Moravian Academy Proposes New Maintenance Building

During a brief but well-attended meeting of the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission on January 24, its seven-member board reviewed plans for a 6,400 sq. ft. pole barn maintenance building on Moravian Academy's sprawling, 121-acre, campus. Located along the eastern edge of the campus, it will be accessed by an internal driveway instead of directly from Green Pond Road. According to Angelo M. Capuzzi of Chester Valley Engineers, it will be 300' away from the nearest road.

Asked about the habitual flooding along Green Pond Road, Capuzzi stated that an additional detention basin was recently added, but because of the sinkhole potential of the soil in that area, options are limited.

Director of Campus Facilities & Development Bill Stank told planners the building would store lawn care equipment, a pick-up truck and a van. Board members Kenn R. Edinger and James Daley suggested that the safety committee review the above-ground fuel tanks, as well as a proposal for an 18' wide driveway.

After their formal presentation, Stank and Capuzzi informally reviewed their plans with neighbors and, upon completion, nobody objected to the proposal.

Planners will consider approval during their February meeting.

In other business, Lee Snover reorganized by keeping the same team they had in place last year. Lee Snover, James Daley and Kenn R. Edinger were unanimously elected Chair, Vice-Chair and Secretary.

Quietly sitting in the back, watching the proceedings, was Commissioner Paul Weiss. He said it felt good to be a spectator for a change.