BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Updating land use ordinances. Improving waste management practices. Promoting tree-planning efforts.
There are dozens of priorities in the city’s Climate Action Plan.
And the city’s Environmental Advisory Council wants to help.
Members on Thursday discussed ways the council could help advance priorities in the city’s Climate Action Plan.
With dozens of goals and tasks to tackle, council members voted to prioritize those that aligned with existing committees or garnered volunteer interest.
Priorities dealt with updating land-use ordinances and zoning; launching a public education campaign to improve waste management practices; prioritizing green spaces in underserved areas; and others.
“My vision on where this would all go is if tonight we could come up with some priorities that we agree on,” EAC member Steve Olshevski said.
“I don't know what that number would be — three to five, something like that.
"But after we took those priorities, what the process would look like would be some individual or some committee in the EAC taking responsibility for it.
"And then after that, the responsibilities would start to develop.”
Priorities, committees
The priority with the most votes was, “Review and update the land use ordinance and zoning to encourage land-use patterns that mitigate climate change impacts.”
The task associated with that would be for the EAC to work with city planners, as well as council, to develop ordinances, Olshevski said.
EAC Chairwoman Lynn Rothman volunteered to work on it.
She noted that city officials have undertaken a review and update of the current Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, or SALDO, and there are guidelines from the state level to consider, as well.
Additional priorities, such as improving bike mobility and safety, and increasing EV infrastructure in the city, would fall under the transportation committee, EAC Vice Chairman Ben Felzer said.
Similarly, partnering with community organizations to promote tree-planning efforts would be under the purview of the EAC’s Green Committee.
Rothman noted the Monocacy Creek Watershed Association is partnering with the Sierra Club to plant 100 trees along the creek.
However, for plantings through the EAC, members noted that volunteers and additional organizing would be needed.
“It's a monumental task. One and a half million people coming, wanting to throw their trash away.”EAC member Steve Olshevski
The Waste Reduction Committee picked up a long-term goal: "Implement zero-waste practices at Bethlehem’s larger festivals and events.”
Olshevski said this year he visited Musikfest each day of the 10-day Bethlehem festival.
“It's a monumental task,” he said of the goal. “One and a half million people coming, wanting to throw their trash away.”
City Sustainability Manager Sarah DeGrendel said city officials are reviewing the CAP for an upcoming update.
“Through that process, we look into the nine different implementation committees, and we're going through the same process that you guys are currently in identifying next year's goals,” DeGrendel said.
“If you have suggestions that you think we, internally as the city, should prioritize, that the EAC might not be able to take as much part in for next year. Some of these could fall under that category as well.”
The update is earmarked for November.
The city’s CAP aims to reduce community greenhouse gas emissions 60% by 2030, hitting net-zero status by 2040.
The municipal operations target is net zero by 2030.
Bird-friendly habitats
Also during the meeting, EAC member Vibhor Kumar said signs for the Bird-Friendly Habitat Program have been stored at the library.
The program, through the Pennsylvania Audubon Council in partnership with Audubon chapters and Bird Town Pennsylvania, aims to “to engage, educate, and empower individuals to rethink yards, balconies and community green spaces, turning them into functional habitat that is both beautiful for you and beneficial for birds,” according to the organization's website.
To qualify and receive a sign, the property must have certain attributes, listed as “Four Pillars of Healthy Habitats,” including food, water, shelter and nesting.
Residents must apply through the Pennsylvania Audubon Council’s website.
“Those signs are currently available at the library, and residents who do apply for the program, we can direct them to pick up there,” Kumar said.
The city most recently achieved gold status through Bird Town Pennsylvania.
An annual certification focused on community-based conservation, the program aims to create a healthier, more sustainable environment for birds, as well as other wildlife and residents.
