Lansdale Borough News.
As your mayor, I remain committed to listening, learning, and leading with optimism.
2025 has just begun, but I am already feeling optimistic about the opportunities that we have to continue to improve our community! For those who have been following this column for the last several years, at the beginning of each year I try to outline some of the key areas of action that I feel we can accomplish to help our community continue to thrive. I believe 2025 is a year where we will have the opportunity to resolve some critical needs for our community and help build a better Lansdale for decades to come.
Vacancy Ordinance
For three years Council and I have been discussing this topic. How can we address the reality that we have long-term vacancies in our community and the reality that they are holding back our ability to continue to grow and improve our downtown?
I am happy to share that this past week Borough Council passed a motion to prepare and advertise a version of a vacancy ordinance. To be clear, this does not represent final approval or passage. It is just the first step toward potential approval. The next few weeks will be spent defining the parameters of the ordinance and final language that will then be entertained by the committee, Borough Council, and myself.
What finally gave this ordinance traction? Over the course of the last 12 months, Councilwoman Razzak, Councilman Yetter, Code Department head Jason Van Dame, and I were able to identify a key partner in Hera Registry who manages foreclosure and vacancy registries for hundreds of communities across the country. They have been able to provide sample ordinances that showcase how this program can be successful for both residential and commercial use while helping to fund economic development efforts. Critically, they will be able to manage outreach and fee processing on our behalf while being able to provide data back to the borough. This will keep the process efficient and effective.
It is my hope, should this pass final approval, we will be able to quickly launch the program with Hera and begin making the clear statement that our community prioritizes filled buildings and partners that are committed to that effort!
Traffic Study Results & Change Implementation
In February, we will be sharing the results and recommendations from our traffic engineer’s traffic study. Back in December traffic study results were shared with the public for initial reaction and feedback. This next step in the process will factor in feedback from the community and apply any new considerations or adjustments for the final recommendation.
It is without question that we need to address some of the traffic concerns residents have been discussing for years in our community and at Public Safety meetings. As our community has grown to over 19,000 people in three square miles, it has become clear that we need to adjust our traffic flow in a few key areas. I am eager to see what the final report recommends for implementation so that we can move forward quickly with understanding how we might fund those changes and start improving traffic as soon as possible.
While many of these changes are unlikely to be implemented in 2025, the planning for the implementation will occur this year with the hope of any construction, or re-construction, being completed in 2026. These improvements will undoubtedly make our community a better place to call home and I know many residents are ready for some needed changes.
Future-proofing our Electric Grid
This is a longer-term challenge that Borough Council and I have been working on. The frank reality is that electricity capacity (the need for electric power) is increasing dramatically, and the expectation is that the rate of that need is expected to continue to grow over the next several years. As an electrical provider we must begin planning for this future and put ourselves in a position where we have more control over the supply of power.
As of today, our purchase power agreement dictates much of how we provide power to our residents. What it costs to get power to Lansdale and the price of that power is set by our providers. As capacity needs go up, so does the cost of providing power to the borough. Until we get a handle on managing power supply we will always be playing catch up with these costs.
In 2025 we are looking to start exploring new ideas and solutions to this very big challenge. Historically, we have looked at this challenge through the lens of “how much power can we generate locally in the community”. While that is still a critical component, we are also now looking at how we can partner on a wider scale to make this shift more feasible and more impactful for everyone. I am being purposefully vague about this until a few more discussions are had. I am hoping to share much more detail later in the year and showcase just how forward thinking we can really be!
In the short term, we are going to be discussing other ways of managing significant power draw in the borough, namely, the mass adoption of electric cars. As I have discussed in the past, one rapid charging unit pulls the same amount of power as a whole house in less than an hour. We need to grapple with the growth of rapid charging and re-sale of power to do so. The sooner we can define our position on the re-sale of power, the better.
As we kick off 2025, the challenges and opportunities before us remind me of the strength and determination of this community. Together, we have tackled complex issues with creativity, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in our shared future. From addressing long-term vacancies to improving traffic flow and planning for our energy needs, we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more vibrant Lansdale—not just for today, but for generations to come.
These efforts are not simply about solving problems; they are about creating a community where everyone can thrive, where innovation is met with action, and where progress is a collective achievement. The path ahead may require patience and perseverance, but I have no doubt that the people of Lansdale will rise to the occasion as we always have.
As your mayor, I remain committed to listening, learning, and leading with optimism. Together, let’s make 2025 a year defined by progress, unity, and the belief that our best days are still ahead.
Thank you for being a part of this journey. Let’s continue to move forward—together!
(Mayoral Musings is a weekly op-ed column submitted to North Penn Now, courtesy of Lansdale Borough Mayor Garry Herbert. The views expressed are his own and are not representative of North Penn Now or Lansdale Borough.)
