Upper Nazareth Supervisor’s Meeting – January 15, 2025
ANNOUNCEMENTS/EVENTS
There is an open position on the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC). Residents interested in serving should send a Letter of Interest to the Township Office.
Public Works will pick up ‘naked’ trees (no lights, tinsel, ornaments, etc.) until the end of January.
March 29, 2025 – Wellness Day at Liebert’s Field (Rain date – March 30)
PUBLIC HEARING – ZONING ORDINANCE No. 199
Scott Sylvainus introduced the proposed Zoning Ordinance and Zoning map, which has been in development for 2 years, and opened the floor for public comment.
A resident said he’d read the new ordinance and asked about Sight Triangles and what recourse the public would have if someone violated it. Gary Asteak said that the Township should be notified of any concerns and that it could be treated as a Zoning Ordinance Violation.
A 4th Street resident asked about proposed zoning changes to the parcel of land next to the Intermediate School, pointing out that Chrin had requested this very change (Medium Density Housing to Light Industrial) back in December 2023 and there had been a lot of opposition to it from their neighborhood. She asked if this change had been made just to satisfy Chrin and was told “no.” She pointed out that any major development in that area would increase traffic, flooding and sinkholes and urged the supervisors not to do what Palmer did. The fires in Los Angeles this past week were a direct result of rapid development. Brian Sayago said that that land is going to be developed, it’s just a question of if it would be residential or commercial.
Susan Smith, a lawyer representing Hercules Cement, spoke out, saying Hercules supported the zoning change for the Chrin property.
I went over the timeline of the zoning change to the land east of the Intermediate School. Chrin first requested the zoning change in November 2023. A meeting was held on Dec. 6, 2023, where Mr. Wrobel from LVIP presenting a plan for an Industrial Park with 7 buildings. At the end of that presentation, Mr. Wrobel threatened the township that, if they did not change the zoning, Chrin would put in a residential development which included a trailer park. Neighbors turned out in force and one of them asked if the presentation guaranteed that Chrin would only put in the plan presented or if the they were going to pull a bait and switch. Chrin admitted that they might not put in an Industrial Park. On Gary Asteak’s advice, the board voted against the zoning change, and told Chrin to come back with a guaranteed plan. In May 2024, Chrin introduced a residential plan with 190 town homes and 48 apartments to the Planning Commission. They received comments from the commission and were asked to resubmit. Since then Chrin has requested one Letter of Extension after another. I pointed out that they could have come back anytime with a plan for an Industrial Park and the Board of Supervisors would have granted the zoning change. The fact that they haven’t, means they’re likely to put a warehouse on land with a history of sinkholes and soil subsidence. This zoning change to TD-10 means any development can include up to 70% of impervious surfaces which will lead to flooding.
Supervisors approved the Zoning Ordinance by a vote of 3-to-2 (Bartlett and Sayago voted against).
REGULAR MEETING
TOWNSHIP ENGINEER
Chris Briglia from Carroll Engineering introduced himself to the Board.
TOWNSHP SOLICITOR
Gary Asteak congratulated the Board on passing the zoning ordinance and said that SALDO would need to be updated next.
TOWNSHIP MANAGER
Approval to renew a ~ $253K Certificate of Deposit for 12 months.
Approval to adopt Resolution No. 25-06 – Amend the 2025 Fee Schedule.
The Township received a $20K from the County to help pay for a consultant to update the SALDO.
PLANNING AND ZONING
Approval of an HOP Application Authorization Form for Penn Dixie Commercial Park.
Approval of a Letter of Extension for Schoeneck Overlook until February 28, 2025.
Approval of to request services from Gilmore & Associates for KARST Assessment by a vote of 4-to-1. (Bartlett voted against, saying he thought the engineer might have a conflict of interest).
PUBLIC WORKS
Approval to accept termination of a full-time employee.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Approval to adopt Resolution No. 25-07- Police Department Fee Schedule.
Becky Bartlett covers these meetings because citizens have a right to know what their government is doing.
Upper Nazareth Township Meetings 