Development and Future Land Use in Upper Allen Township
Development and Future Land Use in Upper Allen Township
Embedded Files
A factual guide to official development records, maps, and planning documents in Upper Allen Township
A factual guide to official development records, maps, and planning documents in Upper Allen Township
Public Record Shows
Public Record Shows
Upper Allen Township provides official public information on development projects, zoning, maps, and planning documents. For the most accurate and current information, residents should start with Township and County records rather than commentary or assumptions. The Township’s official Development Projects page tracks proposed and active subdivision and land development projects and says it is updated as new information becomes available.
Development projects are public record
Development projects are public record
Open the Files
Open the Files
Official Development Projects: https://uatwp.org/departments/community_development/development_projects.php
The Township’s Planning / Zoning page also directs residents to development projects, ordinance amendments, Township code, and related planning resources:
Planning / Zoning: https://uatwp.org/departments/community_development/planning_and_zoning.php
Future Land Use is not the same as zoning
Future Land Use is not the same as zoning
Key Point: A Future Land Use Map is a planning guide. It is not the same as zoning and it is not automatic approval for development.
Key Point: A Future Land Use Map is a planning guide. It is not the same as zoning and it is not automatic approval for development.
The Planning Guide
The Planning Guide
This is one of the most important points for residents to understand.
This is one of the most important points for residents to understand.
Upper Allen Township’s official maps page explains that the Future Land Use Map provides visual guidance for the planned or future character and location of land uses. That means it is a planning guide. It is not the same thing as zoning approval, land development approval, or automatic project approval.
The Township’s 2013 Comprehensive Plan also explains that the comprehensive plan is a long-range guide for legislative decisions and policy changes:
Upper Allen Township Comprehensive Plan:
Figure 4-4 Comprehensive Plan
Figure 4-4 Comprehensive Plan
Upper Allen Township Zoning Map
Upper Allen Township Zoning Map
Cumberland County also has a Future Land Use Map
Cumberland County also has a Future Land Use Map
According to the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code, since the Township has adopted its own Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance the Townships zoning will dictate uses for the areas designated in the Zoning Map. The County’s Comprehensive Plan provides a strategic overview of the broader county’s land area but does not dictate uses.
Upper Allen Township later addressed County map designations
Upper Allen Township later addressed County map designations
Public records show that Upper Allen Township later addressed how some local parcels were shown on the County’s 2024 Future Land Use Map. A Cumberland County planning document dated September 18, 2025 states that Upper Allen submitted requests to reclassify certain properties, including areas on East Lisburn Road, from Suburban back to Rural.
This means residents should be careful not to assume that one map alone tells the full story. Public land use planning can involve Township review, County planning context, future amendments, and formal public processes.
A factual way to describe this topic
A factual way to describe this topic
A professional and factual summary is:
A professional and factual summary is:
Upper Allen Township has official public records for development proposals and land use planning. The Township’s Development Projects page shows proposed and active projects. The Township’s Future Land Use Map is a planning guide and is not the same as the Zoning Map or a final development approval. Cumberland County adopted a new Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map in December 2024, and Upper Allen later requested changes to some county land use designations affecting Township properties. Residents who want the current status of any project should rely on official Township development files, agendas, minutes, maps, and County planning records
Important caution for residents
Important caution for residents
It is fair to say that advocacy websites may raise questions or concerns about development. However, statements predicting what landowners “will” do, suggesting specific parcels are automatically headed toward development, or presenting opinion as certainty should be treated carefully unless supported by an official filing, hearing notice, plan submission, ordinance amendment, or public vote.
The safest public-facing approach is to separate documented public record from commentary or interpretation.
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