open space

My Record on Open Space

When I ran for Supervisor, I made protecting open space and farmland one of my top priorities. This has been a long-term, step-by-step process, and we’ve made real, measurable progress.

This work complements the efforts of Northampton County’s Farmland Preservation Program, which has preserved 977.9 acres of farmland right here in Lower Nazareth. Together, these county and township initiatives ensure that our farmland and rural character are protected for future generations.

Step 1: Dedicated Open Space Tax (2019)

Lower Nazareth voters overwhelmingly supported a 0.25% earned income tax for open space. This created a reliable funding source to preserve farmland and open land before it’s lost forever. Every dollar collected is restricted to preservation, not general spending.

Step 2: The Official Map (2020)

We adopted an Official Map, our township’s preservation “blueprint.” This tool identifies land we want to protect for parks, trails, and open space. Most importantly, it gives us the legal ability to negotiate the purchase of development rights or land before it is built on.

Step 3: Zoning Protections

We strengthened zoning laws to protect farmland and direct growth responsibly. This created the legal foundation to push back against unchecked development, ensuring we can negotiate in favor of the community.

Step 4: Putting Funds to Work

We have been able to protect and secure multiple tracts of land that were under threat of development.

Purchasing Development Rights vs. Fee Simple

• Purchasing development rights means the landowner keeps ownership and may continue to farm or use the land, but the land is permanently protected from development. This is often more cost-effective because the township does not need to buy the land itself.

• Fee simple (purchasing outright) means the township becomes the full owner of the property. This approach is usually used when the land is needed for parks or public access.

Using both of these tools, we’ve accomplished the following:

• 203 acres of development rights along Steuben Rd. (proposed as a housing development)

• 23 acres of development rights near Route 191 & Newburg Rd (proposed as 144 apartments)

• 22 acres of development rights along Hecktown Rd

• 20 acres of development rights along Georgetown Rd adjacent to the Monocacy Creek

• 15.5 acres purchased outright to expand Hahn's Meadow Park on Hanoverville Rd (proposed as housing)

• 2.7 acres purchased outright to expand Surrey Glen Park and create a dedicated walkway to the neighborhood

• Nearly 100 acres of development rights along Hecktown Rd (negotiations underway)

Why This Matters

Preservation doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning, legal tools, funding, and persistence. Each step the Board and I have taken builds on the last, and today the results are clear: farmland saved, development pressures reduced, and Lower Nazareth’s rural character protected for future generations.