PennEnvironment backs new open space bill
In the midst of the summer budget debate, a new PennEnvironment-backed bill to protect open spaces was introduced in the Pennsylvania state Legislature.
Introduced by State Reps. Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D-West Chester) and Marguerite Quinn (R-Doylestown), HB 1787 is meant to promote smart and sustainable development in the Commonwealth’s communities that are struggling with the ongoing threat of encroaching overdevelopment. At the same time, HB 1787 will increase public participation and citizen involvement in local land use decisions.
“Pennsylvanians are fortunate to have such strong environmental champions working to protect our threatened open spaces and family farms, and to promote sustainable development in our communities,” said PennEnvironment Director David Masur.
Pennsylvanians from all walks of life want to protect the state’s remaining family farms and endangered open spaces. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania’s existing land use laws include numerous legal loopholes that make it easy for powerful developers like Toll Brothers to bring forth lawsuits against townships and force through projects that local communities oppose.
HB 1787 is meant to level the playing field and close some of these legal loopholes so that developers can’t strong-arm local elected officials. This will give local communities more power to protect Pennsylvania’s endangered family farms and open spaces.
Strong support at the capitol
“As a first-term legislator, my constituents told me that working to protect our open spaces and promote sustainable development is a top priority, so I wanted to introduce a bill that would do something about it,” said state Rep. Barbara McIlvaine-Smith.
The legislation already has broad support from members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Nearly 50 representatives—25 percent of the General Assembly’s total—signed on as original cosponsors to HB 1787 when it was introduced on Aug. 2. This includes legislators from around the state, both Democrats and Republicans.
“It is imperative that we give municipalities the proper tools to promote sustainable development when facing proposals that will leave an indelible footprint on their community,” said state Rep. Marguerite Quinn. “Bedminster Township, located in my legislative district, is a perfect example of this.”
Powerful opposition expected
Unfortunately, strong opposition to this environmental legislation is expected from the developers’ lobby in the state capitol—one of the most powerful special interests in Harrisburg. For this reason, a vocally supportive general public will play an essential role in helping HB 1787 garner the votes it needs to pass through the Legislature.
