Local Government TV

Tuesday, February 07, 2012

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.

18 comments:

  1. For those who read this post, that is not Route 191, that is Linden Street. Bethlehem Township calls it the Nazareth Pike, that stretch of road between Oakland Road and Route 22, and beyond. But it is not Route 191. Route 191 starts at Route 22, and goes north from there. Looks like the Nazareth Pike is going to be one big blur of commercial development. Hard to stop progress. Also, hard to stop cancer.

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  2. don't like development? use your own money, buy the land, and sit on it.

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  3. What this event shows us is that a designated gift is not secure. No matter how many dotted lines are signed. Unfortunately, designated gifts are not protected.

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  4. No way they can construct a large earth moving apartment complex that will not permanently harm the fresh water streams and the wildlife.

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  5. In other words the commissioners said...let's make the developer richer and get great campaign donations

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  6. Are the developers going to build a school system to support these units?

    Why are developers allowed to build these massive communities and have no obligation towards the educational systems?

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  7. And taxpayers wonder why their taxes are going up again...

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  8. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  9. 8:48, If you want to post a comment like that about another person, you're going to have to identify yourself instead of being an anonymous coward.

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  10. Zawarski?

    Ha Ha ...glad I don't live there.

    Steve Franks

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  11. What did Bethlehem Township do to get Martin Zawarski in a position of making decisions?

    Yikes.

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  12. Keep it consistent with the LVPC Greenway plan, don't disturb hydrologic soil too much, follow good storm water management practices, design a part of this project as age restricted only, to minimize impact on the school district. Just some suggestions.

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  13. isn't this America -- home of land ownership. I can understand zoning to keep industry away from houses but come on this is a residential project. If they don't want 400+ or 300+ then tell the developer what is appropriate and work it out. I have seen Perrucci's developments and say what you want about the guy he does nice work. His communities are attractive and well-planned.

    If everyone felt that whay there would never be housing anywhere. We would still be hunters and gatherers. Come on lets use some common sense before this goes to court, cost taxpayers money and is allowed to build anyway because IT IS HIS LAND.

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  14. Agreed 5:35. Fight him (the developer) too much and you will derive no benefit from it. Find a way to do this so that the impact on the surrounding community is negligible. Instead of ugly detention basins incorporate something out of the box like a rain garden to minimize the impact of storm water runoff. How about the use of semi pervious materials for the parking lot? There are lots of foreward thinking solutions for the community to make ths work so it is fair to all.
    While I don't like to see this, it is his land, and it is proximal to infrastructure.

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  15. C, Perrucci should hire you. Those are all good ideas. This land is not owned by Perrucci, but by the Moravian Church. I believe he has an option. According to Vicky Bastidas, this is a case where people can't agree to meet half way. But I know Perrucci offered to meet with her last night. I also know they are all reasonable people. We shall see. There are other possibilities. The County could grab the land, too.

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  16. This will create more flooding in Bethlehem historic area and the county open space initiative should be buying this to keep it as is...

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  17. Glad to hear that option could be on the table. There will be strong public support for the county to purchase this parcel.

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  18. Can I unvote for Martin Zawarski now?

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