., 4 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel, Allentown. More than 200 regional leaders are expected to attend.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n The morning keynote presentation will feature Judy Wicks, a Philadelphia-based entrepreneur, author, speaker and mentor who works to build a more compassionate, environmentally sustainable and locally based economy. Her award winning book, Good Morning Beautiful Business: the Unexpected Journey of an Activist Entrepreneur and Local Economy Pioneer<\/i> won the 2014 Gold Medal in the category of \u201cBusiness Leadership\u201d from Nautilus Book Awards. As an entrepreneur, Judy is best known for Philadelphia\u2019s landmark White Dog Cafe, which she founded in 1983 on the first floor of her house and managed for 26 years.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n Afternoon keynote speaker, Chuck Marohn, is the\u00a0founder and president\u00a0of Strong Towns (strongtowns.org<\/span><\/a>), a national organization advancing a model of development that allows America\u2019s cities, towns and neighborhoods to become financially strong and resilient. He is the author of\u00a0Thoughts on Building Strong Towns (Volume 1)<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u00a0<\/i>and\u00a0<\/i>A World Class Transportation System<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u00a0<\/i>as well as the primary author of the Strong Towns Blog and host of the Strong Towns Podcast. A Professional Engineer (PE) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP), he has a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota\u2019s Institute of Technology and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota\u2019s Humphrey Institute.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n Two morning panel discussions will address issues and solutions related to the Lehigh Valley\u2019s continued growth. The first will feature developers David Jaindl and Dennis Benner along with Percy Dougherty from the Lehigh County Commissioners, Pastor Greg Edwards from the Resurrected Life Community Development Corporation and Gary Smith, who is President and CEO of Chester County Economic Development Corporation. Topics will include land use and urban revitalization.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n The second panel will highlight \u201creal stories from the farm, suburbs and neighborhoods,\u201d and feature successful programs and initiatives. The panelists include:<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Ron Beitler, commissioner, Lower Macungie Township, \u201cWhy we fight sprawl\u201d<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Holly Edinger, board of directors, LANTA, \u201cTales of getting from here to there\u201d<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Sal Panto, Mayor of Easton, Pa., \u201cLiving well without the NIZ or CRIZ\u201d<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Forest Wessner, Jr., farmer, Lehigh County, \u201cFarmland forever vs. the lure of development\u201d<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n <\/u>\u00a0\u201cWe\u2019<\/span>re looking forward convening the region\u2019<\/span>s leaders and members of the community to get more engaged in discussing and moving forward with smart growth,\u201d says RenewLV Executive Director, Joyce Marin.\u00a0 \u201cThe Summit represents a great opportunity to share information, network and collaborate as we move from ideas to action.\u201d<\/u><\/u><\/p><\/blockquote>\n A final \u201ctable talk\u201d breakout session in the afternoon will break attendees into groups based on specific smart growth interest areas, where they can collaborate on solutions for issues ranging from Farmland Preservation and Food Sustainability, to Zoning for Smart Growth and Multi-Modal Transportation.\u00a0 <\/u><\/u><\/p>\n Registration for the Summit, which includes breakfast and lunch, is available for $75 at renewlv.org<\/span><\/a>.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n The sponsors for the conference include Just Born as a Sustaining Sponsor, with additional sponsorship being provided by PPL, The Greater Lehigh Valley & Pocono Mountain Assn. of Realtors, City Center, the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Waterfront Redevelopment Partners, HDR, Embassy Bank, Lehigh Valley Health Network, St. Luke\u2019<\/span>s Hospital, Morris Black Designs, Four Score, LLC, Barry Isett & Associates, the Lehigh Valley Partnership, <\/a>Spillman Farmer Architects, Julie Thomases, Keystone Consulting, Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus, P.A, Hanover Engineering, Smooth-On, Taggart Associates, Organics Live\u00a0 and Prolifick Media.\u00a0<\/u><\/p>\n About RenewLV<\/u><\/u><\/b><\/p>\n The mission of RenewLV is to promote smart growth and efficient governance in the Lehigh Valley in order to revitalize its core communities, preserve open space and create an economically and environmentally sustainable foundation for the region\u2019<\/span>s future growth. RenewLV was launched by community leaders in response to a landmark Brookings Institution report (Back to Prosperity:\u00a0 A Competitive Agenda for Renewing Pennsylvania) that highlighted to related challenges facing regions across the Commonwealth:\u00a0 1) sprawling development that has \u201chollowed out\u201d many core communities; 2) an antiquated, fragmented system of governance that stands in the way of regional planning.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n Information Provided By:<\/strong> For additional information smartgrowth@renewlv.org<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n Joyce Marin, Executive Director, RenewLV<\/strong><\/p>\n
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