BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — A project for nearly 200 residential lots to be built along Route 22 moved forward Wednesday as the township Zoning Hearing Board signed off on an open space adjustment.
The Jaindl Land Co. plan calls for turning four parcels — three north of Route 22 and one south — into 190 residential lots and open space.
A variance was required because the plan did not meet continuous open space requirements, and the method it is calculated by would require an adjustment.
The zoning hearing board approved the request unanimously.
Active open space for recreation and walking trails are planned, as well as 34 acres of preserved agricultural space committed to the township.
Applicants attorney Erich Schoch said that if it was zoned CR vs. agricultural, it would be allowed.
Township officials had heard a presentation about the development proposal in July.
Traffic 'disaster'?
At the time, planning commission members said the traffic caused by the development in the already-busy corridor would be "a disaster."
Some speakers echoed those concerns on Wednesday.
The current plan reduces the number of lots and increases the amount of open space.
The project's parcels north of Route 22 are bounded by Hecktown Road to the west, Farmersville Road to the east and Route 22 to the south. Some undeveloped property exists to the north.
The one southern parcel has Farmersville Road to the west, existing residential and open space to the east, Green Pond Road to the south and Route 22 to the north. The northern part of the uppermost parcel overlaps the border with Lower Nazareth Township.
Schock said that as of now there are no plans submitted to develop above the Lower Nazareth border.
Each lot would be a minimum of 20,000 square feet, project representatives said in July.
The final plans have yet to get approval from township commissioners.
