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LVPC presents proposed SALDO amendments to allow electronic plan submissions; public hearing and ordinance steps outlined

Northampton County Council Committee · November 7, 2025

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Summary

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission staff told the Northampton County committee on Nov. 6 that proposed amendments to the county Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance would require electronic plan submissions through a new online portal, while permitting paper submissions for limited exceptions.

Lehigh Valley Planning Commission (LVPC) staff presented proposed amendments on Nov. 6 to the Northampton County Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) that would require electronic plan submissions through a planned online portal and modernize dated ordinance language.

Jillian (Jill) Sites, the LVPC chief community and regional planner, said the county‑level SALDO applies where municipalities do not have their own ordinances and that LVPC currently administers the county SALDO for those communities. David Cohen, LVPC director of regional planning, said the amendments would require electronic submissions via the portal while retaining provisions for paper submissions in cases of technical difficulty or extreme circumstances.

Cohen said the portal is intended to streamline reviews, reduce paper volumes and improve coordination with external review agencies such as PennDOT and PADEP. He referenced relevant sections of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, noting requirements for a public hearing and the statutory process for adopting ordinance amendments (including sections 505(a), 506(a), 506(b) and 506(c) as cited in the presentation). LVPC staff said the revisions have been reviewed by the LVPC solicitor, multiple committees and the LVPC board.

LVPC expects to launch the portal in early 2026 and is coordinating the amendment process concurrently with Lehigh County. County administration did not take action at this meeting; LVPC staff asked the committee to note the proposed changes and outlined next steps for public hearings and formal adoption procedures.