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The Home News Your Local News
JUNE 4-10, 2015
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East Allen twsp. has hearing on development by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Judge Emil Giordano administered the oath of office to new Bath Boro and shook her hand. – Home News photo
New Bath councilwoman Sworn into office by judge by BILL HALBFOERSTER The Home News
Northampton County Judge Emil Giordano came to Bath on Monday night to administer the oath of office to Cynthia Anderson. She is the newest member of Bath Borough Council, appointed last month to fill the seat of recently resigned Councilman Robert Fields. Ms. Anderson was also nominated to a full four-year term on Council in the recent primary election. Complaints Heard Under courtesy of the floor, three issues were addressed by Council, the zoning officer and Colonial Regional Police Department’s chief of police. A Creek Rd. woman voiced her concern about the neighbors who were involved in a recent family
fight that included the stabbing of two individuals. She asked why people of that type can rent apartments. While the borough can’t do anything about who rents properties, Chief Roy Seiple said the police will respond when something like this occurs. The proposed rental inspection program was explained by Zoning Officer Dennis Huth, who said that inspections will not begin until next year. “It’s not easy to evict people,” he said, “but something like three strikes you’re out would work.” Attorney James Kratz, filling in for solicitor Blake Marles, said the property owner has a right to rent to anyone he wants. “There is nothing about a background Continued on page 7
A conditional use hearing was held Thursday night at the East Allen Township Board of Supervisors meeting regarding a proposed townhouse development. The hearing was continued from May 13. But after two hours of testimony, the board decided not to make a decision until June 10. Developer Abe Atiyeh is proposing an 88-unit townhouse development, along with a commercial area, on a 29-acre tract of land at Airport & Hanoverville Rds. called Farmhouse Mews. At†orney James Preston went through nine pages of the township engineer’s comments regarding the subdivision, and then followed questions from the supervisors and persons in the audience. Much of the testimony was by David J. Harte, Vice President of business development for Pa. Venture Capital, Inc. He said that the townhouses will be moderately priced, downsized from their original plans in 2009 because of the sagging economy, when they were to be of a luxury type for older adults who now may be empty nesters. Township engineer James Milot said the supervisors don’t want a strip mall, shopping center type of appearance to the homes. Harte said they are lessening the square footage, but not the quality, and the units will have stone frontage. The price range, he said, would be in the upper $200,000. There is also a 20-store commercial part of the development with a courtyard. Former supervisor Judith Ladonis, a realtor, asked how they could guarantee the high quality, with Harte noting that they will apply high standards. Harte
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also told another engineer in the meeting that there would be no subs of the continuous circulation in the streets, so that there is adequate access. Supervisor Mark Schwartz said there has to be ground level access of at least 20 feet, front and back, in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of the residents, noting that fire apparatus needs sufficient room to make turns. Schwartz also asked about water/sewer and Harte replied that there is an inter-municipal agreement being worked out between East Allen, Hanover Twsp., and the city of Bethlehem in that regard. The project is on 16.3 acres of East Allen Twsp. land and 13 acres in Hanover Township, Northampton County Supervisor Madelyn Schwartz asked about parking of cars by the families who would live in the townhouses. Harte said they could have one in the garage, one in the driveway, and at another space less than 200 ft. away. That question came up later when Ray Anthony, the township fire marshal, said he had concerns about the number of cars in the development, especially at Christmas and other holidays, and when residents have parties. He said there could be a minimum of 136 cars and even up to 300 . Township Solicitor Joseph Piperato II said the homeowners association that would be formed could regulate parking and the amount of stop signs needed in the private development. Norman Daniel said there should be more space in front of the commercial area. Architectural renderings were provided showing the layout of the townhouses and the commercial area. Continued on page 3
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