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| Brooke Kuronya passes out watercolors of birds documented at Green Pond Marsh |
Traditions had sought waivers and deferrals on road widths and sidewalks. The Plan proposes road widths of 26' and 28' in a 33-38' wide right of way, while the township requires 32' wide roads as part of a 50' wide right of way. Traditions also sought a waiver of sidewalks on both sides of the street and a waiver of a sidewalk along Farmersville and Green Pond Roads. he developer sought a deferral of sidewalks along Church Road.
The main argument in favor of granting these waivers and deferrals is that this would decrease the amount of impervious coverage by 3.12 acres, making it easier to manage stormwaters and protect the wetlands. More narrow roads would also have a traffic calming effect, though Township Engineer Bryan Dillman observed that it would be slower traffic in more congested roads. "I wouldn't say it's safer," he remarked
Before the presentation, artist Gwendolyn Evans Caldwell, with the assistance of Brooke Kuronya, distributed watercolor paintings of the different bird species that will be impacted by this development. She called the plan "unconscionable." Don Morgan objected to the traffic from 500 cars on country roads that are already too busy. He also questions what effect it will have on his well. Kathy Glagola reminded Commissioners that waivers and deferrals are "discretionary. You don't have to grant it." Melissa Davis said it would be "smart to hold off," noting that Green Pond Marsh is "something we have that no one else has in the Lehigh Valley."
Tim McCarthy, Managing partner at Traditions, assured Commissioners, "We expect it to be the best community we ever had." Partner David Biddison added there were similar environmental fears when a senior living community was proposed at Bridle Path Road. "Usually, it's the fear rather than the execution," he remarked.
Michael Hudak complimented Biddison. "I think you've gone above and beyond on this project," he told him. "I applaud your tenacity. Hudak noted their role is very limited. They are simply granting waivers and deferrals. It will be up to PennDOT to decide on the traffic impact. Stormwater concerns are addressed by the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, he argued.
"The birds, the wetlands, are not going to be affected. I see these birds all the time. they will continue to come here. If I'm wrong, that's egg on my face."Hudak was joined by Marty Zaworski and Pat Breslin in granting the waivers. Breslin stated he is very impressed by the club house at other Traditions developments.
Tom Nolan and Phil Barnard voted against the waivers.
Calling the proposal a "poor plan" at a "terrible location," Nolan noted, like Glagola, that waivers are discretionary. He worried that granting waivers would be "basically giving you a green light to come in with a preliminary plan."
"We're the only voice for the migratory birds," Nolan concluded.
19 comments:
As long as the project does not flood out the Blue and the people along the Nancy Run and so long as traffic is not worsened along Easton Avenue, the project should be a go!
The vote of the Township Commissioners proves that we have elected (3) idiots; Hudak, Breslin and Zawarski. Nolan and Bernard are the only board members doing their jobs who voted to protect the Township planning saldos, zoning laws, fire and safety issues and environmental concerns that will be the legacy of the township for many years to come. Why the (3) idiots would continue to let a "lousy plan" move forward, granting waivers instead of the recommended "deferrals" of the knowledgeable planning board is anyone's guess. The SIMPLE SOLUTION to the management of the storm water on the site is to reduce the density of homes in the development, not request waivers. But of course TOA is not going to do that because they want density so that they make more MONEY. They could care less about Bethlehem Township, its residents, the Audubon Important Bird Area, our beautiful marsh and the other concerns constantly voiced by the tax paying residents of Bethlehem Township. TOA has crammed so many homes on this site that they are exacerbating the storm water issue not solving it. REMEMBER commissioners, this is an election year. A year when you should actually listen to the tax paying residents who elect you if you want to have a prayer of a chance at reelection.
@7:20,
Only (1) of the "idiots" is up for re-election this year (Mr. Z). The others have 2 years left, and all will be forgotten by then.
As usual- money wins. Not anything else. Money.
@7:20 - trust me....residents will not forget that the pro-development BOfC screw the tax payers, laws and ordinances at all costs will not forget. There are those of us that will not let this be forgotten. It is now an agenda.
Mr.Hudak is a foolish man who has little understanding of the natural world and no respect for the environment.He is a sad and disturbed individual who seems to revel in the almost certain demise of many of our rare and beleaguered feathered friends.He should be deeply ashamed of himself but instead mocks our special avian visitors as their continued existence and presence at Green Pond will most assuredly be compromised if not completely eradicated as a result of his and the majority of the Bethlehem Township Commissioner's greedy decision to destroy this prized and beautiful habitat.
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The three commissioners who are in favor of this development should be voted out of office, starting with Zawarski in this upcoming election. The citizens should start an election campaign:
"Zawarski - throw the bum out. Save Green Pond."
To not recognize what an amazing asset Green Pond Marsh is to Bethlehem Township plainly shows how out of touch with anything but greed or ignorance these three are. They have no moral right to destroy this treasure and deprive our children's children of living near such a place.
To help voters differentiate the candidates, since Zawarski was the only one at the debate, how would Weiss or Birk vote on this? Did Birk speak out against it and in favor of Green Pond during his courtesy of the floor at this same meeting?
Whats amazing is that when Howard Kutzler a Township resident was on staff, all environmental rules were being maintained, he worked with the birders to make sure that things were on the up and up. He was though as pro development as I ever saw someone on a planning staff. I remember him reporting out on meetings with the DCNR, Moravian and so on. What has changed that all of a sudden this property has all these green lights to proceed? Something seems wrong here. Real wrong that is.
6:23AM- Wow, people must have short memories. Toll Brothers was going to plow through that whole area years ago and no one seemed to care.
So many people here have ZERO idea of the whole process. Even people who said they have experience seem to be making remarks that have no bearing. They have no clue. This issue will not be decided by the township. It will be decided by the courts because either side will sue. Either side! So please think, think about what you are saying. What was really gained by the vote made.
"To help voters differentiate the candidates, since Zawarski was the only one at the debate, how would Weiss or Birk vote on this? Did Birk speak out against it and in favor of Green Pond during his courtesy of the floor at this same meeting?"
There is no doubt in my mind that both Birk and Weiss would vote to grant these waivers, as Zawarski did.
To 7:34am
Back in the Toll Bros days many people didn't realize how special Green Pond Marsh was. Back then it was simply called the Green Pond flooded fields and very few people, except for the birders, thought much about what it's loss would mean. Fortunately now, it's uniqueness is appreciated and understood by almost everyone.
Brief history. In my lifetime. Almost 60 years the pond did not overflow into the TOA area. WHY? In 1960 the pond was dredged and thousand of truckloads of dirt was removed and what this did was lower the water table thus creating a situation whereby we didn't see water on TOA side until the last few years. Yes I am sure prior to 1960 there was water that I am sure that found its way to the TOA site. But I wasn't even born then. If Green Pond was dredged next week, the water table would be lowered and no water would exist on TOA side. And this condition would remain that way for many many years until the pond fills back up with sediment and the water table rises.
Look at the history of the quarry that feeds the Monocacy creek. When they shut off the pumps to the quarry the fed the creek the Monacacy dried up from the quarry all the way to the Housenick Estate and that was about 20 or so years ago. Now the water table in the quarry rose to current levels and now Monocacy creek is flowing fine. So bird people now you know.
Think about it.
The Big Guy
"There is no doubt in my mind that both Birk and Weiss would vote to grant these waivers, as Zawarski did."
8:39 AM
That was the point I hoped to make over the weekend. By not attending, neither Birk nor Weiss (nor Buller or Blatz) had to answer on the record to anything. Joe Voter upset about Green Pond (or pick your issue: traffic, development, BTAA, etc), and votes "against" someone not appreciating that who he is voting "for" may be no different on that specific issue than the one he is "against." Birk didn't even use the floor on it? ... but in the privacy of door-to-door, a candidate can say what they gauge the resident wants to hear. I saw that when Seth Vaughn knocked on my door before NorCo elections.
I really wish some other names had thrown their hat in the ring for at-large. That said, I will give Z credit for at least having the courage to show up at the debate and meetings and say how he feels.
Ward 1, voters have two very upfront guys to base their votes on, and should disregard Buller who apparently was afraid to show at the debate, or even respond. Yet his presence on the ballot might create an interesting plurality result??
Ward 3... "that's a good question"(said too often)... but at least had the courage to show at the debate, and to take a vote on GP. While vague in comments, he does have a voting record to judge by, compared to unknown views of his GOP opponent who didn't feel it necessary to show. The Dem can afford to lay low for now, but I am curious if their knowledge of Twp gov't goes beyond support for BTAA, which may not be much different than Barnard's (?). It may be more "finger in the wind" voting than knowledge/research of the issues and/or leadership(?), but his voting record has not been terrible.
Lots of calls for change, or there would not be 9 people running. However, I can't help but think of the cliche, "be careful what you ask for, as you just might get it." Voting "against" something rather than "for" sometimes runs the risk of giving you something even worse.
"Whats amazing is that when Howard Kutzler a Township resident was on staff, all environmental rules were being maintained, he worked with the birders to make sure that things were on the up and up. He was though as pro development as I ever saw someone on a planning staff. I remember him reporting out on meetings with the DCNR, Moravian and so on. What has changed that all of a sudden this property has all these green lights to proceed? Something seems wrong here. Real wrong that is."
Toll was going to put tees and a fairway ON THE MARSH! IN this bird area! Houses right up to the wetlands! They approved it that way. How was that maintaining environmental rules? How is that up and up? Ten years later and more of the same. It is ironic today is Earth Day.
NOTHING changes here. It is the same now as it was then. Build, build, build. Now we have to put up with traffic jams and skyscrapers on what used to be a field. Previous staff was just as much a problem as the current ones!!
We will never see REAL change.
Dear 12:54 PM Go on to Save Green Pond. org website and review the study prepared by Schmid and Company. There are photographs and a rainfall analysis showing water in the TOA site as far back as the 40's. This is not hearsay by verifiable science.
Michael Hudak complimented Biddison. What a surprise. Kickback much??
Response to 11:56am
Ah yes, Biddison of Traditions of America. He who speaks with forked tongue. One of the clearest and earliest examples of his forked tongue was in his presentation to the Bethlehem Township Planning Commission (in July 2014) with a packed audience in attendance. He told the room that he had spoken with Paul Zeph of the Audubon Society and another birding organization about the Marsh area. He stated that these birding organizations had essentially approved TOA's plan for the marsh! He even had slides in his power point presentation to 'illustrate' the cooperation he had with these organizations. Unfortunately, the only part of his presentation that was accurate was the part where he said he had spoken to those organizations. Everything else he stated was untrue. Someone called him out at that meeting for distorting the truth about his discussions with Audubon. Otherwise no one would have known the truth and he may even have been complimented for his fictionalized account of his meeting with Audubon! Since that evening, he has stopped trying to snow everyone with that particular fiction. But he keeps saying other fictions related to the Marsh area.
A few days after Biddison gave his fictionalized account of his meeting with Audubon to the BT Planning Commission, word got back to Paul Zeph of Audubon about how Biddison had totally misrepresented their discussion. Taken from the SaveGreenPond.org website, this was Mr. Zeph's response:
"I want to make it clear that the National Audubon Society is not in favor of the proposed development, or any development at this site. Any development will diminish the wetland system that supports the many birds, and the proposed development by Traditions of America will probably result in the area supporting only a fraction of the birds that have been there annually, thus destroying the site as an IBA (Important Bird Area)."
-- Paul Zeph, Director of Conservation at Audubon Pennsylvania
So I wonder what Hudak was complimenting Biddison on at the most recent public meeting? Other fictions that the gullible believe?
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