During a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant updates to Lehigh City's housing strategies and design standards aimed at enhancing community livability and infrastructure.

One of the key topics was the encouragement of developments that promote walking and cycling, alongside a push for \"gentle density\" through smaller apartment buildings, row houses, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Officials acknowledged the challenges posed by existing regulations that often favor large builders, making it difficult for smaller developers to navigate the approval process. This has led to public concerns about rapid changes in the community's landscape.

Commission members shared their recent experiences cycling through downtown Lehigh, highlighting safety issues, particularly with pickup trucks obstructing sidewalks. In response, city planners are working on adding bike lanes throughout the area and promoting mixed-use developments to foster a more pedestrian-friendly environment.

The commission also reviewed updates to the city's moderate income housing goals, which included minor adjustments to strategies and timelines. A motion was passed to recommend these updates to the city council, emphasizing the importance of increasing housing affordability in Lehigh.

Additionally, the engineering department presented updates to the design standards and public improvement specifications manual. Notable changes included the removal of equestrian trail standards and adjustments to sidewalk and roadway specifications to align with state codes. The commission was encouraged to consider comments from the Design Review Committee as they moved forward with these updates.

Overall, the meeting underscored a commitment to improving housing options and infrastructure in Lehigh City, while addressing community concerns about development and safety.