Between 68 percent and 88 percent of all land use in the study area is agricultural, an industry long considered the economic backbone of the region. The remainder is comprised of residential, commercial and industrial development. A mix of all these land uses can be seen in the Route 30 study area. Soudersburg, Paradise, Vintage, Kinzers and Gap all provide commercial, tourist, industrial, agricultural and automotive related services to the local communities as well as tourist and through traffic.

Common to many rural settings, sprawl development has impacted Lancaster County. In response, the Lancaster County Planning Commission developed a growth management plan designed to protect rural lands while development occurs at a more manageable rate and distribution. The Lancaster County Comprehensive Plan directs growth to urban areas where there is adequate public facilities and services to support it. The creation of Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB) around these urban areas helps prevent development from sprawling outward into adjacent rural areas. All agricultural lands are intended to surround the urban areas, forming a "greenbelt" of farmland, natural areas, parks and open spaces, and cultural and historic sites throughout the county.

Direct and indirect impacts on land us will be determined based on the design of the relocation alternatives. Direct impacts involve the land within the designated right-of -way that will be converted to transportation use. Indirect impacts to be evaluated include the modifications in access to and from certain areas that may induce or reduce residential and business growth.