Berks County Future Land Use

This dataset depicts the future land use for Berks County. To determine the future land use, each tax parcel was first designated an existing land use. Further analysis of municipal zoning, comprehensive plans, the County Future Land Use Plan (2020 and 2030), municipal sewer service areas (existing and proposed) from Act 537 plans and Berks County Planning Commission surveys, preserved/eased land, soils, floodplains, steep slopes, aerial photography and highway accessibility was used to designate a future land use for each tax parcel. In some instances, there are multiple future land use designations on a parcel. The Berks County Comprehensive Plan 2030 Update was adopted on January 23, 2020. This dataset is an update to the 2030 Comprehenisve Plan. The following are descriptions of the 8 future land use designations used: 1. Existing Development: Land that has already experienced concentrated commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential development at various densities. Larger areas typically serve as multi-purpose centers; and provide opportunities for in-fill development, rehabilitation and revitalization efforts. 2. Designated Growth:Areas of vacant land that typically surround existing development areas; located within an existing sewer service area; and are zoned for multi-purpose development at concentrated densities. Areas with this designation is suitable for mixed-use development in the immediate future due to the presence of public infrastructure services needed to accommodate concentrated growth. 3. Future Growth:Areas of vacant land located within development-based zoning districts and are typically adjacent to or within a proposed sewer service area. Public infrastructure is planned to accommodate multi-purpose concentrated growth. 4. Rural Conservation: Land characterized by low density development; is predominately wooded and may contain steep slopes or isolated farmland. Due to the absence of public infrastructure services, this area is appropriate for flexible development paterns that reflect any environmental constraints. The area includes land eased for open space, natural resource or woodland conservation. 5. Agricutural Preservation: Lands that show a strong presence of agricultural activity with prime agricultural soils; is typically zoned as Effective Agricultural Preservation; or farms preserved by agricultural conservation easements. Objectives are to protect the agricultural land base, minimize land use conflicts and promote the long-term viability of the agricultural community. 6. Environmental Hazard:Land located within a floodplain, wetland watercourse, water body and their associated riparian buffers. The purpose is to recognize their environmental importance, as well as protect the components and their natural function. Theses areas should be left in their natural state and are inappropriate for infrastructure investment. 7. Permanent Open Space and Recreation:Land owned by Federal, State, County, local government, and homeowner associations for the purpose of providing public park and recreation opportunities, open space conservation and the protection of watershed lands. 8. Transportation Network:Federal, state, and local roads, as well as railroad networks. Maintenance of existing facilities and improvement services to increase safety and capacity will be supported.