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.