What is a Designated Growth Area?
The Designated Growth Area is physically defied area on a land use policy map that is established around existing development patterns and infrastructure investment. The concept of designated growth areas as a county land management concept that was first introduced to the area by the Lancaster County Planning Commission and has the following characteristics:

1. It is an area appropriate for future development and includes Lancaster City, a Borough, or Village as the core area.

2. Residential, mixed-use, commercial, industrial, and institutional development are permitted or planned for this area.

3. Public infrastructure services are provided or planned for in this area with sufficient capacity to support the intended density and intensity of development.

The Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan defines two types of Designated Growth Areas, which are the Urban Growth Area and the Village Growth Area. Specific policies for these areas are described in the Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan.

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1. If I file a complaint with the Township, will it remain confidential?
2. Can I change the zoning district designation of my property?
3. What are setbacks?
4. Where can I find a zoning permit?
5. What is a building permit?
6. What is a Certificate of Use and Occupancy?
7. What is a comprehensive plan?
8. Do I need a permit to re-pave my driveway?
9. Where can I find information on housing assistance for owners, landlords or developers?
10. Where can I get 2010 US Census data?
11. What exactly is zoning?
12. What is a zoning ordinance?
13. What is a permitted use?
14. What is a special exception?
15. What is the Zoning Hearing Board?
16. What is a variance?
17. What is a conditional use?
18. What is a Planned Residential Development (PRD)?
19. What is a Cluster Development?
20. What is a Transferable Development Right (TDR)?
21. What is the Transferable Development Right Program and Origin in Manheim Township?
22. How many Transferable Development Rights are assigned to property in Manheim Township?
23. What is the Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247 (MPC)?
24. What is a Designated Growth Area?
25. What is an Urban Growth Area?
26. What is a Village Growth Area?
27. What is Growing Together?
28. What is the Lancaster Inter-Municipal Committee?
29. What is a Home Occupation?
30. What is an easement?
31. What is riparian buffer?
32. What are prime agricultural soils?
33. What is a floodplain?
34. What are Best Management Practices (BMPs)?
35. What is the Land Use Advisory Board (LUAB)?
36. What is the Planning Commission?
37. What is an Official Map?
38. What is a Historic Resource?
39. What is a Codified Ordinance?