According to the Express Times (read the announcement) and previously noted here (read the post), "Lower Nazareth supervisors will hold a conditional use hearing for the proposed warehouse complex 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the municipal building, 306 Butztown Road."
Three additional warehouses are planned in the area of Route 33, Route 248, Country Club Road, and Northwood Avenue (see a map here). The challenge is that the area abuts Palmer Township and they have little say in the plans. Ironically, some of the residents, who live in Palmer, send their students to NASD.
The Express-Times has an article regarding Palmer's perspective here.
The Express-Times also has an editorial encouraging the two townships to work together (read it here).
Information on past Lower Nazareth meetings can be found here. This site has detailed notes on Lower Nazareth meetings and hearings - all residents ought to stop in and check it out on occasion.
The regional cooperation is critical and while Lower Nazareth is a part of the Nazareth 2030 plan, Palmer was not included (Lower was the southernmost municipality). You can learn more about the plan here.
While there was some discussion on having a business vs. a new neighborhood, I believe this land use issue really is more about what is appropriate business for this land. While residents may not like any development of the fields near them, they would probably be more open to a corporate park that is operational roughly 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. than a 24 hour distribution center operation with tractor trailers running, idling, and parking alongside their homes. It doesn't seem this type of development is consistent with the existing environment.
3 comments:
Let's see, Palmer wants a say in the use of land on lower Nazareth because they say it effects their residents...Isn't this the same Palmer Township that approved a horse racetrack between Tatamy and the Middle School, although vigorously petitioned by local residents. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black?
Good point - and congrats for being the first person to sign in and yet remain anonymous! (I have no problem with this approach by the way).
I also received this note from Joe Greene who runs the Lower Nazareth Citizen's site:
I think its too late for this to be implemented, but Bethlehem Township's Zoning Ordinance (unlike ours in Lower Nazareth) attempt to
prevent their township from becoming "warehouse central." Here is an excerpt from their Zoning Ordinance (entire ordinance is available at their excellent web site: http://www.bethlehemtwp.com/btweb/ look under the Zoning Tab)
A little planning would have gone a long way to prevent these problems.
And Ross, you win the jackpot for getting the right answer.
LNT has proven time and time again that they have very little ability to plan.
A couple years ago when Dutch Springs (a really great place if you haven't been there) wanted to expand, the BOS made them jump through a lot of hoops. One item in particular was a concern over increased traffic.
But, when it comes to trucking terminals that can handle hundreds of trucks a day, 24 x 7, there is not the same concern, only after the fact.
Years ago I learned the 7 P's of project management (Prior Proper Planning Prevents P*** Poor Performance). Maybe the LNT BOS could use a remedial lesson on that.
Post a Comment