BETHLEHEM TWP., Pa. — Bethlehem Christian School officials shared Wednesday that they will seek land development approval for a new home facility within the next two years.
Township zoners approved BCS’s special exception request to use a residential property at 5575 Green Pond Road as an office and work it into plans for a new school at the subject property.
That decision is good through April 1, 2028, as a sunset provision — meaning BCS has three years to have its development plans approved before Wednesday’s ruling automatically ceases.
The 8-acre site is about a half-mile west of host facility Calvary Baptist Church, where BCS operates independently but rents classroom and gym space for grades 5-6 (Intermediate School) and 7-12 (Upper School).
It’s a similar arrangement for Lower School students, early childhood through 4th grade, who have classes 3.5 miles away at Ebenezer Bible Fellowship Church, 3100 Hecktown Road.
'Pursuing property for a while'
Now 315 students strong, BCS needs a space to call its own, school Board of Directors President John Wilson.
“We’re pretty much at capacity in both of those facilities, and we have continued enrollment interest. So the board has been pursuing property for a while now with the goal of eventually developing it into Bethlehem Christian School-owned properties."John Wilson, president of Bethlehem Christian School Board of Directors
“We’re pretty much at capacity in both of those facilities, and we have continued enrollment interest,” Wilson said.
“So the board has been pursuing property for a while now with the goal of eventually developing it into Bethlehem Christian School-owned properties.”
An initial land survey, feasibility study and massing model have been completed for the project, but broader detailed plans are not available just yet, Wilson said.
BCS bought the Green Pond Road property in 2023 for $850,000, according to Northampton County records.
On site is a 2,590-square-foot, four-bedroom home that’s been used by BCS for administrative purposes; Wilson said some of the bedroom and dining room space has been converted to offices and a boardroom.
Addressing zoning violations
Located in the township's Agriculture Zoning District, the ancillary office use is allowed through a special exception, which is granted or denied by the Zoning Hearing Board following a public hearing.
Both public and private primary or secondary schools are permitted by right within the district, meaning the township zoning officer grants or denies a permit based on standards compliance from the developer.
Regarding previously cited zoning violations, Bethlehem Christian School operated out of the 5575 Green Pond Road property “unwittingly and without any nefarious intent.”Stanley Margle, attorney representing Bethlehem Christian School
Stanley Margle, attorney representing BCS, said his client received notice from the township zoning officer dated Aug. 16, 2024, for zoning violations related to the office, such as failure to obtain property permitting before opening the ancillary use.
Regarding the cited violations, Margle said his client has operated out of the office “unwittingly and without any nefarious intent" — but a proper appeal would end up being “contentious, time-consuming and expensive.”
He said he initially filed an appeal for BCS that September, withdrawing it in November to take the special-exception route, rectify the situation and share future intent for the site.
