ABOUT THE PROJECT

The City of Lock Haven's Zoning Ordinance was last rewritten in 2008, and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO) in 2003. While both have been amended since then, a complete overhaul is necessary to:

• Align local policies with state law (MPC)
• Implement strategies from the Destination Lock Haven plan
• Expand housing options, including ADUs and "missing middle" typologies
• Modernize definitions, processes, and design standards
• Create a more accessible, visual, and user-friendly code
• Support downtown revitalization and mixed-use development
• Ensure predictable outcomes for developers and residents alike

WHAT IS A ZONING ORDINANCE?

Zoning regulates how property owners can use their land. It breaks land into districts such as residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, or mixed-use. It can also limit building heights, set guidelines for lot sizes and shapes, require parking, or set design guidelines for historic areas. A Zoning Ordinance is the full set of these regulations. It is administered and enforced by the City of Lock Haven's local government.

WHY IS ZONING IMPORTANT?

While zoning can be a tad technical, it is one of the most powerful tools Lock Haven can use to shape the landscape and buildings of the future. Because zoning is locally written and enforced, the City has a high level of control over what goes in it. By adjusting zoning, we can shape the built environment of Lock Haven to fit the vision from our Comprehensive Plan, Destination Lock Haven.

WHAT IS A SALDO?

SALDO stands for Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance. It is the set of local rules that governs how land in Lock Haven can be divided, developed, or improved. Whether a property owner wants to split a single lot into two, build a new housing development, or create a commercial site, the SALDO provides the technicalregulations on how that process should happen and how the land needs to be developed. It includes standards for the design and construction of infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, stormwater systems, utilities, and open space. By setting clear expectations for how land should be developed, the SALDO helps ensure that growth is orderly, coordinated, and consistent with the community's long-term vision.

WHY IS THE SALDO IMPORTANT?

The SALDO plays a critical role in shaping the physical form and functionality of the City. It ensures that new development is thoughtfully designed, connected to public infrastructure, and aligned with Lock Haven's broader goals, such as improving walkability, preserving character, and supporting economic development. A modern and well-crafted SALDO provides clarity and predictability for developers, reduces conflicts during the approval process, and helps protect public health, safety, and quality of life. It also supports smarter growth by guiding how neighborhoods expand, how stormwater is managed, how development in floodplains should happen, and how public amenities are incorporated into new projects. A functional SALDO can help ensure that development benefits both current and future residents of Lock Haven.

WHO IS INVOLVED?

The project is being led by the City of Lock Haven, with guidance from a five-person Steering Committee comprised of community stakeholders, elected officials, and planning professionals. The Zoning and SALDO Ordinance changes will be reviewed by the Planning Commission and ultimately adopted by City Council at a future meeting in 2026. The process will be guided by the City Code & Zoning Office and Planning Department. Michael Baker International is the professional consultant for the project and is ready to listen to the Lock Haven community to build a zoning ordinance and SALDO that best reflects the current and future needs of residents, businesses, and industries.

MEET THE CONSULTANT TEAM

Michael Baker International

• Nick Fedorek, AICP, Project Manager
• Kirsten Compitello, AICP: Zoning & SALDO Lead
• Howard Blackson, CNU-A: Hybrid & Form-Based Code Specialist
• Samantha McLean, AICP: Zoning Specialist

Stuart Group Consulting, LLC

• Jeff Raykes, Public Engagement Lead
• Alaina Pobok, Community Design & Communications Lead
• Eric Goins, Community Mapping Technician
• Ryan Countryman, Zoning and Land Use Planning Lead

WHAT IS THE BUDGET?

The total budget for the Zoning and SALDO update is $130,000. This funding has been secured from a mix of federal, state, and local sources. These include $65,000 in grant funds from the Strategic Management Planning Program (STMP) administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development. $25,000 in grant funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the City, and $40,000 in local funds, contributed by the City via its General Fund.

PLANNING PROCESS

The planning process began in April 2025 and will extend over a 14-month period (April 2025 - May 2026). Each step includes targeted stakeholder engagement and draft reviews. A visual representation of the project timeline is shown later on this page.

SHARE YOUR VOICE

We are eager to hear from you about your vision for land use regulations in the City of Lock Haven. If you would like to get more information on the project, provide feedback, or have a question about zoning, please contact Abbey Roberts, Planner & Development Coordinator, City of Lock Haven via phone 570-893-5903 or via email aroberts@lockhavenpa.gov.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Why update the ordinances now?
A: The current documents are outdated and no longer meet community needs or
reflect best practices.

Q: Will this change my zoning?
A: Potentially. A revised zoning map and new district definitions are a part of this
process. Property owners will have access to map previews before adoption.

Q: How can I get involved?
A: Attend public meetings, participate in outreach and engagement events, or
contact us.