Perrucci Scales Down Luxury Apartment Complex By Housenick Park

Housenick Park advocate Vicky Bastidas

Last May, when Woodmont Properties' Michael Perrucci first pitched a 420-unit luxury apartment complex and commercial buildings right next to the proposed Housenick Memorial Park, he received a chilly reception from Bethlehem Township Commissioners. In addition to 3-story apartment buildings and garages next to a passive recreation park, the developer wanted the Township to adopt zoning changes that would allow him to build a high density apartment complex in a conservation area along Monocacy Creek.

At a second meeting in September, Perrucci indicated that he'd be willing to submit a less dense plan, was looking for a "middle ground," and wanted to work with the community.

At their February 6 meeting, Perrucci returned with a scaled down version of his original plan. Instead of 420 units, he's proposing 312. He's added two acres of open space. He's proposing a buffer so that park visitors will never see the apartment complex. He's directing traffic to Oakland Road, instead of the more rural Christian Springs Road. He's doubled the size of a detention pond, in an attempt to reduce the flooding from Monocacy Creek.

Despite these changes, Perrucci acknowledged he was only "at the beginning of a long process. We have a long way to go."

But educator and Housenick Park advocate Victoria Bastidas flatly told Commissioners, "This property should not be developed." She noted that flooding from the Monocacy Creek "is destroying our buidlings in downtown Bethlehem, and these are Moravian Church buildings." She scoffed at the notion of a commercial project along Route 191, noting that the strip mall across the street has five vacancies. She also complained about an increase in traffic.

Most of all, Bastidas worried about the adverse impact at Housenick Park, where there are 70 springs and numerous eco-systems. "This park is a jewel," she stated. "This is something for you to give to your children and grandchildren. This is something for your community. This is a gift."

Agreeing with Bastidas, Commissioner Tom Nolan told Perrucci he remains "totally opposed" to the project. He repeatedly referred to the proposed development as a "big, big mistake," and stated that during the Fall election, this was the one issue that troubled votes the most.

"We are on the Commission to represent them, not developers," Nolan concluded.

The other four Commissioner, however, felt Perrucci should continue, at least for now.

President Paul Weiss stated, "I always try to keep and open mind and listen." He later added, "We're moving to the next step. Whether you get there or not is up to you guys." Weiss' sentiments were echoed by Commissioner Phil Barnard. "I'm in favor of something going forward, but I don't know how you're gonna' do it." Commissioner Martin Zawarski, himself a developer, complimented Perrucci as a "premier developer" and called the rural location "one of the best areas" in the Township for development.

Commissioner Michael Hudak noted that development is inevitable. "It won't be a cornfield forever," he argued, hoping that Commissioner oversight would prevent "something disastrous."

Nothing will be happening anytime soon. Perrucci told Commissioners that traffic studies alone will take at least a year.