A review commission has been formed on an existing regional plan to guide growth and land use in Lower Carbon County.

On a unanimous measure, Bowmanstown borough council last week agreed to have the Planning Commission draft a letter to the other municipalities for the purpose of forming a Palmerton Area Comprehensive Plan review commission.

The comprehensive plan, drawn up in 2007, is between Palmerton, Bowmanstown, Lower Towamensing Township and Towamensing Township. A finished document exists.

In June, Councilman Rob Moyer asked if council could have a resolution for the comprehensive plan listed on July’s meeting agenda.

Borough solicitor Lisa Pereira said at that time new work needed to be done to the plan.

In February, Bowmanstown Borough Council granted permission to send letters to the other municipalities to see if there would be any interest in scheduling a meeting to review the plan and update as needed.

In March 2009, the comprehensive plan was approved for the four municipalities.

Urban Research and Development Corp. was engaged to prepare the existing plan about 15 years ago, Charles Schmehl, of Urban Research and Development Corp., said in May.

Schmehl said the plan emphasized coordinated land use across municipal borders, and recommendations to preserve important natural areas and prime agricultural lands.

He said Urban Research and Development Corp. has not been involved in any regional committee meetings since the plan was prepared.

Schmehl said a comprehensive plan addresses future land uses, housing, natural feature conservation, agricultural preservation, transportation, community facilities, and ways to carry out the plan.

He noted that a comprehensive plan is not a regulation by itself, but is intended to recommend policies for zoning updates.

Schmehl said the plan is an overall set of policies for the preservation and conservation of the municipalities, and had a time-frame of about 15 years.

He added that many regions do consider updating their plan after 15 years, and there is increased state funding available this year for that planning and zoning updates.